Invest In Real Estate

Real estate may be all about location, location, location, but real estate investment is also about timing, timing, timing. Like the stock market, when you make your investment is just as important as the investment you choose. And, when it comes to real estate, a pre-construction investment can maximize your return.

The primary pre-construction investment advantage is that you can generally purchase a property at a lower price than if you were to wait until after the project breaks ground. Once construction is underway, popular locations and properties can trigger an influx of new investors who drive prices up. A pre-construction investment also allows you to choose among premium properties, whereas later investors can choose only from among the less desirable properties.

What to Buy in Today’s Climate

While the asking prices of single family dwellings are trending downward, there is still enough uncertainty in the market to cause concern. Lately, the attention of investors has turned to what are called condo hotels. These properties generally have both condominiums and luxury suites, and the communities typically have a number of attractive features, such as retail space, restaurants, and pools. Often, investors will buy a condo hotel unit and use it part of the year as a luxury vacation accommodation, while renting the property out for the rest of the year. The best condo hotels take care of the rental management and maintenance, leaving the investor to enjoy his or her property while reaping the financial rewards.

Where to Buy

Real estate is all about location, so when considering a pre-construction investment, it’s important to find a place where there is high demand for short-term housing. In the United States, Orlando, Florida, is one of the best places to invest. Analysts estimate that the real estate market in Orlando is undervalued by as much as 30 percent. And, with the tens of millions of tourists the area draws each year, thanks to Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios, the hotel occupancy rate hovers at around 80 percent.

With these kinds of numbers, Orlando is the perfect place for a pre-construction investment. As an example of what’s available, the Blue Rose is a condo hotel scheduled to break ground in late 2007 and scheduled for completion in 2009. The Blue Rose Resort is planning to offer over 250 condominiums along with over 1,200 condo hotel suites of up to 3,000 square feet. To complement the accommodations, the Blue Rose is planning to build the Swan Lake Promenade, which will house five themed restaurants, European cafes, private pool cabanas, and a Broadway-style theater that seats 1,000.

Pre-construction investments in top-rated short-term rental markets have a great potential return on investment. Plus, due to the desirable destination, savvy investors will be able to enjoy both appreciation of property values and great vacation accommodations.

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Many real estate investors overlook hard money loans as a strategy for acquiring property. That’s because these loans are typically used by desperate property owners looking for a way out of the real estate market, rather than into it. But hard money can work for anyone, and it can be particularly useful if you’re a new investor looking to build your portfolio quickly.

Hard money loans can generally be described as high interest loans available to borrowers with any credit rating, as long as they can can provide solid collateral - usually equity in real estate, such as a home. These loans are almost never issued by banks or deposit institutions, but rather by private lenders who specialize in short term lending at high interest.

Normally a home owner in need of a big loan would apply for a second mortgage, using real estate equity as collateral, but bad credit can make things difficult here. If a home owner has missed a few mortgage payments, the banks may refuse to provide more financing - hard money might be the only option in this case.

The limit for hard money loans typically hover at about 60 to 70 per cent of a property’s quick sale value, defined as the price a lender could reasonably expect to realize if the borrower defaulted on the loan, and the property was liquidated fast. The interest rate for a hard money loan is usually in the 15 to 25 per cent range.

Investors can take out hard money loans to buy a property, as long as they provide acceptable collateral - in this case it could even be the property they’re buying. The strategy here is to find a pre-foreclosure property, or any real estate with an owner prepared to sell below below market value as long as the sale is fast. If the investor can re-sell the property at full market value, before too much interest is paid on the hard money loan, he or she can make a significant profit. Hard money loans have helped

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Where should you invest in real estate? If you know an area well, and have enough experience investing in real estate, you can make money almost anywhere. However, there are always places that are better or worse for real estate investments - places that have a better demand/supply ratio. Use the questions below to find them.

Demand Questions

1. Is the population growing fast? Check the US Census figures online, or ask the local government if they have the statistics. Stay away from areas that have little growth.

2. Is job growth decent? Again, ask local authorities or use the census information. You want to see job growth equal to or exceeding population growth. The people have to have money to pay for housing.

3. Decent quality of life? This is subjective, but important. Are there theaters and bookstores? Count coffee shops and cafes. Trendy areas usually have increasing demand for housing. It’s also a good indication of a high quality-of-life if people are willing to take lower-paying jobs just to live there.

4. Wealth in the area? It is always a good sign when there is some degree of wealth in a town. Count rich homes. Wealth means everything doesn’t die when the economy slows.

Supply Questions

1. How much new construction? The census figures can tell you what’s happened over the last ten years. Then check with the local authorities to see if the the number of housing units they’ve issued permits for is more or less than the expected population growth.

2. How many homes for sale? A lower supply of homes for sale means upward pressure on prices. This indirectly drives up rents as well, which makes for better investing.

3. Rent and vacancy levels? Are rents high enough to justify investing? Are vacancies low? When we first came to Tucson, every building had vacancies, and we saw a man holding a sign that read, “Apartment - $250 Per Month.” Great place for renters, but not a great place to invest in real estate.

4. Available land that is buildable? Less is better for future appreciation. When the land runs out, the prices start accelerating upwards.

Use these questions to compare various towns and cities, and you’ll see the differences more clearly. You’ll see how housing demand compares to supply in each. Finally, you’ll see where it is better to invest in real estate.

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Despite the improving economy, 63 percent of Americans are somewhat or very dissatisfied with their current jobs, according to Paige Wagner, operations manager for the American Real Estate Investor’s Association.

“Most people simply end up in a career without really thinking about it,” Wagner says. “Once someone settles into a job, they usually stay in the same industry even when changing jobs.”

As an example, Wagner reports that only two-tenths of 1 percent of the population are willing to change careers midstream to become real estate investors.

“Most people aren’t willing to put in the effort to learn a new career, even when they can make up to six figures,” she says. “It seems that for most people, just the idea of tackling something new like investing causes them to bring up all kinds of reasons why they shouldn’t get started.”

Wagner says people cite the following reasons for not investing in real estate: It’s the wrong time to get into the real estate market, they don’t have enough money to invest, or they’ve heard too many nightmare stories about being a landlord.

However, at the same time that some people are coming up with reasons to avoid real estate investing, others learn to overcome the obstacles they face.

“With members in all 50 states, we’re able to see investors making money in both ‘up’ markets and ‘down’ markets,” Wagner says. “Some investors even use creative methods of buying to avoid having to come up with down payments. The investors that hate being landlords usually sell on a rent-to-own basis so that their tenant buyer will agree to take care of all the day-to-day maintenance for them.”

Bill Bronchick, president of the Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors, notes that real estate investing strategies have changed from years past.

“It’s a whole new ball game today compared with the way my mom used to invest,” Bronchick says. “Investors these days can get started without cash or credit if they are willing to take the time to get educated.”

Many cities have at least one real estate investor group.

“The monthly meetings and trainings are a good place to meet others who are already investing or interested in doing so,” Bronchick says. “You can also get a feel for whether you are in a hot or a cold market by talking with other investors.”

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Homebuyers are always looking for an ideal situation with low prices. If you are looking in an area with open land around it, you absolutely must investigate the plans for the area.

Investigate Surrounding Vacant Land Before Buying

You have been out shopping for a home for months and have not found that perfect specimen. One day you come upon a home that meets your needs and fits your price. The home is on a little dead-end street. You are happy with this aspect because you have kids and view the lack of traffic as a positive. You also happen to note there is a big, open field behind the house, but think little of it. Simply put, you are playing with fire.

Assume you go ahead and purchase the home. You move in, get the kids enrolled in school and basically get comfortable in your new home. After a month or so, you are laying in bed at six in the morning when there is suddenly an ungodly racket. You stagger out of bed and notice it coming from the backyard. Walking outside, you are met with an image of bulldozers grading the peaceful field behind you. Congratulations! You have just become a neighbor of a strip mall, Wal-Marts or some other monstrosity.

You may think this never happens, but the exact opposite occurs every day. If there are vacant lots of land around a property you are considering buying, you must investigate them. Are they zoned only for residential use or is commercial zoning available?

If they are approved for commercial use, you need to give some serious thought to whether the property is for you. How will you feel about living next to a business area? How much traffic will it add to your neighborhood? How much noise pollution will there be? What will the commercial development do to the value of the home? These are all questions you must consider and answer.

Finding a property in an area with plenty of open space sounds wonderful. If you investigate the area, you can avoid the situation turning into a nightmare.

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Investing in Bankruptcies

Investing in bankruptcies can be a big money maker for the real estate investor. Investing in bankruptcies can result in a substantial income when you choose the right property. There are several laws that can change from area to area that govern bankruptcies. This means that there are risks involved to the investor, and being aware of these risks can help your investing tremendously.

A large risk that you face with bankruptcies is that the owner can come back and lay claim to their property. Some states even have laws stating the bankruptcies are not complete for a certain amount of time. You will have to determine if your region has this type of law protecting the homeowners when they file bankruptcy. If this is the case you may want to make sure the home is vacant before making an offer on the property. You do not want to put your money into something only to lose it when the homeowners get back on their feet.

When the owner defaults on the mortgage a bankruptcy order is then put in place. The bank will start the proceedings necessary to regain possession of the property. These bankruptcy properties are usually listed in the local paper under the sheriff’s sale heading. The opening bid usually start at approximately two thirds of the appraised value of the home. The highest bidder is awarded the property. Investing in bankruptcies can greatly increase an investor’s portfolio.

Having a plan of action when you are investing in bankruptcies is a crucial part. The first thing you must do is determine what your plans for the property are. Is it going to be a rental property or do you plan to flip the house? Determining what you want to do with your properties beforehand is important so that you know what area to look in, and how you can make a profit from your new property.

Choosing the bankruptcies carefully is a high priority. You do not want to find bankruptcies which will be depreciating, instead look for high growth potential that will increase in value. Just because the price seems to be right does not mean the property is the one for you. Determine what the average selling time was of the houses which have been sold. This will give you a good indication as to what you can get for the property you are looking at.

When investing in bankruptcies you should always look at the bottom line. If you can not make a 10% or greater return on the investment then it is not a good property to purchase. You must know your market. Looking at past sales in the area is key. Determining whether the area is growing or declining is an important factor in the bankruptcy. Knowing how long each house that sold stayed on the market is also significant. You may find bankruptcies which have been on the market for six months or more, this is a good indication that it is probably a bad investment. With all the other investors out there, if one of them did not want it, you probably do not want it either.

Once you become more familiar with investing in bankruptcies you will learn what to buy and what to avoid. You will understand which areas are good investments and which ones are not worth your time. You will also be able to understand more of the real estate market and the lending red tape. This will help when you are investing in bankruptcies.

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There are amazing profits to be made in the Bulgarian property market. Careful research can even uncover properties that offer instant equity and guaranteed returns.

Bulgaria is currently the EU investment hotspot. The prospect of capital gains of 30% per annum, and the cheapest property in Europe is attracting investors from across the globe.

Millions of euros are being spent each and every month by investors eager to cash in and this is set to continue unabated, with the prospect of full EU accession in 2007. Entry into the European Community always prompts massive price increases, with 100% capital gains in a single year, quite commonplace.

All property types in Bulgaria offer incredible value for money and are experiencing good capital gains across the board. However, with careful research, unbelievable opportunities are to be found in this booming market.

The sheer volume of properties can offer a bewildering choice and in any region or resort the asking price of the properties on sale can vary massively. It is vital to accurately gauge the market value of each particular area.

In the off plan market especially, developers will launch their new projects with introductory discounts to stimulate sales. Properties are available with discounts of up to 20%.

The property for sale in Bulgaria is primarily designed for the holiday trade and corporate letting market. Forward thinking developers, have already begun to sign agreements with major holiday companies and corporations for letting the properties they are building. The income generated is then passed to the purchaser, as a further inducement to stimulate sales.

There are currently deals available which will offer anything between 2% to 15% as a guaranteed rental.

Bulgaria offers the best investment opportunity around today. The low cost of entry, consistent prices rises and the expected capital gains surge from EU accession next year, provide an irresistible mix for the property novice and seasoned investor alike.

investmentpropertybg.com/”>www.investmentpropertybg.com offer a free service to locate either resale or off plan properties, with prices that range from under £10,000. With offices both in the UK and Bulgaria they have a wealth of local knowledge and a massive portfolio to choose from.

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So you have searched all the listing sites for Costa Rica on the web. Read everything you could on how to invest, where to invest, what pitfalls to watch out for, and how to get a good return on your investment. Well, by now you are probably more confused than when you started. The following steps will help to simplify the process and ensure your buying experience will prove fruitful and enjoyable at the same time.

1. Narrow your search down to a particular region -
It is important to decide what area you are most interested in. The Northern Pacific has seen the most growth and development, but the prices reflect that. The Central Valley remains a steady market with good access to San Jose. The Central Pacific is a juvenile in regard to investment opportunity, and the South Pacific still a baby.
So depending on your investment goals, whether it is a “quick flip”, an extensive development, a long term hold, or simply a retirement place; the particular region you choose can weigh heavily towards the end result.

2. Determine your budget -
In order to best utilize the time you are going to have while property hunting in Costa Rica, you should have a ballpark idea of how much money you are willing to spend. There are so many amazing pieces of property on the market in Costa Rica, that you can get bogged down trying to see everything. Stick to your budget, which narrows your search to the properties that are most important to see.

3. Schedule your trip -
This is a big step that too many people take for granted. You should allow yourself at least 15-30 days in the country to be able to acclimate yourself and view enough properties to feel comfortable buying. Also you have to consider the weather conditions could play a vital role in how much property viewing you are actually able to do. For example, if you planned a two-week trip in October to view property in the Southern Pacific Region, you could get rained out every day, as October is the peak of the rainy season. The primary goal here is to allow yourself adequate time so that you do not feel pressured or hurried.

4. Set up appointments -
Before leaving for your trip, take the time from the comfort of your home to set up several appointments. I would even recommend setting up more than you think necessary because there is a high possibility that either you or the agent will not be able to make the appointment. Business is very laid-back in Costa Rica and schedules are often not adhered to, so be prepared for that scenario going in. Costa Rica has a way of changing schedules, which is not always a bad thing.

5. Start the hunt -
Now the fun part begins. You have picked the area or areas you are most interested in, scheduled appointments to see properties within your budget, and you are on your way to locating that perfect piece for your needs. While searching, be sure to check the area for previous sales so you can establish an idea of what properties have been selling for. Even if you fall in love with the first place you see (which happens often here) keep on looking because it is liable to get even better. Buying property in Costa Rica is a very safe process with only two primary pieces of documentation you must ensure are present and valid. The first is the title, or escritura, this document; similar to a deed in the states guarantees ownership without liens or encumbrances. The second is a valid survey, or plano, this document shows the physical boundaries of the property and often any improvements. If both of these things are in order, you are well on your way to buying. (Insider tip—talk to waiters at restaurants about property they might know is for sale. Nearly all will know of something, and often you can find great deals. Just be sure to verify the aforementioned documentation if you get that far along)

6. Make an offer -
This part can be a little tricky in Costa Rica as there is no rhyme or reason to what is an acceptable offer. Most developments are fairly set in the prices they are asking for their land, but sometimes early in you can catch a development in need of cash flow and get a great deal. When buying off a local, or Tico as they are known, I have seen offers as low as 50% accepted and other locals who were tremendously insulted by anything other than the asking price. You really have to get a feel for who you are dealing with to make the right offer.

7. Close the Deal -
This process is very similar to the one we have here in the states. Both parties can choose a separate lawyer or decide to use the same lawyer, which is often more cost effective. If you desire, you can choose an attorney that speaks fluent English so he can explain the entire process to you. These attorneys are generally more expensive, but the peace of mind is often worth the cost. Your attorney will do a title search and verify the survey in a manner that is equivalent to the process here. Most people choose to form a Costa Rican corporation to buy the property with, which helps to limit certain aspects of liability. Once everyone has signed and the funds are transferred, you are now the proud owner of your own piece of paradise. All property is then registered in the National Registry which is accessible online to check ownership status.

People are often intimated from the myths they hear in regard to purchasing property in foreign countries. The truth is, from personal experience, by simply following these easy steps you can ensure your experience will be a profitable and pleasant one.

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To say that Orlando has a little bit of drawing power could be seen as a bit of an understatement. In fact, Orlando is one of the world’s best known resort destinations and has millions of visitors every year. Everyone the major tourist draws that have made Orlando as famous as it is. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and the like have supplied the Orlando area with an economy that hard to match. This economy is one of the main reasons that if you are thinking about buying an investment property then Orlando is the place to look.

The tourism industry is Orlando’s largest industry and bring million upon millions of dollars in the area on a yearly basis. One of the major money makers in this tourism industry is the vacation rentals sector. Recently vacation rentals have gained enormous popularity as a cheaper alternative to the major resorts. This industry has exploded in Orlando and there is an amazing amount of money to be made. This is one of the prime investment markets in the United States today.

There are numerous other reasons to invest in the Orlando real estate market. Aside from the major theme parks, Orlando is a tropical paradise that has a vast array of natural beauty to showcase. In particular the Windermere area and the lake country is stunningly beautiful at any time of the year. Orlando and the surrounding area offers a lifestyle that is unique and highly desirable. There is an abundance of amazing golf courses and other recreational options that are perfect for active people of all ages. Orlando truly offers a investment opportunity that is hard to pass up, when the possible ROI is taken into account it becomes clear that investing in Orlando is simply a great idea.

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Sacramento offers a variety of investment options to a prospective Sacramento investor. Residential real estate housing ranges from low-income properties to multi-million dollar estates and is known to have had some of the best appreciation rates in the state. Sacramento has also seen marked advances in commercial real estate with the construction of new high-rise buildings, expansion of employment centers and increases in industrial activities. Sacramento attracts high tech manufacturers, Information Technology companies, biotech and medical research laboratories, and food processing industries.

The proximity of Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay Area, and the lower housing costs in the region have resulted in many people moving to Sacramento and commuting daily to offices in the Bay Area. The median home price in Sacramento is in stark contrast to the median price for a Bay Area home. While the Sacramento County’s median home price was $353,750, the SF Bay Area median price was $628,000 in April 2006.1 This big difference in the housing prices, together with the consistent growth of the Sacramento real estate market has attracted many investors to the County.

Investing in a real estate market like Sacramento becomes more lucrative because of the increasing housing prices. This price rise has two consequences for the investor.

1. The return on your investment can be phenomenal especially when you use leverage to your advantage. (Leverage is when you use more of borrowed money and less of your own to buy the property).
2. The increasing housing prices have made buying a home less affordable to many people, which can result in an increased demand for rental properties.

What can be music to the ears of investors is the fact that though the real estate prices are on the increase, the rates of interest on mortgages are still hovering near historic lows, making this your opportune time for investing in Sacramento.

For the real estate investor there are plenty of options for investing in Sacramento. If you are a first time homebuyer, you may consider investing in a duplex rather than a single family home. The advantage would be that the rental income from your tenant can be used to greatly reduce your monthly out-of-pocket mortgage expenses.

If you are a handy person and willing to work on a property, an excellent investment option may be a fixer upper. Fixer properties are usually sold at a discount to the market, and when fixed up, can be sold at full market price. You may also want to consider condos as a long-term, low risk investment option. Residential units like single-family homes, condominiums and residential income properties like Duplexes, Triplexes, and Fourplexes are good investment opportunities in Sacramento.

Whatever your choice of property in the Sacramento real estate market might be, ultimately it’s important to consult a reputable Sacramento real estate professional who can guide you through all the details and make your real estate purchase an enjoyable experience.

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