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    Tie Real Estate Investments Into Other Businesses

    By connecting your real estate investing and other business activities, you get profit possibilities and ways to lower your costs that other investors don’t have. Of course, you need to have other businesses to do this. If you don’t already, that might be something worth pursuing, as you’ll understand from the following examples.

    I knew the owner of an asphalt company who also invested in small rental homes, primarily mobile homes that came with real estate. I often knew when he had bought another property in the area, because his crew would be out there laying an asphalt driveway where there had only been dirt or gravel. I later learned that it was often the leftover asphalt from some larger job.

    These were the lowest-priced rental properties in the area, at the time (10 years ago) selling for as little as $16,000. However, this investor had found that he could always rent the places more easily - and probably for more - if they had a an asphalt driveway instead of dirt. He also raised the value of the property by at least $2,000.

    His cost? Maybe a few hundred dollars. He was often using leftover asphalt and had only one primary expense, that of paying his employees for the few hours the job takes. This is a great example of how to tie two businesses together. Perhaps he even sought out properties with dirt driveways specifically, because he could predictably add a couple thousand dollars in value for the cost of a couple hundred dollars.

    Other Real Estate Business Tie-Ins

    There are many other businesses that you could tie into your real estate investing. I knew another landlord who had 50 low income rental units scattered throughout the area. Again, she was investing mostly in mobile homes on land. As I found out with my own rentals, it is amazing how much tenants leave behind when they move or are evicted. So much, in fact, that this woman started a used furniture store stocked primarily with the “leftovers” from her rental units.

    She didn’t stop there, however. She already had to manage 50 units, so she started a property management company to handle other investors rentals as well. She already had an office at this point, so there was little additional start-up cost for such a company. After having to move or remove a mobile home or two, she realized how much more cheaply it could be done if she owned the truck, so she bought one and started a mobile home moving business as well.

    What other businesses can you tie into your real estate investing?

    If you have a general construction contracting business you are in a perfect position to look at fixer-uppers. You will be able to more accurately estimate the costs. You will also be able to get the job done for less. This gives you a real advantage over other investors.

    If you have a business in any of the building or related trades, you can tie that into your investing. If you have a landscape company, you can look for properties that would benefit greatly from new landscaping - making them more valuable while generating business for your company. If you have a roofing business, you can spot the cheaper solutions for properties which have roof problems that are scaring away other investors.

    I get to write about any real estate investments I make on my web sites, and so generate extra income from them. Obviously there are a lot of ways to tie various businesses into real estate investing.

    Copyright Steve Gillman. For a housesunderfiftythousand.com Free Real Estate Investing Course, and to see a photo of the home we bought for $17,500, visit: HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

    Preventing Foreclosure

    A stitch in time saves nine. If you acted in time, Foreclosure Prevention is quite in your reach. But the action that you take needs to be a meticulously crafted one with such a recipe that is based on fundamentals of sound economics. I am sure it must have crossed your mind that so much of planning is not for you. It is only natural for you to say this given the fact you are already under enormous stress facing foreclosure. But come to think of it. No financial planning was ever easy in this world. And neither is planning to prevent foreclosure nor was owning that home.

    Is it really Possible to Prevent Foreclosure?

    Well, the answer to this lies in many factors and many of them bear on you after all it is your home you dreamt of. Your financial troubles have not started over night. You knew before hand that foreclosure was imminent. It is this time you need to treat as an opportunity if you want to get out of this slap. Here are a few steps you can take to help your self.

    Keep cool. Panicking only does more harm. Do not vacate your home as long as there is no sign of an eviction order. This can deprive you of some qualifications like one time payment grant from FHA insurance. Visit your lender and talk to the officer that deals with your case. There is a fair chance of him seeing a point in your request if you have a plan of action to recovery. Lenders are not in the business because they foreclosed many a home in the past. They might agree to give you a chance.

    You need to work out many options simultaneously. If you are sure your position recovers in a year or two you can seek a refinance and a real estate broker might just help you with this. You can work out a remodeling of the debt, you can do this with your lender’s help. Both of you together can figure out a new practical budget with reduced monthly payment. Looking at your current financial position, the lender may even grant a grace period estimated on your frank admission and confidence level. You no longer need to pay during this period when you are attempting to turn around. They call it forbearance in their parlance. This is allowed at lender’s discretion based on your mortgage delinquency being not more than 12 months.

    United States Department of Housing and Urban Development can pay the lenders if they file for partial claims. You will be required to sign an interest free promissory note in order to availing this.

    If you do not see you making a turn around or no help is coming your way, you can not keep your home. You have to recognize that financial assistances call for some path to recovery. If such a solution is far from sight then it is advisable that you sell off your home. Because it can at least prevent you from a foreclosure suit. A real estate agent from your local area with an impeccable record can not just sell it for you but fetch a good value to see you will not face a deficiency suit.

    Ultimately your attorney may advise you to file for thatfewdollars.blogspot.com/ bankruptcy.

    Alevoor Rajagopal, MBA, advises on issues that concern small businesses. Fine tuning common but pesky issues to improve efficiency and ROI is what he specializes and writes at thatfewdollars.blogspot.com/ online earning. Find his eBay business coaching at get-on-ebay.blogspot.com/ eBay Made Easy.

    Home Value Trends in Hawaii

    When you buy a new home, you’re making an investment, so it’s important to buy in an area your home value can continue to appreciate. To do that, you’ve got to look into specific geographic areas. Take a look at past home value and home sale trends as well as an area’s economy, employment and job growth and the attraction level it has to new residents, and you can more reliably predict where your home value will go over the next few years.

    The islands of Hawaii (capital city of Honolulu) have never had a problem attracting visitors and new residents. Though its islands are relatively small, Hawaii boasted a population of 1,211,537 in 2006. Its chief agricultural products include sugarcane, pineapple, nursery stock, livestock and macadamia nuts. Not surprisingly, Hawaii’s biggest industrial sector is tourism, and others include food processing, apparel, fabricated metal products and stone, clay and glass products. With such varied trades for employment and such a huge tourism sector, it’s not really surprising that most of the state’s islands still have rising home value appreciation in a slower market.

    As far as tourism goes, Hawaii is one of the bigger vacation attractions of the United States. With surf, sand, sun and adventure on every island, you can have a great time on even the smallest of them. Hawaii has 11 different climate zones, meaning the environment runs from lush forest to dry deserts, from black sand beaches to snow covered mountaintops. The Big Island (Hawaii) is full of ancient Hawaiian temples, European missionaries and is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the state. Maui has a combination of great nightlife, shopping and dining and natural adventures including hiking, water sports, wildlife watching and terrain exploring.

    The island of Kauai is home of the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and the only navigable river in Hawaii. The more rural island of Molokai is considered the most “Hawaiian” island and is ideal for the true outdoorsman. The island of Oahu, one of the most popular in the state, had an amazing downtown area, great surfing and holds the Pearl Harbor Memorial. If you’re looking for a more tropical and laid back vacation, Hawaii is the spot to be. With so many attractions and different places to visit, it’s no wonder visitors make the decision to become permanent residents, assuring the stability of home value and the real estate market.

    Hawaii has a high median household income compared to the rest of the nation at about $58,112 in 2005 (which actually was a slight decline from 2004) and a very low unemployment rate of 2.5% in May 2007. Professional and business services and leisure and hospitality has seen job growth, while government and trade, transport and utility jobs have declined. With an average home value of about $550,000, Hawaii is one of the more expensive places to buy a home in the United States. Their strong labor market, rising incomes and quickly rising home value equals a stable market for most. However, while their median income is high, home value prices are much higher, making homes less affordable then in other “poorer” states.

    For now, most agents are noticing homes are spending a bit less time on the market in the 2nd quarter of 2007. One of the most expensive islands, Oahu, has a median home value of $665,000 which is down a couple thousand from the median in May of 2006. According to the Realtor Association of Maui statistics, the average home value sale price on the island of Maui at the end of April 2007 was over one million dollars! The smaller islands tend to be more affordable at this point, though the Big Island Hawaii saw a home value median of $430,000 at the end of 2006. Two of the smallest islands, Molokai and Lanai have the lowest median home value at $415,000 for Molokai (which is down from $505,000 in 2006) and 472,000 for Lanai, which is up from $410,000 in 2006.

    With unemployment as low as it is, and home value prices high, it is unlikely for Hawaii’s home value averages to continue skyrocketing. As of now, most areas of the state are leveling out and still appreciating slowly, while others, such as Molokai, have actually seen a decrease in home value appreciation. Over time, this will likely level off as well, and Hawaii will settle back into a stable, calm market with gradual rises in getmyhomesvalue.com home value rates.

    Ashley Lichty is a webmaster and the resident SEO of Web Xtreme, Inc. She has a background in real estate and marketing with an emphasis in writing.

    Find out your own getmyhomesvalue.com home value and other valuable homeowner information at GetMyHomesValue.com

    Is Real Estate A Good Investment for You?

    Owning a home is the American Dream, but is buying additional real estate a good investment? It can be so long as you have realistic expectations.

    There are a lot of investment strategies out there, so why would real estate be on the table? The reason most people invest in real estate is the long term gain. Only in rare cases, such as flipping a home, will you make a killing in a year. In most cases, you make the big return over a longer period of time by paying down the mortgage and watching the home appreciate. Investing in rentals is popular because the renters tend to pay off your mortgage for you.

    The primary comparable medium for real estate is the stock market. Many people will argue till their tongues drag that one or the other is better. In truth, they are not that different. Over the last 20 years or so, both the stock market and real estate market have returned in the 8 to 12 percent range. The primary difference between the two, of course, is liquidity. When you want to sell a stock, you can do so today. The buyer does not need to have the shares inspected to make sure they are in good shape!

    When considering investing in real estate, it is important to keep a few guidelines in mind. First, this is a slow and steady profit strategy. The longer you hang in, the more you will make. Second, there are going to be good years and bad years. Valuations will go up and down, but you should come out ahead in the long run. Third, the cost of investing can eat into your profits. Keep in mind the costs of selling such as realtor commissions and transactional fees.

    With any investment, it is important to consider the potential risk that everything goes to hell in a hand basket. Obviously, this can be a big problem with stocks. A high flying stock today can be a loser in a big way tomorrow. Just ask the folks that owned Enron, Adelphia and so on. The real estate market, on the other hand, tends to be less volatile. Valuations will change from time to time, but drastic moves are rare.

    The decision to invest in real estate is one that only you can make. As with most assumptions, real estate may or may not be a good investment strategy for your situation. Make sure to look into the details so you know what you are getting into.

    Learn more about a tremendous ufcamerica.com/real-estate-investment real estate investment opportunity at UFCAmerica.com.

    A Fast Affordable Way To Add Value To Your House…

    The best way to add value to your house in a fast,
    economical way is by upgrading your bathroom and kitchen
    and faucets. There are hundreds of affordable options
    when it comes to buying new faucets but it’s hard to
    know where to begin? The best way to get started is to
    write down your ideas while keeping three things in mind
    during the planning process. Design, Value, and quality.
    You might not realize it but, it is very important to
    think about design when choosing your faucets. Color ,
    shape and size will all come into play. By far, the best
    way to find what you are looking for is online where you
    can look at hundreds of faucet choices without a
    salesperson hovering over you. You should first measure
    for the size and shape and then once you get online you
    will be able to choose a color to to bring it all
    together.

    After you have a few colors and designs picked out you
    can start shopping for brands and prices. Always look
    for the best value not the cheapest product. Even if
    they cost few dollars more, quality faucets are a must.
    Remember this is something that you will use everyday,
    and if you ever want to sell the property, one of the
    first things people see in the kitchen and bathroom is
    the faucets and appliances.

    Once you find a few models you like and write them down,
    call the store you are browsing through and ask
    questions. You should work with a company that
    specializes in faucets. They are the most knowledgeable,
    and can even help you with color matching. You should
    call and tell them what you are trying to accomplish and
    they will help you with the entire design process. They
    will advise you about which brand and style will suit
    your needs. They can also save you hundreds of dollars
    compared to what it would cost at a retail store.
    The best thing about upgrading your faucets is that you
    can do it yourself if you want, it adds instant value to
    your house and you can really create a new feeling in
    the room without making a dent in your wallet.

    Learning About California Real Estate in Carlsbad

    Potential homebuyers looking for homes or property in California face challenges and reap rewards. The highly priced coastal communities of San Diego County are both enticing and out of reach for many buyers. Among these coastal treasures and elusive offerings are the many homes that make up California real estate in Carlsbad.

    Some estimates predict that California real estate in Carlsbad will reach its capacity for build out by 2010 with about 135,000 residents. Until that time, and despite current national slumps in home sales, it appears that California real estate in Carlsbad will remain in high demand.

    The Lure of California Real Estate in Carlsbad

    There’s little question about why this area is so popular. Seven miles of prime coastal real estate within reach of major cities, and with its own attractions make California real estate highly desirable. The weather in San Diego county is mild and moderate. The public schools, helped by the affluent community, are better than most in California. And California real estate in Carlsbad is accessible to lagoons, golf courses, the Legoland Amusement Park, and a variety of festivals. One of the most popular with owners of California real estate in Carlsbad is the annual Beach n’ Cruise that features scores of reconditioned classic cars on a parade of historic Highway 101.

    Of course the homes themselves are very impressive. With an average list price of about $1 million California real estate in Carlsbad, also known as the “Village-on-the-Sea”, offers some impeccably designed and maintained homes. One real estate web site features California real estate in Carlsbad from as low as $269,000 to as high as $5.4 million. Homebuyers able to afford the best enjoy the Carlsbad community for its luxurious ocean view homes, the ease of access to both San Diego and Los Angeles, and the educated and involved community. Money can buy some good things. In California real estate in Carlsbad the 80% white collar community has low crime, a solid educational system, and amenities to die for. The best golf courses, boutiques, and restaurants can be found in California real estate in Carlsbad.

    Challenges of Buying California Real Estate in Carlsbad

    As California real estate in Carlsbad gets harder to find, homes priced at the lower end of the spectrum are disappearing. As that “lower end” gets higher and higher one effect is that most markets struggles for find buyers for starter homes, and they struggle to find service employees to staff stores and restaurants. While this is occurring in California real estate in Carlsbad, the real problem is buying, not selling. The National Association of Realtors reported in 2006 that higher priced homes remain better sellers, and that it’s the “affordable” market that is suffering the most from slower sales.

    What does this mean for potential buyers of California real estate in Carlsbad? You need to be prepared to move quickly, and make a significant investment. But your investment is likely to pay off down the road.

    John Harris is a researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit twtrealestate.com/carlsbad-real-estate.html California Real Estate in Carlsbad

    Florida Mortgage - First Time Home Buyers Rejoice

    The End of an Era

    In October of 2006 the subprime home loan industry begin to break down. Wall Street investors, monitoring the default rates of mortgage portfolios and concerned about the continuing drop in real estate prices nationwide decided to stop purchasing subprime loans. By March of 2007 the entire subprime industry as we knew it was gone.

    The Past

    First time home buyers had taken advantage of the easy guidelines offered by these lenders and had flocked to the real estate market in droves. Over the last five years approximately twenty-two percent of all homes purchased utilized these subprime mortgage products.

    The Changing Market

    With the demise of the subprime industry millions of potential home buyers are now searching for alternative mortgage products that will accommodate their financial and credit profiles. Even more significant are those millions of people that have already purchased homes with subprime loans and are now in search of a means to refinance. In the majority of cases these homeowners face adjustable rate features that threaten unaffordable payments. Without a means of alternative home financing these borrowers may be forced to sell their homes.

    The Future is Here

    There is a solution that we strongly recommend. Fannie Mae’s American Dream Commitment offers the most exciting, affordable home loan solution that we have seen. To quote Fannie Mae, “Many Americans still are being overlooked, undeserved, and overcharged in their search for affordable homeownership.” In defining their goals, Fannie Mae strives to “expand access to homeownership for first time home buyers and help raise the minority homeownership rates with the ultimate goal of closing the homeownership gap entirely.”

    Fannie Mae to the Rescue

    This commitment translates into flexible, accommodative, and low cost home financing available to borrowers with less than perfect credit and restrictive budgets. But that’s not all. Reading into the guidelines carefully one will discover some amazing and thoughtful criteria. Amongst these guidelines are included a surprising and liberal allowance for “undocumented income”, expanded seller contribution tolerance, and a complete absence of saving and asset reserve requirements. All of these flexible rules make possible the lowest cost, no money down mortgage program available anywhere. Let’s look at some of the highlights.

    Credit Requirements are Easy

    Credit score requirements are now the easiest of all of the no money down mortgage programs available in the home loan market. The guidelines allow for a score of 620, but with moderate compensating factors lenders may approve loans with scores as low as 600.

    No Housing History Required

    Additional flexible credit criteria include no requirement for a prior housing history. No money down mortgage programs traditionally required that you prove a timely rent payment history. This program is the exception. You may have been living with your parents or a partner and had no participation in monthly housing payments.

    Income Limitations

    Income guidelines allow for borrowers to earn up to 125 percent of the HUD Median Income for the property’s area. For example, Florida mortgage borrowers in Palm Beach County may earn up to $69,875 per year and still qualify for the program. Georgia mortgage applicants purchasing homes in Fulton County may earn up to $86,625.

    Income Limitations May be Waived

    Do you earn more than the limit? There a strong possibility that you still qualify. Fannie Mae will lift the income restriction altogether if the property that you are purchasing or refinancing falls into any one of six categories they have determined to be deserving of accommodative financing. I can feel your dismay. Perhaps you are thinking that your home cannot possibly be in one of these areas. You might be surprised. Eight out of ten properties that we check for our customers are in one of these areas.

    Amazing No Income Verification Allowance

    Maybe the most surprising aspect of this program is the allowance of undocumented income. Fannie Mae allows up to one thousand dollars per month of income from a reasonable source to be used. Neither the source of the income nor the income itself needs to be documented. You simply need to state it on your application. This rule gives a nod to the working person that holds a side, weekend, or evening job, often to make end meets. As a Florida mortgage broker I am thrilled to accommodate these hard working borrowers that otherwise might not qualify. Examples of acceptable income include someone working in finance that helps people prepare tax returns on the side, a carpenter that moonlights as a handyman, or a laborer that mows lawns on the weekends.

    Make Your Dream Come True

    Contact your friendly mortgage broker today and ask about the Fanny Mae America Dream Initiative. Whether you are in the market for a new home, or in need of refinancing your current property this program should be considered.

    Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

    Jim Kemish is the president and founder of Power Mortgage, a powermortgage.com/ Florida mortgage broker based in Delray Beach, Florida.

    Power Mortgage Corp was established in 1989 and serves the states of Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Jim is also the President of Sky Blue Credit, a national skybluecredit.com/ credit repair business.

    For great mortgage and credit tips visit the florida-mortgage-blog.com/ Florida Mortgage Blog.

    Michigan Mortgage - What to Expect When Buying a Home in Michigan

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

    In 2005, Michigan was the only state in the nation to report declining job-growth rates for consecutive years. Additionally, the personal income growth of Michigan residents is amongst the lowest in the nation, and rates of bankruptcies and foreclosures are above the national average. In 2004, downtown Detroit commercial office vacancies were the highest in the nation.

    Weak employment conditions and slow population growth in Michigan have had an effect on the housing market. The rate of home appreciation in Michigan is well below the national average. Additionally, the price of homes in Michigan varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Detroit, Michigan, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $160,000; however, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the median price of a home was $225,000.

    Michigan laws require that refinance transactions on sub-prime loans have a $10,000 minimum loan amount. Additionally, Michigan laws prohibit mortgage companies from requiring a borrower to work exclusively with them after an application has been submitted. Borrowers in Michigan are encouraged to sign a right of refusal so that they can choose another lender should problems arise with their first choice.

    The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is responsible for all home-buying assistance in the state of Michigan. MSHDA offers low-interest rate loans and down payment assistance to Michigan residents who qualify for the program under state income requirements and purchase limits.

    Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit
    mortgage-lenders-plus.com/ Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about
    mortgage-lenders-plus.com/mortgage/michigan-mortgage-lenders.html Michigan Mortgage Rates and Loans.

    Flipping Real Estate for Profit

    There are lots of cable television shows these days that feature “flipping” houses for profit that make it seem like just about everybody’s doing it. For the uninitiated, flipping a house means buying a house at one price, then improving it in a short amount of time to sell it again quickly for a substantial profit. Most people who flip there first house have dreams of making an enormous profit very easily, but it’s not that simple. Complications almost always come up, and you have to be very aware of the area, what the market will bear and which improvements are worth the investment to flip a house successfully.

    You need to find a house that fits several criteria in order to make a healthy profit at flipping. Some of the things you need to take into consideration include:

    Is the neighborhood a growing or improving one that buyers will be interested in?

    Are the improvements or repairs needed ones that you can do within a reasonable budget?

    Can you pay for the needed repairs/improvements and still net a good profit?

    Is the area one that will appeal to a wide range of buyers?

    Are there any problems that just aren’t fixable (bad location, a foundation that is sinking and can’t be shored, etc.)?

    How many other houses are for sale in the immediate area (too many, and the market glut will drive the price of your house down no matter how nice it is)?

    Locating a home that fits your budget and criteria means research, and lots of it. Many people who have flipped successfully say the best way is to simply drive around mid-range neighborhoods and look for the slightly run-down homes with solid bones that have been on the market a bit too long. The owners are usually anxious to sell, and the most buyers avoid fixer-uppers, so you can negotiate from a firm position. Also check out Sheriff’s Sales, banks that handle foreclosures and online auctions.

    Of course, even after you purchase the property you have plenty of work to do. Be sure you set up a budget in advance and resolve to stick to it when doing repairs and remodeling. Remember, the goal isn’t to turn this into your dream home, but a solid, saleable property that will net the highest possible profit for you. Have a complete home inspection and get bids for any repairs that you can’t handle yourself, such as upgrading wiring or dealing with dry rot. Next, determine what jobs you can do yourself or with the help of friends to save money. Finally, shop around for the best price on materials and haggle whenever you order more than one thing (say, tile and cabinets) from one supplier.

    One of the most common mistakes a novice at house flipping makes is choosing top of the line everything, thinking that this is what will sell the house. Quality is always a good selling point, but only within reason. There is a bell curve to this - after a certain point, you start to lose money if you’ve purchased luxurious upgrades that aren’t necessary. For instance, if you’re remodeling a house in a mid-salary neighborhood with primarily starter homes for young families, buying granite countertops and solid cherry bathroom cabinets will mean you will end up pricing the real estate too high for the market to bear in order to get your investment back. Instead, consider attractive, durable laminate countertops and oak or pine cabinets.

    On the other hand, if the home you are flipping is in an exclusive neighborhood where most other homes have the best of everything, those granite countertops may be a must-have. How do you know what is best for the particular home you’re flipping? Go to several open houses in the area and see what the standard is, then talk to realtors about what they feel are the most sought-after features for buyers in the price range you are anticipating selling the house for. Generally, you don’t want to be the most expensive house in the neighborhood, but you should shoot for the upper end of the scale.

    Being aware of what buyers want also means that you should remodel with in eye toward appealing to the greatest possible number of buyers. This means keeping things practical and neutral, not tailoring the house to your own personal tastes. You may love rich, bold colors in every room, but most home buyers prefer to see walls that are in a warm neutral shade such as eggshell or taupe. The same goes for fixtures - if you install fixtures that include color inlays or have elaborate detailing that either is extremely elegant or (at the other end of the spectrum) ultra-casual, you may put some potential buyers off. Sticking with what’s simple and classic is best and will multiply your chances of a quick sale.

    If you plan to continue flipping houses, but sure to establish a rapport with your contractors, suppliers and the inspectors you deal with. You’ll need their help and goodwill in the future, and it’s always a safe bet they’ll return your calls more quickly if they like and respect you rather than if you are yelling and demanding things. In fact, if you find a good contractor or supplier, it can often pay for you to establish an informal agreement with them that you will use them for any future flips in exchange for some type of consideration on their part - after all, they want that steady work or those steady orders from you.

    Finally, although some flippers will try to sell a house on their own when it is finished, a realtor can be your best friend. Realtors are professionals at getting the word out, generating interest in an open house, and talking up your property to other realtors. Again, if you decide that you want to flip other properties in the future, let the realtor know this. He or she may very well lower his or her commission in exchange for the promise of future listings from you.

    Good luck and happy flipping!

    To read more about 1st-real-estate.com/investing.htm real estate investing or other real estate information, visit 1st-real-estate.com 1st-real-estate.com

    Costa Rica Property - The Ideal Destination for a Second Home

    Costa Rica is the ideal destination for buying a second home, prices are currently still inexpensive, but capital gains and the rental market is strong.

    Costa Rica offers affordable beach front property just a 2 hour flight direct from the US at prices that are up to 70% less!

    Let’s look at why buying a property investment property in Costa Rica is so appealing:

    Real estate Prices in Costa Rica are rising

    For example, buyers that purchased a $30,000 property just 15 years ago, on the Pacific coast near Jaco now find that their property is worth as much as $800,000.

    Another example in the same area can be seen at the Los Suenos Resort, where the Marriot corporation pre sold fifty condominiums of 2000 square feet for $250,000.

    The next year, Marriot sold another batch at $350,000 and the following year these Condos were selling at $550,000 or more.

    Property in Costa Rica despite these prices remains very competitive in terms of price.

    While many investors or buyers have tried neighboring countries such as Nicaragua and Honduras to get cheaper deals the risk is high and the gains are not as consistent or the risk as low as in Costa Rica.

    Why Prices are rising and will continue to rise

    In fact many people are making 30% per annum on their properties and getting extra cash from letting.

    Property prices in Costa Rica will continue to increase in value as its an established market, giving Americans all the comforts of home (nearly 100,000 have bought property here already) in a beautiful country with affordable second homes.

    You can of course make bigger than average gains and here we need to look at location.

    Location

    When buying property in Costa Rica, you need to look at the established resorts and the infrastructure - which when completed will improve an area’s value.

    Here are some examples:

    Roads Expansion:

    A new freeway is scheduled to be completed link the largest metropolitan cities to the Central Pacific Coast.

    This will fuel buying interest in adjacent areas as access becomes easier.

    A New Marina

    The largest marina in Costa Rica will be completed soon in the Town of Quepos not far from the already popular town of Jaco.

    A New Airport

    A new airport is being built at Orotina making international access easy for the whole area
    If you buy before infrastructure is completed, then you will be able to take advantage of strong rises when the crowd decides to buy after completion.

    Buying Property

    Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in which to buy overseas real estate.

    It has a solid stable democracy, no military, a government that encourages investors from abroad, and grants foreigners are entitled to the same rights as Costa Rican’s.

    Buying is also tax efficient and there are many specialist Realtors to help you pick the right property for you in terms of budget and capital gains potential.

    Demand remains strong

    The baby boomer generation what affordable beach front property and a low cost of living and Costa Rica provides all this – in one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

    Costa Rica is beautiful.

    Pristine sandy beaches crystal clear blue waters, rain forest, volcanoes, as well as a great climate with no weather extremes and an infrastructure that is as good with many industrialized nations and is certainly the best in Central America.

    Costa Rica offers a second home that will give you your own piece of paradise at a cost that’s affordable.
    That’s why prices will continue to rise.

    Big Rewards in paradise

    Buying a second home in Costa Rica is a solid investment, which looks set to reward savvy investors with great capital gains in the near future.

    Not only do you get an appreciating asset, you also get an income if you want to rent it or a great holiday home should you choose to get into the Costa Rica lifestyle.

    Buying property in Costa Rica offers a lot in terms of lifestyle and capital gains and is within the reach of most investors.

    Discover the benefits of Costa Rica and you maybe glad you did.

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