REALESTATE: March 2009

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

How To Make Money On Pre-Construction Home Investing

As developers try to raise capital through the building
process, they often pre-sell properties, whether condo units or
homes, at a discount when compared to the prospected market
value. While this can be a great opportunity to get into a
property at less than market value, it also carries risks. To
learn how to minimize those risks, keep reading.

Know the Rules

Because most developers don't want to sell pre-construction
units at a discount and then wind up competing against owners
while trying to sell their own units, they may put rules in
place that either restrict the sale price or even your ability
to sell the unit within the confines of a certain timeframe.

Before you invest in a pre-construction property, make sure you
understand whether there are limits, like being unable to sell
the property within one year of construction completion.

Consider Buy-to-Rent

If your builder's don't allow you to sell the unit within a
certain period after construction is completed, consider using
the property as a rental unit. This option will provide you with
rental income and cover your carrying costs while the property
appreciates in value.

Remember though, being a landlord can be hard work. If your
rental income allows it, consider hiring a property management
company to oversee the screening of tenants and maintenance.
Also, some condominium buildings have rules about renting out
units to other tenants, so make sure you understand these before
you start banking on rental income.

Buy the Smallest or Least Expensive Unit

Typically, the smallest or least expensive house or unit in a
complex or community is the one that will appreciate at the
fastest rate and provide the greatest return on your investment.

You may be tempted to splurge on that extra 15 feet of backyard
or 200 square feet of space, but the cost may not yield the
return you're looking for. You must resist the temptation to buy
based on your personal preferences and instead think like an
investor.

Be Careful in a Slow Market

If the local real estate market is sluggish, you could wind up
trying to sell your unit for a price that's higher than what
builders are offering. If the developer or builder can't sell
units, even after construction, they may reduce the price and
effectively undercut you as your competition. Subsequently, you
may wind up reducing your own asking price and actually losing
on the deal or netting less than you expected.

Watch Out for Wholesale Pre-construction Investment Deals

Wholesale pre-construction investment deals work by grouping
together a large number of investors and purchasing a block of
units from developers at a discount. Most wholesale investment
companies offer professional service done with due diligence,
but there are firms out there that don't live up to their word.
For example, Axiom Realty Capitol was recently handed a
class-action lawsuit for defrauding investors.

Wherever lies your area of pre-construction investing, you must
take sufficient time and effort to understand the market and
risks you face. Armed with practical knowledge, this can be a
lucrative investment opportunity.

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Real Estate Investment For Your Retirement

Real estate investment can be a fantastic way to build equity,
gain capital and increase your net worth as you prepare for
retirement. To learn more about the different ways real estate
investment can help you in your retirement and create income
streams, keep reading.

Equity

Acquiring real estate property over your lifetime can be a
great way to build equity. With patience, almost all real estate
will appreciate in value over the course of many years, even in
a sluggish or down market.

You can then borrow against equity in the property or sell the
real estate for cash and use the proceeds for investment
opportunities or more liquid income. Putting some of those
capital gains into a retirement savings fund could even save on
your capital gains taxes while still protecting your nest egg.

Rental Income Streams

A real estate investment property doesn't have to sit empty.
You can earn income on that property through tenants and rent.
By renting out a property with a mortgage on it, you can use the
rental income to pay most or even all your monthly mortgage,
cover maintenance fees and even see a small monthly profit. In
the meantime, you'll be accumulating equity on the home.

Once the property is paid off, that rental income becomes pure
profit after maintenance costs while being a landlord can offer
you tax breaks on everything from property expenditures to fees
for property management companies.

If you're older or simply don't have the time to screen
tenants, shovel snow and ice off walkways or maintain a
property, hiring a property management company can take care of
that need. Certainly doing so will cost you money, but they can
take care of all the duties and obligations associated with
being a landlord.

Flipping Properties

While purchasing low-cost housing, improving it and later
reselling it for a profit involves a lot of sweat and hard work,
it can be a great low stress "job" for the retiree. Before you
invest in real estate flipping, invest your time in location
research, planning and finding a great real estate agent. This
is one area where the virtue of patience can pay off handsomely.

Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage can turn your property equity into liquid
cash while you retain ownership on the property. Typically, no
payments are required on the home equity loan until you are
either no longer resident on the property or you sell it.

However, interest will begin to accumulate on the property as
soon as the reverse mortgage process begins. This means you
won't have to make payments, but your loan will be accruing
interest. The loan is then paid from the proceeds of your estate
or, again, once you move or sell the property. If you pass away
before the loan is paid, the inheritors of you home would need
to do so.

By turning your property equity into cash, you can create an
income for yourself during your retirement years. But remember
that you will be simultaneously depleting your net worth and the
overall value of your estate. So this is a tradeoff that merits
due consideration before jumping in.

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Real Estate Investing: Insider Tips On How It Really Works

Real estate investing is about more than buying a property for
below market value, throwing some paint on the walls, and making
tens of thousands of dollars in profit. It's about more than
sinking a few thousand dollars into a bogus "investment club" or
grabbing a house at a foreclosure auction and selling it. To
learn the reality of real estate investing, keep reading.

You Have to Spend Money

Buying real estate costs money, whether it's borrowing costs,
closing fees, attorney payments, agent commissions or down
payments - you're going to need to spend money to make money.

Any scam or program that claims you can make money on real
estate investing without spending any of your own money is
lying. So if you hear promises along those lines, walk away.

You Will Pay Taxes

While so many real estate and foreclosure investing scams claim
you can make hundreds of thousands of dollars on real estate
investing, none of them ever talk about what happens in April
when you have to pay capital gains tax on those profits. Those
can add up to a significant chunk of change.

Yes, you can make money, but the reality is you will need to
pay tax on that money, particularly if the property was not your
primary residence where federal tax laws differ.

Location is Key

Buying a foreclosure investment property is about more than
snatching the cheapest house at an auction. Rather, it's about
knowing your market and finding a location that's actually a
prime candidate to sell for a good profit in a timely manner.
Picking up a bargain won't seem like such a good deal in two
years if you're still saddled with a property in a location that
simply draws little interest.

You Need Professional Advice

Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on instructional DVDs
and ebooks that are little more than a selling tool for more
products like expensive seminars or one-on-one conference
sessions, invest your money in certified, professional service.

Search for a quality real estate agent that knows your local
foreclosure and short sale market well. Then, spend the money on
a good real estate attorney who understands your state's
foreclosure and redemption laws. Finally, get a great house
inspector who can offer experienced assurance that you're buying
a sound investment which will not cost you more in the long run
and eat up your profit.

Making Money Takes Time

The longer a home appreciates, the more money you're going to
make on your investment. You'll do even better if you're able to
fill the property with quality, reliable rent-paying tenants.
Unfortunately, the majority of real estate investment programs
lure buyers in with the concept of a making quick buck, when the
reality is that the full process of purchasing and resale of a
home can take at least a year, if not longer.

If you enter the world of real estate investments with your
eyes open and realistic expectations, you will find yourself in
a much better position to plan for longer term success and have
the patience to seek the truly good deals rather than jumping in
impetuously to something you'll later regret.

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Foreclosure Investing: What You Need to Know Before Jumping In

Foreclosure investing involves a lot more than picking up a
house for a below market price at an auction and then turning
around to sell it for an amazing profit. Foreclosure is a long
process, as is real estate, and both are bound by laws and tax
regulations that you need to follow. Before you invest in an
expensive how-to program or ebook, keep reading to learn the
basics of what you need to know for investing in foreclosure
properties.

Why Foreclosure Investing is a Good Buy

Because most banks are only looking to regain the value of the
home's unpaid mortgage, foreclosure investors can often obtain a
property for about 70 to 90 percent of its true market value.

And, thanks to today's still low interest rates, the cost of
carrying that property is low. This means if you can hang on to
a property for five to fifteen years you can actually double
your money, depending on the market. And if you have tenants
residing in the property, you can earn even more.

It Takes Capital

Typically, real estate isn't considered a quickie investment,
and your capital can be tied up for a long time. A down payment
on a home can't always be taken out and withdrawn in the case of
a financial emergency or the need for quick cash.

That capital could also be used for other investments. For
example, let's say you invest $20,000 into a home that winds up
not appreciating at the 8 percent annual rate you hoped it
would. Instead, it depreciates and then eventually appreciates
at a low 4 percent rate. That $20,000 could have made more by
investing it wisely in a diversified investment portfolio.

Ask For a Warranty Deed

Do your homework about potential tax liens or outstanding
building code violations on the property. A warranty deed will
ensure you're buying a property with a clear title.

Understand Redemption Period Laws

Many states have what's called a "redemption period" that
allows the previous owner to clear his or her debt and then take
back the home for a period of time that continues even after the
foreclosure is completed.

Buy a Vacant Home

Typically, the bank or lender will evict the previous tenants
before the house is sold at foreclosure auction. If, however,
you buy a home where the previous owners are still living in the
property, you will need to take on the long, arduous, expensive
and emotionally-taxing eviction process. It's hard and
unpleasant, so unless the opportunity is especially appealing,
look for a home that's already vacant.

Hire Professionals, Not Late Night TV Gurus

Don't spend your money on useless "how to" audio books and
videos that are little more than sales tools for another product
that claims to teach you how to do foreclosure investing.

Instead, commit your resources to a good real estate agent, a
quality real estate attorney and a recommended and thorough home
inspector. Most foreclosure investment homes are sold in what's
called "as is" condition, meaning the seller makes no guarantees
about the condition of the property. This is why you need a
fantastic home inspector to let you know if you're walking into
any major potential problems or expenses.

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Making Money – Three Timeless Secrets To Wealth Creation

Are you wondering what it takes to become real rich and wealthy
and successful in your own business? This article highlights
three timeless secrets to wealth creation that people have known
throughout the ages.

Dream Big & Believe in your dreams

When Napoleon Hill wrote his famous book "Think and Grow Rich",
he found that being rich is not dependent on your pre-existing
financial status and found that the common denominator across
all the people he interviewed was the power of their belief and
conviction. All these people had great dreams and believed in
their dreams and as a result made an effort to push and achieve
those dreams. Today, let no one look down on your dreams and
aspirations and success may be yours.

Plan to achieve your goals

Dreams alone cannot make wealth overnight. Spend some time to
chart out your strategy and plan for the longer term. Making
money involves starting a new idea, growing it and thinking on
doubling your output and tracking your expenses. Once you find
that one idea works, start thinking of adding a system to your
business idea and then plan to grow. Planning is important in
making money and you should always spend some time reviewing
your plan daily and then make changes in response to changing
market conditions.

3. Leverage on experts

Napoleon Hill found that most rich people have a team working
for them. This team provides input and ideas that he might not
have within his own company. Attorneys, accountants, bankers and
external consultants are great additions to your team and can
help you navigate serious potholes in your business. Thus a
successful money making system has to have a great team behind
it for it to succeed. Remember that you should always tap on the
collective wisdom of your team and when you do, your financial
output will start increasing very fast.

Making money today has not changed very much and the basic
principles behind it remain the same. What hinders people from
making money today is that they do not spend time dreaming,
planning to achieve their goals and leveraging on talented
people around them to as to achieve greater financial success.
Great success begins with a dream. Do something for your
financial destiny today as Anthony Robins says and you might
find your financial future changing for the better.

About The Author: Joel Teo writes on various financial topics
relating to Ahwatukee Real Estate Investment. Signup for his
free online Real Estate Investing newsletter today and gain
access to the "Six Day Real Estate Investment Profits Course"
now at http://www.realestateinvestment101.info/Ahwatukee.html

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Investment Property And The Wealth Of Nations

Why are rich people rich and how do they retain their wealth
through several generations? In this article we try to examine
how real estate as seen in investment property has played a
large role in generating large amounts of wealth, how it has
also been used to retain wealth to sustain several large clans
and what you can use in offshore investments.

Wealth Generation with Investment Property

Forbes magazine once commissioned a study and found that most
of the rich people today other than a few high tech
entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and the Google founders made their
money in real estate. But remains, why is there an allure of
Investment Property even today?

This is because traditionally, most people consider Investment
Property to be a secure investment and Investment Property
prices rarely fall and prices continue to rise. Since real
estate mimics economic cycles, rich people start building new
properties for others to stay and since the profit margins
associated with properties can be quite substantial so their
wealth increases with each new Investment Property that they
develop and subsequently resell. Thus we learn that at the
highest stage, investment property, real estate development and
finance all move together to make the rich richer then evern
before.

Why the Rich retain their wealth

Many people know of the Hilton empire and think about the taxes
that they save each year because of the legal trust structure
that holds this wealth together. Actually trusts which are legal
devices to shield offshore income from taxes help to protect
wealth and prevent an heir of a rich estate from squandering it.
One way is by having large trust companies to administer the
trust and then allow beneficiaries to get a fixed sum.

But what do most trusts invest in? It is no surprise to note
that cash flow investment properties like the famous Hilton
hotel chain provide a constant source of cash flow into such
structures and as mentioned prevent a few heirs from squandering
the proceeds of the trust. Rental Income and Hotel Income from
investment properties kept in trusts therefore help rich
families retain their wealth from generation to generation. Thus
we note that rental income and cash streams from investment
properties held by trusts can allow for wealth to be transferred
from one generation to the next.

Wealth of Nations and Investment Property

Since property represents a large portion of a nation's wealth
and both the rich and poor people are so enamoured with it, many
countries codes and laws have specific legislations protecting
and regulating Investment Property. The rich have teams of
lawyers working for them when they look for investment property
since some of the property codes and statutes in both local and
offshore jurisdictions can be potentially fraught with legal
loopholes. So if you want to be a wealthy property investor, you
need to have good professional advisors since every rich
businessman today is as good as the team of advisors that he has
working for him.

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Real Estate Investment Trust – Two Dirty Little Secrets That Property Deve

Most Investors have no read idea what to do with their money
and that's why fund managers and loads of investment instruments
have sprung up to cater to this need by the market for "return
on investment". Real Estate Investment Trusts or Asset
Securitization which is the legal term of art used to describe
the phenomenon of convert asset cash streams into tradable
securities and selling them to investors.

This article after a short explanation about REITs, reveals two
dirty little secrets that Property Developers play on
unsuspecting REIT investors.

Asset Securitization as it is known in the legal industry in
its Non-Enron form is legitimate due to the lower cost of
raising funds. Property Developers take the chance to put their
best properties into the REITs at the start as it would be
cheaper for them to raise funds when compared to getting loans
from the Bank which would increase their debt and reduce the
credit rating for the company. These property developers having
effectively sold their properties away, then manage the same
properties through their management companies and charge fees.
They then take the money to develop and purchase other
properties and their capital gets bigger and bigger.

What most REIT investors are not aware of is that, some
unscrupulous Property Developers start sneaking in their
underperforming assets into the REITs so as to get rid of
property duds and the investors in the REITs end up getting
poorer returns on their investments. This can diminish your
returns substantially.

For example, in Singapore which has one of the most thriving
REIT markets in Asia, there was talk that some of the worst
properties almost being sold into one of the REITs, before
someone intervened to stop this trend. Investors should
therefore take more than a perfunctory glance at the Annual
Reports and Market Announcements concerning the REITs that they
are invested in.

Another thing that most investors are unaware of is the basis
of valuation stated in most prospectus documents for REITs. The
prospectus is this large document that states out the basis of
the investment and reasons why you should invest in it and the
risk factors that any reasonable investor should note when
purchasing units in the REIT.

For example, there was this REIT Company that wanted to list
some properties and when one takes a closer look at the basis
that the Financial Analysts calculate the potential rental
income, its all guesswork. It took the historical rental income
and calculated the potential yield for the investor. That's why
investors should remember the adage of past performance is no
indicator of future returns and scrutinize the basis of
valuation of any investment that they make be it shares, bonds
or REITs.

In conclusion, is your money in safe hands? Are you investing
in a REIT today that has ancient property rental return
valuations or are you buying into a REIT that has a few good
properties in its stable with the rest being duds? Take active
control of your money today and you will start seeing more
visible returns on your investment.

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Home Buying And Selling Information: Sharing The Knowledge

Launched barely 100 days ago - Real Estate Wiki, a new
independent wiki that exclusively covers and deals with the real
estate industry - has doubled its impressive launch number of
7,000 entries to almost 14,000. This includes over 3,000
definitions for real estate terms, over 800 acronyms, almost
1,000 answers to frequently asked questions about home buying,
selling and financing questions, over 400 bio's of prominent
real estate leaders, authors and speakers, over 600 real estate
brokerage companies and details of some 800 real estate
associations, institutes, councils, designations, courses,
blogs, social networks, publications … the list goes on and on.

Real Estate Wiki is divided into 70 categories that include:

• Types of Real Estate
• Homes & Lifestyles
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Real Estate Acronyms
• Settlement Service Providers
• Government and Local Authorities
• History of Real Estate
• Real Estate Online Media
• Real Estate Newspapers
• Real Estate Research Reports
• Real Estate Training Schools
• Real Estate Brokerage Companies
• Real Estate Technology Providers

Last month Real Estate Wiki at the request of users also added
leasing information. This is an example of the kind of industry
focus a specialized wiki can provide. The Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) for this section include aspects such as:

• How to Find Rental Properties
• Obligations of a Tenant
• Responsibilities of the Landlord
• Lease Agreements
• Trust Accounts
• Leasehold Improvements
• Nuisances and Unlawful Activities
• Possession
• Defaults
• When Leases can be Terminated
• And many, many more valuable questions.

According to ComScore and Hitwise two real estate websites,
Apartments.com and Rent.com, both rank in their January 2008
report as top 10 real estate websites based on traffic. This
shows how important this sector of the real estate industry is,
especially during a depressed real estate market.

To assist homeowners Real Estate Wiki shortly thereafter added
some 25 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) covering questions on
foreclosures, short sales, bank owned properties and bank
auctions. FAQ's include issues such:

• Can I Negotiate the Price of a Bank Owned Property?
• What Can I Do To Avoid A Foreclosure?
• How To I Negotiate With The Lender To Avoid Foreclosure?
• How Does A Foreclosure Work?
• What Happens To The Mortgage Loan After A Foreclosure?
• What is a Better Option Foreclosure or a Short Sale?

In addition, Real Estate Wiki also features over 30 definitions
in the Glossary of Terms providing explanations to concepts such
as Foreclosure, Judicial Foreclosure, Strict Foreclosure,
Deed-In-Lieu of Foreclosure, Decree of Foreclosure, Right of
Redemption, etc.

RealEstateWiki is a privately funded, non-profit, non-bias
venture and is inviting all real estate professional, brokers,
agents, Realtor Associations, Service Providers, Schools and all
other related organizations to go and add or update their entry
and profile on the wiki. It doesn't cost anything and adding a
back link to your website is encouraged.

Also all volunteers that wish to contribute to making the real
estate business a better place, here is your chance. Join in and
become part of the Web 2.0 world in real estate build the
largest, highest quality, free real estate encyclopedia in real
estate as a resource for everyone to use. Go to
www.RealEstateWiki.com

About The Author: Real Estate Wiki
(http://www.RealEstateWiki.com) doesn't cost anything and has
become the largest online real estate encyclopedia. It strives
to provide quality, objective and valuable information to anyone
seeking info about home buying, selling, ownership, renting or
the real estate business.

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Home Buyers - Low-Ball Deal

In these strange economic times, for home buyers - a person
looking to purchase a home could not find a better time to be
getting the best deals available within the housing market. With
home buyers looking for steals and sellers looking for an out
and banks selling off homes at cut-rate prices, the
opportunities could not be better, favoring the home buyers.

The old school conventional wisdom within the housing industry
just does not hold water today and can actually get in your way
of getting your best low-ball deal on a house you want to buy. A
low-ball offer can best be summed up as any offer that is less
than a large percentage of the asking price.

The current market dictates that seller needs to consider every
offer made from prospective home buyers, no matter how low the
offer is. Home buyers should make low-ball offers in this market
because they could come out way ahead of the game.

Home buyers should also keep a few things in mind before buying
a house simply because it seems like such a steal. Shopping
around for the right home for you and your family can be a real
emotional roller-coaster of a ride. Shopping for homes is not
like shopping for anything else you have shopped for before. It
is important to stay focused on what you really want and what
you need when buying a house.

Home buyers check list.

The size of the house, the location, the age of the home and
many offer variables need to be accessed before jumping on a
deal.

Does the house you are considering have a good school nearby
that your children will be attending? Is the home surrounded by
neighbors you would rather watch on reality TV than live next
door to? The home may be next to a nice wooded area, but were
you aware that the land was sold and a new shopping mall is
going to be next to your back yard sometime next year?

As you can see, for any serious home buyers, there are a lot of
considerations to check out before purchasing a new home. Is the
home you are considering maintenance free or will you have to do
some major renovations to suit your tastes? Honestly, this
"consideration" list goes on and on.

The most important thing that you can do before shopping for a
home is to make an extensive list of all the considerations that
need to be taken into account before buying. You will find some
things you can live with while other things can't be sacrificed
for any amount of money.

Remember that old Beatles' song, "Money Can't Buy Me Love"?
Keep that in mind when you decide to put a low-ball bid in on
some house you found that is right next to the train tracks and
expressway. Your family will love you for making a list, then
checking it twice before buying.

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Foreclosure Investing: What Is It And How Does It Work?

With the housing market in a downturn and hundreds, if not
thousands, of homes going into foreclosure, people are beginning
to talk more about and pursue foreclosure investing. But, what
is it and how does it work? Well, for answers to your questions
on foreclosure investing, keep reading.

What is foreclosure?

Foreclosure is a process that is initiated when a homeowner is
not able to pay the mortgage on their property or sell the home
quickly or efficiently enough. The financial burden is no longer
manageable and the house then becomes the property of the lender
or bank. Typically, the property is later sold at a below-market
prices in order to settle the outstanding debt.

So, what is foreclosure investing?

The term "foreclosure investing" refers to the practice of
buying houses that have gone into or are about to go into
foreclosure and then selling them on the traditional real estate
market. Typically, these homes are sold at auction or at a
reduced price, meaning investors can purchase homes for less
than their normal value and then - after doing some repairs and
sprucing up - resell the homes for a profit.

What is pre-foreclosure investing?

Pre-foreclosure investing is the practice of buying a property
before it's actually foreclosed on, but after the homeowner has
gone delinquent on their payments. In this case, the home is
purchased from the owner who can at least make enough on the
sale to cover a lot of the owed mortgage debt.

The appeal of pre-foreclosure investing is that the homeowner
does not have to go through the process of foreclosure, and the
buyer or investor is typically able to obtain the property for
less than market value since the seller is highly motivated.

Is foreclosure investing legal?

Yes, foreclosure investing is legal and done by many reputable
investors and real estate professionals. Unfortunately, there
are some unethical individuals and businesses who prey on
homeowners in trouble, claiming they can save them from
foreclosure while simultaneously stealing their homes. This
practice, however, is considered fraud and is illegal.

Does foreclosure investing work?

That depends on what kind of profitable returns you're looking
for and how fast you want to turn your property around to sell
it. Typically, the longer a property appreciates, the greater
your return will be. On the other hand, the longer a property
appreciates, the greater your carrying costs will be. By
carrying costs, we mean the expenses associated with ongoing
mortgage payments, taxes, and maintenance.

Also, depending on the location you're purchasing in and the
current real estate market in the area, you may have a hard time
selling or making the kind of profit you might otherwise
anticipate.

I've heard about foreclosure investing clubs - are they a good
idea?

Think long and hard before you hand over your money to a
stranger, or even a club of strangers. Foreclosure investment
clubs can work, but there are also a number of scams out there
that prey on potential investors. If you find one that is of
interest, investigate them and their practices thoroughly before
committing any money.

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The Top 5 Disclosure And Property Inspections Questions By Homeowners

In today's real estate market and increasing number of homes
are "Sold-As-Is" via public auction.

The term is used to indicate the seller shall have no
obligation to make repairs to the property and the buyer
purchases the property at his/her own risk. Even if the
purchaser agrees to buy the property in "as is" condition, the
buyer should request the right to conduct an inspection prior to
closing, in order to ascertain the nature and extent of any
structural or other damage. Should an inspection reveal the
property to be in a state of decay beyond repair, the buyer must
retain the right to terminate the contract and be refunded the
"Earnest Money."

This is however not the most way most homes are sold.

"Caveat Emptor." A common law concept from the Latin that means
"let the buyer beware." It expresses the general concept that in
the absence of any misrepresentation, the buyer must examine the
goods or property and purchase at his or her risk.

So home buyers, never assume that a home, be it new or a resale
home, is devoid of problems or that a home was built correctly
because of the involvement of a municipal building department
and the department's inspections, or has no flaws because
someone else has lived in it before.

Before any purchase do the proper research and inspections.
According to RealEstateWiki.com the top five most frequently
asked questions regarding inspections and disclosures are:

• What Happens If The Seller And Buyer Cannot Agree On Who Is
Going To Fix The Defects?
• What Environmental Hazards Must Be Disclosed, Especially In
Older Homes?
• Is The Walk-through Necessary?
• Does The Seller Have To Disclose The Homeowners Association
Bylaws And Fees?
• Should I Read The Termite Report Before The Closing?

When selling a home is firstly about finding a "ready, willing
and able" buyer according to Real Estate Wiki. This phrase is
used in real estate transactions to refer to a prospective home
buyer of property who is legally capable and financially able to
consummate the deal.

Traditionally, a real estate broker earns a commission upon
procuring a "ready, willing and able" buyer on the listing
terms, regardless of whether the seller actually goes through
with the sale.

The "ready and willing" means the real estate broker has to
produce a buyer who indicates that he or she is prepared to
purchase the property and is willing to enter into a purchase
contract. The "able" refers to the buyer's financial ability to
comply with the terms of the contract related to the purchase
price, loan approval and cash payments.

Secondly when buying or selling a home it is vital to ensure
that you have all the facts and information about the property
and neighborhood in questions. Also ensure that you have a
understanding of all the real estate terms in the listing
agreement, purchase agreement, etc.

For a quick and easy search of over 3,000 terms and real estate
acronyms, as well as answers to over 800 important home buying
and selling questions, visit RealEstateWiki.com.

About The Author: Real Estate Wiki
(http://www.RealEstateWiki.com) is the largest, free online
encyclopedia in the real estate industry for home buyers and
sellers, home owners, renters and the millions of professionals
that serve the real estate brokerage, mortgage and related
industries.

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California Probate Realestate: Tips For Buying Property From Heirs

California probate realestate is a highly guarded investment
secret. Most investors are unaware of the potential profit that
can be reaped from properties held in probate. Oftentimes, this
type of real estate can be purchased significantly under market
value because heirs do not have the time or resources to
maintain the property.

Heirs who inherit California probate realestate are oftentimes
eager to sell the property for less than it is worth. When heirs
reside out of town or in another state it can cost them a
considerable amount of money in travel expenses, legal fees and
court costs associated with settling the estate. By selling real
estate held in probate they can reduce their expenses and use
the proceeds to clear outstanding debts.

When a person dies without transferring their assets to a
revocable living trust, their assets are transferred to Probate.
This process is required to assess the decedent's assets and can
tie up the estate for several months, or even years. In order to
settle the estate all creditor and tax debts must be settled
before assets can be distributed to heirs.

Depending on the circumstances, selling probate realestate
might be the only way heirs can afford to pay debts associated
with the estate. In other instances, heirs desire to sell
probate realestate so they are no longer burdened with
maintenance and other expenses associated with the property.

California probate realestate can be purchased directly from
the estate executor. When multiple heirs are entitled to the
property, they must all be in agreement prior to commencing the
sale. Generally, heirs must obtain permission from the probate
court in order to sell the property. Once permission is granted
the court will oversee the sale and may require the heirs to
sell the property through a licensed realtor.

Heirs have two options for selling probate realestate in the
state of California. The property can either be sold through the
Court Confirmation process or by using the Independent
Administration of Estate's Act. When the estate is managed by a
probate attorney, the property is usually sold through the Court
Confirmation process so the sale will be supervised through the
court system.

Purchasing California probate realestate is a relatively simple
process. Wills in probate are public record and information
regarding the estate can be located in local courthouses. It
requires a bit of legwork and investigative skills, but court
clerks can guide you in the right direction.

Once you locate probate realestate of interest, you can contact
the estate executor by mail or phone. However, this is a
delicate matter and contacting the executor should be conducted
with the utmost respect.

When contacting heirs regarding the purchase of inherited
property, express your condolences and explain you are offering
a solution they may not know existed. Remember, the individual
is grieving the loss of a loved one, so do not insult them by
offering a low-ball price for their property. Instead, ask them
what they feel would be a fair price. Oftentimes, heirs will
accept an offer of 20- to 30-percent under market value. Allow
them to tell you the amount they feel is fair before making an
offer. Once you agree on a price, be prepared to expedite the
transaction in a timely fashion.

Investing in probate realestate can be a profitable venture.
However, it is wise to fully understand the process involved. If
you are interested in buying or selling probate real estate,
seek out probate specialists or private real estate investors
who can walk you through the process.

About The Author: Simon Volkov is a private investor who
specializes in helping individuals quickly liquidate their
assets. From forthcoming Inheritance windfalls to Probate, Simon
Volkov offers solutions for those in need of cash. Learn more
about probate and investment opportunities at
http://www.SimonVolkov.com.

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How To Make Money On Pre-Construction Home Investing

Know the Rules

Before you invest in a pre-construction property, make sure you
understand whether there are limits, like being unable to sell
the property within one year of construction completion.

Consider Buy-to-Rent

Buy the Smallest or Least Expensive Unit

Typically, the smallest or least expensive house or unit in a
complex or community is the one that will appreciate at the
fastest rate and provide the greatest return on your investment.

Be Careful in a Slow Market

Watch Out for Wholesale Pre-construction Investment Deals

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Real Estate Investment For Your Retirement

Equity

Rental Income Streams

Flipping Properties

Reverse Mortgages

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http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=258279

REALESTATE

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

How To Make Money On Pre-Construction Home Investing

Real Estate Investment For Your Retirement

Real Estate Investing: Insider Tips On How It Really Works

Monday, March 2, 2009

Foreclosure Investing: What You Need to Know Before Jumping In

Making Money – Three Timeless Secrets To Wealth Creation

Investment Property And The Wealth Of Nations

Real Estate Investment Trust – Two Dirty Little Secrets That Property Deve

Home Buying And Selling Information: Sharing The Knowledge

Home Buyers - Low-Ball Deal

Foreclosure Investing: What Is It And How Does It Work?

The Top 5 Disclosure And Property Inspections Questions By Homeowners

California Probate Realestate: Tips For Buying Property From Heirs

How To Make Money On Pre-Construction Home Investing

Real Estate Investment For Your Retirement

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