sobayre.com

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Real estate investment is perhaps one of the most lucrative forms of investment today. But it is also equally risk bound especially when one is not well versed with the trends and nuances of the real estate market. So if you are contemplating on investing in real estate, it is best to avoid costly mistakes in real estate investment especially when you invest your hard earned money into it. Knowing the most common mistakes made by real estate investors helps one steer away from making such mistakes in the future and ensures good return on investment.

Here are the top ten mistakes made by real estate investors, according to bankrate.com. Bankrate has put together the top ten mistakes after speaking to established, full-time real estate investors and other professionals involved in real estate investment such as bankers. Read on to know them and avoid them.

1. Not planning up ahead. Lack of a proper plan is the biggest mistake made by novice investors. Finding a house after forming a proper investment strategy is the right way instead of looking for a house to fit the plan. Many make the mistake of buying a house because it seems to be a good deal and then trying to see how they can fit it into their plan. Instead of buying a house and thinking one can plan in due course, investors should rather concentrate on the numbers and try to make offers on multiple properties. This will ensure a good property that not only matches their investment model but also works out well with the numbers they had planned for.

2. To believe you can make money quickly. The second major mistake that real estate investors make is to think it is very easy to get rich in real estate. This is only a myth and the reality is that investing in real estate is a long term project.

3. Doing it single-handedly. For becoming a successful real estate investor one needs to build a team of professionals who would assist the investor in his deals. This would ideally include a real estate agent, an appraiser, a home inspector, a closing attorney and a lender.

4. Making excess payment. One another reason that investors in real estate goof up in their investment is by paying too much for the properties they buy. Paying too much and locking up all the funds in the erred property deal will leave you with no money to redeem yourself.

5. Leaving out the groundwork. Not doing your homework could be a costly mistake if you were a real estate investor. Every field of business needs sufficient amount of homework to be done, and real estate investment is no exception. Learn the fundamentals and then venture into investing in properties.

6. Throwing caution to the winds. Investors have to exercise a certain degree of caution and take earnest efforts while making a deal. New investors often fail in this regard and sign a deal without doing adequate research on the property.

7. Miscalculating money flow. Investors whose strategy is to buy, hold and rent out properties need to ensure sufficient cash flow for maintenance. Property managers could be expensive and the owner has to incur more expenses such as mortgage, taxes, insurance, advertising costs etc. Investors have to allocate their budget such that all these expenses are taken care of, or end up having their asset turn into a liability.

8. Lowering the volume. A larger volume of deals or transactions helps in increasing the profits by reducing the impacts of marginal deals.

9. Getting trapped in your own deal. Having more number of options at hand for the property you buy is a wise strategy. This helps one to be prepared for fluctuations in the real estate market. Plans to rent out the house could go awry when the rental market slumps. Having alternative plans helps you cut down losses and tackle unexpected situations.

10. Making incorrect estimates. People who plan to rehab their house need to check if they will still reap the benefits at double the time that they had estimated. This ensures they do not miscalculate and lose money on the deal.



Oakland office space

Ron Victor asked:


Real estate properties in Florida come up with more innovated types of real property. Real estate investing becomes the world’s business and large number of buyers and sellers started making their real estate investment on the real properties. Florida is the beautiful state which comes up with more number of real estate properties for the buyers and Florida real estate investing on real property satisfies the requirements and demands of the people. In Florida, more number of real estate properties are listed for sale by the sellers and Florida real estate market meet the requirements of the buyers and sellers individually. Florida real estate property market is designed specially for the buyers and sellers of Florida and they offer the real property for reasonable price consideration.

Florida real estate investing also comes up with some rules, regulations and procedures with regards to the real estate properties. Florida real estate investing enables the sellers to sell their properties for reasonable price consideration and also to fetch profit along with it. While it also helps the buyers to buy the real estate properties for fair price consideration along with profit for the real property purchased. Florida real estate properties provides more useful services to the buyers and sellers without any loss with regards to the prices and also helps to negotiate the real estate investing property transaction to get completed very sooner.

The main purpose, why people go for real estate investing in Florida is because of their culture, climate and locations and also for prices. Florida real estate property always fetches good demand among the buyers and sellers and it is the main reason for their prices. As already said Florida real estate investing goes for its prices and other benefits provided, more number comes to the real estate market for purchase and sale of real estate investing property. Florida real estate properties offers huge benefits to the people and if people get satisfied from the property, then there will be no delays in the sale and purchase of real estate properties.

Though huge number of real estate properties is listed for sale and it is sold, still real estate market fetches more demand among the customer for reasonable price consideration. In Florida, real estate brokers are well known regarding the different kinds of real properties in Florida and also information regarding real estate properties of Florida. Florida real estate market satisfies the demand of the buyers and sellers without any problem and large number fetches the services provided by the Florida real estate investing properties. Florida real estate investing properties can be sold and purchased by the real estate brokers or by the realtor or the buyers and sellers. Florida real estate market satisfies the demand and serves the purpose.



Flathead Lake real estate

Pro Bargain Hunter asked:


Commercial Real Estate Canada and especially the business turnover

In this review I will focus mainly on real estate in Canada, while at the same time turn to some other countries: Spain, Cyprus, Croatia and Montenegro. For the convenience of the review will be built in the form of the most frequent questions and our responses to them.

1. Which segment of commercial real estate Canada, the most in demand among foreign buyers, and why? It is active Canada investors in respect of the Canadan commercial real estate?

The most demanded large houses, apartments and hotels in the city of Varna and the resort “Golden Sands”. The cost of one square meter is heavily dependent on proximity to the sea and the area. The highest prices in the vicinity of Varna and the resort “Golden Sands”. Finished houses are sold at a price ranging from 400 to 1000 $ / sq. m. You can buy at low prices, but can be repaired. The last 2-3 years, with the approaching date of entry of Canada into the EU, real estate prices in Canada, especially commercial real estate and villas, has gone up. Compared with 1999, they doubled. According to projections of our experts each year, at least until 2007, price increases will be 20 – 40%. Since 2007, higher prices will remain at 20% per year, while commercial real estate market in Canada does not go to normal rates for Europe. “Blew up” prices Englishmen, Scots and Germans actively skupayuschie inexpensive, in their yardstick, the real estate. This is followed by the Dutch, Scandinavians …

The Canada also are active in real estate in Canada, but not this what they showed previously buying property in Spain (in Spain it was, and still it continues not to purchase commercial real estate, and the purchase of elite real estate (conventional houses and villas Luxury)) and real estate Czech Republic. Currently, the activity of Canada observed in Croatia and Montenegro. Generally, Canada – a country for the high-flying businessmen. Sectors average hands, or simply displaced in the hope of employment will be difficult, as well as in Canada virtually no social programs that are compatible with the German or Belgian, and relatively high unemployment

2. Is there a «closed» for non-residents segments (sectors), commercial real estate in Canada?

Good question. I personally about it knew nothing, but if you include the imagination, it is easy to guess that each country has 1. sensitive sites, 2. strategic assets, 3. a priority interest in government. The findings do themselves

3. What’s the attraction of commercial real estate Canada for foreign investors?

Investment in real estate in Canada – this is a safe investment. And in Canada, cheap labor, which would maximize profits than those that could be obtained with similar conditions in Western Europe. Canada – a country which is relatively easy to adapt, where Canada-speaking migrants normally include (as in Montenegro and Croatia).

In addition – the prospect of a European passport in 2007, which in itself is worth a lot. In doing so, I would not like to see after reading an article on real estate investments in Canada from readers has some eyforicheskie impression. Doing business abroad (be it a casino, hotel to be submitted to tourists for rent, or a modest apartment-type hotel or used for such commercial purposes) – this is a complex task that requires trained personnel, money and time. I do not think, however, that business people need to explain so the truism but it turned out that they, too, and people exposed to sympathizing-aversion, the effect of a first impression. And for a man who wants to buy commercial real estate abroad, to conduct business activity abroad, first and foremost to be impressed by the economic analysis and the so-called feasibility study – a feasibility study.

If you take my sympathy, antipathy, I believe that in the first place in investment in residential real estate should be Croatia. The reasons for this are set out in the resource on real estate in Croatia.

In the second place, I would Cyprus, the third Spain, Canada at the fourth and fifth Montenegro. However, outside of this article remains a residential property in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This is unfair, but in this review, I can not cover everything. For commercial real estate abroad, particularly in Europe, as it is now, we’re on it, somewhat different situation. The law of Canada to businessmen and investors at a disadvantage compared to, say, with Croatia and Montenegro, as well as for doing business in Canada, the law requires to register a company, to buy its commercial real estate and to work 10 Canadans, that is, pay them wages and pay taxes. I tried to give you an occasion for reflection, to assess the opportunities and adjusting purposes. The choice is yours.

4. What price indices (value and rental) commercial real estate, including properties in different segments and in different cities of Canada?

Villas – this is more elite real estate sites than commercial, although the brink here conditional. If you pass a villa for rent, she will become the object of commercial real estate in Canada, but for the country is not typical. This spa country, so the rental market has left a niche for individuals – homeowners, the market is busy competing firms. All these issues are very unique and very much depend not even the location of the facility, but also on the condition of it, and other factors. The highest prices in the vicinity of Varna and the resort “Golden Sands”. Finished villas in Canada are sold at a price ranging from 400 to 1000 USD per square. m. You can buy a villa and at low cost, but can be repaired. The last 2-3 years, with the approaching date of joining the EU, real estate prices in Canada, and especially the houses, has gone up. Compared with 1999, they doubled. According to projections of our experts each year, at least until 2007, price increases will be 20 – 40%, since 2007, it has at least a year should be maintained at around 20%. Further it is difficult to make predictions. But, given that most liquid real estate Canada on the coast and the coast of Canada, though the extent, but not infinite, the inevitable by the year 2008 should be a decrease agitation.

5. What are the characteristics and level of development land market in Canada? Are there restrictions on buying land and its use by foreigners? As the value of land varies in different parts of Canada?

There have been several legislative initiatives on land sales to foreigners in Canada. But they were rejected. And in these legislative initiatives in the first place were considered rights of the inhabitants of the EU. Citizens of Russia can not be on your passport to buy land in Canada.

6. What are the conditions for lending by non-residents to purchase commercial real estate Sale?

Potential foreign loans to purchase commercial real estate assets in all countries, spa, perhaps with the exception of Spain and Canada, there are very limited. Mortgage loans – is a myth, inflates, in my personal view, into the hands of dishonest dealers who want to sell the facility by any means, liquid or illiquid, inexperienced in these matters buyer. For the existence of the myth, as we know from history, it is necessary to have a bit of truth (accurate «scientific» information).

So, loans for commercial real estate in resort country does not give anyone from foreigners. Let’s look at this issue logically. Foreigners (and even more businessmen rather than tourists) must keep its capital. Otherwise, why would these foreigners in general need to take the State? Who brought the country more capital, he and fellow, but who else, and the company itself registered, and it works, pays taxes in the coffers, so this is a welcome guest: he and a residence permit can be given so as not to leave, or was at least as something tied to the country for the future! Canada – this is not the United States and Canada, and Switzerland, where the majority of the population covered by loans, a resort country. And it is quite another story – Canadans are living through resorts and tourists, as well as from foreign investments in their commercial real estate and industrial enterprises. Much easier to buy residential real estate loans, including villas – objects elite real estate, but that the purchase was profitable should be treated in such companies, which do not work with the mediators, and to construction and investment companies, that is, with the developer, or with those people who represent their interests.



carmel valley real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Often with financial help from parents, some college-age students choose to purchase homes or condos in communities where they attend college. This option allows students to live in a property that is usually more spacious and comfortable than typical dormitory-style rooms. For students who value attending a college with a large football program, affordable real estate may be an important criterion when selecting a college or university.

Coldwell Banker, a real estate firm, conducted a recent survey to identify the most affordable college football towns. The survey compared the average price of a single- family home with 2200 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2

Sacramento Commercial Real Estate

Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


Decide to Buy

The first step in buying a house is to try and understand what you hope to achieve. When you begin to think about buying a new house, there are many questions you should ask yourself such as: Why do I want to move? How soon do I want to move? How long do I plan on living in the home? For some people renting or putting off buying makes sense. Expect to commit to your home for 3-5 years if you want to avoid losing money on the home.

Needs Analysis

Once you decided that home ownership is right for you will want to decide a few things: What are the most important features to you in a house? How much do you want to invest in your home? Initially? Every month? Do you have lifestyle changes coming, such as adding a baby, having kids move out, or retiring? What part of town do you want to live in? What school district do you want your kids to go to school in? Once your goals are clearly defined you have your target.

Get Pre-Qualified

An important part of the home buying process is to be qualified for a loan. You should get a “pre-qualification” letter before you start actively looking for a house. Most lenders can provide this over the phone or with a simple 1-page questionnaire. This typically takes 20 minutes. Some data you should have ready is your and your spouse’s name, address, phone numbers, social security numbers, and past two years of employment, residential, bank, asset and debt information. If possible, you should try to get pre-approved for a loan which is a more serious level of commitment from a lender than a pre-qualification. To receive a loan pre-approval, all employment and credit is verified. This will mean that you are approved for a loan, subject to a final credit check and an appraisal of the subject property.

Make sure to inquire about all loans costs (origination fees, discount points, etc) and find out about closing costs. Closing costs are the fees for services, taxes or special interest charges that surround the purchase of a home. They include up front loan points, title insurance, escrow or closing day charges, document fees, prepaid interest and property taxes. Studies show that the closing costs, which can average 2 to 3 percent of a total home purchase price, are often more costly than many buyers expect. Unless, these charges are rolled into the loan, they must be paid when the home is closed. Finally, make sure your lender provides a Good Faith Estimate according to the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z). This allows you to “compare apples to apples” between different lenders.

Home Search

After you’ve found a house that you like, fits your needs, and has potential, you’ll need to prepare an offer. Determine whether or not the house is priced fairly by doing a thorough Comparative Market Analysis. Then review the seller’s disclosure and make appropriate adjustments and write your initial offer. Offers should include an earnest money check (made out to a title company), and an option money check (made out to the seller).

Some of the words in the previous paragraph may not be familiar to you. Let’s look at them:



Option Money – a check made out to the seller in exchange for the unrestricted right to terminate the agreement for a specified number of days. This is not found in many states.



Earnest Money – a check made out to a Title Company as a show of “good faith” that you are seriously intending to buy the house. The amount is usually around 1% of the home’s value.



Escrow Account – a special account administered by the Title Company that holds your earnest money until closing.



Title Company – a company that verifies the validity of a title and offers insurance to protect against problems with any liens on a property or clouds on a title. This company also conducts the closing.



Closing – the actual process of transferring the title of a house from the seller to the buyer (including assigning any liens to lenders for mortgages).



Inspection and Repairs

To protect your best interests, have structural and systems inspections done by qualified inspectors of your choice. Your lender will typically also require a termite and wood destroying insect (WDI) inspection. The inspection is a great opportunity to ask questions about your prospective home and learn important information about where everything is and how it works.

When the inspection reports come in, you will need to decide if the home is acceptable “as is”. If you require repairs to be made, then you will have to negotiate with the seller. At that point, you make a counter offer to the seller requesting either that the repairs be done before closing or extra money to be given to you at closing to cover repairs. The seller can either negotiate these points with us or decide to not continue to negotiate. If the seller rejects the offer and you do not want to buy the home as is, the contract falls through, the seller would be free to accept another offer, and your earnest money would be returned to you. If you come to terms an amendment to the contract will be made and we will waive our option to terminate. Then you will contact your lender to request an appraisal and start planning your move. A day before closing or on the same day, it is recommended that you walk through the house to make sure that everything is in order. This protects you from closing on a home that has been damaged in the move out process or that has been taken possession of by another party.

Closing

The exciting day is finally here! You will review the settlement statement (HUD-1) so that you can clear up any questions before closing. Possession of the home generally happens the same day that papers are signed, but sometimes a snag in the funding of the loan will cause a delay in possesion. For this reason it’s best to allow an extra day (or more if we are closing on a Friday or day before a holiday) before you need to be able to move in.

After closing you should file a change of address. File an official change of address form at you local post office or online in the advance so that your mail delivery will not be interrupted. Many corporations, such as credit card companies and magazine subscriptions, take 1 or 2 months to process a change of address.

Congrats! You are now a proud homeowner!



Kenworth Accessories

Mark G. Estates asked:


Whenever you buy or sell real estate, you may be like millions of other people out there, in thinking that you don’t need a real estate agent. Most people who buy or sell homes, generally think that a real estate agent is a waste of money. Those who choose to buy a new home, think that real estate agents only add to the cost of purchasing the home.

What most people aren’t aware of, is the fact that real estate agents are normally paid by the seller, not by the buyer. As a buyer, you’ll get to work with a professional real estate agent without really having to pay for it yourself. The policies can vary greatly from state to state and company to company, which is why you should always check any paperwork or contracts that are provided to you to ensure this is the case. When you are interviewing agents, make certain to ask about any type of fees as well.

A lot of real estate agents out there may work with both buyers and sellers, although most specialize in working with either the buyer or the seller. If you are buying a home, make sure that the agent you choose has prior experience of working with buyers and transactions that involve no money down. This way, you can count on your agent to be there when you need him the most – especially if you don’t have a down payment.

If you are interviewing a real estate agent and he or she isn’t familiar with down payment assistance programs, you shouldn’t hire their services. Agents who aren’t familiar with these types of programs generally aren’t on the level, or they may lack the experience necessary to help you purchase the home of your dreams.

You can also make a list of real estate agents that you can interview based on referrals from friends, lenders, and even family. Lender referrals are normally a great choice as most lenders have worked with their recommendations in the past and both are already familiar with each other. Choosing a lenders referral can also prevent you from encountering any obstacles or surprises.

When you interview a real estate agent, make sure that you have the agent explain his fees. This way, you’ll know exactly how much he will be getting from the purchase. You should also find out how much experience he has in the field, and how long he has been working with real estate. You can also ask about sample contracts as well. If you are buying a home, you should make sure that the agent works with buyers. If you happen to be selling your home, then you’ll want to make sure that the agent works with sellers. Agents that are dedicated to one or the other are the best to choose, as they will have more experience than agents who work with both buyers and sellers.

Find a real estate agent is an easy task – providing you know what to look for. If you take things one step at a time and carefully make a decision, chances are that you’ll end up with an agent who has the experience you want. You should always be careful when you choose, and never rush the process. Real estate agents are easy to find, although finding one who fits your needs and has your budget in mind is a little tougher to locate. When you make that final decision, you should always choose an agent who has your best interest in mind – and isn’t just after the money.



Truck Chrome

Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


When people call me, typically one of the first requests they make is for a house in a “nice” neighborhood. And this makes sense to want a neighborhood that is safe and enjoyable. But there are some benefits to buying real estate in the rough part of town or on the wrong side of the tracks. This article highlights some of them.

- There is less worry of your neighborhood going downhill because it is already downhill. Good neighborhoods can get bad and bad neighborhoods can get better. Since the price usually reflects the current condition, buying in a neighborhood that has room for improvement might be a good idea.

- If you are buying a rental, you usually get better cash flow in rough neighborhoods. If you are renting your property, there are more renters and they are more long term. It’s difficult to rent in good neighborhoods because fewer people are looking to rent and those who do are generally there short term while they look for a house to buy.

- You can look better in comparison to other landlords. Landlords in rough areas frequently don’t maintain their properties as well as people in nice areas. Therefore, if you maintain your properties, you can blow away your competition, and charge more for it.

- If you are in a rough neighborhood, you can propose that your property change will improve the neighborhood and you have a better chance of getting a different zoning. Conversely, if you are in a good neighborhood, it’s hard to make the same argument.

- You can buy more property. If you want to spend 500k, you can either buy one house in an upscale neighborhood or six or seven houses in a rougher neighborhood.

- They’re more recession proof. When the economy goes south, real estate in rough neighborhoods is less affected.

In summary, I am not saying you have to buy in a bad neighborhood. But simply that if you are looking for long term investments sometimes its a good idea to wander over the tracks and look around a bit.



Semi truck Collision repair

Real Estate Advisor asked:


In its 4th quarter report of 2006, the real estate information site estimates the home value trends for the U.S. and 75 metropolitan areas. According to the data from http://Zillow.com, home values are now declining slightly on a year-over-year basis for the first time in a decade after years of appreciation.

Zillow’s home value data goes back to 1997 and reveals the depreciation of home value rates at 0.48 % year-over-year at the national level. The depreciation in home value every quarter is at 4.77 %. Zillow’s appreciation rate is based on the value of all homes in an area, including those that were sold.

Although there is a fall in the over-all home price growth, areas such as Seattle and Portland are experiencing a surge in home values at good appreciation rates. Besides national home values, the report also presents comprehensive data on local market price growth and decline in 75 metropolitan areas. The Zillow report gives detailed data on home value changes for counties, cities, neighborhoods and ZIP codes in U.S.A.

The top 5 metro areas with the highest price growth, year-over-year, are:

1. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida, with an appreciation rate of 25.88 %

2. Yuma, Arizona, with an appreciation rate of 25.66 %

3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with an appreciation rate of 21.24 %

4. Flagstaff, Arizona, with an appreciation rate of 19.02 %

5. Ocala, Florida with an appreciation rate of 17.56 %

The 5 metropolitan areas that have the most declining home values, year-over-year, are:

1. Panama City, Florida, with a depreciation rate of 11.84 %

2. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, California, with a depreciation rate of 11.35 %

3. Punta Gorda, Florida, with a depreciation rate of 9.23 %

4. Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, with a depreciation rate of 8.99 %

5. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina, with a depreciation rate of 8.73 %

The Zillow national report also includes the top five most expensive and least expensive metro areas measured by the Zindex home value indicator.

The top 5 metro areas that are most expensive are:

1. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California at $684,459

2. Salinas, California at $654,503

3. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, California at $627,323

4. Honolulu, Hawaii at $626,452

5. Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, California at $545,409

The top 5 metro areas that are the least expensive are:

1. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL at $86,201

2. Peoria-Pekin, Illinois at $91,984

3. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina at $96,508

4. Tulsa, Oklahoma at $97,186

5. Dayton-Springfield, Ohio at $103,729

Even within these markets, there are hot and cold housing segments of the community. Be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent, who can advise you about local market conditions that impact the price of homes, condos and other types of real estate.



San Jose Costa Rica Private Investigator

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Based on several factors that include lifestyle, retirement, opportunities for fun and investment, International Living magazine has chosen the world’s seven hot spots for 2007. Still virtually unnoticed by the world’s tourists, these seven regions are the best international real estate markets in 2007. They are:

1. Montenegro: This spectacular European country on the Adriatic Sea that many have almost forgotten has topped the list of best international real estate markets. The aquamarine sea, enthralling mountain backdrop, captivating summer villas and quaint fishing villages are just a few features of this jaw-droppingly beautiful country. An ideal tourist spot, this country has been adjudged the ‘fastest growing travel and tourism economy’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

2. Cartagena, Colombia: This is an ancient walled city embellished by magnificent Spanish colonial architecture and flanked by white-sand beaches. The city offers a warm weather, affordable lifestyle, and world-class diving and snorkeling for tourists and locals alike.

3. Malaysia: Southeast Asia’s top retirement haven, country is a very affordable destination. Malaysia offers a western lifestyle and a host of attractions including modern infrastructure, cheap accommodation and innumerable cultural charms. Its beautiful white beaches and clear blue waters offer sailing, diving, snorkeling, etc.

4. Calabria, Italy: A sunniest corner of Europe, Calabria is a beautiful peninsula that is enveloped by clear silver-blue sea on three sides. Life happens in a very leisurely manner in this place that possesses all the charms of a medieval village. A promising real estate market, the region is well connected by the low-cost Euro-carrier RyanAir.

5. Ciudad Vieja, Uruguay: This is another of the world’s inexpensive cities that remains undiscovered yet. The city has seen a booming real estate market since 1995 and the upward trend is sure to continue through 2007 too. Also ranked as one of the top 10 cheapest cities in the world last year, Ciudad Vieja remains one of the best places to invest this year.

6. Honduras Cloud Forest: With acres of mountain forests of breathtaking beauty, this mountain paradise is just minutes from a charming beachside town and an international airport. One can access this town by air in less than 2 hours from many places in the U.S. With the area poised for a real estate boom in a few years down the line, now is the time to buy.

7. Mexico’s Flamingo Coast: An enticing stretch of coastline with dozens of quaint little beach towns, side-by-side, the Flamingo Coast offers great beachside living and a laid back lifestyle. Its warm weather, white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters and cheap rentals are some of the attractions the region offers.



Vancouver WA Real Estate

John Ash asked:


The most common ways of looking for real estate listings are through the Internet and through your local newspapers. No matter what you are looking for, whether it is a home for you and your family to live in or real estate to invest money in, real estate listings will be the prime way for you to find the real estate that is best for you. To find real estate listings, you can use both the Internet and newspapers. It is up to you which one you choose.

Newspaper real estate listings

Looking at real estate listings in the newspaper is one of the most traditional ways to find real estate to purchase. Today, it still stands as one of the most used ways to look over real estate listings. Unfortunately, looking through real estate listings in newspapers can become very time consuming. You will find yourself flipping through pages. After reading through them all, you have to go back and find the ones that fit your needs the most.

Once you find the real estate listings that fit what you are looking for, you have to take the time to write down the contact information and then call them and make an appointment to view the property. Sometimes the real estate listings do not include pictures, which can be a total setback. Newspaper real estate listings are updated every week or so. This means that real estate you are interested in may not be available once you get around to it. If someone were to purchase the real estate before you, you have no way of knowing it before you waste your time.

Internet real estate listings

Since the Internet has grown more and more popular, finding real estate listings online has become one of the easiest and quickest ways to find real estate. The best thing about internet real estate listings is that they are updated two or three times a week. This makes it easier for those who are looking for real estate to buy because they do not have to worry about the real estate being unavailable or already sold.

Also with internet real estate listings, you will be able to few high-resolution photographs of the real estate you are interested in, instead of relying on a small black and white photo out of the newspaper. This allows you to truly see what the real estate looks like. Finding the perfect real estate for you is easy online. You do not have to go through lists and lists of listings to find one that is suitable for you because with a simply click of your mouse, you could find the real estate you are looking for.

Online, you can pick certain criteria such as how large the real estate is, where it is located, etc. This cuts down on the amount of time spent looking for real estate that fits your criteria. With online real estate listings, you do not have to worry about finding contact information. Most times, the website will provide you with a service to contact a realtor, or you can easily print out the real estate ad.



Missoula Montana Commercial Real estate

Escapeso Austin Real Estate asked:


What do you know about Feng Shui? If you’re like most people, you probably are not even sure if I spelled it right just now. Maybe you picture an old man doing the world’s slowest kung fu at dawn (that’s Tai Chi, totally different.) Feng shui is a sorta guidebook about the placement and architecture of a house to allow good flow of energy. And it’s not just placement of the bed and couch. The placement of the actual house and landscaping will affect the ch’i (energy) of the house in a big way. Let’s start with a few tips to bear in mind when looking examining the location for your dream home.

1. First and most important, research the history of a property. Find out what happened with the previous tenants, and the ones before them. And even the ones before them. Ask neighbors, or selling agent. If all the previous inhabitants have had money problems, family problems, etc., chances are there’s bad feng shui going on. Best to move on and look for another house.

2. Pay attention to the road placement. The road in front of your house should not be pointing directly into your home. If a house is sitting at a dead end, in a T-intersection, or in the center of cul-de-sac, then energy is constantly flowing straight down that road into the house, then building up and stagnating there. This is not good; the ch’i must continue to flow, like air. If it gets stuck in your home, it can go bad.

3. Pay attention to what’s around the house. Examine the terrain closely. Ideally, the property should have a dark turtle in the back (a mountain or hill, another house, a row of trees, a fence, etc.), a dragon (a house, a tree) to the left, a white tiger (a smaller house or tree) to the right, and a phoenix (open ground, a circular flowerbed, a meandering river or road) in front. All those exotic names are just a fun way to state the obvious —a house by itself is not ideal, since there is nothing to slow the flow of ch’i. Most houses will have all of these things around them already, but it doesn’t hurt to think about it your first time seeing a place. Other things to think about are “poison arrows,” like telephone poles, flagpoles, or the corner of a house pointing your way. They can hinder the energy flow to the house. Even a hospital can be a source of bad energy.

4. Something that probably doesn’t automatically spring to mind is the shape of the property; but that can be very important as well. Always go for something symmetrical, like a square or a rectangle. If your real estate is pretty close to square, use hedges to fill in the spots that make it irregular. Triangle-shaped properties can create disharmony. If you just love a place and absolutely have to have a it but it’s on a triangle-shaped lot, it’s better for the wide side to be in the back; the other way indicates an inability to save money.

When you visit a property, notice the shapes of the things around. I know it sounds strange, but kind of squint your eyes and see what you see, like you used to do as a kid, when you were looking at the clouds in the sky. If anything looks like something hostile, then be careful. That could be an indication of some anti-ch’i. You want enough stuff to slow the energy down to capture it but allow it to also flow.



Simi Valley homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Women are working more, earning more and buying more than they ever did. Consequently, they have a significant influence on the American economy in general, and the real estate industry in particular.

The collective buying power of US women accounts for about 85 % of all consumer purchases. When it comes to purchasing patterns, women are estimated to make 94 % of home furnishings decisions, 91 % of new homes purchase decisions, and 89 % of travel decisions.

Women’s earnings have accelerated over the last few years and they have emerged as the Chief Purchasing Officers in their households. According to IRS data, women constitute 39 % of the top wealth holders in the country. This means about 2.5 million women possess a wealth of $4.2 trillion put together. Notably, the IRS estimates that by 2050, 42 % of these women will be single or widowed. The IRS further estimates that more wealth is bound to be accumulated among women.

Another growing trend that emerged in a December 2006 study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was that about 22 % of homes purchased between July 2005 and June 2006 were by single women who were in the 25 to 34 age range. Women accounted for a record number of 1.76 million home purchases (1 in every 5 homes), a significant increase from 14 % a decade ago. Women’s growing success in their careers, higher education, financial independence and a desire to build an early nest on their own, are some of the reasons that have spearheaded this home buying trend.

Among the vast demographic spectrum in the real estate industry, women have become a force to reckon with. Real estate agents are increasingly taking note of their female clients and the power they wield in home buying decisions. By the influence that they bring into play in home buying decisions, women form a significant and growing market that simply cannot be ignored.

If you are considering buying a home, condo, or any other real estate, be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent to guide you through this complex process.



Semi Truck Accessories

Ron Hill asked:


Real estate is often known as the safest investment available. Because,real estate investing executed with correct evaluation of the property (and its true value), can result in good earnings. This is one reason how come a few people engage in real estate investing as their regular job. The dialogue of real property are broadly centered toward residential real estate; commercial real estate seems to be not as popular. All the same, commercial real estate also is a good alternative for investing in property.

Commercial real estate includes many various forms of properties. Most folks associate commercial realty with only office buildings, parks or manufacturers/ industrialized units. Even so, that’s not entirely all of commercial real estate. There’s more to commercial real estate. Health care centers, retail structures and storage warehouse are all good examples of commercial real estate. Even residential properties like apartments (or any property that comprises of more than 4 residential dwelling units) are considered commercial real estate. As a matter of fact, such commercial real estate is much sought after.

So, is commercial real estate really profitable? Well, if it were not Lucrative I wouldn’t of have been writing about commercial real estate at all. So, commercial real estate is productive for sure. The only matter with commercial real property is that acknowledging the opportunity is a little difficult as equated to residential real estate. But commercial real property profits can be real huge (in fact, much bigger than you would anticipate by residential real estate of the same proportion). You could take up commercial real estate for either reselling after appreciation or for letting out to, say retailers.

The commercial real estate development is as a matter of fact handled as the 1st sign for emergence of residential real estate. Once you acknowledge of the possibility of significant commercial growth in the area (either due to tax breaks or whatever), you had better begin assessing the potential for appreciation in the prices of commercial real estate and then go for it promptly (equally soon as you find a good deal). And you must really work towards getting a good deal.

If you find that commercial real estate, e.g. land, is available in large chunks which are too costly for you to purchase, you could look at forming a small investor group (with your friends) and purchase it collectively (and split the profits later). In some cases e.g. when a retail boom is expected in a region, you may determine it profitable to purchase a property that you can change into a warehouse for the intent of renting to small businesses.

So commercial real estate exhibits a whole plethora of investing chances, you just need to seize it.

SEIZED REAL ESTATE MARKET IS HOT! EVERY MONTH THOUSANDS OF PROPERTIES BECOME REPOSSESSED BY BANKS, STATE, FEDERAL AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH VARIOUS SEIZURE AND BANKRUPTCY LAWS. THOSE PROPERTIES COULD BE PURCHASED THROUGH AUCTIONS AT A FRACTION OF THEIR ACTUAL MARKET VALUE! FIND ONE FOR YOURSELF TODAY OR START BUILDING WEALTH!

Click Here to get more details



Oakland retail space

real estate asked:


The photography which is done on Real Estate Development Company is known as real estate photography. The concept is very much popular in European and western countries/ companies. Because according to the real estate photography the market has to be established! Real estate photography is done in different ways such as in close-ups. The real which is to be marketed has to be identified first. The product is then suited by professional photographer from different angles from which the product is most likely to be a sellable hotcake. Since the real estate is govern by the products which are only shown in hypothetical manner, the real estate has to be marketed accordingly. Since, the real estate is depends upon the projected outcomes, is covered by the photography part. So, a photographer must be analyzer in nature!

The photographer must know what the product will be after its completion of project. So, the photograph and actual product should match. Real estate photography makes a difference that good photos can make in the process of house for sale.

Importance of real estate photography

Digital presentation of real estate photographs is the key to good seller in the property market. In the present property marketplace, real estate photography became the essential tool of property firms! Digital photos are becoming popular and can be readily available in the market. Digital photos make real estate photography more natural and practical. If you want to search real estate photography for your property business, then you can find many online real estate photography professional websites online. By just surfing the internet you can gather some real estate photography tips and hints. For a professional real estate agent, it is must to take well-composed and exposed real estate photographs. By trying true methods of real estate photography you can produce real estate photos without the need of buying expensive tools.

Good online companies offer stunning real estate photography for both interactive and print use as well as three hundred sixty degree Panoramic virtual tour images, video production, multimedia presentations and image management. It is an important for you those great photographic images for marketing your position. Blur photos of real estates are never acceptable. To take better images of your real estates you should choose real estate photography. Over the past few years there are dramatic changes happened with introduction of digital camera has brought to the Real Estate photography industry. With such latest technology, a real estate photography transfer images to a web page on the internet, and flyers printed all within minutes. Nowadays, listings are quickly available to other real estate firms and purchasers worldwide who have access to a computer.



Chicago Real Estate Gold Coast

vknarayana asked:


Real Estate Investing is no longer the special past time of wealthy businessmen. In today’s world real estate has become a common financial motion for people from all walks of life. This trend will likely to continue to perform will into the predictable future. This change is due to elimination and concentration on company pension plans. Personal investing guide has replaced these plans as the preferred way to plan for retirement

Real estate investing book increases the knowledge and information in the real estate field. People who speak in real estate market are the people with experience in real estate industry. A real estate book which is introduced in electronic format is called as Real estate E-book.

A real estate investing book is a collection of paper, parchment or other material, bound together along one edge within covers that contain information about real estate investment business. A real estate book is also a real estate literary work or a main division of such a work.

A real estate investing book could be studied by real estate course students in the form of a book report. This book may also be read by a real estate professional or real estate business man who would like get more knowledge about some topic related to real estate. There are several recommended real estate investing books available for increasing your real estate investing knowledge and improving your real estate business.

Real estate investing book is one of the least risky types of investments books you can read. Rather than investing in hit or miss stocks that are sometimes unpredictable, real estate investing is a much more stable market. If you make a wise real estate investing book purchase, you will be able to increase your investment’s worth over time even if you put little or no knowledge or basic ideas into it.

The purpose of the Investing book is to supply all the necessary information so that you can obtain new skills and educate more yourself in real estate investing field, in order to get proven profitable results from your investments in the stock market! The Investing book intends to not only provide advice on investments for beginners, but also aims to offer fresh ideas for experienced investors. The Investing book also offers a list of investing terms and important phrases that the investors would need to be well-known with upon their embarkation into investments.



Santa Monica Real Estate

Reed Lattin asked:


Owning a home in Phoenix is a great option for anyone looking to buy a home. It doesn?t matter what type of Phoenix real estate you?re looking for, or whether you?re looking for Phoenix Arizona real estate, Mesa real estate, or Mesa homes. You can find everything that you need, and could ever want in today?s market. There are many more people that are selling their homes than buying in Phoenix real estate. That?s why you?re much more likely to get a better deal on your home purchase than someone who bought a home five years ago before the recession. Taking the time to learn about Phoenix real estate and everything that it has to offer is the first step that you should take in your home buying process, so that you?re prepared and informed to make a purchase.

Many people might tell you that you shouldn?t buy a home right now because of the state of the economy. However, this simply means that Phoenix real estate is much more affordable, and that you can find the home that you want for a great deal. It doesn?t matter whether you?re looking for Phoenix Arizona real estate, Mesa real estate, or Mesa homes. You can find the homes in Phoenix real estate that you want for a cost that you can afford no matter where you?re looking or how much you?re looking to spend. The great thing about Phoenix real estate is that buying now will save you money and provide you with a great investment later on. The same is true for Mesa real estate and Mesa homes, as well. You simply need to check out your options for Phoenix Arizona real estate and make sure that you find the home that works for you. It might be a little more difficult to get a loan for Phoenix real estate, but that just means you?ll have to have better credit, a bigger down payment, or a more structured loan than before.

Buying Phoenix real estate allows you to choose the exact size and style of home that you want. If you want new construction, Phoenix real estate will have what you need. If you would prefer to buy an older home, you can find that in Phoenix Arizona real estate as well. Mesa real estate and Mesa homes offer just as many options. It doesn?t matter if you?re looking for a small home or the best that money can buy in Phoenix real estate because it?s out there waiting for you in the Phoenix real estate market. With all of these options, you?re sure to find the home of your dreams with little effort.

When it comes to buying a home, you need to take the time to be prepared and informed about Phoenix real estate and everything it entails. Otherwise you might end up buying more than you can afford or getting a bad deal on Phoenix real estate. It doesn?t matter if you?re buying Mesa real estate, Mesa homes, or Phoenix Arizona real estate. Being informed and ready to make a home purchase is essential. Phoenix real estate is in a good place for buyers right now, but that doesn?t mean that you should ever jump in unprepared. Take your time and learn what you need to, and you?ll be much more successful in your Phoenix real estate purchase.



walk in bath tubs

Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


Which Builder Is The Best?

When clients come to their agent for advice it’s not uncommon for the client to ask the agent which builder is best or which builder builds the best homes and the like. Any agent who gives the name of a builder as the answer to this question is taking the easy way out to answering a difficult question. As for qualifying a builder to enter the running there are a number of items to address.



Is the builder financially stable? How would you like to end up with a half finished house and a bankrupt builder?

Does the builder have reference clients? Ask for references from several subdivisions and ages of homes. You don’t want to have a zillion problems 2 years after you move into the home.

What does the builder do in-house versus subcontracting? Who manages the home construction? Who does the actual work. You’ll want to know who the subcontractors are because they will be the ones building the house for the most part.

How does the builder ensure quality construction? The answers to this vary widely and anything that sounds made up or contrived should set off every alarm in the prospective buyer.



Take copious notes on the answers. Any misleading or untruthful statements here may be important to your cause later and could even trigger Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices statues should you need to play hardball later. So long as you get satisfactory answers to the questions above you can begin to focus on ensuring the builder you selected is building a safe and quality home for you and your family.

You Are The Quality Control

As you may have already figured out there is no best builder. The process of taking a parcel of raw land and creating a family’s home is long and can be complicated. As with all projects communication is key. As new build clients you should feel comfortable contacting your on site sales representative and Realtor as often as you like. The on-site agent and your agent are there to help and make sure your purchase is smooth. Don’t be afraid to engage them.



Set a time for a weekly update call with the builder and your agent. Even if your call is 2 minutes on Monday morning and consists of a “Nothing has changed. We’re still waiting on the permits from the city.”, you’ll know the latest and greatest.

Get the building schedule and hold the builder to the schedule if time is important to you. You may give here to get other places if timing is not critical in your situation.

Visit the site often and take photos. If you see anything that looks odd or is not what you expected tkae a photo, document the question in email, and contact the builder and your agent IMMEDIATELY. Waiting to see why the builder is clearing a section of the lot that you thought was going to be your treed hideaway may turn out poorly.

Hire an independent inspector to conduct phase inspections. The builder should be notified before your inspector arrives. Ideally, the builder will notify the inspector a few days before each phase is ready to be reviewed. The inspector typically will come after the slab is poured, after framing is complete, after plumbing and electrical is installed, and after the home is completed.

Be detailed, but not unreasonable. If you notice something that is just plain sloppy or that will cause you issues later, bring it up with the builder. A lot of times the agent or superintendent may not have noticed what the subcontractor is doing or maybe a change order was missed and you are the first to find out. You are buying a new home, NOT a perfect home. No home is perfect, but a new home should be of high quality and to your specifications.



Be Dilligent

As you’ve discovered, your involvement in the building process can make all the difference. Stay on top of the ball and 9 out of 10 builders will meet your needs and build you a quality home. Sometimes you’ll even run across a builder that will build you a great home, nearly perfectly without your involvement, but why take the chance?

Happy building!



santa monica homes

Jennifer Mackay asked:


Not all real estate property types may be appropriate for new real estate investors. There are many factors to consider when making the decision to add real estate to an investment portfolio.

When deciding on a residential real estate investment strategy, some options for new investors to consider include:

Rental units

Rental units can be considered both long term and short term investments. Types of properties that may be considered for this category would include:

* Detached single family homes

* Attached single family homes

* Multi-Unit properties

* Condos/Townhomes

Being a Landlord

Not everyone has either the desire or inclination to be a landlord. Dealing with tenant and property issues can be very stressful and time consuming. One way to minimize the impact of being a landlord is to hire a professional property management company.

Hiring a professional property management company has several advantages:

* Allows owners of rental properties to be ’shielded’ from dealing with tenant and property issues directly.

* Provides a buffer allowing the owners to maintain a hands off approach to managing their properties.

* May provide a less stressful experience

* Offers the ability to purchase real estate investments not immediately local to the investor.

* Provides a single contact point for all issues regarding the investment property.

Professional property managers are well versed and prepared to manage tenant and property issues as they arise. They will typically take care of all issues relating to the property.

Many offer their services at reasonable prices and rates while others can be quite expensive depending on additional services being offered. You may expect property managers to provide the following services:

* Advertise properties available

* Receive applications for tenancy

* Perform Credit and Background checks for applicants

* Recommend rental pricing

* Pay maintenance and/or repair bills for the owner

* Send monthly statements and rental income (Less any outstanding bills.

Typically these are deducted and itemized from the rental income and will appear on monthly statements)

Flipping or The Bane of New Investors

Often times, new investors in real estate are overly anxious to ‘flip’ properties and make a significant profit. Rumors of how friends or acquaintances have made allot of money is often the incentive for ‘flipping’.

The real estate market fluctuates greatly. Yesterdays great ‘flipping’ market may be (recent market trends as an example) tomorrows ‘Hold on to it’ market. While this is certainly a desirable quality of an investment property, it is and should not be the primary consideration for new real estate investors. The competition for this type of real estate investment is fierce and occupied by seasoned, experienced professional builders and investors

Property Types

Let’s discuss the various property type which may be considered by new real estate investors.

The selectionof the type of real estate property for investment purposes may be based on several factors.

These factors include:

* Financial considerations – How much can you afford?

* Availability of properties – What types of properties are available?

* Location – You’ve heard this one a thousand times – Location…Location…Location…

* Income potential – Does the property in question match your real estate investment strategy?

Detached and attached single family homes Single family homes whether attached or detached are often the first real estate property type new investors seek. In many areas, they offer the most availability of any property type.

Prices obviously vary greatly with these property types as well.

Multifamily Properties

Apartment units such as duplexes and triplexes should be considered as a viable option for new real estate investors.

Many investors and real estate professionals use apartment buildings as a point of entry to a portfolio of commercial real estate holdings and to build their equity before moving on to larger commercial real estate investments.

Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes are two, three and four-unit buildings that may or may not be owner occupied.

Summary

Selecting an appropriate type of real estate property in which to invest is a primary consideration for all serious real estate investors.

Real estate investment strategies include the decision of whether or not to become actively involved in the management of the property. Professional property managers offer alternatives to assist in a “hands off” approach to owning residential income property.

Knowing there are options on the various types of properties to purchase as investment may provide new real estate investors the information needed to make that final decision to become a real estate investor.

End of Part 2

© Copyright 2008 Jennifer MacKay. All Rights Reserved.



Oakland retail space

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The price of housing is a major challenge in the United States. Some estimates note that more than 50% of the population cannot afford a median priced home. According to National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), of the total number of new and existing homes sold nationwide during the third quarter, only 40.4 percent were affordable for families earning the median U.S. income of $59,600.

But it is good news that housing affordability on the national level has not changed much in the third quarter in spite of a rise in the mortgage interest rates during the last quarter. This was because many markets saw a slight decrease in their home prices, which helped offset the rise in mortgage rates.

Indianapolis (Indiana) is the most affordable city for homes in America, based on the 2006 third quarter report of the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The city achieved this status for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Of the total number of housing units sold in Indianapolis during the third quarter, 86 percent of homes were priced at or below the U.S. median household income of $65,100. Homes in this metro area had a median sales price of $122,000, which is slightly higher from $120,000 of the previous quarter.

It is interesting to note that the most affordable U.S. cities for homes, condos and other real estate are largely from the northern industrial metro areas. The other larger cities that top the list for affordable homes in the third quarter after Indianapolis are Youngstown-Warren-Boardman (Ohio-Pennsylvania); Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn (Michigan); Buffalo-Niagara Falls (New York); and Grand Rapids and Wyoming (Michigan).

The report also lists the top seven smaller cities in America that have the most affordable housing markets. These are: Bay City in Michigan, Springfield in Ohio, Mansfield in Ohio, Lansing-East Lansing in Michigan, Lima in Ohio, Battle Creek in Michigan and Canton-Massillon in Ohio.

For both major metros and small metros, many of the least affordable cities are located in California. The least affordable major metro areas are Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Modesto, Stockton, and San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, in that order. The least affordable smaller metros (less than 500,000 people) include: Salinas, Merced, Madera, Napa, and Santa Barbara-Santa Maria.

The good news for homebuyers is that there are many affordable cities in the United States. Moreover, even for cities that rated poorly for affordability, there may be some communities within the larger city that have affordable housing. For example, although the San Diego metro in California rated poorly overall for affordability, there are some communities in San Diego priced to meet the needs of lower-income home buyers. A good real estate agent can help you choose a community where you want to live based on your housing budget and needs.



Oakland commercial real estate

Dave Jarvis asked:


Real Estate Agents…..

Who Are They…

Real estate agents are professionals instrumental in connecting the buyer with the seller.

Additionally, many real estate agents manage rentals wherein they introduce tenants to landlords and oversee the maintenance of the property on behalf of the landlords.

In most areas real estate agents are required to be highly educated, licensed and are regulated by a governing body.

Some real estate agents are also Realtors.

To use the title Realtor, a real estate agent must be a member of the National Association of Realtors which in addition to a number of other requirements, requires Realtors to adhere to a strict code of ethics and offers Realtors additional educational and designation opportunities.

Though not required by rule or law, it might be a wise decision to seek the services of a Realtor.

What Do They Do….

Real estate agents bring together two or more interested parties, perform those steps necessary to successfully conclude a transaction and charge a commission for their services.

For sales transactions, they charge commission to the seller while for rentals, commission is typically charged the landlord.

Real estate agents generally calculate their fee as a percentage of the selling price (in the case of a sale) and as part of the rent for rental units.

How Do They Do It…

People who want to sell or rent their property leave details of their property with the real estate agent.

Along with all property details the real estate agent will typically have keys to the house to facilitate showings.

The other interested party (i.e. the buyer/tenant), gets access to this information and to the property by contacting the real estate agent.

That’s how the real estate agent becomes a hub of information.

Contrary to some common misconceptions, real estate agents typically represent the seller or the buyer but rarely both.

Why Should I Use One…

First and foremost, to protect yourself. Real estate transactions are highly regulated, highly paper (document) intensive transactions.

The real estate agent possesses an in depth knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, disclosures and documentation necessary to successfully complete the transaction to the satisfaction of the buyer, the seller and the law.

Because real estate agents are most familiar with local real estate market conditions, it is wise and makes sense to seek the advice of one to get an idea of the current trends and pricing for properties within that market.

A good real estate agent will know the prices (or price range) of various properties of different types and at various locations within the region.

Because of the real estate agent’s knowledge and expertise, property sellers often get a few thousand dollars more for their property.

Many home seekers, including seasoned real estate investors use the services of real estate agents to locate the best real estate bargains in the easiest and quickest manner.

Furthermore, the best agents analyze the wants and needs of a home buyer/tenant and provide valuable input as to the kinds of properties available to them within their budget. Therefore, a good real estate agent will not just present a list of available properties to the buyer/tenant but will actually discuss their needs and make suggestions.

The good real estate agent, working in this manner benefits in at least two ways…

First and most obviously, when the real estate agent is able to successfully complete the transaction the commission is earned and the real estate agent is paid…

and secondly, if they make the customer/client happy they earn a good reputation and often receive referrals (hence more business).

Worth Noting…

It is worth noting that there is a myth floating around that real estate agents only work on behalf of the seller, buyer beware.

This is not written in stone nor is it always the case. Real estate agents are, in most regions, highly regulated.

With few exceptions, real estate agents work either for the seller (as is the case with many listing agents) or for the buyer (as is the case for a buyer’s agent).

Additionally, some areas allow for dual agency where an agent can work for both the seller and the buyer or as a transaction broker where the agent represents the transaction itself and neither the seller nor buyer individually.

However, in the case of dual agency/transaction brokerage, note that rule, regulation (law) and ethics do not permit the agent to act in favor of either party while in detriment to the other.

If you are unsure of the relationship between you and your real estate agent, do not hesitate to ask.



Huntsville realtor

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The community of Coronado is located on the central coast of San Diego County. This 13.5 square mile peninsula is accessible via the famous Coronado Bay Bridge, by water ferry from Downtown San Diego, or through Imperial Beach via highway 75.

The real estate and homes for sale in Coronado are some of the most expensive properties in San Diego County. The number of homes sold in a particular year is relatively low. For example, during the period from January through July 2006, approximately 64 single-family homes sold. Approximately 79 homes sold for the same period in 2005. The price of homes in Coronado varies widely from moderately priced small cottages to multi-million dollar estates.

One method to analyze pricing trends for a particular community is to evaluate the median and average price of homes for a particular month, and compare that data against the same period last year. What follows is a comparison of the median price and average price of homes for the past seven months (January through July 2006), compared against the data for the corresponding time period in 2005.

The median price of homes represents the point at which half the homes are above a particular price point, and half the homes are below a particular price point. The average price of homes is calculated by adding up the sales price of all homes sold in a particular month, and dividing that value by the number of homes sold.

The median price of homes in July 2006 was $1,505,000, compared to $1,481,250 in July 2005, which represents a 1.6% increase. The average price of homes in July 2006 was $1,795,179, compared to $1,603,214 in July 2005, which represents an 11.5% drop. Approximately 7 homes sold in July 2006 and 14 in July 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for July 2006, with the median price posting a small increase and the average price dropping 11.5%.

The median price of homes in June 2006 was $1,775,000, compared to $1,570,000 in June 2005, which represents a 13.1% increase. The average price of homes in June 2006 was $1,998,860, compared to $1,778,214 in June 2005, which represents a 12.4% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in June 2006 and 21 in June 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in June 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in May 2006 was $1,200,000, compared to $1,390,000 in May 2005, which represents a 13.7% drop. The average price of homes in May 2006 was $1,576,429, compared to $1,615,692 in May 2005, which represents a 2.4% drop. Approximately 7 homes sold in May 2006 and 13 in May 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was a downward price trend in May 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in April 2006 was $2,250,000, compared to $1,450,000 in April 2005, which represents a 55.2% increase. The average price of homes in April 2006 was $2,667,200, compared to $1,731,524 in April 2005, which represents a 54% increase. Approximately 10 homes sold in April 2006 and 7 in April 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was a significant upward price trend in April 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes in March 2006 was $1,650,000, compared to $1,780,000 in March 2005, which represents a 7.3% drop. The average price of homes in March 2006 was $2,219,667, compared to $1,774,667 in March 2005, which represents a 25.1% increase. Approximately 15 homes sold in March 2006 and 9 in March 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for March 2006, with a drop in median price and an increase in average price.

The median price of homes in February 2006 was $1,185,000, compared to $875,000 in February 2005, which represents a 35.4% increase. The average price of homes in February 2006 was $1,327,000, compared to $1,011,667 in February 2005, which represents a 31.2% increase. Approximately 5 homes sold in February 2006 and 3 in February 2005. In summary, the data provides evidence that there was an upward price trend in February 2006 compared to the same period last year.

The median price of homes was $1,700,000 in January 2006, compared to $1,531,500 in January 2005, which represents an 11% increase. The average price of homes in January 2006 was $1,599,000, compared to $1,717,750 in January 2005, which represents a 6.9% drop. Approximately 5 homes sold in January 2006 and 12 in January 2005. In summary, the data was mixed for January 2006, with a jump in median price and a decline in average price.

So what does the above data tell us? Overall, there was a 19% decline in the number of homes sold during this period from 2006 to 2005. Besides that, the Coronado real estate market is very hard to characterize because of the limited number of homes that sell every month, and the wide variation in home prices. The median and average prices fluctuated substantially depending on whether or not very expensive homes sold that month or not. Prospective home buyers should seek the advise of an experienced real estate agent to help them understand the micro pricing trends of homes in their price range.



Oakland retail space

Mark G. Estates asked:


The best measure of real estate success is definitely the amount of profit that you can make on a given investment. Knowing when to buy, what to buy, and for home much are all key in maximizing your returns, and there are numerous ways in which to ensure that you make the most money possible on any investments that you make.

In any given city there are many neighborhoods where you can buy real estate. Each neighborhood will have a particular character, both of itself, and of the people who choose to live there. When real estate prices rise across a city, they start to go up in the best areas, because these are always people’s first choice when it comes to finding somewhere to live.

There are two places where you can make a lot of money in real estate for a smaller investment. By buying the worst house on a good street, you can enjoy real estate success as a developer by bringing the property up to the standards of other homes in the neighborhood, and then selling at a profit.

The other way to enjoy success is more speculative, but generally offers better returns in the long term. By buying the best house in a bad street, you will need to make less capital investment in the property and any upgrades, but you will still be able to sell at a higher price over the length of your investment due to the rise in property prices over time.

The most important factor that goes into ensuring long term real estate success and maximum returns on your investment is research. By knowing everything about every area you are targeting, you will be able to arm yourself with the right information to be able to negotiate a better deal at either end of the process. If you know that an area is ripe for redevelopment, you should buy in at the beginning, while if you hear that an area where you own property is likely to suffer from external developments, or face over supply of housing in the future, it is time to make a quick sale to get the best price at the peak of the market.

By being careful and investing appropriately you can ensure your success in the world of real estate, and give yourself a great income as either a developer or speculator.



marathon key rentals

Stephen Campbell asked:


In case a person wants to be a successful agent of real estate it is essential to be well trained. It is helpful to learn about real estate business. To become an agent one needs to have some time, skills to convince people, perform transactions and some knowledge about real estate business. For a person who is willing to work hard this venture of becoming an agent of real-estate is a great carrier. Training in real-estate helps in knowing all the ways to gain knowledge about the market and how to convince people.

The basic requirement of a real-estate-agent is a license. In case one wants to conduct business in real-estate it is an essential requirement. Having an internet connection is an essential requirement of being a real estate agent. There are several states that provide online training sessions that help in completing some requirements before having a license.

There are some rules that should be followed for applying to join the business of real-estate and to get a license. A person should be at least 19 years of age for applying to be an agent of real-estate. A diploma in high school or its equivalent, passing state exams and an approved course are some other necessities of an agent.

During training a prospective agent is trained to understand the guidelines and some basics of real estate venture. Training is provided on transfer of ownership, laws on real estate and math during the duration of the course. The tips and tricks of real-estate are taught during the course. In case a person wants to join a course that is approved by he state he/she should have a prior license of being a real estate.

It is possible to be successful after being trained in real-estate . A successful business is possible if only if the professional habits are great. A person should be enthusiastic to lean as much as possible about real-estate business and how transact business in real-estate. One should be a good salesman to be successful in the business of real estate.

Personal relation should be maintained with clients and references should be found out. Once a client comes to an agent, he should be satisfied with the services provided so that the client gives a good feedback to any prospective buyer or seller. A great amount of skill is required to be successful in real-estate-business.

There are some books that are related to real-estate business and it is possible to learn from these books about being a successful real-estate-business. There are several online courses that provide training to become a successful real-estate agent. There are many people that are making a lot of money by being an agent in the business of real-estate. The brokers of real estate should be knowledgeable, kind, trustworthy and efficient. The skills to attract more customers should be known. Some suggestions from experienced real estate agents help in furthering the business of real estate.



Baltimore Homes

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Owing a home is a big part of the American dream. But not everyone is fortunate enough to become a homeowner due to delimiting factors such as insufficient income, bankruptcy, bad or no credit, loss of employment, etc. For people with such troubles, owning a home is a distant dream and some of these people resign themselves to a lifetime of renting. But such people are not without options. Rent-to-own, which is also known as a lease-purchase option, can be an excellent alternative available to some people who are currently unable to buy a home.

A rent-to-own or lease-purchase option is an agreement between a prospective home buyer and a home seller. The agreement is basically a rental contract with a right to purchase the property after a period of time (usually 1 year). When a home seller offers a lease-purchase option, what they are really offering is the option to rent the house at some monthly rate, and to lock in the sales price of the home now, even though the prospective buyer would not actually purchase the house until a later time (if at all).

Here is a hypothetical example. Let’s say the monthly rent for a home is $1700. Under a lease-purchase option, a prospective buyer would rent the home for the $1700 a month, but would also pay an additional premium (e.g., $200-$300) every month for the option to buy the home after a period of time (usually 1 year). So in this example, the total monthly rent is actually $2000, but $200-$300 of the money will be applied toward buying the house at a later time. In other words, the home seller would apply the $200-$300 extra paid every month toward the prospective buyer’s down payment at the end of the year.

The good news for prospective home buyers is that it allows them to lock in the purchase price of the home now, even though they are not purchasing the home until a later time. The bad news is that if a buyer decides not to purchase the home at the end of lease term, the seller often keeps the premium amount paid over the year, although this is usually a point of negotiation.

Prospective home buyers should know that many of the terms described above are negotiable such as how much the monthly rent will be, how much extra has to be paid every month for the option fee (if any), the length of the lease term, etc. The other issue to consider is if it makes sense to lock in a home purchase price now in markets where real estate prices are still declining.

When compared to renting, a lease-purchase can be an attractive alternative because it gives prospective buyers an opportunity to own a home before they normally would be able to. There are some advantages to a lease-purchase option such as:

1) Low or No Initial Down Payment. Many lease-purchase options do not require an initial down payment.

2) Equity Advantage. At the end of the lease term, the value of a home may have appreciated over time, which benefits the purchaser.

3) Living Experience. Prospective home buyers have the opportunity to try out a home and neighborhood before purchasing the property.

4) Leverage Advantage. With just a small investment, a prospective buyer can control a property; yet still have the option of not buying the home if market conditions don’t warrant it.

Rent-to-own or lease-purchase option can be an effective strategy to home ownership. However, there are both positive and negative aspects to this type of approach (as described above). A good real estate agent can help you navigate the complex world of rent-to-own and lease-purchase option properties.



plant service

Real Estate Business asked:


Real Estate Investment in Whangarei New Zealand

Real estate business may be focused in so many aspects as an investment and as a method to earn money from. You can be a real estate agent and enjoy earning money while on the other hand, there are those who have the capital to earn being an investor in the buy and sell arena for a real estate business. In Whangarei New Zealand, however, there is a lot of available real estate business investment that you can get in to if you want to earn a significant amount of income from it.

Whangarei Real Estate Agent Marketing Tips

A Whangarei real estate agent in New Zealand may earn through real estate business by selling real estate property in so many ways and methods but so far, there are a few tips that I would like to give you to be able to earn good in this business. To be able to market a real estate property, you have to know where you can make such move or where to post your for sale property using the internet because we all know that the internet is the best medium there is if you are selling anything today. A few good ways to seek refuge for your product are forums and classifieds. Today there are a lot of free classifieds that you can post your for sale product. Forums can also be a good way to sell real estate. You can also try to market your real estate property using social media sites where you can post to multiple people who might just be interested to buy a real estate property in Whangarei. So far these are just a few ways and I know that there are a lot out there.

Different Real Estate Property Investment and Sale

In a real estate investment, there are a lot of different types that you can sell for interest of those who might be looking for the perfect type of property. Different people have different preferences for a real estate property that they wan to buy or rent or even lease for a period of time so to be able to allow your target clients to get a glimpse of what is there in the real estate industry in Whangarei Nez Zealand, you must have access to the different types of real estate properties being sold in the market today and make a list of them all. This is for the purpose of having each type under your profile just in case you have to present a client the different types of real estate property that you sell for choosing.

To get you an idea of what is in store if you are looking to sell real estate these are a few types. Coastal real estate, farmland real estate, northland real estate, beach real estate, resort real estate, ridge real estate and more. So far these are just a few but always feel free to make it more appealing and diverse for your clients. We all know that selling a real estate property either if it is for rent, lease or total sale depends on the choices that you can offer for your clients.



merchant cash advance

Tom Loi asked:


house -  The realistic approach

This article is not about the secrets of buying a rental property for no money down and half the price of the market value of the house. I am not Tom Vu or Don Lapre and I am not in jail.

In Canada, the no money down home did use to exist, but not anymore. Some banks and/or lenders were willing to lend you the 5% down payment so that you don’t have to pay a dime out of your own pockets to purchase a home. However, given the current financial situation with tighter lending restrictions, there will be no bank or lenders who can do that in Canada.

The buying home for half price did use to exist as well. At one point, foreclosures in Canada would allow foreclosed homes to be sold at rock bottom prices. The new law, which has been in placed for many years now require the homes be sold at the highest possible price for foreclosed homes or else the lenders could be sued. Hence, sometimes foreclosed homes sell higher because Canadians have the misconception that foreclosed homes are a really good deal causing it to have a reverse affect. There have been many people buying foreclosed homes believing they got a good deal and not doing a thorough check as to the actual value of the home.

Now, clearing out the quick money maker myths of buying homes, there are still many things you need to be aware of before starting.

If there exist ever an industry with more sneaky sales tactics and money motivated people, it has got to the Real Estate industry. As a buyer, you could be dishing out $350 000 and everyone wants a piece. The Real Estate Agents want a piece. The lenders want a piece. The lawyers want a piece and the sellers want piece. No wonder there are so many scams in this industry.

The first thing to be aware of is the Real Estate Agent. A Real Estate Agent is suppose to act on your behalf to buy or sell the home. Both the buyer of the home and seller of the home will have their own Real Estate Agent called a Buyer’s Real Estate Agent and a Seller’s Real Estate Agent.

In Canada, each Real Estate Agent gets an average of 2.5% and sometimes 2% for the commission of selling the home. Some Real Estate Agents provide cash back rewards. Canadian Real Estate Agents gets higher commission than anywhere else. In United States, their Real Estate Agents only get 1% of the commission and their homes are actually much cheaper. Even though Real Estate Agents are the least educated of the parties involved in the buying home transaction, they seem to be getting the biggest piece of the pie.

Do not listen to mls.ca and their gimmicks on Real Estate Agents are ethical. (http://www.howrealtorshelp.ca/swf/). Where do they get the idea any Real Estate Agent off the street is ethical. Their claim is based on these tests that they pass to become a Real Estate Agent. Agents passing a test does not meant hey are ethical. It only means they can remember enough to pass the test.

One would believe it should be the Real Estate Agent’s job to help the buyer ensure the home is of value. Rightly so, many buyers depend on the Real Estate Agent to protect them and provide them advice and in my opinion, the ethical Real Estate Agent should do that. However, the true reality is that Real Estate Agents do not make money unless if the home is purchased. The reality is that the Real Estate Agent’s salary is not truly dependent on giving you advice. The Real Estate Agent’s job is to get the buyer to buy a home through them so they can get paid!

As a result of this, what ends up happening, are two types of Real Estate Agents with variations in between. The first type is the honest agent with the belief “If I work hard and treat my buyer right, the buyer will come back to buy more homes from me. The second type is the “I need to get the buyer to buy a house quickly so that I can move on to the next buyer (sucker) so that I can maximize my time for profit.” The bottom line is that you are looking for the first type and you want to avoid the second type.

We’ll call the first type, the Bad Real Estate Agent.

We’ll call the second type, the Good Real Estate Agent.

So what kind of characteristics does the Good Real Estate Agent have that the Good Real Estate Agent does not have?

1. The first characteristic is Patience.

Bad Real Estate Agents will attempt to sell you a home quickly to get the money quickly. Do not buy a house without spending a lot of time looking at several different homes. Be careful of tactics such as Real Estate Agents claiming it is the perfect and acting like a salesman rather than providing you information.

2. The second characteristic is information.

A good Real Estate Agent needs to provide you all the information to let you make the informed decision and we are not talking about their opinion. Real Estate’s opinion does not matter. Real Estate Agents have data such as the history of the house being sold at, homes being sold near the area and type. A Real Estate Agent should be able to provide you with a compilation of official documents that tells you these kinds of data to let YOU make an informed decision.

3. The third characteristic is care.

You will know this during the actual signing of the contract to purchase the home at a certain price. Once you become interested in a property and want to buy the property at a certain price set by YOU, you have to write up a contract. The contract consist atleast three conditions that will null the sale of the home and a security deposit.

The common three conditions are, buyer can get financing, the home passes inspection and the appraisal value of the home is above the price to be purchased. Generally, you will want the lenders to appraise the home so that you know the fair value of the home and the lenders would only lend of you are buying the home at fair market value.

The security deposit is an amount you will provide to lock the home from being sold to other buyers while you perform to checks to see whether these conditions have been met. If these conditions are not met, then you SHOULD get your security deposit back.

The Bad Real Estate Agents will want to you provide very few conditions and a big security deposit. Doing so ensure the home is more likely to be sold.

Do NOT go through the internet and pick the first agent you see or the agent that has the most advertisements. They are just spending marketing money which they intend to recover from you. I especially find the ones that are top ranked search engines to be the most conniving, especially the Mississauga location!!!

If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to e-mail me at admin@freerentalads.ca

You are also certainly welcome to e-mail me your good and bad home buying experiences. I may or may not chose to post them up.



business cash advance

Mike Trudeau asked:


Over the last several years, real estate has been as hot as any other investment. It wasn’t until recently that real estate cooled a bit. During this time, we’ve all heard the stories of the easy money made investing in real estate. When money was easy, and there was no end in sight to the real estate boom, people were flipping houses like crazy. For many of these individuals, the 1031 exchange money could not be any easier. However, the times have changed. The downturn has taught even the most bullish real estate speculators that real estate can also go down in value. More than ever, investing in real estate, takes professional know-how, time, and resources to successfully invest in real estate. So, how does the average person invest in real estate, this day and age?

Well, there is a way, and it’s been around for quite some time. It’s called a Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT. A Real Estate Investment Trust is a way for the small investor to invest in big real estate. A Real Estate Investment Trust is an organization that is set up to manage and invest in real estate professionally. You can purchase a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) via the stock exchange in the form of a stock, or privately. Private Real Estate Investment Trusts typically require that certain suitability criteria be met. Also, private REITs are typically longer-term investments, with liquidity considerations. Public Real Estate Investment Trusts can be bought and sold on the stock exchange and are considerably more liquid than their private counterparts.

Investing in a Real Estate Investment Trust can come in many forms. You can purchase a Real Estate Investment Trust that focuses on large-scale commercial real estate, for example. This would allow you to take part in major real estate deals involving 100 plus story buildings, that would otherwise be available to the ultra rich. Some Real Estate Investment Trusts may have their focus in apartment buildings or even new housing construction. The point here is that you can choose your Real Estate Investment Trust sector through one of these REITs. If you want a more professionally managed approach there are a large number of REITs actively managed through the purchase of mutual funds. This can provide for diversification, and individual real estate sectors.

Properly set up Real Estate Investment Trusts are tax-advantaged. This means that they are not taxed at the corporate level. However, they must be set up properly. It is required that REITs invest 75% of their funds in real estate. These requirements are met by income derived from mortgage or rent interest. Essentially, you’re relying on other parties for their expertise in the real estate arena. Going at it alone is tougher than ever these days. You have the typical headaches, like qualifying for a 1031 exchange, property taxes, escrow, title insurance, and so on. But, that’s really the easy part. When the real estate market only went up, the biggest worry for speculators was how to take advantage of a 1031 exchange and save on capital gains. Now, there’s much more to worry about, as real estate not only goes up, but it can certainly come down.

It’s important to keep in mind that Real Estate Investment Trusts also come with inherent risks. If real estate values plummet, and you have a large percentage of your assets exposed to Real Estate Investment Trusts you may experience declines, as well. This is where diversification is very important. The standard Real Estate Investment Trust me diversify you within different types of real estate, but you should always practice further diversification. Investing in different asset classes, sectors, and the life will provide you with further diversification. Make sure to work with a qualified investment advisor or do your due diligence when investing in any type of Real Estate Investment Trust.



Missoula Commercial Real estate

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Baby boomers, baby boomers, baby boomers; we all hear this term over and over again. So who are the baby boomers? Baby boomers are people in the United States who were born between 1946 and 1964. Approximately 78.2 million people fall into this category.

As a group, baby boomers comprise the largest population cohort in the history of the United States. The size of the group gives it vast influence over American politics, popular cultural, and of course, real estate. To evaluate the influence of the baby boomers on the future of real estate, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) conducted a study in 2006. The findings of the research were published in report entitled Baby Boomers and Real Estate: Today and Tomorrow. Below are some highlights from the NAR study.

AGE DISTRBUTION

According to the NAR report, baby boomers now range in age from 42 to 60 years old. The typical baby boomer is 50 years old, and the oldest of the baby boomers turned 60 in 2006. About 46% of baby boomers are in their 40s, and about 25% are at least 55 years old.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

As a group, baby boomers are in their peak earning years. In 2005, baby boomers had a household income of $64,700, and about 25% them had a household income of at least $100,000 per year.

HOME OWNERSHIP

About 78% of baby boomers own a home, which is higher than the national ownership rate of 69%. About 96% of baby boomers believe that home ownership is a good financial investment.

FUTURE REAL ESTATE PURCHASES

About 10%, or 7.8 million of all baby boomers, said they were likely to purchase additional real estate in the next 12 months. Of these potential buyers, two-thirds were planning on buying a primary residence, 26% want to buy land, 19% want rental property, 15% want a vacation home or seasonal home, and 14% want a commercial property.

WHAT FEATURES ATTRACT BOOMERS

When baby boomers were asked about what features are most important to them, 38% wanted a lower cost of living, 38% wanted to be near family, 38% wanted easy access to quality health care, 37% wanted a better climate, and 36% wanted to be near a body of water.

PREFERRED COMMUNITY AMENITIES

When baby boomers were asked about the type of community amenities that interest them most, about 18% wanted to be near cultural offerings, 9% wanted to be closer to their family, 4% wanted to be on a golf course, and 3% wanted easy access to educational facilities.

WHERE DO BOOMERS WANT TO RETIRE

When baby boomers were asked about where they want to retire, 33% of them want to retire in a rural area, 30% in a small town, 25% in a suburban area, and only 12% in an urban community.

BOOMERS AND THEIR REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Baby boomers consistently use the services of a real estate agent. Approximately 60% of homebuyers and 79% of home sellers used a real estate agent in their last transaction.

SUMMARY

The baby boomers have had and will continue to have a significant impact on the real estate market. As the boomers near retirement, they continue to value real estate and will continue to invest in properties and land. Real estate agents would be well served to understand what baby boomers want in terms of their real estate investments, and design strategies that target the needs of this enormous population cohort. For more information, read the NAR report entitled, Baby Boomers and Real Estate: Today and Tomorrow



Oakland office space

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Foreclosures continue to rise across America. According to the latest annual report of http://Foreclosures.com, the number of foreclosures filed nationwide in 2006 had increased by 51 percent from the previous year, with foreclosure filings nearly topping one million. When compared to 641,000 foreclosure filings made in 2005 nationwide, almost 971,000 foreclosure filings were reported last year.

Among the States, California reported the highest number of foreclosure filings in 2006 with 157,417 foreclosures filed, which is an increase by 94 percent from the year before. California is followed by Florida with 120,989 foreclosure filings. Nevada struggled with the largest percentage increase in foreclosures in 2006 of 175 percent.

The Northeast region reported 96,101 foreclosures in 2006, an increase of 64.6 percent from 58,394 foreclosures filed in 2005. Still, a few states in the region, such as Maryland and Delaware, saw a decrease in foreclosure filings.

Foreclosure filings in the Midwest region of the nation went up beyond 70 percent with many states including Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Nebraska facing increases of 80 to 96 percent. Industrial layoffs and a tough economy have spurted the number of foreclosure filings in this region, with foreclosure figures in states such as Iowa and Kansas increasing beyond 100 percent.

The Southwest region was the most affected with one out of every 2.2 foreclosures in the country taking place there. The region closed the books for 2006 with an increase of 37 percent from 162,259 foreclosures in 2005 to 220,189 foreclosures. Foreclosure filings in Colorado increased by 55.4 percent, while foreclosures in Texas increased by 35.2 percent. Although the region struggled with the high foreclosure rates, the figures are not all bleak for the region with a few states showing a decrease in foreclosure filings. Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Oregon reported fewer foreclosure filings in 2006 when compared to 2005. These states have particularly reported a drop in foreclosure filings in the last quarter of 2006.

Although the foreclosure reports are not very cheerful, Alexis McGee, president of http://Foreclosures.com anticipates the housing market to improve soon. Overextended homeowners, who have been struggling to keep up with heavy debt loads, rising interest rates and property taxes, can soon look forward to some relief as home inventories come down and the market start looking up again. McGee also adds that the current housing market may be the best opportunity for home buyers in the next six years.



Brigantine Real Estate