Dallas Lake Front Real Estate

Among the many real estate options that Dallas has to offer, lakefront homes form an important category. There are approximately 3-4 dozen lakes within a 100 mile radius of the greater Dallas metropolitan area. With a size of 22,745 acres, Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the largest lakes in the area, and runs through Dallas County.

Lakefront real estate consists of homes that face a lake or ones that have a water view. This type of real estate is sought after by people who enjoy water sports, boating, fishing, or would just like to live near a large mass of water. Some of these homes enable you to fish from your own dock, which adds to the fun. Most of the lakefront homes include boat slips or are by the harbor. Some of these have boat houses or boat slips that come with decks that are wide open.

Dallas has lakefront real estate featuring lake frontage or lake views. Some of these properties are also found close to the many small and large lakes that cover the Dallas area. The large lakes are found in the suburbs of Rockwall, Flower Mound, and Rowlett. The small lakes, some of which are man-made, are found in the suburban areas of McKinney, Frisco and Plano. Apart from these areas, lakefront real estate is also found in the Dallas city area, and in the suburbs of Arlington, Colleyville, and Southlake. Prices range from $100,000 for a lake front property in Rockwall or Rowlett to over a million dollars in parts of Dallas proper, or Plano.

Within the Dallas city area, two of the most popular lakes are While Rock Lake and Lake Highlands. The latter is situated close to the residential area of Casa Linda. Dallas lakefront real estate offers ample opportunities for families and communities to be near the facilities that a large city offers, yet enjoy the comforts of a lakefront or lake view home that permits boating and fishing.

Dallas Real Estate provides detailed information on Dallas Real Estate, Dallas Lake Front Real Estate, Dallas Real Estate Agencies, Dallas Commercial Real Estate and more. Dallas Real Estate is affiliated with Austin Commercial Real Estates.

Changes to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (PAMD) Queensland Australia

Amendments to the PAMD Act 2000 are effective today (21st August 2006). Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech claims that the amendments will make property buyers and sellers more confident of getting value for money and improved consumer protection.

We are not so sure these amendments will work in achieving those aims. The basic changes to the PAMD Act 2000 are effectively;

A) Bidders at Auctions will have to register prior to Auction, including providing suitable identification and receiving a marker to identify when they make a bid.

B) Any Market Opinions an agent provides to a property seller will need to be substantiated by a comparative market analysis (CMA).

Now call me a cynic about the behaviour of real estate agents, but these are really not going to achieve the goals of cleaning up the behaviour of dishonest real estate agents.

These legislated changes really only make the honest hard working agents, and yes they do exists, more honest. The dishonest agents will get around this in no time, whilst buyers and sellers believe the system will protect them.

Consider these approaches to both of the above changes.

A) The dishonest agent can still get a friend or an associate to register at an auction. That person can be informed of how high to bid ? so that they bid just below the reserve, to try and get the potential real buyer to increase their bids. Even if no-one bids after the friend or associate bids ? they are still below the reserve price, so it just looks to all and sundry like there were some serious buyers interested in that property. Additionally did you know that the Auctioneer can bid on behalf of the Vendor. This is called a vendor bid, and the way an auctioneer does those bids can still influence a potential buyer into believing they are bidding against a genuine bidder.

B) A market opinion is not a property valuation. It?s the opinion of the real estate agent on what the likely sale price of a property will be. They now must substantiate his opinion by comparing similar type properties that sold within 5km of the property in question. Now I reckon 5km covers quite a lot of ground, in-fact it could cover suburbs that have a significantly lower average price. Additionally what about the time frame ? is last 6 months a good indication. Last 12months. The market opinion is simply not a valuation done by a professional independent valuer. The agent has an agenda, they will substantiate to their hearts content and legitimately under the PAMD Act, to get the result they are after.

Sorry Mrs Keech we don?t believe either of these changes do anything to address the dishonest agents, and the process they employ.

If a property seller wants to feel truly comfortable they should seek an independent valuation. Then they can decide whether they need to use an agent or not.

As for auctions, considering current auction clearance rates in Queensland, forget the dummy bidder, you?d be a dummy seller.

Michael Eroz

Property Analyst

http://www.zeroagents.com.au

Attention Real Estate Developers What Is In Your Business Plan?

Do you need a real estate development business plan? You will if you want to obtain financing for your project. The first thing any lender or private investor will want to see is your real estate development business plan. This plan is specific for development of real estate. Your business plan will tell your story in an organized and concise manner. It will provide all of the critical information needed to judge your project. A well-written and professional looking business plan is crucial for your success in obtaining financing.

Most real estate developers make the mistake of not creating a good business plan or even getting professional assistance in developing their business plan. They will use the excuse of not having enough time or they can?t find the data. Don?t let that be your excuse! All a real estate development business plan really is, is the answers to a bunch of questions! You will learn what to include in your real estate development business plan.

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary should provide a complete overview of your project & company. This will include:

• Brief description of the overall project. For example, develop a 4 star, 250 room luxury hotel in downtown St. Louis, Missouri.
• Brief overview of the company ? Is it a corporation, LLC, etc? Who are the owners and/or board members? Brief company history & experience level.
• Brief summary of the market & demand.How large is the market and at what stage of development is the market currently in?
• Brief summary of the competition and what separates you from them?
• Brief description of key Management team members.
• Key financials - total acquisition & construction costs, nature & use of funds, future revenue & expenses.

The Executive Summary should be brief and an outline to your overall business plan. Now lets take a look at the specifics in the real estate development business plan.

The Company

This part of the business plan should give full details about how and when the company was formed. It should indicate the legal structure of the company, as well as where it is licensed. A key piece of information about the company is the company owners. Name all of the principals and their percentage of ownership.

Project Description

This section of the plan is where you explain your project in detail. Remember, you are selling your project so that you can get the funding you need! Is this a hotel development project? Is this a luxury, single-family home community project? Is this a multi-tenant shopping center? Give all the details about the project. For instance, lets continue with our hotel example. You will want to name the other amenities that will be located at the hotel, such as swimming pool, tennis courts, the number of conference rooms, etc. How many of the rooms will be suites? What other features & benefits will your project have?

You will also want to address where you currently are in the project. Has the land been purchased or optioned? Where are you in the permitting process? Has the architecture plans been drawn? How much time & capital has been spent on your project to date?

The Market

In this section you will provide the market type & size, current & potential growth rate, and relative stage of development of the area. You should also address why you chose this particular area. You should discuss any forthcoming changes in the market, government regulations, economy, and short-term & long-term trends. If you have performed any feasibility studies, you will want to include it as well as the source of the feasibility study.

The Marketing Plan

The main objective of any developer is to sell the homes, the stores or the hotel. And this can only be accomplished with a well thought out marketing plan. Who will handle your sales efforts? Will they be in-house or out-sourced? How will the pricing/leasing/room rate be determined? Will there be any brand or strategic partnerships involved? What is your marketing budget (in a table format).

The Competition

Any lender or investor in your project will want to feel comfortable that you know who your major competitors are. They will want to know that you have done a thorough competitive analysis. Name and describe all key competitors. What are their strengths & weaknesses? How will your project compare? What are your projects strengths & weaknesses?

The Management Team

In this section, you will want to go into further detail about the principals involved. You will need to highlight the team?s relevant experience and previous successful projects?

Well what if this is your first project?

Then you want to make sure that you have an excellent support team in place. These team members should have the experience that you are lacking (team members doesn?t necessarily mean company ownership). These team members can be legal, accounting, construction, architecture, etc. So for this section of the real estate development business plan, you will want to include:

• Resumes/biographies on all principals & management team members
• Organizational chart
• Board of Directors

The Financials

Since the primary objective of your business plan is to obtain financing, you will want to address what type of financing you are seeking and how much capital is needed. You will want to state how much money you have on hand (and where did you get it from) and how much money you have spent to date.

Everything that you have put into your real estate development business plan up to now should support your financial assumptions and projections. You will want to include a statement that shows a breakdown of construction and acquisition costs. You will want to include an Income statement that will outline income and expenses for the next five years after construction. It should follow GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and contain specific revenue & expense categories. You will want to include a Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Analysis.

Now that you know what to include in your real estate development business plan, make sure that your business plan presents itself in a professional manner.

• Use a table of contents, with numbered pages.
• Make sure that the writing style is simple and conversational.
• Don?t use long or complex sentences.
• Paragraphs should be short & simple.
• Use graphics & pictures but don?t get carried away.
• Use charts & tables to back up your data.
• State all sources of your data and studies.
• Proofread your real estate development business plan for grammatical and spelling errors.
• Have someone else proofread it for you.
• If you have the resources, hire a professional business plan writer.

Visit http://www.all-about-commercial-mortgages.com to learn more about commercial properties and commercial financing. Educate yourself before buying that commercial property!

Patti Porter is a Commercial Mortgage Broker specializing in income producing properties.

Why Would You Use An Estate Agent When Buying Spanish Property Part 1

Who would want use an estate agent? Part 1

I have received many messages recently regarding estate agents who, it appears are getting a battering for a number of reasons ?lack of professionalism, high commission charges, leaving clients in the lurch, and acting on their own interests. Whether a buyer or seller ? is it worth using an estate agent?

Let me start by saying this article is neither in condemnation nor defence of estate agents, their commissions or practices, it is a reflection on the contrast and similarities between here and other countries ? primarily the UK. We will look at how they charge ? what they do for their money and whether or not it is worth it. I will be playing devils advocate on both parts to balance the equation ? even though by being an agent myself I am naturally going to have a bias.

We will look at how to go about buying or selling a property without an agent. As you would imagine this is will be emotive. Many will agree or disagree with what is said and if that facilitates debate and at least gets you thinking it has achieved its objective ? ?oh no he?s off again ? more controversy?, I hear you cry.

I would hope to spark a debate about your experiences, whether good bad or indifferent, how this measured up against your expectations, what was promised and how you felt before, during and after the process. If you have any comments about this article or the subject in general then please respond.

You give love a bad name

There is no doubt that estate agents have a bad name in Spain. Most of the stories I hear are full of ?Don?t use these agents? ?watch out for high charges? ?Rip off merchants abound? ? X left me high and dry?. I even know of one couple who were left 20kms from Gandia by a large agent based in Gandia because they refused to give certain details to the agent. This was an elderly couple left in the middle of nowhere

So why has the industry received such a lot of negative press in recent years and is it warranted?

Most of us have experienced buying in Spain and I would bet that most have bought through an agent. There are many anecdotal cases of rip off agents ? people charging what they can get away with? indeed I know of four such cases. But are all agents the same?

As in all walks of life there are good and bad people and it is usually the bad that give the rest a bad name. A lot of foreign agents are probably guilty of nothing more than ineptitude, lack of professionalism and a lack of knowledge. However there can be serious repercussions when things go wrong.

Let?s tackle probably the most contentious issue ? estate agents commissions.

How many times do we hear that estate agents overcharge in Spain? How can UK agents charge 1-2% yet their Spanish counterparts charge 3-6% and more. Let?s set aside the rip off agents and assume the ones we are talking about charge 3-6% fees. What on earth can justify these high charges?

Wait a moment! High charges!

Do you know that in Germany, France, Belgium and Holland the average sales commission is 6% and can be as high as 10%, it is 6% - 7% in the USA. No wonder Dutch and Belgian clients don?t balk at such commissions here But because UK buyers expect to pay 1-2% other countries should follow suit. But we aren?t comparing apples with apples here. According to the API ? the professional body of estate agents similar to the NAEA ? a realistic level of commission is between 3% and 6% depending on the transaction. They even give advice as to what type of properties should attract what type of commissions.

But why are real estate agent commissions so high. If UK agents can make a profit (and they obviously can) from charging 1-2% why cant Spanish agents.

Typical UK agent

They have an office in town, their catchment area is 5 mile radius and there are probably 10 agents locally compare to Oliva - a small town - there are at least 30 agents probably more home based intermediaries.

UK agents advertise in the local press, have a website and are probably part of a bigger group and/or advertise on a property portal. They give you a valuation of your property, put up a for sale sign and then wait.

Once the buyer enters the office (rather than the agent going to the buyer) they take them to view the house ? or do they? When selling my UK house the agent just sent the people. When an offer is accepted they inform both parties and their solicitors and arrange a mortgage (mainly because they get a commission? but in fairness they have to be regulated to offer mortgage advice).

After sale ? what do they do? I cannot remember the name of one single estate agent that sold my houses in UK (and there have been a few(, none bothered to keep in touch afterwards. So forget after sales service it doesn?t exist.

They also probably sell in the region of 20 -30 properties per month (they have most houses exclusively so if a client wants that house they have to go there) and smaller, more densely populated area. They can also see 5 or 6 clients per day ? or more if there is more than one person in the office.

So in summary then a UK based agent will do the following

1.Value your house and probably have it exclusively or charge you double if you go with another agent

2.Put it in their office window

3.Put it on their website

4.Maybe you will be part of their normal display ad

5.Arrange viewings for you

6.Assist in the negotiation

7.Inform both parties of a sale pending subject to offer.

8.Sit back and wait until the commission is paid

9.All this for between 1 and 2%

Next issue we will take a look at their Spanish counterparts and see what they do to justify their charges. If you have any comments on the subject matter or want any advice then please feel free to contact me. vbtudor@spanishproperty-direct.com and for more articles about buying in Spain look at the website www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk

Next issue we will take a look at their Spanish counterparts and see what they do to justify their charges. If you have any comments on the subject matter or want any advice then please feel free to contact me. vbtudor@spanishproperty-direct.com and for more articles about buying in Spain look at the website http://www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk. If you would like a copy of the free guide to buying a property in Spain then drop me an email and I will send you a copy by return.

Buying Your First Home?

You?ve finally decided to take the plunge and buy your first home. While the journey may feel terrifying and confusing, there are some basic steps you can?and should?take before hitting the pavement in search of your future home. Instead of feeling overwhelmed you can arm yourself with the knowledge you?ll need to make informed decisions as you begin your path to home ownership.

Becoming educated in the common practices in your area is the absolutely number one objective on your list. Pick up the phone and call local real estate agents, bank loan officers, and mortgage brokers. Be warned, some will attempt to coerce you into making an appointment?this is not necessary at this stage?and is their way of getting you to sign an agreement you are not ready to sign. Explain clearly that you are in research mode only and need no more than 15 minutes of their time to get your questions answered. It?s important to talk to several professionals as different perspectives and viewpoints will give you a broader spectrum of information in which to base your decisions on.

What to ask

1.Find out what disclosures (facts that materially affect the value of the property) the seller is required by your state to disclose. This varies state to state, so it is extremely important you know what your state laws mandate. Realize that in most cases, the seller is only required to disclose information he/she already knows about the property. What this means is the seller is not obligated to hire professionals, but is required to disclose in ?good faith? any personal knowledge on the property which may affect its financial worth.

2.Ask about standard home inspections. A standard home inspection will give you information on the physical structure itself and the systems inside the home. You need to know what the average cost is in your state, who usually pays for it, and when it is commonly done. Most standard home inspections are paid for by the buyer, but sometimes the seller will split the costs. If you?re in a repressed market or the homeowner is anxious to sell, he may pay for the inspection fully.

3.A title search will have to be performed to rule out any issues with the deed of the property. Who conducts this search and what is the average cost?

4. What are other potential costs you should be aware of? Taxes, settlement agent fees, and commissions are just a few of the ?other? costs you should ask about.

5.It?s also a good idea to find out the average amount of time it takes for a loan to close once an offer has been accepted. This can, and will, vary, because often it has more to do with the personal preferences of the buyer and/or the seller. Be aware of potential time sinks before you begin your search.

6.If you do choose to use a real estate agent to assist you in locating your future home, find out if they?ll help you compose an offer when you?re ready to make one. If they use a standard form, find out if you can get a copy for your own reference. Always be informed on what the agent is giving to the seller.

What?s next?

Get a copy of your credit report, from several sources if possible, and make sure it is correct. If there is incorrect information on your credit report, contact the reporting credit agency and ask for a dispute form. Once you receive the form, fill it out and send it back certified with return receipt requested. When applying for loans your credit score will be the determining factor in getting you the lowest percentage interest rate possible. Make sure the information is factual and then work with what you have. A low score does not mean you can?t buy a house. If this is a concern of yours, find out what programs are available for less than perfect credit.

How much can you afford? You may already know this, but if you don?t, figure it out. The standard rule is your mortgage payment, taxes, and homeowners insurance shouldn?t be more than 28% of your gross income. However, this still may be too much, depending on your other financial obligations. Be honest with yourself and what you can afford to pay out each month. Consider any possible extra costs with home ownership; i.e. new appliances, new carpet, landscaping, and normal home maintenance. Don?t dig yourself into a financial hole you may not be able to get out of.

What type of loan should you get? This is not an easy question to answer, and the best course of action is more research. There are multiple mortgage internet sites you can start with to educate yourself on the types of loans available. In fact, you should definitely pick up the phone once again to make sure you completely understand the loans you are considering. Mortgage brokers and bank loan officers want your business?they will be more than happy to answer your questions and even send you specific loan information.

With this basic, yet important, information at your disposal; you are ready to begin the search for your future home. Always remember that knowledge is key in every aspect of purchasing a home, do not be hesitate in getting the facts you need in any area of the process. Ask questions, be informed, and you will arrive at the other end the confident owner of a new home.

? Copyright: Tracy Leigh Ritts
http://www.TracyLeighWrites.com

Metal Building Kits

Metal building kits are a great alternative to traditional building. Companies that specialize in metal building kits provide a high-quality product that allows the home or business owner several options. Metal buildings are a sturdy, cost-effective alternative to traditional wood structures.

Metal building kit options exist for both homes and businesses. You can purchase kits for extra storage, sheds, garages, and even metal houses. There are also a lot of commercial and industrial options. You can find kits for airplane hangars, extra storage, larger buildings, and even correctional facilities.

There are many advantages to choosing metal building kits over the more traditional building methods. Metals such as steel are more durable than wood, especially in climates that have extreme weather. However, even if you are not in a climate with weather extremes, the extra benefit of durability is always a positive, especially if you consider factors such as fires, which can exist in any area. Metal buildings and houses offer extra protection against damage from things like fires, floods, and insects.

If you do choose a metal building kit for your latest construction project, keep in mind that it doesn?t necessarily mean that you need to install it yourself. Hiring an expert can save you time, money, and extra hassle. They have experience putting together kits and can do so in half the time. Also, mistakes made by someone who is inexperienced can end up costing more money in the long run.

Metal building kits are a great alternative to traditional buildings and structures made of wood. Metal buildings and houses are more durable than their wooden counterparts. Choosing metal buildings can also help save you money both on the design of the building and the construction. Since the kits are well designed and engineered, you can be assured of a high-quality product.

Metal Buildings provides detailed information on Metal Buildings, Metal Storage Buildings, Metal Building Kits, Commercial Metal Buildings and more. Metal Buildings is affiliated with Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings .

7 Tips to Real Estate Agent?s Success: Tip #5 Create a Financial Budget

Every business demands a financial budget and the real estate agent?s practice is no exception. Small business financial budgeting is critical given the historically ups and downs of the real estate market place. Your financial budget should plan for your marketing costs, any additional costs such as education and your forecasted income.

Most individuals recognize that a budget improves overall financial performance. Yet, when it comes to a business, many small business owners drop the ball and ignore this critical step in improving their own financial business success.

Projected profit and loss (P&L) are part of any business plan. Actual P&L figures can be found within any completed tax return. P&L statements can be quite complex if the organization has high dollar volume. For the typical real estate agent, P&L statements are quite simple and probably take only 1 to 2 hours per month to complete and review depending upon the agent?s record keeping whether software driven or paper and pencil. These projections should be monthly and followed up with actual expenditures.

A financial budget has 2 categories:

• Revenue
• Expenses

Revenue is determined by your products and services. Revenue should be broken down for the real estate person into listings and sales and tied to the marketing plan and overall sales goals.

Expenses need to be consistently measured and managed. Specific categories may include:

• Staffing compensation
• Staffing benefits
• Other staffing costs
• Dues and subscriptions
• Marketing (business cards to purchased leads' lists)
• Management fees
• Office supplies
• Professional fees
• Rent
• Internet fees
• Advertising
• Telephone
• Utilities
• Travel ? gas
• Travel ? lodging
• Travel ? food
• Entertainment
• Education

Having a written financial budget will assist you in keeping within your projections. But, most importantly, a financial budget that you actively review will help to ensure that you are not one of the 40% or 80% who drop out after the first year and will allow you to be one of the 10% who stay within the real estate industry after 3 years.

P.S. Read the previous tip 7 Tips to Real Estate Agent?s Success: Tip #4 - Establish Sales Goals

Leanne Hoagland-Smith quickly doubles results for her clients from individuals (small businesses owners, entrepreneurs and young people) to large organizations by creating executable strategic action plans along with the necessary business skills to pull it off. By closing the gap between today's unsatisfactory performance to tomorrow's goals, limited resources are maximized with waste including time being reduced. Please feel free to contact Leanne at 219.759.5601 or visit http://www.processspecialist.com/ and explore how she can help you.

One quick question,if you could secure one new client or breakthrough that one roadbloack holding you back from success, what would that mean to you? Then, take a risk and give a call at 219.759.5601 to experience incredible results.

Mention that you read this article and receive a complimentary 45 minute coaching session.

P.S. If you are seeking an affordable speaker for that special event, Leanne may help fit your current speaking need.

Tucson Commercial Real Estate

There are thousands of Tucson commercial real estate properties, and you will surely find the right office or retail space, or commercial land you are looking for if you know where and when to look. Here are some pointers.

Online Tucson commercial property finders

There are a lot of helpful web resources that allow you to search by specific area, and allow you to specify whether you are looking to lease or buy, the number of square feet you need, the price range you can afford, and even your reason for buying. Most sites are owned by Tucson real estate agencies and brokerage companies, and they usually provide this service free of charge. Some sites require you to at least register before letting you access the property finder portals, though. The registration forms are fairly short - it will probably take you less than 30 seconds to complete them. Be careful about giving your email address though, because the site may start sending you unsolicited Tucson real estate news.

Perfect timing

The most optimum time for purchasing commercial property in Tucson is when the prices are low. This usually happens the properties listed outnumber the buyers. Expect that you will be able to haggle during such periods. Given the booming commercial real estate industry in Tucson, though, you may not get the lowest prices. Most sellers - especially those who bought the properties as investments - mark up about 20 percent or more.

How do you get the commercial property you want without breaking the bank? Find a good Tucson real estate agent. The key is not just to find the cheap deals - more importantly, you need to find it fast, ahead of other aggressive buyers. Choose a real estate agent that get you do the latest listings earlier and you already have a clear advantage.

To save on money, you can also look into for sale by owner Tucson commercial properties. This lets you are the seller cut through the middleman and negotiate your own terms. This arrangement can potentially save you thousands of dollars, but it can also cost you more if you have no background in real estate. The property may turn out to be overpriced, and without a qualified Tucson real estate agent who is well-versed in Tucson zoning and current commercial estate market rates, you will never know this until you have already paid.

Tucson Real Estate provides detailed information on Tucson Real Estate, Tucson Real Estate Agents, Tucson Residential Real Estate, Tucson Commercial Real Estate and more. Tucson Real Estate is affiliated with Scottsdale Arizona Real Estate Agent.

Downturn in Home Ownership Can Be a Windfall to Savvy Investors

With the housing market beginning to cool and interest rates on the rise, this may be an excellent time for investors to buy rental properties. The combination of those two market factors, along with an increase in the number of folks looking for new housing, could spell big profits for savvy real estate investors.

In the second quarter of 2006, home ownership actually rose somewhat, to 68.7 percent (although it was up less than a half percentage point), but that figure is down more than a percentage point from the high point, which occurred in the second quarter of 2004 (69.2 percent). Although that rise may be good for real estate sellers, recent interest rates, coupled with a large increase in property values during the housing boom many areas of the country experienced over the last several years, have made it much more difficult for buyers to get into homes of their own.

What does that mean to investors? It means that even at during the peak of home ownership in 2004, more than 3 out of every 10 Americans still rented the houses in which they lived, and it appears as if that figure may increase. In the last week of July 2006, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that applications for home loans had reached a four-year low. As an investor, those figures should spark your interest, because they indicate that more people are being forced to rent, whether they want to or not, until market factors adjust to make home ownership more feasible.

That fact was borne out in a recent survey by the National Multi Housing Council, which discovered that some 75 percent of apartment executives reported lower vacancy rates, higher rents, or both. In fact, the survey found that the Market Tightness Index, which is used to measure rental market conditions, increased to 85 in the second quarter of 2006, which was the highest number on record. Any number above 50 on that scale indicates improving market conditions for landlords, and it's been above 50 for 12 consecutive quarters. (The last time it was below 50 was July 2003.)

All of these factors offer a clear indication that owning rental properties makes more sense than it has in a long time, and that trend appears set to continue for some time to come. That conclusion was verified when a study by Harvard University identified a number of demographic forces that are combining to strengthen the rental housing market, especially echo boomers and second-generation Americans. The fact that investors are having to pay higher interest rates to buy rental properties has also translated into increased rents over the past few years.

With home buyers having more difficulty financing their dream homes, it appears as if the rental market will continue to strengthen for some time, at least until a market correction brings down home prices, which have been spiraling significantly over the past few years. As more and more people begin to look at renting as an option while they wait for that correction, savvy investors may be able to experience increased profits by adding more rentals to their inventory.

Copyright ? 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher teaches beginning real estate investors four ways to make money in any real estate market. Free Real Estate Investing Business Plan and free ebook, The Truth about Making Money Flipping Houses at http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com

Austin Real Estate Brokers

A person whose business is to market immovable property on behalf of clients is called a real estate agent. They find buyers for those trying to sell real estate, and sellers for those who want to buy property. Austin is currently experiencing a real estate boom. There are many real estate agents in Austin who give great service to their clients.

As there is high competition, these agents charge reasonable prices. Buyer's agents in Austin get their share from the proceedings of the sale; hence, buyers receive free service. For sellers, most of the agents give free cost-market analyses. Normally, the commission is given upon finding a satisfactory buyer for the real estate for sale. The estate agents do the advertising for the seller. The special laws and rules are made for the dual agents who serve both buyers and sellers at the same time.

There are many agents who perform specialized tasks, like selling ranches, selling houses, selling commercial property, etc. Many agents are tied up with the builders. With predefined contracts they get a commission from the builders.

Due to stiff competition, the agents in Austin provide good service in order to retain customers. Austin?s real estate brokers use the latest in technology and the Internet to make buying or selling profitable and enjoyable. They provide help in getting loans and making documents. Since word of mouth publicity is very important in this profession, and a satisfied customer is the best referrer, the agents give proper attention to customer satisfaction.

Austin Real Estate provides detailed information on Austin Real Estate, Austin Real Estate Brokers, Austin Commercial Real Estates, Austin Real Estate Listings and more. Austin Real Estate is affiliated with Dallas Real Estate Agencies.

Miami PreConstruction Trend

The future of Miami Real Estate is shifting to high gear. It rides on the newest bandwagon of the real estate industry, which gives the fastest ROI, at less effort. Consider this:

You buy the property now before construction takes place. To hold the property, you can give an earnest deposit. As real estate value appreciates, so does the value of your property. By the time construction takes place on your piece of property, you have already recouped the earnest deposit you paid for it Begin to calculate for the value of your property after two years, before construction begins, with an appreciation value fixed at the rate of 20% annually. Now, this is what good investment is all about.

This is the drawing power of Miami Condo Preconstruction Real Estate Investment.

Investors are now putting higher stakes at condominiums that will be built in a couple of years. Miami Preconstruction designs a very lucrative package among investors such as no carrying cost prior to construction, no taxes, no fees - entirely, investment on a clean slate.

Since mortgage is not a requirement, a poor credit history does not hinder anyone from making a purchase.

Here is a sample illustration:

Here in Miami, a property developer will require a 20% deposit on the property to put a hold on it. Say, a $700,000 condo will require $70,000 upon signing and another $70,000 when construction commences. Total initial cash outlay is $140,000 which is 20% of the total contract price. Construction is due to start after two years.

In a conservative estimate of a 20% appreciation value per year, your property appreciates to $840,000 by the end of the first year. That's 100% ROI on your initial cash outlay.

What about on the second year? Your property is now close to a million dollars in value, and it all happens even before the first cornerstone is laid!

If it's long term investment you're looking at, Miami Preconstruction is a very viable option. Just be wary in choosing a property to buy, including its price. You may refer the matter to a realtor who understands the real estate business like the back of his hand. Developers may look at the whole picture of the sale from his own vantage point, and that is to get your signature on the contract. A good realtor can point out some leaks and show you ways to overcome them.

Developers market precon properties through real estate brokers who may channel these through their sales team. There is no formal advertising campaigns, only person to person approach Pricing is not pumped up as agents can receive between 10-15% for every sale.

Prices of precon properties that are advertised normally gets an add-on cost of 5-10% to cover advertising cost, and those listed publicly, thus also advertised gets an increase in its pricing by 5-10%.

A bubble waiting for its time to burst? Not likely.

Miami's investors come from international markets who enjoy an upper hand on the power to purchase Precon Condo due to weakened purchasing power of the dollar.

Foreigners also find Florida laws on real estate buying flexible and favorable to them. A surge of investors coming from upscale California and New York are eyeing oceanfront properties, as well as Miami Precon Condo as investment targets.

Whether you are a buyer or a developer, a cautious approach to investment and skill on proper risk management remain as flagships of survival in the highly competitive world of real estate.

Christiene Villanueva

Miami Real Estate

Christiene Villanueva - http://floridarealtyfinder.com

Colorado Real Estate

Many people not only love to spend their vacations in Colorado, they also buy real estate there in all its forms, whether it is a vacation home, rental real estate, or a permanent residence. There are many different reasons why people want to live in Colorado. From outdoor activities to world-class shopping and entertainment venues, Colorado has a lot to offer to everyone.

If you are a property owner in Colorado, it is not that difficult to sell your property; the Colorado real estate has a great market. Colorado is known as a state with a healthy economy, so it is not hard to start a new life there if you decide to relocate. The real estate also appreciates in a few years? time, which is why many people are enticed to buy property there. If you have Colorado real estate to sell, just post its details with a real estate listing agent so that more clients will know about it. You will have a bigger chance to sell it quickly.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for Colorado real estate, you can begin your search by going through the Colorado real estate listings. Here, you can find quite a few choices such as luxury real estates in Vail and prime pieces of land in Colorado?s fastest-growing city, Denver. However, if you want to be away from the big city atmosphere, you can check out Colorado Springs real estate. If you want to be near the University of Colorado, you can look at Boulder real estate listings.

Whether you are selling or buying a real estate in Colorado, you can certainly rely on real estate listings. You can even go online since many real estate companies have now taken advantage of the Internet for easy access and convenience.

Colorado Real Estate provides detailed information on Colorado Real Estate, Boulder Colorado Real Estate, Colorado Springs Real Estate, Colorado Luxury Real Estate and more. Colorado Real Estate is affiliated with Colorado Vacation Rentals.

Buying Your First Home is a Big Decision

Buying a home is one of the greatest investments you will ever make. The best -- and least stressful -- way to purchase a home is to be well educated throughout the process.

Before you even start looking for a house to buy, you need to review your financial situation. This will let you know how much of a down payment you can afford and how large a monthly mortgage payment you can handle. Lenders will look at the ration of how much you make to how much you owe. Most will require that your monthly housing costs remain under 28% of your total monthly income and that your total debt is less than 36% of your monthly income.

But you should look at what fits into your budget, not what the lender says you can afford. If you are currently making a rent payment of $1200 a month and barely getting by, how could you expect a mortgage of that size with the added insurance and maintenance costs of owning a home? You have to go with what works for your budget and finances. Remember, you can always work your way up to a larger home over time.

Once you have determined how much home you can afford, you need to check on your credit report and score. Lenders will rely heavily on your credit score when deciding whether or not to lend to you. It will also help decide how much interest you will pay. Your credit score is determined by the information in your credit file. If something is incorrect, your score will be affected.

Your score is made up of your payment history, your outstanding debts and how often you apply for credit. Most lenders will use your FICO score. If you have a score of over 700, you should have no problem finding financing.

The best way to improve your credit score is to pay your bills on time. You can also pay off your credit card debt and hold off from applying for new credit to raise your score.

It is best to review your report to make sure it is accurate well in advance. It may take time to clear up any errors before you apply for a mortgage.

In today's real estate market, sellers like to work with buyers who are pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval means that you have submitted a complete loan application and that the lender has verified your information, checked your credit and determined how much mortgage you can borrow. When you are preapproved, the lender is saying that you can borrow a certain dollar amount.

With pre-approval, the seller knows you have financial backing and you know exactly how much you can spend. This keeps you from a lot of stress of worrying if you will be approved for a mortgage for your dream home. You already know what you can afford.

Take the time to prepare to buy a home before you even start looking, it will save you a lot of stress and make the process much easier.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

Real Estate Leveraging

Leveraging is a technical term meaning borrowing to invest. More specifically, financial leverage takes the form of a loan reinvested with the hope to earn a greater rate of return than the cost of interest. For years leveraging was mainly used in the Stock Market for brokerage margin accounts, that is arrangements in which investors bought stocks ?on margin', putting up only a percentage of the total cost. The brokerage firm effectively provided a loan for the balance. With the appearance on the financial scene of home equity lines of credit in the 1990's, leveraging was adopted by investors and speculators in Real Estate as well.

Home equity lines of credit meant that ordinary people who had benefited from the big run-up in housing values during the 1970's and 1980's suddenly had access to large amounts of cash. In most cases, these were not sophisticated investors - in fact many of them knew very little of real estate investing. But they had home equity and could suddenly tap into it. The same phenomenon has happened in the early years of the millennium with a new generation of real estate investors, who have used their equities to purchase and add up inventory, thus contributing to the price increases of these past few years.

The math of leveraging has always been very seductive, both as it applies to the Stock Market and in Real Estate. All the more so at the time when markets were soaring. With leveraging, one uses other people's money to enhance his own profits by acquiring additional interests in land. This enhancement process takes the form either of added equity, which is realized at the time the real estate asset is sold, or as additional cash-flow, as in the case of rental properties. Either way, it was easy to make a compelling case for borrowing against home equity to invest.

There are, however, pitfalls in leveraging that must be brought forth to the uninitiated investor. For one thing, while leverage allows greater potential return to the investor than otherwise would have been available, the potential for loss is greater because if the investment loses value not only is a portion of that money lost, but the loan still needs to be repaid in its entirety.

Secondly, the problem with leveraging in Real Estate does not relate to its potential value as an investment tool but, rather, to the emotion that invariably is involved in any real estate transaction. People tend to be persuaded to borrow against the value of their homes without truly understanding the risks involved and the potential distress that losses may cause, especially when the market is in retreat and prices are dropping. This is the reason why a small but increasing number of investors find themselves into the predicament wherein they have saved and scrimped all those years to pay off their mortgages and are now right back where they started.

Leveraging is a suitable strategy only for investors who are experienced and knowledgeable. Unless one is prepared both financially and psychologically to deal with what could be severe short-term losses and stick with the investment for the medium to long term, one is not a good candidate for leveraging. And even then, when the investor has the know-how and the stomach for leveraging, certain rules of thumb are always helpful:

[ Invest when prices are low, not high.

This sounds obvious, but unfortunately there is a natural tendency to shy away from real estate when markets have peaked and prices are falling. Conversely, when property values go through the roof everyone wants a slice of the pie. This is specifically the reason why it is so easy to convince people to use leveraging when everything is on the rise, and almost impossible to get anyone to listen when markets are in deflation.

But it is exactly during falling markets that leveraging offers the best capital returns in the medium to long haul. Interest rates are low, so the cost of borrowing is minimized. Financial institutions are looking for customers and it is easier to cut a better deal or get incentives from them than would be the case otherwise. Sellers too are more motivated and more flexible on prices and terms of contract.

[ Be selective in what you buy.

Go for the quality of the real capital asset. A house, or multi-family dwelling that is well maintained and well kept will hold up value better in the long run, and will save the investor money in upkeeping as well. In the case of rental properties, it will be easier to find tenants willing to pay more to relocate into a nice-looking property.

[ Take the profits and pay down the debt.

Greed is always dangerous in any market, and this is where most people fall. Do not keep reinvesting the profits. That is like betting all winnings on every new roll of the roulette wheel. By doing so, investors expose themselves to new risks every time they use leveraging to reinvest, and sooner or later they will lose because they do not stand on solid financial foundations. The best and safest strategy is to use cash-flow to pay down the loan, or to wait for prices to increase and then sell for a profit.

[ Pay the lowest possible interest.

Even though the interest is tax deductible, investors have still to pay some of it out of their own pockets. If the loan is substantial, that could amount to several thousand dollars every year. So therefore it is always advisable to shop for the best deal available, using the services of a good mortgage broker.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle at http://wwwrealestatechronicle.blogspot.com where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Retiring Abroad The Retirement Home of Your Dreams Can Be Yours

A new phenomenon with people in Western countries shows they are now buying their second homes abroad with a view to retiring there and their gaining a massive increase in living standards

Why? Because they can retire close to home and take advantage of vastly reduced living costs and enjoying their Golden years in luxury.

What are the advantages of retiring abroad?

1. Geography

For Americans anyway, as places such Central America are close by (just a few hours from US), flights are cheap and frequent.

That means, you gain a higher standard of living than your home country, but you are still near by. It seems that for Americans, Costa Rica presents both a closeness to home and a real step up in living standards.

2. Can a Less Expensive Lifestyle Also be a Better Lifestyle?

The answer is YES! Right now, comparable homes are 70% cheaper in Costa Rica than in the US Southern states.

Retiring abroad in Costa Rica on say, a pension of $2,000 a month will bring you a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle.

In the States or Canada, such an amount would just let you barely get by.

3. The Retirement You Deserve

Having worked hard all your life, you deserve to pass your silver years in enjoyment.

Instead of crowed cities, crime, pollution and runaway inflation, living in Costa Rica can mean pristine beaches, unspoiled nature, rolling hills, rainforest and bountiful wild life.

As for the local population, they are in a country friendly and glad to have you living in their country and their are plety of foreigners just like you who have retired abroad, so you will feel at home.

This is a place where serious crime is rare; where people have time to talk and enjoy themselves. Compare this to the daily drama of any American city.

4. Can Costa Rica Provide the Same Amenities as the American Cities then?

Americans are especially surprised to find everything they had at home, and more,when they retire abroad to Costa Rica.

They have the most modern communications, unlimited entertainment, a real nightlife and shopping with the world?s top brands. If you like golf, this is a golfer?s paradise fancy some fishing its fantastic! The list is endless.

5. Retiring in Costa Rica 1.01

The main reason people are now retiring in Costa Rica (from the US, Canada and Europe) is that the economy is booming, the country is modern and safe, and the government makes it easy for foreigners to do so.

The new land investors from abroad are given the same rights to land and property as Costa Ricans themselves. Add to that the fact there is no tax on your social security and inflation is in check there.

Remember that Costa Rica is only a three hour flight from many US cities. This means you are never far from home.

With excellent communications, the latest internet technology available (at very good rates), and some of the world?s best healthcare, one has to really question the choice of remaining at home or moving to Costa Rica.

Some Food for Thought

Inflation and security in the States are making life very difficult for those of retirement age and retiring abroad is an option more and more people are looking at.

Prices of places in Florida or California have price tags that restrict the average retiree.

As for lifestyle, crime, and crowding is making retirement a nightmare instead of a well deserved rest from your toils.

Thinking about Costa Rica, you can still find a bit of paradise at a cost you can afford, where nature is at its finest, where the food, the people, the infrastructure and laws all favor the retiree, rather than making them victims, as they are becoming now in the Western world.

If you are retiring abroad consider Costa Rica it has much to offer and you will have the time of your life.

More FREE info on retiring abroad and the beneifits of invest in land and to learn more about this fabulous country see the videos on our site, read the information and even win a free holiday to see for yourself at http://www.costaricalandlots.com

Save Money with a Los Angeles Discount Realtor

Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to relocate their family. This relocation often takes them to a different city or even a different state. If you are interested in relocating your family, you may be also interested in selling your home.

If and when you make the decision to sell your home, you need to consider all of your options. Those options are likely to include using the services of a realtor or selling your home privately. Privately sold homes are often referred to as for sale by owner homes. Many individuals feel that they would retain a larger profit from selling their own home; however, this has been found to be untrue in many cases.

There are a number of reasons why using a realtor to sell your home is more profitable than doing it on your own. Perhaps, the most obvious reason is the amount of experience that most realtors have. Before becoming a real estate agent, many realtors are required to undergo extensive training. This training often includes appraising a home, assisting potential buyers, marketing the homes available for sale, and much more. Most homeowners are inexperienced in these real estate fields.

If you are interested in using the services of a real estate agent, but you are concerned with the cost of doing so, you do not have to worry. There are a large number of low-cost realtors in the Los Angeles area. With a little bit of time and research, you could find the perfect discount realtor. Los Angeles residents have a number of different choices when it comes to finding a discount realtor.

If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, you can use your local phone book or the internet to find a number of realtors. Printed and online phone books do not classify real estate agents by their fees. This means that you may have to contact each discount realtor. Los Angeles residents are encouraged to use this contact to compare the fees associated with using a particular realtor. If you are interested in finding a low-cost realtor, you can compare prices to find the best deal.

In addition to using a local phone book and online phone books, you can also perform a standard internet search. This search is likely to produce a large number of online websites for discount realtors in the Los Angeles area. You are encouraged to fully examine the website of each discount realtor. Los Angeles residents, in addition to reviewing a realtor?s online website, may also want to establish direct contact. This contact will give you the opportunity to decide whether or not a particular realtor will meet your expectations.

Trying to find a discount realtor may seem like a difficult task. Unfortunately, a large number of realtors charge more for their services than they should. With a little bit of time and research, you could be on your way to saving money with a discount realtor.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding Los Angeles Discount Realtor.

An Introduction To Commercial Real Estate Loans

Unlike residential loans, commercial loans require more robust credit and down payment from buyers. Typically the terms of these loans are less attractive than residential properties. While these impediments reduce the number of qualified commercial real estate buyers, there are many investment trusts and corporations fully capable of qualifying for and carrying such debt service successfully.

Borrowers will be faced with a large variety of available loans. In the beginning, a deposit receipt needs to be provided which represents the terms of purchase of a commercial property. It will list the amount to be financed, estimated interest rates and terms of the loan. A loan is applied for by completing a loan application with a mortgage broker or loan company. There will be a non-refundable loan application fee, usually around $200 to $400. A commercial mortgage broker represents several lenders, and will submit the application to a lender he believes most appropriate for the situation. Representatives for banks and other lending institutions usually represent only one institution, and will submit the application to that institution. There are advantages to each type. The lender will verify the statements of assets, liabilities, employment, and salary. The subject property will be appraised.

The loan approval takes about 20 to 30 days on an average. The actual time depends upon how quickly the lender can process the application, get the appraisal, and obtain verification of employment and bank balances.

A commercial loan eases the burden of paying huge sums of money at a single instance. Finance options spread the paymet towards the loan amount over a period of 25 to 30 years. New businesses are increasingly opting for commercial real estate loans.

Real Estate Loans provides detailed information on Real Estate Loans, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Investment Real Estate Loans, Residential Real Estate Loans and more. Real Estate Loans is affiliated with Refinance Home Mortgage Loans.

Sell Your House Online

Selling your house online is a novel way of handling this important task. The online sale of a house involves listing and advertising your property on the Internet. This provides more visibility and can save you the real estate agent's commission, if you make a deal online. Also, it is more convenient and quick to list your house online.

First, you need to evaluate your house and decide its value. You can get free help the Internet. Or you can get the house evaluated by a real estate agent. Then, shortlist the sites where you want to put your house for sale. Check the listing packages each one offers. Select a site that can list your photographs and allows the property to be listed for a long duration. Some sites even offer special deals and discounts from time to time. You would be required to fill an online form, providing information such as the price, description and contact address and phone numbers. Submit good-quality photos of your house, since they will be the first impression for prospective buyers. Lastly, you must pay for the package online and wait for queries to flow in.

Although professional property listing sites will provide better exposure and advertising for your house, there are some sites that let you build your own website. So if you want to save online fees as well, you could try this option first and see if you get the required response.

Listing your house online lets the whole world know that you are looking for a buyer. And the prospective enquirers could be from far and wide. It can be quite difficult to check if they are genuine or not. If a real estate agent is bringing you a buyer, you can have his details verified through him. But online selling definitely serves in enhancing the visibility and exposure of your property. Who knows, someone from the other side of the world might be willing to pay a better price for your house!

Sell House provides detailed information on Sell House, Sell Your House Fast, Sell House By Owner, Sell Your House Online and more. Sell House is affiliated with Real Estate Note Brokers.

Biophilic Design Shy Relation of Green Building

Green building is more than just a trend. An often overlooked part of Green building is what is called Biophilic design. The goal of this sub-genre is to bring the outdoors into interior living spaces, either residential or commercial. The introduction and interaction with natural elements for aesthetic and health purposes is beginning to receive wider acceptance as indoor air pollution becomes a growing concern for urban dwellers and suburban ones who live in air-tight energy efficient homes.

Biophilic design injects real or simulated natural components into living and working spaces to promote emotional and physical wellness. Morning sun exposure, water features, natural vistas through window-walls, sky-ceilings, and greenhouse rooms where plants dominate and restore air quality while providing an indoor forest refuge are some common applications of this recent design extension. Biophilic design is based more in a emotional or Zen-like perspective than save-natural-resources Green building. Understanding that nature and natural settings allow humans to relax and is part of our DNA, professors at major universities study ecology and it's effect on our home environments as well as dispositions.

Here are some tips to get a start on Biophilic design in your home.

-Find a room that faces good morning sun and install floor-to-ceiling windows to receive a daily dose of high-powered natural light. Studies show that hospital patients who receive morning sunshine need almost a quarter less pain medication that those with north facing windows.

-Install a sky ceiling in a family or living room. These new ceiling systems mimic full-spectrum light emitted from mid-day skies.

-Place a waterfall or pond with fountain in side a favorite room. Flowing or spraying water adds a relaxing sound to your environment and helps screen out exterior noise pollution.

-Build a green house room with many indoor and outdoor plants, more the better. Put a comfortable chair to use for reading or relaxing in your home garden.

-Use window-walls to allow outdoor vistas in. I have seen homes that installed large glass areas in a well-used room. The increase in natural light and the ability to see from the ground to the sky is welcomed especially in the dark days of winter.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com

Dallas Real Estate

With a little over a million residents, Dallas ranks as the second-most populated city in the state of Texas, which is the second-largest state, by area, in the United States. Dallas has a lot of interesting real estate options to offer, ranging from ranches to gated communities. Though ranches that go with the usual Texas image are still available in the Dallas county area, the city has a lot of impressive houses, apartments, and commercial property for any prospective resident.

Six districts make up the city of Dallas, which comes under the Dallas-Plano-Irving metropolitan division of the Dallas-Forth Worth-Arlington greater metropolitan area. The prominent suburbs of Dallas are Allen, Flower Mound, Colleyville, Frisco, Keller, McKinney, Plano, Southlake, and Irving, to name a few. These areas offer gated communities, golf course communities, lakefront homes, homes with acreage, horse properties, retirement communities, and commercial property. Within Dallas, the popular areas are Oak Hill, North Dallas, Casa Linda, Knox/Henderson, and downtown Dallas.

As per the U.S. Census Bureau data for 2005, the average home price in the city of Dallas is $179,920, which is only marginally higher than the national average of $173,585. However, the Dallas county area, which includes the suburbs, has a much lower average, at $125,922. The median rental price in Dallas is $328, which is considerably lower than the national median of $471. There is almost an equal share of owner-occupied and rental units in Dallas, with the former accounting for 42%, the latter 52%, and approximately 6% remaining vacant. This looks quite different from the national picture, where owner occupied, at 60%, is twice that of rental units.

Dallas area real estate comes with easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which is the world's second-busiest airport. There are many schools and universities, like the University of Texas at Dallas, University of Dallas, and Southern Methodist University. These important aspects of this area have helped create a very vibrant real estate market in Dallas.

Dallas Real Estate provides detailed information on Dallas Real Estate, Dallas Lake Front Real Estate, Dallas Real Estate Agencies, Dallas Commercial Real Estate and more. Dallas Real Estate is affiliated with Austin Commercial Real Estates.

Top Locations for Property in North Cyprus

While the world is in agreement that property for sale in North Cyprus represents a fantastic investment opportunity because rental and resale demand is soaring while at the same time property prices remain incredibly affordable, there are certain parts of the island that make the best property investment hotspots.

It is not a case of every location being equal or of every property of a similar size and specification being worth the same in Northern Cyprus - just as it does anywhere else in the world location, location, location counts in North Cyprus.

The first location worthy of closer inspection is Esentepe to the east of the island and a twenty minute drive from the ancient harbour town of Kyrenia. Esentepe is home to a brand new, international standard, championship golf course - furthermore it is the location for the very first marina being built in Northern Cyprus.

Naturally enough these two factors alone create great reason for property in Esentepe to be highly prized, but there are a number of other reasons making this location worthy of closer inspection. Firstly land in the area is now selling for a premium as developers try to get in on the property boom, secondly rental demand for properties in the area has gone through the roof following the completion of the golf course, and thirdly the entire surrounding area is totally unspoiled, it is covered in lush olive and carob trees, the beaches are pristine and undeveloped and the people live in their traditional houses and still enjoy an unhurried and stress free kind of life.

Properties in Esentepe start from GBP 60,000 for duplex apartments within the golf resort and go up to around GBP 200,000 for custom built, luxury detached homes. Prices in this part of Northern Cyprus have been appreciating rapidly in the past 4 years.

The next area worthy of consideration is Alsancak which is to the west of Kyrenia and just a ten minute drive from the heart of the old town of Kyrenia. Alsancak is one of the most popular parts of Cyprus with holiday makers, there is a great deal of development already earmarked for the area and there's an abundance of beach clubs, bars and discos in the area. For property investors hoping to let their properties out during the long hot spring and summer seasons in Cyprus, Alsancak is most certainly worthy of consideration.

And finally - unspoiled, untouched and as yet almost undeveloped Karsiyaka which is a thirty minute drive to the west of Kyrenia. With its hidden coves, sandy beaches, stunning mountains and beautiful countryside, the area of Karsiyaka is going to become one of the most desirable places to live in North Cyprus because the government has set incredibly strict planning rules to prevent over development and to allocate a great deal of space for the likes of another golf course and marina, and also they have allocated space to be left completely untouched. This part of Cyprus is unique and it has to be seen to be understood and experienced!

Karsiyaka will become home to the discerning buyer, those looking to escape to a better quality of life in a superior location. Currently there are few developments in this area of the island but those that are available start from around GBP 80,000 for a two bedroom bungalow.

Rhiannon Williamson writes about real estate investment in emerging markets around the world and specifically profiles exciting investment property locations. To read more real estate property in North Cyprus click here.

Basic Rules of Preconstruction Investment Real Estate

Although the preconstruction real estate investing option has been around for many years and is nothing new, it just recently became well known to the masses and real estate investors all over the world are scouring the web for the best new construction and preconstruction real estate projects in areas where real estate prices are skyrocketing (Baja Mexico, Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Cabo San Lucas, Orlando). While the sudden increase in demand has influenced many legitimate developers to offer more projects and developments, it has also seen the emergence of many ill-prepared developers into the market. Here are just a few ways you can properly screen your preconstruction real estate developer / brokerage and make sure you are not signing with a less then reputable developer:

1. Read Small Print ? Before investing in a development, be sure not to fall victim to the curse of the small print. Avoid ending up the subject of those horror stories about real estate investors who are suckered into scandalous contracts with real estate developers. Some real estate developers will not let you sell the property until years after it is finished and others will charge huge penalties if the property is sold early. Always, have an attorney look at every contract before you sign anything.

2. Find a Preconstruction Brokerage ? Unless you are VERY well connected in the area's preconstruction market, it's a good idea to go through a real estate brokerage that specializes in preconstruction real estate developments. There are several reasons why using a quality brokerage can help you, but most importantly, they know the developers and can discern between which can ensure quality and which are accident prone.

3. Research the Developer's Past Projects ? If the developer has had huge delays in past preconstruction projects, it will probably happen in the next several projects. Remember that your time is money ? even if you get your full deposit back 2 years later, because of constant delays you may lose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of wasted time and resources.

***Note*** As real estate developers have learned that the word preconstruction alone can sell out a project, they have created a new trend in the industry by labeling every phase of the project a preconstruction phase. Often these are low-quality condo conversions or condotels that are not worth half the asking price. BE SURE you are buying in the actual preconstruction phase before purchasing!!!

Just remember, the bigger the preconstruction real estate market gets, the more you have to watch out for fly-by-night developers and unethical brokerages that don't have your best interests in mind.

Phil Laboon 412-253-0841 For more Real Estate Investment Information please visit our website. For a complete run down of how to find the right preconstruction real estate brokerage, agent, broker, or developer, visit our Real Estate Investment Information website and browse our huge collection of free preconstruction news, information, and advice.

Alameda Mariner Square

Enjoy a romantic San Francisco Bay cruise, the lights of the city, and the chance to own a home in one of the most prestigious areas of Alameda. Located across the estuary from Jack London Square, the shopping, dining and nightlife are top quality. The atmosphere of safety and planning make some of the accommodations ideal for seniors, and there are planned communities in the area with more than 25 years of experience that provides a safe, beautiful and caring haven for retirees.

Whichever option you choose, either a community setting or an individual one, the homes and spaces here are amazing, with views of Oakland and the sea air making each day seem like one endless holiday. Many retirees have started successful and enjoyable small businesses here taking advantage of the wonderful economic atmosphere of Alameda. Coffee shops, crafts and small restaurants abound. Take advantage of the opportunity to stay busy as well, even after you have settled in.

You can find fully furnished homes that reflect your personality and lifestyle, or you can start from scratch and find one that you decorate yourself. The possibilities are endless, and homes start at around $250,000. There are many great deals to be found, including some homes right on the water. The assisted living options typically cost $29,000 a year and up plus, there is usually an entrance fee.

There are many great brokerage and financial services available in Alameda, so you do not have to travel very far to take care of your investment and retirement fund needs. Of course if you do have a business here, or plan to, they can be very helpful with that, also. Overall, there is probably no more beautiful, scenic and luxurious place to retire, take it easy, and enjoy life than right here at Alameda Mariner Square.

Brenda Smith
http://www.alamedainfo.com/
http://www.cardinalpointccrc.com/plans.html

Atlanta Real Estate Trends

It is believed that the greatest boom in the Atlanta real estate is yet to happen. An increased growth in population and rate of employment in Atlanta has caused the value of the real estate market to escalate continuously. The real estate prices are comparatively reasonable in Atlanta as compared to other large metropolitan areas. For example, a two-bedroom condominium in New York will cost you more than one million dollars, while Atlanta offers the same type of property for $250k to $300k.

The rapid pace of development of Atlanta has made it a center of many industries. This has led to an oversupply of commercial buildings, thereby decreasing the value of commercial properties. Assessment based on the supply and current vacancies has shown that Atlanta markets are more vulnerable to overbuilding. Atlanta has comparatively low mortgage interest rates. Federal environmental regulation or the tax reforms put forward by the state or the nation can also influence the Atlanta real estate trend.

Timely analysis conducted by credible industrial experts on different aspects of Atlanta real estate will help you to foresee changes in the market. Many experienced real estate professionals who know the Atlanta market are there at your service. They can represent your interests with integrity, character, and honesty. It is highly recommended that you get the property inspected before buying. If something turns up during the inspection, you have the right to negotiate a repair or remedy.

Atlanta posted one of Southeast's highest office sale prices recently when an investment management company paid $168 million ($330 per square foot), for an office building. The standing record in Atlanta is $343 a square foot for a building, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Atlanta Real Estate provides detailed information on Atlanta Real Estate, Atlanta Real Estate Agents, Atlanta Commercial Real Estate, Atlanta Real Estate Listings and more. Atlanta Real Estate is affiliated with Chicago Suburb Real Estate.

3 Tips To Get A Repossessed House From The Government And Save

We know how much dent buying a house can give to our wallets and anything that can help us ease this impression will be a great thing. Have you heard of government conducted auctions? Yes they auction out houses too. Read on and find out more on how you may be able to achieve that house you want without losing so much cash.

1. Research first.

Oh yes with any purchase (specially the more pricey ones) you need to get used to researching if un-breaking your piggy bank is your main concern. Know the house first that are being sold by the government. If they have a list of the houses being sold try to look at all of them first before bidding.

Look into also of what comes with that house like how much is due and pending from the past (in the end you might have to pay for it and lose more). You also need to search also for the facilities included.

Is the structure of the house okay? Will it just fall down when the wind blows or will it withstand the test of time? Know how old the house is and what may be the problems with it like leaks, pipe problems or maybe infestation.

Look into price as well. Is the opening bid reasonable enough for the house? If it doubles due to a lot of bidders would it still be worth the price? Is the lot where the house is built priced correctly? Know the answers to this and you just did your homework.

2. Weigh

Aside from knowing if the price is worth it, you might want to consider search for other options and compare all of it. Choose what would be the best house for you and for your piggy bank.

3. Wise bidder

Yes be a wise bidder. Listen to all the bidders but be quiet. Let them do all the bidding and don't add up to the price first. If the bidding is about to end and you can afford it that is the time you can raise that arm and grab hold of that house.

The house is a serious matter to purchase. The auction by the government is the best bet to save more. Just be sure that the house you are bidding for is worth it and doesn't have other problems hidden along with it because in the end you just might end up spending more if you buy without researching.

To search for cheap repossessed houses, please visit http://www.buy-cheap-houses.info.

Real Estate Investment Companies

Real estate investment companies acts as brokers and represents both buyers and sellers and create ideal opportunities for real estate investors. They represent clients in the sale, purchase, exchange and the finance of the real estate investment. Real estate investment companies are ideal for individual investors who want to take advantage of the real estate market but are unable to spend time on it. Most companies give personal attention and due importance to individual investors as they are their primary and most crucial segment of business.

The real estate investment companies deal with active brokers, a wide variety of investors, vendors, consultants and governmental agencies. Individuals can avoid many dangers associated with real estate investment by investing through companies as most companies employ personals that are trained to handle the pressure situations that often crop up in real estate investment. The investors who see the market clearly and make decisions based on the best evidence would get much profit from the real estate investment company. The investors can achieve the financial security and freedom which enables them to pursue other involvements.

Acquisitions, property management, due diligence, redevelopment, leasing, debt analysis and procurement, tax documentation, disposition analysis and detailed monthly reporting are some of the important services provided by real estate investment companies. Real estate investment companies are also referred as Real estate investment trust (REIT). Real estate investment companies have special federal tax treatment and must comply with certain tax requirements. There is a slight difference between Real estate investment companies and real estate investment trusts. For a company to become a real estate investment trust, it should share out 90 percent or more of its taxable income to its shareholders once in a year.

Before selecting a particular company, look whether they are registered under proper acts. Get as much information on a company from as many sources you can.

Real Estate Investments provides detailed information on Real Estate Investments, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Real Estate Investment Loans, Real Estate Investment Financing and more. Real Estate Investments is affiliated with Buying Investment Properties.

Sarasota Real Estate Marketing

With Sarasota becoming a hot spot for real estate investments, realtors use various marketing strategies to attract new clientele. Apart from the local print and media, realtors take advantage of the Internet.

Research shows that homebuyers prefer viewing details and photos of properties online. Detailed information on the description of the property, photos, maps and neighborhood information help reach thousands of buyers.

Websites offer directory listings and MLS, or multiple listing services, providing realtors the opportunity to gain maximum exposure. Virtual home tours give realtors a chance to offer a preview of a property to prospective buyers. As more buyers begin their property search online, a web tour is often their preferred introduction to their next home and to the real estate professional who?ll guide them towards closing a deal. For sellers, virtual tours help separate the serious buyers from the window shoppers. Virtual tours can be a simple series of photos and text or multimedia presentations with maps, floor plans, 360-degree panoramic images and a sound track. Many providers also offer lead capture and tour promotion services.

Property-casting is a new concept in real estate marketing. Property-casting is the filming of audio and video tours of real estate properties, for distribution over the Internet or to portable devices such as mobile phones, iPods and other multimedia devices. Full-scale audio and video tours are broadcast through different mediums. Property casting is economical and can be used in all areas of the real estate industry.

Professional marketing consultants that specialize in real estate offer a variety of marketing strategies to realtors. They are trained and experienced in project management, accounting, finance, real estate property operations, and information technology.

One of the reasons for Sarasota growing faster than many other counties in the US is the innovative approach of the real estate marketers here.

Sarasota Real Estate provides detailed information on Sarasota Real Estate, Sarasota Pre-Construction Real Estate, Sarasota Real Estate Marketing, Sarasota Real Estate For Sale By Owner and more. Sarasota Real Estate is affiliated with Minnesota Commercial Real Estate.

Paying for a PreInspection Can Save You Money

For years now, we?ve been recommending that home sellers pay for a professional home inspection when they list their home for sale so that both parties know the home?s strengths and weaknesses before an offer is ever made. With current market conditions favoring buyers, savvy home sellers understand that paying for a professional home inspection can help them better position their home within the current market.

The large inventory of homes currently for sale provides buyers with more options, and buyers tend to prefer homes that are in move-in condition. A professional home inspection is one more tool that a seller can use to determine how close their home is to move-in condition and to prioritize improvements and upgrades to best compete with the other homes for sale.

The home inspector evaluates the home?s major systems and provides a report identifying areas of concern. The inspector?s job is to point out both the good and the bad about a property. Then it is up to the home seller, with advice from their Realtor, to identify a strategy for improvements and positioning. A copy of the home inspector?s report, along with copies of receipts for any improvements and upgrades, can be made accessible to potential buyers.

A thorough home inspection often uncovers problems unknown to the sellers. By having an inspection up front, the seller has an opportunity to address minor problems that might seem major once a contract has been signed. Plus, the home will show at its best.

Buyers may be more interested in a pre-inspected home because there shouldn?t be any big surprises after the contract is negotiated. An uninspected home may have the buyer coming back within a week or two (following their own inspection) requesting upgrades, allowances, or price reductions, all of which are a hassle and inconvenience to both parties.

The buyer still has the option of obtaining their own professional home inspection, but there is less likelihood of unexpected surprises and a greater chance the sale will go through as originally negotiated.

Rochester, MN Real Estate agent Shawn Buryska specializes in home real estate, buying a new home, selling your old home, or helping you search Southeastern Minnesota MLS Listings.

Home Sellers: Prepare Your Home for Sale in a Cool Market with Fire

Across the country homes are taking longer to sell. If you have a home for sale, you might consider making a few changes to attract buyers in the cooling real estate market. Not only is the market cooling, so will the weather. It may feel hot to you right now, but in a few weeks, the evenings will get chilly.

Home sellers who stage their homes take advantage of advanced sales techniques. One of the most popular home upgrades today is the addition of a backyard firepit or fireplace. There's something magical about sitting around the glow of a fire that makes people feel great. That's one reason many people go camping, for the simple joy of sitting by a crackling campfire.

Prepare for cool weather selling with a backyard fire. Besides a fireplace, you have many options. At the high end of the scale, you could get a propane type of unit that comes in a terra cotta vase-like container. These types of outdoor fireplaces come in a variety of styles and sizes, which look good on any patio. Point out to home buyers that this fire feature has the added advantage of requiring virtually no cleanup, since these fireplaces don't burn any solid matter.

If your home would benefit from the more rustic appeal of a firepit, you have a number of choices, including one that features a copper cauldron. It's like putting your campfire in a large hand-hammered copper pot, measuring about three feet across and two feet deep. Cauldrons are large enough to become the focal point of an otherwise ordinary backyard.

There's also a propane version of that type of firepit available with molded logs that appear to be burning. This fire enhancement also features the same easy cleanup as the propane-powered terra cotta unit, since no solid material actually burns.

There are a number of firepit rings available that can be customized any way you want, depending only upon your imagination and budget. Generally, a custom firepit should be about 18 inches tall, to prevent sparks from escaping -- and possibly ending up in your buyer's lap. A diameter of 30 inches offers plenty of room for a nice-sized fire. Stone or concrete blocks are generally used to surround the firepit, though you could dress up the pit by using a more decorative stone, such as slate.

Before you build a custom firepit, check codes with your building department or local fire department. In our area, it's easy to get a free permit.

Enchant your home buyers with an outdoor fire. Find a fire feature to suit your home style and take advantage of this growing trend among landscape designers. Entice your buyers with a fire and invite them to stay longer connecting to your home. Light your fire, a few candles or torches, and serve warm drinks. Turn your backyard into a buyer's dream with fire.

Copyright ? 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Learn five ways to makeover your home for a top-dollar sale. Free home seller's teleseminars at Sell Your Home Fast.

Jeanette Fisher teaches home sellers five ways to make the highest possible profit from selling their homes. Free 21 Day Action Plan and teleseminars at http://preparehome.com

Your FICO Score and Purchasing San Diego Real Estate

You have found your perfect piece of San Diego real estate, and now you only need secure a real estate mortgage at a great rate. Simple, right? Definitely not!

Before a mortgage makes that real estate yours, the lender is going to check your credit score, which will determine what type of terms they offer to you, how much you will pay over the life of the real estate mortgage, and even if you can secure a mortgage. Your credit score tells a lender what type of credit risk you are and the likelihood that you will repay the money loaned.

Though there are several types of credit scores, most real estate mortgage lenders use the FICO score, which was developed by Fair Isaac. The FICO is used for several types of credit and can affect terms offered for credit cards, car loans, home equity loans, private mortgage insurance, the required size of your down payment, and even the amount of documentation a lender will require of you during your mortgage application. Your score determines what type of loan for which you are eligible, as well as how much money you can borrow.

Every person has three FICO scores ? one with each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Since the information retained by each credit bureau varies, your score will differ between the ?Big Three?. Before you begin hunting for real estate, it is a good idea to check all three bureaus for your FICO score, as well as right before securing a real estate mortgage. Even if you have checked your FICO scores recently, your scores fluctuate as new information is received by the credit bureaus. It is best to know for certain your FICO scores, than to be surprised during crucial negotiations.

Some of the things each credit bureau looks at in developing your FICO score are your payment history, the amounts your currently owe, the length of your credit history, new credit you have obtained, and the types of credit you use.

The Higher Your Score, the Better

There have been many commercials on television recently about the FICO score and how it follows you wherever you go (as far as credit is concerned). Just remember, the higher your score, the less you will pay to buy real estate on credit. You can save thousands of dollars every year, or you can pay thousands of extra dollars each year on your real estate mortgage, depending upon your score.

The median FICO score is 723, with most lenders requiring at least a score of 760 in order to get the best real estate mortgage terms. The highest FICO score attainable is 850; however, only 13 percent of the population score over 800.

According to myfico.com, a score of 760 or better currently makes you eligible for an average interest rate of 5.98 percent on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage of $216,000. The interest rate rises to 7.47 percent, if your score is between 620 and 639, which translates to paying an additional $227 each month or $81,720 for the life of the mortgage. A score below 620 can add another three-to-six percent interest. Even a point or two can make a major difference over time. As scores dip below the 700 mark, borrowers are often limited on how much money may be financed; while many lenders will disqualify you all together for a mortgage, even if the rest of your credit file is fantastic.

So, check your three FICO scores when you first decide to look for real estate. Get counseling in how to raise your scores, if it is below 760. If you must purchase sooner than you can repair your credit scores, then plan to refinance after you have raised your FICO scores. Buy real estate with terms that are to your advantage. Know your credit scores and repair any problems early.

John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more on San Diego Homes for Sale visit http://www.twtrealestate.com

3 Tips To Buy Cheap Government Seized Houses

Countless assets owned by private entities are being seized by the government every single day. These assets range from cars to boats and furniture to homes.

Among these things, nothing has more value than government seized houses. Almost all the other items depreciate in value; unlike government seized houses which actually increase in market price over a period of time. It is therefore a good idea to include government seized houses in one's options in buying a home.

Buying government seized houses is advisable not only to people who want to acquire a home, but to people who want to make good money out of reselling houses.

Here are some tips that can help you in finding your ideal home among the numerous government seized houses out there.

1. Consult The Experts

Always consult with an accredited licensed real estate broker when you are planning to buy from the many government seized houses. While you certainly have to incur commission expenses if you make use of their expertise, the good thing is you will have a worry free purchasing transaction.

Besides, the total acquisition cost of government seized houses including the broker's commission is still not that huge when compared to buying a new house.

2. Seeing Is Believing

Check out the government seized houses that are on your list. Remember that government seized houses are sold at bargain-based prices because the government does not normally repair or renovate them before being floated in the market.

The government has no disclosure policy as to the condition of the houses. And so the structural and aesthetic order of the house could be found wanting. So beware!

3. Learn The Ropes

While looking at government seized houses is a good way to find the house of your dreams, it can also be a good source of income.

Many people have raked in a fortune by just buying government seized houses, spending a little on repairs and improvement, and finally, selling the newly renovated house for a hefty profit.

Largely, the government has to contend with rising deficits, hence, its need to immediately dispose of the things it has confiscated or seized. The logical strategy is for the government to drive down the prices particularly of government seized houses.

So if you take advantage of this concept, you can actually earn a lot by reselling sequestered properties you won at auctions.

Truly, a road to take when you are looking for your dream house is to scout for the latest auctions for government seized houses. Good luck on your house shopping!

For listings of government seized houses, please visit http://www.buy-cheap-houses.info/.

Real Estate Investment by Foreign Nationals Uh oh?

So inspiration hit me in Montreal this weekend after some drinks. It wasn't the alcohols effects that caused it (I swear!!!), but the not so wonderful cost.

When I went to school in Burlington VT ('97-'01), my friends would frequent Montreal for numerous reasons. A few that come to mind were the beautiful scenery (a.k.a. strip clubs), the drinking age of 18, and the fact that they could go out to eat, get surf and turf, appetizers, and drinks for $25 American.

Not so anymore..... the same principle definitely effects peoples purchasing decisions in most realms, Real Estate included. I found an interesting article http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/05/29/realestate/29lizo.html?ex=1154059200&en=399b29e55613ce54&ei=5070 titled Who Needs the Riviera, that focused on a small group of Europeans taking advantage of their strong Euro in the American Real Estate market. The article also indicated that it wasn't necessarily a small group of Europeans settling in the area.

The current exchange rates are not just favoring those with a strong Euro versus the Dollar, however it also appears to be fueling some currency speculation through housing. Another article http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/business/15045250.htm South Korean cash flows into U.S. real estate shows a perfect example of the reasoning behind the speculation.

They (wealthy Koreans) are betting that the U.S. dollar will strengthen, causing the value of their U.S. holdings to appreciate when converted into Korean currency, and that even slower home-price appreciation in the U.S. will continue to beat returns in Korea, where high taxes on real-estate profits discourage speculation.

With interest rates on the rise, I think that their guess that the US dollar will strengthen, is a very educated guess.

So is this a good thing or not? Well it depends on who you are.

If you're a homeowner worried about the value of your home in an uncertain market, this should ease some of your stress. Foreign investment can be a great thing for homeowners in a certain area. The increase in demand and foreign money to an area that did not have it prior, will absolutely help increase/sustain property values of other homes around the area.

For those of you still renting waiting for just the right time......If you're going to be in the same area for a few years, and you have good credit, the best time is now.

And for potential investors just waiting around for the bubble to pop and great deals to start popping up from people who overextended themselves, it appears as though you might have some foreign competition on some of those purchases.

Jon Ernest is the Principal Broker of Spotlight Realty. A small, independently owned, full service residential real estate agency in Brookline, Massachusetts.

http://www.SpotlightRE.com
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See this article and other rants and raves on my Cambridge Brookline Boston Real Estate Blog