Archive for July 28th, 2009

House Flipping Ideas on Keeping to your Real Estate Budget and Increasing Profits

Anyone looking into property for sale cheap will want to pick up a few house flipping tips to keep their costs down and profits high. In the house flipping game it’s all about how you set your budget and the final selling price of the home. So, with the aims of keeping you, the real estate investor, within budget here are several house flipping tips towards success.

* Pick the Right House

It’s possible to be so eager to get into wholesaling property that you buy the first cheap house you can find. House flipping is about more than buying a cheap house. It’s about finding the right cheap house. You want a property that is structurally sound, but needs a lot of cosmetic repairs. This way it won’t cost you a lot of money to invest in that property, fix it up and you’ll still be able to sell it at close to current market value.

Another house flipping tip to keep in mind here is to make sure you get a home inspector to look over the property you’ll be signing papers on. A home inspection can ensure that the property is structurally sound before you buy.

* Look for Houses Needing Cosmetic Repairs

This was touched on by the first of the house flipping tips, but warrants further explanation. You’ll want to seek out wholesaling property that is in need of yard work and a good coat of paint. These are the kinds of repairs that a homeowner doesn’t want to do themselves, when moving out or moving in. Yet, they can greatly increase or decrease the value of a property.

Plus, new paint on the exterior, fresh paint on the interior and some yard work are all investments that can be done quickly and less expensively than major home remodeling or rehabbing.

* Don’t Buy into Mold!

Mold is a deal breaker. Recent news has made the average homeowner terrified of possible black mold in a home. Plus, it’s really hard to get out of a home once it shows up, meaning more time and expense.

When you see mold in a home you’re considering you may want to reconsider it. At the very least it’s bound to lower the price of the home.

* Cost List and Double it

Basic house flipping tips say that you should always double your estimate for fixing up a property. Keep that in mind when figuring how much you think you can offer to buy a property and still come away with a profit.

No matter how accurately your contractors estimate the cost of repairs, something inevitably happens to increase the final price. So, doubling your repair budget automatically creates a buffer zone for wholesaling property. If you come in under that amount at the end, then its just more profits for you.

* Beware Lazy Handymen

This isn’t so much a cutting costs tip as a warning. Most contractors have multiple jobs going on at once or backlogged. If you decide to just pick a contractor out of the yellow pages one day he or she may not be able to get to work on your house for a few days or weeks, maybe even months. So, keep this in mind if you have a property that will need major repairs or are running short on funds for carrying costs. It may be better once you get low on funds to just cut your losses on a property that still needs repairs by selling it as is.

* Make Affordable Improvements

A lot of investors wholesaling property make the mistake of going overboard in their improvements. They don’t take into account what homes in the surrounding area are actually selling for and so invest a more money than needed in a property. This can be in time, effort and especially money.

For instance, if no other homes in the surrounding neighborhood have miniature water features in the backyard, there is no need for you to add a miniature water feature to your homeowner’s backyard. It increases the price a lot, but also requires a lot of care on the part of the buyer and really only appeals to a certain select group of homeowners.

There are plenty of other house flipping ideas you can follow to keep those costs down when wholesaling property. In fact you’ll probably come across a few of your own private tips and ideas as you start flipping more houses. Hopefully, the above tips are a good start for your burgeoning real estate investor’s tool box.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

If You Have 15 Minutes You Can Buy And Sell A House With Ease

Yes you can buy and sell a house in 15 Min or less. I know you are probably thinking that is some bull crap but give me a sec and I will tell you how I have done it many times and so have many other investors who have the right training.

Just to start I will say that this does not happen every time but you might be surprised how often it does once you start building the system that allows it to happen. You first have to know how to find a good deal, I will assume for this articles sake that you already know how to do this and then you need to get an auto responder set up online. The auto responder is a system that allows you to collect emails and send a message to them all very easily.

Once you have this set up you start collecting emails, (bare with me please, this is not a step by step article if you want a step by step system for achieving this please see the resource section for this article) of buyers in your area you then have the ability to email them a deal all at once.

Once set up, you have the ability to press a send button and contact all your buyers at once with a deal that you find. I have done this many times. I have spent 5 min finding a deal, 5 min making the offers and 5 min sending the email for a total of 15 min invested.

In less than 15 minutes from buying the property I have sent the email out and had it sold to a buyer and made ten thousand dollars on the deal. Amazing but absolutely true. I have done it and many other real estate wholesalers have done the same thing once they set up the system

The short and simple process goes like this, build your list using an auto responder online. Then find a deal. Then pitch it to your list through email with all the details of the deal. Let them contact you with interest and put it under contract. It is a fabulous system that works for many many investors and will work for you if you set the system up right. Please see the resource section of the article to see how to set this system up in detail.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Web 2.0 Real Estate Marketing Is The New Way To Advertise

Web 2.0 real estate marketing is taking the real estate world by storm. Agents are putting aside their old tired ways of advertising and turning to the plethora of social media sites to help them on their quest to find clients instead.

The current economic crisis has taken its toll on a plethora of businesses. A business that suffered immensely because of the recession was the real estate business. People were not at all interested in purchasing anything new, for the simply fact they didn’t know if they would be able to afford it later.

The web 2.0 software works in a means that agents are connected to millions of people at one time. They are utilizing social media sites such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and YouTube to draw people to their plethora of homes that they have to offer.

Point blank the internet has taken over so many people’s lives. It has created a more convenient way to do just about anything that you have to. There are millions of people who are involved in the social media sites. Therefore putting different forms of advertisement on these sites as well as creating your own page will draw people to your site without any ailments.

It seems as though the internet is what will help get people out of this current recession. It allows people who may have been torn from their jobs the opportunity to work at home or seek employment else where. It is doing a great deal of advertisement for many businesses especially the real estate business all around the world.

Web 2.0 has allowed the real estate industry the chance to rebuild all their scars that they suffered from the recession. These social media sites are big all around the world, so instead of staying enclosed to one particular area, agents have the chance to get everyone’s attention.

Social media sites are often times being referred to as a positive shift in the right direction. With the load of people that join these sites on a daily basis, its no wonder why the real estate injury has turned to this particular source of advertisement. The industry has been able to stay a float simply because of their utilization of this new form of intriguing technology.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Fixed Rate Mortgages Should Not Be Feared

Now that banks are enforcing stricter lending requirements and interest rates are projected to climb over the coming years, it is now important than ever to consider those fixed rate mortgages that so many of us ignored previously.

If you’re looking for fixed rate mortgages, you are not alone. Millions of individuals, just like you are not interested in adjustable rate mortgages and are seeking fixed rate mortgages instead. In this article, we’ll discuss proven techniques that you can use to find suitable fixed rate mortgages. Ready? Let’s go:

1. Ask around. Ask friends, family members and colleagues for financial institutions that offer great rates. You may be surprised to find that your local bank has an even better rate than the national bank that you’ve belonged to for many years.

2. Do your homework and never settle for the very first mortgage that is presented to you, no matter how appealing it might be. Make sure you do a bit of research to ensure you are indeed being offered a fair if not the best rate out there. By weighing your options, you will literally save tends of thousands of dollars over the term of your new fixed rate mortgage. There are many sites out there that monitor regional and national rates and will allow you to determine if the deal before you is indeed worth considering.

3. Consider paying points up-front at closing. If you are looking at maintaining a particular payment over the term or if you want to minimize the interest paid over that same term, consider paying points at the beginning of your term (or at closing in the case of a purchase). Although this will require cash up front, it can either lower your payment or reduce the total cost of borrowing over the term.

Ultimately, you will need to do a bit of research. This can be as elaborate or as simple as you like but will undoubtedly save you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your term. Not only will you be satisfied with the rate you receive, but you will actually be proud of the mortgage you have!

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

There are several ways to commute to San Francisco from Monday through Friday. These are bus, ferry, bicycle and, most obviously, your car. And, for many, the most impressive sights during their commute is the truly stunning Golden Gate Bridge. An interesting piece of information about the bridge is that the Chronicle called it a thirty-five million dollar steel harp at the time it opened in 1937. Source of information: www.motorvista.com.

To many Californians, driving ones own car is the most attractive option since the actual commute may not be the only travel plans for any given day. Perhaps a trip to the gym, a lunch date, and a business meeting are part of your schedule. Often, these may be arranged handily by taxi or public transportation, such as the bus or a picturesque cable car!

According to a Web site called Motor Vista, and the year 2000 Census figures, 86% of all commuters in Kentfield ride to work in a car. Those who commute to work from Kentfield typically spend forty-five to fifty-nine minutes getting there. And, of the estimated 2,757 workers living in Kentfield, an amazing 92% took the trip solo, meaning they didnt travel in the HOV lanes to get there faster.

Except for a chauffeured limo, Golden Gate Transit offers what most find the most attractive option ” being driven from Point A to Point B in an air-conditioned bus. While far from glamorous, these buses are quite dependable and have restrooms aboard.

From Monday to Friday, this line runs often from 4:42 am to 9:03 am and from 2:56 pm to 6:56 pm. The ride takes about an hour from the Kentfield stops to the Folsom and 7th Street stop in San Francisco. The only thing to worry about might be finding a seat during the heavy part of rush hour. To locate the schedules, just Google: Golden Gate Transit.

Then, there is the Golden Gate Ferry, which offers services from Larkspur, which is less than two miles, or about five minutes, from Kentfield in normal traffic. Of course, one should expect it to take longer during rush hour. Parking is plentiful at the Larkspur Ferry lot.

The Ferry takes you across San Francisco Bay to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, which is very close to the Citys Financial District. It takes about a half an hour and is pleasant all year round. That is unless you ride outside the protected areas of the boat, where it can be downright cold. For the schedule, just Google Golden Gate Ferry.

For those enterprising and adventurous Kentfield bicyclists, the trip to the San Francisco Financial District can take even less time if you are a competitive cyclist. A detailed map of the bike path of the 22.9 mile trip may be found on the Web site www.bikely.com. But, remember, its safety first!

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Tourism Helps Drive Luxury Home Sales On The Ocean

Coastal luxury homes likely conjure up mental images of crashing waves on the shoreline and large oceanfront homes overlooking miles of beautiful beaches as far as the eye can see. Images like these have fueled the passions of many to own their own coastal homes while visiting a favorite coastal vacation spot.

Scenic urban hot spots and resort towns along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coast offer luxury real estate markets that fuel both the local economies but also provide an economic boost for many outlying areas. These real estate markets help to provide both vacation rental, timeshares, and luxury home sales in their respected states.

If you are looking to own a slice of American history, then buying a home in one of the many historical resort towns along the coastline is what you are looking for. Resort towns offer unique opportunities to purchase a quiet getaway that in many cases are miles away from the large urban areas that many of their owners call home during the work week. Most of these towns are steeped in tradition and American history.

New construction properties have become popular choices in large urban areas. Many of these are luxury condo developments that offer views of the beach and ocean. In addition to great views, many of the units are spacious with a low maintenance lifestyle.

Recent history has shown the large urban areas exploding with growth while small resort towns fight to stay small. Urban vacation destinations offer great investment opportunities in both residential and commercial real estate markets. Many of the small resort towns have been fighting to keep large retail operations and high-rises out of their towns in an effort to preserve their historical roots.

In Closing

Is it time to treat yourself to that coastal home that you deserve? Choose the area you like and contact a local Realtor to get a list of available homes for sale.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

Tips On Selling a Riverfront Condo

There are a few differences when in selling a river condo and selling a riverfront home. The biggest difference is that with a condo, you can put most of your efforts into making the interior look great, rather than dividing your funds over the exterior and interior as you would with a river home. You can use the freed up time and money you would normally use for the exterior to really make the inside of the condo look sharp.

Creating a good selling environment is all about proper utilization of the available space. As most condos are smaller than the average home, maximizing the available space is critical. It is very important to keep clutter and mess out of view, and preferably out of the condo.

Have as much information about the building and it’s management group available for your potential buyers benefit. Buyers will have more confidence about purchasing your condo when all the information is available and they know all the rules and requirements that come with living in the building.

Like any home, your river condo should be clean and staged appropriately for the sale. Make sure any architectural features that are desirable are featured prominently. Riverfront condos, especially high-rise condos have a visual/view element that can be played upon heavily.

If there is a balcony make sure that is too is organized and uncluttered. Also ask your realtor if there are any little things that you can do to improve the show quality of your condo. You never know what will catch someone’s eye, so try to cover all the bases!

Closing Thoughts

When your agent offers you any advice, remember they have your best interest in mind. It’s their job to help you get the most out of the sale at closing.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

Land with lake for sale

Dubai – O2 Residence – apartment for sale in jumeirah lake towers
Dubai Real Estate Broker. Roots Land Real Estate is your gateway to Dubai properties. We can assist you in buying, selling, investing and renting residential or commercial in Dubai & Abu Dhabi properties.  read more…

Housing marketing in Austin: Canyon Lake 1.19 acres-Land ONLY …
Asking $67500 for 1.19 acres of land only located at top of hill on Campbell Road-Canyon Lake-The Woodlands-Starzville-Southside of Lake Excellent Lot with wildlife, 2nd story Lake Views, Hill Country Views, Mature Oak Trees NO mandatory HOA … 3 adjacent properties also for sale: 1.0 acre $75000.00 1.25 acres $79000.00, and another 1.0 acre Lot for $75000.00. ALL padved roads, drive-on pro[perty. NOT on side of a hill or in a valley/flood area. EXCELLENT LOTS! …  read more…

Alabama Land for Sale: Land Owners, Think Safety
Welcome to Alabama Land For Sale! This blog is hosted by Jonathan Goode, a land agent with AlaLandCo. It is designed to be informative and helpful to buyers, sellers, and anyone interested in land in Alabama. … As I was using a brushcutter today to trim the dam on our lake, I found myself taking a risk that I know better than to attempt. It dawned on me that I very much enjoy my feet, and should not attempt such a foolish maneuver again. This incident prompted me to …  read more…

From Google Blog Search

Arlington Apartments: Seeing the City Through New Eyes
Arlington is halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth in eastern Tarrant County. It was founded in 1876 on the Texas and Pacific Railway as a market town for the surrounding farms. From the 1840s the are…  read more…

Searching for Best Real Estate Properties in Montana
Lots of open space, vast valleys, crystal clean rivers and lakes make the state of Montana one of the best places for outdoor recreation and water activities. Montana is an ideal place for living if y…  read more…

Buying Lake Land From Developers
Looking for an alternative to investing in a beach house? Tired of worrying about potential hurricanes, boarding up windows, and evacuating? Lakefront land for sale in the United States is bec…  read more…

From GoArticles.com

Grand View of Lake Gregory in Crestline!

This lot is gorgeous with mature pine trees, some beautiful boulders. Downslope lot that will have a large lake view if you cut down a few trees(per seller). View also of desertand ridgeline. Nice area of Arrowhead Highlands, close to highway 18 and …

Powered by Revver

Judge rejects plan to return land to polygamous church followers of Warren Jeffs (USA Today)
A judge on Wednesday rejected a proposed settlement that would have returned control of a state-managed land trust to followers of jailed polygamous leader Warren Jeffs.  read more…

The Smooch That Launched A Movement (GayWired.com)
(Author’s Note: Matt Aune and Derek Jones did not respond to a request for an interview.) Our story begins not with a kiss but with a phone call. Sometime in 1998, or p erhaps even earlier, then Mayor Deedee Corradini and the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gordon B. Hin c kley , enter ed into a negotiation whereby the City of Salt Lake (in the identically-named …  read more…

Injunction allows record search of Polson firm (Daily Inter Lake)
Special to the Inter Lake Probe continues into alleged Ponzi scheme involving $15 million  read more…

Powered by Yahoo! News

Sulit.com.ph - New Classified Ads in All Categories RIDGEWOOD HEIGHTS – TAGAYTAY
Posted by rjdavid via Sulit.com.ph – New Classified Ads in All Categories  

Daily Kos This Week in Congress
Posted by noetical via Daily Kos  

Daily Kos This Week in Congress
Posted by overtone via Daily Kos  

Sulit.com.ph - New Classified Ads in All Categories RIDGEWOOD HEIGHTS – TAGAYTAY
Posted by rjdavid via Sulit.com.ph – New Classified Ads in All Categories  

SacBee -- AP State News Lake above Tahoe drained for fear of dam collapse
Posted by petrbuben via SacBee — AP State News  

Sulit.com.ph - New Classified Ads in All Categories 34 HECTARES,LOT LAND ,INSIDE HIGHLAND,SUITABLE HOUSING . OVERLOOKING TAAL LAKE,TAGAYTAY
Posted by rjdavid via Sulit.com.ph – New Classified Ads in All Categories  

Dallas Real Estate News, Housing Trends, Home Prices, Home Tours, Candy Evans, DallasDirt Blog D Magazine D Sale of the Week: Lake Highlands, Secluded Living, Higher, Drier Land?
Posted by dallaslistings via Dallas Real Estate News, Housing Trends, Home Prices, Home Tours, Candy Evans, DallasDirt Blog D Magazine  

Sulit.com.ph - New Classified Ads in All Categories Tagaytay lot with lakeview of Taal
Posted by rjdavid via Sulit.com.ph – New Classified Ads in All Categories  

Recently Being Discussed on FriendFeed

Technorati Tags:

Information On Mold In The Home

Buyers have many things to evaluate when buying a home. Things like the condition of the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roof, foundation, and other building components are the top things buyers are concerned with. Mold is a silent, often unseen issue with homes that many buyers are unaware of.

There are a lot of different types of mold that can happen in a house and lead not only to structural problems, but many health concerns as well. Mold is hard to locate in many houses as it develops solely in dark and damp areas that are commonly concealed somewhere in the structural areas of the home like attics, crawl spaces and basements.

When mold becomes visible on the homes interior, it’s time to call in the professionals. It is highly likely that if the mold is visible, the structural components of the home are likely covered in mold. A professional certified in mold can treat and make the needed repairs to remove the mold from the home.

As previously stated, mold is likely to form where wet areas exist that are not well ventilated. Other sources of problems from mold happen if the interior of the home is flooded and not properly cleaned up afterwards. Busted and leaky pipes or plumbing fixtures in the kitchens and bathrooms as well as wet basements are also bog areas of concern.

When checking for mold, you should consider using a moisture meter or an infrared camera. If moisture levels of 20% or higher are found your home is considered vulnerable to mold growth.

Final Remarks

If you feel your home is home may have mold, or has had mold in the past, it would be wise to have a certified mold inspector inspect your home once a year. This proactive measure will allow you to save money on by avoiding repair costs and will help keep you family healthy.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,