Real Estate Investment Strategies

Investing in real estate is highly profitable because of the large amount of money involved which also makes it high risk. Real estate investing is a business that anyone can learn and there are many proven strategies that are considered effective in getting a high return on your investment.

If you are interested in making money investing in real estate then you should begin by becoming highly informed about anything that has to do with investing in real estate. You can gather this information for the internet or local newspapers.

When you think you have found an investment property be sure to also find out as much information as possible prior to making an offer. Get a decent idea of what the property is worth when you purchase it. Also make a budget of the repair affiliate costs and stick to it.

Before purchasing a house for investment purposes you need to know what small inexpensive things you can fix up to give you the largest return in terms of property value. Locate a home that is cosmetically challenged but in a decent area with repairs that you can do mostly on your own.

Sometimes when you are looking for homes to invest in you find more than one property that looks promising leaving you to make a difficult choice. This makes it crucial for an investor to know how to accurately compare different offers. Anyone who wants to succeed in real estate investing needs to have some negotiating skills.

When you are investing in real estate it is important to keep a strict budget in tact at all times. You need to have a clear picture of what you are going to spend on a specific property. Know what all the involved repairs are before making any offers.

All real estate investments carry a degree of risk because the real estate market is constantly fluctuating. You can help yourself out and hire the professional help of a reputable local real estate agent. This experienced agent can provide you with insider information on the local market and special offers on properties. Someone whose job is all about the market will be able to teach you things that you would have never thought about.

Those who would like to invest in real estate need to be prepared and capable of handling changes that will occur in the local real estate market. The changes that happen in the real estate market are caused by increased interest rates, tax rates, supply and demand, a rise or fall in property values, and the local unemployment rates.

When it comes to investments as high risk and expensive as real estate investments then you need to have a back up plan ready before they can even happen. To succeed in real estate you should be planning the sale of the home before you purchase it. Real estate investing doesn’t involve any guesswork but is really based on set calculations of the costs of investment and how much you will come out of the deal with.

Published by author Spencer Hunt, for Joe and Colleen Lane, Realtors®. The Lane Real Estate Team services Tri City Wa Real Estate, Kennewick Wa Real Estate, Pasco Wa Real Estate, Richland Wa Real Estate, and surrounding Southeastern Washington Communities.

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The For Sale by Owner Option - Selling Your Own Home

The majority of those who successfully sell their own property are the property owners who live in highly populated metropolitan market areas where property sales are more common. In a buyer’s market or in rural areas it is much harder for properties that are for sale by owner (FSBO) to successfully sell.

A buyer’s market is when there are more home sellers than there are people to buy homes. This creates a situation where the home buyers are exposed to a large range of property to choose from making it a more competitive market for the sellers. Homeowner’s should opt for the FSBO option only where the local economy is doing well and it is a seller’s market.

To be considered a seller’s market there needs to be more buyers then properties for sale. In a seller’s market the buyers are left with fewer properties available to them. This often creates a situation where the sellers are much more selective on the buyer and also get a higher selling price for their property.

There are other economic issues that play a role in the real estate such as home mortgage interest rates, local employment, and consumer confidence. Unfortunately we can’t control the economy and some are forced to sell their homes or buy homes in times that are unfavorable financially to them.

There are a few things people who succeed at selling their homes do to increase their odd of winning at FSBO. They need to be able to have the financial support that it takes to keep their property exposed to those who are purchasing homes for the entire period it takes to sale a home. This advertising period is at least 90 days and includes personal signage, advertising, repair costs of the home, and professional legal advice. You also should have a little bit of spare money to back you up financially if there are any marketing mistakes.

You should also have basic business knowledge about important marketing, personal selling, as well as enough technical information on real estate principals and practices. This will prevent you from making informed decisions that can cost you a lot of money and stress.

Anyone who wants to list the property FSBO must be disciplined with marketing goals and objectives with set time frames for the process and finalization of those goals and objections. You need to be able to be very organized and able to pay close attention to details.

There are a lot of stressful moments when selling something as expensive as your own home so you need to be able to keep a business perspective on all decisions. When selling you own home always avoid guesswork and replace it with concrete analysis. Making informed decisions is much less stressful then guessing.

If you want to sale you own home successfully you need to be a wise negotiator and be able to effectively deal with the different personalities in your potential home buyers. Be ready to and well equipped to sell your home and plan to use a lot of time devoted to selling your home.

You may wish to contact Joe and Colleen Lane, Realtors® for more info on real estate, especially in the areas of Pasco Wa Real Estate, Richland Wa Real Estate, and surrounding Southeastern Washington Communities.

Published by author Spencer H. The Lane Real Estate Team services Tri City Wa Real Estate, Kennewick Wa Real Estate.

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The Direction The Sun Sets Is Very Important When Designing a House!

When building a house, it is important that a home owner studies the effects of the sun on his future home. He or she should carefully study the path way of the sun’s progress and its effect of heat and light on the rooms in the house. Many home owners build their houses negligent of this fact and then after moving in realize that the sun creates much more heat than expected within certain rooms of the house. Thus when designing the floor plan these are significant elements to take into consideration. Remember when constructing try to minimize locating the high traffic rooms in direct line of the sun’s travel.

Perhaps the best designed houses are known for making proper use of the physical setting and the natural landscape surrounding the house. Many home owners tend to forget the fact that the setting of a house embraces not only the immediate surroundings but also the distant views. A house can boast of a thousand times more beauty than another simply because of the surrounding natural features on the land. The occurrence of flora and fauna coupled with the way the sun rises and sets over a house certainly lends a home an aesthetic splendor!

For a home owner, understanding how the land and the house work in accordance with the sun’s movement can be done simply by studying the sun's daily path. Additionally, one should pay particular attention to the window location in the rooms as they stream light and heat indiscriminately into the house. Generally a home that is in harmony with its environment is open to sunshine and breeze, yet it protects and shades the residents because of thoughtful interior design. Ideally, during the construction phase a house owner needs to consider ventilation and heat as major issues of concern.

When considering the layout and design of rooms in a house, one must be wary of the climate. If a house is built in a tropical country then the scheme should be quite different to houses in temperate zones. Generally for houses being constructed in a hot humid climate or a hot dry climate, a home owner may want to consider a design that boasts of magnificent views of sunrises and sunsets while avoiding the heat. He or she should also focus on designing in order to allow cooling breezes to pass through the home naturally. Whereas for those who live in cooler climates, solar heating capabilities of the sun can be quite an advantage for minimizing heating bills.

Discover more great tips at http://www.allaboutthehome.info/ a website offering tips and resources on matters like shower doors, bedroom curtains and color schemes to fit any budget.

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Commercial Real Estate Syndication: Controlling the Property

Getting Control of the Property

We’ve been discussing the process of assembling groups of investors for the purpose of acquiring income producing commercial real estate. As we move to getting the property into escrow so that you can verify its suitability for investment, we need to look at keeping control of the property for sufficient time to complete your investigation.

Your goal is to control the property without risking any of your money. The Seller’s goal is to extract as much money as possible from you as quickly as possible to tie you to his property. So how do you structure your purchase contract to maximize your time while minimizing your exposure? Using well structured contingencies is the answer.

As the Syndicator of group investment, you need to perform a Due Diligence investigation of the property. This is essentially a verification of the statements made by the Seller as to the condition of the property, the status of the leases, the history of income and expenses, the state of title, the existence of natural and man-made hazards, and anything else that can affect the value of the property. It is acceptable to make your purchase (and your deposit) subject to your approval of all of these conditions. Stating these conditions in your purchase contract turns them into contingencies, since your completing the purchase is contingent upon accepting the all of this information as stated by the Seller.

There are two “special” contingencies you’ll want in your purchase offer when you are creating a group investment. The first one is that you can cancel the transaction if you cannot fully subscribe your investment group in a specific period of time. Basically, if you fail to raise the money in time, the transaction is canceled and you get your deposit back.

The second is to allow you to vest the property in another name. This might be something as simple as “John Doe or assignee” in the Purchaser section of a standard real estate contract. This is very important to your “survival” as the Syndicator. It is this ability to assign your purchase rights under the contract to the LLC that gives you an opportunity for ownership in the group investment.

As a practical matter though, Sellers can get uncomfortable with lots of contingencies that have long removal periods and may wait for a faster buyer. An acceptable alternative is the use of an Option to Purchase. The Option gives the option holder (you) an irrevocable right to purchase the property in the time period specified in the option. Options also tend to be less “expensive” that escrow deposits since no one is getting tied up in purchase contract. The downside for you is that your option payment is non-refundable. If you don’t purchase the property, your option payment (called “option money”) is gone.

Options can range from a week to a year, although most fall into a 3 to 6 month period. It is also possible to pay a small amount of money for a shorter period, say a month, in what is often termed a “free look.” Why it’s called a “free” look when you’re paying a few hundred dollars for it is one of those time-honored industry oxymoron’s, but it probably relates to the relatively small amount of money for the short term option compared to the longer term ones.

Realistically, you would want to structure your option to have an extension period if you discover you want the property. Of course, you’d need to pay more money with each extension. Even when using an option, you’ll still want to have your contingencies in place when you submit the purchase contract. The difference is that you’ll have less time in which to approve of them.

So now you have the two methods in which you can control a potential investment property for sufficient time to complete your investigation and raise the money with which to purchase it. Good hunting!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: ’Craig Higdon, “The Investment Property Insider,” works as a commercial mortgage broker. He publishes the weekly “Investment Property Insider” e-zine and blog, www.InvestmentPropertyInsider.com. Visit the blog and get a complimentary report on commercial financing techniques.’

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Small Budget Investment Properties

To begin investing in real estate properties you don’t need to have a huge start up capital. If you have a tight budget for investing it doesn’t mean that you can’t reap the financial benefits of fixing up homes for resale. Actually many of the cheaper homes you can buy and remodel inexpensively will get you the greatest return on your investment.

To successfully invest in real estate on a low budget you should start by finding a cosmetically challenged home with a strong structure that is in a mediocre neighborhood. Once you begin looking in the right areas you will see that it isn’t very difficult to find an investment property with a low asking price.

The selling price of a fixer-upper home can be negotiated considering all of the flaws. This makes is easier for you to invest small amounts of money to add the maximum amount of value to the property.

When it comes to real estate investment quality doesn’t always have to mean a lot of money. You might be surprised at how far a new paint job, fixtures, and flooring can go when it comes to the over all appearance and value of a home.

If you aren’t convinced that you can manage investing in real estate on the budget you have set up you can always turn to your own investment, your home. If you have already purchased a home then you can leverage this asset to gain the capital you need to feel secure investing in real estate.

A homeowner that has paid their monthly mortgage payment on time and has decent credit will be able to get money in their hands faster and easier then they ever imagined. Whether you have a considerable amount of equity in your home or recently purchased it, it is possible that the property increased in value creating a larger amount of equity for you to access.

To calculate the amount of equity you have built up in your property you take the current balance of your mortgage loan and subtract it from the home’s market value. You can generally get the amount of your equity in a secured form of credit such as a home equity line of credit or a home equity loan.

You can also refinance your property to receive a lowered interest rate and some spare investment cash on the side. You can then use the money given to you as the means of buying an investment property or at least using it as a down payment. Be sure to ask your lender about any rules regarding cash-out refinancing. The majority of cash-out refinancing mortgages come with a higher interest rate attached then other types of mortgage loans.

Homeowners can use their home’s equity value to receive a home equity loan as another option. A home equity loan is a type of second mortgage to the one you are currently paying off. Opting for this type of loan offers many benefits including the ability to repay the loan early without getting hit with a large penalty fee.

You may wish to contact Joe and Colleen Lane, Realtors® for more info on real estate, especially in the areas of Pasco Wa Real Estate, Richland Wa Real Estate, and surrounding Southeastern Washington Communities.

Published by author Spencer H. The Lane Real Estate Team services Tri City Wa Real Estate, Kennewick Wa Real Estate.

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First Time Home Buyers - There's a Solution For You

Considering the interest rates are at an all time low there are many young Americans who have taken the huge step into purchasing a home, townhouse, or condo over throwing their money away in rent every month. The majority of these young Americans are in their mid-twenties and are searching for a wise investment option.

These young Americans are fully aware of the fact that they are throwing their money away in the form of rent and aren’t able to receive any tax write offs. It seems more young adults then ever are more informed about mortgages and the major benefits of owning your own home.

If you are a first time home buyer the first step you should take is getting a prequalification letter. When you have a prequalification letter it shows a seller that you are serious about purchasing a home right now. A prequalification letter will also determine the maximum amount of money you can qualify for before you begin your search for the perfect home.

Keep in mind that once you have made a bid on a property there is no where to go but up in the price, you cannot lower the bid. For this reason it is imperative that you take your time when looking for a home. Never put in a bid for a property until you have thoroughly researched the recent history of home sale prices in that area.

A qualified real estate agent will be able to print out a list of homes that have been sold in the surrounding area in the past 6 months. This will help you make an informed decision on what you should be offering a homeowner for a specific home.

It is recommended to start off with a low bid considering it can always be increased. You should also set a limit for the property and if another bid comes in that is higher then you should really sit down and insure that it is a wise investment for the raised price.

A homebuyer really has to experience the buying process before they can fully understand the process of bidding and mortgages. There are many realtors and home sellers who will hold a $1000 check with the bid proposal as a deposit. Some first time home buyers become skittish when it comes to this because they don’t understand that this money is only to be used towards the purchase of a new home. This check cannot be cashed until their bid has been accepted and are ready to move forward on ownership of the property.

It is wise that before you go searching for your first home that you get a prequalification letter. You can easily accomplish this online, on the telephone, or at a local bank in as little as ten minutes. Doing this before you look for homes will save you and your real estate agent a lot of time. A prequalification letter makes it easier to focus on specific properties that easily fit into your price range.

You may wish to contact Joe and Colleen Lane, Realtors® for more info on real estate, especially in the areas of Pasco Wa Real Estate, Richland Wa Real Estate, and surrounding Southeastern Washington Communities.

Published by author Spencer H. The Lane Real Estate Team services Tri City Wa Real Estate, Kennewick Wa Real Estate.

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Columbia, SC Real Estate Market

Columbia, South Carolina has one of the best real estate markets for investing. Columbia real estate moderately priced, not too much higher or lower the national average for home prices. Even so, the real estate market in this area market is experiencing a period of growth. Currently there are indications that profits can be made from investments in Columbia real estate. It isn’t one of those cities where the seller’s have absolute control, so investors won’t be making huge profits hand over first. But it also isn’t a strong buyers market, so sellers haven’t relinquished all control of the market.

To be successful in Columbia real estate investments, it is important that investors are aware of the kind of investment strategy to use for the area. There are no opportunities or investors to make quick gains in the area. However, if the market continues to grow at the current rate and the demand continues to increase there could be the potential for such gains might be available at some point in the future. Investors should keep a watch on the trends for such an opportunity.

For investors to be successful in Columbia real estate investing, they must be patient with the real estate market. The market does not have the conditions that are favorable for investors to make significant gains in a short amount of time. Investors that are familiar with market trends and have the ability to wait on the market will receive the most financial gain for their investments. Other investors will do good to break even in the market.

Investors must have properties priced right for them to sell. Properties that are priced too high or too low could sit on the market for weeks or even months without selling. Buyers aren’t jumping at the opportunity to purchase homes so they won’t settle for anything less than want they want. Setting the right price is kind of like playing a game. Unless investors play by the rules, they could find themselves in possession of property that they aren’t able to get rid of.

Both investors and home sellers will receive the best results by setting home prices right the first time. If this doesn’t happen, buyers might ignore the property and it could be left sitting on the market for an extended period of time. The seller might adjust the price several times while the property grows stagnant and unattractive. Meanwhile buyers are spending their time on properties that are priced the way they would like for them to be.

Setting the right price for Columbia real estate isn’t difficult. The best way to determine selling price is to compare to properties that have recently sold in the area. By doing this you can an estimate of the prices that are attracting buyers.

Because price is one of the most important things right now for Columbia real estate, investors and home sellers alike must set the right prices for properties to make the sale as timely as possible.

Ben Hirsh is an expert on Woodstock GA real estate and has an excellent website all about Woodstock real estate which features a Woodstock GA MLS search, the Woodstock GA history page, and much more.

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Investment Property or Income Property?

If you are a young professional aspiring to be wealthy and looking for extra income opportunities, then you have probably checked out the real estate market. Many are making a fortune through real estate by cashing in on their investment property. At this point in your career, you have two real options you should consider. You could buy an investment property and hope to cash in on the property in the future, or you could look for an income property that will offer profitable cash flow from month to month. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties and income properties.


Income Property
The methodology behind investing in an income property is focused around making money now. Not everybody can invest money in real estate and hope for a huge return 15 or 20 years down the road. For investors that don’t have a big stash of cash laying around waiting 15 or 20 years for a return on their investment is not a viable business plan.
Thus, as you might expect, an income property is a property that returns positive net income from month to month. For example, the typical income property for small real estate investors is a single family dwelling. Suppose a person much like yourself decides to invest in house that is being sold at or below market value. The business plan is to make minimal investments fixing up the house, and then rent out the house to somebody with sub par credit that can’t get a loan for their own house. To initially pay for the house a mortgage loan is taken out. The monthly mortgage loan payments are calculated to be $850 and you plan on renting out the house for $1100 since there is a shortage of rental homes in the area. Right off the bat you have a gross operating margin of $250 on this income property. Of course there will always be other expenses, such as maintenance and taxes, which you must pay. However, these additional expenses will still leave a nice little cash flow of profits for your efforts. Bigger investors follow this methodology and buy an income property like an apartment building and will make larger profits thanks to economies of scale.
Investment Property
The methodology behind an investment property is a bit different. Rather than focusing on current profitability like an income property investor, an investment property investor focuses on the big picture. The investor will buy an investment property which allows him to at least break even or perhaps make a small profit from month to month. However, his primary interest is holding onto the property for the long term and selling the property when the market value has risen significantly. Over a span of 15 to 20 years, it is not unreasonable to expect investment properties in hot real estate markets to double or even triple. Thus, the typical investment property investor has two resources. He has lots of money on hand as well as time to play the waiting game.
The investment property investor is not terribly interested in making money on his investment right now. That is not to say he is willing to lose money on the property from month to month, but he is willing to operate at much lower profit margins than your typical income property investor. The real objective of the investment property investor is to strike it rich down the road when he finally decides to the sell the investment property.
Both of these investment strategies serve as viable business plans. What suits you best will depend on your needs as well as your resources. If you have lots of money and time then an investment property could be way the go , but if you need to make money now an income property might be your best choice.

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Why choose the sell and rent back strategy

Every day, real estate companies are looking for alternatives to help people take careful decisions when it comes to dealing with their properties. They want to be of assistance in any way they can and come up with diverse strategies and methods to keep up their reputation. The real estate market is on constant rise and this phenomenon is likely to continue in the years to come.

Sadly, there are many people out there who fail to pay their mortgage rates and the banks threaten them to take away their house. These people are in constant search of help and they are ready to do whatever sacrifice to keep their home. Real estate companies have come up with sell and rent back schemes, as a possible alternative.

The sell and rent back strategy is advantageous for both the homeowner and the institution. The person sells the property to the company, the company takes over the mortgage and deals with it. After selling the house, the person is not forced to move out; on the contrary, with the sell and rent back possibility, he/she can still live on the property as tenant.

If one is worried about the high price of rent, then one should know that the rent is set up in accordance with the market trends and some companies even offer interesting discounts if you decide to use their services. The way this sell and rent back strategy helps the owner is obvious. The person gets to live in the house and buy it back when he/she can afford it.

Many real estate companies have come up with this sell and rent back plan desiring to help people and still make a profit by doing that. Today, this option is chosen not only by homeowners in distress but also by people who want to release the equity on their house or by those who are planning to move in a short period of time. This method is seen not only as accessible but also as smart.

By agreeing to use the sell and rent back system, the seller is allowed to continue to stay on the property up to a particular date. After that, the owner has several options. The first one is to extend the contract and prolong his/her stay. If he has the money, he can buy the property back. On the other hand, if he made the contract because he was emigrating, then at the expiration date he will move out.

The Internet is the best place for selling you house in a fast and light manner. There is no waiting, no complicated details and you can get it all over with in a couple of days. There are several online companies that offer one the possibility to sell house quick without getting the prospective seller into elaborated legal procedures and asking for commissions.

When it comes to the opportunity to sell house quick, one should know that it is crucial to find a respectable company. Check out references, ask for clarifications and then list your house online. Making a deal online and choosing the sell house quick strategy can only bring you the amount of money well deserved as soon as possible.

If you want to enjoy the sell house quick scheme, then do not wait any more. Go over the Internet, browse a few companies and their websites. Look for accurate information on the topic of sell house quick and then decide for the company that is most suitable for your needs and preferences. These companies know how important is to sale your property straightaway, for various reasons. They do not inquire why the hurry, they just deal with the procedures and help you get through the whole sell house quick thing in a minute.
Choose us when you decide to opt for a sell and rent back strategy. We can be of assistance and provide you with the best deal possible. Also, if you are interested in the sell house quick plan, look for us and feel pleased you have made the right decision.

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Have a Property Appraised Before Investing

Quickly rising costs of homes across the United States over the last number of years has gotten many people's attention. In fact more than ever are people interested in pursuing real estate investment. Real estate can be a tricky market; not something you want to get involved in unless you have some good knowledge and experience. Although there is no substitute for experience, this article will provide the amateur investor with some helpful tips on how to intelligently invest in real estate.

Granted you have some idea of what kind of property you would like to invest in, the most important factor in your decision should be the appraisal. This step is so important that it is worth your time and money to hire a professional with a lot of experience in property appraisals. The appraiser is trained in analyzing the property and its surrounding local market to come up with the estimated value. A common misconception is that appraisers create value, but in reality they interpret the market to estimate a value. They will consider things like the size of the property, its location, the amenities, and the condition of the structure, just to name a few. Having a property appraised is simple advice but it truly gives you an idea, as an investor, if the investment is worthwhile. You would hate to sign the papers only to find out the market is not what you expected, or that the property actually has some faults that will decrease the value you recover from it.

In addition to having the property appraised it is important to be able to forecast the entire local market as an investor. You must look at a market and decide if it is profitable or not. One indicator that most investors will consider is the average time a house is on the market in that area. If homes are selling fast and their average market time is low, this is a good sign that the market is hot and could be profitable. Another statistic to take into account is the difference between the original asking price and the final sale price. If there is a huge difference, there is a good chance that the market is soft and not favorable for an investor. On the other hand if the average sale price is close to asking price, the market is likely strong.

The home or property that you are interested in is no doubt the focus of your investment research, but there are other factors that will influence the success of your investment. Often times people will buy a home only to find out later that a huge shopping mall is being planned for essentially their backyard. Others have had similar problems with multi-lane roads being put in or in California homeowners have had to fight to keep casinos (and its associated traffic) out of their neighborhood. Not all future construction is bad. Perhaps there are plans for a new school, church, or business park nearby. Before making a purchase it is wise to head down to city hall to look into any future land use plans that are in the works for near your investment property. As you could imagine from the above examples, changes in land use near your home or investment can drastically alter its value; it is better to be aware of these things prior to investing.

Another piece of advice I always must keep in mind is that tax laws change. As an investor you must be well aware of real estate tax laws. The laws are going to change all the time, it is your responsibility to stay on top of these changes. Some investors feel they can handle staying abreast of the changes, while others don't have that kind of time, so they hire a tax law attorney to help them. It is important not to solely rely on tax laws to make your investment worthwhile. A good investment will always be a strong investment no matter the changes in the law. Being knowledgeable of the latest tax law will allow you to benefit maximally from your investment.

Investing in real estate is not easy. There are many factors that play into the future value of the investment, and whether or not it is a worthwhile gamble. When it comes to investing there is no substitute for quality experience. Hopefully these tips will help you get on the right track without making any costly mistakes along the way.

John Packer invests in real estate for supplemental income and recommends Christopher Robin Appraisals when he needs a Sacramento California real estate appraiser. When you need a home appraisal, you can check which zip codes are covered on the El Dorado County real estate appraisal page.

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Jake Newberry sells for NuStar Motors, a used cars Sacramento dealer, which specializes in lifted 4x4 trucks and fast cars such as used Mustangs, Cameros, and Honda V-techs.

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Looking for Affordable Apartments for Rent

Are you moving to a new city? If you are then, finding affordable apartments for rent is probably one of your priorities. You can choose from plenty of options in your search these days. Finding the right rental property may not be as difficult as you imagine.

Your income is the first thing that you should consider if you are looking for an apartment. It may be possible to seek help from organizations like HUD if you fall within a certain yearly income. You can benefit from the affordable apartments for rent for low income tenants that these groups offer.

Do you fall within the state guidelines of programs like HUD? If you do, then you should make sure that you take advantage of the opportunity to find affordable apartments for rent according to your income. These organizations work with your specific level of income so you will only pay what you can actually afford.

Asking questions from the people I knew was the first thing I did, when I was looking for affordable apartments for rent. This turned out to be one of the most valuable resources available. I was lucky to have friends and family members who were willing to help me find a place that I could afford on my meager waitress income. I have to say that I was shocked when I discovered many cheap, unadvertised apartments for rent in my area.

An unadvertised rental that was behind a private home was one of the nicest options available to me. I found a cozy one bedroom suite that was perfect for me in that small building. I almost fell in love with the place, even though it wasn’t one of the affordable apartments for rent that I put on my list. That wonderful apartment was just too far out of the way for me.

I had no choice but to try the other affordable apartments for rent on my list. I had my eye on a place that was located on a perfect location and I already knew the landlord. I talked to the owner and asked to be put on a waiting list because the current tenant was about to move. I would have never known that the apartment was going to be available if I hadn’t networked with friends and family.

You can also find affordable apartments for rent by searching the newspaper. However, shopping around might be a better option. It’s important that you become familiar with the neighborhood. It would also be wise to consider how far you want to drive to work each day. You can find the best cheap apartments for rent available by simply asking around.

About the Author:

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Affordable Apartments for Rent. Visit our site for more helpful information about Affordable Apartments for Rent and other similar topics.

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10 Reasons to Relocate to Orlando

Moving to Orlando is like moving to paradise. This world famous destination spot has become an increasingly popular place to live year-round. The Orlando area is characterized by fantastic weather and an abundance of things to do and see. Here are some great reasons to consider relocation to Orlando.

1. Weather & Climate - Orlando has one of the most desirable climates in the U.S. Over 95% of the year, the area is drenched in sun. This allows residents a huge amount of time to enjoy outdoor pursuits and recreation.

2. Recreation - This area is home to an abundance of golf courses and other recreational options. Orlando is just inland from the coast of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and there is a host of sports and activities available at one of the area's famous white sand beaches. There are also a number of lakes in the area that provide residents with great water sport options.

3. Employment - There is a real need for quality workers in Orlando. The thriving tourism industry provides thousands of different job opportunities in a number of different areas. Orlando is also a center of industry and business for Central Florida.

4. Investment - If there is any place in Florida where you are thinking of buying an investment property, Orlando should be it. The vacation industry is unbelievable here and there is always a need for quality vacation rentals. You will realize an amazing ROI on homes in Orlando.

5. Things To Do - Speaking on what there is to do in Orlando has become somewhat of a moot point. The whole world knows exactly what there is to do in Orlando. Home to Disneyworld Resort, and Universal Studios Theme Park, there is also Busch Gardens, and a veritable slew of restaurants and other attractions that make Orlando one of the most visited spots in North America.

6. Restaurants - Fine dining or pubs, family restaurants or stylish bistros the Orlando area has some amazing restaurants and dining choices. This includes many restaurants at the local theme parks that are run by some of the world's top chefs.

7. Scenery - This is simply a beautiful area in which to live. The natural scenery creates a beautiful backdrop for the homes and properties. There is also an abundance of parks and green spaces that only add to the already inspiring visual element of Orlando

8. Diverse Population - This area boasts an economically and racially diverse population with an abundance of culture from around the globe. This has created a wonderfully synchronized community with a strong emphasis on family values and equality.

9. Retirement - This is an excellent community to retire to. There are an abundance of adult oriented and 65+ communities that showcase a highly sought-after style of life.

10. Expansion - With the interest in this area, has come expansion. New homes and businesses are cropping up at an impressive pace. This expansion brings with it an increase in social programs, home values and private and public services.

M. Shane is a member of the REW Writers Team. A collective publication network facilitated by Real Estate Webmasters. Each article is contributed by a member of our real estate community. This particular article was submitted on behalf of Bill Ucci, the educated choice for Orlando real estate.

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Things You Should Ask Your Realtor

There are so many realtors working in any given real estate market, how can you be sure that you have the right one? Selling your home is a huge undertaking and it requires both time and professionalism. Here are a few things that you can ask your prospective realtor to ensure that you are getting the best possible representation in the market.

1. Are you a full time realtor? This is important because selling your home is a full time job. You need a representative that can dedicate their full attention to the task at hand.

2. Are you always available? This goes hand in hand with #1. A dedicated realtor will always be available to field questions about your property and to show off your home. The real estate market runs 24/7, so should your realtor.

3. What's your track record like? One of the best indications of the ability of a realtor is how many homes they have sold. This is also a good indication of how much effort your realtor is willing to put into a given project.

4. What's the marketing plan for my home? This is definitely an area that you should spend some time researching. In real estate, marketing is one of the single most important aspects of the home sale. A good realtor will cover all of the primary media outlets that are available. Full color newspaper ads, open houses and a web site are essential.

5. What kind of web presence do you have? In today's real estate market the importance of a solid web presence cannot be stressed enough. Most buyers will look on the internet long before they start visiting homes and you want your home to be easily accessible on the web.

6. Do you work with a team? Agents that utilize teams have some distinct advantages in that more people and hours can be dedicated to the selling of your property. Also, people can be reached to answer questions and relay information about your home at all hours. Many teams also have buyers agents as members, this can help in bringing more potential buyers to your home.

7. References. Never be afraid to ask your realtor for references. Nothing will speak more highly of their abilities than the testimonials of happy and satisfied customers. If they are hesitant to give references, you should be hesitant to give them your business.

The real estate business is a high stakes game. What's on the line? Your home. You should always be comfortable and completely confidant in the ability of your realtor to help you realize the best possible profit when you sell your home. Take some time and do your homework when choosing someone to sell your home. It's likely one of the most important transactions you will ever be involved in.

M. Shane is a member of the REW Writers Team. A collective publication network facilitated by Real Estate Webmasters. Each article is contributed by a member of our real estate community. This particular article was submitted on behalf of Gary Ashton & Nashvillesmls.com. The smart choice for Nashville real estate.

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Developing A Successful Real Estate Referral Marketing Strategy

Referral marking is one of the best ways to let others know about your real estate services. Perhaps the best thing about referral marketing is that you don’t have to pay any money it. There is not much work involved with referral marketing and even the majority of that work is done by clients.

People naturally want to spread the word when they have received a good service. This word of mouth is known as referral marketing. When your clients have a positive experience with you, they naturally want to tell others about it. The more people who are informed about your excellent services, the more clients you will have. The more clients you have the more money you will make. What’s good about referral marketing is that you get money for making money.

The large part of your real estate business’s referral marketing strategy will come from the way you operate your business. The other part is developing an awareness of your referral marketing tactics. Your clients have to know that you want them to refer you to others. Otherwise, you can’t rely on them to do so. If you have already been informing your clients that you would like them to refer you to others, then you can relax, this part of your work has been completed. On the other hand, if you made the assumption that your clients will naturally refer others to your business then you have some work to do.

Assuming you haven’t informed any clients of your referral marketing strategy, you now need to determine that this will be a part of your business practices. Each customer that you deal with from now on should know, in some form or another, that you would like for him to refer you to another client. You might consider offering some kind of discount for each referral. Many real estate businesses offer such incentives.

Apart of creating awareness of your referral marketing strategy, you need to resolve to always operate in a manner that will give clients a reason to refer others to you. If a client does not have a positive experience with you, chances are that the client will tell someone of his bad experience. This will counter your referral marketing efforts. All it takes is ‘one bad apple’. Be aware of your actions at all times.

If there are several facets to your business make sure that each client knows of these services as well. There may be times when a client only receives one of the services that you provide. This same client might know someone who is in need of another service that you provide but does know to refer the person to you. When this happens, your referral marketing has failed. Your referral marketing strategy must include informing clients of all the services you provide. By doing this you are ensuring that referral marketing works best for you.

Developing a referral marketing strategy is not difficult to do. The two major aspects of referral marketing include letting clients know to refer you to others and giving them a reason to refer you. Once you have done both of these things, your referral marketing efforts will begin to bring in new clients for your services.

Referral marketing – 15
Ben Hirsh is an expert on Woodstock GA real estate and has an excellent website all about Woodstock real estate which features a Woodstock GA MLS search, the Woodstock GA history page, and much more.

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Residential Real Estate and Water Damage Claims — What You Should Know

Homeowners’ insurance is a must for any owner of residential real estate. It has been around for many years, coming to the rescue of many real estate homeowners. Leaky pipes and their subsequent damage have been causing homeowners grief for an even longer time. Homeowners’ insurance has alleviated such problems by underwriting the cost for repairs.

I remember as a child my father making repairs with money from our homeowner’s insurance policy. He told me that there was never a claim too small, unless it was within the deductible range.

While my father’s information was correct for the times, the rules for small claims on residential real estate have changed. Submitting a small claim today, especially for water damage, could cost you multitudes more in the future.

A California Insurance Department study showed that 25 percent of insurance companies refused to renew policies for residential real estate owners, who made one or two non-water damage claims within the past three years. The figure rose to 32 percent, when the claims were water damage-related. This means the insurers are paying the legitimate claims but are apt to drop those real estate customers at policy renewal time.

Additionally, all insurers share claims information through the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) database. Not only are you apt to be dropped by your current residential real estate insurer, but others may not approve you. The study also showed that 62 percent of the top 13 insurers in the state of California refused applicants with only one-to-two claims in the past three years.

If another insurer does approve you, it will most definitely be at a much higher premium rate that will add up over the years to a much larger amount than the small water damage claim you made.

So, what has changed?


Toxic Mold
Litigators have jumped on the toxic mold lawsuit bandwagon. Toxic mold comes from water damage repairs that were incorrectly made or only partially cleaned up. It can literally make the real estate residents very ill. Some toxic mold is created by homes that were not quality built and allowed water to seep in between the outer and inside walls. There have been a few multimillion-dollar homes in California that had to be totally leveled due to toxic mold.

Insurance companies generally are expected to pick up the tab and then sue the repair contractor or original builder for reimbursement. This attitude has caused a lot of litigation — between insurers and residential real estate owners, as well as between insurers and parties assumed to be responsible for the toxic mold. They often lose court cases for reimbursement, as well as incurring attorney fees and court costs. Is it any wonder insurance companies have become gun-shy of small water damage claims that could lead to costly repairs and litigation later.


Administrative Costs
Another reason for the change in attitude toward water damage claims is the change in real estate insurers’ business practices. Since the early 90s, real estate insurers have looked for more practical ways to increase profits. Through studies, they found that small claims created the same large administrative costs as the larger claims, even though the payouts were small. They now weed out residential real estate customers who make small claims.


Alternative Game Plan for Real Estate Homeowners
Today, it is better not to make small damage claims of any type. Real estate homeowners should increase their deductibles to $1,000 or $2,500. This reduces their premium costs by as much as 30 percent. They are covered for large damages but not paying for services (small claims) that they are not receiving.

With the larger deductible, the premium savings can be placed into a savings account to pay for small claims that would earlier have been submitted to the insurer. Whenever used, the money should be replaced as soon as possible.

After seven-to-ten years of submitting no claims, most real estate insurers will qualify you for a claims-free discount, saving you even more money.


Is It Worth It?
In deciding if you should submit a claim (even a larger one), first determine if it is worth the possibility of losing your policy and/or paying higher rates. Add up all the repair costs. Determine how much the real estate insurer will pay, based on your policy. Subtract your deductible. Is the remainder only a couple hundred dollars or substantially more? Now, determine if it is worth it. Remember, even moving to another state will not escape the CLUE database.

For more real estate related information visit www.twtrealestate.com

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Homes for Sale & Taxes — What a Seller Needs to Know

In May of 1997, the tax code governing profit from the sale of a personal residence was changed. In the past, any gain from a home for sale could be taxed, unless rolled over into the purchase of a new home.

The new Internal Revenue Service rules are more advantageous to sellers of homes for sale. You can no longer roll a gain into the new home; however, not all gain is taxable as in the past.

Now, homes for sale have the first $250,000 of profit exempt from any taxes, if you are the owner and filing single status. If you file jointly with your spouse, your homes for sale gain is tax exempt up to $500,000 — this is a half-million dollars, tax-free profit. This means that if you purchased a home for $200,000, you could sell it for $450,000 as a single or $700,000 as a couple and incur no taxes on the profit.

There is, however, a time and resident test that must be met in order to receive this tax exemption for your homes for sale profit. You must have lived in the home for two out of the past five years in order to qualify for the tax exemption.

What If You Don’t Meet the Time & Resident Test
So, does that mean that if you do not meet the time and resident test you then owe taxes on all of the gain? Not necessarily.

The tax code allows for several specific exemptions to the time and resident test, when you must move due to certain qualifying events. Here are a few of those events:

• You must move due to the health of one of the residents in the home (your immediate family) or the health of a relative who is in your care.
• A death in your immediate family that incurs the move, such as a breadwinner dies and the spouse cannot afford to keep the home.
• Divorce that forces a move.
• The unemployment of a breadwinner (must be qualified for and receiving unemployment compensation) and cannot afford to keep the home.
• A new job that is 50 miles further away from the home than the current job. Otherwise, if you drove 20 miles to your current job, then the new job must be at least 70 miles from the home to qualify for an exemption.
• Your home was damaged from a natural or manmade disaster, and you were forced to sell it.
• Perhaps an act of war or terrorism has caused the move.
• Even the birth of twins, triplets and so on, made the current home for sale too small and impractical to keep.

IRS publication 523, “Selling Your Home”, covers many other unforeseen events that would qualify you for an exemption.

When you do not meet the time and resident test but qualify under one of the unforeseen event exemptions, you receive only a partial exemption for the gain on your home for sale. You will be taxed on a pro-rated amount of the gain, based upon how long you actually resided in the home.

If you lived there less than a year, then the profit from your home for sale is considered to be a short-term gain. This means, on the pro-rated amount you owe taxes, you will pay the same tax rate as you do on your 1040 income tax form.

If you have lived more than one year but less than two in your home for sale, the profit is considered to be a long-term gain. Rather than paying the generally higher income tax rate, most people are taxed at 15 percent. So, if you have lived in the home for less than one year, it is to your advantage to remain there until you pass the one-year time mark — if at all possible.

The changes in the tax code for profit on homes for sale is much easier now to calculate and typically are more advantageous to the seller now, than in the past. Of course before making any home selling decisions or plans, consult a Certified Public Accountant or other tax professional.

For more information on San Diego Homes for Sale visit www.twtrealestate.com

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The Current San Diego Market from the Realtors’ Perspective

We are inundated with the opinions of the so-called expert economists on the state of the real estate market; yet, they are forecasting from national or regional statistics. They are not “in the field” as are the San Diego realtors.

I recently had an opportunity to “lurk” in a realtor’s forum on the Internet and was surprised by the difference in perception between the San Diego realtors and the gloom and doom economists’ predictions for 2007. After all, the realtors are the people who really know what is going on in the San Diego real estate market. They see what is selling and what is not — and they know why.

Realtors in San Diego do not see the gloom and doom that economists do. Existing home sales are recovering somewhat since December 2006 with 17,259 homes listed for sale and almost 2,000 homes sold in the last 30 days. This is a rise of 19.2 percent over November 2006 figures, and condos saw a 16.6 percent rise. This isn’t to say that the “bubble” is back — it isn’t. Year 2006 had the worse figures for home and condo sales, since they began tracking such statistics in 1998. The number of homes sold was down by 23.4 percent, and condos 26.1 percent over 2005 figures. Yet, December figures are favorable for the San Diego market.

Median home prices were $555,000 for December and $351,000 for condos. The average price for homes rose by 2.9 percent in December to $723,599; and condos rose by 0.3 percent to $408,202.

The number of days homes sit on the market before being sold have unfortunately risen as well, from 64 days in December 2005 to 73 days in December 2006. The number of days for condos haz moved from 65 days in December 2005 to 73 days in December 2006. So, sellers should prepare for the delay in sales, knowing that it will take longer.

Though all of these figures are lower than year-end 2005, the market is resurrecting in San Diego. Even developers are optimistic and continue to build new housing, though this does add to the inventory already on the market and competes with home owning sellers.

San Diego realtors do see the current market as an advantage to the buyers. There are some incredible bargains right now that are bringing previously reluctant buyers into the market.

One factor that always has helped the San Diego real estate market is its location. As many realtors know, there is only so much land within San Diego with no options to expand as in other cities. San Diego has Mexico to its south, Camp Pendleton Marine Base to its north, the Pacific Ocean to its west, and moving east presents commuting problems. Any other open land is either part of a park or reserve. This means the San Diego market always will be an active one.

With San Diego realtors remaining optimistic and the city’s economy continuing strong, they see the pricing adjustment to more practical levels as healthy and normal. Though all realtors agree that it is currently a buyers’ market, with the right experienced realtor, both sellers and buyers can negotiate some good deals.

For more San Diego Realtor information visit www.twtrealestate.com

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Homeowner Associations and Homes for Sale … What Buyers Need to Know

We all have heard of both good and bad opinions about homeowner associations (HOAs) from the people who have to deal with them as a resident right down to newspaper articles.

One case in Jupiter, Florida, between resident George Andres and his development’s HOA went to Appeals Court over his having a flagpole and flag in his front yard. An ex-marine and right after the violent 9-11 attack, he erected a 13-foot flagpole in his front yard. Unfortunately, the HOA had changed the rules before 9-11 and the flagpole and flag were in violation. The patriotic resident lost his case in lower court and appealed. The HOA even attempted a forced foreclosure on his home in 2005 in order to pay for more than $20,000 in attorney fees, but the Appeals Court ruled against them, according to The Sun Sentinel. The case brought so much attention that the Florida legislature passed a law to allow residents to fly their flags, regardless of HOA rules.

Reading about such a case is enough to make you cringe over even considering homes for sale in a development with an HOA. Yet, an HOA can be the best thing for buyers of homes for sale. HOA’s can ensure that the value of your home and the ambience of its environment are maintained, and can provide much desired services to buyers of homes for sale governed by HOAs.

Since the late 1990s, 80 percent of the homes for sale built are part of an HOA. During the building of a residential housing development, developers are responsible for the exterior upkeep to ensure the development attracts new buyers for the homes for sale. Otherwise, they could lose money on their investment.

When it is time to turn responsibility for the exterior upkeep over to the residents, the developer and his/her attorney draw up the organization for an HOA. The developer appoints the first HOA president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, looking for a representative cross-section of resident volunteers. In practice, it is often those residents that have the time and volunteer for the positions, rather than those with actual management and/or people skills. After the first appointments by the developer, the HOA membership vote on all subsequent board members.

Board members oversee the HOA, while a management company handles the day-to-day operations. It is the board, however, that rules on violation fines, can bring a court case, or generally make your life in the development either a great one or a miserable one.

In most HOA developments, membership generally is not an option; so, buyers of homes for sale should know as much about the HOA as possible before making a purchase. Homes for sale sellers are required by law to disclose this information to potential homes for sale buyers.

Here are some things for which to look for and investigate before buying the HOA homes for sale:

• What does the HOA do for you, the soon-to-be owner. In their development?

It is important to read all of the rules/covenants governing homes for sale before buying. — do not accept a seller’s explanation. Go to the HOA office and ask for a copy of their membership contract. Have your attorney review the contract, and make your offer on any home for sale contingent upon your acceptance of the HOA membership.

What HOAs cover for the exterior differs widely between associations. Some maintain only the streets and common grounds areas. Some insure the roof, windows, siding, gates and fences of resident homes — some only under certain storm conditions.

Not only do you need to know what the HOA will do for the homes for sale, the homeowner insurance carrier will need to know, as well. If you need to insure only from the walls in of any homes for sale, with the siding out being insured by the HOA, your premiums and responsibilities will be much less.

• Second, you need to know your responsibilities as a member of the HOA. What rules will govern (and possibly restrict) your lifestyle and comfortable living in this home for sale?

Imagine purchasing one of any homes for sale, where it s strictly forbidden to park on the street. If this home had only two parking spaces that were being used by yours and your spouse’s cars, what room might be left for visitors? This happen to one individual. He had to park in an overflow area. The problem was that the overflow parking was several blocks away from his unit and had only a couple spaces. The large overflow parking area was in driving (not walking) distance. Throwing a party in their home was out of the question; even a big family get-together could not be held there. They eventually sold the home for one in a more accommodating development — similar rules but closer and larger overflow parking areas.

It is important to have the value of your home and its surrounding ambience protected; however, buyers of homes for sale need to ensure their lifestyles will not be overly restricted by HOA rules.

• Other items to know before buying —
o How much are the membership dues?
o How often does the HOA meet and where?
o What is the length of board members’ tenure?
o What can be done to remove a board member and for what reasons?
o How are the rules/covenants changed and how often has this occurred?
o Have court cases been brought by the HOA or residents against the HOA? If yes, what were the issues and their resolutions?

Most HOAs are a welcome feature for buyers of a homes for sale. Those buyers who most desire an HOA, are people who travel, single people, those wishing to keep the current exterior standard of ambience and their homes value in tact, and those who seek outside amenities with little-to-no maintenance or upkeep.

So, when looking at homes for sales in HOA developments, be a smart buyer. Know what information you want from the HOA ahead of time, involve your attorney, and make your offer for any of the homes for sale contingent upon your acceptance of the HOA membership.

For more San Diego Homes for sale information visit www.twtrealestate.com

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Real Estate Investor Websites - Why?

Do I need a Website as a Real Estate Investor?
I know you may be thinking that your business is small and your products or services can not be sold online, so you don’t need a website for your business. Infact, there was a time not long ago when this was true and one could do without a website not only in real estate but in almost all other industries, but times have changed and without an iota of doubt I can assure you that a website for your business is an absolute must.

With more than 20 million shoppers online buying and selling books, cars, real estate, airplanes, toys, clothes, natural gas to name a few products the sky is the limit. All you have to do is visualize a product or service in your mind and someone somewhere will figure out how to sell it online.

It is not as if all life begins and end on the Internet, but if your product can be easily sold over the Internet you should do so. Besides, this enables prospective customers, employees, partners, and investors to with the click of a mouse find out about you and what you can offer them. Further, Internet marketing research firms predict that the number of online consumers will grow at a rate of 30% to 50% over the next few years. Other fringe benefits you could get from your website include selling advertising space, personalized emailing, starting an affiliate program or a web blog, creating a joint venture.

You must now be thinking about the kind of a website you want. It is the first impression people will get about you and so it must be a professional looking site and make a striking impression. Your site represents your business and should amply reflect that. You don’t want something your friends high school going son designed, you want a site that leaves a lasting impression on the viewers mind.

Why Real Estate Investor Site?
Have you ever imagined owning your own virtual office twenty four hours a day seven days a week. Well, with a website you will have all of that while promoting your real estate business. You can also get quality leads and market your properties, manage your contacts. Infact, the marketing tools that are a part of a professionally designed Real Estate website will enable you to stand head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. Just adding a website address to your ads can make a difference to how prospective clients view your business.

Who should design you site?
Today there are a plethora of web design companies out there and it is important to pick the right one. You need a balance between the how much you should pay and the kind of features your website has. Before picking a company you should find out is they have any experience in the real estate investing world. Do they have any references or sample working sites that you can view? Can they design dynamic or database driven websites so that you can easily make changes to the website yourself without paying the designer an arm and a leg to make small updates.
What to look for in an Investor site?

So, while designing your website obviously you need to keep a couple of things in mind. First let me tell you about all the free stuff you should look for, a free auto responder where you can create unlimited auto responses. Your prospects and clients will receive personalized follow-up messages. Free submission to search engines is crucial to get your word out and is an essential part of being successful. At RI Tracker we use in house search engine optimization professionals to stay on the cutting edge of search engine technology with the most important goal being to drive motivated sellers and interested customers to your site.

Your website should also include an online form for people to voice their opinion, ask questions and give their feedback. Since you want to attract investment partners you need to have a special page just for investors besides having a high quality. These features will add tons of credibility to your site and also attract money partners.

In addition to these above mentioned features, basically you need a professionally designed and maintained web site. You need a personalized email address and all the features that come with an email account. It would also be a good idea to think about creating pages for mortgage brokers, bankers, Realtors, landscapers, handymen etc. If you haven’t thought of it earlier, now is the time to setup a process for obtaining referral fees commissions, or even charge an advertising fee and you could end up totally eliminating the cost of your new site.

Owning your own domain so that all inquiries go directly to you and you are free to advertise your domain anytime anywhere also helps. When building your site ask your design company to include geographical key words to help your site rank even higher on localized searches.

How to get a professional investor web site using your own domain, and not spend thousands to get it done?

Using established services like RITRACKER.COM which is managed by a Real Estate Investor himself, your new web site can be live in 48 hours or less without costing you and arm and a leg(Starting at $499). Using them, not only is it easy to get your web site set up and personalized, but your site will be fully loaded with online marketing and lead generation tools built right in. The customer care is there to help answering all your questions and providing expertise in Internet marketing

To keep your cost low we have set up templates that we can easily modify to fit your needs. These templates are VERY customizable. Not only can you change the obvious (company name, location etc.), but we can add pages, remove pages, add or remove text and pictures, change text colors, add downloadable forms and a lot more. Some templates can be changed to the color of your choice at no additional cost. The bottom line is that your site will be customized to fit the needs of your business.

You will also get a web based admin interface allowing you to to add, delete or modify properties or make any changes at you own convenience using an extremely user friendly user interface.

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Open Houses Will Not Get You Homes, but a Real Estate Team Will!

A Real Estate Team is a strong believer in making a property to the fullest extent of a capabilities. There has always been discussion on the merits of Open Houses. While some real estate professionals believe that Open Houses are a necessity, they are not always quick to point out the many drawbacks with hosting an Open House.

The first and most important thing you need to know is: Open Houses DO NOT SELL Homes, Realtors® Do!

Nearly all of the homes that are sold in the real estate market are sold because a realtor had a meeting with the client who came to see the home. Most of the real estate agents have two main reasons for hosting the Open Houses. The first reason being because they will usually meet promising clients who will usually come back and buy a house after the Open House. This will provide great business for the real estate team, because all the buyers have seen is a classified ad. The classified ad usually will not have the details for the home posted, therefore the buyers are not getting all the facts that they should. When the buyers are not getting all the facts, it is nearly impossible that the home can be described as “perfect” for the buyer. A professional real estate team will give you a lot more than an ad. They will sit down and give you all the details for the home, and then research a home just for you based on ya preferences. Doing this process is more likely to find the buyer a “perfect” match. Open Houses will just lure buyers that want to see which homes are attainable. An unprofessional realtor will just see it as an opportunity to meet a confused buyer, and is hoping to get a new client for the Realtor®.

The second reason is quite straightforward. Open Houses are hosted because some sellers will fall in love with the home at first sight. The Realtor wants to keep the slim chance that a buyer will walk in and immediately make an offer for the home. What really happens is the buyer is not ready yet, and soon they will have a home that they are not satisfied with. That is why real estate teams take the time to give the buyer all the details that are needed, and then let them purchase their homes.

A Real Estate Team will provide you with the quality customer service you deserve. A real estate team will host Open Houses as the client wishes, but they would much rather have the buyer to be in a office so that they can give them all the details that will make them ready to buy the home. While they are having an Open House for you, they will not be in a office trying to follow leads and come up with marketing ideas to find unqualified buyers. A recent statistic shows that less than 1% of all the homes sold come from open houses. They have also learned this from a own personal experience.

Even though someone living close by is having an Open House, ya property will receive just as much attention. A Real Estate Team works diligently to provide good marketing in large amounts through the internet, personal contact with other clients, and in print. A Real Estate Team is among the few Realtors that will find a property that is right just for you. Even if the buyer is not a client of as, they will still show all the properties that they have to offer. The great customer service that they offer has been a big factor in a success!

If you would like more information about Open Houses or anything else they offer, do not hesitate to contact them. They would be glad you provide you with more information.

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Investment Property or Income Property?

If you are a young professional aspiring to be wealthy and looking for extra income opportunities, then you have probably checked out the real estate market. Many are making a fortune through real estate by cashing in on their investment property. At this point in your career, you have two real options you should consider. You could buy an investment property and hope to cash in on the property in the future, or you could look for an income property that will offer profitable cash flow from month to month. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties and income properties.


Income Property
The methodology behind investing in an income property is focused around making money now. Not everybody can invest money in real estate and hope for a huge return 15 or 20 years down the road. For investors that don’t have a big stash of cash laying around waiting 15 or 20 years for a return on their investment is not a viable business plan.
Thus, as you might expect, an income property is a property that returns positive net income from month to month. For example, the typical income property for small real estate investors is a single family dwelling. Suppose a person much like yourself decides to invest in house that is being sold at or below market value. The business plan is to make minimal investments fixing up the house, and then rent out the house to somebody with sub par credit that can’t get a loan for their own house. To initially pay for the house a mortgage loan is taken out. The monthly mortgage loan payments are calculated to be $850 and you plan on renting out the house for $1100 since there is a shortage of rental homes in the area. Right off the bat you have a gross operating margin of $250 on this income property. Of course there will always be other expenses, such as maintenance and taxes, which you must pay. However, these additional expenses will still leave a nice little cash flow of profits for your efforts. Bigger investors follow this methodology and buy an income property like an apartment building and will make larger profits thanks to economies of scale.
Investment Property
The methodology behind an investment property is a bit different. Rather than focusing on current profitability like an income property investor, an investment property investor focuses on the big picture. The investor will buy an investment property which allows him to at least break even or perhaps make a small profit from month to month. However, his primary interest is holding onto the property for the long term and selling the property when the market value has risen significantly. Over a span of 15 to 20 years, it is not unreasonable to expect investment properties in hot real estate markets to double or even triple. Thus, the typical investment property investor has two resources. He has lots of money on hand as well as time to play the waiting game.
The investment property investor is not terribly interested in making money on his investment right now. That is not to say he is willing to lose money on the property from month to month, but he is willing to operate at much lower profit margins than your typical income property investor. The real objective of the investment property investor is to strike it rich down the road when he finally decides to the sell the investment property.
Both of these investment strategies serve as viable business plans. What suits you best will depend on your needs as well as your resources. If you have lots of money and time then an investment property could be way the go , but if you need to make money now an income property might be your best choice.

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Why choose the sell and rent back strategy

Every day, real estate companies are looking for alternatives to help people take careful decisions when it comes to dealing with their properties. They want to be of assistance in any way they can and come up with diverse strategies and methods to keep up their reputation. The real estate market is on constant rise and this phenomenon is likely to continue in the years to come.

Sadly, there are many people out there who fail to pay their mortgage rates and the banks threaten them to take away their house. These people are in constant search of help and they are ready to do whatever sacrifice to keep their home. Real estate companies have come up with sell and rent back schemes, as a possible alternative.

The sell and rent back strategy is advantageous for both the homeowner and the institution. The person sells the property to the company, the company takes over the mortgage and deals with it. After selling the house, the person is not forced to move out; on the contrary, with the sell and rent back possibility, he/she can still live on the property as tenant.

If one is worried about the high price of rent, then one should know that the rent is set up in accordance with the market trends and some companies even offer interesting discounts if you decide to use their services. The way this sell and rent back strategy helps the owner is obvious. The person gets to live in the house and buy it back when he/she can afford it.

Many real estate companies have come up with this sell and rent back plan desiring to help people and still make a profit by doing that. Today, this option is chosen not only by homeowners in distress but also by people who want to release the equity on their house or by those who are planning to move in a short period of time. This method is seen not only as accessible but also as smart.

By agreeing to use the sell and rent back system, the seller is allowed to continue to stay on the property up to a particular date. After that, the owner has several options. The first one is to extend the contract and prolong his/her stay. If he has the money, he can buy the property back. On the other hand, if he made the contract because he was emigrating, then at the expiration date he will move out.

The Internet is the best place for selling you house in a fast and light manner. There is no waiting, no complicated details and you can get it all over with in a couple of days. There are several online companies that offer one the possibility to sell house quick without getting the prospective seller into elaborated legal procedures and asking for commissions.

When it comes to the opportunity to sell house quick, one should know that it is crucial to find a respectable company. Check out references, ask for clarifications and then list your house online. Making a deal online and choosing the sell house quick strategy can only bring you the amount of money well deserved as soon as possible.

If you want to enjoy the sell house quick scheme, then do not wait any more. Go over the Internet, browse a few companies and their websites. Look for accurate information on the topic of sell house quick and then decide for the company that is most suitable for your needs and preferences. These companies know how important is to sale your property straightaway, for various reasons. They do not inquire why the hurry, they just deal with the procedures and help you get through the whole sell house quick thing in a minute.
Choose us when you decide to opt for a sell and rent back strategy. We can be of assistance and provide you with the best deal possible. Also, if you are interested in the sell house quick plan, look for us and feel pleased you have made the right decision.

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Coming Up With a Real Estate Closing Gift Idea

The real estate closing gift idea is a fairly new concept for real estate practitioners. Many practitioners in real estate frown at the idea of giving a closing gift to one of their clients. More than likely, they have not embraced the idea because to them it does not seem like good business practice. Even though it may be new to the real estate industry, the idea of giving a gift at the close of a deal is not new to the business world. In fact, it is a practice that has been going on for many years. The practice of giving business gifts has proven to be a good relationship builder in the business world. The same can be true for real estate.

It is not difficult to come up with a real estate closing gift idea. There are some standard gifts that you can consider giving to your client. Alternatively, you can come up with a personalized real estate closing gift idea based on what you know about your client. In the weeks leading up to the close of the real estate deal, you, more than likely, spent a great deal of time with your client. During this time you probably learned something about their tastes. If this is the case, then you won’t have too much trouble coming up with a suitable real estate closing gift.

Once you have come up with a real estate closing gift idea, there are some other considerations that you should take into account before purchasing the gift. The price of the real estate closing gift idea is important. While it isn’t appropriate to spend a great deal of money on a gift, it is also inappropriate to purchase a cheap gift. In fact, it is better not to purchase a closing gift than it is to purchase a cheap gift. Your real estate closing gift idea should be something that the client can use in their new home. Consider the selling price of the home and the affluence of the buyer as you evaluate your real estate closing gift idea.

Add your personal touch to the real estate closing gift idea. This will take a little more time and effort, but the effect that it will have on your business relationship will be well worth it. When you add a personal touch to a real estate closing gift idea it conveys just how much appreciation you have for your client. When you can effectively express your appreciation for your client through a real estate closing gift idea the client will be sure to have positive things to say about your business relationship.

The real estate closing gift idea you have should have staying power. The longer the gift lasts, the more the client will be reminded of the service you provided. A long lasting gift provides more chances for the client to talk about your services. This is a subtle way of generating referrals for years to come.

Once you follow through on purchasing your real estate closing gift idea and giving it to the client, you can follow up with smaller tokens of appreciation. Consider sending a card or giving a phone call to your client at key milestones after the closing. For example, thirty days and six months after the close of the transactions are good times to follow up with your client. This will serve as a reinforcement of the good will that your gift giving generated.

Your real estate closing gift idea doesn’t necessarily require a great deal of thought. Remember that the more thought you put into the gift, the more positive things the client will have to say about you. Only give the gift as a genuine token of appreciation, not to smooth things over with a deal that went sour.

Real estate closing gift idea – 13
Ben Hirsh is a Realtor in Woodstock GA and an expert on that market. He also enjoys the study of other markets. His unique website features a Woodstock GA MLS search and an informative report on Woodstock GA real estate .

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Have a Property Appraised Before Investing

Quickly rising costs of homes across the United States over the last number of years has gotten many people's attention. In fact more than ever are people interested in pursuing real estate investment. Real estate can be a tricky market; not something you want to get involved in unless you have some good knowledge and experience. Although there is no substitute for experience, this article will provide the amateur investor with some helpful tips on how to intelligently invest in real estate.

Granted you have some idea of what kind of property you would like to invest in, the most important factor in your decision should be the appraisal. This step is so important that it is worth your time and money to hire a professional with a lot of experience in property appraisals. The appraiser is trained in analyzing the property and its surrounding local market to come up with the estimated value. A common misconception is that appraisers create value, but in reality they interpret the market to estimate a value. They will consider things like the size of the property, its location, the amenities, and the condition of the structure, just to name a few. Having a property appraised is simple advice but it truly gives you an idea, as an investor, if the investment is worthwhile. You would hate to sign the papers only to find out the market is not what you expected, or that the property actually has some faults that will decrease the value you recover from it.

In addition to having the property appraised it is important to be able to forecast the entire local market as an investor. You must look at a market and decide if it is profitable or not. One indicator that most investors will consider is the average time a house is on the market in that area. If homes are selling fast and their average market time is low, this is a good sign that the market is hot and could be profitable. Another statistic to take into account is the difference between the original asking price and the final sale price. If there is a huge difference, there is a good chance that the market is soft and not favorable for an investor. On the other hand if the average sale price is close to asking price, the market is likely strong.

The home or property that you are interested in is no doubt the focus of your investment research, but there are other factors that will influence the success of your investment. Often times people will buy a home only to find out later that a huge shopping mall is being planned for essentially their backyard. Others have had similar problems with multi-lane roads being put in or in California homeowners have had to fight to keep casinos (and its associated traffic) out of their neighborhood. Not all future construction is bad. Perhaps there are plans for a new school, church, or business park nearby. Before making a purchase it is wise to head down to city hall to look into any future land use plans that are in the works for near your investment property. As you could imagine from the above examples, changes in land use near your home or investment can drastically alter its value; it is better to be aware of these things prior to investing.

Another piece of advice I always must keep in mind is that tax laws change. As an investor you must be well aware of real estate tax laws. The laws are going to change all the time, it is your responsibility to stay on top of these changes. Some investors feel they can handle staying abreast of the changes, while others don't have that kind of time, so they hire a tax law attorney to help them. It is important not to solely rely on tax laws to make your investment worthwhile. A good investment will always be a strong investment no matter the changes in the law. Being knowledgeable of the latest tax law will allow you to benefit maximally from your investment.

Investing in real estate is not easy. There are many factors that play into the future value of the investment, and whether or not it is a worthwhile gamble. When it comes to investing there is no substitute for quality experience. Hopefully these tips will help you get on the right track without making any costly mistakes along the way.

John Packer invests in real estate for supplemental income and recommends Christopher Robin Appraisals when he needs a Sacramento California real estate appraiser. When you need a home appraisal, you can check which zip codes are covered on the El Dorado County real estate appraisal page.

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Jake Newberry sells for NuStar Motors, a used cars Sacramento dealer, which specializes in lifted 4x4 trucks and fast cars such as used Mustangs, Cameros, and Honda V-techs.

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