Bank Owned Real Estate and HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grants

Bank owned real estate is referred to by many names including: real estate owned, REO, and bank foreclosures. When lenders foreclose on properties they are initially placed for sale through public auctions. If they do not sell at auction, they are returned to the bank who assumes responsibility for the sale.

Bank owned real estate is sold directly through each lender's loss mitigation division or their designated realtors. Properties can be listed through bank or realtor websites. If agents handle the transaction, buyers submit purchase offers to the realtor who presents it to the lender. If bank loss mitigators supervise the sale, buyers provide purchase agreements to the servicing mortgage agent.

Foreclosed residential and commercial properties offered through public auctions are usually priced lower than properties sold through banks. When buyers present offers at auctions they must be prepared to provide funds within 24 hours. If creditor or tax liens are attached or if evicted tenants reside in the property, buyers are responsible for negotiating lien removal and tenant eviction.

Once banks regain ownership they remove liens and commence with eviction if necessary. These costs are included in the purchase price. While bank REO homes usually have a higher price tag, buyers can avoid the costly and unpleasant procedures which can often take several months to resolve. Additionally, buyers can take immediate possession of the home which allows them to quickly move into the residence or place it on the market as a rental home.

REO properties sold through banks are often priced 10- to 20-percent below market value. When repairs are required, lenders adjust prices accordingly. Qualified borrowers can apply for additional funds within their mortgage application to make necessary home improvements.

A large percentage of bank foreclosures are located in areas that have experienced a high level of mortgage default. The Department of Housing and Urban Development currently offers grant money to individuals and investors under their Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Qualified investors can apply for a maximum of five NSP grants, while home buyers are limited to one grant. Eligibility requirements and grant criteria are provided at HUD.gov.

While buying real estate foreclosures is similar to purchasing homes listed through realtors, there are a few differences. Individuals who have never purchase REO properties should take time to become educated about the process. Many realtors offer complimentary seminars which cover the pros and cons of investing in distressed real estate.

Borrowers must obtain preapproved financing prior to placing offers on bank owned properties, unless buying houses with cash. Mortgage providers rarely reduce the asking price unless home inspections reveal necessary repairs not previously reported. Banks have already lost considerable income by engaging in the foreclosure process. Their primary goal is to recover as much of their initial investment as possible.

Real estate owned houses often make an exceptional primary residence, vacation home, or investment property. However, if lenders refuse a reasonable offer, buyers should be prepared to walk away. Considering there are more than 4 million foreclosure homes for sale, buyers can easily find another suitable property.

One option to locating cheap homes for sale is to seek out private real estate investors that specialize in buying and selling distressed property. Some investors buy entire bank portfolios consisting of multiple properties. Buying real estate in bulk allows investors to obtain wholesale pricing. Properties are sold in as-is condition so investors can pass along savings to buyers.

Real Estate Investment Property - Three Ways to Find Property at Bargain Prices

Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to buy properties at greatly discounted prices?

This article will explore three general areas that you can consider examining to look for bargain Real Estate Investment Properties and explain how you can take advantage of them.

1. Tax Foreclosures

Its not uncommon for rich people to leave large properties for their children but without realizing that sometimes the Property Tax levied on the property might be huge and the children end up having to sell the property. Another situation arises when the existing occupants of the property are unable to pay the property tax and a tax lien is then levied on the property. Sometimes the tax authority then orders for a sale of the property in order to collect the money owed to it.

Tax liens attach to the land meaning that when you buy the property, you purchase it with the tax lien attached to it. So you would want to do your sums and scout the potential demand for property in the area before you plunge in and purchase the property. One common strategy is to buy, divide and build, in which you buy a piece of land and then you divide it and build several properties on it and then re-sell it out.

2. Mortgage Foreclosures /Bank Auctions

Mortgage Foreclosures and bank auctions usually go together and occur when an individual is unable to pay for his mortgage. The bank therefore wants to foreclose the property and get the proceeds of sale to pay for the amount outstanding under the loan. Like in most negotiation situations, the more desperate the bank is to sell the property, the better your chances of purchasing a property at a greatly reduced price.

You might want to bring along a house inspector and a property contractor to help you inspect the property before you purchase it. Avoid properties with potential wiring, plumbing and sewage problems unless you intend to spend a lot of money rebuilding the property from the ground up. Property inspection is a presumed part of any Real Estate Purchase contract so you must inspect the property as the law assumes that any buyer would do so even if the property is being auctioned off.

3. Fixer Broken Uppers

Some people are fed up with their homes because things leak and the house looks in a general state of disrepair. If they are really disgusted with their properties, there would be a chance that you might be able to negotiate for a lower price for the property because there is so much renovation to be done. The tip to this is to bring a contractor and/or architect with you to learn all you can about how much it would cost you to fix the problem in the property and resell the property. There are many people today looking for real estate to buy, rebuild and then resell and you can make money from this Real Estate Investment Strategy.

So in other words, you will be looking for run down property that you can spruce up with a minimum hassle and cost. Such properties can also benefit from the economies of scale. By this I mean that once you spend some time examining an area and find that most properties have a similar problem which you can solve, why not purchase more than one property and rebuild several units in the same area at the same time and duplicate your efforts and reduce your effective building cost.

In conclusion, always take your time to explore and examine each real estate deal or property investment that catches your eye and you may be a lot richer for it and be able to get a property at a cheaper price from the market. Always remember that in terms of negotiating power, try not to look too interested and let the more desperate seller reduce his own price. Take some action today towards your investment dreams.

Copyright © 2006 Joel Teo. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

7 Tips to Invest In Real Estate and Become Wealthy

I recently checked the Forbes Rich list of the wealthiest Americans. I could not help but notice the pattern of wealth creation; almost all the wealthy individuals were entrepreneurs or off springs of entrepreneurs. Secondly, they derived their wealth from owning or investing in real estate, technology companies, stock market, manufacturing, entertainment industry, retailing and commodities.

This pattern of wealth creation reinforces my belief about the primacy of investing in real estate as vehicle for creating wealthy. I believe you can succeed, investing in real estate. What you need is to have the right attitude and mindset.

I have learnt by trial and errors some of the important lessons in real estate investing. My main area of focus has been residential properties. Even if you are an experienced real estate investor, some of the tips I share still apply to your investing, because they are timeless tips that will set you on the road to success.

Here are some specifics about investing in real estate that could propel you to wealth quickly. I urge you to take these tips seriously

Tip#1.Start small.

The reason you want start small is you are on a learning curve. You want to keep your risk small. I would suggest you invest a lot of time learning the basics of real estate, and a little money in your first deal. Unfortunately most people do the opposite...they invest little time and spend a lot of money. This is the reason many investors fail and they wander why they failed. The fact, real estate is a wealth generator does not mean you don't have to learn about -how it works to make you wealthy.

Tip#2. Invest for value. Avoid speculation

When you invest for value, you are on the right path to wealth creation. How do you invest for value? The answer is simple. Look for properties with cash flow and potential capital gains. This is important because value investing in real estate is the basis for wealth creation. Donald Trump, Sam Zell, Donald Bren and all the other real estate moguls you can find in the Forbes richest list made their fortune in real estate by creating value. There is a difference between a value investor and a speculator. A value investor buys a property based on overall value, both today and in the future. A speculator buys with a hope that the price of the property will increase...this kind of approach is no different from playing at the casino tables in Las Vegas.

Tip#3. Start and stay close to home.

When you are starting out as a beginner investor, it's important to concentrate on an area close to home...one you can get to know very well. When I say close to home, it means you can drive, walk, or cycle around the area regularly. When you concentrate on an area close, you can observe if it's declining or growing. You can observe the trend in sales and property rentals. Also, look for the top brokers who operate in your area, call them to find out more about the area. This is important because when a property comes on the market, you can know quickly if it is a good deal or not and you'll be able to act fast. My first real estate deal was a disaster because I bought a property that was 3 hours drive from home. I failed because, I was not close enough to understand and observe the trends in the local real estate market.

Tip#4. Expect to make mistakes.

When you start investing in real estate or in any business, you are bound to make mistakes-everybody I know does. Remember your mistakes aren't setbacks. They are steps in the learning process. What is important is to learn from your mistakes, correct and keep on taking action. The fact you can make mistakes is one reason to buy properties with positive cash flow, because it can help you buffer those mistakes. There is a theory for success called accelerated failure. The reasoning behind this theory is that you are most likely to fail at the initial stages of starting any business, however the faster you can fail forwards the faster you can begin to succeed. So don't let the fear of failing stop you from starting investing in properties...it's all part of the learning curve.

Tip#5. Know what you can afford.

This means finding out how much it will cost you for the cash flow you want. In other words, what will it cost you to get an ROI (return on investment) of 20%, 30%. Secondly, if your assumptions about the property deal are wrong, can you afford the losses from your mistakes. Before you start investing, ask yourself these questions; how long can I afford a vacant property if my tenant moves out? If there is a costly maintenance problem, can I afford it? Remember, the purpose of real estate investing is to solve your financial problems, not give you bigger ones to solve.

Tip#6. Look for Ugly ducklings you can turn to swans.

One of the best ways to make money in real estate investing, is to look for is a property that someone has walked away from because of a problem. Figure out how to fix the problem and you can instantly increase the value of the property. One example that comes to mind is a one bed flat I bought recently in an apartment building. The problem with the property was presence of mould and damp in one of the rooms. Because of this problem, I was able to buy the property and 25 percent below market value. I solved the problem with the help of a building specialist, and as a result, I was able to increase the value of the property and charge more for rents. The lesson here is focus on turning "ugly ducklings to beautiful swans" so you can create value for your portfolio and get rich in the process.

Tip#7. Always remember to look at the numbers.

One of my mentors, Robert Kiyosaki, bestselling author Rich Dad, Poor Dad often says, "Think with your calculator, not your heart". This is important because once you understand the area you've chosen to invest in and know what property you are looking for, you need to follow through by looking closely at the numbers on your chosen property. The numbers are; the price you pay; the mortgage interest; rental income; maintenance cost; vacancy rate and every other factor you need to analyse the profitability of your investment. These numbers should all add up to...making you, money or else you wind up with financial problems.

Warning, Cheap may mean expensive

One of the commonest mistakes I see investors make is the assumption that because a property is cheap it's going to be profitable. This is far from the truth because price is not the only factor for success when you are investing in real estate. You should never let your guard down or sacrifice your principles by what seems an attractively low price. The important point to bear in mind; Does the property meet your criteria? Does it have positive cash flow? Remember this... Because a property is cheap does not mean it's a good deal. In fact, if you buy a cheap property that has no value, it could be the most expensive property you can buy.

You can become wealthy investing in real estate. All you need is a goal to succeed, a determination to persist until you succeed. You can accelerate your path to wealth, when you follow my tips

Grants For Real Estate - Free Property!

If you could find the easiest and most cost effective way to purchase a new home, you would do it, right? Well why not apply for home grants sponsored by the United States government? Uncle Sam is sitting on a pile of cash that belongs to American citizens just like you and I. It's our tax money and it has been made available for American citizens to rebate by way of government grant programs. It is unfortunate that so very many American citizens that could be using their share of millions in free unclaimed money to acquire their dream homes, yet do not simply to ignorance of these magnificent programs.

If you are one of these uninformed individuals, prepare to become enlightened. There is a great chance that you may be eligible to qualify to receive up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in home grants from the government. There are various types of government grants for real estate and nearly every taxpaying citizen is eligible for one grant or another, and sometimes even several. This can add up to virtually hundreds of thousands of dollars, for you to purchase a home, properties, and real estate.

Those who qualify for first time homebuyer grants often acquire enough free government money to make their down payment. Others receive generous amounts of government financial aid to become real estate investors or buy rental properties. These are everyday people like you, or me. The only difference between them and everyone else is that they know where to look for generous amounts of free money to achieve their goals, while we struggle to get by.

If you want to achieve the American dream without having it come completely out of your pocket, do a free grant search online and find out which of the many fantastic government grants for real estate you qualify for.

SW Florida Real Estate - Beautiful Properties, Great Prices!

If you want to know how living in paradise is, then you should definitely find out more about the recent properties posted online for SW Florida real estate. The truth is that there is no better place to purchase a property then on the Gulf coast region of Florida, the area being absolutely spectacular and the living standards more than comfortable.

The diversity encountered in this area is amazing, the Southwest region of Florida having the possibility to offer one access to an active lifestyle but also to a relaxed, worry-free living. What exactly are the cities you can search for SW Florida real estate online? Well, you have North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sarasota and Boca Grande. All these small parts of paradise offer diverse lifestyle opportunities, modern amenities and truly nice properties for affordable prices. You will certainly enjoy the innate beauty of each and every city, along with the unique Floridian atmosphere and unparalleled lifestyle, finding a true home for you and your family.SW Florida real estate companies include properties for various tastes and budgets. Online, you will find listings for all the cities in the region, along with details for each one and the available properties.

You will see for yourself that the weather is one of the main attractions of the region, followed by the sophisticated and yet comfortable properties, main attractions and outdoor activities. Apart from that, you will be invited to discover the nature and the amazing waterways that have made Florida so famous. You will no longer have to daydream, as you have reached the ideal destination!

Some of the most popular properties presented when it comes to SW Florida real estate are in the towns of Port Charlotte and North Port. These two are situated in the central coastal area, being currently under development but having an immense potential and plenty of affordable properties for sale.

If you want to know what it's like to live in Southwest Florida, we will take an example and demonstrate to you how many great things await you. Boca Grande is one of the most impressive locations on the South West Florida real estate market, being close to the Charlotte Harbor but to the Gulf of Mexico as well. Here you will discover a whole other way of living, an actual paradise with an increased degree of style and comfort. Boca Grande is synonymous with boating, golfing and also beach-related activities such as swimming. No matter if you just want to fish or just take a stroll down on the beach, you will certainly enjoy living in Boca Grande.

What are the properties like in Boca Grande? They are wonderfully decorated, equipped with all the necessary amenities, most are luzury residences. Tile floors, spacious rooms and high ceilings are just few of the features that you will enjoy if you choose to live in this part of Southwest Florida; as for what you can do here, you can go snorkeling, visiting cultural centers and art galleries, plus take pleasure in the many natural wonders provided by this unique part of Florida.

Come see what beautiful SW Florida has to offer!

Own Real Estate Investment Property? Your Best Options to Survive the Real Estate Bubble

Our company gets many calls from reluctant condo investors and preconstruction contract owners that were looking to cash in on what appeared to be easy money. The client wants to know "What should I do?"

While each situation is unique, in general the decision can be crystallized down to the present value of future cash flows. In other words, translate each strategy into a series of inflows and outflows today and in the future and discount each cashflow to the present using an appropriate discount rate to come up with a net present value for each scenario. This combines time value of money and decision tree concepts and it helps convert an emotional decision into a rational financial decision.

Let's look at the easiest strategy to analyze - Walk Away. You are essentially locking in a loss of your initial investment, not to mention the possibility exists that the mortgage company may come after you anyway if the sale of the property does not cover their mortgage balance. It is an undesirable strategy to put it mildly and the choice of absolute last resort.

Without knowing your personal situation, I can tell you that there are far more effective options that should be explored that will help alleviate your situation. Please contact us for a no obligation free consultation and we'd be glad to explore the best options with you.

2. Sell the Property - You may feel that you have to sell today. The negative media and the overhyped real estate bubble contribute mightily to investor psychology today. Not to mention the hassles of being a landlord. Or getting the unit rented while attending to your million other tasks and your job.

Maybe the property is significantly negative cash flow and the monthly loss is bleeding your finances and savings. You feel you are diving into a money pit and your net worth is plummeting. Here's how your cashflows line up - if you're in a hot market, expect to take a significant discount to fair market value in the price you get. In other words, lock in a 10-20% reduction in the price you may get if you decide to ride out this correction.

A word about cycles. At the top of a cycle, things are rosy and projections are that prices will continue to rise indefinitely. We saw that last year. Similarly, today it is difficult to imagine that prices are ever going to rise again and real estate may stay depressed for many years to come. The reality is somewhere in between. Prices will bounce back, it is a matter of when, not if. Given the negative sentiment, we'd venture to say that we've already seen the worst of the correction.

The Sell Your Property strategy also has an element of hope. There is no guarantee that you can sell even if you want to desperately. The reality of selling has to do with how low you are willing to bring your price. But also think about this, in the last correction Californians that sold their properties near the bottom lived to rue the day as property values exploded over the past 10 years, rising roughly 2-3 times in that time period.

3. Final Option - Hold & Maximize - When considering a hold strategy, the investor makes the assumption that the market will get better soon. Most experts predict that the current inventory glut will take until Q4 2007 to get to a normal market.

How long you have to hold will depend on how well you bought. The old adage in real estate is that the profit is made on the purchase, not on the sale.

Alongside the hold option, you need to get a financial professional to review your financing for the property. Can you cash out equity, lower your interest rate, defer interest on your mortgage? Each would help lower your monthly outlay. Our company has investor programs that very few other firms can provide. And if we can't help you, we are tied in to a national network of investor loan consultants that we are certain can.

Secondly, your hold decision depends on demand for real estate in the location you purchased and the inventory situation. Are buyers moving to the area, are incomes rising, is the rental market strong, is there job growth and what is the rational expectation for the market?

If you want a thorough and honest review of your particular situation, contact us. We can help you make a rational decision and help improve your financial situation. If you are in financial dire straits, contact us immediately. We can help you devise a strategy that will not only protect your investment, but also position you for a brighter financial future.

© 2006, All Rights Reserved.

Do You Want to Live in a Growing, Fast Paced City? Buy Some Dallas Real Estate and Move to Dallas

If you are the type of person that loves the city and wants to live in a rapidly growing city that has all of the great things that cities offer without the negatives like high crime and high prices then you should buy some Dallas real estate and move to Dallas.

Dallas is one of the most rapidly growing cities in the country. Lots of new businesses from several different industries are moving to Dallas to set up shop. Dallas is becoming a hub for technology businesses and there are lots of opportunities for people that want to start a new career or find a new job in an exciting new city.

Best of all, since Dallas hasn't totally taken off yet the Dallas real estate market still has a lot of great properties for sale that are reasonably priced. You could buy some great commercial Dallas real estate if you're looking to open your own business or you could get a great deal on residential Dallas real estate if you just want to move to the next big, happening, hip city. Dallas is quickly becoming a hotspot for young professionals who can't afford to live in cities like LA or New York or don't want to spend most of their earnings on the high rents that they would pay for even a small apartment in those cities when they can find jobs that are just as good in Dallas and they can actually buy Dallas real estate for the same price that they would pay to rent a tiny apartment in a bigger city.

There is a lot of opportunity in Dallas for young professionals that are trying to make a name for themselves or mid level professionals that want to live somewhere that has a lot to offer culturally but where they can afford to buy a nice house and settle down. With the low cost of Dallas real estate almost anyone can afford to buy some Dallas real estate and get settled which is one of the big draws of an up and coming city like Dallas.

If you want to live in a fresh exciting city without the high cost of city living then buying some Dallas real estate and moving to Dallas could be just what you need. If you are going to look for some Dallas real estate it's probably a good idea to contact a Dallas real estate agent. A good Dallas real estate agent can find you a nice home or an apartment in your price range in a good section of town to fit your lifestyle.

If you're a young, single professional then maybe a sleek downtown condo or apartment would be the best Dallas real estate for you while a married professional with kids might be looking for a stately old farmhouse on the edge of town that has a nice yard and room to add more kids down the line. Whatever you're looking for a qualified Dallas real estate agent can help you find the perfect house to suit your needs.

Real Estate and the AMT: Rental Or Investment Property

The Alternative Minimum Tax is a very important consideration for taxpayers who own real estate because just about every tax rule applying to real estate is different for the AMT than it is for the Regular Tax. This article on Real Estate and the AMT will address those situations where the individual holds the real estate as an investment, typically as rental property. The differences in tax treatment between the Regular Tax and the AMT can be significant.

Interest expense

Interest paid on the mortgage taken out to acquire the property is fully deductible, both for the Regular Tax and the Alternative Minimum Tax. Unlike itemized deductions that allow a tax benefit for what amounts to personal expenses, the tax law generally allows all deductions a taxpayer has to make in the pursuit of business income. Thus, the limitations discussed in the previous article on home mortgage interest do not apply.

If, however, the equity in the rental property is used as security for an additional loan - a second mortgage, for example - then the taxpayer must look to how the proceeds of that loan are used to determine interest deductibility. If the proceeds are used for a car loan or to finance a child's education, for example, then the interest is nondeductible personal interest. If the proceeds are used to improve the rental property, the interest is deductible.

Suggestion - it is best that taxpayers keep personal borrowings separate from business borrowings. Mixing the two creates recordkeeping challenges and can result in disputes with the IRS.

Property taxes

Property taxes paid on rental or investment property are allowed in full both for Regular Tax purposes as well as for the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Planning idea - if you have an opportunity to pay your property tax bill either this year or next, pay it in a year when you have enough income from the property so as not to generate a rental loss. This strategy can help avoid triggering the passive activity loss limitations described below.

Example - in Florida property tax bills are mailed in October, and are payable under the following discount schedule: November - 4%, December - 3%, January - 2%, February - 1%. If you have a loss from the property in 2010 but expect to generate income in 2011, do not pay your bill in November or December - forgoing that small discount could help you avoid the loss-limitation rules.

Depreciation

Depreciation is allowed for property held for investment. The portion of the cost allocable to land is not depreciable, but for the building itself and the furniture, appliances, carpeting, etc. a depreciation deduction may be taken.

Real property (this is the legal definition of the house or other building) held for rental/investment may only be depreciated for Regular Tax purposes under the "straight-line" method, over a useful life of 27.5 years. Thus, a property with $275,000 allocated to the building would be depreciated at the rate of $10,000 per year.

Personal property (this is the legal definition of things such as furniture, appliances, carpeting and the like) may be depreciated for Regular Tax purposes under an "accelerated" method over a useful life of five years. An accelerated method allows a larger depreciation deduction in the early years, in recognition of an obsolescence or decline-in-value factor that you see in new property (cars are a good example).

For purposes of the AMT, however, personal property may be depreciated only by using a straight-line method. Thus, an AMT item will be generated in the early years if the accelerated method is used.

Planning idea - for personal property consider electing the straight-line method for Regular Tax purposes. While giving up a little tax benefit from the greater depreciation in the early years, it could mean avoiding paying the AMT.

Active/passive investment rules and the "at-risk" rules

A taxpayer who is not "active" in managing investment property may not use losses from rental property to offset other income such as salaries and wages, dividends, interest, capital gains, etc. Instead, these losses are deferred until the taxpayer either sells the property or generates passive income from this or other passive investment sources.

The at-risk rules similarly deny using these types of losses to the extent the taxpayer has acquired the investment with borrowed money and does not have personal liability on the debt.

Planning idea

If these loss limitations apply, consider the planning ideas mentioned above to minimize the losses being generated each year. They are not doing you any good anyway.

Sale of the property

Several different AMT issues can arise on the sale of rental/investment property. One is that your gain or loss may be different for the AMT than it is for Regular Tax purposes. This would be caused if different depreciation methods were used. For example, if the personal property was depreciated using an accelerated method for Regular Tax purposes, then the basis in that property when calculating gain or loss on sale would be different because the straight-line method had to be used for Alternative Minimum Tax purposes.

Gain on the sale of investment property generally is capital gain, although a portion may be treated as ordinary income depending on the accelerated depreciation method was used. Capital gains in and of themselves are not an AMT item, but nonetheless they can result in AMT being paid. This is because the AMT exemption amount is phased out for taxpayers at certain income levels, so this additional income can have the result of reducing the exemption which in turn increases taxable income for purposes of the Alternative Minimum Tax.

How to Sell Your Real Estate and Mortgage Notes on eBay

Marketing your real estate to your end buyer is as important as finding a motivated seller. It is true that you make money in real estate when you buy and not when you sell. As long as you buy low enough you can always resell it and make a profit. During recession and unavailability of credit new marketing strategies need to be implemented to get more exposure to cash buyers. eBay is one of the best ways not only to create exposure for your property but also to increase traffic to your web site and build buyer's list. eBay is particularly popular for those selling unique homes, vacation homes, or investment properties. eBay has over 147 million active buyers and is opened 24/7! According to eBay, there are over 370,000 page views in real estate section daily!

If you are not familiar with eBay, you would need to register, create seller's account, link your PayPal account to eBay and add all billing information... it might take a few days. You also want to build positive rating as it gives credibility to you as a seller and you can do that by simply buying items on eBay first. You can also obtain eBay SquareTrade seal and even open and eBay store to look more professional.

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION: TITLE & LISTING DESCRIPTION

eBay search is based on key words you put in the TITLE of the auction. There are 80 characters allowed so make sure to include keywords that not only best describe your property but also include important listing details: location, condo, single family, oceanfront, land, investment, seller financing, owner will carry, FSBO (For Sale By Owner), renovated, turn key, rental, etc. Omit unimportant details such as color, year built, garden, fireplace; words like "wow", "look"; omit punctuation marks and asterisks. Think in terms of common sense: if you wanted to buy a property what would you put in search box? Include exactly that in your title and make it specific. Your title does not necessarily have to make perfect sense but rather include as many keywords as possible. I usually use all capital letters as it is easier to read and see. It does not make any difference in the search engine optimization. Use simple words and do not overcomplicate things. eBay is international auction based web site and many people with limited knowledge of English will come across your listing. Make it accessible and understandable for your international buyers as well, especially for vacation homes and investment properties.

If you want more listing visibility, include keywords that could be misspelled in your description. These words can be included in white color so they become invisible inside the listing but are still searchable by search engines. Because bids in real estate section on eBay are non-binding it is necessary to include as much information as possible about the settlement, deposits, inspections, financing and any other contingencies. Full disclosure is always a plus. You can also include a video about your property if you have one. It is allowed as long as you don't include links to other web sites.

CROSSCOMPARISON

Before you list your property look for similar listings on eBay. When listing item on eBay, eBay makes it very easy to compare your item (not real estate) as it provides you with the summary of similar items sold and the price range. This feature is not available for real estate so try to figure it out on your own.

PICTURES

Pictures are worth a million words...so so true. Use as many pictures as possible in your listing. There are other free services available that can save you tons of money. Auctiva is one of them, it allows you to include as many images as possible, use professionally looking template and even schedule a listing for FREE!

DRIVING TRAFFIC AND BUILDING YOUR BUYER'S LIST

In "About Me" page you can include information about your company and links to your web site. eBay does NOT allow to include links to your web site within a listing and this policy is strictly enforced. Not only eBay can remove the listing due to policy violation but your account can be temporarily blocked and even suspended. Take your time to research eBay policies first if you are not sure. However, you CAN include your phone number in your listing and I highly recommend it. I usually include my personal cell phone number or 1-800 number that gets forwarded to my cell. They key is that if you have a serious cash buyer, you want to talk to them first before they call another seller. You want to be available and be able to answer their questions and also get their contact information. Put them on your buyer's list and sell them your next property if they don't buy this one.

DETERMINE YOUR PRICE & eBay FEES

Determine the price you want your real estate to be auctioned off. Your price would need to attract attention. If you plan on reselling your real estate at a retail price the chances of success are very low unless it is a unique property and being marketed as one. eBay shoppers are savvy and are looking for a great deal. Listing real estate on eBay is not cheap, it costs from $150-450 to list your item whether it is auction style or ad format (as of 1.10.12). If you have more than one property to sell and they are similar, list only one of them and either refer all interested buyers to your web site or have it ready to be e-mailed. If your properties are in different markets it will make sense to list each property that can potentially represent each market or certain search criteria for the best exposure.

TYPES OF LISTINGS

There are 3 types: "Auction style" format, "Classified Ad" Listings, and "Other Real Estate".

Auction Style can be used to list real estate and also great for seller financed properties. Auction can have a minimum opening bid and can not only be for real estate but also for downpayment only. There is a possibility of "Notice Fee" when the auction type listing ends and it applies whether or not the sale was finalized.

When you list the item in "Classified Ad" format, there are no bids. Interested buyers are asked to fill out contact form and their information is sent to you. Duration for this type of auction is between 30 to 90 days. If you want to avoid the hassle of relisting your property, take advantage of the 90 day ad format listing. Because there is no bidding, neither buyer nor seller can leave feedback.

SELLING PAPER (MORTGAGE NOTES) ON EBAY

Within eBay's "Other Real Estate" pages, eBay sellers are permitted to advertise for sale certain purchase money notes and mortgages (referred to in these rules as "mortgage notes"). These mortgage notes are created when, in a real estate transaction preceding the offer of the mortgage note on the eBay site, a purchaser of certain real estate obtains financing for all or a portion of a property from the seller, and executes a note in favor of the seller secured by a mortgage on the real property being purchased. A mortgage note created in this manner may be advertised for sale on eBay (in either the Auction format or Classified Ad format) if the following requirements are satisfied:

• the mortgage note must have arisen in connection with a bona fide real estate transaction;
• the interest offered constitutes the entire indebtedness under the note;
• the purchaser will receive the mortgage note by unconditional endorsement, without recourse, together with a full assignment of the mortgage securing the note, both of which the purchaser will hold until satisfaction of the note;
• the mortgage note is offered without any interposed services or other enhancements to be provided by the seller; and,
• the sale of the mortgage note complies with all applicable law.

All mortgage notes are required to be offered only in the "Other Real Estate" category.

BIDS IN REAL ESTATE SECTION ARE NON BINDING!

One of the reasons why there is only a listing fee and no final value fee (when the item sells) is that buyers who place bids on eBay are not legally obligated to purchase it. Bids are considered binding on ALL other items except for real estate and motor vehicles. For a contract to be legally binding in real estate, the buyer will need to sign (or in some cases e-sign) a contract and have a consideration (earnest money deposit). So in other words even when you list real estate in auction format and people bid on it, they are not legally obligated to buy it. It allows you to create a buyer's list and advertise your property. The actual "sales" part will take place at settlement or when you convey the deed over to your buyer for agreed upon price.

Real Estate and Network Marketing - A Natural Partnership

The real estate industry has flocked to the internet, but Network Marketing for Real Estate is very much an ignored art.

"Network Marketing" sounds a whole lot like "MLM". But they aren't the same thing at all. While MLM draws people in with promises and hides commissions in multi layers of muddle, Network Marketing is a very up front, informative, direct, honest approach to the business of the internet.

And it is a perfect fit for many, many realtors.

Network Marketing is all about building trust and community, just what realtors are so good at anyhow.

The real estate industry already has a good toehold online. Every single real estate office lists on MLS, and MLS lists those properties online. But that is the beginning and the end of the internet world for most realtors. But it needn't be

Let's take Jerry's business. Jerry is a realtor in Tampa, Florida, one of the areas hardest hit by the housing debacle. Yet Jerry is doing just fine. He does fine because he has learned how to capture clients via Network Marketing before they ever step foot in Tampa. And he has learned how to make extra money doing it.

Jerry's website doesn't have a brief bio and a link to MLS. No, it is far more extensive than that. This website:

o Has lots and lots of pictures of the homes in Jerry's territory, whether or not he actually sold them.

o Talks about the schools in various area.

o Discusses housing values, why it is a good time to buy now, and how to protect the value of your home once you own it.

o Describes the Florida buying process, with inspections and escrow, with a time table laid out.
o Provides a mini-forum where people can ask and answer questions.

o Talks about all the great things to do in the vicinity.

o Provides a free newsletter to keep people up to date on what is going on.

Now, all of this is just a good website. But, if it is based on strong keywords, it will generate sufficient traffic to become a true Network Marketing website with multiple streams of income.

So where are those multiple streams of income?

o from AdSense ads

o from PPP ads

o from display ads from local attorneys, title companies and mortgage companies

o and even a display ad from the County Fair!

There is more Jerry could do as well. He could, for instance, provide small ads for all manner of other businesses in the area, like movie theaters and restaurants. When he's got traffic, he truly is the master of his domain.

Now Jerry has a great website that captures potential new clients AND one that provides him with additional income.

It is Network Marketing at its finest.

Network Marketing for real estate is an absolute natural. Look for this wave of new sites to evolve over the next few years.

Real Estate India-Property in India-No.1 Real Estate Site

"Intelligent Living" style is the mantra today and lifestyles reflect the standards achieved. Unbound by tradition, convention or dogmas, the present-day Real Estate world order is contemporary lifestyle and only the best fits the bill. A similar thought ran amidst a group of enterprising young promoters in 2003 resulting in the genesis of Aliens group, an infrastructure company devoted to delivering elegant and modernized living spaces Real Estate .

Intelligent Living" style is the mantra today and lifestyles reflect the standards achieved. Unbound by tradition, convention or dogmas, the present-day Real Estate world order is contemporary lifestyle and only the best fits the bill. A similar thought ran amidst a group of enterprising young promoters in 2003 resulting in the genesis of Aliens group, an infrastructure company devoted to delivering elegant and modernized living spaces Real Estate .

Our key selling proposition, is to approach each development as a unique project in its own sphere. Architectural design and finishing, the development's density, the property's interior specifications - all are designed specifically for their singular location. This approach results in building homes that are strikingly bold, contemporary and yet catering to varied lifestyles. Our key selling proposition, is to approach each development as a unique project in its own sphere. Architectural design and finishing, the development's density, the property's interior specifications - all are designed specifically for their singular location. This approach results in building homes that are strikingly bold, contemporary and yet catering to varied lifestyles. Our value-added services such as the interactions of Care, Support & Aliens property management teams help us provide unconditional convenience and support to our clients round-the-clock.

To know more about their projects, click on the above link. Our value-added services such as the interactions of Care, Support & Aliens property management teams help us provide unconditional convenience and support to our clients round-the-clock.Real Estate

To know more Real Estate about their projects, Real Estate click on the above link.

Do You Look for Real Estate Owned Properties

Most young people can spare only weekends or cram in free time from their work to search for their dream homes. One of the most frustrating criteria is of staying within the financial budget. As such, the term known as Real Estate Owned or REO in short, will be new to you. This is probably the key to searching that wee bit elusive something which you cannot find while looking at most foreclosure properties.

Let us first get to know what Real Estate Owned Property would mean to you. This tag given to a property shows the status when a bank tries to sell it off through auction but is unsuccessful and has still retained it as a foreclosed property. Such a listed property becomes a dead or non-performing asset to the bank. The bank therefore would be more than willing to accommodate interested parties in order to sell off the real estate owned properties.

Well, since these properties are really owned by the banks themselves, you would think that all the banks would simply try to sell them as soon as you inquire about properties for sale. In fact, banks usually have a separate department to handle categories such as real estate owned and Rental Property. However, going via this route often proves to be time consuming. Lists upon lists are provided upon your request. What's more different banks will have different lists. Searching through these lists and short listing the properties that catch your eye would be both exhausting and confusing.

There are a number of commercial services today that specialize in selling foreclosed property lists. But again, many of these do not offer the Real Estate Owned properties on first request. Your search of the ideal property might then lead you back to finding Real Estate Owned properties from the bank. As already mentioned this is really wasteful process.

What you really need is a real estate service that can shortlist the Real Estate Owned properties in addition to the foreclosures. When you find a Real Estate Owned property in the area of your choice, you can contact the owner bank for New Home Financing. You will see that the owner banks are much more welcoming to home buyers to sell off these. You can more easily create a contract with the bank on the property that is returned from the listing.

The fact that you are now aware of what real estate owned property means shows how it can help you get better deals from a bank. You can use what you know now to your advantage. People focus on foreclosed properties completely unaware of this special type of property status.

Another benefit you can look forward to from the bank is that the property will not have too much up front payment. Banks generally ask potential home buyers for an amount as an earnest money deposit. The closing date, the value of the property and a few more points, could work in your favor to make it as low as $5000.

Home buyers need to be aware of a couple of things when they begin their search for their lovely Real Estate Owned properties.

One, the banks may take the opportunity to generate their business profits through the home loan for the property. Under the circumstances, you are the best judge of what you consider as a good deal considering how badly you want to own the house or condo.

Second, sometimes banks require the new owners to occupy the property as their prime residence and not use it merely for investment purposes. When dealing with real estate owned properties, you should proceed cautiously by asking all relevant questions for the terms of the deal before signing any documents.

To know more for information visit us our website.
www.smartsolutionsreatly.com

Real Estate and Business Notes and Deeds

Hello, I'm Richard Dixon and I will introduce you to the fastest most convenient way to sell you're property no matter the location. We belong to a nationwide network of motivated buyers and sellers of real estate and business notes and deeds, available to the to the masses. Skip the real estate representative who is trying to find a buyer then hopefully the buyer can get the mortgage, please do yourself a favor do not wait for any bank to give anyone a mortgage in this economic environment. We hear time and time again how the banks are not giving out any loans to people or small business no matter how big or small and that's even after the government gave them the TARP money,which happens to be our tax money, they still won't give any loans unless you make great money and have no debt. What planet are the banks doing business on? That means if you're alive approximately twenty five years or more, let's face it, then you have accumulated some debt and guess what banks sell, "debt".

So I guess our reward for giving them all that money is higher interest rates, which is,guess what, "more debt". Our government tells banks to give mortgages, it's really only for first time buyers program that the government gives money to the banks at 0-1.5% interest on the mortgages. Listen up forget the banks forget the government, things will straighten out but you're not going to wait for them and neither am I. We also promote seller financing, so in the long run you make a whole lot more money for you're future, even without you financing you're note and deed we generate to the masses through our nationwide network of buyers and sellers, this network is most powerful tool in today's market.

Richard

How To Start Your Own Real Estate And Mortgage Business

Did you know that there have been more millionaires made from real estate then from any other opportunity ever? Did you also know what most millionaires have in common; there is one common link between them all it is that they are in business. Their own business!

This is a true fact if you want to become a millionaire you need to have a business, working from 9 to 5 for someone else will not make you rich this is just renting your time for a buck.

So what to do if you do not have the opportunity or cash flow to open your own business. Open your mind and think!

What is the one business opportunity, which has created more millionaires then any other business in history? Well it is the real estate and financial industry, which is something at one point the majority of people will need at least once.

Imagine betting educated in the business and getting access to the best real estate opportunities available on the market.

To make real money in real estate you need to have access and know where to look for properties, this is the real key to making big profits. Now that does not mean taking advantage of people in their weakest time. I believe that those investors that actually help people in the process are the ones that flourish.

There is one rule that I have always lived by is, (You must put back into the well for the well to always have water) How to you think you would feel if you were making real money and at the same time help people. I will bet you would feel great!

That is what the real estate business is suppose to be, I can look back over the 17 years of my career and remember all of the people I helped either get into their home or get out this is the greatest feeling. When you do a good job and people know that you had their best interest at heart, they do tell you.

I am going to tell you a great story just to give a sense of how good it feels to help people. Back a few years I was on Television I had a real estate and financing show that educated the consumer on owning and financing real estate, it was also a live call-in show. People would call in and ask questions that they had and did not know who to ask. The show allowed me to reach millions of people at the same time and give out the best information to the public.

Now back to the story! I had a call come into the show it was a woman who was living in a bad place and wanted to know if she could buy a home to give her children a better place to live. She did not have a clue as to go about it, so I ask her a few general questions, like job, and need.

I then told her to call my office number which she did right away, now I did not know her situation yet, so I set up an appointment for her to come into my office. When she came in I was able to ask her more private personal questions to figure out if I could in fact help her buy a home.

What she started to tell me blew me away! She was a single parent with two children living in a real bad housing complex smothered in drugs and crime. At that moment I knew I had to try and help her get her kids out of this situation. You see I am a firm believer; that the more you know that more you can help people and the more you help people the more you will make.

So as not to get into all of the details I tell you this, I gave her some homework and told her that if she did exactly as I told her to do I would get her and her children a new home. Just to make a long story short she did everything that I told her and in 45 days her family moved into their new home. Here is the best part that really made me feel like a million bucks. I went over to the house where she was living I had the papers for her to sign. When I walked the two small children were there and the little boy asks me what I had in my hand, looking up with big brown eyes. I looked at him and said that they were the papers for his new home. When the little boy looked up and me with tears in his eyes and said (MY NEW HOME), made me feel like I had never felt before.

Just to bring up to speed where this little boy was, the week before I met his mother the little boy and girl had seen their mother tied up in front of them and robbed. I knew at that moment what I had to do HELP!

Now this is where having knowledge and access to programs and homes, gave me the ability to help them get there home. If you want to be able to make big money get into the business and help people it will make you richer then you ever thought was possible.

Now getting into the business at time when the industry is in big trouble might sound bad! I say to you NO it is not, let me tell you why! In today's markets all over the country people are in trouble and need help, if is projected that there will be over 2 million foreclosures. This is a market in it self. The people who are in foreclosure need help and by helping them you can make a fortune and at the same time help them.

Think about this do those people who are losing their home still need a place to live. If you are in a position to help them by selling there home to an investor who in turn can lease the home back to them is this NOT helping the homeowner and serving the better good. This is called the Lease to own program!

Now here is where you can really make great strides in your own portfolio of real estate, all you have to do is purchase the home and then lease it to own back the person that is in trouble. It is a win, win for both parties!

How to you get into he business of real estate and financing in the shortest amount of time to capitalize on this huge market that is really growing. Well there is a way to do this in the shortest amount of time and make money. Get into the business of offering financial services. i.e. real estate, mortgage and wealth management.

In closing if you can help people achieve their personal wealth goals and at the same time help yourself it is a win-win for everyone and maybe you can have some fun in the process.

Generate Income From Your Real Estate Investment Properties by Becoming a Landlord

One of the major ways you can profit from buying real estate investment properties is through renting out your new acquisition. There is a great opportunity now for investors to make their property generate a steady stream of income in the form of rents. With literally thousands of foreclosures sweeping the country, there is now a huge tenant base looking for places to rent. No wonder that rental homes are now going for premium prices in many parts of the country, since there is so much competition for rentals. But the question is, do you have the stomach to become a landlord?

Becoming a landlord entails more than sitting back and waiting for the rents to come in. You have to deal with the tenants and actually go out and collect rents from them. If something breaks, you have to be the one to fix it. And worst of all, you may have to actually evict someone, which can be a very painful and emotionally draining process. But if you're ready to accept the challenge, it can also be a very rewarding and profitable experience.

There are two tasks you need to undertake before you rent out your real estate investment properties- decide a reasonable level of rent to charge, and screen the tenants you will rent your properties out to.

How much rent should you charge? You should use the going rate in your area as a baseline, and then adjust the figure depending on what you want to achieve. For example, if you want the property to be rented quickly, then you could price your rent below the going rate. This will also give you a big pool of potential renters that you could choose from.

When screening tenants, you should set out pre-qualification requirements on the basis of income, employment history and credit record. The point of the pre-qualification process is to find a tenant who will pay his or her rent on time and who will not give you problems that may require you to evict them or take other forms of action against them. And make sure to meet with the tenants yourself before deciding whether to rent to them or not, since you can learn a lot simply by talking with them face-to-face.

Once you've selected your tenants, you should start to compute a budget for property repairs; for example, you could allocate a certain percentage of the rental property's value towards repairs. And when a tenant calls you for repairs, make sure you respond promptly - either by doing the repair yourself if you can handle it, or by bringing in a professional.

Finally, try to keep a balance between your personal life and your responsibilities as a landlord in order to avoid burnout. This is particularly true if you are managing multiple properties or are planning to expand your rental holdings. Many investors who have rented out their properties have said that they would not buy real estate investment properties again. However, if you've selected the right tenants, and created the right kind of relationship with them, not only will they not give you problems, they might even help you by taking care of the property and doing minor repairs themselves.

Real Estate Photography: Properties Never Looked So Appealing

Realty agencies, architectural firms, land developers, and individual home sellers... these are just some of the entities who can greatly benefit from the services of a real estate photographer. There are properties galore on the market and if you're anxious that the property or properties you're selling have an edge over other similar offerings, you'll find it very much advantageous to have professionally taken pictures incorporated into your ads or marketing campaigns.

Real estate photography, Property professionals realise, is important in properly showing off projects and realty listings. With professionally captured images, your properties can gain customers' interest and persuade them to commit to the purchase. Remember, to be able to sell fast and at top dollar, your photographs must have strong visual appeal.

If you're with an architectural company or a land developer, you need to promote your projects, and to effectively do so, it's smart to include a picture of your work in its entirety, not just separate images of different sections. To capture the scope of a property, a bird's eye view is necessary. You can provide this by tapping an individual or a company that can do aerial photography. So you can expect your properties to offer stunning aerial impressions.

If you're still at the off-the-plan stage, a great way to convince potential customers of the quality of your work is by showing them photographs of your past projects. A professional real estate photographer will not only be able to highlight the distinct qualities of a property, but also enable the appropriate atmosphere to emanate from mere pictures. Being able to make pictures appeal not only to the customers' senses but to their sensibilities as well is an important aspect of architectural photography. Property buyers also consider what their gut tells them after all. If pictures of a property are able to stir the right sentiments in them, then that's half the battle won.

Property firms that are running a marketing campaign should also actively consult with professional photographers so that the photos that will be used in it can be planned out nicely and fit well with all the other elements.

Through the quality of a photo, a company is also able to convey many of the values it stands for. For this reason and many more, it is crucial that you hire a photographer who knows what he or she is doing. In the end, you get beautiful photographs that lead to sales.

Real Estate Investment Property - Getting The Best Capital Growth

If you are looking at real estate investment and want to get the best capital growth then you need to keep 2 main points in mind.

If you do you will maximise your return and limit your risk so, here are your two important tips for maximising your returns onreal estate investment property.

1. Property Price to Reward

When buying investment real estate property we all want a cheap deal, but keep in mind you need to balance the risk reward and this means buying property with the best risk to reward.

For example, you can take a risk and buy a property cheaply in an area that may do well in the future but you are better off buying in a position where you KNOW its going to do well. For example buy near:

1. Existing popular locations

2. Changes in the infrastructure coming such as roads, marinas, entertainment etc

You know the chances of popular area spreading out are high and you also know that changes in the infrastructure will see values rise. So buy on facts, not on what you hope might happen or what you think will happen

Act and buy real estate investment properites on SOLID facts not whims or opinions!

2. Buy Into a solid uptrend

When buying a market, buy one that has and is still producing good gains for the amount you spend.

For example buying investment real estate in the US has shown solid gains but the market overall is slowing down.

On the other hand there are new property hot spots overseas that realtors try and sell you that may take off. But will they? Sure but big variable here is the word "may" You can make more if the market does but most don't.

Look for a market with a track record of gains, rising investment and property prices that are fair value.

Costa Rica is a good example. A good solid up trend for years, rising investment and beach front property up to 70% less than in the US and only 3 hours away.

Will this trend continue? The answer is probably yes, as baby boomers look for new homes there are plenty of Americans in Costa Rica already and the demand Looks set to continue.

Many people when buying investment real estate property think that once a market has taken off they have missed the boat but this is not true.

Property trends can last for 20 or 30 years in some areas.

3. Get local help

If you are buying overseas real estate investment property, make sure you get a decent attorney so everything is done correctly and you are not caught out.

Remember laws in other countries are different and you should not assume their the same as in the US or your country of residence.

When you are buying investment real estate property follow the above three points and you will maximise the risk reward on your investment and enjoy some solid capital gains in the years ahead.

Commercial Real Estate Syndication: Property Selection and Purchase-Part 2

We've been discussing the process of assembling groups of investors for the purpose of acquiring income producing commercial real estate. To read the first part of this series, just go to the Investment Property Insider Blog whose URL is listed below and look for "Property Selection and Purchase, Part 1. We'll assume for the purposes of this article that you've selected your target investment property. Now you need to get it into escrow, but with a purchase structure that favors your group investment strategy.

The ideal time period for a group investment purchase is 120 days. This time period breaks down as follows:

Days 1 to 30: Focus on completing your Due Diligence (investigation) on the property, clearing contingencies, and verifying everything stated by the seller.

Day 31 to 45: Here is where you create the Investment Circular and form the LLC that will own the property, by filing the Articles of Organization and the Operating Agreement.

Days 46 to 90: Now you can solicit interest from potential investors. Your goal will be to get completed subscription agreements and monetary contributions from the new members of the LLC by the end of this period.

Days 91 to 120: This is basically a contingency period for you in the event the subscription process takes longer than expected.

As a matter of strategy, you should consider the 90th day as the "make or break" of your group investment. It is very likely that you won't be able to keep the escrow open longer than 90 days without putting your deposit at risk (called "going hard"). So, if it looks like you can't fully fund your LLC by the 90th day, it's probably best to unwind the escrow and get your deposit back ... sooner, if possible.

In fact, you'll probably have quite a bit of pressure to release your deposit sooner than 90 days. What to do? Well, as you continue with your group investment program, you'll want to line up your investors sooner than indicated above. Realistically, you'll want to give your "A-list" of investor candidates notice as soon as you take a property to escrow.

Speaking of escrow, when you open it, you want to write the purchase contract with you, the syndicator, as the borrower. This is for tax reasons. By doing so, you establish your ownership of the property rights. It is by assigning these rights to the LLC before you close that you establish your ownership percentage (whatever you negotiate with your investors) in the property.

To be perfectly safe, you should consider opening two escrows. The first one is for the purchase of the property, as described above. The second is set up to fund the LLC. Its sole purpose is to hold the funds from the members as they subscribe into the group investment. Once it's fully subscribed and the purchase escrow is ready to close, funds are transferred from the "funding" escrow to the purchase escrow. The reason to have the second escrow is to protect the investors' funds in the event there are complications with the purchase escrow. The seller's permission would not be required to release the investors' funds back to them with this structure.

Another option is the "receipt of third party deposit." In this process, investors fund their contributions directly to the purchase escrow, but they do so under certain conditions which allow the escrow officer to return the funds in the event the purchase doesn't close. The LLC (after assignment by the syndicator) and the seller are the parties to the transaction. The investors are third parties whose funds are disbursed according to separate instructions. Check with your escrow provider to see if they will allow third party receipts before opening escrow.

In my next article on this subject, I'll cover the strategies you need to consider to control a property for a sufficiently long period of time to allow you to actually fund as a group investment.

Real Estate and Condos - A Practical Overview for Individuals

With more real estate opportunities opening up in Asia, it's easy to see why investors are shifting their attention to cities like Manila. Real estate in this region is an exciting and profitable venture for prepared investors. If you are eager to take on this business idea, here are some questions and answers to guide you.

What is real estate in Manila like?

Manila real estate is a thriving business. Consider that prime business hubs such as Pasig, Taguig, and Makati have multiple housing and commercial district plans currently under construction.

You may be wondering why mention Pasig and Makati when all you know is you want something in Manila. To set the record straight, Manila is a common reference point when discussing a large area called Metro Manila. Manila is a city within this region. It also has many commercial areas, but the currently developing areas are in Pasig, Makati, and Taguig.

Many local financial analysts are excited with these places because developments look promising. Commercial and residential areas are nearer each other and this creates more trade interactions. These areas are bound to produce business opportunities for interested investors and employment for locals.

Are real estate prices in Manila reasonable?

Manila real estate prices are definitely worth every penny. Investing in a property near business districts can open you to endless income opportunities. Many buyers will be interested in it and you can sell it easily to the highest bidder.

For instance, you can lease it to employees who need living arrangements closer to their workplace. Monthly rentals could be a stable revenue source that needs only periodical maintenance work on your end. If the property is in a prime commercial slot, you can lease it to companies or consider opening your own business.

What property should I buy?

Multiple properties are available including houses and condominiums. Among these choices, however, Manila condos are more practical if you are a foreigner looking to establish a residence here.

Philippine laws prohibit foreign nationals from owning lands. If you buy a house, you buy the structure, not the land it stands on. You cannot give away the land or have a family member inherit it given that the government could deem the transfer illegal.

A condominium is more practical because foreigners can enjoy its amenities and services to the fullest. Many Manila condos today are under pre-selling schemes. Real estate developers offer the condos to interested buyers before they begin the construction process. Later, buyers could live in these residences or sell the property at higher prices. The strategy is like paying dimes on the dollar for the condominium as you buy at a low cost and sell at a high cost to rake in revenue.

If pre-selling sounds too risky, you can always invest in condominiums. Lesser risks are involved in this venture as the structures are already in place. You can move in anytime after paying a certain percentage of the condo price or choose to sell what you bought.

If you have yet to make up your mind about Manila condos or any other property, do not be upset. Maybe you just need to have more information and time to decide. Consult local real estate brokers to get a better idea on what investments fit your style and budget.

Residential Real Estate and Its Importance of the Whole Economy

Residential real estate is one of the viable investment opportunities that are driving the US economy forward. A good number of US citizens have always desired to realize the much celebrated American dream by engaging in property investment. While several individuals have succeeded in owning a home, others are still in the process.

Residential investment vehicles gives investors the opportunity to purchase or sell all kinds of homes such as apartments, condominiums, terraced houses, cooperative houses, duplexes, and so on. Such investment opportunities are always available in many of the states. Buying and selling of such homes are always ongoing in various cities located in the US.

All over the US, there are agencies and individual agents helping people to invest in the residential real estate business. There are also various online real estate listing services that help home sellers to advertise their properties. A good number of US citizens get involved in the residential real estate business on regular basis. This has continued to help the US economy in diverse ways.

The Important of Residential Housing on the US Economy
Ever since the days economic recession which sparked off during the September 2008 financial crisis, the residential real estate has continued to remained one of the most viable tools that still drive the US economy forward. Since the recession ended in 2001, it has also been the primary driver of the US economy. Lots of cash returns have always been realized for the US economy through the residential real estate business. The bulk of the money comes from property taxes which most home owners pay yearly to the government in order to protect their properties.

The residential housing business has also generated lots of employment opportunities for the US citizens. Many young guys are now making ends meet by working as agents in their various cities. Many contractors, land surveyors, loan officers and others have also emerged. They have a lot to do in the residential real estate business. In most cases, they help home buyers to realize their dream while the US economy continues to boost in the process.

Housing for US citizens, it has continued to play an integral role in the US economy. The more several houses are provided, the higher the property tax multiplies. This ensures regular flow of income in the US economy.

There's also a growing interest of non US citizens in the housing business in the US. Several investors from other countries of the world are given enough room to purchase all kinds of homes in various states. This in turn drives the US economy forward.

Indeed, the future still holds a lot for the US economy. The residential market is actually booming. More good reports are also in the pipeline. The US economy will continue to grow higher as the real estate market thrives. The economy is still reluctant to have increase in housing values, as the property foreclosures inventory is still high.

Cocoa Beach Real Estate and Rental Property

The number of ground units other than condos for sale is less than 300. Home buyers seem to think that every unit is or should be for sale at distressed prices. This is not the reality of the Cocoa Beach Real Estate market. Cocoa Beach is located about one hour away from Orlando Florida. The low prices of even the recent past market have all but disappeared. The prices of condos have reached bottom several months ago and sales in those price points are not happening. Real estate prices are not expected to head back in that direction and home buyers should realize that the prices of today may be as good as they will get for a long time.

The number of condominium units for sale in June 2012 was 280 and this number was down from 560 units in June of 2010. The number of distressed condo sales in June 2012 is 55 percent and that is significant.

All of the numbers are more favorable than 2010 and are not anywhere near the highs of 2010. They indicate that while closing prices are rising a bit in a few places, the low inventory indicates that the law of supply and demand is at work. Distressed property listings are not a force in the market as they once were.

Developer foreclosures have all but dried up. This is due to the performance of today's economy and is not restricted to Central Florida.

The Cocoa Beach FL Rental Property is very competitive where it is allowed. Many condos have deed restrictions prohibiting rentals and communities. The people seeking rental property are far greater in number than in previous years. For those who have previously purchased a condo in the Cocoa Beach area at an even better price may find it attractive to rent. Owning a Cocoa Beach FL Rental Property can make the cost of ownership higher than expected do to today's economy. There are still many great deals to be found if you take the time to look around. The fees and the storm insurance can be outrageously priced which means that obtaining a positive cash flow in a competitive market will not be easy.

For those considering buying a condo or single family home in the Cocoa Beach Real Estate market now is the time. You may pay more than you would have six months or a year ago. In time the economy will rebound and the property you purchase today will be a worthwhile investment for you and your family.

Investing in Real Estate and Becoming a Landlord

Real estate is no longer just about finding your dream home it is now one of the most popular investment vehicles that is used by individuals. The market of real estate has a huge amount of opportunities that individuals can take advantage of in order to see a big profit, but the process of purchasing and owning real estate is much more complicated than the process of investing in stocks and bonds.

Investing in real estate is one of the oldest practices that there is. Individuals will purchase a piece of property and allow tenants to rent it out. The owner of the property is the one who has to pay the mortgage, taxes, and maintenance cost, which is covered by the rent that the tenants are required to pay. Some landlords set the price of the rent at an amount that allows them to maintain the property and gain a small profit. More commonly landlords will only set the rent at an amount that allows them to pay all of the bills associated with the property and will not be interested in also obtaining that monthly profit. They exercise patience until the mortgage on the property has been completely paid off which enables most of the rent from then on to be profit for them. A lot of times property will appreciate which will result in the landlord being left with a piece of property that is more valuable than it was when originally acquired.

Dealing with renting out property is not always easy some individuals are unfortunate and end up dealing with undesirable tenants who damage their property or they may not be able to obtain any tenants at all. If either one of these situations occurs real estate investors will be left with a monthly cash flow that is negative which could make it difficult for them to make their mortgage payments. It is important that investors choose property that is located in an area where the vacancy rates are low which means individuals actually want to rent property in that location.

One of the main differences present between rental properties and other types of investments is how much time an individual has to invest in the maintenance of the property. When an individual invests in rental properties there are a lot of other responsibilities that come along with this decision of becoming a landlord. If you find that you do not enjoy having to perform handyman work on your property you could probably get a professional property manager to take over the property for you if you offer them a good price.

For individuals who are interested in purchasing rental properties, but do not want to have to deal with the duties that are associated with being a landlord they may want to look into real estate investment groups. This could just be the perfect solution to their dilemma. Companies that purchase or build sets of apartments or condos will turn around and let investors purchase them through their company which will enable them to become members of the group. The company that is responsible for managing the investment group will be responsible for managing all of the units such as advertisement of available units and maintenance, but the individual investors are able to own as many units as they want. The company receives a percentage of the monthly rent earned from the units in exchange for them managing the properties.

Real Estate and Condos in Pattaya Thailand

Thailand is a wonderful place to live. It has many beautiful beaches, mountains and parks to explore. If you are tired of the hustle bustle of the city, you can move to Pattaya. Before you can move to Pattaya, you need to purchase a condominium or nice property. Even if you don't plan to stay in Pattaya permanently, you can invest in a real estate property. In this way, whenever you come to Thailand for a holiday, you can stay in your own property. You don't have to check in to the local hotel and pay for the hotel room fee.

Pattaya has very limited high quality housing so the properties costs are relatively high. If you want to quickly search for suitable property you can take advantage of the online real estate agents and search via Google. Many online real estate agents have a search tool with large database of properties in Pattaya. You will be able to find the condo or house you want within a few minutes. If you need help in locating a Pattaya real estate property you can hire a local agent. The local property agent is familiar with the real estate properties available in Pattaya so he is able to give you good recommendations and cheap price. It is important that you tell the agent about your needs so that he can find a nice property that matches with your criteria. In addition you must tell the real estate agent your budget. When determining your budget you should take into considerations several factors including type of property, number of rooms, and size of property.

Under the law of Thailand, foreigners can purchase and own condominiums. Usually the condominium will have a 49% non-Thai ownership and 51% Thai ownership. There are two types of properties foreigners can own including freehold and leasehold properties. When shopping for the real estate property, the foreigners need to bring in funds into Thailand. The funds can be purchased through their local bank in foreign currency. After purchasing the funds in foreign currency, the foreign buyers must transfer it the bank account of the Thai developers. Upon receipt of the funds, the foreign buyer will receive the Foreign Exchange Certificate. The Foreign Exchange Certificate is known as Thor Tor 3 or T.T.T.3 form. The certificate proves that the holder of the account has deposited the sum of money to the local Thai developer account in foreign currency. Every major banks based in Thailand have the rights to issue the T.T.T. 3 form.

Foreigners who possess permitted residences in Thailand have the rights to buy condominiums according to the Investment Promotion Act (IPA). The permission for permanent residence is issued by the Board of Investment in Thailand. When purchasing a freehold property, the foreigner must present the passport. The foreigner also must present the certificate that is issued by the Board of Investment in Thailand. Once the quote of foreign ownership is met the foreigner will have an option to own the property.