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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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124706_33.html

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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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124733_33.html

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.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124760_33.html

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.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124852_33.html

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.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124853_33.html

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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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124974_33.html

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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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.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124159_33.html

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.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124852_33.html

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.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_124853_33.html

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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Can You Use Government Grants to Become A Real Estate Entrepreneur?

Grants are not Benefits or Entitlements. A Federal Grant is an award of financial assistance from a Federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States. Grants are not Federal assistance or loans to individuals.

Since 2002, the federal government has been developing and implementing Grants.gov as a collaborative cross-government program focused on streamlining grants management for the Federal grant community.

Can You Real Estate Apprentice Grant your way to being a Real Estate Entrepreneur?


The real Estate apprenticeship grant is one of the few grants that actually offer financial assistance for people who seek profit. Usually, government awarded grants are provided only for non-profit individuals or institutions.


The program aims to improve the US real estate industry by providing education and training to people interested in pursuing real estate as a career. It awards grants every six months totaling to $1,000,000.


By assisting new real estate agents the grant aims to help these novices increase their sales by giving them guidance and training, as well as the stat-up cost, all to improve the real estate industry as well as to improve the individual.


What can this grant do for me?


Based on each type of grant each finalist awarded the grant receives an estimate of $7000 in the form of:


1. Compensation of your licensing fee as well as the provision to attend any class offered by RealtyU School for once year.


2. Unlimited online access to a real estate mentoring service as well as counseling calls from your mentor.


3. Software named Transaction Manager that can be automated to store data from every transaction for every deal you make. It automatically calculates and stores due-dates and is very good for easy data access and storage.


4. A free consultation from McLean International Consulting at your own office. They will give you advice on business system technology.


5. A marketing package which includes the designing of your own stationary, business cards, envelopes and letterheads, a custom brochure, printing and design of PowerKards as well as your very own web site.


6. A detailed demographic information system about neighborhoods in the country.


7. 20-30 real estate books.


8. The real estate Success Kit with a mortgage calculator and a Laser Dimension Master.


9. Free printing from Express Copy


10. A one-year subscription to visual tours to help you create visuals for online listings as well as train you for neighborhood tours.


11. You become a member of the Real Estate Cyberspace Society


************************************


Did you know?


Applying at Grants.gov can reduce your costs and the time required to find government grant opportunities and process your application. The site provides access to multiple grantors and reduces paperwork.



By downloading a grant application package, you can view it offline, giving you the flexibility to complete the application when and where you want.


************************************

12. A subscription to the online magazine Broker Agent News and the print magazine, National Real Estate.


Who are eligible for the grant?


U.S. or Canadian nationals are allowed to take part in the grant provided that they have already taken a pre-licensing course at an accredited Real Estate School. The school should be state or nationally accredited and the participant must have taken the class during the six-month grant application season. If however the applicant has already passed his/her licensing examination, he is eligible for the grant if he has passed for a license within the same six months of grant awarding season. How do I apply?


Go to their website, http://www.realestateapprentice.com/apply.cfm and register as one of the applicants. The application form is electronic and you will be asked to enter personal information. However, you are only allowed 500 characters per question so answer it carefully and briefly.


What Criteria is used for this grant?


The questions on your application form aim to assess your communication skills, integrity, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and uniqueness. Therefore your application form should contain as much of the talented you as it can.


The organizers who give it an initial grade, and then a panel of judges who are veterans first view the questions or otherwise well known in the industry are asked to judge each application form. These may range from industry leaders to sponsors of the grant.


15 judges one of them, the chairman of the panel, is appointed by the foundation. The chairman will then act as the coordinator for all judges as well as the judging process. The foundation only chooses the best and most experienced leaders in the industry and you are ensured that these people will be impartial.


Other things you should know.


* Always be ready with your proof of eligibility as the panel may request it.


* Finalists who are selected must be interviewed by the judges so prepare to look your best.


* It’s ok that you work for a real estate brokerage, but you may not work for a financial institution, insurance company or a title company on a full-time basis.


* The award isn’t tax-free


* If you do receive the grant, you will be required to show proof that you are indeed a licensed real estate agent.


· Once a finalist, you will be required to remain active as an agent.

Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits a site on Government Grants for Women Owned Businesses and also edits HandsNet - A Human Services News Website.

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Real Estate Investing Strategies and the Economic Cycle

The Economic cycle plays an important role in real estate investing. The idea of an Economic cycle is simple. It states that what goes up must also come down. Although housing prices and real estate in general have had an overall increase in value for a great many years and there is confidence that the market will never crash completely. This has led many investors to consider real estate investment a secure thing, and their strategy is usually based on the long term potential of the investment. In other words, buy property and hold on to it until the profit you seek can be realized.

Although this strategy is not really bad for the long term investor, it will not enable him to realize the type of return that is possible when investing in certain profit rich areas such as Utah real estate. The cyclic nature of the Economic Cycle presents a danger that the market will be on a downswing when you are looking to unload your investment and the years taken to reach your goal might tie up your investment capital so that other opportunities are missed.

In an area such as Provo real estate, where profit potential is so great because of the attractiveness of the area for investing in properties that can be converted to rental units, the hold on to it strategy is a poor choice for the investor who wishes to make a solid return. There are other strategies that make much more sense. Even the Bargain Purchase strategy is better. In this concept, only properties that can be purchased at below 20% their true value are considered. The 20% figure allows the property to be returned to the market at once at its full value.

Another strategy that is related is the Increased Value strategy. This is going to be more likely in an area such as Provo real estate. It involves purchasing at the actual true value and making improvements within the first six months that increase the value by 20%, and then returning the property to the market at the increased value figure.

When rental property is the thrust of your real estate strategy, the Double Digit Cap Rate plan is a good investment choice. It limits your property purchases to those that can produce a capitalization rate of at least 10%. The capitalization rate is the net operating income of the property. The percentage figures in these strategies are guidelines for making the investment practical. If these minimum figures are not met, the investment capital should be invested in other low return investments and the real estate market avoided unless the hold on until it goes up strategy is used.

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Relocating to West Palm Beach, Florida

West Palm Beach is one of the nicer areas in Florida, the type of place you see in television shows. Relocating to West Palm Beach is surprisingly affordable.

West Palm Beach, Florida is a medium sized city located on the coast of the state. Situated along the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Beach County, this city is home to 82,103 residents – with a large land area reaching 55.1 square miles. West Palm Beach is almost directly at sea level; it has an elevation of just 21 feet. This city is home to some of the best tourist spots in this area of Florida, and many people choose to vacation in Palm Beach because of its reputation for wealth and class.

Despite the reputation for wealth in this area, those relocating to West Palm Beach, Florida should note that the median yearly household income here is $36,774 – just around the average for the United States. The average cost of purchasing a house in West Palm Beach is just $98,000 – but there are many houses that cost more than this. If you prefer to rent your housing instead of purchasing a home, the average cost of a month's rent in this city is $617. The median age of West Palm Beach's residents is 36.7 years.

West Palm Beach has a racial makeup that is quite different from the rest of the nation. The minority group here is made up of those who classify themselves as white/non-Hispanic – they make up just 46% (compared with over 80% throughout the rest of the country). This is significantly lower than the rest of the state of Florida. 32.2% of the population designate themselves as Black, and 18.2% stated they were Hispanic. The rest were of mixed or other race.

Many of the people relocating to West Palm Beach, Florida are not from other states in the country – 24.5% of the residents here are foreign born. 26.9% of the adult residents hold a Bachelor's Degree or higher, and 41.8% stated that they were currently married. Crime is a problem in West Palm Beach – with a crime index rating of 917.9, it has nearly triple the crime of the US average (325.2). Despite the criminal aspect of the city, it is quite focused on education – with several universities and colleges located here, including Palm Beach Atlantic College.

Temperatures and climate here in West Palm Beach are very similar to that of a tropical area. Highs in the summer months reach to over 90ºF, and lows seldom dip below 60ºF. Precipitation is much higher than the average in the rest of the United States; the city regularly gets eight inches of precipitation per month. However, sunshine days are also above the country's average in West Palm Beach.

Lou Ross is with MovingCompaniesforYou.com - a directory of moving truck rentals along with helpful advice on moving issues.

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Lou Ross is with MovingCompaniesforYou.com - a directory of moving companies with helpful advice on moving issues.

http://www.movingcompaniesforyou.com

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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Is the National Residential Real Estate Market Headed for a Depression in 2007?

At the beginning of 2006, the so named real estate “bubble” across the nation was leaking air. We read opposing views by economists, whose opinions graced the pages of national media and were dependent upon which economic theory they followed. It was difficult to know whom to believe. It is now 2007, and we know in most areas the real estate market is considered to be in a recession.

A national economic recession occurs when the gross national product declines by five-to-ten percent over a six-month period. Residential real estate prices have dropped double digit percent points since the beginning of 2006 and inventories of used homes listed for sale doubled between 2004 and 2005, then again between 2005 and 2006.


The News Isn’t All Bad
Real estate is only a part of the gross national product, and the Federal Reserve helped curb inflation by raising the interest rate in 2006. Overall National business activity has increased in the past year, and unemployment is fairing well, remaining at 4.5 percent. New jobs totaling 167,000 were added in December 2006. The gross national product has not declined and the national economy is in very good shape.

So, what does this mean to the sellers and buyers of residential real estate? It means business is back to normal, before the real estate “bubble” inflated so to speak — with some roadblocks to navigate.

Less Available Money
First, all the money that was being invested into real estate during the boom has been diverted into other non-real estate investment opportunities. This means that money once invested in mortgage-backed securities is diminishing.

Additionally, large mortgage lenders are receiving more federal oversight scrutiny for lending practices used during the latest real estate boom. They continually raised the lending limits to control the market (or so a few of these lenders are accused), making mortgage access much too easy. Many of those, who took loans at only 20 percent-to-nothing down (called leveraging), now are losing their homes and defaulting on their mortgages. Even if these owners could sell their homes, afterwards, they would still owe much on the balance of the mortgage. They are being hit the hardest with default rates doubling in both 2005 and 2006, and expected to continue throughout 2007. This, too, has hit the mortgage lending industry where it hurts the most — profits.

Buyers will have a more difficult time securing a mortgage than during the real estate boom, when just about anyone with any type of credit rating was approved. Less mortgage availability means less potential buyers for the home sellers, too.

Before looking for new residential real estate, secure your financing first. Not only are you then confident in looking at property, but also you know exactly what you can afford.

For sellers, ensure your realtor asks potential buyers if they have secured financing. Those that have, even if their offer is a bit lower, may be more attractive buyers than those who have not. You decide which offer to accept. This is especially important, if you are in a hurry to close.


Prices at Practical Levels
During the real estate boom, home values rose by almost 500 percent between 1990 and 2005. Now, they are back to practical levels.

For sellers, who purchased their homes by leveraging, they may have to take a loss or wait out the current market for better times. All sellers face a lot of competition from other homeowners wishing to sell. Some creative staging of their property (inside and out), as well as adding incentives to buyers, can make their residential real estate for sale stand out among the rest. Some Realtors have found success placing the asking price right on the “for sale” sign. Others have taken advertising and marketing into the 21st century by creating specific web sites with a gallery of interior and exterior photos of the home1 . Many Realtors believe in promoting the home for sale through the media by giving the asking price (especially when it is a great deal) — buyers are more apt to be interested, when they know they can afford it. Sellers were in the lead negotiating seat during the real estate boom. They must accept that, though they still have negotiation power, they have relinquished the lead seat to the buyers. This makes a realtor invaluable to both sellers and buyers, alike.

For the buyers, you will get much better real estate deals now. You can take more time to decide and make an offer than during the boom. Secure your financing first, hire a realtor and enjoy the hunt.

1 Ensure no valuables are in the photos. You wish to attract potential buyers — not thieves.

For more information on San Diego real estate visit www.twtrealestate.com

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Buying government foreclosures or bank foreclosures: basics

Foreclosed homes are regularly set on the market by the two major home lenders: government agencies and banks. Be they government foreclosures or bank foreclosures, what matters most is that they can be purchased at expenses lower than their real market value. This is why homebuyers or investors generally are in haste as soon as a reliable foreclosure opportunity is listed. After having investigated the real estate market and its potentialities, homebuyers must move quickly if they want to grasp this temporary chance. In what follows we will see some of the basics and advantages of opting either for government foreclosures or for bank foreclosures.

The most popular government agencies that frequently market foreclosure properties are as follows: 1) the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (you are probably already familiar with HUD foreclosed homes); 2) the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (for the well-known VA foreclosures); 3) local agencies of taxation; 4) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC – the department dealing with foreclosure sales); 5) the Internal Revenue Service (IRS – once again the segment dealing with foreclosures). However, the market of government foreclosures is led by HUD foreclosures and VA foreclosures.

In any case, the point is that with government foreclosures one of the above mentioned government agencies is holder of the property’s title. As a rule, they will place any foreclosed property at auction. The buyer’s advantages are basically drawn from bidding opportunities generated by auction circumstances: the potential buyer’s chance to set a limit for the house value, the certainty over the time interval spent to acquire a property, the possibility to evade prolonged negotiations with the former homeowner. As with any auction, government foreclosures are purchased if the bidder’s offer is appropriate. Also, your involvement in government foreclosures auctions needs to be mediated by a certified real estate agent who is regularly rewarded a 6% bonus for having successfully sold the property. The real estate agent’s indemnity is an additional figure to the sum you place as a bid.

To what concerns bank foreclosures, there are three major ways of purchasing such properties. One of them is in pre-foreclosures. In this case, you will need to act promptly, because there is actually very little time up until a property in a pre-foreclosed stage is transferred to foreclosure terms. So before properties actually become bank foreclosures, the active, smart homebuyer/investor – who has previously undergone a serious investigation of an area’s real estate market – will know to move in the direction of negotiating directly with the distressed homeowners. If pre-foreclosure attempts fail, the next step is an auction.

With bank foreclosures, the auction is required by the banks whose lends haven’t been acquitted on time. In such circumstances, the homebuyer/investor could try to overpass the bank’s bidding offers. Yes, the bank will also bid in such auctions, interested in stepping further along the process of profitably selling foreclosures. If the auction is won by the bank, the property becomes an REO (real estate owned) foreclosure property. This is the third way in which you could purchase bank foreclosures. When you are interested in REOs, you will negotiate directly with the bank. The main advantage of the potential homebuyer/home investor is that this is the most certain manner (and one of the fastest) of acquiring a foreclosed property. You will need to make an offer, but be careful: the offer should be commonsensical, don’t expect a bank to accept a discount of 50%, even if we are talking about foreclosures. Most often, you will get a 10%-20% lower price for an REO foreclosure.

In the end, the key toward purchasing foreclosures, no matter the entity selling them, is given by two stages: careful real estate market investigation and promptness in action when the time comes to place your offer. Remember that the market of foreclosures, no matter how advantageous, is highly competitive, since many homebuyers/investors are interested in it.
Government foreclosures and bank foreclosures are the two common manners of purchasing houses at distressed values. With some background research of the real estate market and equipped with promptness, you will be able to purchase the house of your dreams or make the investment of your life in limits more affordable than others.

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Costa Rican Lifestyle and Property Market an Attractive Prospect for Investors

As the strategy of real estate investment continues to flourish as an increasingly popular wealth building strategy, investors are recognizing the potential of underutilized international destinations such as Costa Rica.

Once little more than a popular tourist destination, Costa Rica is now a property goldmine for real estate investors. Political stability, favorable tax laws, good infrastructure and accessible property values work together to make Costa Rican investment a must for new and experienced investors alike.

Because the potential of Costa Rica has been largely unrealized in decades past, investors are now enjoying 200-300% increases in the value of properties purchased just ten years ago. Despite this dramatic increase, properties are still affordable, with three bedroom homes available for as little as $60,000. In fact, a beachfront property can be attained for as much as 75% less than the price of a comparable property in Florida.

As Costa Rican investment becomes more and more attractive to international investors as a wealth building technique, the local government continues to work to please these foreign visitors and part time residents. Banking is safe and reliable at any of the four government-owned or 23 private banks. Tax laws are simple; property taxes are lower than those in the North American market and business income is taxed after expenses. North Americans can legally enjoy the Costa Rican lifestyle for up to three months, during which time they may generate income from self-employment and own houses, property and vehicles. Attaining citizenship is simple and uncomplicated.

The Costa Rican lifestyle and standard of living is comfortable while the cost of living remains quite low; a family of four with a car and a home can expect to live contentedly for as little as $1,500 US per month. Air service is convenient and reliable, with many direct flights to the US, Canada and Europe daily. Health care plans are available privately or through employers. The health care system in Costa Rica is excellent; complex procedures such as heart and organ transplants are performed routinely and technology is advanced.

In San Jose, property crimes do occur such as break-ins and theft, though violent crime throughout the country is rare. The police are fair and treat foreigners as they treat the locals, who themselves are friendly and welcoming towards international visitors and foreign residents. Costa Rica boasts an excellent public school system with a current literacy rate of over 93%. The drinking water is safe and pasteurized dairy products are available throughout the country.

All of these factors, combined with the favorable weather and year-round vacation atmosphere, serve to endear Costa Rica to property investors and foreign nationals alike. As Costa Rica strives to better its already admirable economy, infrastructure and reputation as an eco-tourism destination, property prices are set to increase dramatically and real estate investment here is an increasingly attractive prospect. Several factors set this country apart from other comparable locations as a desirable place to invest:

• The country has enjoyed centuries of political stability and has no military
• The standard and cost of living are admirable
• Banking, business, tax laws and property ownership are uncomplicated
• Property prices show great potential for continued growth but are not yet over-inflated as in other tropical destinations
• The area is easily accessible year-round by air
• Wealth building investors enjoy a fantastic lifestyle in a location with no weather extremes, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of activities

As more and more investors realize Costa Rica’s potential as an investment strategy as well as the comforts of the lifestyle enjoyed by residents, property prices will continue to grow steadily. With further planned infrastructure, the time for real estate investment in Costa Rica is today!
by David Lovendahl, Costa Vista Marketing

Costa Vista Land (http://www.costavistaland.com) is 'developing paradise' in Costa Rica. The company buys raw land in large quantities after they have thoroughly surveyed and researched all details. Because of this, Costa Vista Land acquires their properties at discount prices and develops them in less than 18 months. Hence the unique program in which you can obtain developed land at undeveloped prices and why company President, Brad Hogan says, "We are an investment company first and a land sale company second." Parcel choices range from valleys to mountains, to beautiful coastline property. This lucrative program comes with 100% money back guarantee. Everyone is encouraged to visit Costa Rica, stand on their property and see the beautiful country they have invested in. While visiting, the company pays for your accommodations, meals and transportation.

For more information contact 1-877-55-COSTA. And Grab Your Free 50 Minute CD Now, by clicking here: http://www.developingparadise.com.

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Personal Realtor Maketing Systems Make Good Business Systems

A Personal Realtor Marketing system can provide the ultimate
method for listing properties. Like farming expired
listings, for example. If you can mail letters you can get
listings!

Many agents know about expired listings and how profitable
marketing them can be, but opt not to pursue them. I'm not
sure why, but there inaction can definitely be your gain!

It's not rocket science, but before you get too excited be
forewarned that not just any old expired real estate listing
letter will do. Effective ones must have enough information
on them to get the most desirable response; a phone call or
email message to you.

But if you're going for the ultimate most wanted response,
an actual listing, your letter must be outstanding. Hint! A
FREE cookie cutter letter won't cut the mustard if you are
competing for a $300,000.00 listing.

Fortunately, there are some pretty good ones available to
choose from at reasonable cost. But if you're bound and
determined to create your own then have at it.

However, the going will probably be slow and you'll lose
valuable time and customers to competitors while refining
it; neither of which you can afford.

There's another big upside to marketing with pre written
letters; they're time tested and can be effective in any
state, county, or city in the United States.

Effective ones can generate a steady stream of warm,
responsive prospects month after month; all interested in
one thing, listing and selling their properties. It doesn't
get any better than that!

Some letter writing come with complementary letters. If you
like the idea of repeat mailings go with a letter series,
but if you're not interested in repeat contacts go with the
single letter approach. Either way can be effective and
there are pros and cons to both, but ultimately the choice
comes down to your personal preference.

Your expired listing letter should at a minimum have your
full name, address, and phone number(s), and other contact
information. It should be as grammatically correct as
possible without sounding unnatural and spell checked to be
free of misspelled words.

Your letter should also have lots of white space. What I
mean is don't have run on sentences in paragraphs seemingly
without end. Instead, have short, 2-3 sentenced paragraphs.

For example, every paragraph on this page, excepting this
one, is 3 sentences or less. Also, use bullets whenever
possible to break your sales message to help your reader
better comprehend it.

Let's face it - you need listings. The more you have the
more money you'll make. On the other hand the fewer you have
the shorter your real estate career is likely to be.

A good real estate marketing system, with expired listing
letters, can help you get listings - period!

If you're a new agent it can help you get off to a good
start. You'll end up contacting a lot of "known" sellers in
a relatively short period of time.

And if you've been licensed for a while, but don't have the
volume of business that you want a real estate listing
campaign can supercharge your marketing results.

It's all about contacts. The more people you market your
services to the sooner you'll get to the people that you can
"close".

Imagine your many listing signs dotted throughout your
community. Now, create a plan to make it happen. They will
give you instant credibility and help you generate even more
listings and make more sales.

Everybody likes doing business with a winner and a good real
estate listing campaign can help make you one.

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Visit Lanard Perry at http://www.farmingexpiredlistings.com and http://www.realestatemarketing.talk.com for more real estate marketing ideas.

http://www.real-estate-marketing-talk.com

How to Get the Most Out of Referral Marketing

Advertising for your real estate business can cost a great deal of money. It can take up to 10% or more of your profits to effectively advertise and market your business. Certainly you would much rather reinvest this money into your business or better yet, put it back into your pockets. There is good news, yet. You can successfully market your real estate business without ever spending a single penny on real estate advertising. It may sound like a hoax, but it is true. With referral marketing, your real estate business is marketed to others have you don’t even have to pay for it.

The basis of referral marketing is relying on others to market your business for you. These people can be clients, business partners, friends, or family. Anyone who knows about your business and can testify to the services that you provide can be a part of your referral marketing program. The best part of referral marketing is that you don’t have to spend any money for it to work. Sometimes you don’t even have to plan you referral marketing for it to take effect.

Referral marketing works best when your referral sources know that you either need or want referrals. Some people might assume that you have an advertising program that brings in new customers. Unless they know that you need referrals, then they won’t assume that you need referrals. Even if clients themselves are referred to your services, they still tend not to make the assumption that you would appreciate some referral marketing on their part.

The best way to make sure that referral marketing is working for you is to let all of your clients and contacts know that you welcome referrals. You might even offer some kind of discount for clients who refer new clients to you. Anytime you have the opportunity to work your referral marketing take it. Some of the seeds you plant may fall to the way side, but many of them will grow into new clients. When you are asked about how your business is going, respond by saying that you are working with a new client that was referred by another client who was please with your work. This will let people know that you are open to referral marketing.

To be a part of your referral marketing program, your clients need to feel comfortable enough to refer business to you. If clients are not confident about your services, they will be hesitant to refer others to you. This will be true even when the client had a positive experience in working with you. When you are working with clients, tell them as many success stories as you can. The client will then get the idea that you are good at what you do.

Whenever you are dealing with a client make sure that you are always punctual for meetings and in returning phone calls. Always keep any promises that you make or inform the client as soon as possible for commitments that you will not be able to keep. If you have to back out of a commitment offer something in return for the client’s troubles. Doing these things will create a sense of trustworthiness with the client. When clients are pleased with your work, they will be a willing participant in your referral marketing program.

It can be difficult to put money into an advertising program. This is especially true for newer real estate businesses. You can effectively advertise your real estate business by using referral marketing. All it takes is creating awareness among your clients and conducting a successful business to encourage others to refer your real estate services to others.

Referral marketing - 13
Ben Hirsh is the author of this article and an expert on Woodstock GA real estate . Ben enjoys the study of other markets around the country. His website about Woodstock GA real estate has many exclusive features such as a Woodstock GA school guide , Woodstock GA news and much more!

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A lucrative rental flavour

Rental homes or home for rent will have new flavour both for the property owner and the guest.

The rental market in India is acquiring a new face as the real estate touches unprecedented heights and the demand for A-class accommodation, for instance in Five Star properties falls awfully short.

According to the ministry of tourism figures India has only 110,000 first class hotel rooms where as the demand as of now is more than five times.

Hence, the various international hotel groups including Hilton plan their new businesses in India through setting up a chain of hotels running into as many as 200.
Coming to the new rental paradigm that is being laid by the ministry of tourism. The latter has started a scheme whereby anyone who has some spare rooms can book with the ministry for a nominal sum for renting out space to international tourists who would like to stay with Indian families for experiencing their lifestyle and food while they pay far lesser compared to a five star or any star accommodation in a hotel.

The room rents offered are in the range of Rs 1000-4000 a day. The property owner has to organise minimum facilities like furnishing, an air-conditioner, a television, attached toilet with hot and cold water. Providing food from the Indian platter will be payable extra. Other services like laundry, taxi etc too could be provided at cost.
In the new scenario of “accommodation wanted” letting one’s flat or apartment or house may not be as lucrative, and on the contrary it will be quite hassle some given the rental laws being in favour of the tenant and high possibility of losing one’s property to the tenant in the bargain.

“I had three rooms lying vacant and I had no clue what to do with them especially when I did not want to give them away for rent; this opportunity from the ministry of tourism has come about as a windfall; I am able to earn as much as Rs 110,000 a month after having been into it for the last six months now,” says Anupama.
Hence rental homes or home for rent will have new flavour both for the property owner and the guest.

Author Bio: Samantha Sen is an associated editor of website www.realtymantrarentals.com. The website is a rent guide, dedicated to provide all information required for rental properties all across India. Your queries and suggestions are welcomed at smanthasen@gmail.com.

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