Saturday, August 30, 2008

Email Marketing As A" Push" Strategy

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

There s little doubt that the U. After several years of freewheeling lending practices and unsurpassed increases in home valuations, the real estate market is undergoing a major correction.



S. real estate market is undergoing a profound transformation. Home values are dropping in many areas around the country, and some homeowners are facing an impending uptick in their adjustable rate mortgage payments, placing them in an untenable position. Lenders are tightening the criteria for mortgages, and the window for subprime lending is closing. In short, it s a volatile market. Some homeowners who are holding subprime mortgages are facing foreclosures, while others are trying to sell their homes before they find themselves in a negative equity situation. Real Estate Marketing. As a result, investors, real estate professionals, and home sellers are scrambling to gain an edge in a competitive marketplace.


Long gone are the days when traditional methods of real estate marketing are sufficient to move properties. Just as in most other areas of business, the Internet is playing a crucial role in real estate. A sign on the lawn, a Multiple Listing Service listing, and an open house still have their place, but they comprise only one facet of an effective real estate marketing campaign. Online listings of homes for rent, and foreclosures draw, homes for sale an increasing number of buyers and investors. Still, online listings and multimedia presentations are relatively passive forms of marketing in this competitive era. Photographs and video are increasingly being used to whet the appetites of potential buyers. Those who are on the cutting edge are utilizing the Internet to their best advantage, and taking strategies from the playbooks of those in other fields.


If drawing potential real estate buyers to an online listing is a" pull" strategy, then real estate email marketing is a" push" strategy- one that makes sense in today s marketplace. Email Marketing as a" Push" Strategy. After all, retailers and e- tailers use email marketing to their best advantage. It makes sense that real estate email marketing can also be effective, in that it delivers information about agents, sellers, developers, and their respective properties directly into the hands of interested potential buyers. Email inboxes are stuffed with large and small business emails alike. Email Marketing is Easier than it Seems.


After all, their expertise is in real estate and they may not be very tech savvy. At first blush, real estate email marketing may seem out of reach for many people. On the contrary, there are online real estate services that make email marketing a cakewalk for virtually anyone. Essentially, you should be able to send your first email marketing piece in less than an hour. When looking for an online email marketing service, choose one that can help you create emails, manage your contact lists, and obtain tracking reports. The best services have" wizards" that allow you to, put together email, for example newsletters using a Web interface and on a single screen.


Once you ve sent your emails or newsletters, the service should enable you to track the results, telling you how many emails you sent, how many bounced back, how many people opened the email, how many clicked on the links, and how many forwarded it on to others. Templates and click- and- drag functionality allow you to easily arrange text, and instantly see, upload photos what your recipients will see when they receive your email. There s little doubt that real estate email marketing is a cutting edge tool that helps push your message into the inboxes of potential buyers. And in today s competitive environment, it s an advantage you can t afford to be without.

Friday, August 29, 2008

The Foreclosure Spiral Most Lenders Have Mortgage Loan Time Frames

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Apart from divorce settlements that ended up in a huge spat between you and your spouse that the neighborhood witnessed, there could probably be nothing more embarrassing than being evicted from your own home. These unforeseen circumstances could inevitably affect your mortgage payments which could lead to the foreclosure spiral.



What not many people are aware of is that this embarrassing and frightful situation can become a near possibility especially with life changing events in one s life such as the loss of a job, and bereavement, divorce settlements. When you are deeply immersed in the foreclosure spiral, the possibility of eviction becomes very very real. From the day the mortgage payments are due, you still get to have 16 days until you are reminded of your delinquency. The foreclosure spiral Most lenders have mortgage loan time frames. Afterwards, expect your lender to be in frequent contact with you for delayed payment. After the 30th day mark and you still have not been able to pay your monthlies or any balance due, a foreclosure demand or breach letter will be sent. Also, an extra fee for late payment is appended to your balance.


You will be given more or less 30 days to still pay your debt. How to deal with the foreclosure spiral The best way to deal with the foreclosure spiral is to prioritize your debt and pay back as soon as possible. Afterwards, a foreclosure case is filed unto the local court and legal proceedings will determine the consequence of the foreclosure. However, when this becomes impossible, the only other option is to avoid or stop it. After all, unless you re a scammer, your lender will provide any foreclosure assistance whenever appropriate. In avoiding foreclosures, make sure to contact your lender right away.


What you need to do is to disclose any information or reason/ s why you were not able to meet the deadline. One way is to modify your mortgage status. From hereon, the lender will provide foreclosure solutions which you may opt for. However, if you are deeply entrenched in the foreclosure spiral, more often than not, the lender might just cut its losses rather than lose more in tax payments. When mortgage payments become impossible for the borrower or when any mortgage status modifications become useless or have already been exhausted, a mortgage short sale can be arranged. Either that or they may recommend a mortgage short sale. You may be wondering what a short sale is.


During a so- called redemption period, the lender allows the borrower to either buy back the property or sell the property for a price that is less than the loan amount, within a limited period. Lenders will sometimes allow this as a sort of last option for both sides to cut back on losses. The latter is involved with short sale foreclosures or real estate short sale. The short sale process is quite simple in essence but is often harder to execute. The period may last for a month or extend to 90 days. The borrower simply needs to find a buyer who is willing to buy in such a short span of time. CashOut Options is a company that is very experienced and is known to be good at stopping foreclosures.


This is where Cashout Options comes in. They are a company that buys almost any kind of property whether it be two- storey houses, bungalows, apartments, in whatever state of condition and in any location within the country. Because they immediately buy your property directly from you, they could help in mortgage short sales in order for you to get out of the foreclosure spiral and from being evicted from your own home. They have provided many people with foreclosure help by mediating in these sorts of instances. What is more is that, depending on the circumstance and agreement/ s that may transpire between you and the company, they could answer for the remaining balance of your loan. Thus, when keeping ownership of your home does not become an issue, you not only escape the legalities and embarrassing consequences of a foreclosure but also maintain your credit as a borrower and possibly keep your home as tenants.

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Many Of You Won T Even Need To Put Anything Down When You Buy A Home - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

There are a lot of people who pay rent each month and much of it is exorbitant. Why pay someone else to live in their house, when you could be building equity in your own?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Guard Your Money

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

You ve seen the real estate guru advertisements for books, programs, DVDs, seminars, and mentoring coaches promoting no- money- down deals. Maybe you, like me and many others, have purchased books or expensive systems based on these no- money- down and lease- option investing schemes.



Perhaps you ve watched the infomercial on TV with the people telling their stories of how they made millions investing in real estate with no- money- down and cash back to the buyers. Here s the rest of the story. You should know that the investor offering these types of deals makes money by purchasing the property at a discount and selling the property for an inflated price. Perhaps you ve seen an ad in your local newspaper offering a home with 100% financing from the seller or a lease option. Lease- option real estate investors play the odds. So the investor seeks a hopeful tenant to make higher than average rental payments, pay more move- in cash, and make the investor s mortgage payment.


They bet that most people won t be in a position to purchase the lease- option home in a year. Those tenants who do eventually purchase the home paid much more for the home than the investor. Either way, the real estate investor makes money. Many tenants never come up with a new mortgage loan to purchase the property when the time runs out. First- Time Home Buyers. Just understand that you re paying too much for the property and may not make any money on appreciation.


If you need to buy your first home to live in, these home- purchase methods may help you if you have terrible credit and can clean it up in time to finalize the purchase in a year. On the other hand, if you have strong credit, you can purchase a bargain house with no money down legitimately. Don t buy overpriced property! Tips for Beginning Real Estate Investors. Avoid 100% investor- financed" deals. " You will have to wait too long to make any money. Don t waste your money buying real estate guru books, programs, DVDs, seminars and mentor- coach promoting no- money- down deals.


Plus, the rental income most likely won t come close to making the mortgage payment for you. Would you buy a book on how to make a fortune on the Internet that was written in 1995? This system worked last century. These out- of- date, no- money down schemes, tell you to look for home sellers in distress who will let you buy their home for no- money down with the seller financing the property for you. Today s home sellers know that they can get a buyer who can get their own financing. They ve heard the stories where home sellers didn t get paid and had to foreclose on a property. Plus, today s home sellers know that other sellers have lost money selling with no- money down.


They ve heard the stories where the investor- buyer rented the house to tenants who trashed the property. To get started building wealth in real estate today: Get your credit ready for mortgage financing. (Mortgage credit differs from consumer credit. ) Buy right. They ve heard the stories where the investor- buyer collected the rent and didn t pay the home seller. Don t overpay for deals that sound too good to be true. Guard your money. These schemes are too good to be true! Don t get yourself in over your head with high mortgages on rental properties that cause you negative cash flow and jeopardize your financial well- being.


You can buy investment property for little- - or even no- money down. The best way to do this is to make sure you get the best mortgage rates on a bargain- priced property. Get started by buying your home or a second home. Copyright� 2005 Jeanette J. Real estate investing offers you the most tried and true way to build wealth when you avoid investing schemes. Fisher.


All rights reserved.

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What Kind Of Home Are You Looking For - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

If you ve been thinking about buying a home in Yuma, there s never been a better time.

Purchasing A Home Is The First Step In Building Wealth - Finance and Real Estate:

Let us say find yourself in a somewhat unusual position, ample funds to use as a down payment on a home.

Now, Austin Has Many Various Festivals - Rhea Timmins's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Austin, Texas is no longer a hidden destination buried in travel books.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The Houston Property Market Is Not Something You Should Step Into Lightly

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

The Houston property market is not something you should step into lightly. At first glance the market is most definitely a growth investor s dream.



While there are a lot of good investments to be made for both value and growth focused investors, there are also some pitfalls out there if you do not know the market and you do not enlist the help of a qualified estate agent to help you in the house hunting, purchase and transfer, negotiation phases. Solid, consistent growth over the last decade makes Houston one of the best new places to live in the United States. The price range to look out for is$ 250, 000- $650, 000 as these homes show the most stable property prices and the best long term appreciation. If it is peace of mind and long term capital appreciation through real estate investment that you are after, then going for some of top homes for sale in Houston will definitely pay off long before you retire. If you are more of a balanced investor but you still want to dip into some of the top homes for sale in Houston then you might want to take a look at some of the new developments that are in the pipeline. Developments like the Tuscan Lakes luxury estate complex offer secluded living in a natural setting at a far lower price than you would pay outside of such a development.


For around$ 200, 000 or less you can buy pre- selling units that are looking to turn into excellent properties to rent out as holiday homes, guesthouses or on a permanent lease basis. The security you get for both your home and your financial investment make these developments some of the best new places to live in Texas. Most of these properties have significant back yard space and are for the most part fully detached. You get the benefits of living in a secure estate development, without being right on top of your neighbors. Investing in the property developments is a sure way to secure your future by means of savvy property investment. Fortunately most of these higher risk, higher potential homes are under the$ 140, which makes them, 000 price range easily accessible and represent an amount of risk that is acceptable even to smaller private investors. Last, there are some, but not least property investments going for the value investor, and these represent slightly lower risk than value property investors are accustomed to.


The average return on property in some of the lower priced areas is sometimes as high as 20% per annum, but this is obviously only a representative figure. This is most probably one of the factors that contribute to the large price disparity in the area, although not all low priced homes are in need of major repairs. While most of the top homes for sale in Houston are brand new, a lot of the older homes might need significant renovations. If you are buying for hidden value in Houston it will pay to investigate each buy case thoroughly. If you are becoming anxious at the steadily decreasing value of your home, why don t you consider moving to one of the best new places to live in America: Houston TX. If you do your homework and enlist the services of a knowledgeable realtor who knows the area your investment will most likely pay off very well indeed.


Whether you are a first time buyer looking for a condominium or a small single bedroom home, a family wanting to relocate and put their children into good schools or a property investor wanting to grow capital long term, Houston is always a good place to buy. There is virtually no telling what the real estate markets in this country are going to do in the next decade, but most indicators show that Houston is one of the safest places to put your money. In fact, with the recent activity in the property market buying into some of the top homes for sale in Houston is one of the wisest real estate investment decisions you can make at this point in time.

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KC- Style Jazz Is Featured Nightly At Clubs Across The City - Ada Landsman about Finance and Real Estate:

Many people seem to overlook all of the attractions that Kansas City provides, and these attractions can lead to some serious growth with real estate in the city. The entertainment, added with the wide variety of jobs, makes for a city that is poised to grow.

You Need To Allocate An Appropriate Amount Of Time To Be Able To Shop Around For A Home - Ella Catania about Finance and Real Estate:

Embarking on the search for the perfect home, there are some tips and pointers that you should keep in mind when it comes to saving money in the Tampa real estate market.

This Gives The Lender Permission To Release Your Personal Information - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

When you fall behind in your mortgage payments, you run the risk of having your lender foreclose on you. This is where a short sale comes in very handy.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Throughout This Part Of Texas, There Are Many Gated And Master Planned Communities

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Throughout the city of Houston, you will find many prestigious Houston water park communities. Houston water park communities also have a water park within their boundaries, and most often also contain a golf course as well.



This type of community is generally in an upper class area that is a gated community. If you are looking for Houston luxury homes, you will find many available in these communities. There are quite a few homes for sale within the Houston water park communities, but if there isn t one that you can find that meets your needs, wants and fits into your budget, then you can always look at hiring a Houston custom home builder to build the home that you want in a water park community. These top Houston subdivisions feature many beautiful homes, many of which are customized and built specifically to the owner s request. There are plenty of lots available within these communities for people to build their dream houses on, and because of the rising demand for luxury housing in gated communities, the areas of water park communities are expanding to meet the demand. In Fort Bend County, where Houston partially lies, there is the most master planned communities in all of the country.


Throughout this part of Texas, there are many gated and master planned communities. Nearby, the city of Sugar Land has the most master planned communities of any city in the country as well, with all of it s southern and southeastern border being comprised of master planned communities. These communities are great for everyone and within them you will find a melting pot of people from families to single professionals to retirees and more. In Houston, there are also many master planned communities that focus on golf courses, country clubs and water parks. The beauty of these communities is the people coupled with the luxury homes that can be found throughout. Perfect for families, some of the best schools in Texas are nearby in these communities in Texas.


For families with school aged children, you can easily find a community that is close to some of the best schools in Houston. Many people think that gated or master planned communities such as Houston water park communities are for people who don t have children. On the contrary, the Houston water park communities cater to families with children, ensuring there are parks, water parks and schools near by for the children. However that is not the case. Houston contains some of the top water park communities in America and are some of the best Houston neighborhoods to live in, regardless of the demographics of your family. There are many custom homes in Houston throughout these gated communities and more and more people are flocking to this area because of the degree of saturation of master planned communities, golf course communities and water park communities. With so many homes available, you are sure to find something that suits your needs, however if you don t, you can hire one of the many new home builders in Houston to construct a house to your exact standards in a community of your dreams.


For people who live in the area, master planned communities are a way of life and wonderful communities to raise a family in. Some communities have rules and regulations about the homes you can build and it s best to hire a Houston custom home builder that understands the area that you are building in. If you are looking for Houston custom home builders, the best thing to do is to talk to the management of the community you want to build in before hiring anyone. The management may also be able to help you with which Houston custom home builder is the best in the area to use, and perhaps will even be able to find you a deal for a builder that is primarily used in the area.

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First, It May Affect The Agent Fee You Pay - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Buying or selling a home is a big task best put into the hands of an expert. If you re considering working with a professional for your transaction, you should visit with at least three before choosing.

Austin Is Known For Its Green Incentives - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Austin is one of America s hot list cities.

Phoenix Real Estate Is A Great Mix Of The Old And The New - Thelma Boll's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Phoenix, Arizona and its surrounding communities is a perfect place to own real estate.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A DIL May Not Be Accepted From Borrowers Who Can Financially Make Their Payments

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Understanding the different options a seller may be considering is important when negotiating with sellers.



Reinstatement of Loan( Cure) : This option is paying the lender everything that is owed in one lump sum to include missed payments, any late fees associated with these payments, legal fees and, foreclosure fees the principal owed during the delinquency. Below are the most common options that sellers may address with you if the sellers are either in default or anticipating being in default. A cure may involve the seller curing or deeding it to the investor" subject to" the exisiting loans, who will cure. Repayment Plan: This is a written agreement between the lender and the seller. There is a risk to the homeowner that the lender may accelerate the loan because of the due- on- sale, and the homeowner no longer owns the property and has no recourse of the investor doesn t pay the loans. These plans require higher payments than the regular monthly mortgage amount for a period of time until the loan is brought up- to- date. Modifications can be considered to reduce the interest rate of the mortgage, change the mortgage product( from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate, for example) , extend the term of the mortgage or capitalize delinquent payments( add delinquent payments to the mortgage balance- only available in extreme hardship situations) .


Loan Modification: A loan modification involves changing one or more terms of a mortgage. Modifications are not easily granted and there must be strong, justifiable reasons for the request. Unless the loan term is extended( which happens rarely) , the later payments generally will have to be higher than the original monthly mortgage payments until the loan is up- to- date. Forbearance Agreement: The lender will allow you a period of time( 3- 6 months typically) of either low payments or no payments at all. Special Forbearance( FHA Loans only) : Allows eligible borrowers to postpone monthly mortgage payments for a minimum of four months. Deed- in- Lieu: A Deed in Lieu is an option in which a borrower voluntarily deeds collateral property in exchange for a release from all obligations under the mortgage.


While there is no limit on the maximum number of months, at no time may the agreement allow the delinquency to exceed the equivalent of 12 monthly PITI installments. A DIL may not be accepted from borrowers who can financially make their payments. Cash Sale: The borrower sells the property, pays off his loan, depending on the, and equity, may net some cash out of the deal. If a borrower qualifies for a DIL program they may be eligible for cash back from the lender as in the Cash for Keys program. The challenge, is being able, of course to sell it quickly enough, which most often requires a substantial drop in the price. This generally results in no cash to the homeowner, but will be better for the better for his credit than a completed foreclosure.


Short Sale: The borrower makes an agreement with the investor to sell it for less than is actually owed, subject to approval of the lien holders. Refinance: The borrower may be able to refinance and get a new loan, but generally this is difficult because the borrower has little equity and poor credit. Explain each of these choices, and be honest with the homeowner. The new loan likely will have higher payments than the old loan. 1Do Nothing: The worst choice for the seller, whose credit will be ruined, but he can stay in the house for several months for nothing, save up some cash, and move when the lender or the high bidder from the auction eventually evicts the homeowner. In many cases, he will trust you for your candid explanations. You may lose a deal or two by offering the homeowner choices that are actually better than your offer, but that s ok, always take the high road and you will have a long and properous business in real estate investing.

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Today, Hyde Park Is One Of The Most Densely Populated Areas In The City - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

One of Austin s oldest and most loved neighborhoods in Austin is Hyde Park.

Owners Are Able To Sell Or Rent Out The Property If They So Desire - Ebony Rowden's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Dubai has become an international property hotspot, with great architectural developments and ambitious projects rising up seemingly overnight.

Find A Home - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Decide what kind of home are you looking for. What kind of neighborhood do you have in mind?

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Either Way Real Estate Is Effective Way Of Investment

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Investing real estate information permits us to get the information regarding money you have saved, by creating your, and raise it own financial range.



Property real estate investing is a very smart way to invest your money if looking for a good return on your investment. Here, you will find practical real estate investing information to help you with your own finances, and information about the different types of real estate investments, bonds, such as stocks, mutual funds, and others, real estate. You may invest in house to create positive cash flow or looking to buy a home and flip the same for profit. The best criteria of buying a property and selling it off at higher rate are of course, location. Either way real estate is effective way of investment. The property real estate investment industry had developed over the last couple of years due to the USA housing. The newbie should have the potential to make profit and grab the opportunities that are available in market.


Anyhow the market is still of the new companies and newbie s. If you are investing in property real estate you should not wait until gets sold, you can rent the same out and earn the income regularly. Another advantage would be the frequency, in property real estate investment you invest only ones and get income regularly whereas if you invest in mutual funds as such, you need to pay regularly. Because you are keeping your property on rent you get the return on your investment. Investing in real estate property is in a greater degree in your control than other portfolio. Real estate investing is also very secure, because the property market may be hot or cold you may use your property for loan purpose also.


The property wherein you are going in to invest is yours and you can renovate it anytime under you needs. And can sell it off when you are satisfied with the in turn. Making you high return on your money. Investing in real estate property can be very lucrative with many of the investment opportunities being things like hotels in tourist locations and malls in high density population centers. Property real estate investing refers to a wide range of investment strategies that capitalized on investor s home country. Investing in property simply means investing in a location other than where you live.

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Some Estate Agents Will Offer More Services Than Just The Property Aspect, Especially If You Have No Experience In Buying Abroad - Jo Soltys's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Mallorca or Maiorica meaning Major Island as it was previously known has been a sort after tourist destination for many years, being one of the first places in Spain to offer package holidays as the popularity for holidaying abroad became affordable to all.

So, You Want To Know What The House Price Would Be Equal To Paying$ 1000 Per Month - Luisa Chadwell's Finance and Real Estate blog:

When someone decides to buy a house, one of the first tasks is to talk to a lender and determine the maximum loan they can get.

There Are Several Ways To Learn More About Foreclosures - Lula Westergard's Finance and Real Estate blog:

The number of foreclosures rose 50 percent between February and March this year, and this seems to be the current trend that is continuing to grow this year. With the flood of houses on the market, prices are falling- especially foreclosures.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Property Registration Office

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Appointing a solicitor in Tenerife. The agency or lawyer has the responsibility to gather up- to- date receipts and to see that there are no pending debts on the property.



It is vital to appoint a solicitor to assist in your Tenerife property purchase, we always appoint an independent conveyancer who will then carry out all searches on the property, obtaining all the necessary paperwork, to confirm that there are no outstanding debts or embargoes on the property. The paperwork gathered includes: Nota Simple( Confirmation of ownership and any mortgages or embargoes) I. I. (Local council rates) Electricity and water receipts up to date. Community fees receipts up to date, signed and approved by the President of the community of owners and the secretary. Once the deeds to your new home have been signed, you need to obtain your NIE number. Copy of the deed( Escritura) NIE number( Numero de Identificaci�n de Extranjeros) . This is a simple process which is needed to register the property.


Water, Electricity, Community charges, Telephone, Rates etc. An NIE number is also needed to change the household bills into your name, i. e. Applying for a Bank Account in Tenerife. Help is also on hand to set up Direct Debits for your household bills, so you have peace of mind that all your bills are being paid whilst you are not here in Tenerife. The cost of opening a bank account for non- residents is around �10 for the administration fee. Applying for a Mortgage in Tenerife.


Mortgage rates in Tenerife tend to be amongst the lowest in Europe, and are currently around 75% . You can choose to apply for a mortgage in Tenerife or from the UK. Applying for a mortgage in Tenerife is a straight forward process, as in the UK. The level of mortgage offered is directly dependent on your financial status and also the declared value of the property you wish to purchase. You will need to prove that you have an income or sufficient funds to pay the mortgage. There are generally 2 levels of mortgage offered, one for residents and one for non- residents. We must point out that banks in the Canary Islands do not value a property the same as in other countries.


For non- residents the mortgage offered is up to 70% of the bank valuation, for residents it is usually around 80% of the bank valuation of the property. Rebuilding costs play an essential role in the official valuation purpose of mortgage loans. Valuation will cost approximately 250�. 1% mortgage opening commission. Costs involved. Insurance will vary from 150� to 350� per year. (Tenerife Property Consultancy will be able to recommend and arrange adequate insurance for you) Notary and registration of the mortgage. The financial information requested is minimal and a mortgage is available whether you are self- employed or employed. Provided you submit the requested financial information, the mortgage can be available within 10 to 15 working days.


It does not reflect your country of origin. Once you have decided on the property you wish to purchase and the terms and conditions have been negotiated with the vendor then a deposit of 10% of the purchase price is required to secure the property and as official confirmation of your intent to purchase that property. Buying a Property in Tenerife. The remaining 90% is payable on the signing of the title deeds before the Notary. These can vary dependent on the constructor. If you are purchasing a new construction then the constructor will ask for stage payments to be made on the property.


Normally an initial reservation deposit is required. The balance of the monies will be in stage payments, which are usually a further 30% on commencement of the foundations, 30% , once the construction reached roof level and the final 30% on completion at the time of signing the escritura( Title deeds) . This is then normally made up to 10% within 30 days of the contract date. Your appointed solicitor will then carry out all necessary searches on the property. Once the searches on the property are satisfactorily completed and the deposit has been paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract then the title deeds are signed by both the buyer and the seller before the Notary. To ensure that it is owned by the vendor, it has planning permission, and there are no outstanding debts or charges on the property.


The Notary( Notaria) This is a solicitor appointed by the Spanish government to witness the signing of all legal public documents. He represents both the buyer and the seller. In this case the title deeds( escritura) of the property. The Notary fees are around 2% of the purchase price of the property and must be paid at the time of the signing of the deeds. The purchaser will receive an initial legal copy of the title deed which is signed and stamped by the Notary. The Original signed document is retained by the Notary who will apply for a formal change in the land registry.


The official title deed can take a while to be processed and until then this is your official proof of ownership and must be kept in a secure location. These are in addition to the sales price of the property and range between 8- 10% of the sale price. Legal Costs and Taxes. They are as follows: Transfer Tax. This tax must be paid within 30 days of signing the title deed. This is paid by the purchaser and is a standard 7% tax applied to the declared value of the property. Transfer tax is calculated on the increase in the value of the land from when it was last sold.


Notary fees- Fixed scale of charges based on the price of the property purchased. The calculation is based on the ratable value of the property and is a one- off payment. (Impuesto sobre Tramisiones Patrimonales y Actos Juridicos Documentados- Mod 600) of the new declared value on the deeds( equivalent of VAT) when buying a re- sale property. 5% if new and Stamp Duty 5% of Mod 600. Property Registration Office. This is a tax levied by the Town Hall and is based on the surface area of the land, against the annual increase of the property since the previous sale, on the cadastral value and on the date of the previous escritura. Plus Valia( added value, land/ capital gains tax) . Rates.


These are paid yearly and are generally much lower than the UK. This is like the old English rates system and is based on the declared value of the property. Community Fees. These are paid in respect of services i. e. the complex swimming pool, security, street lighting, community gardens etc. These are payable quarterly and vary dependent on the property. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.


A private document signed between the buyer and seller. What is a sales agreement? It must reflect ownership of the property, legal definition of the property, the exact dates of deposits and completion, currency of the transaction( euros, pounds etc) and penalty clauses. If there is a mortgage on a property. What happens if there is a mortgage on the property I want to buy in Tenerife? Before the signing date at the Notary, your agent or lawyer will have to inform the holding bank to prepare cancellation costs, amount and interest due from the seller. Please note that once the bank has collected the last payment.


On the day of the signing we will be asked to prepare a bankers draft for the amount due, to cover the mortgage etc, for the seller. You should make sure that the cancellation deed is duly registered in the Land Registry. Whilst we endeavour to ensure that the information is correct at the time of publishing this information is intended for guidance only. When we sell a property in Tenerife do we have to pay tax? a) Tax regulations require the buyer to withhold 5% of the price on the escritura and to pay it to the tax office when buying property from non- resident vendors. b) Capital Gains.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

A Good Florida Realtor Goes The Extra Mile

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Choosing a real estate agent can be a daunting task for the Florida home buyer. Is it best to work with a large agency or a small one?



With so many agents and agencies to choose from, it s easy for a buyer to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what qualities they should be searching for. Will their chosen realtor follow through on all of their promises? All of these questions are valid and should be fully explored. How do they find a realtor with a good reputation and a commitment to serving their clients needs? That is why it is so important to choose carefully and do your homework when searching for a realtor. A good Florida realtor should be trustworthy. When selecting the person who will help you to purchase the perfect Florida home, it definitely pays to shop around.


Finding a realtor you can trust should be of the highest priority when searching for a new Florida home. A good realtor takes the time to provide their buyers with the highest level of service, and is out for more than just a commission check. You need to feel that your realtor is looking out for your best interests, and is dedicated to making your Florida home purchase a pleasant experience. A good Florida realtor answers all of your questions. You don t want to simply call the first realtor you see on a billboard or in the Yellow Pages. When searching for your realtor, you should be prepared to interview several potential candidates. This should not be a hasty decision.


Weigh carefully whether you trust what this person is saying, or if it sounds like they are just telling you what you want to hear. When interviewing potential realtors, look for an individual who patiently answers all of your questions, and never makes you feel like you are wasting their time. A good Florida realtor can provide references. If a realtor hedges on giving references, or disregards your request, it is best to move on to the next candidate. Realtors are like any other business person: they are happy to offer references from satisfied customers. Word of mouth is powerful advertisement because only previous customers can tell you if a particular realtor can deliver on all they promise. Of course all brokers are going to want your business just as much as the realtor working under them.


A good Florida realtor has the full support of a good broker. However, it is possible to determine a lot about an agency and the realtors working there by having a conversation with the broker. Are you comfortable with their philosophy and sales record? Do they take the time to answer your questions? Does the broker leave you with a sense of confidence? Finding a realtor with excellent communication skills can save you a lot of time and hassle when you are searching for your new Florida home.


A good Florida realtor has excellent communication skills. A good realtor is able to explain the home buying process in a way that is clear and understandable. A good realtor doesn t show their clients homes that are too large, or out of, too small the buyer s price range. They should listen carefully to your needs, and look to meet them appropriately. A good Florida realtor anticipates their client s needs. But to a certain extent, a good realtor should be able to anticipate their client s needs through their knowledge of what their client is looking for, as well as what is available on the market.


As a home buyer, you share a certain amount of responsibility in making sure that your realtor knows what kind of home you are looking for. For example, a realtor should provide information on school districts and local activities for children if their clients are searching for a larger family home. Some realtors only do the bare minimum for their clients. A good Florida realtor goes the extra mile. They rush through the showings, and then pressure their client to quickly make an offer on a home without giving them time to think things through. A good Florida realtor focuses on all of the little things that help to improve their client s home buying experience. This type of realtor is only concerned with collecting their commission check.


They offer advice on loan officers, and reputable home, title companies inspectors. A good Florida realtor is concerned about building an excellent reputation as a trustworthy ally in the Florida home buying process. They make sure to appear on closing day to answer any of their client s last minute questions and to address all concerns. This is the type of realtor you are searching for, and this is why it pays to thoroughly check out any realtor before hiring them. Copyright 2006 All Right reserved by Tom Beaty

Saturday, August 16, 2008

How Many" For Sale" Signs Are In The Area

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

You have some important things to consider when searching for the perfect home to buy in the San Fernando Valley. Your Buyers Agent can be especially helpful with this because they can refer you to reliable resources to gather important information you will need to make the right decisions.



It can be a distressing task to sort through all of the homes on the market as well as deciding on what neighborhoods in which to focus especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. It is important to research neighborhoods thoroughly as well as drive through certain areas to get an idea of which ones might suit you best. Type of area- suburban, city or small, rural town etc. c) Schools- test scores, number of national merit scholars and college students, school performance and student spending. d) Crime statistics- you can usually get this type of data by calling your local Police Department- Public Affairs or visit their website. e) Conveniences and amenities- proximity to parks, transportation, nightlife, shopping, employment, restaurants, schools, recreation and places of worship etc. Here are some important factors to consider are: a) Homeowner statistics- average family income, occupation and education, family type levels. b) Profile of the neighborhood- amount of commercial development, density. There are many ways to analyze areas you might be interested in. How many" For Sale" signs are in the area?


One way to go about looking at a particular area is to determine the" supply and demand" . How many of these properties have sold? Are homes selling with multiple offers? What is the ratio between listing prices to sales prices? In popular areas home values are usually higher than others. You might also consider buying a townhome or condo in the beginning in order to live in a better area if finances are a concern.


If affordability is an issue you may try to look in an area that has not been discovered yet or that is on the outskirts of a metropolitan area. NAR statistics show that 80% of consumers are going online to websites such as Realtor. com, real estate brokerage and individual agent s sites to gather information on homes before contacting a Realtor. You will want to narrow your search as much as possible otherwise you can be" searching for the one" for a very long time. This statistic is growing daily because the internet has made is ever so easy to access important information online such as buying a home, neighborhoods, crime statistics, schools, etc. To start off you should write down all of the important facts about each area you are considering on paper side- by- side to make it easier to analyze. Take notes on each property you view to be able to analyze them in detail later. Once you have selected the homes you want to see it is time to make an appointment with your Buyer s Agent to show them to you.


Once you have compared each home and have selected the one you are most interested in it might be time to write an offer! If the property is a new listing and there is a lot of interest you might have to move fast otherwise you run the risk of possibly losing it.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

So Will Another Interest Rate Cut Be Enough To Bring Back The Mortally Wounded Housing Market Back From The Brink Of Death

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

As the sub prime mortgage debacle continues to play out across the United States, the Federal Reserve has opted to cut interest rates by half a percentage point, from 2This cut makes all loans relatively cheaper, thereby encouraging a pantheon of economic activity to increase, hopefully in the troubled housing market.



This collapse triggered a recession, which took three years to completely stabilize. Such tactics have been used with relative success in the past, most notably in 2000 when the US economy suffered a major downturn in the wake of the dot- com collapse. Since 2003, the Fed has slowly brought interest rates up in order to help keep dangerous inflation and reckless consumer spending down. Yet the slow buildup of the interest rates may have occurred too late for them to be high enough to combat the problems in the housing market because the federal interest rate still has a limited and indirect effect on housing purchases, which depend on a myriad of other factors, not least of which is the agreed interest rate on a given mortgage. These effects have been in line with forecasts at the time, showing that the Fed was relatively in touch with potential economic problems. Since those terms are decided between the lender( companies like Countrywide) and the borrower, (regular people) a rate cut can have many positive effects on overall spending without targeting the sickly housing market directly. This is because unlike other, larger areas of the economy like job growth and retail spending, housing loans are tied to many other secondary industries that suffer slumps regularly whenever too many houses are on the market.


Even though the Federal Reserve have made a definitive statement on the seriousness of sub prime mortgage defaults by cutting rates for the first time in four years, they are convening imminently to discuss a further rate cut, of an estimated. 2This rate cut will certainly stimulate some aspects of the US economy, but its effects on mortgages are less predictable. Examples include the auto industry and the household appliance market, which accounts for many products that are still made in the US. Rising interest rates also did little to curb the booming housing market and its aforementioned secondary industries from expanding, possibly to proportions that cannot be sustained. The increasing interest rates of the past several years have had a negligible effect on the ability of lenders to lure millions of Americans into signing up for a sub- prime mortgage, even when as many as one third of those who have these faulty contracts would have qualified for safer prime mortgages. So will another interest rate cut be enough to bring back the mortally wounded housing market back from the brink of death? The Fed works like an opiate- it treats all symptoms by allowing a patient in a lot of pain to get much- needed rest, but does little do address an underlying specific cause.


The possibility exists, but it appears to be unlikely without some other mechanism for assisting the housing market. Most would agree that, despite the rise in interest rates over the past several years, the economy has been relatively robust. The only reason this fleecing of( usually) the poorest homeowners has come to any economist's attention is because of the spread of these faulty mortgages through markets all over the world. Yet the sub prime mortgage issue has gone unchecked for years, while millions of Americans who have bought into the classic dream of owning a home despair and the lender/ broker machine goes on unchecked. Without some degree of governmental regulation over lending practices, and reexamining the credit reporting agencies that allowed risky mortgages to be converted into bonds and securities in the first place, a federal interest rate cut can only do so much. Whether that is enough to stimulate the economy away from a recession is still unfortunately up in the air.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Buying A House Is A Long Drawn Process

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Buying a house is a long drawn process.



Shopping around for an affordable house is only among the last steps that have to be taken. It could take anywhere from two months to longer. A good deal of preparatory work must be carried out prior to that. The house buyer will have to see to it that he possesses enough money to make a down payment. A potential house buyer has to meet with the real estate agents and the loan providers. He also has to ensure that the ensure that the price that he is being quoted for the house is an accurate one. There are many issues that must be taken care of both before and after the house- shopping process.


Thus, the process of house buying is not the easiest thing. In fact, even before one starts looking for a home, one must make sure that one's credit is in order, that there are sufficient savings to pay for the down payment, and that the amount on the salary slip is enough to pay off the monthly loan installments. Thus, the mortgage has become essential. Most of us cannot afford to purchase a house using liquid cash. However, mortgage lenders generally require every house buyer to take care of a lot of formalities. A bad credit score would mean that you would not have access to the biggest discounts in the loan markets. For one, the credit score of the person seeking to buy a house should be good.


Lower rates of interest and flexible terms of repayment are easily available to people who have a good credit score. Putting all your documents in order is also a necessary step. Those with bad scores have to make do with deals that can be a strain on the pocket. Make sure that you have all your documents ready before you submit that loan application. The mortgage being a long term involvement between the lender and the borrower, the former must do a good deal of homework to ascertain the creditworthiness of the latter. A house mortgage usually requires far more documentation than do other kinds of loans both secured and unsecured. Thus, make sure you maintain good credit.


At the same time, make sure that you think about your own budget first. This would go far in making it simpler for you to secure great housing loans. What is the point of purchasing a house and then promptly being broke for months after that?