วันเสาร์ที่ 29 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Pennsylvania Home Buying

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Pennsylvania, or perhaps you?re relocating to Pennsylvania from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Pennsylvania home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Pennsylvania:

The median price of a home in Pennsylvania is $97,000. Recently, homes in Pennsylvania have been appreciating at rates below the national average. However, in some parts of Pennsylvania, appreciation rates are at an all time high. The highest appreciation rates are in Philadelphia and Allentown. As a result, income levels in many parts of Pennsylvania are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Pennsylvania cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

The price of homes in Pennsylvania varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Westchester, Pennsylvania, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $230,000; however, in Tornbury, Pennsylvania, the median price of a home was $300,000, and in Manheim Township, Pennsylvania, it was $170,000. Average interest rates in Pennsylvania are above the national average.

Pennsylvania law does allow prepayment penalties if the loan amount is greater than $50,000. However, it prohibits balloon loans that are to be paid off in less than 10 years. Additionally, Pennsylvania law does not allow mortgage contracts that include an increase in interest rate should the borrower default on the loan.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Pennsylvania Mortgage Rates and Loans.

What Every Buyer And Seller Should Know About Fair Housing Laws

Five major Acts of Congress have created protections for home buyers and sellers in the U.S.. These protections are known as Fair Housing Laws. Many states have enacted their own Acts which add additional protections. Locally cities and counties can add additional protections (or protected classes's. Be sure to check what state and local laws in your area cover in addition to Federal Fair Housing Laws. There are exceptions and variables to these laws, inquire at your local governmental office for complete details.

-Federal Protections. Age,color, disability, familial and martial status, national origin, public assistance, race, religion, and sex.

-State and local protections. Sexual preference, ancestry, defining disability as both mental and physical,and military status.

-Blockbusting. When real estate agents suggest that renting to or selling a property to a member of a protected will negatively affect property values.

-Steering. When real estate agents suggest specific neighbors based on the clients age,color, disability, familial and martial status, national origin, public assistance, race, religion, and sex. Homebuyers and renters should consider and look at properties in any area they wish.

-Discrimination. The intentional policy or practice that results in unequal treatment of a person or persons in a protected class.

-Complaints. File Fair Housing Complaints with the Federal or your local office of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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. His tried and true real estate tips has been featured on Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. Purchase his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com.

วันศุกร์ที่ 28 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Power Of Attorneys Probates And Real Estate Trusts

There are times when the Seller or Buyer to a real estate transaction may appoint someone to act on their respective behalf and even to sign agreements relating to the Contract of Purchase and Sale as their agents, thereby meeting the requirements at law that all dealings involving land or interests in land be in writing. However, it is always mandatory (in British Columbia) that the agent obtain specific instructions prior to signing any documents on behalf of the parties to a transaction. This is all the more true when a Realtor is authorized to sign on behalf of one of the parties.

The written authorization must set out the exact terms, conditions and scope under which the agent is authorized to sign. A telegram, letter or fax may be used for this purpose, but it must be received by the agent before he/she attempts to act on the Seller's or Buyer's behalf. Agents must avoid signing documents on behalf of anyone based on verbal, telephone or e-mail instructions. Furthermore, evidence of written authority granted by one party to a real estate transaction must be attached to any and all documents where the agent has signed on behalf of the party.

Powers Of Attorney

Where it is desirable or necessary to rely on a Power of Attorney, it is widely recommended that it be granted to someone in accordance with the advices of a lawyer. When a person who has been granted a Power of Attorney signs a contract involving land or an interest in land on behalf of the person granting the Power of Attorney, the correct way for the contract to be completed is as shown on the following example:

Mary Smith grants a Power of Attorney to Ted Lee to enter into a contract for the sale of her property located at [address in full.

Ted Lee, then, would sign both the Listing Agreement and the Contract of Purchase and Sale using the following statement:

Mary Smith, by her attorney in fact followed immediately by Ted Lee's signature.

Furthermore, a transfer of title executed under a Power of Attorney to be filed at the Land Title Office (in British Columbia) at the time of completion requires the Power of Attorney to be drafted in proper form. This is so, because different Power of Attorneys can be granted by one person to another. While the form of such authority may authorize a party to sign contracts and certain other documents for another party, it may not be sufficient for Land Title registration purposes. Therefore, whenever a Power of Attorney is contemplated or utilized in a trade involving real estate, the parties ought to seek the advices of legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure the form of the Power of Attorney being used is valid and is acceptable for registration. It should be also noted that the Power of Attorney may expire after a specific time or be invalid for other reasons. Therefore the advices of a legal practitioner specializing in real estate transactions are always the best venue.

Dealing With Legal Or Beneficial Owners

The person or legal entity shown as the registered owner of a real property on the Certificate of Title at the Land Title Office may not be the person or entity that signs the Contract of Purchase and Sale as Seller of that particular property. This is a relatively common occurrence in the real estate trade. For a variety of reasons one entity may appear as the registered owner, while another entity may sign the Contract of Purchase and Sale as the Seller. This may happen, for example, if the registered owner holds the subject property in trust for another entity. In this case the beneficial owner (the person for whom the property is being held in trust) may sign the contract.

If the contract is signed by the beneficial owner, there will usually be a recognition of the trust in the contract for example, John Doe in trust for Mary Black). As well, there will be normally a covenant by the Buyer to accept a transfer from the registered owner and not the beneficial owner who signs the contract. This covenant acts as a waiver of section 6 of the Property Law Act (in British Columbia), which provides that the person who signs the contract as Seller is the person who must sign the transfer. There may be warranties or representations of the beneficial owner, of the registered owner, of both, or limited warranties and representations of each.

In other circumstances the registered owner may wish to structure the transaction as a sale of shares rather than a sale of real property. Such sale may involve the shares of the registered owner or the shares of the beneficial owner of the interest in land.

It is always advisable to deal with legal or beneficial owners after a thorough title search has been executed. For example, in a typical residential real estate transaction problems can arise when a Contract of Purchase and Sale is drafted with the Seller when, in fact, the property is legally owned by some other person or company. In this particular case the Seller may have to transfer the subject property into his or her own name to comply with section 6 of the Property Law Act (a costly transaction involving, among other things, payment of taxes), or face the possibility that the Buyer may legally refuse to complete the transaction if presented with a transfer from the Seller as shown on the contract, rather than the registered owner as shown on title.

Buying From An Estate

A Buyer purchasing from an estate must be assured that the title must pass to him or her without legal problems, and that all parties who can claim against the estate have had their opportunity to do so. If Letters Probate have been granted already and the Wills Variation Act (in British Columbia) has been complied with, no additional clause is required. If, however, these steps have not been concluded a clause similar to the one that follows should be incorporated into the Contract of Purchase and Sale:

Subject to the Seller receiving the following by [date:

1) copy of Letters Probate; and 2) assurance that everyone entitled to claim under the Wills Variation Act has waived or released his or her claim against the subject property. An example of a proper way for an executor to sign a contract on behalf of the estate is:

John Smith, Executor for the estate of (name of the deceased).

In some cases there may be a delay in obtaining Letters Probate.Should that occur, the Buyer may agree to an extension to allow the Executor additional time to obtain the Letters Probate.

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 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.

Property Features: What to Look For and Look Out For!

There are many types and sizes of homes on the market at any given point in time. As many of you know, when you look at several properties in a day, it is best to take a notebook along with you to jot down notes along with addresses so that at the end of the day, you can recall the property features you liked or did not like about a particular property.

Let?s take a look at some of the features you may be considering and how they may affect resale.

First, let?s take a look at the size of the home itself.

We all agree that houses vary in the number of rooms they have as well as the total square footage. It generally doesn?t matter which neighborhood you are considering. Basically all subdivisions have homes of various size, shape and construction.

As far as market value goes, buying the largest house in a subdivision is not the best idea. Why? If the majority of the properties surrounding this large home are much smaller than the one you are considering, they can actually impede or greatly lessen the amount of appreciation this property will achieve. It is best to stay in conformity size wise with the properties surrounding a home you are considering. Ironically, if you were to buy a smaller or average size home in comparison to the others in the subdivision, the larger homes can actually help your property to appreciate more in value.

When shopping for property, especially with resale value in mind, concentrate on your needs and not what you want. Buying a property with features you need in a more impressive development may actually result in better appreciation value than if you were to buy what you wanted in a development of lesser quality.

Let?s take a look inside the property. How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there? The most popular number of bedrooms and bathrooms among buyers today are those with three or four bedrooms and a minimum of two bathrooms. A home with two and a half bathrooms offers even more for possible appreciation and resale value.

What about storage space and utility area? Walk-in closets are one of the most desirable features a home can have, especially in the master bedroom. This is one time when size does matter. The larger the closet space, the better. Also, a nice size linen closet is a must in any home.

When it comes to a garage, think attached and two car garage. An attached two car garage will add to the resale value of the home. A new trend among homes being built over the last couple of years is an attached three car garage. These properties are becoming more and more popular in many areas of the country ? especially in golfing communities.

Now let?s move on to the kitchen. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home. It needs to have plenty of counter space, cabinet space, ?elbow room? and for better resale value, a nice size pantry. A large, bright kitchen versus a small, dark kitchen is preferable and will add resale to the property.

Generally, next to the kitchen will be a breakfast nook as well as the family room or great room. This is the only room where a fireplace will add resale value to the home. Having fireplaces in other rooms generally means you are paying more for a feature than the average buyer will be interested in. Again, go with your needs and resale potential instead of wants or desires. The family room or great room is where family and friends will gather and having the kitchen nearby makes entertaining and dining more enjoyable.

If you opt for a formal dining area, this too should be off the kitchen for ease in serving and clearing dishes after the meal which most formal dining areas are. However, unless you do a great deal of formal dining, this area will be an added expense which you don?t really need.

Well, we have taken a pretty good look at the interior of the home itself, now let?s go outside.

The lot and landscape are particularly important. It is best to stay with a regular shape lot and one which has space both in the front as well as the back. Minimal landscape is better. You can always add improvements such as trees and shrubs but remember to keep it affordable in price and amount. Not everyone has that ?green? thumb and not everyone enjoys yard work. Buying a heavily landscaped lot means you are paying a higher price which you are less likely to recoup when it?s time to resell. The lot should also be as level as possible. Steer clear of a property in which the entire backyard is taken up by a swimming pool as this could make it more difficult for resale. A nice size backyard makes the property more appealing. Also, I don?t recommend odd shaped lots as these are slower to move when it comes to resale.

It is paramount that you check comparable sales in the area prior to making your offer. Your exclusive Buyers Broker will provide you with print outs showing what similar properties have listed for and what they have sold for in the development you are considering. Compare the property you are considering to the list of closed sales. Is the property in good condition? The condition of the property greatly affects the value of the home. Has the current owner made any improvements such as expensive flooring or a swimming pool? Have they added an addition? These improvements or additions may increase the value of the property and will affect the purchase price.

Knowledge is power. By gathering information about other properties in the development you are considering and analyzing the data in the comparable sales report, you will be able to establish a range of values based upon size, age, and features of other homes that have sold in the development. The comparable sales report as well as the condition/improvements of the property you are considering along with the current real estate market will enable you to determine a fair purchase price and offer.

Best of luck in all your real estate endeavors.

Florida broker who knows the value of SW Florida real estate, area communities, and their amenities. http://www.FloridaBuyersBroker.com

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 27 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) is an investment trust where many people invest their money in commercial and residential real estate businesses. The trust manages and possesses many commercial properties and mortgages. The trust also invests in other types of real estate. Real estate investment trusts shows the best characteristics of both real estate and stocks.

Real estate investment trust is a company that operates income producing real estate such as apartments, offices, warehouses, shopping centers, and hotels. Though a variety of property types are there, most of the REITs concentrate on any one of the property types only. Those specializing in health care facilities are called the health care REITs. The real estate investment trust was formed in 1960 in order to make large scale income raising investments in real estate, which can be easily accessed by smaller investors. The trust?s main advantage is that it helps a person to select an appropriate share to invest on from a variety of group rather than investing on a single building or management.

Real estate investment trusts are broadly classified into three categories - equity, mortgage and hybrid. The first category involves the ownership and management of income producing real estate. Mortgage real estate investment trusts offers money directly to real estate owners by acquiring loans or mortgage backed securities. The third category not only owns properties but also provide loans to real estate owners and operators.

Real estate investment trusts differ from limited partnerships in many ways. One of the main differences lies in reporting the annual tax information to the investors and another is that there is no minimum investment amount. 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. Once a company is qualified as an REIT, it is allowed to reduce the dividends given to its shareholders.

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.

วันอังคารที่ 25 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Selling Your Home

Whether you decided it is time to move to another area, or to a different house, the main issue remains that you are interested in selling your current residence. But in order for this to take place and you to receive the largest possible bid, you have to do some work beforehand so as to attract prospective bidders attention and walk out with a big smile on your face.

The first thing you have to do before putting your house on the market is to make it as presentable as possible. Real estate agents support that the way you will present your property to the prospective buyers can make al the difference in the world. But there is no need to panic that while being short on money you will have to invest in expensive and time-consuming renovations and redecorations. With some simple steps, it is possible for you to show your house to its very best advantage and gain the deal you want during the time period you wish.

If your house in not part of an apartment building, but a single house in a nice neighborhood, then it is extremely important to pay attention to the curb in front of the house. A clean driveway can give an excellent first impression to the prospective buyers when they drive up towards your garage. In case the outside area is not appealing, then they might not be interested in seeing the inside, or they will be negatively influenced from the beginning and will not be willing to bid as high as you hope or bid in general. In addition, lawns have to be mowed, bushes and trees to be trimmed and windows to be cleaned. Perhaps it would be a good idea to plant a few flowers and add some color to your yard, making it more inviting and friendly. In general, remember to fertilize and water your lawn and plants for two to three weeks before putting your property on the market. Of course garbage has to be thrown away and if your house has a swimming pool that has to be clean. If you wish to get rid of some stuff, then it is best if you schedule your yard-sale before beginning showing your house to interested buyers.

If your house's exterior needs to be repainted, but no available budget exists, it will cost you less to wash off any extra dirt and then paint only the trim, which will update the entire surface. Some people select to repaint the area that faces the street, while others do not spend as much taking care of the outside space, as much as having the interior of the house in perfect shape. In particular for the interior part of your house, consider hiring a professional to do the job and be sure that this cost will bring you a higher sales price. Painting the walls on a light color paint and take care of the doors and the locks making sure that they are able to open and close as they are supposed to. Of course replace the light bulbs if they are burned and steam clean the carpets to renew them. Finally, remember to replace any missing or damaged tiles and have your bathrooms sparkle as well as your kitchen. This is because buyers are particularly interested in examining bathrooms and kitchens, and finally closets. Thus, it is better if you concentrate your efforts there.

Concluding, check the competition in your neighborhood by visiting other open houses and compare your deal both in pricing and condition. This will give you a head start against other houses that are sold in the vicinity.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Real Estate, Business, and Finance.

วันเสาร์ที่ 22 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Austin Student Apartments

Austin, the capital of Texas and a college town, is home to some of the premier public and private educational institutions in the state. Students from in and around Austin come to the city for higher education.

Comfortable student apartments are available both on and off campus. Most of the on-campus apartments are located within the institutions' campus or at convenient locations. The apartment communities of Austin offer off-campus apartments with easy access. Apartments are available for both rent and lease. The rent may be short term or long term, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The rate is subject to facilities available in the apartment. Inexpensive as well as luxury residences can be found.

Austin student apartments provide a fairly wide range of residence options from dormitories and condominiums to family suites, houses, and duplexes. Fully furnished units, private bedrooms, and unfurnished apartments are available. Most of the apartments are equipped with a telephone, basic cable TV service, coin-operated laundry, and Internet access. Facilities vary from apartment to apartment. Some have study centers, fitness centers, fully equipped kitchens, spacious parking area for cars and bikes, as well as private pools. Panoramic views of the neighboring area are an additional feature. Medical and psychological services, counseling, and health education are also provided.

Austin student apartments are within easy access to shopping malls, recreation centers, major businesses, and restaurants. Numerous brokers and property management organizations specialize in renting and leasing student apartments in Austin. American Campus, based in Austin, is one of the largest managers and developers of student housing in America. Online sites also give adequate information.

Austin Apartments provides detailed information on Austin Apartment Associations, Austin Apartment Guides, Austin Apartment Locators, Austin Apartment Stores and more. Austin Apartments is affiliated with North Dallas Apartments.

How to Use Real Estate Lists

If you are planning to purchase a home, you should be on top of your game in order to make a wise investment. There are many crucial elements in this potentially stressful process. You should make sure that you find a home that suits your family's needs. You should also make a prudent investment, so that you can sell the house for profit in the future.

It would not be wise if you choose a house that depreciates in value. If you want to ensure your home's worth, you have to do some research before any purchase. This may have been difficult 15 years ago, but this has become an easy task because of the Internet. All you have to do is hop on the web, and acquire real estate lists, and check out houses for sale all across the country.

I started browsing through real estate lists when I was looking for a new home a few years ago. It didn't exactly have to be a new home, but I did want it to be nice. I decided to check out a few houses personally after browsing through a number of valuable real estate lists on the Internet. At that time, I was looking in Salem, Oregon because I found out that houses there were popular.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find a suitable home after viewing around eight houses in person. I had no choice but to go back to the real estate lists. This was when I found the perfect house. It was a nice three bedroom, two and a half bathroom house situated in an ideal location. I was amazed at how pleasant the neighborhood actually was. With a fully fenced in, half an acre lot, it was really amazing. My wife and I decided to purchase it immediately.

If you want to acquire real estate lists to help you find a home, simply hop online and pull up Google.com. Punch in the keywords real estate lists and you will be rewarded with a long list of houses for sale ranging from one coast to the other. Nowadays, real estate lists are so simple to come by, even for the average person. Remember to consider the neighborhood, and not solely the home. Also keep in mind that the location and environment are important factors.

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

วันศุกร์ที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

What is a Post mortem anyway?

post?mor?tem (p st-m?r t m) adj. 1. Occurring or done after death. 2. Of or relating to a medical examination of a dead body. n. 1. See autopsy. 2. Informal An analysis or review of a finished event. That is the definition you will see in most dictionaries.

We use the term to forensically examine the property that you have purchased, rehabilitated and resold. It is a necessary tool in your administrative toolbox if you want to become a better real estate investor.

The Post-mortem will do the following if you examine it:

1) Show you the way to price your next rehab project down to the penny.

2) Indicate a spike in either goods or labor during the time period.

3) Allow you to correct any deviations in your pricing formula when you purchased the property.

4) Indicate whether you are pricing the resale correctly.

5) Identify training problems.

6) Indicate if you are purchasing the right properties.

7) It is a great tool to show to your lender when you are attempting to finance a property.

Each property you purchase must be examined to indicate whether you are performing your job correctly. How do I do a post-mortem? Well here is the rub? First you have to have a system of pricing in place to examine the results against.

For example a client purchased at auction the property below in Groveport, Ohio on January 20, 2005 and then resold on April 26, 2005, for a profit of just over $19,000 or 20% return. Why would you want to analyze a win like that?

Because the client made several mistakes that can not be repeated if they intend to continue to make profits. So we teach them to analyze everything to make the next deal more lucrative and to get used to having a system.

First they learn to create a summary page. It summarizes the transaction and we usually use this page to show to the lender along with the prediction regarding resale (market index) and our rehabilitation analyzer.

In this situation the home was purchased for $82,150.00 at the auction. Prior to the auction our client had an estimated rehabilitation of $9,700 for the property. In actuality they spent in the neighborhood of $16,000.00! Way out of line with the analyzer. Why were they so off budget? They failed to account for items that were needed. They were over budget on electrical, kitchen, appliances, flooring and failed to account for a new furnace and water heater.

This is simply a training issue or as we call it honest eyes. The client failed to account for items that were required to be in the fix-up budget.

So do yourself a favor and learn to do a post-mortem on every property you purchase. Or let us teach you to perform them.www.blog.frontgateconsulting.com

Real Estate Marketing Strategies: 3 New Listings $30000 More in Commissions

How to Magnetize Your Ideal Clients

Are You Getting the Results You Want?

If you are working long hours, feeling exhausted, and not getting the results you want, you are not alone. Having been a business coach for real estate agents for over 10 years, I often hear my clients saying things like,

?Why do I always seem to get clients that run me ragged??

?I?m tired of working with clients who aren?t really motivated.?

?Why am I attracting the wrong kind of clients??

The Problem

Are you spending valuable time and precious energy working with your less than ideal clients?

You will know by the way you feel. Do you feel drained of energy, driven to distraction, and discouraged because your efforts are not bringing you a financial return?

If you?re feeling any of those feelings in working with your clients, then most likely your clients are indecisive, unmotivated, unqualified, and unappreciative of your services. This article will tell you how to attract your ideal clients.

The Good News You have the power to attract your ideal clients ? those that you love to work with ? using a powerful tool called the Law of Attraction. Just how powerful is it?

Here is a real-life example of the power of the Law of Attraction at work:

When one of my clients, Marsha, and I first started working together, she was afraid to be assertive. She also had subconscious self-limiting beliefs that were keeping her from reaching her desired goals and income. I helped her transform her beliefs to build a strong foundation for the Law of Attraction to work. The results? Here is what she recently wrote to me:

?Since learning the Law of Attraction from you, I find it easy to set boundaries and speak up for what I need. Using the Law of Attraction principles, I am able to attract my Ideal Clients with ease. But most importantly, when we started, I had zero business. Now I am averaging five transactions a month. That?s an increase of about $30,000 a month.?

If you too want to become a magnet for what you desire, achieving financial success in an easy and relaxed manner, then read on. You?ll learn the 5 steps of the Law of Attraction and how it works, plus get tips on you can apply it.

The 5 Steps of the Law of Attraction

Step 1: Get Crystal Clear on What You DON?T Want.

The Law of Attraction teaches that like energy attracts like energy and you get what you focus on. Given that, it seems odd to focus on what you don?t want, doesn?t it? However, in my experiences of empowering others to reach their goals, I?ve discovered that this is what most people do all the time, unconsciously.

How many times have you caught yourself preoccupied with a lack of desired income, ideal clients, etc? Notice that you?re focused on the lack of something. What are you attracting? More of the same. Get clear about what you don?t want and you can deliberately stop giving it attention. What don?t you want in your real estate career? Make a list and write it down.

Step 2: Get Crystal Clear on What You DO Want.

Now that you know what you don?t want, it?s easier to get clear on what you do want. Look back at your list of ?don?t wants? and for each one, develop a strong, detailed statement of what you desire. For instance, you might write something like: I want a six-figure income, I want to work with clients who are ready, willing, and able to close quickly, and so on.

As you write, challenge your status quo. This is about attracting your big dream. Go for it. And when you?re done, cross off everything on your ?Don?t Want? list. You only needed to focus there long enough to get clear on what you do want.

Step 3: Get Into the Feeling Place of What You Want.

To attract what you desire, find a way to feel good about your ?want? rather than frustrated at the lack of having it. Writing a desire statement helps you do that. This paragraph (about 2-3 sentences) describes what you want as if it were happening right now.

To write your desire statement, get into the feeling place of what you want. How? Ask yourself what serving your ideal client looks like? Visualize holding your dream commission check in your hands. Imagine receiving your desired income easily and effortlessly.

Now write your desire statement and read it aloud. How do you feel? Elated? Grateful? Energized? That?s how you should feel, and it?s how you know you are sending out the positive energy that attracts more of the same.

Step 4: Clear All Your Opposing Beliefs.

Remove all of your self-limiting beliefs so that the Law of Attraction will work for you. This means re-programming self-limiting beliefs and resolving inner conflicts that are not in alignment with what you want.

Don?t worry if you find this challenging. Most people do. Our self-limiting beliefs are usually subconscious, living in what I call a ?blind spot.? Most of the time it requires the skill of a therapist or a coach to help identify these self-limiting beliefs and transform them into empowered beliefs. Even Tiger Woods has a coach to help him get past his blind spot.

What do self-limiting beliefs sound like? Take a look at some typical examples of actual beliefs I?ve heard:

?Maybe I don?t deserve success?

?It?s selfish to want more money?

?I?m not sure I want to be in real estate?

Step 5: Take Inspired Action and Allow It to Come to You.

Take Inspired Action and detach yourself from the outcome. In other words, do what feels inspired based on your intuition and inner nudges. Avoid Frantic Action that comes out of fear and a reactive mode. Once you take action, suspend your doubts and believe that what you want is on the way to you. This puts you in a state of joyful anticipation where your vibrations are high and you are magnetic for what you want.

Practical Tips for Applying the Law of Attraction Everyday

1. Practice Gratitude. Open the door for more good to come to you. Start each morning thinking about all that you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal; write in it daily; read it often.

2. Visualize. The more you visualize what you want, the faster it will come to you.

3. Observe Your Own Self-Talk. Stop giving energy and attention to that pesky inner voice that brings your energy and vibrations down. Replace self-sabotaging thoughts with empowered ones.

4. Ask Yourself Throughout the Day, ?What Do I Want?? By doing that, you are focusing your conscious and subconscious mind on what you want to attract and you are increasing your magnetism.

5. Do What Brings You Joy! I have two rules here:

Rule 1: If it gives you joy, do it!

Rule 2: No, really, if it gives you joy, do it!

A Quick Recap: Remember that everything is energy ? every thought, belief, and feeling ? and that like energy attracts like energy. So, focus on what you want, tame your inner critic and send out what you want to attract to become magnetic for your ideal clients, new listings, more in commissions? whatever your professional heart desires.

Here is a letter I recently received from one of my clients:

?Dear Maya,

In the last week I have been really focusing on the Law of Attraction. I have been practicing stopping my negative thoughts, and asking myself, ?So what do I want?? In addition, I verbalized out loud positive affirmations of having my business succeed.

Out of the blue I have 3 new listings in one week. I know that it?s my practice of the Law of Attraction. I have been putting out a very positive energy, and expecting results to come to me, and they have.

By the way, all of my new clients are my Ideal Clients. When I work with them I am uplifted to a higher plane. I know that they appreciate the service that I give them, and that makes my work a pleasure, because that makes my work a win-win. I can?t thank you enough for helping me implement the Law of Attraction into my everyday life.?

Paula, Real Estate Agent

For your complimentary ?Skyrocket Your Business With The Law of Attraction? One-On-One Session, please visit Maya?s website: http://www.coachmaya.com. For more information on powerful marketing tips and tools, visit: http://www.90daystomoreclients.com. Get your Free Mentoring Session, ?Seven Simple Strategies to More Clients in 90 Days.?

For more information on powerful marketing tips and tools, please visit Maya's website: http://www.90daystomoreclients.com While you're there, get your Free Audio Mentoring Session by clicking the first button.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 20 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Pune Property : India's Best Buy

Real Estate prices have been galloping in India over the last few years.


Since 2003 prices in Bangalore have been steadily rising upwards. Property purchased at 400Rs per sq feet has risen to 1800-2000Rs per sq feet within a few years. This is a 400-500% increase in price. Similarly for Noida. A plot for constructing an independent house is not available in Noida today for less than a crore . Why does all this make Pune property attractive?


Pune has been in the Real Estate news for a little over a year. So it's essentially been overlooked vis-a-vis hot IT markets like Bangalore and Noida. Real estate prices are still realistic in Pune. In the Eastern suburbs, you can still buy plots in Kondhva for about 600 Rs. Builders like Nyati, Cloud 9, Clover Village are the major sellers for plots and row houses in this area.


In the Western Suburbs Hinjewadi is the place where all the Real Estate action is happening. This is mainly because of the IT Park situated here. IT majors Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant are already there. New players have been coming in every month. This has resulted in a boom for rental accommodation in this area and also surrounding areas like Aundh, Baner, Bhugaon, Pune University.


A definite lower cost of living, fantastic weather, a small insular city which makes travelling easy, an extremely young upbeat crowd all add to the Pune charm. Pune is just a 3 hours drive over the expressway to Bombay and is well connected by air, road and rail. IT companies are moving to Pune since it's being seen as an extremely 'livable' city. The best property all over India

David Thomoson, an associated editor to pune360.com , is a contributing author to the www.pune360.com for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit www.pune360.com for more information on Real Estate, property and classified issues Or write to him AT pune360@hotmail.com. Any comments and /or suggestions will be highly appreciated.

Why Mortgage Insurance Can Actually Save You Money

Mortgage insurance provides lenders a form of financial guarantee which protects the lender in cases in which the borrower defaults on a loan. For those looking to buy a home, agreeing to loan terms which include mortgage insurance, increases the purchasing power of the buyer a great deal. Agreeing to buy mortgage insurance allows individuals the opportunity to buy a home with a down payment of only 5%-10%, as opposed to the 20% that is often required when the lender does not have the guarantee of mortgage insurance.

Buyers typically purchase and pay for mortgage insurance in three different ways. These ways include paying in annuals, monthly premiums, or singles. We are going to take a closer look at the available mortgage insurance payment options below:

1.) Annuals: The annuals payment option allows the lender to collect the first year?s premium at closing and then all subsequent payments are made on a monthly basis.

2.) Monthly Premiums: This payment option requires the buyer to only pay for one month at closing and all remaining payments are then made on a monthly basis.

3.) Singles: The singles payment option requires the buyer to make a one-time single payment that is typically financed as part of the mortgage amount.

Mortgage insurance ensures the lender is covered in cases in which the borrower can no longer pay the loan and defaults on it. It is also a powerful bargaining tool for potential borrowers who are unable to come up with a large down payment. Offering to pay mortgage insurance can decrease the amount of ones? down payment by 10% to 15%. But it is important to note that mortgage insurance does not have to be paid forever. After a certain period of time and when certain conditions are met, mortgage insurance is no longer required to be carried on the mortgage.

For more information on better Mortgages as well as great Mortgage Broker tips, tricks, and techniques and money-saving info visit www.lenoxnationalmortgage.com

วันพุธที่ 19 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Why You Must Have A Residential Lease Agreement

Renting a home; whether the unit is a single detached house, a two-storey apartment, a modest condominium or a swanky penthouse suite, is not as easy as everyone perceives it to be. It involves more than having money change hands every week or month, depending on what payment terms have been agreed upon by both parties. Renting a home is about working together. It?s about understanding the requirements of one another, and adapting to the codes of conduct specified by each.

In some instances, especially if the landlord and tenants have known each other for long periods of time, a gentleman?s agreement (a verbal contract) would normally suffice. However, sometimes, even the best of friends have falling outs due to money matters so, to prevent this from happening; and to clearly spell out the duties and responsibilities of each; it is still best that a formal contract be written and that these be signed by all the parties involved. Formal contracts for properties that are rented out as private dwellings are called residential lease agreements. Not only do these specify how much the unit will be rented out, all the other terms and conditions: from the rules and regulations that shall govern the new tenant, to the responsibilities that shall be borne by the landlord, and the appropriate ?penalty clauses? are to be specified in writing on this document.

Generally, there are two kinds of lease agreements, and these are based on the duration of one?s stay in the residential unit. For short-term and/or indefinite leases, the contract both parties normally use is called a month-to-month rental agreement. Long term leases, or those wherein the tenant will stay in a property for years at a time, are covered by a more comprehensive contract called a Lease Agreement.

These two contracts, the Lease Agreement and the Month-to-Month Rental Agreement, are both considered legal documents and will stand in any court of law. Thus said, it is very important that the contents of these documents are well written and easily understood, most especially by the parties involved.

In previous years, residential lease agreements could only be prepared by real estate agents or lawyers. Not only was this process time consuming, it was also an additional cost that usually had to be factored into the rental rates. Luckily, tenants and landlords no longer have to go through this tedious process as they are now able to prepare residential lease agreements by themselves by downloading an editable version from one of many real estate related websites found on the internet.

Many are apprehensive about using downloadable forms because they fear that the content and format may not necessarily conform to the standards set by local or state government offices. However, the developers of such sites have invested much time and energy to ensure that these documents, although considered somewhat generic, meet the requirements of any official business or government entity. Because these forms can be opened using any standard word processing program, the contents can easily be modified to suit the specific needs of the users.

About The Author
This is article is brought to you by Gloria Smith at LegalHomeForms.com. Created by a former, licensed Real Estate Agent, LegalHomeForms.com was designed to offer instant access to the most sought after type of real estate forms. For the cost of what others charge for one residential lease agreement, you can have instant access to over 60 downloadable real estate forms.

How I made $235000 in 18 months investing in Real Estate

Learn how I made $235,000 investing in real estate with my first property. Buying real estate and making money really is not hard at all. More millionaires are produced from real estate than any other money making opportunity out there. There really is nothing to it, all you have to do is follow some simple techniques and know how to look for that hot property with potential, before it gets scooped up by your competitors who want to make that dollar as well.

The real estate game usually is not a get rich quick program, yet you can make a great deal of money with a little patience. I have two family members who have between them $1.5 million in equity in their homes right now, yet that took 30 years or more to accumulate. The good thing about them is that they are older, one is retired and the other is close to retirement, so they are secure financially during those crucial years. Learn how I did it the simple and easy way, I have no program to sell you. what I have to share with you is so simple, that I can just tell you. You can have that little bit of knowledge free to add to what you already know about how to make money in real estate.

Thank You,

Ronald http://www.freeatlast-ron3.blogspot.com

Buy Cheap Repossessed Homes From Government Auctions 5 Tips

With the proliferation of government-sponsored foreclosure auctions of repossessed homes, people could shop for already existing homes. One source or venue of such existing homes up for sale is the government auctions.

Not surprisingly, governments, be it national or local, are always possessing homes from citizens and constituents who have in one way or another screwed out resulting to the confiscation or sequestration of their homes.

Here are several useful tips that could serve as a helpful guidance for you if you are planning or are already on your way to buying repossessed homes at government-sponsored auctions.

1. Inspect the home thoroughly and carefully. If you are still not an expert at this, bring along a friend or an expert to compare and validate the valuation of the home for sale.

There might be defects and small or even major ruins in the home that should be taken into consideration, for they may significantly alter or lower the home's tag price.

2. Do a little research about the former owners of the home. This can be a little hard to do, but it would satisfy your curiosity and never ending questions about the history of the house.

3. Government auctions are just like any other forms of auctions. People tend and aim to outbid each other.

If you desperately want to buy a home, just learn to let go and accept the fact that luck must go with you for you to own that dream house you have been eyeing for sometime.

Otherwise, if you compete with higher bids, you may end up spending too much or overpaying for the unit.

4. Focus on the tag price and always be reasonable and logical in weighing the prospects, or in analyzing if the investment would be a worthwhile and practical one.

5. Finalize the payment arrangements. Urgently indicate whether the mode of payment would be in cash, in checks, or in installment terms.

Cash payments usually are imposed special discounts, while installment basis can be sometimes convenient and lighter, though computing in the long term would reveal that the total amount could be much higher.

For listings of government repossessed homes, please go to http://www.buy-cheap-houses.info/

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

Miami Real Estate

Miami is considered the largest urbanized city in the state of Florida. With the metropolitan area surrounded by the Miami River, Biscayne Bay, the Everglades, and the Atlantic Ocean, Miami a great place for residential homes and recreation areas.

Types of Miami Real Estate

With the ever increasing demand for Miami real estate, properties both existing and new are readily available. You can choose from affordable homes to luxurious mansions, condos, lofts, apartment buildings and even pre-construction buildings. Whether it be for residence or commercial properties such as hotels, restaurants, offices or other income properties, you can find something that will suit your taste. Properties range from $650,000 to millions of dollars, and surely you can find something that will suit your budget. Properties are available in Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Brickell, Surfside, Bal Harbor, Key Biscayne, Aventura, Fisher Island, downtown Miami, Lincoln Road, and more.

Guidelines

Wherever you may want to find a property in Miami, you can find a realtor who can help you purchase that piece of Miami real estate that is right for you. He or she can present you with photographs, videos, or virtual tours of the properties available. Your realtor can find a property that will match your budget. He will also guide you through local taxes and mortgage rates. And be sure to seek the services of a member of the National Association of Realtors who will strictly uphold the Code of Ethics of the association.

Amenities

What contributes to the beauty of Miami real estate is the richness of the cultural diversity that exists in this city. Aside from the local Americans, the city hosts a rich population of Latin Americans and people that reside in the Caribbean. Miami also has a healthy number of tourists, not to mention many celebrities who call Miami their home. The city has at least two prestigious universities - University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University - and hosts athletic teams such as the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins, and the Miami Heat.

Miami Real Estate provides detailed information on Miami Real Estate, Miami Waterfront Real Estate, Miami Beach Real Estate, Miami Luxury Real Estate and more. Miami Real Estate is affiliated with Downtown San Diego Real Estate.

Atlanta Real Estate Online

Atlanta real estate online services help you meet all your real estate needs in and around Atlanta. They help you to buy or sell your property or to relocate. These online services provide information on all residential and commercial properties for sale. Atlanta real estate online services are equally helpful for both experienced investors and first-time buyers.

There are hundreds of reliable websites offering you many kinds of Atlanta real estate services. Most of them have good listings of homes and other properties. They display high-quality photographs of homes and office buildings. In most cases, price tags are also provided. Certain real estate firms with online services make use of multiple listing services (MLS). Many companies offer mortgage help as well. Online real estate services usually monitor your deal from the very beginning to the final settlement.

Most Atlanta real estate agents foster their own websites. They provide huge area-wide lists of real estate properties. Information about some of the best real estate agents is also provided through various websites. These agents will help you make a market evaluation of properties, price your home, and pursue the various procedures involved in the buying or selling process.

Online Atlanta real estate services offer you many advantages, especially if you are an outsider. They offer direct access to various properties available for sale. These services keep you abreast of the changes in trends and help you make decisions accordingly. Atlanta's online real estate is flourishing, owing to a rapid growth in the Atlanta population and the increased rate of employed people.

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.

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.

Idaho Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Idaho

Maybe you are buying your first home in Idaho, or perhaps you?re relocating to Idaho from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Idaho home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you will need to know before buying a home in Idaho:

The median price of a home in Idaho is $106,300. Recently, homes in Idaho have been appreciating at rates slightly below the national average. Therefore, affordability is favorable in the state of Idaho. In fact, Idaho has the highest rate of home ownership in the nation.

The price of homes in Idaho varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Boise, Idaho, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $195,000; however, in Meridian, Idaho, the median price of a home was $177,000, and in Eagle, Idaho, it was $210,000. Average interest rates in Idaho are equal to the national average.

Idaho is one of only 14 states that uses a ?Deed of Trust? as a mortgage. This means that a trustee holds the title of a house for a lender rather than the mortgage company itself.

If you?re buying a home in the state of Idaho, you qualify for both federal and state housing assistance. Low income borrowers can qualify for down payment assistance, and borrowers with special needs can receive certain types of assistance with buying a home. These programs are available through Idaho?s HOME program.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Idaho Mortgage Rates and Loans .

The Dirty Little Secret About The Do Not Call List

The Do Not Call List has changed the way real estate agents can and will do business forever. After all, 76% of US adults have added their name to the list. The dirty little secret...it does not matter! The Do Not Call List does not mean that you can't still get solid qualified leads. There are a lot of real estate trainers out there claiming to have the answers, a sure fire way to beat The List and the next be all, end all real estate marketing program to have people beating down your doors to do business with you. The ads for these programs usually include a lot of hype and testimonials by agents who have increased their business by 200% and then at the end hit you with the big price tag. But where are the real numbers and hard facts behind the hype? Who really knows if those programs are going to lead you to the path of success? I certainly don't. But here is what I do know.The biggest obstacle to a real estate agents next commission, and their long term success, is finding qualified leads. You know that if you could just get the leads, you could close the deals. But most agents are at a loss once they exhaust their list of family, friends and sphere of influence. And with 3 out of 4 prospects off limits, cold calling becomes more like walking a mine field than trying to drum up business. That is why the turn-over rate for new agents in real estate is over 50% per year So how do the successful 50% find qualified leads? Well for one thing they do not passively look for leads, they actively generate them. Many successful agents have turned to toll free number call capture technology to generate leads without the risk of an $11,000 fine. When you look at the numbers, it is easy to see why it works.83% Of Americans Want Recorded InformationAccording to a Gallup Poll, 83% of Americans would rather call for recorded information before speaking to a salesperson. Give the public what they want. A toll free number call capture system allows real estate agents to offer free recorded information about properties, free reports for buyers and sellers or any other information they would like to make available to their prospects. Once the potential clients call in, their name, address and phone number are captured for the agent to follow up on. Since the prospect called into the toll free number to request information, the agent is free to call them back for up to 3 months (unless the consumer requests not to be called.)32.7% Will Buy or List Within 30-60 DaysA survey of over 25,000 prospects who called for recorded information showed 32.7% of them bought or listed a property within 30-60 days after calling. An additional 42.1% acted within twelve months. I have not heard of any other form of marketing that can tout those kinds of numbers of quality leads. A toll free number call capture system generates quality, actionable leads. And the best part? They called you. Agents who have these kinds of quality leads, calling them 24/7, could care less about the Do Not Call List.74% Will Do Business With YOU.According to NAR, 74% of the people that complete a real estate transaction do so with the FIRST agent they talked to. That being the case, it is in an agent's best interest to make sure they are the first ones to reach the prospect. A call capture system makes this easy to do. Once the potential client calls in, all the information is available to the agent; name, address, phone number, and in the better systems, even what information extension they called in on. With that kind of information at their fingertips, an agent is empowered with everything that they need to get back to the consumer in a timely fashion and with confidence.Everyone in the real estate industry knows that the Do Not Call List has completely changed the way agents do business. But some have found that by using call capture technology, they can generate even more quality leads than they ever did with cold calling. The technology gives consumers what they want by allowing them to call in for free recorded information and generates quality, actionable leads that agents can follow up on quickly and with confidence. And in spite of the Do Not Call List, agents are finding it actually easier to do business using call capture. If you want to know how that is possible, just look at the numbers and then check out call capture technology for yourself.

Brandi Cummings is a leading telecommunications consultant specializing in 800 number call capture technology for real estate professionals. Learn more secrets and tips on how to make a call capture system work for you at www.realtyone800.com.

วันศุกร์ที่ 14 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Maine Real Estate

Located on the east coast of the United States, Maine is located in the New England region. The capital city of Maine is Augusta in Kennebec County. Other important cities in the state include Portland, Laval Mayenne and Vendome.

With its beautiful landscapes and abundance of open spaces, real estate has become a booming industry in the state of Maine. The state also has several vacation and recreational sites, making real estate investment a very viable solution.

The most popular urban area in the state of Maine is Portland. Owing to a booming economy, the city has a well-developed infrastructure, making it a popular destination for real estate investors. Other factors which provide an impetus to the real estate business is the metropolitan populace.

The beautiful coastline of Maine provides many great real estate options. The property rates are also affordable. Usually, properties near the coast tend to be more expensive. However, in Maine even the sea-facing properties come at an affordable cost. The average home in Portland may cost around $370,000 near the coast and approximately $100,000 in the interiors.

There are a number of factors that influence the purchase of real estate in Maine. The locality should be chosen to suit a person?s lifestyle. Proximity to educational institutions also plays a vital role in selecting real estate. Fortunately, Maine has a number of quality colleges and universities scattered all over the city. These provide quality education in a variety of faculties. Other factors include nearby medical facilities and recreational parks and gardens.

For those investing in real estate in the state for the first time, it is advisable to consult a real estate broker or consultant. These people can provide the best information about the different areas and rates, hence helping the prospective buyer to get the best value for money.

Pristine settings along with peaceful neighborhoods make Maine a desirable place for all.

Maine provides detailed information on Maine, Portland Maine, Maine Real Estate, Maine Vacations and more. Maine is affiliated with Freeport Maine Bed And Breakfast.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 13 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

How to Use Maximum Leverage to Get Rich Fast

Alone you have NO leverage. Alone, you have only YOUR money, YOUR experiences, YOUR time, and YOUR work efforts.

We all have limitations. Unfortunately, too many real estate investors just starting out never learn how to get beyond their limitations by exploiting the power of leverage. No matter how hard they work and how smart they are, they are destined to fail from the get go. You see, people rarely get rich based solely on their own efforts.

But don?t let this happen to you.

Leverage remains a secret to so many investors not because successful real estate investors keep it a secret, but because too many investor wannabees truly don?t understand the power of leverage. Or if they understand the principles of leverage, they fail to properly apply them in their real estate business.

And just to make sure you don?t become another has-been investor, let?s be clear about what leverage is so you can truly harness its power to empower you to get rich fast.

Leverage is anything you can use to multiply your efforts as an investor. When you have leverage, you have the power to control a lot with only a little. You can do more with less effort. This is one of the most important aspects on your path to riches and financial freedom.

There are essentially four ?golden principles that govern the application of maximum leverage in your business as a real estate investor.

1. The leverage of Other People?s Money (OPM).
Even if you?re brand new to real estate investing, you have probably heard about this financial principle before. Using other people's money - borrowing - is one of the most common forms of applying leverage.

But why it?s popularity?

In real estate, when you buy a property for nothing down, you are able to pay nothing (or use none of your money) and LEVERAGE 100% control of the property.

Not a bad deal! But it gets even better because leverage gives you the ability to magnify the return on your investment. Here?s a simplified illustration of how it can truly propel your real estate investing business to an incredibly higher level and get rich fast.

Just think about what?s happened! You can use your $50,000 (in cash) to buy a single house to earn a 20,000 profit from the sale of the property. Or you can choose to take advantage of the remarkable power of leverage by using the same $50,000 to buy 20 houses by paying $2,500 down on each of 20 properties. Imagine what your bank account would be like if you made the same $20,000 profit on the sale of each of the 20 houses?

Can you do the numbers in your mind?

It was Napoleon Hill who said ?If you don?t see great riches in your imagination you will never see them in your bank balance.?

Successful real estate investors make it happen repeatedly and it can happen to you if you apply maximum leverage.

2. The leverage of Other People?s Experience (OPE).
It takes too long to learn everything on your own so borrow from others what they have learned. The best way to be successful in your real estate investing business is to find someone who has already achieved success and then learn from them what they did to get to that point.

It's not rocket science!

You can accomplish this task in many ways:
a. Get a mentor
b. Read books by successful investors
c. Attend investment seminars

3. The leverage of Other People?s Time (OPT).
There is a set amount of hours you can work each day. Even if you could do without sleeping or eating, still you would have only 24 hours each day like everybody else. There is only so much time that you personally have to get all the things done that you need to do.

So you must create a duplicable system that is essentially usable by anyone. A duplicable system will help you advance faster and increase your profits while reducing your work.

Your system must be so simple that you could literally teach it to anyone of average intelligence, but yet so effective that once you have taught that someone to use your system, it operates efficiently without you.

4. The leverage of Other People?s Work (OPW).
You can use other people's labor by outsourcing all of your rehabbing tasks. You must assemble a team to include a plumber, an electrician, an HVAC technician, a foundation specialist, a roofer, a flooring specialist, and a rehab specialist. And don?t forget to include a CPA, a real estate attorney, an escrow officer, and a realtor that specializes in foreclosures.

Here, leverage really starts to kick in because with your team you'll get a lot more done a lot quicker than you could ever do alone. Assemble several teams simultaneously and you will be on fast-forward in your journey to achieve financial freedom.

Find a way to take advantage of other people?s work to accelerate your real estate success... Just do it!

If you do it all on your own, or said another way, if all the money you receive is directly proportional to the efforts that you make, then you are not using leverage. In fact, the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad believes that If you're working hard physically and not getting ahead financially, then you're probably someone else's leverage!

As one shrewd observer put it, Wealth is when small efforts produce large results. Poverty is when large efforts produce small results. Some people predominantly produce a lot of hard work and effort that doesn't accomplish much. Others do some relatively simple things that make much bigger things happen. That is maximum leverage?

To become financially free through your real estate business, you must master each of the four principles that control the use of maximum leverage.

Lee Salinas, CPA, MBA became a corporate refugee when he was blind-sided by a layoff in 2002. But Lee discovered life outside the corporate rat-race when he became a real estate investor. In four years, Lee has purchased over 180 properties. Additionally, Lee has created a real estate business plan that helps investors get all the private money they need to fund their deals. Lee?s business plan is available at http://www.realestatebizplan.com.

Overseas Property Investment ? Cutting The Risk & Increasing The Reward

More people than ever are looking at overseas property investment as a way to make money.

Properties are cheaper and there are some big gains to be made, but a large amount of investors when buying overseas property investment fail to balance the risk reward correctly and lose.

Here we will outline some basic overseas property guidelines to ensure that you have the best chance possible of making a solid gain on your investment.

Track record

Would you buy any investment without a track record? Probably not, but many investors do this when they buy overseas property investment.

They simply want cheap property and the biggest gain possible but this more often than not ends up in big losses.

They are tempted to buy new markets that could take off.

The big variable here is ?could? Sure, if it takes off then big gains could be made but why take the risk?

1. Buy a property market with a track record

You want to know the overseas property market you are buying has a track record of solid gains and low downside risk. Property trends go on for a long time and the fact you missed the start doesn?t matter.

Buying into the trend will mean you are buying a POPULAR area and chances are it will get more popular.

2. Looking for future potential

When buying an overseas property as an investment look for solid reasons why the investment will rise in the coming years, so look for:

1.Rising foreign capital and migration to the country
2.A general consensus that the country is accepted as safe and a good location
3.There is a solid reason for the trend to continue

For example, the baby boomer generation in the US has its eyes on Central America it?s close, safe and encourages foreign investment. With high prices in the US and the baby boomer generation looking to get a better lifestyle at lower cost, the trend will likely continue.

4. An established foreign community

Gives others confidence to invest, so more tend to follow as a result. People like to be around people from their own country and a large well established foreign community will do this.

5. Getting the right location

When buying an overseas property investment look for the up and coming areas. As a market develops so do new areas and these are the ones to buy chances are they will become established areas and yield similar gains

When looking at your overseas property investment look for the above and try and buy near new significant changes in the infrastructure such as marinas, hotels, roads etc.

6. Property trends last for years!

A popular market can take a long time to run out of steam. As it develops there will always be opportunities for profit and you have the comfort of having a track record of gains and these are a guide for what future gains will be.

If we look at Central America again the Costa Rica property boom is now over 10 years old, yet savvy investors are still making triple digit gains in just a few years by buying into the rising trend.

7. Balancing the risk ? reward

With the above strategy you won?t buy the cheapest overseas investment property, but you will buy competitively priced property and have the best upside potential, to lowest downside risk and that?s what most investors want.

8. Be a pioneer if you wish

If you want to buy overseas property investments and be the first in fair enough, but keep in mind the risk. Your market may never take off, or you could wait a long time.

The pioneers made big money but most fell to arrows!

If you want a solid return with low risk on your investment, then buy an established market, which is rising in popularity.

Pick your locations in up and coming areas and you will have low risk and the potential for solid or spectacular gains ahead.

FREE PROPERTY INVESTMENT REPORT!

For a free report on in investing in property with tips and strategies, as well as an established location offfering great reward potential with low dowside risk visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com

วันพุธที่ 12 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

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

Austin Luxury Apartments

Rich in natural beauty, Austin is a popular tourist destination and a great place to live. It offers a wide selection of economical to expensive luxury apartments for rent, lease, and sale in a variety of neighborhoods.

Set against the backdrop of beautiful landscapes with hill views, the condominiums, town homes, and duplex luxury apartments are designed to meet varying lifestyles and tastes. Austin luxury apartments engage twenty-first century concepts, spacious floor plans, and an ecologically compatible environment to foster physical, mental, and spiritual well being. Every apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, unique living space, and spacious dining area. Some have Berber carpet, a Roman soaking tub, Texas-size walk-in closets, built-in bookshelves and desks, washer/dryer connections, a utility room, and French patio doors leading to a private garden or balcony.

Common facilities include a sports park and clubhouse with lighted tennis and volleyball courts; professional, multi-level putting greens, big-screen TV and billiards room; computer and Internet access; fitness center with aerobics classes; indoor and outdoor games; parking spaces; a swimming pool and spa. Celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries, business meetings, and conferences may also be held.

Many Austin luxury apartments have a serene atmosphere, ideal for senior citizens. Independent living and assisted-living luxury apartments are also available. Independent gated villages are interconnected with a series of greenbelts, parks, and lit pathways as well as hike and bike trails.

Information about Austin luxury apartments may be obtained from professional apartment locators, realtors, or real estate agents. Many online sites also assist in buying, leasing, and renting apartments.

Austin Apartments provides detailed information on Austin Apartment Associations, Austin Apartment Guides, Austin Apartment Locators, Austin Apartment Stores and more. Austin Apartments is affiliated with North Dallas Apartments.

วันอังคารที่ 11 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Little Ideas To Increase Your Rents And Keep Your Tenants

Your tenant living in your investment property is really a business partner for you. The best way to ensure you have a good relationship with your tenant is look after them. Basically they are happy paying their rent and getting on living and enjoying their life. Most of the renters I have come across live from week to week. They have a mind set generally that locks them into long term renting. This is a benefit to you that you need to take full advantage of.

So what I find to be the best scenario is to keep them happy and make their life as comfortable as possible. When they are in this comfort zone they typically always pay their rent and just as importantly they will look after your real estate investment. These two keys are critical to putting each property on auto pilot. This makes your life easier and also your property manager?s job easier as well.

There are small repairs and fix ups you can do to the property that will make your tenant happier. A good example is installing a light, heater and fan unit to the bathroom. This will keep the people warm when using the bathroom. Also it will stop the room fogging up in winter time, which will stop the build up of mould on the walls and ceilings. The tenant is happy and you are looking after your investment property and by adding a time and labour saving piece of equipment. This also adds value to the property. And the tenant will be happy to pay you five dollars a week extra in rent when you explain the benefits to them.

Another good add on I like to use is, a garden shed. The men these days love to tinker around in their sheds. This is becoming popular with the ladies as well. With this one you are adding a lot of value to your investment property and you will have no trouble at all getting an increase in the rent. The tenants will love you. It gives better storage space and helps keep the place look neat and tidier. Another added bonus to both you and your tenant.

By using creative strategies like these, you are able to leverage yourself. It will only be a little bit on each example but every little bit helps. When you have multiple real estate investment properties, then you start to see the benefits of leveraging. It works the same as compounding interest.

To your investing success
Leo Love
www.therealestateinvester.com
PS If any of your family or friends is interested please pass this on to them.

http://www.therealestateinvester.com

I am an experienced and passionate investor. I buy typical mum and dad type houses that give me cash flow and capital growth. My website offers helpful tips and ideas for any type of investor to help you with your wealth creation. Using my site will help to prevent you falling into the traps the inexperienced investors do.

Oregon Home Buying

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Oregon, or perhaps you?re relocating to Oregon from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Oregon home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Oregon:

The median price of a home in Oregon is $152,000, and homes in Oregon have appreciation rates higher than the national average. The rate of job growth in Oregon is among the top five states in the nation. Additionally, mortgage interest rates have recently been lower than the national average, and many Oregon residents have been refinancing their adjustable rate mortgages.

Home prices in Oregon can vary greatly between zip codes. For example, in Portland, Oregon, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $262,000; however, in Beaverton, Oregon, the median price of a home was $187,000.

The Homeowner Education Collaborative of Oregon offers a training course, The ABC?s of Homebuying, to Oregon residents planning to buy a home. This course covers the basic information a homebuyer needs to know about housing decisions, financial preparation, mortgages, shopping for a home, closing your loan, and protecting your investment.

If you?re buying a home in the state of Oregon, you qualify for both federal and state FHA and VA loans. First-time home buyers qualify for Oregon FHA loans with below-market interest rates, and, depending on their income, may also qualify for down payment assistance. The Residential Loan Program offers below-market interest rates to first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes, and the Downpayment Assistance Program offers down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers who meet certain income requirements. The income requirements vary from county to county.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Oregon Mortgage Rates and Loans.

วันจันทร์ที่ 10 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Buying or Selling Real Estate: Make Your Decisions Based on Your Core Beliefs

Before buying or selling anything you should first consult with your core beliefs. For instance if you were in the need of a new car and you felt that over the long run gas prices were going to trend downward and eventually stay low than gas consumption would not be an issue in your decision making process.

If you are in your 30's or 40's considering health insurance and the plan you are reviewing does not provide for prescription drug coverage, you have to ask yourself.....Self....am I more likely or less likely to need prescription drugs in my future?

This kind of base thinking helps you to make long term decisions.

What brings this topic up in today's blog is that I just traded e-mails with a person who lives in the Northwest, lets call him Tom. His concern is that the real estate bubble is about to burst and prices and values of properties are about to drop. Needless to say, if you've been reading this blog, we do not agree on this point.

Even though we do not agree we are both right, for the moment, based on our core beliefs.

Tom believes that the real estate run up has run its course and that the type of appreciation we have seen can not be sustained for the simple reason that if it went on who could afford a house? The price would soon out strip the general publics ability to buy. So his decision, for now is to wait. Perhaps for interest rates to come down, perhaps for inventory to go up, or maybe for home values to fall. In any case based on his core beliefs of today's market he has made a decision and is on a plan.

I understand that some may think I'm jaded, that my sole goal is to go list and sell more houses. That my job is to sell the idea of home ownership. To a degree this is correct. I think homeownership is one of the greatest things we have going for us in this country. I know that people in other countries would love to have the same opportunities that we have in the United States. We have choices of where we work, where we live, if and when we want to buy a home, if and when we want to start a family and when we do go to buy a home we have choices in style, price and almost an endless array of mortgage programs that allow even the youngest of us to be able to afford our first home.

Yes, over the past 18 months or so many markets have seen a double digit run up in values. Some of these areas may even see a roll back in the coming year. I think what sets the Northwest apart, for now, is the short supply of houses to meet the current demand by buyers. Even if our home values only go up by 8 to 10% this year, you are still way ahead of the game than if you were to choose to pay rent.

So, my answer to buyers who are considering whether or not they should buy would be....................YES! If you are going to be staying in the area for at least 3 years......buy now.

Interview and choose a good real estate agent, have them recommend a good lender, meet with that lender, get a good faith estimate. Choose a home that meets your needs and buy it. Because my core belief says that home prices in our area will hold due to increased government intervention it is becoming harder and harder to build, we are having more and more people who need homes and this is a pretty great place to live and bring up a family.

I live and work in Kitsap County Washington, which is across Puget Sound to the west of Seattle. I'm with a real estate firm by the name of Windermere Real Estate. My 4 partners and I own 3 offices; Bremerton, Silverdale and the Poulsbo office. The Silverdale office, which is the one I'm responsible for has 52 agents and I've been with the company since 1990. My goal is to help real estate agents become as successful and balanced as possible while assiting buyers and sellers in smooth real estate transactions. My web address is http://www.franklyrealestate.com and my blog is franklyrealestate.blogspot.com

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 9 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2551

Housing Slow Down Means Buying Opportunities

It is fairly clear that the recent blazing hot real estate market has cooled off. If your local market is following this trend, buying opportunities may start to pop up.

Real estate is a funny game. What is good for one party is often bad for the other. In the case of the recent seller?s market, buyers were paying premiums for homes due to massive demand. Now that the market is cooling off, sellers are seeing prices flatten out or drop. While this is bad for sellers, it creates buying opportunities for the savvy buyer.

The recent blazing hot real estate market created a massive amount of wealth for many people. Whether you had owned a home for years or simple purchased three years or so ago, you may very well have doubled the value of your home. In such a case, you are sitting pretty regardless of what the market is doing now. What about people who purchased in the last year or so? Things may not be so rosy.

In the rush to get into the fast appreciating real estate market, many buyers in the last year paid top dollar for homes. To finance the homes, many of these buyers squeezed into unique loans that they can barely make the monthly payments on. As the market cools, many of these same people are finding their equity play has gone bad given the lack or even reduction of appreciation. To top matters off, they are suddenly seeing the interest rates on adjustable loans go up and up as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to fight inflation. This double whammy is a disaster for such buyers and will further depress the market as more people look to sell out from under their debt.

As a buyer, the above situation presents you with a unique opportunity. While every local real estate market is different, more than a few will be hemorrhaging homes very soon. A classic example is the San Diego market, which has seen astronomical appreciation rates and new home growth. Nice tract homes have been selling for upwards of $800,000 in some parts of the city. As the market cools, people that financially squeezed into such homes are going to be looking to sell, sell, sell! Many will be selling at deflated prices or being foreclosed on. Indeed, the foreclosure market in many areas is going to be robust in the next few years.

While the slow down of the real estate market is not good for many homeowners, buyers should be in good shape. As the market swings to buyers, buying opportunities should be readily available.

Raynor James is with the site - FSBO America - FSBO homes for sale by owner.

All Realtors Are NOT Created Equal

After 23 years in sales and marketing for a major corporation, my father began a career in real estate. In his almost 20 years of listing and selling homes and property, there have been dramatic changes in the marketing of homes, particularly in the past 5 years.

In the early years of selling homes, real estate agents all seemed to use similar marketing techniques. Place a sign in the front yard, enter the listing into the Multiple Listing Service, advertise the home in the local newspaper (on a rotating basis with other office listings), host a Realtor tour, and sit at an open house (catching up on paperwork or reading.) Since agents were doing the same things, it really didn?t matter if your aunt Lucy, your brother-in-law, or the neighbor who just got her license had your listing. About the only variable in the marketing plan might be the frequency of print advertising.

Some agents started getting more aggressive in their marketing with the advent of the color copier. Producing colorful brochures of homes for sale became more affordable for agents and made them look very pro-active in the eyes of their sellers! As simple as it may sound, this began to separate the passive marketer from the more active, aggressive, result-oriented one.

Then times changed dramatically as the visionary Realtor recognized the power of technology?the Internet! The Internet has changed the way the world does business and has had a huge effect on the real estate industry, providing a global showcase for every home or piece of property for sale.

The advances in technology have changed the way real estate agents do (or do not do) business. Those who have embraced this technology are far ahead of the pack. The advantage to the seller is it is much easier to evaluate which Realtor to use by surfing the web and checking out different agent?s sites. The seller gets a good picture of the agent?s professionalism, statistics about an agent?s sales volume, a snapshot of how the agent presents homes for sale, and more. Today?s real estate marketing plan should include the use of technology and other more active techniques, such as those shown below.

What about newspaper advertising, you ask? While statistics indicate print ads are responsible for less than one percent of real estate sales, we DO continue to advertise in the newspapers. Internet marketing and advertising far surpasses newspaper advertising with outstanding results.

If you are listing your house today, you need a Realtor with a proven track record in marketing not only by today?s standards, but looking into the future, as well. If your Realtor?s total marketing plan is an open house, Realtor tours and newspaper ads, you are dealing with a yesterday Realtor.

There is a definite difference in Realtors today. Do your research. Select the Realtor with the experience, the knowledge and the vision it takes to sell a home in today?s market.

Kris Kombrink has been working in his family-owned real estate business since 1995. Specializing in Geneva, St Charles and Batavia Illinois residential real estate his team stays on top of the latest trends while maintaining superior customer. Learn more about his team at www.kombrink.com or email kris@kombrink.com