Posts Tagged ‘Quality Of Life’

When buying vacation homes overseas there are a number of points to consider and here we will look at the basics.

If you have already have an idea of where you will buy your vacation home overseas or you are just deciding where you should, the tips below will help smooth the buying process.

You vacation home overseas can provide you with a holiday home, valuable rental income and also an appreciating asset that could make you wealthy so lets look at how to buy your perfect vacation home.

1) Research Your Location Before Buying

You need to do research and this means visiting and getting a feel for the area you wish to buy your vacation home in and find out exactly what its like to be there. Once you have done this you need to research the following in relation to your real estate purchase

1. foreign ownership of real estate rules,

2. property taxes,

3. Stability of country and political considerations

4. Investment and rental potential

5. The overall quality of life you need to visit for a few days at least!

2) Get Assistance

Finding a realtor able to assist with your search for the perfect vacation home could save you time, effort and money in the long run.

Most realtors make commission from sales so keep this in mind when buying real estate in a country abroad be careful as many don’t have to be licensed and anyone can call themselves a realtor but get a good one and its money well spent.

A local agent will understand their property market in depth and will help you buy the vacation property that suits you and relieve you of a lot of work.

3) The Rate Of Exchange

When buying overseas keep an eye on the exchange rates that can go for or against you. Exchange rates vary all the time and can have a significant impact on what you can afford

4) Legalities

Legal considerations vary as do land registry systems. In many countries title deed transfers are not registered which can make it difficult to prove you won the property. Get a lawyer. Like a good realtor its money well spent. Legal matters are complicated in many countries so don’t try and do it yourself – get an expert on your side.

5) Protecting & managing your home

Have a local management company look after your home. They can ensure the property is safe and if you wish to rent your vacation home when you are not their they can advise.

With your vacation home overseas it’s a good idea to rent as properties left by themselves can be a temptation to squatters or thieves. Make you sure you have insurance and that your property is looked after.
6. Why Are you buying?

If you have a favorite area for your vacation home overseas fair enough, if you are still looking you may want to pick a country where capital appreciation on your vacation home can make it a valuable asset. You get to enjoy your vacation home and make somec capital growth as well!

A Popular destination

A popular destination for many years has been Costa Rica for buying overseas vacation homes and this country just 3 hours direct flight form the US has it all.

It’s a beautiful, stable, peaceful, friendly country.

With fantastic nightlife and adventure sports, it offers same rights as residents on purchase, is 70% cheaper than the southern US states such as Florida and offers huge capital growth potential as well as good rental income!

If you are considering buying a vacation home overseas then consider Costa Rica.

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For more info on all aspects of investing in overseas real estate visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html

Author: Sacha Tarkovsky
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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As 2009 enters its fourth quarter, many people are asking “Should I buy a house now or wait?”  The National Association of Realtors is running advertising right now asking the question, “Why are you sitting on the fence?” For the cynical out there, you may think that this is a shameless way for the Real Estate industry to drum up business. After a few lean years real estate agents are hungry for a sale, you may think. But still you ask, should I buy a house now or wait? 

Well, while it may be true that some agents have dropped a few pounds and have had to tighten their belts just like everyone else, the good agents are keenly aware of the great deals that are out there. They are the ones to turn to help you determine should you buy house now. They are on the phone, sending emails, and educating their clients about what is happening in the industry and in the real estate market.  

There are fantastic deals available, and the smart money is investing in these deals as a way to expand their wealth base and take advantage of the opportunities right now, while others are still sitting on the fence. So when you think about should I buy a house now or wait, think about what adding a well-priced home to your financial portfolio will mean to the future wealth of your family.  

Is this the bottom of the real estate market? Many want an assurance of this before they decide should I buy a house now or wait. Well, nobody knows for certain, and pundits on both sides of the issue make a strong case for whether or not we have seen the bottom. While it’s interesting to hear what “they” have to say, at the end of the day it is your family’s financial well being and quality of life that should determine should you buy house now. Most often, the bottoms are not recognized until we are well on our way back up and many opportunities are missed.  

Affordability: Across the nation for various reasons, prices have declined. The counties that experienced the greatest increases in prices are now experiencing drops in prices which are starting to look like great buying opportunities. So ask yourself, “Should I buy a house now or wait until things are less affordable?”  

Low Interest Rates: True, lending standards have tightened up; however, there are still loans to be made. Buyers are taking advantage of conforming and FHA loans where rates can still be found in the 5% interest range. With FHA financing available in the Orange County area, the increased loan limit of $729,750 is looking especially attractive. Even borrowers with a credit score as low as 580 can consider a home purchase in today’s market. It is best to talk to your lender or mortgage broker to get the most recent information on the loans available to you. So ask yourself, “Should I buy a house now or wait until interest rates increase?”  

Government Incentives: Don’t miss out on this one. Many homeowners have claimed that it is the $8000 tax credit offered for 2009 that prompted them to take the step into home ownership. This tax credit expires December 1, 2009 so don’t wait if you want to qualify for this benefit. So ask yourself, “Should I buy a house now or wait until the tax credit expires?”  

Mortgage Protection Programs: For those that may be concerned with the viability of their employment, there could be a program to assist with your mortgage payment if you become unemployed. The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) offers the Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program [http://www.lagunabeachrealestatemarketblog.com/2009/10/02/should-you-buy-a-house-now-or-wait] for first time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs. There has also been mention of some lenders that are offering similar programs so be sure to ask your loan specialist about this option. Also, another insurance program that has always been available is through disability insurance which applies if you become disabled. Be sure to check out all your insurance and “safety net” options so that you can weather out the storm of any unforeseen event. So ask yourself, “Should I buy a house now or wait until my job situation changes?”  

Choosing to live the life you want in an area you choose: Do you love your neighborhood, your school district, your commute, your view, your community, the size and “feel” of your house? If you cannot answer with a strong “Yes!” to any of these questions, then now may be the perfect time to step up and live the life you’ve always dreamed of. For the coastal communities of Orange County and Laguna Beach, that means waking up to the smell of the ocean and cool ocean breezes; a year-long temperate climate; great restaurants, entertainment and schools; a short drive or walk to the beach to surf or sun. It’s a lifestyle choice…is it yours? Ask yourself, “Should I buy a house now or wait until I’m ready for the retirement home?”  

Ready to get the latest information on market trends? Getting the right information on the housing tax credit and market trends from a Real Estate Expert that has in-depth knowledge of the Laguna Beach Real Estate Market and the South Orange County Real Estate Market, as well as the integrity to put your interests first is important. Hillary Caston is such as agent. Her no-nonsense style and exceptional negotiating skills have earned her the reputation of the “go to” person for intelligent real estate advice. Visit her site at: http://www.TheCoastalPropertyExperts.com to see all the latest available properties.

Author: Hillary Caston
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Since launching the Home Buying Institute website back in 2005, I’ve received quite a few home-buying questions by email. As you might imagine, many of these questions came from first-time home buyers who are new to the process of buying a home.

I thought it would be beneficial to home buyers everywhere if I selected five of the most common home-buying questions I receive, and explored them in an article such as this. I’ve also listed the corresponding areas of HomeBuyingInstitute.com that cover these topics in more detail.

So here we go with five common questions when buying a home:

1. How do I find out my price range?

Determining a price range should be one of your first steps when buying a home. When you know how much you can comfortably afford each month, you’ll save time during the house hunting process by only visiting properties within your price range.

To determine your price range, sit down and compare your monthly income to your monthly expenses (savings, credit card payments, car payment, quality of life, etc.). How much is left? Your monthly mortgage should be less than this amount. Now you can use an online mortgage calculator to break each sale price down to a monthly amount, and determine if that amount is inside or outside your comfort zone.

Section of Home Buying Institute: “Self Assessment”

2. Do I need a real estate agent?

Here’s the short answer … yes! If you are buying a first home, you should have a real estate agent. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you will ever make, so it’s always wise to have professional help.

Your agent will help you find homes that match your price range and desired features. He or she will also help you validate the asking process (next item), write up the purchase offer, help you negotiate with the seller, and guide you through the rest of the home buying process.

Section of Home Buying Institute: “Finding an Agent”

3. How do I research the asking price?

The first thing to realize here is that it’s called an “asking price” for a reason. The price set by the seller is never set in stone. It’s what they are asking for, and you are free to make a counter-offer is you see fit. Your real estate agent will help you validate the asking price by looking at comparable, recent sales in the area. This will tell you if the asking price is reasonable or over-priced, based on current marketing conditions.

Section of Home Buying Institute: “Process Overview” and “What to Avoid”

4. Which type of mortgage loan should I choose?

This question always presents a catch-22 for me. On one hand, I enjoy helping people by answering their home buying questions. On the other hand, I don’t dare make a decision like this on behalf of a stranger. It’s too important a decision for me to make for somebody else.

With that disclaimer out of the way, here’s how you can choose the best type of mortgage loan for your situation. First, do some research on the basic types of home loans — fixed rate, adjustable rate (ARM), balloon loan, etc. When researching the different mortgage types, pay attention to paragraphs that begin with: “This type of mortgage might be best for you if…” Generally, this type of statement is followed by a series of pros and cons that will explain the type of home buyer who might choose that option.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re going to be in the home for quite a while (five years or more), it’s probably a good idea to choose a fixed-rate mortgage. On the other hand, if you think you’ll only be in the home for two or three years, you might want to choose an adjustable-rate mortgage to save money during your short time of ownership.

Section of Home Buying Institute: “Types of Mortgages”

5. What happens at the real estate closing?

Basically, the real estate closing (also known as a “settlement”) is when property ownership transfers from seller to buyer. All remaining fees will be paid as well, and these are known as closing costs. The seller gets their portion of the payment (minus what they still owe on the mortgage), and the deed is transferred to reflect the new owner.

As a home buyer, the best you can do is save more money than you think you’ll need at closing, just to be safe. You should also make sure you receive a HUD-1 statement (or “settlement statement”) at least one day prior to the closing date. This document gives you an itemized list of the costs you’ll be expected to pay at closing. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires that the closing / escrow agent provide this document at least one day before the real estate closing.

Section of Home Buying Institute: “Closing / Settlement”

* You may republish this article online if you retain the author’s byline and the active hyperlinks below. Copyright 2007, Brandon Cornett.

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Brandon Cornett is the publisher of Home Buying Institute, a library of home buying advice and articles. If you have additional questions about buying a home, be sure to visit http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com

Author: Brandon Cornett
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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