Thursday, August 28, 2008

Cary Real Estate Is Different

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

When anyone decides where to buy a house, one of the most pressing concerns is the quality of the community. A Cary Realtor can help you find a home that is comfortable and safe, in other words: a great place to raise a family.



No one wants to live and raise their children in a place that is too expensive to live comfortably, has bad schools or is even dangerous. Cary real estate is also a great investment in a beautiful community that has a vibrant social scene, with a number of art fairs throughout the year. A good home in a good district represents an investment in the future of your children and few decisions about your home are as important. One of the most important issues to consider is the quality of the schools. Cary real estate has access to a number of good schools, some of which have been operating since the 1800 s. To be sure that your real estate purchase is worth its value ask a Cary Realtor.


The Wake County Public School System( WCPSS) is nationally renowned. Your Realtor is the best person to ask about finding a good school district for your children. Purchasing Cary real estate ensures you ll have a place in a rich vibrant community filled with all the benefits of a high technology city. Another consideration is the quality of the community, whether or not it is a place you ll want to live everyday. Cary, North Carolina is filled with rich cultural events like the Diwali Indian festival. When you live in Cary, you also live in a city that has made a conscious effort to remain a beautiful city, avoiding many of the problems other cities only solve by heavy urbanization.


Art and Craft fairs like Lazy Daze, community choirs and everything else you would expect in a place with the small town feel of Cary. A Cary Realtor will also tell about the great job market in Cary. Cary is now a center for medical and networking firms making an investment in Cary real estate, something that is far more likely to weather downturns in the market. The mayor and city council have pushed hard for Cary to become a center of the high technology market in the East Coast. In a stable, high income city, growing, your real estate investment means something, as your Cary Realtor will tell you. Cary real estate is different.


One problem often encountered when moving to a new city is adjustment to a new system, a new way of life, a different view out the back door. In Cary, even though it s a city composed of almost one hundred thousand people, they still refer to themselves as a town. Living on your Cary real estate, though it has all the qualities and benefits of a medium sized city, can be the same as living in a small town where everyone knows your name. The small town feel is something your Cary Realtor will explain to you, something we consciously try to maintain. To keep the sense of community we value so much, a variety of fairs and other activities are held throughout the year to bring residents together. There are excellent schools, a small town feel, and a conscious attempt to keep the town beautiful and prevent growth from removing those qualities that make it a great place to begin with. All told, anyone who is looking for a good place to raise a family should contact a Cary Realtor today.

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Each Home Has Its Own Supply Of Buyers - Colleen Tunstall's Finance and Real Estate blog:

If you could control the demand for your home, wouldn t you want to? What many home sellers don t realize is that they truly can control demand for their home with one simple factor.

To Get A Property Sold With Subsidence Problems Is Almost Impossible - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Problem properties can cause a lot of sleepless nights and as the owner, the best thing to do is to perform a quick sale. While you are dealing with such situations, increased management time and overheads also come along.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Foreclosure Listings Are Public Record And Can Be Accessed By Everyone At The Local Courthouse

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

The foreclosed home buying market is tight. Many people have learned that they can buy properties for a fraction of their value if they buy foreclosure or foreclosed properties.



And for good reason. In order to help people find such properties and further their own business, many companies have started offering a free home foreclosure listing to potential buyers. One reason why this type of foreclosure listing may not be worth the trouble is that finding distressed and foreclosed properties in your area is not that difficult to do. But these" free" guides are not always worth the hassle. Foreclosure listings are public record and can be accessed by everyone at the local courthouse. You can do all of this for no charge. You can also contact local lending institutions in your area to find out what properties they have foreclosed upon.


Granted, finding foreclosed properties on your own can take hours of research. But even with a free listing, you will have to browse through the countless national listings to find listings in your area. This may make a free home foreclosure listing look like an easier alternative. The listings might not even be up to date or accurate when you find them because many listings are generated through huge databases. A foreclosure listing that is available to everybody may not give you the competitive edge you need to find the investment opportunity or home of your dreams. Buying foreclosure properties has also become very competitive with many potential buyers vying for the same property. In most cases, you can learn of a property quicker and in more detail if you perform the work yourself.


There are some reputable ones out there. With that said, not all listings are a waste of your time. You just need to know how to find them. Since many foreclosures sell within days of being listed, an outdated list is not going to do you any good. The first thing to look at in a free home foreclosure listing are the dates that the properties were listed. Make sure that the dates are current and the listings fresh and unsold.


In many cases, these types of foreclosure listings are only offered as a way to build lists of subscribers personal information that will eventually be sold to marketers. You should also be wary of offers from broad sources that promise to give you free listings in exchange for signing up for their" free" newsletter. Most of the time the information that they give you in return is generic and useless. If the properties are not local, if they are not current, or if they do not contain accurate information, do not use the list. Once you get a listing, do not be afraid to put it to the test. The chances of finding and purchasing an ideal foreclosed property with an outdated, unspecific free home foreclosure listing are very slim.

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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COSTS - Finance and Real Estate:

People talk about running the numbers before buying an investment property, but before doing that we need to discover what are the numbers and how do you get accurate numbers.

It Has Always Been In The Interest Of The Mortgage Lenders To Make It Appear That Changing From One Mortgage Lender To Another Is Very Difficult - Fern Puryear about Finance and Real Estate:

Due to the fact that there is a huge amount of competition in the mortgage lender market, there are now several advantages to the consumer that did not exist a number of years ago.

The Glory Days Seem To Be Over As The Market Readjusts To General Softness In Home Sales - Cheri Rooney about Finance and Real Estate:

According to a recent article published in the Los Angeles Times, real estate prices are expected to drop across the board in California. The glory days seem to be over as the market readjusts to general softness in home sales.

Monday, August 25, 2008

The City Has Art Galleries

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Chesterfield is a city in Missouri, located partially in the floodplains of the Missouri River and partially above the floodplains. Many small communities in the early days combined to make the city the way it is today.



The area of the city is 37 square miles. One community was the Bellefountaine. In 1869 a post office was set up in the town. This stands for" Beautiful Spring" in French. Another community was Hog Hollow. It has its beginnings in 185Gumbo, named after the kind of the soil present was a town in the area. This region is now called Lake.


This particular soil was used to make streets. This community had a general store. In the 1870 s Monarch was formed along the rail lines. Finally there was the Bonhomme community that stands for" Good Man" in French. From humble beginnings the city is now an advanced society. This community had a post office, a saw mill, a store and a blacksmith s shop.


If you Buy a Home at Chesterfield you are located close to St. The city is home to both residential and commercial areas. Louis and along the highway. The city has horse farms and the Faust Park. The city has art galleries. Along with a playground the park also has a historical village and a walking trail. We also have good hotels.


All this helps to make the city popular as a tourist destination. The city has a nice community theater. The business in the region is developing at a rapid pace. Research centers and manufacturing firms have been established in the city. The city has around 2000 businesses including the offices of Fortune 500 corporations. Many small businesses have a presence here. There is plenty of open green space and hills with woods.


For leisure the city has county parks. When you Buy a Home at Chesterfield you have a wide variety of architecture to choose from for your luxury home. For those who are retired there are facilities for care like nursing. The quality of life in the neighborhood is high and the facilities available include swimming pools, club houses and, tennis courts walking trails. The infrastructure for education includes public and private schools. There are nearby churches as well. Education up to the university level is available.


The city has ample medical resources. Luke s hospital located here runs on a not for profit basis. The St. This hospital is one of America s best and has been functional from 197All kind of residential care is available for the residents of the town and medical facilities for children are of the highest standard. The city has a great recycling program. From the point of view of security the city is very safe.


All the utilities and infrastructure required for business and residential purposes are present. If you are looking at life in a beautiful and progressive city you might like to Buy a Home at Chesterfield in Missouri.

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Welcome To DeLand - Vanessa Angelini's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Are you searching for a great community in which to build your new Florida home? Also known as" The Athens of Florida" , Deland combines Old Southern charm with progressive city planning in a welcoming Central Florida community of 60, 000 residents.

This Process Means You Have Been Approved For A Specific Loan Amount On A Home - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Buying a home is a huge investment so you don t want to commit yourself to it without doing your homework. Money generally talks though so taking the time to get your loan pre- approved means the seller will be more likely to accept your offer.

Make Sure There S No Pre- Payment Penalty - April Fennelly's Finance and Real Estate blog:

A Bi- Weekly Mortgage can save big money!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Touring Black Mountain

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

The North Carolina Mountains have attracted tourists for decades, but are now attracting would- be homebuyers more than ever. One area in particular that offers plenty of prime Western North Carolina real estate is Black Mountain.



Those considering relocation to the mountains and those seeking Western North Carolina real estate are often enticed by the state s natural beauty and acres of green land just waiting to be claimed. Black Mountain and the surrounding area feature many lots for sale, Asheville just moments away, and a variety of real estate settings for new home construction. Some enjoy owning a second vacation home at Black Mountain while others move there permanently. There are also many styles of mountain homes to fit every family s needs. Touring Black Mountain. Residents get the benefit of tourist attractions so there s never a boring moment.


Though the calm, quiet mountain setting is why many homebuyers relocate to Black Mountain, the area offers many attractions and events that make life more enjoyable for everyone. For the nature adventurer, Black Mountain offers great hiking and biking with scenic trails at almost every corner. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just minutes up the road and offers scenic driving, nature areas for, picnic areas hiking or exploring, and much more. It s not uncommon to hap upon a waterfall, or even deer, creek! Black Mountain also has a fantastic 18- hole golf course for the avid golfer. They can stroll downtown and enjoy the numerous gift shops, craft stores, galleries, and the old- fashioned general store.


Those wanting to relax can enjoy a nighttime stroll at Lake Tomahawk in the city park. Dining in Black Mountain has never been better with delicious entrees offered by a number of restaurants such as Black Mountain Bistro, Perry s BBQ, Tong Sing Restaurant, The Cellar Door, Pepper s Deli, Olympic Flame Restaurant, Coach House Seafood, Little Taste of Europe, Highland Grill& Oyster Bar, and many others. Black Mountain is near Asheville, NC so it s just a quick drive to enjoy all that Asheville has to offer. There are also pizza houses, and mouth, ice cream parlors- watering goodies at the local bakeries. There s the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, a gorgeous French mansion with more than 250 rooms to explore. Only 30 minutes away is the scenic Chimney Rock Park, an amazing rock peak with plenty of hiking trails and forests below for the nature lover.


Asheville also offers galleries and stores along the Urban Trail. Black Mountain Festivals. Black Mountain Relocation. Black Mountain hosts a number of festivals throughout the year such as the Great Southeastern Hiking Festival, the annual Sourwood Festival, and holiday festivals including the Pumpkin Festival, and the Circle, the Christmas Parade of Lights. Western North Carolina real estate is readily available in Black Mountain for those considering a move to the area. Those who are thinking of moving to Black Mountain can search land for sale, Black Mountain real estate, and Asheville real estate easily on the Web to discover their new dream mountain home. Black Mountain offers its residents mountain seclusion and tranquility for their homes with a nearby small town for shopping and meeting neighborhood friends.

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Now, You Don T Have Any Reason Not To Enjoy Living In Mexico - Milagros Parson's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Before you decide to make any Real Estate Investment in Mexico, there are few important things you need to take care of. Foreigners interested in buying Real Estate in Mexico have to understand that they can acquire rights over real estate investments in Mexico- both in the coastal and in the border zones through a trust, which is a legal instrument very similar to those commonly used in the United States of America.

Can You Speak Spanish - Sabrina Marak about Finance and Real Estate:

Can you speak Spanish? Hablas Espanol?

You Simply Cannot Dilly- Dally When Making An Offer On A Home - Finance and Real Estate:

You have spent time shopping around the Tampa real estate market looking for the perfect home.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

The Stock Market

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

During the last couple of weeks the Dow Jones industrial average has tanked to the tune of over 1, 000 points.



Can a tight mortgage market shoot down the whole economy, or is this issue being overblown? Many analysts reason this abrupt market downturn has been caused by a sudden increase in sub prime lending defaults. The Real Estate Bubble. During the last few years, the accelerated increase in real estate prices has been seen as unsustainable. The real estate market has had an enormous run up over the last 14 years. Many have referred to this unsustainable increase as" the real estate bubble. " Most of us who have followed the real estate trend concluded that since no financial market can continue straight up forever, this real estate bubble would someday burst.


Sub Prime Lenders Loans. Well, it looks like the real estate bubble has at long last burst. What made this particular real estate downturn so inevitable was some of the peculiar, and reckless mortgages that sub prime lenders made in the last few years. One type of reckless loan pushed by these lenders was the negative amortization mortgage. These reckless loans helped stoke the hot real estate market, but they were more prone to default than regular mortgages. With a negative amortization mortgage, a borrower gets to pay very low monthly payments for the first few years of his mortgage. Of course, most people are unable to pay this new increased payment and when they are unable to refinance or sell their houses, they default.


After the first few years, the monthly payments skyrocket to maybe 2, 3, 4 or 5 times their original, very low amount. When people start to default on their mortgages in large numbers, lenders who originated these mortgages namely sub prime lenders will be hurt financially. The Stock Market. In other words, negative amortization mortgages have come home to roost right on top of the foolish lenders who approved them! The stock market is prone to dips and sell- offs when talk of terrible financial situations abound. However in reality, it looks like economic conditions haven t changed much. The sub prime lender debacle has caused such talk.


Nothing has happened to our inflation rate, in fact, it s getting better. Interest rates are, trending downward, actually. There has been no recent increase in unemployment, and certainly the growth in the USA remains very strong. On top of these conditions, 94% of all mortgages are not in trouble. The Federal Reserve s Response. It s as if there is a black cloud hovering above the market and when news reporters look toward this cloud, all they seem to be able to find is the sub prime lender fiasco. At first, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, responded to the sub prime lender problem by doing nothing.


After a wild ride for the last several sessions, the Fed lowered, however the rate one- half percent on Friday, August 1 Note that lowering the discount rate doesn t always initiate a stock market rally. With the economy continuing to expand and inflation under control, usually the Fed doesn t move on the discount rate. Sometimes this move is seen as inflationary and the market reacts negatively. At first glance, you would think the market s response to the rate being lowered was emphatically positive because there was a 233- point upward move in the Dow Jones Average on Friday. So, it s hard to know for sure, where this move will lead us. However, the Dow rose, remember over 300 points on late Thursday which was before the Fed moved.


Housing slumps can certainly portend to a stock market slump. The Housing Market. When houses stop selling, there is no longer a need to build them. When the unemployment rate goes up and one segment of the economy stops making a profit, it can weigh heavily on the stock market. This puts many construction workers out of work and many construction companies in the red. So, We re Entering Into a Bear Market, Right?


It could be, with sub prime lenders out of business, mortgages may become more difficult to come by and that will add to the many reasons the housing market will stagnate for a while. It may turn out there is a bear stock market looming, but I don t believe the bull market has ended just yet. Given enough time, a slow housing market could slow the stock market. However, what s happening right now in the sub prime lender market is not cause for major concern.

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The Owner Let S The Lender Proceed With The Foreclosure - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

- "The Negotiation Process That Will Get The Seller s Signature With Your Numbers And Terms. "By Marko RubelIt is crucial to you as a foreclosure investor to fully understand all the options and alternatives that are available to owners in foreclosure and the consequences of each. Reinstatement.

A" Cool" Market Will Heat Up - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

People always ask me if this is a good time to buy real estate.

Buying Properties Such As A Mallorca Country House Is Extremely Popular Especially Among Retired Couples Who Find Spain A Great Place To Live - Melody Silvis's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Spanish authorities have declared that more than 140, 000 people from UK alone are living in Spain, with the vast majority owning Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Mallorca properties. Truth be told, who can resist beautiful beaches, sun throughout the year and one of the lowest costs of living in Europe?

Thursday, August 21, 2008

And Lastly, There Are True Personal Hardships That Resulted In Foreclosure

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

There are solutions for the subprime lending crisis that entail making changes to the way lenders are handling this crisis.



First, there is the homeowner who got a" teaser interest rate" that was affordable at the time but became unaffordable when the interest rate adjusted. There are distinct groups of individuals that are causing this foreclosure epidemic. In addition to the teaser interest rates, lenders started a policy of" no documentation of income" or no- doc loans that did not require borrowers to show proof of their income and are now referred to as" liar s loans" . Next, there are individuals that purposely chose low- interest rate, and even negative, interest only amortization( neg- am) loans with the intent of flipping the property after one or two years and taking a huge capital gain. The problem was that homeowners couldn t afford the payment if there were any increases due to taxes, or an interest, insurance rate adjustment. In the past few years, these" speculators" became trapped, either unable to sell or renting them with negative cash flows.


Another typical foreclosure involved a homeowner cleverly refinancing his property but never making a payment and in effect selling his home to the lender, by taking out his equity on the refinance. The most viable option for these investors was to give the property back to the lender by foreclosure rather than bleeding monetarily every month. There is a lingering question about whether these homeowners had" intent" to defraud the lenders, but that is better left to another discussion. Our estimates are that 95% of these homeowners want to keep their homes but are unable to reinstate the back payments. And lastly, there are true personal hardships that resulted in foreclosure. Lending institutions can resolve many of these foreclosure issues by: Having counselors available to work with the homeowner for a. solution. If the borrower is an investor who can no longer afford the loan, the. lender should get a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or a loan modification that is workable for both the lender and the investor which would be paid when the property was sold or refinanced.


Possible solutions include loan modification( putting the late payments and costs on the end of their loan, accepting partial payments of the amount due until paid, reducing the interest rate adjustment( s) , freezing the interest rate for the term of the loan, getting a deed in lieu of foreclosure in exchange for giving the homeowner a credit for a rental truck when they vacate, accepting partial mortgage payments for a limited time, assistance with applying for and getting government assistance including grants that could reduce the loan, and doing financial planning and credit counseling. If a homeowner refinanced and never made a payment, the lender should request a deed in lieu of foreclosure and if the homeowner refuses, the lender should get a judgment after the foreclosure auction and collect this judgment. True hardship cases should be handled on an individual basis with the interest of the borrower in mind. If fraud is suspected, the case should be pursued by local authorities for prosecution. Loan modification and any other reasonable offers of help should be used to help resolve the problem. While certain banking regulations preclude some of these solutions Congress. and the Federal Reserve must quickly realize the nature of this crisis and its resemblance to the former Savings and Loan crisis.


If a solution is impossible, a deed in lieu of foreclosure should be requested with a minimal compensation for moving expenses. Immediate action should be taken before it becomes expensive for every taxpayer. Now is the time to take more aggressive action before hundreds of thousands of homeowners find themselves no longer owning a home or even homeless. To their credit, a number of insightful lenders have already taken steps to have counseling staffs on hand and work with homeowners.

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What A Great Way To Plan For College - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

With the average cost of college level education rising approximately 6% every year, what is the best way to have the money for college exepnses when you need it? In fact, only 40% of students graduate in four( 4) years.

A Loan Modification Program Was The Most Common Method Of Foreclosure Resolution For Many Years - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Three common solutions for foreclosure are loan reinstatement, or a loan, a forbearance agreement modification. Loan reinstatement is where a lender has started the foreclosure process and the homeowner finds a way to" reinstate" or pay back the entire deficiency owed.

Not Every Cyprus Property Investment Can Be Considered As A Safe Bet - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Foreign property investment is an issue that remains of great interest to investors who are looking to buy second homes or even properties in order to assure an extra rental or reselling income. This trend remains quite strong when it comes to overseas property because this investment is mainly regarded as a less risky process.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Every Home Is Unique

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

You ve probably heard that real estate professionals establish home prices based on the sales prices of comparable properties in the immediate area.



Generally, the agent locates comparable properties with about the same square footage within a few blocks of your home. Real estate agents have access to computerized databases that list the size, amenities and selling, features prices of every property in the country for decades. The comparable properties need to have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and usually have similar features. That s true. Your home s price is based on the selling price of those properties. But of course, it s more complex than that.


Even in an entire subdivision of nearly identical homes designed and built by one company, the homes will have differences in amenities and features. Every home is unique. Some are more expensive options that the homebuyer added on during construction, like granite countertops or whirlpool tubs. The art of home pricing comes into play in knowing what value to assign different amenities. Other amenities may have been added later, like built- in shelves, a sunroom or a hot tub. Keep in mind that almost every home has some amenities, but not all amenities are equally valuable.


Full attics with ceilings over 7 ft. , and full, dry basements with good light are amenities that add value to a home, even if they have not been finished. In general, upgrades to kitchens and baths increase the home value more than other add- ones such as a fireplace, skylight or wood floors. They provide the potential for expanding the living space. Some built- in cabinets and shelves add value to a home, while others can be a drawback. On the other hand, a damp basement prone to mildew or an attic with supports every few feet, adds little to the home value. When choosing customized cabinetry, always keep in mind that the next owner may have very different tastes.


The value of amenities can also vary according to location. You may love the ebony entertainment center and purple shag carpet, but that doesn t mean it will significantly add to your home s value. Take an in- ground swimming pool, for example. In some more exclusive neighborhoods in warm climates like Arizona and California, a pool is an expected feature. In many parts of the south and west, a quality in- ground swimming pool on an appropriate- sized lot can add$ 10, 000 or more to a home s value. In those areas, a home without a pool would be worth less than average in the neighborhood. In the upper Midwest, outdoor pools are prone to leaks and mechanical problems due to repeated freezing and thawing.


In other areas of the country, a pool may, however actually decrease the selling price of a home. At best, a pool can be used for two or three months of the year. Taking the time to objectively assess your home s amenities, and consulting an expert, will give you the most accurate picture of your home s true value. In those areas, many homebuyers are reluctant to pay more for a feature that may need costly repairs.

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How Does A Foreclosure Effect Your Credit Report Is A Perplexing Question - Ina Mclaurin about Finance and Real Estate:

How does a foreclosure effect your credit report is a perplexing question. What complicates the issue even further is that all the credit information reported is calculated into the individuals credit score as it occurs.

Every Year, Thousands Of People Inherit Property That They Don T Want - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

While relocation is on the list of the most stressful things a person can do, you will find that needing to move in a hurry can move it right to the top of the list! A real estate investor, someone who buys property with the specific intention of reselling it a profit might be one of the best options available to you.

Located A Short Distance From Downtown San Diego - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Located on the south western corner of the United States San Diego is often called America s finest city .

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

It Is Important To Seek A Copy Of The Bylaws For Determining Whether You Can Live Within Them

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

It could be that you have contemplated buying condos in the hot Alberta real estate market of the day. However, regardless of whether the Realtor provides you with all the necessary help and guidance and informs you about the quintessential things about condominiums you can proceed to verify from the condo board the following important things- - The percentage of units that are owner- occupied and tenant- occupied- Getting ascertained about the respective percentages of owner- occupied units and tenant- occupied units helps.



You need to approach a Realtor for helping you out in your endeavor. Usually, the units will be more marketable if there are a greater percentage of owner- occupied units. In case of purchase of an investment property the condo board may be more sympathetic towards investor issues if there is a higher tenant ratio. - The covenants, bylaws and restrictions governing the property and the grandfather clauses in place- There can be the legal provision that buyers who purchase a property after a certain date cannot rent out their units while those who have bought at some date prior to that can do so. However, the marketability is dependent on the purpose of the condo. It is important to seek a copy of the bylaws for determining whether you can live within them. Now, for finding out whether the assessment is reasonable the rates are to be compared to others in the area. - Whether the assessment covers common area maintenance, trash collection, recreational facilities, snow removal etc. - The special assessments that have been mandated in the past five years and to what extent were each owner responsible for them. - The amount of turnover occurring in the building. - Whether the project is in litigation and for what reason. - The reputation of the developer. - Whether multiple associations are involved in the property. The attorney can on your behalf review the property documents including the master deed. - The amount that the association keeps in reserve and the manner in which that money is utilized and whether there is any reserve fund study carried out. - Whether the associations assessments are keeping pace with the annual rate of inflation- The boards that are capable enough raise assessments by a certain percentage every year for building up reserves to fund future repairs.


By getting to know about these you will be in a position to determine how responsive and organized the board members are. You will be helped thus in taking a wise decision regarding the purchase of the condo.

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Vote When The Time Comes To Improve Your Area - Finance and Real Estate:

Gentrification comes from the root of the word for gentleness , which isn t quite what we think of when we imagine ripping down quaint old homes and displacing lower income families.

The Fiscal Representative Must Be Resident In Spain - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Spain s pleasant, healthy climate and wide selection of properties make it the most popular destination for an overseas property. Residency.

In Summary, I Am Not Saying You Have To Buy In A Bad Neighborhood - Finance and Real Estate:

When people call me, typically one of the first requests they make is for a house in a" nice" neighborhood. But there are some benefits to buying real estate in the rough part of town or on the wrong side of the tracks.

Monday, August 18, 2008

I Immediately Put The House On The Market

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Early in my career as a real estate investor, I got a call from a really nice family about to lose their home to foreclosure. On the inside, the house was, though very unusual.



Located in the suburbs, the house looked pretty much like every other house in the middle- income neighborhood on the outside. You see, the husband and wife were theater majors in college and they remodeled the lower level of their home to look like the set of a movie. The playroom looked like the set of Home Alone. The home gym looked like the set of Million Dollar Baby. And the home theater( with seating for six and a big screen TV) was painted entirely black, walls, floor, and ceiling. The two- car garage was fully carpeted because the youngest children liked to play there during the day. The parents home- schooled all four children, so the lower level also housed a study room with computers and desks.


The house was a full time home, gym and theater, school for this family. But sadly, they missed a couple of mortgage payments and found it impossible to catch up. The parents thought they would live there forever- or at least until the last of their children moved away. They called me in hopes of selling their house fast so they could save their credit. Close to the public schools, it was a quiet neighborhood with lots of green space. When I did my due diligence, I learned that homes in this neighborhood did not stay on the market long.


Add to that: the neighborhood homeowners association often held potluck dinners and street parties and were the envy of the surrounding community. I thought. What could be better? A great one- of- a- kind house in a great neighborhood at a great price. I immediately put the house on the market. I bought the house with about 20% equity, no money out of my pocket, and cash back at closing. At the time I thought the uniqueness of the property would be a great selling point.


Boy, was I wrong. I thought it would stand out as" one of a kind" and families would fight to live there. Most people who looked at the house thought the unique features of the lower level were just plain weird. But no one else seemed to see the beauty of it. I marketed the house specifically to families with children who I thought would love the spacious gym, the home theater, the play room, and the study rooms as much as the family who had put so much of their personal stamp on them. Only the strangeness of it. I watched my profit dwindle drastically over six months while paying holding costs, and lawn care, utilities.


The house sat on the market five months without a decent offer. Then I made a hard decision. I watched even more of my profit evaporate. I hired a remodeler to transform the lower level into an ordinary looking basement with smooth white walls, dropped ceilings and beige carpet. But I quickly found a buyer. Everyone can imagine living in an ordinary house. Lesson to be learned: Three bedroom, bread, two bath- and- butter houses are the best investment properties for a reason.


Not everyone can see themselves living in a really unique one.