Saturday, August 30, 2008

Why UK Land Prices Are Booming

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Many overseas investors are seeing the potential for investing in UK land. There are opportunities countrywide for investing In UK land: � Farmland. � General agricultural plots. � Wooded areas.



Not only does land ownership in the UK offer high returns, it also offers low risk, making it a great investment for long- term capital gains. Land developers are snapping these up. Why UK Land Prices are Booming. So, why is land such a good investment in the UK? There is a need for up to 3, 000 new homes, 500 over the next 15 years, 400, rising to 4, 000 new homes over the next 20 years. 90% of towns in the UK are unaffordable for first time buyers. The UK suffers from some of the oldest housing stock in Europe and a huge shortage of supply of affordable and mid priced housing.


The UK is the second most densely populated country in Europe and has a fast rising migrant population. Over the last 30 years, the demand for new homes has increased by 30% whereas over the same period, house- building rates have dropped by over 50% . There are three basic categories of UK land: Brownfield land: Generally found within urban areas- land that has had a previous use such as residential, industrial or commercial. Since 1997, the Government has increased the average number of new homes built per hectare from 25 to 4 Categories of UK Land. Greenbelt Land Green belt forms a buffer zone around urban areas. Which Category is Best? Open Countryside: Are areas of open country free of development and therefore free of economies capable of supporting development.


The Government says that a record 70% of all new building is now on brown field land. While opportunities exist in brownfield land, greenbelt land offers the biggest gains, and it is inevitable that over the coming years considerable areas are developed. This figure is regarded as being unsustainable, as to continue to build on brownfield land will lead to overcrowding in cities, which will impact on existing infrastructure and services within these areas. You should not invest in open countryside, as capital growth potential is poor- land that is ready for developing is a much better investment. Owning land for speculation is all about getting the right location, and this means obtaining land for which planning permission is obtainable. Capital Growth in UK Land is all About Location!


If you are looking at purchasing land in the UK as a domestic or overseas investor, you will want to find an advisor who can help you. You Don t Need a Big Investment to Participate. Many companies provide this service and they can help you find the right location for capital growth. Generally, small investors can participate in this investment as plots of land can be subdivided into parcels and sold to many different speculators, who can all take advantage of the growth potential of a single development. If you take into account that UK land prices are rising, downside risk is relatively low and growth potential is high, you have the perfect investment to diversify your portfolio away from traditional asset classes such as shares or bonds. Investing in UK land- The Perfect Low Risk, High Reward Investment Opportunity!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Many Of The Georgia Lake Communities Are Located On And Around Sparkling Lakes

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Mountain areas and retreats are among the most beautiful and popular homes being built in Georgia today. Georgia lake communities are those that feature access to refreshingly unspoiled lakes and offer amenities like world class golf courses and full clubhouses to their residents.



Developers in many of the georgia lake communities are entering new phases of development and opening new communities that take full advantage of all the majesty and beauty that mountain living has to offer. These exclusive communities offer a high quality of life and all the recreational activities associated with an active outdoor lifestyle- all within easy access of the largest metropolitan area in the south. At the same time, they have all the splendor of living in a luxury mountain resort retreat, the serenity of a natural setting, hiking trails and bike paths for the fitness minded and the simple pleasure of enjoying a stunning sunset from your own back deck. Just minutes from the Atlanta metropolitan area, new home buyers can avail themselves of all the beauties of nature and still have access to all the advantages of city living, the best medical, major airport access facilities in the world, excellent colleges and universities and the entertainment and cultural opportunities one seldom finds outside large cities. Many of the Georgia lake communities are located on and around sparkling lakes. At Lake Arrowhead, the future plans, for instance include a full service marina with storage facilities for residents, as well as the fine dining experience of a world class restaurant on the lake that features gourmet dining al fresco overlooking the mountain lake.


They offer dock access for leisure time water activities like boating, fishing and swimming. In addition, residents enjoy all the benefits of living on one of Georgia s 60 freshwater fishing lakes and lake systems with streams, creeks and small waterfalls. Among the most popular Georgia lake communities are those that highlight golf as a recreational and competitive activity. Trout, crappie, catfish, bluegill and bass abound in the mountain streams and lakes, offering recreational and sporting activities to any fisherman from the casual caster to the avid sportsman. The area has over 450 golf courses, many of them rated as world class courses. Homes in these georgia lake communities range in price from modest family homes in the mid$ 150 s to luxury retreats priced above$ 1M.


Several of the Georgia lake communities feature their own golfing greens and golf clubs, complete with full clubhouse, golf pros and golf lessons for all ages and levels of golfers. The higher priced homes feature luxury amenities like multiple level decks, terraced landscapes and, outdoor hot tubs open floor plans created for maximum customization. If you re on the lookout for a new home in the Northern Georgia area, you ll find nearly any dream home you can imagine in one of the Georgia lake communities. Home styles include everything from small mountain cabins tucked into the hills to fully landscaped home sites and custom designed luxury homes that feature stunning mountain, lake and forest views.

Read more...

The Golf Courses Were Designed, One By Jack Nicklaus, And The Other By Tom Weiskoph - Finance and Real Estate:

Americans, Canadians and Europeans are finding it ever increasingly popular to Retire in Mexico.

Often Houses That Need Work And Some Repairs Can Be Found And Easily Negotiated For A Lower Price - Anna Trisler about Finance and Real Estate:

There are many times and factors that go into a re- finance and if the indicators above seem to say it is not a good time then it might be better to back off and wait.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

One Magical Way To Stay In The Marches Is In A Restored Home

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

If you re looking to rent or buy a property in Europe, the Marche area of Italy has a lot going for it.



But the Marches( pronounced Lay Markay and locally spelled Le Marche) comes without the crowds that often spoil visits to other, more famous parts of the country. Italy is home to La Dolce Vita, the sweet life which makes pleasure an art form. Here s a look at the Marche region and how you can acquire you own dream home here. The Marches is the lesser known of the three regions( along with Tuscany and Umbria which lie to the west) that make up central Italy. First, let s look at the location and attractions of Italy s Marche region. It comprises six provinces- Ancona, Macerata, Ascoli Piceno, Pesaro, and Urbino.


You can visit lovely beaches and harbors, towns and old, monasteries and abbeys gated cities with shrines and renaissance churches and enchanting palazzos. It may be lesser known but its charms can equal any of those in Italy. In fact, the whole region is steeped in culture and history. Outside the cities you can experience true natural beauty of Italy. Marche s cities are splendid but are just part of the region s pleasures. Inland this is in the form of limestone peaks pitted by deep gorges and water cascading into stone pools. In fact the whole Adriatic coastline, stretching from Pesaro in the north to San Benedetto in the south, offers scenic wonders and superb beaches.


Near the shore, there are wonderful seaside walks and an abundance of beach resorts such as Fano in the north and Pedaso and San Benedetto del Tronto in the south. Wining and dining has its pleasures too. The staple wine of the region is verdicchio, crisp drink that, a young perfectly complements seafood. Marche cuisine comprises a hearty blend of rustic fare and seafood. When you ve decided that the Marches is the place for you, you ll be pleased to know that you have a wide range of accommodation options. And Marche real estate is far more affordable than in other parts of Italy.


These include rooms, villas, apartments, country homes, and even castlellas. One magical way to stay in the Marches is in a restored home. If you re planning on staying at the Marches region for a week or a year or a lifetime, you ll need to systemize you house hunting operation. You can enjoy authentic Italian living with all the comforts of modern life. For success you ll need to contact a local firm that specializes in the sale and rent of properties in the area. They must also be able to deal with all the bureaucratic details that accompany any rent, lease or sale of real estate. A quality company will have a long track record and the technical expertise to survey property.


But before contacting a reputable firm, you ll have to decide on the type of home you want so you can give them some guidelines. If you follow these simple procedures and use the services of a professional firm, you ll have no problem in finding the residence of your dreams in Marche. And remember that this is a vast area so visiting homes in far- flung locations can be a time- consuming procedure. And remember by living there, you re not only gaining a residence in a place of natural beauty but also gaining a sense of tradition.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Resale Value Of A House Located In A Developed Area Is Huge

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

A smart investor s earning potential is really high, as a Real Estate property only appreciates with the passage of time. There is nothing wiser than buying a flat at a young age, when your liabilities are low, and then selling it at peak at double its purchase price.



With the booming Real Estate markets, the youngsters have actually started looking at Real Estate investments as great options to secure their future. To reap benefits, you need to however sow smart. Invest smart. As in, there is a lot of groundwork involved in finalizing a property and investing in it. You need to study the Real Estate market well before finalizing the property in which you want to invest. Resale value of a house located in a developed area is huge. The key areas where you should focus are: condition of the house, locality in which the house is located, prevailing rentals in that particular area, infrastructure of the area in terms of availability of recreational, and transport facilities, health in the area.


Hence, prefer buying a flat in a developed locality. Understand your need. In case your budget doesn t permit you to buy an apartment in a posh area, then there is no harm in finding options in an under- developed or developing area, provided you study the area plan well. For a smart investment, it is important that you understand your need well. Such properties help you lower down cost of living and utilize rents obtained from other parts of the property to pay mortgaged loans, if any. For instance, if you plan to live in the property that you are planning to buy, it is wise to buy a house with multiple units. In case, if you are looking at buying a property that is already on rent, make it a point to assess the records of the tenants before finalizing the purchase.


A Real Estate broker, with his rich experience in the industry and rich database of properties, can help you zero down your search very well. It is better if you take professional help to identify your needs and formulate a suitable plan of action, and then execution. Choose a finance option. Nowadays, most brokers offer this value- added service to their clients, so that the deal is fast without the client having to initiate the tedious bank procedures on his own. If you are looking out for some financing options to purchase your property, you may visit a mortgage broker, to help you in finding suitable finance options at a good cost. Find out if your real agent has a tie up with a bank or any other financial institutions. You need to however do some comparative analysis to get the best interest rate for a reasonable tenor.

Read more...

Buying A Prefab Home - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

If you re in the market to build a home, you should consider buying a prefabricated home package. What are Prefabricated Home Packages?

Vale Do Lobo Villas - Lana Maw's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Vale do Lobo Villas. Firstly, Algarve, Vale do Lobo, Portugal is generally acknowledged as Europe�s finest golf resort with a �500 million investment programme in place for 2 further developments: the Oceano Clube( Vale do Lobo II) and Vale Real( Vale do Lobo III) .

For This Reason The Property Market Has Always Been A Popular Option Especially Over The Last Few Years - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

When it comes to investment opportunities it s hard to know what to invest your money in because you want to be sure that you re not going to lose everything you ve put all your money into. One of the many reasons why investment opportunities in property are so popular is due to the dramatic increase in property values over recent years.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

You Can Now Sell The Property Or Lease Option It

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

If you truly want financial freedom, now is the time to invest in pre- foreclosures. Properly done there will be many millionaires made in this market for the next few years.



Yes, now is the time because foreclosures are at an all time high nationwide, and it isn t going to get better any time soon. It s quite simply the law of supply and demand along with the knucklehead lenders that allowed the public to purchase properties of much more than they could afford. If you are one of those lenders and you are reading this all I can say is shame one you. These adjustable rate loans have now adjusted upwards to the point where the payments are no longer affordable and my heart goes out to the families that have been duped by these lenders. But the great thing is those same lender are now getting what they deserve. Just look at Countrywide and many other lenders that are now sitting with literally thousands of( REOs) properties. The old saying, what goes around come around is so true.


They are lenders and have no desire to be in the real estate business, but because of their stupidity and greed, they are now. It means that there is more money than ever before to be made as an investor and here s why. What does that mean to you as an investor? The banks are no longer the liberal lenders they once were and thousands and thousands of people that would have qualified for a loan before don t now. For those unfamiliar with the term subject to I ll explain. People are selling their houses subject to more now than they have in the past 34 plus years that I have been in the real estate business.


The seller deed the property to you and the note and mortgage stay in the sellers name until you get the property sold. Lease option is a wonderful way to help someone get into a home. You can now sell the property or lease option it. As long as the property isn t over financed you will be able to make the payment to the make and add a profit monthly. There are homes here in Florida that have been lease optioned three and four times. One of the great things about lease options is that less than 25% of the people that lease option a property will ever exercise their option. Each time the person lease optioning plunks down anywhere between$ 5, 000 and$ 50, 000 which is non refundable.


I can assure if that were money I would be doing everything I possibly could to protect my investment, yet we still see it happening on a consistent basis. It still amazes me after being in this business for so many years that people will just walk away from that kind of money and think absolutely nothing of it. I guess I ll never figure out what goes on in other people s minds. The market is flooded with them and the banks are willing to take discounts like they have never done before. The point being is that this is truly the time to be investing in pre- foreclosures. So, in many cases where you may look at a property and think to yourself there is no equity in the property, you may be dead wrong. So my dear investors start looking for properties again and stop having your daily pity party.


Getting a bank to take a$ 30, 000 or$ 40, 000 discount today isn t difficult as long as you can show the bank that there is a good reason for them to accept it Banks don t want to take back, maintain or have the liability of a vacant property if there is any way they can prevent it from happening. You see, when you have a pity party few people ever come and there are never any gifts. Just remember when you take over a seller s property subject to and make any promises to the seller make absolutely certain that you live up to your work or don t take over the property. When you all got into this business you agreed to help as many people as you possibly were able to and make a profit in the process. If you do make promises and don t keep your word and we hear about it, we will do everything in our power to get you out of this business to protect the public and the good name of the investors who really are interested in helping people solve their problems and getting on with their lives. Now stop acting like a wimp and go out there and help the sellers that so desperately need your help.

Read more...

Short Sales Are The Real Estate Equivalent Of Repossession Auctions - Whitney Wimsatt's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Many new investors thrilled by the novel idea of making money by buying and selling real estate, are persuaded by short sales or sometimes called" foreclosures" .

Yuma Has Those On The Market As Well - Finance and Real Estate:

Yuma is a fast growing and extremely desirable place to live in southern Arizona. A brand new mall and updated downtown give Yuma a slightly more sophisticated look than that of the old Yuma.

Even With The Title Of The Assets In The Trust S Name, You Can Retain The Control Over Those Assets - Lacy Livings's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Do you have a real estate or other personal properties in Maryland that are making you liable for huge tax amounts? Personal property trusts will keep your name off public records and your trustee will be the nominee title holder of your assets in Maryland.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Most Telling, Is The Growth, Perhaps Of Burlington Over The Past Decade

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Due to its close proximity to both Toronto and Hamilton, the city of Burlington has been looked at by some as an area where people who commute for work can make their homes in a less expensive, less busy part of Ontario. It is incredibly easy to commute from Burlington to any one of the many other more industrial cities around it.



Burlington s prime transportation network does at first blush seem to uphold this title. And you certainly will find many people who do commute to a job in Toronto or Hamilton from Burlington. Most telling, is the growth, perhaps of Burlington over the past decade. But to label Burlington as simply a bedroom community is to overlook several major facts regarding the development of the city. It is one of Canada s fastest growing areas, with large numbers of immigrants and young families locating to the upper middle class city which now numbers over 164, 000 residents. In any city with a large population there is bound to be those who take advantage of the market and establish their own ventures there, and Burlington has become something of a hot spot for the young and innovative.


The transportation infrastructure and the proximity of Burlington to major centres have indeed contributed to its growth, but not as solely a living area for workers there. The fact that Burlington is enviably located on in one of the most prosperous areas in the whole country( known as the Golden Horseshoe) means that it is a prime location for many diverse businesses. The Intelligent Community Forum recently recognized the city of Burlington as a Smart 21 Community. The two sectors that contribute most to Burlington s prosperity as well as to its rosy future economic prospects are the automotive industry and the financial industry. Both Evertz and UPS Supply Chains have touted Burlington s location and transportation access as major reasons for locating new hubs within the city, and Mars Metal has also chosen to take advantage of Burlington as an incredible gateway for exporting. It is a viable and thriving city unto itself, with opportunities for employment and business development in many different sectors


Taking advantage of the same factors that appealed to people working in the Toronto area, Burlington has grown into much more than a bedroom community.

Read more...

At No Time Since The 1970s Has The State Of The Real Estate Market Made The News So Often Than It Is Occurring At The Present Time - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

At no time since the 1970s has the state of the real estate market made the news so often than it is occurring at the present time. If you are like most people, you have heard more than an earful about these two different issues pertaining to the real estate market.

This Will Allow Your Loan Provider To Assist You In Finding That Ideal Mortgage Of Yours - Elena Vantassel's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Buying a house is quite a tough job.

Located A Short Distance From Downtown San Diego - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Located on the south western corner of the United States San Diego is often called America s finest city .

Friday, August 22, 2008

When Buying In Bulgaria You Can Expect Anything

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

It is great that you have decided to buy or invest in property that is in Bulgaria, but you may not know what to expect.



Bulgaria is a land full of property waiting to be invested in, that is what you can expect when buying in Bulgaria, Depending on what city in Bulgaria you are choosing to get property in can vastly change the type of property available. When buying in Bulgaria, you can expect a lot of things, from great priced real estate to a variety of types of real estate to buy. For instance, if you were to get property in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, then you would most likely be looking for apartments or maybe a house, since Sofia is the most developed property market in Bulgaria. There is private land hear to build apartments or holiday villages. Now, there is a broader range of what to expect on a real estate market through out Bulgaria and is as follow: Beach apartments: One area in Bulgaria is known as Sunny Beach, it is an international beach resort. Of course, this means that there are apartments available for rent or you could buy one and rent it out.


Ski Resorts: Of course there are ski resorts in the mountains of Bulgaria. There are other beach resorts in Bulgaria where the same sort of real estate market is, just not to the same potential as Sunny Beach. These are probably the most difficult to obtain property in, but it is possible to find it in some resorts. Let s not forget to mention the properties available on the Black Sea. Your best bet here is to buy some residential property in one the neighboring villages and rent or live in it there. This does fall under the category of beach apartments, and Sunny Beach is one of the resorts on the coast of the Black sea. If you do not want to visit it yourself, you can always rent out your summer house.


The reason in mentioning this is that you may be able to find some great summer houses along the coast of Bulgaria. Residential Real Estate: there are houses, condominiums, apartments, and more. All of these types of residential properties can be for sale or for rent, heck you can even buy your property and put it up for rent. Depending on your current citizen status, you could even buy some land and build a house in Bulgaria. It all depends on what you are looking for and what your needs are. It all depends on what you want and where you want it. When buying in Bulgaria you can expect a wide range of property to be available, some at reasonable prices and others a little high priced.


Rest assured, your real estate dreams can come true when you are buying in Bulgaria because of the vast number of properties and property types that are available. When buying in Bulgaria you can expect anything.

Read more...

The Sellers Need You - Finance and Real Estate:

This article details the power of being a Buyer in today s real estate market.

Many See This As A Property Investment Opportunity That Will Generate An Income - Chelsea Charleston's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Buying a chateau is the ultimate real estate dream.

As A General Rule Of Thumb The Mortgage Repayments Should Be Less Than 35% Of Your Total Monthly Income - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

The property situation in the UK has been steadily rising for many decades now, but finally it seems slowing down and possibly the reverse happening.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

To Get A Property Sold With Subsidence Problems Is Almost Impossible

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Problem properties can cause a lot of sleepless nights and as the owner, the best thing to do is to perform a quick sale. While you are dealing with such situations, increased management time and overheads also come along.



Investment in property can turn into a burden very fast instead of being a valuable investment if some problems develop in the property or you have tenants who are not paying you rent on time. If you are planning to sell your problem property then there are a lot of companies that would be interested in buying it. If you inherited a flat or house that is not in a good condition or it has the risk of deteriorating then such companies can be of great help. These companies purchase the house or any property quickly for cash so that you do not have spend on real estate agents or solicitors. You do not have to go through any hassles of a long drawn out sale or high fees of real estate agents. These companies provide you a quote for your problem flat or house within a few hours and though the length of the process depends on you, generally the sale gets over within one week.


Also if you bought a problem property that was not a good investment or you were having problems with the tenants then the best option is to sell your property. As the owner, you can stay in your problem property for six months or more than that by prior arrangements to fill in with the timescale you have. The tenants are given the same kind of treatment as if you are still the owner of the place and this means that the contract provides protection to the tenants which may be or may not be renewed depending on the agreement between the company and tenants. Some companies specialize in quick sale of such properties with paying or non- paying tenants in place. As an owner you also have the benefit of a confidential and private sale. It helps to sell your property to such companies because they act as funded buyers with no requirement for a mortgage company to approve the purchases of such companies, after the purchase the problem is solved.


The price that you will be getting will be as important as ensuring that the sale happens without any fuss and without the neighbors or tenants knowing about it. To get a property sold with subsidence problems is almost impossible. As a buyer of a problem property you need to remember that even though you might get such properties at a low cost, you will have to make efforts and bring about some required changes in it in order to make it sellable. This is because most of the buyers require a mortgage and no mortgage company would be lending on a property that has a subsidence history. You can even buy foreclosure properties because this is considered to be one of the bets choices for investing. Whatever steps you are taking make sure that you are well informed about it. But before you do this make sure that you have done a proper research and you know well about the foreclosure market so that it is easy for you to get what you are expecting.

Read more...

Their Job Is To Find You That Next Great House - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

A lot of times when home buyers decide to buy that next property instinctively they call their real estate agents to find them new homes that fit their current criteria and needs. Their job is to find you that next great house.

Most Homes Are Affordable, Starting In The 150 S - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

If you are seeking out the best new places to live in Texas, then the world- renowned Houston is the city to start with.

Short Sales Are The Real Estate Equivalent Of Repossession Auctions - Whitney Wimsatt about Finance and Real Estate:

Many new investors thrilled by the novel idea of making money by buying and selling real estate, are persuaded by short sales or sometimes called" foreclosures" .

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

This Makes The Home Look Different Than It Actually Is

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

When buying a house, the conventional maxim asks you to focus only on location. But, there are many other issues to keep in mind so that your efforts to ensnare a dream home do not become a utopian mirage.



There is no doubt that location is very important. This article talks about some of those issues: Do Not Be So Sure That You Can Time the Market. But, it is your money in the game. There is a shipload of pundits out there who will swear that the market has reached its crest or its trough- - or both! So, do not let them all take you for one grand ride. It Does Not Cost What You Think it Does. Buy a house when you need it and can afford it.


Do not just look out for the basic cost of transacting. For instance, if you are buying a house, you might have to take care of interiors, fixtures, plumbing, ceilings, painting, walls, carpets, windows, flooring, doors, well that is just the beginning of the list. Depending on the specific property, you could expect to spend tons of money on getting stuff up to shape. There is a whole lot more. Do Not Fall For Common Tricks of the Trade. Make sure to factor it all in.


If you are a first time home buyer, there is always the chance that you might fall prey to some of the common tricks that a home seller might resort to. Trick 1: Using excessive illumination to make the house look cheery. Here are a few for your reference, but it is up to you to use your creativity and imagination to avoid getting fooled. Some sellers will switch on all lights when they are showing you their home- - even if it is daytime. Politely request to turn off some lights to get a better idea. This makes the home look different than it actually is. Trick 2: Using fragrances to disguise the stink.


Make sure you do. Surely that is something you would have caught, right? Trick 3: Being unavailable to answer questions. But they must answer all your questions unambiguously. It is ok for the seller to be missing when you visit the home. Those are just a few of the issues you need to keep in mind when buying a house. Choose to be smart.


Remember it is your house, your time, your money, and your decision.

Read more...

Water Problems Again - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

I always advise any home purchaser to get a professional home inspection. So why not get in the habit of looking for those tell- tale red flags for yourself anytime you are looking at property for sale.

The New Town Hall At Mazarron Cost �8million And 1, 643 Square Metres Over Four Floors - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

The popular towns of Mazarr�n and Puerto de Mazarr�n on the Costa Calida should become even more attractive with several schemes to improve facilities, transport links and landscaping. Mayor of Mazarr�n Francisco Blaya Blaya, explained that this corridor would be substantially upgraded in the future.

Find Another Real Estate Marketing Strategy - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

There are essentially 5 steps to being successful in real estate marketing. The moment that you are able to find your own deals- on demand- the more money you will make!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Deciding To Sell Your Home Is A Big Decision

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

If you have been thinking about selling your home, you might be a little bit deterred by the slow down in the real estate market. Before you decide that you are going to have to remain in your home for several more years, realize that there is never either an absolutely right or absolutely wrong time to sell a home.



You may even be asking yourself if you have missed an opportunity to sell your home. Demand will vary, there are definitely peaks and valleys, there will always, but overall be buyers and sellers. But you are also a buyer, and let us face it, there is no better time to buy a move up house than right now. As a seller, you have to make sure that your home is attractive and will bring in interested buyers. Before you get ready to put your house on the market, you should take the time to evaluate whether this is the right move for you. The following steps will help you with the decision making process. If it is, you want to prepare your house to sell quickly.


Contact a Mortgage Consultant. Before you go out shopping for new homes, meet with a mortgage consultant. You may think that you qualify for that move up home, but some home buyers have found themselves in uncomfortable positions. A consultant will take the time to discuss your options, evaluate your buying potential, and help you become prequalified. How Much Do You Have Left On Your Current Mortgage? A consultation with a mortgage advisor will help you determine whether this is the right time to sell and also help you determine what your buying potential for a new home could be. If you are like most people, you have a rough idea of how much you have left to pay on your existing mortgage.


Find out how much your pay off amount will be, so you can evaluate it against your potential sales amount, so you really know how much your equity will be. But it is better to get a truly accurate amount. What is Your Current Home Value and Selling Costs? An agent will pull comps, sales prices for other homes in your neighborhood that are similar. Contact a real estate agent to find out how much your home is worth. At the same time, your real estate agent can also give you a rough estimate of total expenses which include commissions, taxes, fees for attorneys, and expenses. Before you put your home on the market or start looking, make sure that it truly is the right time for you.


Deciding to sell your home is a big decision.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

What Makes Retiring In Spain So Alluring

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Does your retirement dream include relaxing on warm, sunny beaches and leading your life at a leisurely pace? According to Cyril Holbrook, author of Retiring to Spain , around 700, 000 Britons have already migrated to Spain and the number of people moving to Spain to retire is steadily increasing.



Retiring to Spain lets you realize that dream, one which is currently coming true for hundreds of thousands of Britons. What makes retiring in Spain so alluring? Many of the people who eventually relocate to Spain have been charmed by their experiences as a tourist to the country. The quality of life after retirement is one of the prime considerations. The year- round sunshine, meandering shorelines, beautiful countryside, luxurious life style at affordable prices, all combine to make Spain a popular retirement destination. The pace of life is easy going.


The weather is generally sunny and pleasant with cloudless, blue skies. Spanish cuisine is world famous and the music is great. There are many natural parks, snow covered mountains, thick woodlands and desert areas that abound with plants and animals. The beautiful landscape of Spain features fantastic geological and botanical terrain with great diversity. Spain has some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world. No wonder then that, drawn to the prospect of a relaxed and fulfilling post- retirement life, lots of people are retiring to Spain even before they reach retirement age! What more could anyone need to enjoy a much- deserved retirement after all the years of hard work?


Besides all the emotional highs of retiring to a life- style of your choice in a new place, the financial benefits of retiring to Spain are quite significant. As a pensioner, it is important to make your savings go as far as possible. The overall cost of living in Spain is only half of that in other European countries. In fact, the cost of living is third lowest in Europe, ahead of only Portugal and Greece. Spain s inexpensive healthcare system ranks the fourth best in the world. In the UK on the other hand, you would have to pay taxes out of your pension. Moreover, the country s dry heat plus the numerous salt- water lagoons with their healing properties for age- related ailments such as arthritis, make Spain an ideal choice for older people.


Spanish property is relatively cheap compared to equivalent homes in the UK, Italy or France. A primary consideration when buying a home and retiring in Spain is the cost of property. Another point to consider is that if you do choose to retire in Spain, you will still enjoy easy access to the UK and other parts of Europe and Africa. If you are considering a retirement home abroad, do yourself a favour and take a good hard look at Spain and what the country has to offer, I guarantee you won t be disappointed. Not only can you take pleasure in a comfortable life in a Mediterranean beachfront property, but choose to indulge yourself travelling to nearby tourist hotspots without making a big dent in your savings.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Make Sure There' S No Pre- Payment Penalty

A Bi- Weekly Mortgage can save big money!



This simple method of making your payment will dramatically pay down the mortgage. saving several years worth of payments. Do you know that after paying 15 years on a 30- year mortgage, you can still owe 90% of the amount that was borrowed? Paying bi- weekly doesn' t mean paying your mortgage twice a month- it means dividing the payment in half and paying that amount every two weeks. Utilizing a bi- weekly payment schedule will cut years off your mortgage term and quickly increase the equity in your home. And what a difference it will make! How does it work?


Instead of making a monthly mortgage payment. you make a payment every two weeks. It's really very simple! This automatically adds an extra payment every year, which really reduces the principal on your loan. Your principal and interest payment would be approximately$ 665 monthly. For example, let's use a$ 100, 000 mortgage at 7% interest. Cut this in half and pay$ 3350 every two weeks.


It's unbelievable that this would reduce your 30- year mortgage to a 23- year loan. saving almost$ 35, 000 in the process, isn' t it? You will then have one extra payment at the end of the year to apply directly to your principal. The larger the loan, the more dramatic the savings will be. Ask about their options for a bi- weekly mortgage. If you are interested in having a bi- weekly mortgage, call your lender and ask for the cash management department. or someone that can help with payment inquiries. But always make sure that the extra payment is applied directly to your principal balance. (It wouldn' t hurt to keep a record of the call and the person's name that you spoke with. just for future reference) . Another way to pay off your mortgage early is to look at your amortization schedule and determine how much of any given payment is being applied to your principal.


If your lender doesn' t have a provision for this option, contact us and we can help with more ways of paying off your mortgage early. Just add that small amount to your monthly payment and you will begin to see a decrease in your principal balance. But paying even this tiny amount can make a huge difference in the term of your loan. For many years, the amount being applied to your principal will be very small indeed. Remember to always read the fine print in your loan documents. And if there is a penalty, many times it's only for a certain number of years.


Make sure there's no pre- payment penalty. Usually, they will allow you to pay off a certain percentage of your principal balance on a yearly basis before any pre- payment penalty applies. And a bi- weekly loan amortization program will also pay off- big time! Doing your research will really pay off. Remember, you' re paying the same payment amount. but breaking it down into two smaller payments. The savings will be yours!


It just takes a bit more bookkeeping.