Real Estate Financing Made Easy

Real Estate Financing Made Easy

by John Ashtonson

A real estate buyer typically borrows money from lending institutions that finance real estate investments to pay for the purchase. If the buyer chooses to pay in cash, he usually makes a down payment and mortgages to secure the remainder of the funds. It is obvious that the smaller the down payment, the greater the interest payment over the mortgage. The thing with real estate investments is that you will need a sum of money for the purchases that is very big for you to invest by yourself. This means that you will have to look for financing services to provide you with funds.
If you have made a modest down payment and have a good credit, you can ask banks to fund you after showing them your business plans. Banks will be glad to finance a part of the property costs; however, a bad credit, a poor business plan and not enough personal funds for the investment will put you at a low chance of acquiring funds from a bank. With a good credit, you can get low interest rates. A residential mortgage automatically has interest rates lower than other types of loans. Most banks will not loan out more money than the house's value, so you can talk to them for an additional loan if the property you are purchasing requires repairs. The best way to go about securing finances from banks is to do it through a mortgage broker. This ensures that you get the best rate of interest for your loan.

Getting finances from private investors is another good option if you are purchasing for profits. These private investors have a lot of liquid money. They will give you the funds for investing in the property or even do all the financing themselves. You should make sure you have a well prepared expense worksheet to show to the investors stating where money will be spent and the profits that you expect from the deal. Needless to say, the better the profits, the more likely it is that you will find a private investor who is interested.

You can also think about hard money lenders who specialize in real estate investments for financing your deal. The catch is that the interest rates are as high as 14%. The advantage is that you get your finances very quickly. Hard money lenders often lend up to 70% of the cost of the property after repairs. If you are looking for short term financing, this is your savior. Lenders often fund you in installments, and are a boon if you need a lot of cash, quick.

The seller can also finance you if he or she is not in need of cash immediately. This is done by making a mortgage contract that makes you pay the seller monthly payment in addition to a percentage rate. You can pay off the mortgage whenever you sell the property yourself.

You just need good cash flow numbers, and financing will be very easy to secure subsequently.

Real Estate Short Sale

Real Estate Short Sale

by Joan Rose Castillo

If you missed your payments for your mortgage loan, foreclosure will soon follow. There are many options to save you from foreclosure one of these options is the real estate short sale. A Real estate short sale is when the lender agrees to discount the mortgage loan balance of the borrower. In other words real estate short sale is where the lender agrees to be paid off less than the total amount due of the mortgage loan balance from the borrower. There are requirements that you should comply before you could avail of the real estate short sale and if you qualify, you could go ahead with the steps for a real estate short sale.
If you missed your payments for your mortgage loan, foreclosure will soon follow. There are many options to save you from foreclosure one of these options is the real estate short sale. A Real estate short sale is when the lender agrees to discount the mortgage loan balance of the borrower. In other words real estate short sale is where the lender agrees to be paid off less than the total amount due of the mortgage loan balance from the borrower. There are requirements that you should comply before you could avail of the real estate short sale and if you qualify, you could go ahead with the steps for a real estate short sale.

These are the four requirements to qualify for a real estate short sale:

* The market value of the real estate should be less than the amount of the unpaid mortgage loan balance.

* Another qualification for a real estate short sale is if the borrower will not be able to make the scheduled payment of the mortgage loan because this will put him in a near default status.

* The third qualification for a real estate short sale is the reason of the seller why he or she will sell his or her property and why the seller could not pay the remaining balance of the amount of the mortgage loan. With this, the seller is required to give a hardship letter to the lender; the hardship letter must contain the reason why the seller will opt for a real estate short sale. The reason should describe or show that the seller has fallen on hard times sue to reasons such as there is a sickness in that family that tantamount to huge amount of hospital bills, the seller lost his or her job, there was a death in the family or other reasons.

* The fourth requirement for a real estate short sale is that the seller should not have any assets, because in the eye if the lender if the seller have any assets then he or she has the ability to pay off the mortgage loan balance. To determine whether the seller has any assets, the lender will asks the seller to present a financial statement or a tax return.

Here are some steps for a real estate short sale after the compliance of the real estate short sale requirements:

* The seller needs to sign a listing agreement that says that he or she are selling a real estate property as a short sale with a real estate agent and it should also have an approval of a third-party.

* Then the real estate agent will find a buyer who will make an offer. The offer of the buyer should be less than the amount of the mortgage.

* The next step for a real estate short sale is that the seller will accept the buyer's offer.

* After that, the lender will accept the buyer's offer for the real estate short sale.

* When the buyer pays for the real estate the transaction for a real estate short sale closes. These are the four requirements to qualify for a real estate short sale:

* The market value of the real estate should be less than the amount of the unpaid mortgage loan balance.

* Another qualification for a real estate short sale is if the borrower will not be able to make the scheduled payment of the mortgage loan because this will put him in a near default status.

* The third qualification for a real estate short sale is the reason of the seller why he or she will sell his or her property and why the seller could not pay the remaining balance of the amount of the mortgage loan. With this, the seller is required to give a hardship letter to the lender; the hardship letter must contain the reason why the seller will opt for a real estate short sale. The reason should describe or show that the seller has fallen on hard times sue to reasons such as there is a sickness in that family that tantamount to huge amount of hospital bills, the seller lost his or her job, there was a death in the family or other reasons.

* The fourth requirement for a real estate short sale is that the seller should not have any assets, because in the eye if the lender if the seller have any assets then he or she has the ability to pay off the mortgage loan balance. To determine whether the seller has any assets, the lender will asks the seller to present a financial statement or a tax return.

Here are some steps for a real estate short sale after the compliance of the real estate short sale requirements:

* The seller needs to sign a listing agreement that says that he or she are selling a real estate property as a short sale with a real estate agent and it should also have an approval of a third-party.

* Then the real estate agent will find a buyer who will make an offer. The offer of the buyer should be less than the amount of the mortgage.

* The next step for a real estate short sale is that the seller will accept the buyer's offer.

* After that, the lender will accept the buyer's offer for the real estate short sale.

* When the buyer pays for the real estate the transaction for a real estate short sale closes.

Questions To Ask When Drafting Your Real Estate Investing Business Plan

Questions To Ask When Drafting Your Real Estate Investing Business Plan

by Brad Wozny

When formulating a real estate investing business plan, your final aim is to have a polished and formally written report about your business and your company's future. However, that formal plan often begins with a lot of questions and brainstorming. You might want to begin writing up your plan on a large piece of paper, using lots of multicolored pens and plenty of space. This will help ensure that you can capture everything before you commit it to a formal plan. While brainstorming your plan, you might want to ask yourself these questions:

Do you plan to sell properties for profit or hold? Your plan will be very different in each case.
Do you wish to run this business as a full time job, or will it be a part-time venture? It is essential to decide this up front. You don't want to spend a lot of time and resources on something that is only a part-time opportunity for you.
Do you want to create an additional income stream, or do you want this business to be your main income generator?
How many renovations do you plan to complete in one year? How many in six months? How many in three years?
How many property purchases do you plan to make in one year? How many in six months? How many in three years?
How many properties do you plan to sell or rent in one year? How many in six months? How many in three years?
Do you have enough capital/finance to achieve these plans?
Where can you get additional funding or capital for your business?
Who are your mentors?
What investing books and business do you plan to read in the next six months and in the next year? What classes or courses do you plan to take? When? How will you pay for this?
What resources do you have currently for your business? List people, qualities, education, experience, businesses, and companies.
How much time can you devote to your business each week and each month?
When you do want the first draft of your real estate investing business plan complete? When do you need it complete to show to lenders and potential partners?
What is your credit like? Have you ordered a credit report? What can you do in the next three to six months to improve your credit so that you can enjoy more funding?
Is your business, as you have outlined it, going to be profitable? Where is the specific evidence of this?
What kind of financing will you need?
What are the possible roadblocks to your success? What can go wrong? How can you reduce the possibility of this happening? What can you do now, specifically, to prevent problems down the line?
Asking all these questions will ensure that your real estate investing business plan is complete and sets you up for future success. Don't start writing a formal plan until you have all these answers down on paper.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT - Why You SHOULDN'T Search For Great Property Development Sites

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT - Why You SHOULDN'T Search For Great Property Development Sites

by Adrian and Amber Zenere

We have seen so many beginning property developers go badly wrong at the very first step.
Before scouring the real estate listings to find large blocks of land for sale, there is a crucial first step. If you jump into buying a site without taking this crucial first step, you are taking a huge risk.

You see, there is no way that you can be an expert in every part of your city or state. Yet, to be truly successful as a real estate developer, you must become an expert in the area in which you develop.

Each local council is different. Each area has different, public transport provision, traffic bottlenecks, noise pollution issues, local resident action groups, and any one of a dozen other differences" and all these differences are vital factors in your development site viability calculation.

We advise that you don't begin by searching for sites" but rather begin by selecting one or two areas in which you will specialise.

When we're looking for an area, we're after "a desirable location with consistently good growth". In other words, we're after an area that historically has had a minimum annual average growth of at least 10%.

The growth of an area is normally associated with supply and demand more commonly known as the scarcity” factor. But that's by no means the end of the story. We have identified over 30 'Factors That Can Influence Real Estate Capital Growth' - here are just some that we consider:

- consistent median house price increases

- positive population growth

- high socio-economic suburbs

- high percentage of homeowners

- low unemployment

- good transport links

Once we've identified an area we undertake a detailed market analysis of the neighbourhood using our 'RED Local Market Feasibility Checklist'. Here are just some of the things we assess:

- demographics: Who is our market and what do they want?

- facilities: Are there schools, transport, shopping centres, hospitals, etc?

- gentrification: Is the suburb in transition, are people moving into the area, are people renovating, is there a café society, is it a beach suburb etc?

- infrastructure: Are there plans for new infrastructure like bypasses, new roads, new bridges, shopping centres or is council undertaking beautification?

Finally, we identify what the town planning regulations allow. Possibly even speaking to the local council planners directly - in our experience most council staff are very willing to help.

Never overlook the importance of proper research because it helps you to determine what type of dwelling is in high demand in a particular area, for example if you should be concentrating on townhouses or boutique apartment developments.

Once you have selected two or three locations which look good on paper, get familiar with the areas by driving around the suburbs, checking out what other developers are building, and then talking to a few Real Estate Agents and Property Managers. If possible, you should also attend property auctions. You want to get a feeling for what's possible, and the demand in the area.

Only when you are completely satisfied that an area stacks up, in the statistics, the ease of doing business, and in the general atmosphere, should you start the process of looking at individual development sites to purchase.

Don't get distracted by the Bright Shiny Object” the apparently brilliant bargain buy in an area you haven't researched. You have no idea what problems you may be buying into! Stick with the area you know, and know well, and you will have a lower-risk real estate development experience.

Financing Real Estate In Three Easy Steps

Financing Real Estate In Three Easy Steps

by Sky Walker

Real Estate Financing Step #1

You simply need to find out what you can really afford. Take a look at your current income and what debts and expenses that you have.

Real Estate Financing Step #2

Now you need to calculate out your funding. There are always a variety of mortgage loans available. The good news is some loans do not require any money down but don't forget about closing and escrow costs. Sitting down with a loan officer can help you figure out how much money you need and what mortgage are available to you.

Those who have a few "dings" on their credit report. Work with your lender to develop an individual mortgage program based on your unique credit worthiness.

Real Estate Finacing Step #3

Determine which loan program is best suited to your needs. Just ask youself these simple questions: Are you buying the home for investments/rental or personal use?

How much money you can afford to put down?

What your financing options are for the closing cost?

It is that easy to get started with your real estate financing!

Amanda Reeves Joins Savannah Commercial Real Estate Firm Melaver-Mouchet

Amanda Reeves Joins Savannah Commercial Real Estate Firm Melaver-Mouchet

by CarriageTrade PR

Amanda Reeves Joins Savannah commercial real estate firm Melaver-Mouchet as a sales associate Reeves also earns LEED Accredited Professional designation
(SAVANNAH) - Amanda Z. Reeves has joined Savannah's sustainable brokerage firm Melaver-Mouchet as a sales associate. She has also just earned her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council, making her a LEED Accredited Professional. LEED APs have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes.

Before moving to Savannah, Amanda lived in Atlanta where she spent three years at KPMG LLP, one of the "Big Four" accounting firms in their Risk Advisory Practice. She earned her Certified Information Systems Auditor designation and worked on some of KPMG's largest and most innovative engagements. She recently worked as a sales agent with Cora Bett Thomas Realty and was in the 2007 Savannah Board of Realtors Distinguished Sales Society.

Reeves has a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia where she graduated cum laude and earned a "with honors" designation from the UGA Honors Program. She is currently pursuing the Certified Commercial Investment Member ("CCIM") designation.

Amanda is a member of the Telfair Museum of Art and is involved with the Telfair's William Jay Society. She is also an active BBYO youth group advisor and involved with the Savannah Jewish Federation. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Amanda currently resides in Savannah with her husband, Joshua, and their dogs Jack and Bruno.

Melaver-Mouchet is a leading commercial real estate brokerage serving Savannah, Coastal Georgia and the South Carolina Low Country. As a sustainable brokerage, Melaver-Mouchet seeks to build and strengthen relationships by delivering new opportunities that synthesize community, economy and environment. The office is located in the historic Whitaker Building, the first building in Savannah to become LEED certified; it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Greater Lansing Real Estate - Grand Ledge, Michigan At A Glance

Greater Lansing Real Estate - Grand Ledge, Michigan At A Glance

by Kim Lundberg

Grand Ledge Michigan is the only city named Grand Ledge in the world. There is just over 7,200 residents in this small, warm, friendly community. It is located just west of the city of Lansing and is also convenient to East Lansing, Michigan - The home of Michigan State University.
The city received its name and first post office in 1850. It is located on the beautiful Grand River and was named after the river and the sandstone ledges that tower like sentinels along its banks as the river winds through the city. The city hosts many fun festivals every year.

One of the big attractions is the Grand Ledge Opera House. It is a beautiful Victorian building that has continued to be restored with its original charm on the outside while the inside provides a modern two-level community center with period decor. The building was built in 1884 as a roller skating rink and it soon became an old-time opera house showcasing traveling vaudeville and local entertainment. The Opera House currently is used for gatherings designed for social and business reasons. It provides an unusual location for any special event.

This small town also offers a quaint museum, Ledges Playhouse Theater, and several parks including Fitzgerald Park where you will find nature trails, fish ladder, picnic areas, and cross country skiing. Take a walk down main street and stop in some of the shops and businesses that offer many services to the residents.

If you are looking to relocate to the Grand Ledge area, you will find that it is a great time to purchase real estate. The real estate market in the Greater Lansing area is a booming market for buyers. The buyers are in control and have probably never seen it this good for them when purchasing a home. The interest rates are low and the prices have been reduced, what a great time to make an investment in real estate. Buyers have their pick of what home and area they would like to make their investment in.

As of this publication there is 282 residential homes for sale in the Grand Ledge schools district. The prices range for $40,000 to $800,00. Yes, there is one for everyone! If condo living is more your style you will find 65 units to choose from with prices ranging from $87,000 to $300,000.

Greater Lansing Real Estate - DeWitt Michigan At A Glance

Greater Lansing Real Estate - DeWitt Michigan At A Glance

by Kim Lundberg

DeWitt, Michigan, which is just north of Lansing Michigan, was named after a former governor of New York - Clinton DeWitt. DeWitt is located in Clinton county, which was also named after Clinton DeWitt. This was because many New Yorkers settled in Mid-Michigan prior to 1833. The town was incorporated as a village in 1929 and designated as a city in 1965. The towns population is over 4,000 and is a very quaint town with family friendly shops and restaurants in the downtown area. DeWitt was recognized by CNN/Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live 2005".
DeWitt is also known for it's quality schools and 5 scenic parks which have something for everyone from the young to the senior citizens.

For someone looking to purchase a home near Lansing, DeWitt has been a popular choice. If you prefer to live close to a larger city, but like the warmth of a small town, DeWitt is a great option. It is conveniently located to the highway which can quickly take you to East Lansing - the home of Michigan State University, Downtown Lansing - the state capital, or the west side of town. The Real Estate market is currently a strong buyers market. This has not been the case in this area for over 30 years. Buyers should certainly be taking advantage of this great opportunity to invest in their future. Currently there are 165 residential homes for sale in the DeWitt school district. They range in price from $64,900 - $875,000. There are also 24 condominium on the market ranging from $89,900 - $263,000.

Why Should You Get Your Real Estate License

Why Should You Get Your Real Estate License

by J.Donnovan

So, have you given any thought to venturing into the very lucrative Real Estate industry? If you are looking for a career change or just a new beginning, maybe you should check it out. Getting your Real Estate license is an excellent way to kick start your future, not just for you, but your family as well.
It's not a big secret that selling Real Estate has been considered to be one of the highest paying commission based careers out there these days. In fact many Realtors, myself included, will tell you that the commission alone on the sale of one large sale, either commercial or residential, is equivalent to or in some cases more than the yearly income of a middle class worker. That is precisely why the Real Estate industry is drawing in so many new people, they all want a piece of the money factory, and believe me there is plenty to go around.

Now, having been in the business for a while, I will not outright lie to you and tell you how easy it is to be a Realtor, because there is a lot of work and knowledge required to become successful. The testing procedures can be difficult as well because the state testing boards are trying to eliminate those with little dedication to the field. Enough of that stuff, I am not trying to scare you off, but I did want to share the reality of the business, since you will be experiencing everything for yourself.

Think back to the tests that you took in your school days, if you are around my age it's been a while, what was the best way to pass those tests? That's right, study, study and study, it's still the same these days so be prepared. There are several methods available for obtaining your Real Estate license and you will need to check with your state to determine which of those methods is feasible for you. Below are four of the most common:

Attend a local Real Estate school: These types of schools are found nationwide and chances are pretty good that you have one in your area, unless of course you happen to live in a very small town.

Attend a Community College: The nice thing about Community Colleges is that many of them are accredited schools, and it will be easy to get some sort of financial aid if you don't have the money to further your education. On top of that, attending a Community College will also better educate you in the Real Estate business, primarily because the courses are much longer so you have more time to go over new materials. And of course most Community Colleges do offer Real Estate courses, so no worries there.

Take some online courses: Welcome to the technology era we all live in today. Online Colleges have been popping up all over the Internet, and there are quite a few of them that specialize in Real Estate Licensing. My favorite things about studying online is that you can study in the comfort of your own home, usually on your own schedule and most of the courses allow you to work at your own pace, for those of us with busy family lives or other obligations.

Study in the field with a Real Estate Broker: If you want the real world training, this is the way to go. Many Real Estate Brokers will hire someone to help them out with daily tasks and pay for you to attend schooling in the mean time. This benefits them for two main reasons, one, they can train you the way they like and sculpt you any way they seem fit and number two, once you get licensed, they now have a new agent to take over some of the sales and further the growth of their business. Local newspapers and online job sites are two great ways to find these types of opportunities. You might also consider a little old fashioned door knocking, introduce yourself, explain your interest in the Real Estate industry and see what happens, you just never know until you try.

Now please keep in mind that those are only four of the more common methods for obtaining your Real Estate license, I am sure that there are plenty more, but I have personally seen those work for others.

I should also mention that there will likely be a charge associated with taking your Real Estate licensing test through the state, and there is really no way around this, unless of course it is included with your schooling. I would love to tell you how much it is going to cost, but it varies so much from state to state making it virtually impossible to say. I would recommend that you call your state licensing agency and ask them to be sure. You might also consult some local Real Estate agents, they have been through the process already, so they might be able to offer you some very valuable information, maybe even a trick or two while your talking.

You should also know that many of the Real Estate schools, even some of the ones available online, will offer some sort of guarantee that you will pass the test after completion of their courses, look for this when choosing a school to attend. This can save you a ton of money, should you not pass the test the first time, because the school itself will then pay for you to retake it.

Here is my last bit of information before sending you on your way. Getting your Real Estate license will not guarantee you a job in the Real Estate industry, you need to know that up front. This is a very competitive business and there is no shortage of new agents, but you can do it. Start small, find a small office in your area and try to get hired on there, even if it is for something like clerical work, just to get your foot in the door. You can always climb through the ranks, but you need a foundation to start on. Good luck in your new venture!

Real Estate Agent Marketing

Real Estate Agent Marketing

by Alex

Outrageously Effective
REAL ESTATE AGENT MARKETING SECRETS

BIG PROBLEM Let's get real. A lot of real estate agents WILL FAIL because of their inability to properly advertise/market/sell their services. What they fail to realize is that the majority of customers are now completely desensitized to all forms of advertising because of marketing overexposure. What does that mean for you? Well, it simply means that no one cares about you, your business, your service, your practice, your sales message, what you have to offer, etc... It might be hard to swallow, but it's the truth.

Avoid the pain of failure by implementing the things discussed in this article and you will be able to:

· Surge your sales/income. · Get a lot more business. · Outsmart your competition. · Make sure people care about you and/or your business. · Monopolize your markets (make sure clients contact you and not your competitors) . Build a long-term valuable asset.

After years of research and numerous trials we have finally figured out the complete solution to all of your real estate agent marketing needs. Here is what real estate agents need to do to supercharge their business and surge sales.

1. You must be ranked as the #1 real estate agent in your area or marketplace.

OK, but how does one accomplish such a tall feat? To begin with, real estate agents cannot do it themselves. That simply will not work. They have to let their customers and friends (who know them the best) review & rank their service and tell their future customers how great it is. The future of sales and marketing is clearly moving in this particular direction and it is only a matter of time before real estate agents with high ranking and great reviews will be able to control (monopolize) their local markets.

Recent research indicates that people are 80% more likely to buy highly rated and well reviewed products from companies such as Amazon, Ebay and many others. Therefore, real estate agents who would like to clearly establish their brand as the #1 and only choice in their marketplace must sign up with services that can rank & review their real estate businesses. The power of this cannot be underestimated. Now, real estate agents can simply direct people to their highly rated profiles where their reviews & ranking will do the perfect job of selling their services.

2. Real estate agents need to use the power of the Internet and new technologies to increase their sales.

We cannot stress this enough. The majority of local and business advertising/marketing is transitioning to the web. Real estate agents who are able to create the RIGHT kind of online presence will benefit significantly and generate more business, while those who do not will see their business decline. Simple as that.

Unfortunately, there are too many complicated and expensive options to consider when it comes to Internet real estate agent marketing. After all, there are websites, SEO, PPC, Google, Yahoo, link exchanges, affiliates, directories, banners, ad placements and the list goes on.

Luckily, a much better solution presents itself when it comes to using the Internet to increase real estate agent sales and to improve their overall visibility. Real estate agents must partner up with companies who can deliver all inclusive marketing and sale solutions at a reasonable price. In the majority of cases these companies can create a powerful Internet identity for any real estate agent (as discussed in #1) while ranking them high within the search engines. At the same time, they drive valuable traffic to these real estate agents by using the most advanced online and offline marketing techniques. Everything these companies do is designed specifically to generate more business for real estate agents.

3. Real estate agents must network & develop profitable partnerships

Real estate agents must network in order to get more clients, but not just any kind of networking. They have to be a part of a business generating networking community designed specifically to get real estate agents more business. While there are many networks out there, very few concentrate on helping real estate agents acquire more business. The right kind of a network will encourage their members to establish mutually beneficial network relationships that can help increase sales and exposure.

There, real estate agents are free to develop long-term relationships and/or transactional partnerships where they share a percentage of sales/revenue. In turn, this allows them to present their practice with pinpoint precision to an unlimited number of customers who are ready to listen and buy their services.

4. Real estate agents need to find an inexpensive way to deliver the right message to the right people at the right time.

As previously mentioned there are too many costly ways to advertise/market real estate agents. Real estate agents can use the Internet, they can do direct mailings, networking, directories, cold calling, print advertising, direct selling, TV/radio and the list goes on. Ideally, real estate agents would like to use all of them to get as much business as possible. Unfortunately, the majority only has enough resources to implement a small number of these strategies.

At least that was the case until now. Today various companies allow real estate agents to implement all available marketing strategies at a fraction of the cost. These companies help deliver the right prospects to the real estate agents at the right time. Here is how it works. First, they allow real estate agents to create a powerful profile (internet identity). Then, they use the majority of advertising techniques available to drive ready to buy prospects to these real estate agents. Once again, the benefits of this are enormous since it allows real estate agents to cover all of their marketing needs in one place and at a fraction of a cost.

In conclusion, here is the secret formula that real estate agents need to implement in order to surge their business. Just combine the following.

1.Rank as the #1 real estate agent in any given area. 2.Use the most advanced and powerful marketing techniques to outsmart your competition. 3.Use business-generating networking 4.Inexpensivly deliver the right message to the right people at the right time.

Today, various companies allow real estate agents accomplish all of this with just a few clicks. What are these companies and where can you find them? While there are many who concentrate on individual aspects of our real estate agent success formula, there is only one company (that we know of) that combines all of these aspects and many others into a powerful marketing system for real estate agents. It is our belief that this company is years ahead of its competition. We are talking about ExpertZoo and you can find them at www.expertzoo.com. Check them out and judge for yourself. Best of luck with all of your real estate agent marketing needs.

A Credit Check for Connecticut Real Estate

A Credit Check for Connecticut Real Estate

by John Ashtonson

Many first-time homebuyers, especially those who are just beginning their search for Connecticut real estate, may be worried if they have a less than ideal credit score. Contrary to what you may have heard, a less than stellar credit score doesn't necessarily mean that you can't buy a good property in Connecticut, however, if you want to avoid a mortgage loan with high fees and high interest rates, you'll want to take some necessary steps to repair your credit score.
It's quite simple. With a better credit score you will have an easier time finding a lender and landing a feasible interest rate, potentially saving you a ton of money over the course of your loan. Given the prices of homes in the Connecticut real estate market, most people don't decide on a whim that they intend to purchase Connecticut real estate. Therefore, there should be plenty of time to make sure your credit report is accurate before you even begin searching through Connecticut real estate listings, calling realtors and scheduling viewings.

Getting credit discrepancies cleared up before you seriously seek out Connecticut real estate for sale will spare you the potential embarrassment of having your financing delayed, or worse yet, having your loan application denied, over an issue in your credit report that could have easily been cleared up. It's also good to know your credit score whenever you are shopping around for the best interest rate. You'll close on your Connecticut property faster and the entire process of purchasing real estate in Connecticut will be much easier with some advanced preparation!

Most of us don't look at our credit report enough. When was the last time you looked at your credit report?

Many people don't know that it is their right as a consumer to obtain one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It's important to check these reports carefully because it's not uncommon for credit bureaus to routinely make mistakes. Also, with identity theft being more prevalent in today's computer driven world, it's important to make sure that there is no suspicious information showing up on your credit report!

Whenever it's time for a Connecticut real estate broker or lender to run a credit check, they too will order reports from each bureau. Because of this, it only makes sense that all three credit reports are monitored simultaneously and cleared up of any discrepancies at the same time.

Don't concern yourself with missing information because some creditors don't report their information regularly. That said, if certain accounts should read "closed" but instead read "open", and if accounts that are paid up to date are reading "past due", you'll want to report this as erroneous because the number of open and past due accounts will negatively impact your credit score.

Pay close attention to anything that appears in your report that might not belong to you! This is especially important if you have a common name like Kevin Smith. Accounts belonging to another Kevin Smith could be showing up in your credit report. It's not uncommon to find accounts belonging to a parent or sibling just because you once shared the same residence or mailing address. Have you ever received credit card applications where your name was misspelled or had a typo? Make sure there are no accounts with a different variation of your name. Always be aware of the potential for identity theft.

You want to highlight anything that is inaccurate or erroneous. If there is something to dispute in the report, write a letter to dispute the authenticity of each error. Tell them what is incorrect, why it's incorrect, and request that your dispute is investigated and responded to. Be sure to mail any documents via certified mail. The agencies in question will investigate the claims and must provide proof that the debt listed in the credit report is valid. The creditor is commonly given anywhere from 14 to 30 days to respond before the item is deleted. At that time, you are to receive an updated credit report.

Reviewing your credit report isn't the only step that you can take to improve your credit score. If buying Connecticut real estate is part of your future plans there should be a conscientious effort on your part to make sure that all of your debts are paid on time each month. Being late with payments not only earns you a penalty charge but it also raises your interest rate and can lower your credit score. Limit yourself to five open accounts, don't overuse your credit cards and pay close attention to offers that come your way with 0% balance transfers and limited time 0% or low interest rates on purchases. Don't be afraid of balance transfers!

Buying Connecticut real estate can be a daunting task. From finding the right property to securing financing, it can all be simplified with some planning and preparation ahead of time.

Buying Your Ideal Home at Miami Real Estate

Buying Your Ideal Home at Miami Real Estate

by Eliza Maledevic

If you're a newlywed couple and you are planning to buy and seek for your dream home, you can choose Miami real estate. When you are just renting and you're tired of paying a rental fee monthly to your landholder, you can plan to purchase your own home at Miami real estate.

But of course, this not simple and easy quest, you need to consider lot of factors to make your quest to be a successful one. First thing to do is settle your finances that you need in buying a home. Work with a mortgage broker to discover the right mortgage in buying a home in Miami real estate. Mortgage broker have a plenty of contacts with different lenders but they are not working in particular lender alone. That is why working with a mortgage broker is an advantage.

You'll need to find the right mortgage broker that will help you and guide you out in your quest. The true and right mortgage broker can give you a lot of options and these options come with computations and details as well. The good mortgage broker is prepared to guide you in choosing and they are willing to explain to you all the options.

The right mortgage broker will not let you focus on an exact option only but let you weigh lots of options and find the finest that suits you. And he/she will understand your situations. You should be careful in finding the right mortgage broker. You can ask suggestion from your friends, family and relatives. Because it has a possibility that they have worked with mortgage broker before and they can help you out in getting the right one.

You'll not be the one who will work with the lender, the mortgage broker will do that for you. The mortgage broker will stand for you and answers all the lender's questions. The first best thing you should do before going to the market is apply for a mortgage by dealing with mortgage broker.

You can now go to Miami real estate and find the best and your ideal home, as soon as you have approved for a mortgage. Hiring a real estate agent is an option. Working with a real estate agent is recommended if it is your first time to buy a home in this market. The real estate agent will help you and guide you in your buying process.

Again and again, make sure that you will be hiring and having the best real estate agent that will work for your good interest and not of the seller. Since this is what you are paying for the real estate agent - his expertise, so you must have the one with proper expertise and lots of experiences. In Miami Real Estate, the real estate agent will find few homes that match and pass your criteria. To do the work for you, hire a home inspector, it would be wiser to conduct home inspection. In doing so, you can assure that you will be having a home with good condition.

A Review Of The Phoenix Real Estate Club

A Review Of The Phoenix Real Estate Club

by Brian Garvin

If you are looking to invest some time into learning more about this industry in Arizona, the Phoenix Real Estate Club can offer many opportunities many of you will enjoy. There is nothing more important then knowledge when it comes to working in any business and this company has a substantial amount of it right at your fingertips.
The idea is for individuals to network with other like minded people where working together can bring more targeted leads within the market. Phoenix Real Estate Club will give you the opportunity to find investors who may be able to help you with your next adventure in real estate. The third Tuesday of every month is saved for meetings between people with the same interests so if you're nearby, you might want to stop in and see what it's all about and what other benefits may be utilized.

Building Relationships Offline

While many people think the only way to network is online now, there are still plenty of companies and clubs who would rather enjoy a face to face conversation. The Phoenix Real Estate Club gives everyone the best ways to do this with the newest cyberspace networking craze. It's called "Speed Networking" and it allows you to build relationships at a faster rate through trustworthy techniques many of us haven't seen before.

Associate Organization

When networks like the Phoenix Real Estate Club are built, they always revolve around an investors association where individuals can go to enhance their knowledge in the real estate industry. You will find one with this business as well, placed right in the heart of Arizona. Best of all the AZREIA was voted as the top investment association in the United States in 2007. This was due in part to the massive educational program they offer with finance, government, and develop sections for anyone to learn.

Membership Benefits

The Phoenix Real Estate Club comes with a plethora of membership benefits at your disposal. Monthly meetings, 25 educational classes, access to vendors, subgroups, volunteer offers, discounts, community programs, extensive library availability, and a good amount of sub-categories within each one to be well worth the membership cost. Fees are $149 a year and $50 extra for each person who would like to join as well. However this is not simply a pay and go membership. It is based a qualification process where all applications will be reviewed.

Final Thoughts

The last thing we looked over when reviewing the Phoenix Real Estate Club was the testimonials which were provided. What we found was quite unique as around 50 compliments about the program were placed on one page for everyone to view. Anything from the meetings, personal touches, or investing tips were talked about along with just the overall experience.

It definitely says a lot about the way they work with people and with the award of top investment association under their belt, they definitely are of elite status in the real estate world. Anyone who lives close by or is interested in the Phoenix Real Estate Club or AZREIA, will appreciate everything you inquire about, and maybe you'll end becoming a member as well.

Some Basic Tips for Investing in Real Estate

Some Basic Tips for Investing in Real Estate

by Joel McDonald

The real estate industry has been a reliable business for many years. People can not only purchase homes as a residence, but also as investments. Recent years have seen the growth of "flipping," which is purchasing a home to remodel and sell at a higher price. No matter what kind of investment you get involved in, you need a plan. In the case of real estate, especially if you want a place to live, this can be the key factor in the whole scenario. In order to be effective at all, planning must occur before you even start the buying process.

1. Give Yourself Enough Time
As with any serious investment you have to allow time. before you want to move to begin your research. Sign up with multiple real estate websites. Investigate different realty firms to find out what kinds of properties they have and what is on the market. Sticking with just a single company could limit your options. Regardless of whether you plan to resell, approaching it as an investor is something you can benefit from whatever the case. Buying a home is very serious, and to rush through and take it lightly would be irresponsible.

2. Getting Prequalification Is Important
Another step before purchasing real estate is getting qualified in advance. Make sure the lender is located in the local area and reputable. This will help you in deciding a maximum price for the investment. A lender should be able to help you figure out a reasonable amount to spend with your household income and outstanding debts. In addition, knowing that you have a lender that is prepared to give you a known amount can boost your confidence. It's terrific to know your price parameters as you look for real estate.

3. Ascertain What You Are Going for
You have to be really firm in knowing what you are looking for. People who don't take this vital step find themselves accepting the choices of others along the way. Set the highest standards you can. If you shoot high, you can always adjust your standards if necessary. You shouldn't have a bare minimum mentality when it comes to buying your home. Aim for the high side, within your budget of course. There is no loss in bringing it down a notch in case things change, or to be more realistic. The realities of the market situation, including availability of your desired features, should be something you come down a little to meet; if you start too low you will never know what you can attain.

4. Get an Expert Who Will Be on Your Side
Many Realtors develop an expertise in representing buyers. Get yourself one. It should be someone you like and feel comfortable working with. Don't just go to the agent selling the home. That agent is obligated to work on behalf of the seller. Choosing a Realtor is a big step and you must do it carefully. Interview several Realtors and go with one who not only makes you feel right on the personal level but who has good accomplishments and is respected in the area.

There, that's not so complicated. Take your time, determine the level of your buying power, set your standards, and choose an agent who will represent your best interests. These simple steps will put you in the perfect place at the perfect price.

Business Loans and Real Estate Mortgage Finance Fundamentals

Business Loans and Real Estate Mortgage Finance Fundamentals

by Stephen Bush

With the increasingly chaotic investment climate for residential financing in the United States, more residential real estate investors are exploring commercial property and business finance opportunities. It is important for prospective business owners and investors to educate themselves about options for the business loans and commercial mortgages they will be needing.
Environmental requirements for business finance will be a complex issue for numerous business investments. When addressing environmental issues for business loans, these will vary widely based on both the type of business as well as the specific commercial lender. More extensive requirements can impact both the cost and timing for a commercial mortgage loan.

Tax returns and financial statements for a business loan are likely to be a concern for all commercial borrowers. Whereas residential mortgage financing is likely to involve only personal tax returns, most business financing will include a review of business tax returns as well. Business financial statements and personal financial statements will be required for certain kinds of business opportunity financing and commercial real estate financing.

Secondary financing will often be a means of acquiring desired commercial loans. The use of seller financing or secondary financing is a prudent business financing strategy to reduce capital requirements for the borrower. However some commercial lenders will not accept secondary commercial financing.

An unexpected requirement for many commercial loans involves sourcing and seasoning of funds. When purchasing a business, some lenders will require that borrowers document where the down payment is coming from (sourcing) and how long the funds have been in that location (seasoning). If a borrower cannot adequately provide this documentation, the choice of commercial lenders will be more restricted.

Collateral and cross-collateralization for business loans will be an insurmountable obstacle for some commercial borrowers. Collateral requirements for business financing will depend on many factors such as down payment, type of business, credit scores and the type of financing needed. Cross-collateralization refers to lender requirements involving personal collateral such as a home used as collateral for a business loan.

Any requirement for a business plan when obtaining commercial mortgages is likely to be expensive and time-consuming. A business plan is not always required for a business loan, but when one is required this will add significantly to the cost and length of the loan process.

An increasing problem for commercial borrowers seeking refinancing is an unreasonable limitation for getting cash out of the new loan. Commercial lenders differ significantly regarding restrictions imposed on the amount of cash out to the borrower when refinancing. Some lenders will not permit any cash out whatsoever while others will limit cash received by the borrower to a particular amount. The preferred approach is to use a lender that will allow cash to be paid out up to an agreed loan-to-value (frequently 75%).

It is important to to thoroughly analyze business financing lockout penalties. A lockout penalty is much more severe than a prepayment penalty in that such penalties can effectively prevent a commercial borrower from selling or refinancing during a prescribed period (often two to five years).

In addition to the issues noted above, numerous other key business finance and real estate mortgage issues will also be important to evaluate. Commercial mortgage requirements are very different from residential financing requirements in the United States. Additional business finance reports include a discussion of many other significant financing factors. Separate report topics include SBA loan refinancing, business opportunity financing, stated income business loans and commercial appraisals.

Cutting Edge Real Estate News for You

Cutting Edge Real Estate News for You

by George Gonigal

The top real estate news from India for this week are:
.Five lakh low-cost houses to come up in Mumbai

The city is all set to witness the mushrooming of affordable housing with five lakh units of middle and lower income housing expected to come up in the next five years. Announcing this, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said this move is expected to bring down the cost of housing in the city.

.Triangle realty fund buys 27% in Prozone arm The real estate fund, co-promoted by ICS Group and Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments, has inked an agreement to invest Rs 457 crore for a 27 per cent stake in a Prozone Enterprises. The firm has stake in four projects being developed in Aurangabad, Indore, Nagpur and Jaipur, covering approximately 16 million sq ft.

.Indiabulls gets shareholders' nod for acquiring Dev Property The company has received shareholders' approval for the acquisition of Dev Property Development Plc for 138 million pounds. The shareholders have approved the acquisition of all shares of Dev Property.

.Mantri Realty to invest 500 cr in Madhya Pradesh Real estate firm Mantri Realty plans to invest Rs 500 crore at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to set up a residential township and an IT SEZ. The township, christened Mantri City, would comprise of 10,000 houses on 16 million sq ft, while the IT SEZ would cover 5-million sq ft.

Other important real estate news from India include:

.Pune Builders join hands to float national association In the first week of March, seven city real estate associations signed bilateral agreements with the newly formed National Association of Realtors - India (NAR- India), which in turn has forged an alliance with National Association of realtors, USA to give itself an international appeal. NAR-India has also kick-started the process of training estate agents for transnational referrals. .Emaar MGF join hands with Marriott to develop hotels The real estate developer has partnered with Marriott International Inc to design, construct and equip luxury-branded JW Marriott Hotels with total investment of over $400 million. The hotel projects are likely to be completed by 2010 end and will come up in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Amritsar.

Colorado Real Estate Secrets

Colorado Real Estate Secrets

by Terry Bryan

Everyone wants to get rich. Not every job can provide you the opportunity of earning immense wealth. However, real estate is one good way of wealth building wherein the returns you get for your investment is tremendous and that too in a short span. But for those who have just decided to take the plunge, they must know that gaining sound, accurate, and up-to-date knowledge on real estate is imperative. If you want to flourish your career in real estate in Colorado , then you must learn the secrets of real estate trade. After all, every trade has it secrets, and so does real estate. Spending some time learning about the Colorado real estate secrets will enhance your investment skills and decision making skills. Real estate investment is not simply about investing, but investing the right way!
For the real estate investors of Colorado, given below are some real estate secrets in the form of investment methods. Remember, the secret of real estate lies in choosing the best and most suitable strategy for investing . Only then you can make big money and that too with little money and little effort. These real estate secrets will ensure good profit for you in real estate investment.

Retailing Retailing is an investment method that provides huge and quick profit. Here, you first have to buy a low-priced house , next manage a little repair work, and then sell this house at a retail price, which typically earns you a profit ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 per deal.

Wholesaling In the wholesaling method, your role is similar to that of a broker. In other words, your job is to find a motivated seller, and thus you get paid. Here, you simply secure a deal to sell a real estate. Then you sell the deal to another investor who will buy it. So here you negotiate the selling price of a real estate to flip the deal off to another buyer. Your profit may range from $1,000 to $5,000. Going by the nature of the job, it's indeed a rewarding deal. The task is simple and requires small effort on your part. Above all, here you pay nothing.

Getting the deed In this method, you take over the existing deed from the house owner to obtain house ownership. Here you take the title "subject to" the existing loan on the house. Thus, you do away with bank or credit. Here you don't assume the loan; however, the deed empowers you with ownership. This is a well-suitable option for those sellers in financial situations who are looking for ways to come out of their mortgage problem.

Lease options Can you think of a way where you can have control of a real estate without ever taking title to it? This is what the lease options investment method does for you. If you want to earn cash, you can sell it. Besides, you can also have a tenant or a buyer in the home who will lease purchase from you till the time they can cash out. In fact, you can cash out by obtaining sufficient free equity

Options In this investment method, you can consent to option a real estate at a certain price with the aim to selling it off at a higher price. The difference between these two amounts is the profit you earn. With this option you can earn significant profits.

Investing in Commercial Real Estate

Investing in Commercial Real Estate

by William Saul

Over the last three decades, several people from different backgrounds have gotten into placing investments in commercial real estate. However, this is easier said than done and is definitely not a proposition for anybody and everybody to venture into the arena of commercial real estate.
You should be thoroughly aware of the basic principles of investing in commercial real estate before you enter the field. By having up-to-date knowledge of these basic principles you can enter into the field more wisely and can make decisions that have a strong basis and are wiser.

According to pros in commercial real estate there are five such principles that every person interested in this field should be aware of in order to make their venture a profitable and successful one. These principles include:

1. You should be able to recognize the right and best sellers of real estate.

2. Negotiation skills are to be developed and should be mastered to perfection.

3. Developing the skill of appraising a commercial real estate proposition very quickly thereby enabling you to know when it is ideal to go with a deal and when to refrain from it.

4. You should learn to know the ins and outs of financing related to commercial real estate. All aspects of financing such as lease, cash sales, short sales, mortgage, etc should be easily followed and understood.

5. You should be aware of all the pros and cons of getting into transactions related to commercial real estate.

You should undertake a brief evaluation of yourself and your assets in order to help you evaluate and understand whether it is the right time and situation for you to begin with your real estate investments. The prime factor that you need to ascertain is to check on your financial status to know if everything is in order to start off with your venture in commercial real estate. The aspect you need to keep in mind while assessing your financial background is that while making these investments is that this investment in real estate should only form a portion of your total finances. You just cannot get into this venture making it the whole and sole of your investments.

You need to have a sound and well thought of business plan in place before setting foot into the venture of real estate investments. You just cannot afford to simply enter without having such a plan in place. You should have set goals that you need to achieve and need to plan well into knowing how to achieve them. By putting in such a plan in place beforehand, you can ensure that your investments are sound and will provide you the right results when you step into the business of commercial real estate.

Real estate management

Real estate management

by virgilio vallecera

Real estate management firms making life easier Real estate investment can happen for various reasons. You could invest in real estate because you need a house for yourself (that house of your dreams that you so badly want). You could use real estate as a means for supplementing your income either by buying at a lower price and selling at a higher price or by letting it out. Sometimes you might buy a property for the purpose of resale but might want to wait for a few years before you actually sell it. In such a case, again it would make sense to rent out the property and earn some money till you actually decide to sell it off. Whatever the reason, letting out real estate demands real estate management and real estate management is not an easy job for everyone. In fact, a lot of people find it so much of a hassle that they prefer keeping their property vacant instead of letting it. Real estate management demands time, which you will rarely have. Real estate management is not just about finding tenants and collecting rent from them. Real estate management is also about ensuring that you do all the duties that a landlord/landlady is required to do. Real estate management is about verifying the credentials of the tenants before you actually let out your property to them. Real estate management is about ensuring that all the paper work is complete and correct i.e. the tenancy agreement etc are properly done. Real estate management also requires you to do repairs as and when required. Real estate management activities also include maintenance, painting, polishing etc of the house when the tenants move out and before the new tenants get in. So, really, real estate management is not that easy a job for someone who is in a full time job. However, there is a solution to this and that is hiring a real estate management firm to do all these activities on your behalf. Yes, this will mean that what you receive as an income by letting your property will be reduced (due to the commission/ fee charged by the real estate management firm). But that is just a small price for the convenience that a real estate management firm brings to you. However, it' important that you choose the real estate management firm carefully. There are all kinds of real estate management firms out there (good and bad). You must check the references of the real estate management firm before you actually hire them for the job. A good real estate management firm will not only keep your property occupied at all times but will also ensure that you always receive the rent in time and without any hassle.

Work from Home Online with Little Start up Cash

Work from Home Online with Little Start up Cash

by D. Joseph Murphy

Businesses fail, not because of the lack of a business plan, lack of foresight or lack of competent management, but rather the lack of capital. Businesses are in desperate need of cash! Small entrepreneurs likewise face significant difficulties when it comes to find outside funds to support their company's growth strategies. Business models change somewhat quickly. Humans don't change much at all.
Internet marketing is the best home based job that all people even moms and housewives can do from home. . Internet home business jobs that you can start and work at home part time or full time. Find a work at home based business that fits your style.

Millions of people all around the world are currently making money using some kind of affiliate programs online. After standard advertising, affiliate programs have to be the most popular way of making money from your website. Millions of people are already using the Law of Attraction to make their lives successful. It is no longer a secret, but a household term that is rightfully being given the attention it deserves.

Paid Survey's are a great way to earn extra cash while working from home. HOW IT WORKS - Many companies use market research companies to get the consumers opinion of their product or service. Paid Home Survey.com provides you with all the information needed in order to get started with online surveys. Some of our companies listed on this site offer automated software that makes filling out online survey forms easier and speeds up the online survey form process, which makes your time more valuable. Paid surveys are real and they are available to anybody that is willing to take the time to fill them out. If you are dedicated to making money doing online surveys, then you will be able to make money.

Leads, sales leads, more sales leads, even more sales leads, 24x7 digital sales leads direct to your inbox! Turn your business marketing issues into digital sale lead generation opportunities

Real Estate is a GREAT business to be in - especially in today's market - (if you know what I do). For the past 3 years I have been buying houses all across the country without ever having to leave the comforts of my own home, but it concerns me to see all of the misinformation that is out there about this business. Realty Trac - Another company that has up to date foreclosures and pre-foreclosures Once you find a list of foreclosure properties, then you have to physically go and visit each one as fast as possible, then walk through and inspect the property to see if it is a flip or a flop.

. Leadership with any business is very important as it will allow you to brand yourself and your team in any business you choose. If you'd like to know more about how we are providing leadership and the right tools to our team simply give me a call right now or go to my website and sign-up for more information.

Florida Bank Foreclosures: Real Estate Savings in Paradise

Florida Bank Foreclosures: Real Estate Savings in Paradise

by philip smith

Just because open market home prices in the sunshine state are high doesn't mean you can't afford to own a beautiful home or vacation property here. Rather than buy standard market prices on condos, apartments and homes, exploring your options for buying Florida bank foreclosures can be a great way to save lots of money on real estate purchase in the state.

Florida bank foreclosures are just like any other kind of property. The only distinguishing characteristic about their sale is that they are sold by lenders as a means of collecting an outstanding debt. You can find all kinds of properties available through Florida bank foreclosures too, from beachfront apartments in Miami Beach, to homes in the lovely cities of Tampa or Jacksonville, or condos in Pensacola. Often times these homes need almost no work put into them before you can turn around and re-sell them for a profit!

And best of all, Florida has one of the best markets for these discount properties in the country. There are currently more than 32,500 Florida bank foreclosures on the market and available for sale, and this flooded market is driving down prices in all locations. The state also possesses one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, ensuring that you'll be able to find all kinds of great properties available that must be sold!

Finding Florida bank foreclosures with the expert help of BankForeclosureSale.com is easy. Using our powerful search tool will enable you to hone in on the exact kinds of properties you're looking for easily, leaving you more time to browse for a home that will meet you or your family's needs. Florida bank foreclosures offer incredible opportunities for homebuyers and investors alike, making it possible for anyone to make an affordable real estate purchase.

Investing in Probate Real Estate

Investing in Probate Real Estate

by John P. Myers

Probate is the legal process of someone passing away. It is the distribution of assets of an estate to the heirs after all debts have been satisfied. Many times, these estates contain real property and have to be sold to pay off these debts.
When a person passes away, a Petition for Probate is filed at the County Courthouse and a Personal Representative (PR) is appointed. The PR is the person in charge of the estate. They are given the task of liquidating all personal property, paying off debts and distributing what is left to the heirs according to the wishes of the deceased.

In many cases, inheriting a property can be a burden. There are estate taxes that need to be paid, repairs to the property need to be made, and maybe a mortgage. Adding to this burden is, many times, the PR lives out of town or even out of state. The PR not only needs to sell, but wants to sell because it is a hassle dealing with a property that is far away.

There are a few ways to find probate properties in your county. Once a Petition of Probate is filed, it becomes public notice and must be published in order to notify the creditors. If your county does not have a daily legal notice paper, you can go to the courthouse or on line to research the files. The most important data you want to gather from these notices are: the case number, the attorney in charge, the name of the deceased, if there is real property, and the name and address of the PR.

Once you have determined there is real property, you need to contact the PR. Send out a letter and maybe follow up with a postcard. You can also call them. The telephone number may be on the legal notice or you may find it by doing research on the internet.

Once you have made contact with the PR, find out if they are interested in selling the property. Remember to tell them, as you should also state in your letter, that you will buy the property in its "as is" condition and that you can close the purchase quickly. If they are interested, make an appointment to see the property.

Now that you have met the PR and seen the property, it is time to make an offer if it meets your criteria and is the type of investment property you are looking for. You want to buy at least 30% below market value. This will usually cover all your costs, rehab work, and profit. Depending on how much work needs to be done, and how much profit you want to make, you may have to adjust that number. If the PR accepts your offer, get it under contract.

As you can see, it is pretty simple to find probate properties, especially now because many counties have their information available on the internet. Find out if there is real property and contact the PR. Remember, every PR is not going to respond. But if you stay persistent with your mailings, they will start calling.

Coming Up with the Down Payment for a Home

Coming Up with the Down Payment for a Home

by Lance Mohr

With the housing market being considered rather rocky on many levels at this point in time, many people are finding that the need to come up with larger down payments if they hope to be able to purchase a home. You may be a first time home buyer who is struggling with coming up with the appropriate and necessary down payment for the home of your dreams. With this in mind, you may be wondering whether there are some assistance programs when it comes to getting a down payment for a first time home buyer.

There are, in fact, some down payment assistance programs available for first time home buyers. Therefore, if you are interested in buying your first home and do not have the funds available to completely satisfy the down payment associated with this important purchase, you will want to consider closely whether or not one or another of the various down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers might be the right option for you.

At the present time there are two different types of down payment assistance programs available to people looking to purchase their first home in the Tampa Bay real estate market or anywhere else in Florida for that matter. First, there are down payment assistance programs that are offered by non-profit agencies and programs. There are also down payment assistance programs that are made available through the federal government.

In essence the way these programs work is the seller agrees to contribute a small fraction of the total sales proceeds to the buyer's down payment and closing cost, at the time of the closing. Federal and state laws prohibit the seller from giving money directly to the buyer. However, these federal and non-profits offer mechanisms through which this can legally be accomplished.

The seller enrolls in the down payment assistance program. In the housing market today, sellers understand that while participating in this type of program will reduce the total amount of money that will be realized from the sale on some level. However, these same sellers realize that absent such a program, a house may languish on the market for a significant period of time.

The best source of funding comes through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). The FHA is a branch of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The prime responsibility of the FHA is to administer government home loan programs. Because the loan is insured by the FHA, the lender is protected in case of default.

Once again, if you are considering the purchase of your first home, you will want to keep your eyes and ears open for a property and a seller that either is or is willing to participate in one of the programs that have been discussed and presented for your consideration in this article. You may find that these programs offer the perfect solution for you.