REAL AGENT ESTATE SEARCH


Saturday, February 28, 2009

The Real Estate Investment with the Features of a Corporate Bond

The Real Estate Investment with the Features of a Corporate Bond

by Groshan Fabiola


Why are so many investors, foreign and domestic, placing their money in NNN properties?

Net-leased real estate provides a unique investment opportunity to individuals or institutions interested in owning real estate without the hassles of management and leasing typically found in conventional real estate investments. Net-leased projects are most commonly single-tenant, credit-driven investments on long-term leases which require minimal or no landlord responsibility.

As a result, investors are not bound to their geographic markets, whereas they would most likely be with a traditional real estate investment, not just closely watched "backyard" opportunities.

A net-leased (NNN) property is effectively a long-term bond of a corporation in the form of a lease document encompassed by real estate. The investment appears to be a bond-type investment due to the "coupon-clipper" type of returns, 6%-10%. However, they also provide the added benefits of tax reduction and property appreciation found in conventional real estate.

The net-leased investment can be categorized three ways: 1. Retail refers to big-box users (i.e. discount variety stores, department stores, or home improvement stores) as well as small-box users (i.e. restaurants or drug stores). 2. Industrial includes facilities used for either distribution, manufacturing, or research and development. 3. Office refers to any single user such as an oil company or pharmaceutical firm occupying a facility as the sole tenant.

Pricing on net-leased projects is based primarily on the tenant's credit, the terms of the lease, and the location. Although each of these variables has an important role in the pricing of net-leased projects, it is the combination of all three that will determine a true purchase price.

Tenant's Credit * Many net-leased projects are based solely on a tenant's credit. * Tenants considered investment grade by a recognized rating agency usually trade at a premium (i.e. Walmart, Walgreens, General Motors). * Tenants with junk bond (non-investment grade) ratings or minimal net worth typically trade for a higher return (i.e. UA Theaters, Dairy Mart convenience stores, Taco Cabana restaurants).

Lease * Length of a lease is a another primary factor in determining the sales price on a net-leased investment. Primary terms of 15 or more years are preferred; 10 years is sufficient in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and similar cases * "Absolute" triple-net leases, where the tenant is responsible for roof, structure, and parking, trade at a premium. * "Double-net (NN)" leases, where the landlord is responsible for roof and structure, trade at a higher yield and usually include a reserve taken for any potential repairs. * Leases with "bumps"- rental increases or upside trade at a premium, with the exception of flat leases with investment grade credit.

Location * NNN leases are credit-driven, causing location to be the least important factor. * Investors often pay an added premium for the residual benefit of specifying a certain geographic location.

The combination of credit, lease and location can lead to paying a higher premium (i.e. Walgreen: 20 year NNN, flat) or receiving a higher yield (i.e. CSK Auto: 15 year NN).

The market for net-leased real estate investments is strong. The availability of attractive financing combined with minimal landlord responsibilities create highly desirable opportunities, especially for investors desiring a property for an IRS Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange.

Whether a risk-averse individual or institution is in need of a smart depreciation vehicle or a relatively safe "coupon-clipper," net-leased properties provide great investments in both credit and real estate markets.

Investment, Banking & Real Estate Editors

Investment, Banking & Real Estate Editors

by Groshan Fabiola


Eurodollars Flow into the U.S. Through Triple Net Lease Investments Germans becoming "landlords" for U.S. firms through passive real estate investments.

Bay Harbor Islands, FLORIDA (October 18,2007) -Triple-Net (NNN) investment opportunities in U.S. markets are attracting the attention -- and funds -- of German banks, REITs and investors, reports Horn Capital Realty, Inc. of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. "These conservative types of passive real estate investment can be more rewarding than typical real estate ownership because they require virtually no management," says Jonathan S. Horn, President, who has personally handled over $500 million in triple netlease sales, sale-leaseback financing, build-to-suit development and debt and equity placements throughout the United States. "The rate of return and benefits from investing in a triple net (NNN) investment can be greater than your typical real estate investment, without taking into consideration any tax issues," said Horn. His firm has dealt with such large national tenants as Blockbuster Entertainment, Eckerd Drug, Kmart, Home Depot, Wild Oats markets, Taco Bell, Wal-Mart and Walgreen Drug Stores.

A triple net lease (NNN) transactions is typically described as a free-standing facility occupied by a single-tenant on a long-term triple-net lease. A NNN can be described as a bond-like investment encompassed by real estate. A NNN can be structured in three ways: 1. Sale-leaseback financing is structured through the sale of a property owned by a tenant who sells it to an investment group and leases it back on a long-term lease. 2. The sale of an existing NNN property leased to a tenant owned by a third party investor. 3. Build-to-Suit. A developer enters into a long-term agreement with a corporate tenant and then sells the transaction upon completion of the development or before.

A triple-net lease is typically between 10 to 25 years. The tenant pays a negotiated annual rent equal to 6% to 10% of the contracted sale price. Most often that rate is credit-driven. In other words, tenants with investment grade ratings pay a lower rate because they are perceived as less risky, while non-investment grade tenants typically pay a considerably higher rate. This is similar to corporate bonds. A triple-net lease property frees the investor/landlord from any property responsibility. The tenant agrees to pay all costs associated with the property use and occupancy, including real estate taxes, insurance, improvements, on-site property management and maintenance.

Page 2 - NNN Investments

As an example, Horn is currently negotiating a sale-leaseback transaction between a group of German investors and a U.S. retailer, offering 6 single-tenant properties valued at $5 million US each, or $30 million US total. Since the company has earned a high credit rating, the investors have agreed to a flat rental payment of 6.4% for the entire lease term, which equates to a predictable return of $1,920,000 US annually to the investors. With a NNN lease, the U.S. retailer will be responsible for all expenses, including taxes, insurance, management, general and structural repairs, maintenance and improvements. National Real Estate Investor, a leading U.S. trade press magazine has reported, "The sale-leaseback industry has restructured the ownership of trillions of dollars worth of the nation's (U.S.) corporate real estate assets, and the trend seems to be continuing." Another respected publication, Institutional Investor, stated: "The triple-net lease offers a long-term lease with the guarantee of steady cash flow and practically no risk." Primary Investor Benefits "The investor, whether it be a bank, a trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT) or an individual, earns an 6% to 10% yield on the annual lease and usually benefits from a conservative 2% to 5% annual (compounded) appreciation on the property's value. Due to the annual depreciation allowance on the building, an equal portion of the annual yield also is sheltered from Federal income taxes," Horn explained. "For overseas investors, there is the security of both the tenant and the real estate, and there is minimal risk with investment grade tenants, as well as an opportunity for even higher annual cash returns from below investment grade tenants." he added. "The investor owns the property with zero on-site management responsibilities while enjoying an annual high interest cash return on a passive investment. These are bond-type investments with excellent 'coupon clipper'-type of returns." Triple Net Lease transactions generally require a long-term investment of $2 million US to $100 million US or more. Such investments are available for all types of existing or build-to-

Page 3 - Sale/Leaseback & NNN Investments

suit real estate, including service centers, fast food establishments, industrial and health care facilities, office and educational buildings, distribution warehouses and retail stores. At any time, the investor/landlord can cash-out, often with a profit, by selling the property. When the lease term expires, the investor has numerous options: a) Hold the property,; b) allow it to further appreciate in market value; c) lease it again at a higher rate to the original tenant or a new tenant., or d) sell it to a developer to be renovated for a higher use. Horn Capital Realty, known as one of the most experienced, efficient and cost-effective facilitators, specifically focuses on sale-leaseback financing and NNN transactions. The company is currently working with several very large American firms seeking financing for their properties.

Bal Harbour Real Estate: Florida's Paradise

Bal Harbour Real Estate: Florida's Paradise

by Hector Lesende


Bal Harbour is Florida's Paradise. Bal Harbour Shops high-end upscale retailers include Saks Fifth Avenue, Armani, Versace, Valentino and Neiman Marcus among others. Exceptional dining spots are Palm and Caffe Da Vinci. Bal Harbour Real Estate is one the most prestigious, upscale, and spectacular addresses in all of South Florida. Luxurious oceanfront and Intracoastal Waterway views condos like Bellini Condo and Majestic Tower. An extraordinary single family home community is Northern Star. Hotel Resorts has been visited by many US presidents including President Clinton and other dignitaries and celebrities.

Before this city became the busy village that we know it as today, it was just a large tract of swampy land, which had seen face of no developments at all. It simply lay there and stretched right up to Atlantic Ocean from by area. As it is even in today's contemporary times, this little village evokes memories of past times when lives used to be a lot less mundane and schedules far less hectic. This place was not too popular with people and this can be easily understood from the fact that Mr. Graham, who was main promoter of this sleepy and quaint little hamlet, had to arrange for twenty five people to come and live here. He had to make this arrangement because he wanted to get this place incorporated and according to existing laws, a place had to have at least twenty five registered voters in order to be incorporated.

An interesting history lies behind the earliest real estate in this region. During Second World War land was leased out for construction of a Prisoner of War camp. After World War II ended barrack buildings were left behind are and they constituted the first Bal Harbour real estate of this village. It was in 1946 that this place got incorporated for first time. It then functioned under a city managing type of government. Slowly this place started climbing up steps towards development. It had its first hotel, then known as "The Kenilworth By the Sea" which was later rechristened as Kenilworth Condominium. The first home was built in this area in at 160 Bal Cross Drive.

To speak in specific geographical terms this village forms a part of Miami Dade County in state of Florida. Speaking in terms of area covered, it is a very small place, covering barely three tenths of a square mile. But despite its small size, development has taken place over here at a very rapid rate. There is no lack of amenities in this region and living here you might also get deluded into thinking that you are living in some bigger city. Big marketplaces, excellent institutions of education, you name it and this village is sure to have it. Transport too is not a problem in this area. Excellent facilities of communication exist which can be easily availed of.

Bal Harbour real estate is one of a kind and to enjoy all its splendor and facilities, many people have made this peaceful village their home. When the last census took place, it was found that already more than three thousand people made this city their home . This gives a density of almost ten thousand people per square mile, which is higher than several cities. Average prices of homes are on rise and with escalating fortunes of this city it can be presumed that real estate in this region will only continue its remarkable rise in the future. There are 432 homes and condos for sale. Bal Harbour Real Estate is an extraordinary investment opportunity.

Real Estate Contact Management Software

Real Estate Contact Management Software

by Jose Vanegas


Real estate contact management software is important in today's competitive real estate business.

Today's real estate business is high competitive and success means closing deals. Closing deals is important to success of a real estate business and often real estate contact management software can help with closing a deal. It is important that a real estate business management their contacts and leads carefully and real estate contact management software can help with this large task. Every real estate business should consider implementing real estate contact management software but there are many companies that offer real estate contact management software and it can be hard to make a decision. If you are looking for a real estate contact management software you should consider Prophet, a software offered by Avidian that is both comprehensive and flexible.

Prophet software stands out above the many other real estate contact management software systems.

The company Avidian markets Prophet, an award winning software, and it is the best real estate contact management software to be found. This real estate contact management software will help a busy real estate office to coordinate all their employees. Prophet real estate contact management software will also help make it easy to track sales leads and to close sales. Not only does this real estate contact management software have just basic function that other real estate contact management software systems have, but it also have many unique features that make this real estate contact management software stand above the rest.

Prophet real estate contact management software has many distinct features.

One of the unique features that Prophet real estate contact management software contains is called the dashboard feature. This dashboard feature allows for careful sales tracking and daily reports all generated by the real estate contact management software. Prophet real estate contact management software actually can offer all of this important information immediately and it displays it in what is called the sales opportunity window. All important sales information is displayed in this window by the real estate contact management software. This information includes names, email addresses, and phone numbers. This real estate contact management software helps to make sure that all of the customer information and lead information is kept current. With Prophet real estate contact management software you can be sure that no stone will go unturned and no opportunity will be missed.

Real estate contact management software can help coordinate your real estate business.

Often keeping a real estate business coordinated can be challenging and real estate contact management software can help. Real estate contact management software can help to monitor every opportunity that is available and also show all pertinent information. Prophet real estate contact management software actually has a feature that will send automated emails to follow up on new contacts and leads. Real estate contact management software will help to keep all the sales team coordinated and real estate contact management software will also help to make sure that no opportunity slips through the cracks.

Prophet real estate contact management software can help generate reports.

Often it is helpful to a real estate business to keep track of reports and real estate contact management software can help to generate needed reports. There are 30 reports that are already built into Prophet real estate contact management software and you can also use this real estate contact management software to customize reports as well. It is important to keep track of how your business is doing and that all can see what things may need to be changed and real estate contact management software can help with this task. You can use real estate contact management software to help generate reports that can help identify problem areas and then you can take measure to correct problems. You will also be able to see how much revenue is being generated and how sales are doing with the reports made by real estate contact management software.

You will be able to see more sales when using real estate contact management software.

It is important that a real estate business is able to continually close good sales and having good real estate contact management software can help in the sales department. You will be able to use real estate contact management software to help you keep track of all appointments that are made and keep your schedule organized so appointments are never missed. Real estate contact management software will also enable you to keep track of all tasks that have been completed and those that still need to be assigned. You will be able to make sure that work is being done promptly and that sales are being closed with your real estate contact management software.

Avidian offers Prophet, which is an award winning software.

If you are looking for good real estate contact management software you want to be sure that the real estate contact management software is easy to use and flexible for your business. You also want to find real estate contact management software that is cost effective for your company as well. You can find real estate contact management software that meets all these needs by going to Avidian.com and checking out their Prophet software. Prophet is software that is based on Microsoft Outlook. You can see the features that are available on their website and you will be able to see that Prophet is the best real estate contact management software available on the market today. They have many editions of the real estate contact management software and you will be able to buy what best will fit your real estate business. You will also find that this real estate contact management software has won various awards and can be trusted.

You can see success and increased profit if you implement the use of real estate contact management software into your business.

Every real estate business wants to see sales and profits soar and real estate contact management software can help your business achieve this. Prophet real estate contact management software can help you find more sales leads and can enable you to close more sales, which will lead to more profit. While many real estate contact management software systems do not have all that you may need to succeed in your business, you will find that Prophet real estate contact management software has everything your real estate business needs and a whole lot more. You will be able to use this real estate contact management software to lead your company to higher success within the real estate business. Take a good look at Prophet real estate contact management software and consider implementing it into your real estate business. You will reap the many benefits that can be found when using real estate contact management software.

Real Estate Management Software

Real Estate Management Software

by Jose Vanegas


Technology has brought about real estate management software to improve marketing.

In the past few years changes in technology have brought about new marketing techniques and one example of technology geared to help businesses is real estate management software. Today the real estate market is very competitive and real estate management software is able to help make the most of your real estate business. Most companies want high quality leads and want a system that can keep track of all their contact information and real estate management software can help with this goal. Not only do most real estate companies want to increase their quantity of leads but they also want to improve the quality of the leads they do have and this need can be met well by real estate management software. If your company wants to be more productive then considering real estate management software is a wise idea. Real estate management software can help you produce more leads and will help you find the quality leads that will help your company become more profitable. Real estate management software can be very beneficial to your company and if you are planning on purchasing real estate management software you should be aware of what to look for when choosing the best real estate management software.

Real estate management will benefit any real estate business no matter the size.

No matter if your real estate company is large or quite small you will find benefits in real estate management software. Your staff will be able to use real estate management software to help with many of their daily tasks. Real estate management software can help your staff to manage new leads as well as manage current and past customer information making their jobs easier and more productive. Real estate management software can enable sales staff to develop lasting relationship with customers as well. If you use real estate management software to help you improve quality and quantity of your leads you will find that real estate management software helps to increase the profit of your company. Many real estate businesses have been led to believe that more leads is good, but actually it is quality of the leads, which leads to sales, and real estate management software can help you with these quality leads.

Real estate management software will help you keep your company organized.

If you choose to incorporate real estate management software into your real estate business you will be able to reap the benefits that real estate management software has to offer. You will be able to keep all your sales leads and customer information organized with real estate management software. You will be able to use the organization feature of real estate management software to help you build a steady customer base and help to increase the number of sales made. Since this real estate management software will help to keep everything organized you will find that your sales efforts will be maximized and the process will be much smoother. It will be helpful to all employees to have all information organized and centrally located by the real estate management software. Real estate management software will help you be sure that no prospective customer is passed by. Building relationships with your customers and prospective customers with the help of real estate management software will help establish your company. You will be able to use your real estate management software to help you make sure that all your customers go away satisfied.

Real estate management software can help you increase the amount of sales made.

Real estate businesses will also find that real estate management software will help them to increase the amount of sales that are made for their business. Since the real estate management software will organize the leads and customer information the sales teams will be able to focus on making the sales and each step of the process will be easier. All of your staff will be able to access the database that is created by the real estate management software. You staff will be able to take advantage of the information that is easily made accessible by the real estate management software and will be able to quickly able to follow up on new leads. They will also be able to use the real estate management software to keep track of previous clients as well. Often as you use real estate management software to keep in contact with previous satisfied clients you will find them either returning or sending other business your way.

It is important to know your needs when purchasing real estate management software.

If you are looking for real estate management software for your real estate business you need to be sure that you know what you may need. You want to find real estate management software that will be cost effective and that will save you money in the long run. Be sure that when you purchase real estate management software you know what your company needs and that you only buy what you need. You do not want to purchase features in your real estate management software that you never use. Also you should be sure that your real estate management software will be easy to install and easy for all of your staff to use. It is also important that you are sure your real estate management software comes with tech support in case you run into any problems along the way.

Avidian offers Prophet, which is great real estate management software.

Great software to consider if you want to purchase real estate management software is Prophet software that is created by Avidian. This software is based on Microsoft outlook and is easy to implement into any company. This real estate management software is easy to use and is also easy to install. You will also find that Prophet is cost effective and will help your company in many ways. Prophet software can help your company increase its productivity. You can buy Prophet real estate management software with a clear mind knowing that Avidian stands behind its' product and offers a 30-day no questions asked guarantee.

Build for the future and purchase Prophet real estate management software.

If you want to see your real estate business go forward than you should consider purchasing real estate management software. You can use real estate management software to optimize the way your business works and to increase the sales that are made. You will be able to use your management software to organize your leads and customer information, which will help lead to a great amount of sales within your company. You will be able to build a great future for your company with real estate management software. If you want a solid future filled with profit then go to Avidian.com and consider their Prophet real estate management software.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Agent Advantage Launches Learning Center for Real Estate Agents

Agent Advantage Launches Learning Center for Real Estate Agents

by Sallie Ray


NORFOLK, Va., October 16, 2007 -- AgentAdvantage, powered by Homes.com (www.homes.com), a division of Dominion Enterprises, has launched the AgentAdvantage Learning Center (www.learningcenteradvantage.com), a Web site designed to help real estate agents grow their business through Internet marketing and industry best practices. The free service provides agents online tutorials, how-to videos, free online classes and a catalog of articles covering everything from recruitment strategies to public relations advice. "Many agents come to AgentAdvantage in search of comprehensive marketing solutions," says Jamie Clymer, AgentAdvantage and Homes.com Vice President and General Manager. "We recognize that simply selling a product is no longer sufficient. Agents want, and deserve, results from their marketing efforts. The AgentAdvantage Learning Center offers them every tool needed to successfully grow their business." The easy-to-navigate site offers five main areas of information. eLearning connects agents to a library of recent articles on lead generation and Internet marketing, the AgentAdvantage blog, Industry news feeds and the AgentAdvantage newsletter. Online Sessions offers live and recorded training classes. Topics include tutorials on search engine optimization led by industry experts and product education sessions led by AgentAdvantage and Homes.com professionals. The Customer Center provides a library of articles, how-to videos, help guides, and testimonials for agents using AgentAdvantage products. Get Started presents three additional areas of information on kick-starting a Web site, Internet marketing tips and a plethora of articles on how to maintain a Web site. Finally, the Archives area is a library that offers agents more than 100 articles and videos--and growing every day--with tips on everything from qualifying a buyer to how to use automated e-mail to building a multicultural recruitment strategy. "Learning Center programs provide agents with valuable resources on how to build their real estate business, along with covering the basics of using AgentAdvantage products," explains Patty McNease, Homes.com and AgentAdvantage Director of Member Services. "The Learning Center is a real-time tool that fits busy real estate professionals' schedules, plus delivers another high-quality service to customers." Whereas similar sites come with hefty price tags for education, technical advice and resource materials, AgentAdvantage and Homes.com bring their expertise to clients and non-members for free. With the introduction of the Learning Center, AgentAdvantage leads the real estate industry into the future. To explore this unique resource of tools, visit www.learningcenteradvantage.com. -MoreABOUT AgentAdvantage Powered by Homes.com, Agent Advantage leverages more than 10 years experience in providing online marketing solutions to the real estate industry. Products and services include custom designed websites, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, email marketing, and lead generation. For more information, visit AgentAdvantage.com. ABOUT HOMES.COM Homes.com, a division of Dominion Enterprises, is one of the nation's leading providers of online real estate services, including property listing exposure, website development and innovative marketing solutions. More than 3 million homebuyers visit Homes.com each month to search thousands of listings of homes for sale across the country. The company is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, with offices in San Diego and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, visit http://www.Homes.com. ABOUT DOMINION ENTERPRISES Dominion Enterprises, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a leading media and information services company serving employment, real estate, automotive, recreation and industrial markets in the United States. The company operates a variety of technology businesses that offer Internet marketing, Web site design and hosting, lead generation, CRM, and data capture and distribution services including Advanced Access, PowerSports Network, and Dealer Specialties. The company has more than 500 paid and free magazine titles such as The Employment Guide, For Rent, Harmon Homes, Boat Trader, Cycle Trader and RV Trader with a combined weekly circulation of over 5 million, and more than 40 market-leading Web sites such as EmploymentGuide.com, ForRent.com, Homes.com, and TraderOnline.com, reaching more than 8 million unique monthly visitors. The company has more than 7,200 employees nationwide and 2006 annual revenue of more than $850 million. For more information, visit www.DominionEnterprises.com. # # #

Philadelphia Real Estate - Curtis Center Luxury Condominium Idea

Philadelphia Real Estate - Curtis Center Luxury Condominium Idea

by Mark Wade


We all have a passion for something in life; something that keeps our imaginations going. Some people dream of things like music or philosophy while for others it may be medicine or martial arts. I happen to dream of, and have dreamt of for most of my life, potential Philadelphia real estate condominium conversion projects. I wonder which of the lovely historic buildings might turn over the highest dollar per quare foot in resale value if converted into a condominium here in Center City Philadelphia.

And here is my conclusion: The Curtis Center, particularly the southernmost 25% of the beautiful Center City building sitting on the northwest corner of 6th and Walnut Streets.

The shear window space is breathtaking. Consider that if this portion of the Curtis Center was converted into high end luxury condominiums, the sales pitch:

*All units with over sized windows

*All Living rooms would have a southern exposure

*Almost all bedrooms would have a southern exposure

*All units would overlook beautiful Washington Square Park

*All units could have indoor garage parking

*All penthouse units could have stunning southern exposure views of the square

*Roughly 10% of the units also face Independence Hall Park

*One of the most stunning historical buildings in Center City Philadelphia

*Fabulous Location!!

In addition, I would consider making the units fairly large. I would sell no unit for less than $1,000,000, and range up to say $7,000,000. Every unit would have at least 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. They could possibly have random width pine wood flooring throughout and definitely stainless steel high-end appliances by Viking, Bosch, Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Miele. The kitchens and bathrooms would also have subway tile and granite counters. The ability to provide the individual Penthouse units with luxurious private garden space could be invaluable with Pottery Barn Living Room Furniture now made for outdoors.

A walkout to a private deck and large shelved walkin closets would be a nice touch to the master bedroom. A closet organization system, similar to California Closets would be an example of an upgrade that I would offer as a standard ingredient in each unit. Philadelphia Condos are notoriously cheap on their closet space (as a whole), and underestimating the value of a large, well-organized set of closets is something builders of Center City Philadelphia Lofts and Condos have been doing for years.

Also I would make the building as "green" as possible. I am sure that this magnificent building would provide fabulous ceiling height in each unit for cathedral ceilings with ceiling fans. I would add high-efficiency heating and cooling systems as well as panels that would double as sunshades and solar power generators. There would be a lot of incoming natural light from the large windows that would also accent the intricate moldings throughout each loft. I would cut the curb on the north side of Walnut Street, at the entrance to this building to allow for about a half dozen car "loading zone" parking with valet service. The owners would even have the convenience of a full-time on-site 24-hour concierge...and of course this would be a pet-friendly Philadelphia Condominium.

I have started to play the Pennsylvania lotto lately. Should I win say $250,000,000 or more, you can be sure that the southernmost 25% of the Curtis Center will be the latest and greatest Philadelphia condominium conversion project to hit the market!

How to Profit From American Real Estate Market Slump

How to Profit From American Real Estate Market Slump

by Mary May


This fascinating thrill ride is filled with all the twists and turns of exciting information, so be sure to hold on for this bumpy ride!

America's slumping real estate market has been making headlines for some time now. As regions that once saw incredible booms now face tangy home estimate corrections, many British and international investors effective in currencies other than the US money find themselves wondering if investing in real estate in the land of the stars and the stripes is evaluate the gamble.

If you've been hobbled in exchange or living in America but found the residential home estimates too high, now could be the perfect time to look around for a bargain home.

While there is both good and bad hearsay in relative to the American real estate market, overseas buyers will find some sooner dressed bargains in the US at present. And what's more, the American market is not prone to vacation down for very long whichever. Stunning while the iron is hot? Especially in high-passage tourism areas? Is possibly not a bad idea if you want long label profits from your real estate assets!

For the rest of this article, we will discuss the meaning behind what we have learned about this subject so far.

Florida for example, has long been a favorite for British and European expatriates and feast makers. This partially-steamy paradise is home to theme parks, beaches and bags of sunshine and it is also home to sooner well-urban expert communities? And here likely investors will find a buyers' market at the flash.

As ethics stop, construction slows and inventories of presented homes are truly early to mass up, buyers will find some incredible deals on home. while it might be some time before this particular market recovers to its past high-estimate glory, British investors for example who are also looking to call America's Sunshine municipal home are prone to find some incredible deals. New construction builders are even slashing their estimates in Florida!

While the up arrival is doubtful for the American real estate market as a total, some American cities are predicted to make a sooner dressed recover in the arrival being. Cannoned is predicting a few regions in particular will launch to restful by 2009. The areas CNN say are evaluating scrutiny narrowly comprise Dallas/Ft. appeal, New Orleans, Atlanta and portable. A few other cities such as St. Louis and Indianapolis are also on the slope.

While the sub-primary disaster and testimony foreclosures are making the global American real estate market look chilling, odds are it will not vacation down for horribly long because the important fundamentals on which the market is built such as stout employment and dressed affordability stay in place. Investors looking to get in on home in America will find the time for looking around for an entrance peak is now.

There are some tricks to exchange in markets that have been traditionally hot - right now as the estimates are plummeting and sellers are receiving antsy, the likely for good buys is high. Some parts of the Tampa market for example have seen homes on the market for months lacking any hobby. This means some sellers are so anxious to get out averting foreclosure that they're agreeable to take the first reasonable present they accept. So, the key to a miserly buy is to find popular regions and violent sellers? And unfortunately for the sellers, it's not intricate to do right now.

As Americans face a foreclosure disaster and banks are agreeable to take buyouts below evaluate, the US is be arrival more attractive to buyers purchasing in a currency other than the money. Investors who want to get in and do so for reasonable estimates will find the time to inspect home is nigh! Odds are certain regions will not vacation down in estimate for long and by exchange in low you post the best prospect of making the best profits over the standard to long label.

When we learn, we continue on a path of growth. Therefore, learning about this subject has already helped you more than you know.

Real Estate Pune

Real Estate Pune

by Amitabh Kumar


Pune has emerged as one of the fastest growing Industrial and IT automation sector in India. The city has seen large growth in the past couple of years in the real estate sector. Pune properties continue to make rapid strides.

With the ongoing developments in Pune property sector, the city is rightly called a benchmark for IT companies and other business centers. It is also a hub for small companies. The strategic location of the city has also given a push to real estate Pune.

Increasing population in Mumbai has encouraged a number if business houses to shift gears towards Pune as their top notch location. Companies nowadays are in a look out for the locations with great scope of development and low capital market. And, Pune and its real estate market offer both. This is what attracts businesses. Investing in Pune property market and areas surrounding Pune, is worth an idea as the city is already coming up as the investors' apple of eye.

Many Indians and NRI's are eyeing Pune properties for making investments. Some hot locations in the city offer service apartments and plots or flats. Other fast flourishing real estate projects in Pune are NIBM, Hinjewadi, Kalyaninagar, Aundh, Bund Garden, Vimannagar and Koregaon Park. Hinjewadi, located in the Western Suburbs of Pune, is witnessing major real estate activities. This is primarily due to the presence of IT Park including the IT majors such as Infosys, Wipro, and Cognizant.

Hinjewadi sees the entry of new players every month. This has given a push to rental accommodation in this area and also surrounding areas like Aundh, Baner, Bhugaon, Pune University.

The real estate boom in Pune is indicative of favorable developments in the city and its economic growth. With such an ongoing scenario, Pune is rightly known as the Tech City.

The Most Profitable Real Estate

The Most Profitable Real Estate

by Von Sutten


Every homebuyer can be broken into two categories or a mixture of those two. There are those that are buying a home for the sole purpose of enjoying a place to live and experiencing a little more security, but there are others still that are looking for real estate that they can live in while also making a considerable profit. Buyers who are just looking for a nice place to live are less interested in bargains and "fixers" and for this reason are not really interested in finding the most profitable piece of real estate. However, those slightly more adventurous buyers are willing to compromise certain things to get a great deal and make a big profit, and for these types of buyers there are several ways to find just the right property.

If you are trying to make a profit of more than just the average appreciation value of a home, it is a simple fact that you will need to choose a house that is not quite perfect. However, this does not mean any old piece of junk will do the trick. There are several guidelines to consider.

First, you should be looking for a structurally sound home in a decent location. Complete overhauls and remodels are risky, while small cosmetic projects can easily increase the value of a home. Even a new paint job can increase value. Five times the amount of money you spend on paint will be added to your home's value. Similar cosmetic improvements that will add a great deal of value are new carpets, hardwood floors, landscaping, lighting fixtures, kitchen cabinets, and window coverings. Homes that need more intense structural repairs can become real nightmare and should be very carefully considered.

If at all possible, you should find out how much the seller paid for the home. It might be as simple as asking them, but you might need to check county records. This will give you a good idea about how the values have increased in that particular area, but it will also let you know how flexible on price the seller might be. The longer ago it was purchased, the less the seller probably paid for it, and the more negotiable the price might be.

Looking for these things, the real test comes with negotiating to get a home under market value. Finding a motivated seller and convincing them that their home requires some extra attention will help your case and work as a good foundation for bargaining ability. With a little extra work, you can move into a home that will also end up making you a lot of money. Be ready to buy, but be patient to find the right property. It will definitely pay off.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Downtrends in Gurgaon Real Estate

Downtrends in Gurgaon Real Estate

by George Gonigal


Capital values weaken, rentals upbeat...

Residential properties in Gurgaon are expected to witness a marginal drop in capital values with fresh supply of about 1,000 new residential units in the next 3-6 months. Rentals, at the other end, are rising incessantly.

As per the recent report of Cushman & Wakefield, an international consultancy firm, capital prices at prime residential areas of Gurgaon have gone down by about 11-per cent between June and August 2007. Thus, the price trends in Gurgaon real estate are likely to be on the downslide at least for the next two quarters.

Meanwhile, the new residential projects in Gurgaon are witnessing sluggish trends and real estate developers are reportedly under pressure to cut prices in order to create demand.

Currents market trends

More than 50 per cent of the total residential supply in the Gurgaon property markets is targeted towards the middle income group, and the capital rates are in the range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 per sq. ft. Although prices of apartments at the prime residential areas of Gurgaon start from the levels of Rs 14,000 per sq. ft

Residential rentals in Gurgaon, at the other end, have risen by an average of 10 per cent in the past 6-months, said Ajay Nigam of Prime Properties. According to property brokers, rental values are increased by almost 30-35 per cent in the prime residential localities of DLF and Unitech.

Demand for quality accommodation, especially apartments in Gurgaon equipped with the facilities of 24 hrs power and water supply is ever-rising, owing to frequent power cuts in Gurgaon. Besides, a large number of people are settling in the city with boom in services sector and the income levels are also increasing.

With this, the trends in the residential rentals in Gurgaon would remain upbeat and live, as far as the demand is concerned.

Advantage and disadvantage of offshore property investing in real estate

Advantage and disadvantage of offshore property investing in real estate

by Mejo John


The most important thing is that you realize that you have to do something to secure your future. Property offshore real estate investing refers to a huge variety of investment strategies, which capitalized on investor's home country. Investing offshore just means investing in a place other than where you live. The key to building a portfolio of offshore properties is double: education, and emotional intelligence. Its little wonders that so many people today are turning to offshore property as their primary investment to funding their pension, retirement or to draw an income from it.

Investing property in offshore companies could be very money-spinning with many of the offshore investment openings being things like hotels in visitor locations and malls in high density population centers. The most excellent feature is it offers a very high return on investment if played properly. Following are the advantage and disadvantage of offshore real estate investing.

Advantage of property offshore real estate investing

* Tax reduction: Many of offshore investment countries today offer tax reduction to foreign investor. According to U.S Internal Revenue Service (IRS) The citizen of U.S are now taxed on their global income. As result U.S people could as well go for the offshore property real estate investing.

* Confidentiality: Many offshore property jurisdictions provide you with additional benefit of having the legislation secret. This confidentiality does not mean something to hide; it is just some high profile investors might like to leak out on the shares where they are investing their property. Hence this is another added benefit of investing in offshore property real estate.

Disadvantage of offshore real estate investing

* Tax laws are now tightening: One cannot afford to avoid the tax agencies like IRS. It becomes extremely difficult to invest in offshore property real estate investing due to tax problem.

* High Cost: Offshore is actually not cheap to be set up. Investing in offshore property real estate investing steeps you in many type of fees like legal fees, corporate fees, finance charge etc. hence one require to think about all the aspect before he invest in offshore real estate.

When is a down bay area real estate market going to hit bottom?

When is a down bay area real estate market going to hit bottom?

by Matt Larsen


This has been a very hot topic amongst the nation's top economists, professors and citizens. With many billions of dollars sitting on the sidelines watching the game, the magic question seems to be when is the market going to bottom out? It seems that many are waiting to get the deal of a century rather than recognizing the incredible opportunities that are here now. The sad truth is that when there is a hot market of any kind for potential huge returns, there is also the byproduct of greed that comes with it. The average person is heavily influenced by the media forgetting that their job is to sell the news. They are after ratings and not necessarily going to report the complete small details that are prevalent. The bay area is a magical place unlike any other. It is home to a very wide array of things to do and home to some of the best weather in the world.

I have clients tell me all the time that the best time to buy bay area real estate is not now. The market is going to go down further and it will then be the best time. The truth is that no one has a crystal ball and no one can predict for sure when the market will completely bottom out. It is however; a good idea to keep in minds the simple rules of supply and demand. This of course is going to be somewhat contingent on what type of property is sought after. With the extremely high cost of property here, it is difficult, although not impossible, to find income properties that will cash flow without a substantial down payment. The bay area is an industry leader for high tech, biotech, finance, money markets, trading floors, engineering and many other skilled professions. We also need to keep in mind that the bay area is home to some of the finest universities in the world including Stanford, The University of California at Berkeley, The University of California at San Francisco and many others. If we take these elements into consideration and add the fact that there is very little land to build, it would seem that there is and will be a definite demand for housing now and in the future. So again we visit the question when is the best time to buy?

In my opinion, with the huge selection of inventory and interest rates as low as they are, the best time to buy is now. Many make the mistake of wanting to wait until the absolute bottom hits so they don't lose any money. If a property that sold a year ago is being offered for twenty percent less today, is that a good deal? Of course it is. We need to keep in mind that in a short time the market is destined to rebound and the majority of us will only see the bottom of the market in the rear view mirror. A deal is a deal and if the price is right and one is ready to buy, do it. The truth is that in many areas of the San Francisco region, the prices are not going down they're going up. According to the latest numbers from Data Quick, The average median household value across nine bay area counties is four percent higher than it was a year ago. The closer you get to the heart of metropolis, the more the demand for that location. San Francisco, Marin and the peninsula have all gone up in value from this time last year. Alameda County is also us four percent from last year.

The bottom line is the bay area is a great place to live, work and play. There is a reason that it is expensive to live here. It is desirable! There are incredible deals for bay area property right now and who knows exactly how long it will last. Advise for people who are serious and actively in the market, find your property while the good deals are still here and be happy with what you've found. Contact Team Enterprise for more pointers and tips or to answer any questions that you may have.

Chennai Real Estate-its Consumer's Market

Chennai Real Estate-its Consumer's Market

by George Gonigal


Undergoing the period of correction for the past 6-months, Chennai real estate markets have finally started to stabilize, however the demand curve is still observed moving horizontally. As per industry reports, the city absorbed meager 13 per cent of the total supply of the residential space in the past quarter.

Chennai real estate received fresh additions of 3.4 million sq. ft of housing in the past quarter although a meager 0.47 million sq. ft of space was absorbed, studies point out.

Now that the prime banks like SBI, HDFC and ICICI have cut the interest rates on home loans, the markets are likely to catch up and real estate developers expect good time ahead this winter season.

Impact on prices

According to the Chennai based professionals, capital values in the residential real estate in Chennai had reached staggering levels that in fact were termed as unrealistic by buyers.

But now prices are almost down by 20 per cent, says R Ajay of Tirupati Real Estates. "But you cannot actually gauge that whether price corrections are spiking demand or not. Most of the new projects in the property markets of Chennai are actually making an oversupply and there is no junction between the volume of demand and supply," he adds.

Meanwhile, the prices of residential units in the sub-urban areas have moderated at the levels of Rs 2,500-4,000 per sq. ft, after peaking at Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000. The basic notion behind development of sub-urbs is generally low price range and if this factor escalates, there is no point people will consider buying properties in sub-urbs, Professor Raghu Aiyar commented.

Also, the investors who were expecting instant returns of 25-30 per cent on their property investment in Chennai are at tenterhooks, as the markets have been gradually shedding off all the speculative tendencies.

Outlook

It's consumer's market. Chennai Real Estate will add as many as 25,000 apartments in the next 12-24 months, from more than a dozen of townships alone and construction of standalone apartment buildings will further accumulate over the total additions.

In this scenario, the supply side would outstrip demand curve and of course, property sellers and developers have to downscale their margin expectations, say market analysts.

Residential Real Estate in Lucknow Sub-Urbs Shows Strength

Residential Real Estate in Lucknow Sub-Urbs Shows Strength

by George Gonigal


Disapproves the slowdown trends rampant across the country...

While housing in prime city locations of Lucknow remains traditionally congested, the residential properties at the suburban locations of Lucknow has picked up comparatively well in the past two quarters. Evidentially, the new projects are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities, and anyone looking to buy property in Lucknow is giving them a serious thought.

Of late, India's major real estate developers like Omaxe, Ansal, Sahara and Uppal Group have planned huge townships in the sub-urbs like Gomti Nagar, Meera Nagar, and Naya Hyderabad. In fact, construction of Omaxe's township at Mahanagar is in full blown. The 250-acre township would possess a mix of residential and retail units, to cater to the daily requirements of the residents out there.

The Lucknow administration is also quite actively improving the state of local infrastructure support the real estate developments. Construction and repair of roads is on at the affected parts of the city and due care has been given to the provisions of drinking water and other civic amenities in the city localities.

The heartland of the city like Chowk area and Aminabad are jam-packed, leaving no space for new developments.

Capital Values

The residential Lucknow Real Estate is moreover driven by the end-user segment but given the room for growth and returns, Lucknow properties offer now, investing in properties is fast catching trend in the city.

Take the instance of real estate at Jankipuram and Indiranagar. A healthy appreciation of 25-50 per cent has been marked in these areas despite the market slowdown observed all across the country.

The most significant factor that affects the demand scene in Lucknow is its capital values that are comparatively lower than the other popular real estate markets.

At present, the values hovers around Rs 1,200-Rs 1,800 psft at Gomti Nagar, while the price range of Rs 1,000-Rs 1,200 psft is marked at Hardoi Road. The same at Raibareli Road is by far one of the lowest at Rs 750-Rs 1,000 psft. Units at Omaxe Township though tread between the levels of Rs 1,800 psft and Rs 2,200 psft.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Melaque Real Estate sales on the rise.

Melaque Real Estate sales on the rise.

by Patrick Melaque


Melaque Real Estate Sales are on the Rise, the Next Mexico Hot Spots

Melaque real estate sales are on the rise as Canadians and Americans scramble to buy up any beach front property available. Melaque is quickly becoming a very popular ex patriot community for snow birds from the north. Many northerners retire and live in Melaque all year around, while others just stay in their vacation homes for the winter months. Melaque real estate has now become a hot commodity, with many buying up property looking to develop the next great Mexico retirement hot spot like Lake Chapala or Puerto Vallarta.

About Melaque

The peaceful beach resort of San Patricio Melaque is 60 km southeast of Chamela on lovely Bahia de Navidad. Melaque is easy to get to as the Manzanillo airport, Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) is only a 30 minute drive away and the major resort city of Puerto Vallarta is only a 3 hour drive.

Melaque is a popular Mexican family vacation destination that is not bombarded by tourists just yet, so you still get the feel of a authentic Mexican town. Melaque is famous for its week long Fiesta de San Patricio (St Patrick's Day Celebration) in march. This week of festivities includes all day parties, rodeos, a carnival, music, dances and nightly fireworks.

Other Hot Real Estate Markets around Melaque

The surrounding areas of Melaque are just as beautiful if not even more. Depending on what type of lifestyle you like there is something for you. Just 20 km. north of Melaque are the small, laidback fishing towns of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas. Surrounded by jungle these towns are home to many of the wildlife Mexico has to offer, including everything from exotic birds to crocodiles. The mangroves in La Manzanilla with the largest population of American crocodiles in the world outside of America are a sight to be seen. And for a family outing the iguana conservation center in Cuyutlan is a good experience.

Heading south just about an hour is the big bustling city of Manzanillo. With lots of people and lots of things to do, Mananillo is for the vacationer looking to experience Mexico but with some of the luxuries of home still. While be able to experience things like ATV tours through the tropical jungles or lying back on the beach, you can still have those days to yourself strolling through the shopping center and doing a bit of window shopping. And at night, go to one of the many amazing beachfront restaurants or maybe even dance the night away at one of the hot night spots like the sunset lounge, offering fine dining, drinks, and live entertainment.

Orlando Florida Real Estate: Awash with Opportunity

Orlando Florida Real Estate: Awash with Opportunity

by Doug Lasley


The real estate market has went through turbulent times in the past, however no market has ever been as stable as the Orlando Florida real estate market over the past decade. You may ask yourself, why has this been the case? The answer is simple: when a market has a self-sustaining vibrant economy, and is also a particularly sought after tourist location, international money markets can protect the real estate market in times of decline. In other areas of the US when the property market slumps, it slumps. In Orlando, on the other hand, demand among international buyers prop up demand in poor market conditions meaning property prices never decline for long. And as the most popular tourist location in the United States, which has high levels of employment, is it really difficult to comprehend why every property investor in the US wants to add some Orlando real estate to their portfolio?

However when the market conditions are so strong, is it really the best time to invest in the Orlando real estate market? There are many reasons why the answer is a resounding yes. Firstly, the US dollar is valued very low at the moment in relation to foreign currency. This means that foreign buyers will be able to allot more to buying Orlando real estate and it also means that tourists can afford to spend more when it comes to renting villas in the Orlando area. It is also the case that because our currency is trading particularly low at the moment that more tourists are going to be coming to the United States - meaning that areas which are more popular tourist locations are going to thrive.

The value of the dollar is only one reason why investment in real estate can be a great idea at the moment. Interest rates have never been better either! That's right, interest rates are very low at the moment, meaning that the cost of buying Orlando real estate will be much cheaper than it would usually be. As a buyer, this is certainly the time to invest as much as possible in the real estate market - as long as you can be confident that you will be able to fill your accommodation. And, when in the Orlando area, you can rely on tourists as well as locals to be able to live in your property.

Many people have achieved millionaire status and financial freedom through investing in the real estate market, however that is not to say that it is not without risk. While there is no investment opportunity that can ever result in certain returns, it is fair to say that there is no opportunity that is as a lucrative and as stable as real estate. Over time real estate prices can only go in one direction, and that is up! Real estate investment also creates cash flow and can usually be sold very easily. If you want to escape from the daily 9-5 grind, then investing in Orlando Florida real estate may just be the answer that you are looking for.

Investing In Orlando Real Estate

Investing In Orlando Real Estate

by Doug Lasley


The property market is awash with opportunity, creating more millionaires than anything else. There are many reasons why this is the case, and indeed many strategies that have been used. There is property development, buy-to-let, construction and many variations there of. One reason why real estate is so lucrative is that it's a business model that scales particularly well.

Why Does Real Estate Investment Scales So Well?

Real Estate investment scales much better than other business opportunities. One reason for this is that it's relatively easy to raise finance. Because real estate investment usually involves purchasing assets, rather than incurring expenses, financial services companies can relax knowing that they will be able to seize the property in the case of non-payment. When it comes to buy-to-let, as long as you have enough to place a deposit, you will be able to use rent to pay off interest repayments and and make contributions towards the actual loan. As you start to pay off more of the loan, using rental payments, you will be able to leverage the percentage of the mortgage that you have paid off to place a deposit on your next property - and so on. Also, it is relatively easy for one person to manage over $1 million worth of property assets - in some industries, such as car rental for example, the business model is far more administratively intensive.

Why Orlando Real Estate?

Orlando real estate investment is becoming a particularly attractive proposition for many reasons. A buoyant tourist-based economy attracts inwards investment and makes the real estate market in the area far more defensible when faced with economic issues that are specific to Orlando. This is because investment and demand come from within the Orlando area and further afield. While the stability that exists within the Orlando real estate market makes it an attractive opportunity, the diversity of its population also offers an additional reason why it can be a great option.

Investment Strategies

It has been said in the past, by management strategists, that diversification is only needed when you do not know what you are doing. While there may be some truth in this belief, you also have to consider the security that is offered by taking a multi-pronged approach to real estate investment. When it comes to Orlando real estate investment there is more than one approach that you can take. Why not consider one of the following, or a model that integrates more than one?

Property Development - buy properties, and invest in them in order to add value, then sell them. This type of property investment is good because it brings liquidity to the owner. With other forms of real estate investment it is often the case that profit ends up tied into assets.

Buy-to-let - buy properties with a view to renting them. This strategy works well in the Orlando area because it is possible to rent properties to tourists as well as renting them to regular tenants. The latter is less management intensive, and as a result means higher revenues -- but not necessarily higher profit margins. It's good to know that you can explore more than one option with this approach.

The Real Estate Pit And The Mortgage Pendulum

The Real Estate Pit And The Mortgage Pendulum

by Bernie Rosellen


The Real Estate Pit And The Mortgage Pendulum
What horrors await home sellers in the dungeons of the housing slump?

News headlines bombard us daily about the plight of the real estate market and it's wide reaching effects on the economy. You've read the stories of record numbers of foreclosures, the sub-prime mortgage fiasco, and declining home prices and sales. There is even talk of a recession.

What we all need to remember, however, is that most news reports that you read are based on national housing information. As you may know, real estate is local and not every area of the country experiences what is presented by governments, associations, and media. Although it is true that the housing market is in trouble just about everywhere in the country, the severity of conditions vary by area.

Out here in the trenches of Richmond va real estate and surrounding counties, which can be considered typical of many areas, we have seen home prices fall and properties are lingering on the market for months and months. Yes, things are not good for home sellers here, but we are not facing armageddon, either. Houses are still selling and home buyers are still buying homes. It is just taking longer to sell homes and the profits made on home sales have come down, but that is because the prices of houses where highly inflated just two years ago.

We're starting on the path of a corrected market. This is the case in many metropolitan areas such as Richmond. But, before we will get back to a normal real estate market, the momentum of the housing pendulum will cause the market to swing towards the other extreme from what we saw two years ago and put a deeper gash in the housing market before it swings back to equilibrium. The question remains - how deep will the pendulum's arc slice into the heart of real estate and how fast will it swing?

Things could get worse for both home sellers and home buyers before they get better from what I am seeing out here in the neighborhoods and tracking the market. Sellers are facing even longer selling times because of additional foreclosures hitting the market and job relocations. Home buyers are having a harder time qualifying for mortgages because of the sub-prime loan problems. It's a mess, no doubt, and we cannot really be sure how painful it all can get for those having to sell or buy a home.

You can probably make as good a prognosis of your local conditions as any of the real estate pundits, maybe even better, from just knowing a few stark realities. In order to survive the cuts from the pendulum, sellers need to be realistic with their profit expectations. Your opinion on what your house is worth is inconsequential. You will have to accept what buyers offer or not sell. Home buyers are the market, not sellers. And right now, buyers have the upper hand. They have more choices than ever.

And this brings us to the root of today's housing market woes. For sellers, the pressure from more homes coming on the market, exacerbated by the sub-prime complexities, will force them to lower prices if they have no choice but to sell. Home sellers will also have to wait even longer for their home to sell. I have seen sellers who just break even on the sale of their homes and some make very little profit, depending on how long they have owned their home. There are way fewer home buyers these days. There is more about this at http://www.VirginiaRealEstateNetwork.com, a website with free information and resources that is helpful to both buyers and sellers.

For home buyers it may seem that this is their heyday and super bargains are in the offing. To some perhaps, but to many, the mortgage pendulum is severing their ability to qualify for a mortgage that would have been readily available to them prior to current day, preventing them from buying a house or qualifying for refinancing.

Although the Fed has made a big cut in interest rates and President Bush has approved the bailout of certain foreclosure situations, there is still one part of the equation that is keeping the housing market from stabilizing - tighter mortgage criteria by spooked lenders is preventing many ready and willing buyers from qualifying for home financing.

As often happens when a crisis appears, those in control tend to overreact and enact regulations that send the pendulum swinging to the end of it's opposite arc before settling somewhere in the middle as natural forces slow it down. Because several large sub-prime mortgage lenders filed for bankruptcy and the number of foreclosures is climbing, most, if not all, mortgage lenders have tightened up on their lending practices to the point where many buyers can no longer qualify for a mortgage who normally would have. And I don't mean the high-risk borrowers that are now defaulting on their mortgages.

Before the real estate market gets any better, the mortgage pendulum needs to swing back down without creating a deeper gash in the availability of financing for more home buyers. Until banks and other lenders relax their criteria, the actions of the Fed and the White House will not have a significant enough of an impact to turn the housing market around. If the rate of the number of houses offered for sale continues to grow and the pool of able home buyers does not keep pace, conditions in the dungeon will only get worse as the pendulum comes ever closer with each swing.

Ciao for now,
Bernie Rosellen, Your Agent In The Field
Please keep in mind that my statements above are based on my personal experiences and observations around the neighborhoods of central Virginia. Some statements may not reflect fully the situations, regulations and laws of other states nor apply in all areas, so please see what applies in your state (my disclaimer to keep me out of Realtor Jail).

Discover How To Beat The I.R.S. With A Real Estate Tax Deduction

Discover How To Beat The I.R.S. With A Real Estate Tax Deduction

by Herb Wills


Itemizing individual purchases that are tax deducible may seem complicated or take a long period of time, but, the time to itemize tax deductions, like a Real Estate Tax Deduction, is worth it for many taxpayers.

A large number of job related expenses are also tax deductible. Union members are able to deduct their weekly, monthly, or yearly dues. Any workers who are required to travel for their job may use their job related travel as a tax deduction. A large number of workers are no longer provided with a work uniform; therefore, many individuals now have to purchase their own work supplies. Work clothing that is required, but not paid for by an employer, can be deductible.

Even though many taxpayers are able to claim merchandise, charitable contributions, or the use of a particular service on their income tax returns there are a lot who do not. This is because certain items and multiple deductions need to be itemized. Itemizing tax deductions, like a Real Estate Tax Deduction is a process that many individuals who do their own taxes choose to skip. Most of the time it's a long and difficult process; however, the payoff will probably be worth it in the long run. For those of you who have a large number legitimate tax deductions it may be wise to have the deductions itemized on their tax return. It is not uncommon for taxpayers to take their taxes to a professional preparer once they have made the decision to itemize their tax deductions.

For taxpayers choosing to itemize potential tax deductions on their federal tax return, there are manysteps that must be taken. Itemized deductions are commonly listed on a Schedule a form. This form is used to itemize and record each tax deduction. There are a large number of items, such as a Real Estate Tax Deduction, donations, and services that can be listed as tax deductible on income taxes. A full list of these itemized deductions can be found by visiting the website of the IRS at www.irs.gov. An instructions booklet for the Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, also contains a large detailed list of services and items that are tax deductible and any restrictions that may apply to each. The Schedule A form and instruction booklet can be picked up from a local post office, library, financial institution, or it can be printed off the internet.

Did you notice so far that this article is indeed related to Real Estate Tax Deduction? If not, go ahead and read on. You will find more information that can help you as regards Real Estate Tax Deduction or other related rental property tax deduction, tax deduction list, 529 tax deduction, tax tips, small business tax preparation and payroll tax withholding.

It was intriguing to find that many people, oblivious of their background, found this article related to [a [KEYWORDS]] and other tax audit, state tax deduction, and even tax deduction tips helpful.

If you stumbled upon this page because you misspelled Real Estate Tax Deduction with misspellings such as income tax deduxtion, income tad deduction, tax eduction, inc0me tax deduction or even income tax defuction. Don't panic because the information herein will also prove useful.

This MEGA website has many other superb articles that are either directly relevant to a Real Estate Tax Deduction or or remotely related to payroll tax deduction, sales tax deduction table, tax deduction rules, sales tax deduction, tax deductions mortgage and property tax deductions.

You have come to the end of this article related to a Real Estate Tax Deduction. It is our utmost hope that you found it not only helpful as regards a Real Estate Tax Deduction but in some way as regards sale tax deduction, sales tax deduction table, federal tax deduction, education tax deduction, tax attorneys and other Indiana property tax related information.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Do I Need a Real Estate Agent?

Do I Need a Real Estate Agent?

All of us like to keep as much of our money as we can. It's human nature. So when we make one of the biggest sales of our lives, we have to pause for a moment when we think about spending thousands of dollars on a real estate agent to handle the sale.

One of the biggest reasons that someone hires a real estate agent comes down to just one thing: time. If someone is selling a house, then they are probably looking for a new house or are shopping for items for a new house. They won't have the time to advertise, take calls, show the house, handle the negotiations and close the deal.

I don't know if it's this way in your state, but in mine, real estate agents have to be licensed by the state. Applicants sign up for a class at the end of which they take their real estate license test.

When selling your house, one of the first things that you need to do is set an accurate asking price. It's hard to set a price if you don't know how much the houses in your area have been selling for. A real estate professional has spent many hours going through the local listings and showing local houses, so he or she may have a far better idea as to what your house is worth.

Another area where real estate agents have a lot of experience is in negotiations. If more that one party wants your house, a skilful negotiator may be able to get more that the asking price for your house.

If you're thinking about selling your house by yourself, ask yourself how much do you know about escrow, inspection, appraisal, earnest money and closing? Be sure to think about all of these things when thinking about trusting a pro to handle your real estate transaction.

Naturally, you could always decide to be your own agent. Most of the people who sell their houses themselves, do so because they would like to put more cash in their pockets at closing.

I bought my first house in 1984 for $40,000.00. I beleave the going rate back then was 6%, so the real estate agent would have received $500.00.I could probably sell the house now for $300,000.00. I would have to pay a real estate agent about $15,000.00. This is a lot of money. I can see why people consider selling their own house.

The thing that I have to keep in mind is that I have experienced a significant amount of equity appreciation in the last 23 years. The trouble is; I won't see any of that appreciation unless I sell the house.

If you're confident that your house will sell for a great deal, perhaps you can talk your agent into accepting a flat fee for the transaction.

If I did sell the house myself I could lower the asking price by the amount equal to what a real estate agent would charge or if I could get my full asking price, or I could keep all of the profits, but this would be a gamble.

Whether or not you decide to sell you own home will be up to you. Your decision will be based mainly on whether you have the time available, the patience, the knowledge and the confidence

In summary, I can understand the peace of mind that comes from hiring a real estate professional, but then maybe I just lack the confidence. My hope is that you can use the above paragraphs to honestly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses when deciding whether or not to hire a real estate professional to help with your sale.

What is the Difference Between Commercial and Residential Real Estate Brokers?

What is the Difference Between Commercial and Residential Real Estate Brokers?

by Anthony Seruga and Yolly Bishop


If you are considering getting involved in real estate investing, you will have the choice to invest in commercial real estate, residential real estate, or maybe even both. However, there are actually many people out there that do not realize that a real estate broker who has been trained in residential real estate is not going to be capable of handling commercial real estate transactions. Before you get started in the field of investing it is important that you understand that the commercial real estate market is much different than that of residential real estate and the possible risks and issues involved in commercial real estate are much more complex. So, it only makes sense that there would be quite a few differences between commercial and residential real estate brokers.

Methods of Property Valuation One of the main differences between residential and commercial real estate brokers is the way that the properties are valued. When it comes to residential real estate, usually the properties are valued by using comparable sales. However, when it comes to commercial real estate, the income valuation approach is the common method used, with the exception of valuing raw land. Most of the time commercial property is purchased for investment purposes, so the valuation is usually based on an analysis of the investment potential.

This analysis of commercial real estate usually takes into account both the operating income as well as the operating expenses of the property. Then, the value of the property is calculated from the net operating income as well as the factor known as the capitalization rate. In some cases comparable sales are used to value commercial property; however, this is primarily used to determine the value of raw land, while most commercial properties are valued with the income valuation approach.

Different Issues When it comes to commercial real estate, there are very different issues to deal with for each property, which is another reason that there are differences between commercial and residential real estate brokers. There are far more issues to deal with when you are working with commercial properties. The broker will need to have extensive knowledge on each commercial real estate property type and various factors associated with that type of property. Some of the factors they must know include business trends, utilities, leasing practices, job growth, environmental impacts, regional transportation, and local zoning planning commission requirements.

Promise to Purchase Another difference between commercial real estate agents and residential real estate agents is that they have to be prepared to deal with very different issues when it comes to promise to purchase and how that promise may be terminated. Terminating the promise to purchase is much more difficult when it comes to residential real estate. Usually the conditions of a promise to purchase residential real estate include various financing conditions as well as the inspection. In some cases, the buyer may be able to cancel the promise to purchase by following a procedure that is quite strict and may include terminating the promise if the inspection reveals problems with the property.

When it comes to commercial real estate, the buyer has much more leeway when it comes to the promise to purchase. After the promise to purchase is made, the buyer goes through a period of due diligence, in which the buyer has various verifications of the property completed, including condition of the property, zoning, permits, verifying financial results, and going through environmental inspections. If the buyer is not satisfied with the outcome of the due diligence period, he may terminate the promise to purchase with no consequences.

As you can see, there are definitely quite a few differences between the practices that occur in residential real estate and practices that occur in commercial real estate. If you want to be successful, you will need to use a broker experienced in the type of property you are planning to purchase. If you are interested in commercial real estate, then you'll need a seasoned commercial real estate broker for the best results.

Real Estate in Bangalore

Real Estate in Bangalore

by Jia Dany


Real Estate is nothing but real property; Real estate agencies are those people who buy or sell the property to the clients who need the property. For this the real estate agents will get commissions from their clients. In Bangalore like cities the real estate business has a great role. Most of the companies and peoples are buying or selling their properties through the real estate agencies. If you want to buy a flat or a land in Bangalore its difficult to get when you directly going to search, but once you contact with a real estate agency then you feel its easier to get your land or flat or anything. No need of tension and no need to take your time to search.

The real estate agencies will contact you once they get the land or building whatever you want to buy or sell. The major advantage is that you will get lots of selections and you don't want to be the part of searching your buyer or seller. Only you have to do is that once the real estate agencies calls then just contact with them and decide about your properties.

Bangalore is a wide area, if you need a property to sell or buy or rental then you just go and contact with a real estate agency and tell your conditions to them. This is the only thing you need to do for your side to start your search, after this the agencies will do the searching part; you can carry on your works. No need of spending time for this searching.

There is lots of real estate agencies are there in Bangalore. So once you are contacting or going to do a deal with a real estate agency, know all of their terms and conditions, mainly their commission terms.

Westport Capital Partners Invests in Residential Real Estate in India

Westport Capital Partners Invests in Residential Real Estate in India

by propertiesmls


WestWestport Capital Partners LLC announced that it is developing a residential real estate complex in Hyderabad, India. Westport is working with a local development partner to build the project. Total development costs will be approximately $100 million.port provides domestic and international investment opportunities to institutional and private clients. Headquartered in Westport, CT, the firm also has offices in Los Angeles and Mumbai, India. Westport applies a fundamental, value-oriented approach to investing in real estate and maintains the flexibility to purchase real properties, mortgages, equity and debt in both private and public market opportunities.

The project, which sits on 60 acres of land, will consist of 330 villas of approximately 3,500 square feet each. Construction, to be done in phases, has begun and final completion will be in approximately four years. The villas are for sale to private owners and several of the units have already been reserved.

Hyderabad is a city of approximately six million people in southern India. Known for its educated workforce, rapidly improving infrastructure and proactive municipal government, it has developed dynamic Information Technology, Technology Services, and Biotech industries. In 2006, Information Technology job growth was 18%.

Greg Geiger, Westport Principal, said, "We are excited about the prospects for residential real estate growth in India, and in Hyderabad in particular. The demographics show a clear need for new housing and the rising income of the population will support developments such as this one. We will continue to look for opportunities in India."

Destination, Emerging, Faridabad, Real Estate

The Emerging Real Estate Destination of Faridabad

by George Gonigal


Chasing the real estate development in its counterpart cities of Gurgaon and Noida, Faridabad has emerged up as one of the most sought after destinations for property investment in the National Capital Region (NCR), in the past couple of years.

Of course, real estate investment in Faridabad offers a substantial room for growth unlike most parts of Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida that have already reached their peak levels, and perhaps that's why investors now prefer to park their monies in the emerging property market of Faridabad.

Well, the city, of late has been shedding off its image of a traditional industrial city that remained secluded in the region for decades, and you can now witness modern properties with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities all across the city.

Residential real estate scenario

Faridabad has been a subject of intense construction activities at least for the past 5-years, and country's most prestigious real estate developers have launched their projects in the city quite ambitiously.

Omaxe, Eros and RPS have already set up their foothold in the city with their huge residential projects, while Business Park Town Planners (BPTP) is set to develop a mega township, covering as much as 1500 acre of land in Sectors 5 and 7.

As per an estimate, Faridabad will add some 15.94 million sq. ft of space in the residential real estate, by 2009-10, and the demand side would keep a decent pace with the supply. However, the city-based consultants point out that the absorption rates would still remain low owing to the excessive additions in the segment. In this case, it may be mistaken that markets are slowing down but in actuality, the supply would be far in excess of the demand volumes, say Abheek Sharma of Fairdeal Properties.

On Capital Values

The capital prices of residential properties in prime areas have reportedly gone up by 25 per cent in the past 18 months, although the same have been stabilizing for quite some time now.

At present, the capital values that vary between Rs 1,450 and Rs 3,850 per sq. ft for apartments in prestigious projects may fetch marginal appreciation. According to industry veterans, investing in Faridabad Real Estate could be beneficial with long-term horizon of 5-10 years.

AGENT REAL ESTATE