Posts Tagged ‘real estate broker’

Investment Real Estate, First Things First

Considering investing in property? What are some pertinent things to consider before taking this leap? Of all the investment possibilities, investment in land generally produces the most positive results. It is vital, however, to carefully investigate the pros and cons, benefits and deficits of real estate investment. Most people look at investment real estate as risky and feel woefully inadequate to tackle this form of investing. They feel lost, not knowing where to even begin!

A multitude of information is available and knowing how to search can seem daunting. A web site search will produce boatloads of information, some valuable and some not. Some key words to search are real estate investment, investment property, and investing in real estate. This will begin the process for you. Not all available information is worth your time, however. Beware when the site promises high return for little down. Also beware of sites whose main goal is to solicit your money. Web searching is one form of research. Another is talking to a reputable real estate broker or real estate lawyer. One of the best sources of information is a friend you trust who has done real estate investing. A trustworthy friend who started as a novice and progressed to real investing is probably your best source of reliable information. Their voice of experience rings the loudest since they are a layman like you who had to discover for themselves each step of the way how to make successful investments.

Investment Real Estate, Rental Units

Let’s look at some sound reasons for investing in real estate. Real estate generally appreciates at a greater rate than the rate of inflation and offers great tax benefits. Selecting real estate in a desirable location will prove to be profitable especially in burgeoning areas, usually in suburbs which are a reasonable commute to city jobs. Of course the old adage, location, location, location is a very pertinent piece of advice to take to heart. Think of the most expensive housing markets today. If you have lived in an expensive housing market, or have visited there, you will notice that along with exquisite homes offered for sale at exorbitant rates, small, older homes you would never consider buying in another market are being offered for huge dollars. Why? Location, of course. When a housing area becomes desirable, even those small dumpy homes will sell for a considerable amount of money. Let’s stop for a moment and look at the advantages of investing in rental units as opposed to purchasing property for resale. One of the largest factors to consider in purchasing property for resale is finding properties that will resell at a higher rate than purchase, of course. Finding these properties is not as easy today as it may have been in the past. It used to be that fixer-uppers and foreclosures were avoided by homeowners and investors alike. Not so today, those same homes are being feverishly snatched up in the current booming housing markets.

Florida Investment Real Estate – Why Florida Is a Good Choice

Finding homes to purchase and turn over quickly for cash is becoming more and more difficult, leading many to consider purchasing property for the purpose of renting. What are some advantages to renting and what locations would be most desirable for purchase with a rental goal in mind? Owning rental property provides some unique advantages. If you have the time as well as the finances to invest, rental property could end up paying for itself in the long term. In order for this to be true, the most important thing to search for is property in a great location for renters. You don’t want to be searching for renters for months on end while you are being drained of capital. Those mortgage payments never stop, even when the list of renters has been exhausted. Buying rental investment property in a college town is a good bet for the possibility of continual renters and also buying in transient areas and tourist areas. Of all the above, tourist areas tend to be your surest source of consistent renters. Numerous high density tourist areas exist across the nation, but one of your best bets for purchase and consistent renters would be a sun-drenched spot with a year-round temperate climate. California and Texas would fit the bill, but as we all know, the most desirable locations in California may be out of reach due to the high cost. Texas may be considered a good choice, but only one state ranks as the premier tourist destination in the world and that would be Florida, the sunshine state.

Florida Investment Real Estate – The Orlando Area

With Florida’s burgeoning population, Florida investment real estate is a great option. Florida ranks 4th in population behind California, Texas and New York. Florida has one of the fastest rates of growth in the nation, making Florida investment real estate a very attractive option for investors. In the 1990′s, Florida grew by 23.5 percent with five counties increasing by more than 60 percent. Projected state growth would bring the population to over 19 million by 2010. An increasingly higher population obviously increases the need for housing. The increasing resident population being a great reason to pursue Florida investment real estate; let’s not neglect another face of increasing housing need. Florida has a tourism rate of almost 77 million visitors in 2004, making it the top travel destination in the world and producing $57 billion of income. Tourists flock to all parts of Florida, the beaches being one of the most attractive destinations. However, Orlando pulls in the most visitors, with 2.6 million international travelers, not including the steady stream of domestic tourists. This alone would offer sufficient reason to purchase rental property. But considering that the grand total of tourists visiting Orlando in 2004 was 48 million people, what great housing investment potential for investors! The biggest drawing card in the Orlando area is, of course, Walt Disney World. The area surrounding Disney has a hotel rate occupancy of about 80 percent. It’s obvious why the Orlando area is considered one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the world.

Florida Investment Real Estate – What are Reasons Tourists Come to the Orlando Area

Owning Florida investment real estate will give vacationers who visit the Orlando area a place to stay while you collect the rent. Theme park attractions are one of the biggest reasons Orlando has become a #1 tourist destination. The three most popular are Disney, which includes Disney World, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios, Sea World and Universal. Each attraction holds an appeal for people of all ages with families and singles alike enjoying each. Kissimmee is the town closest to Disney where families especially enjoy a few of the more laid back sights including Green Meadows Farm. Green Meadows is in an idyllic country setting with tours of the farm and more than 300 farm animals to touch and see. Also in the Kissimmee area is Horse World Riding Stables. The 750 acres of open pasture beckons horse lovers to enjoy a ride beneath the open sky. The Orlando Science Center beckons science buffs both young and old. Learning happens as a by-product here through the realistic, interactive and just plain fun exhibits. Fabulous night life is to be found both in Kissimmee which boasts two very popular dinner attractions, Medieval Times and Arabian Nights. Both serve delectable large portions of food with fabulous jousting and medieval type entertainment. For the shopper, Shopping and dining abound in the Orlando area also as do all sorts of natural environmental experiences.

Real Estate Investment in Florida – Bimini Bay Resort Florida

A well-kept secret but one located just 5 miles from Disney, in the center of Florida is Davenport, a treasure of a town close to the major attractions, yet a world away. On 80 acres of land in the Davenport area, you will find Bimini Bay Resort, Florida. A grand investment opportunity awaits you at Bimini Bay Resort, Florida where the investor participates in property appreciation but is not affected by negative cash flow during the off season. At Bimini Bay Resort, Florida you will find a planned community of luxurious town homes, offering 3 bedroom two baths that are fully furnished and equipped. Bimini Bay Resort, Florida is unique in that the investor can stay in the purchased unit while on vacation for a minimum fee while renting the unit the rest of the year. Management staff at Bimini Bay Resort finds the renters while you enjoy a guaranteed rental income each month. Planned amenities at Bimini Bay Resort include two major restaurants, a grocery, deli and food court and a sports bar restaurant. Bimini Bay Resort will also include a spa and exercise facility. A large business conference center and twin theaters are also planned at Bimini Bay Resort. Peace of mind will be yours at Bimini Bay Resort with its gated access with security cards. A fantastic real estate investment in Florida at Bimini Bay Resort awaits the investor who desires a consistent income without the headaches of day-to-day management. Bimini Bay Resort is worth investigating.

Our Featured Orlando Properties: You have an opportunity to join one of the fastest growing trends in the United States and the world. Orlando is one of the most explosive markets in the country and the Disney resort area has an average hotel occupancy of around 80%. Orlando is known as the vacation capital of the world and the top rated short term rental market, one that shows tremendous potential for real investors.

Tourism – with 76.8 million visitors in 2004 (a record number), Florida is the top travel destination in the world. The tourism industry has an economic impact of $57 billion on Florida’s economy. Click here for additional tourism facts and statistics.

City Population Rank (2000):

(Rounded to the Nearest Thousand)

1. Jacksonville – 736,000

2. Miami – 362,000

3. Tampa – 303,000

4. St. Petersburg – 248,000

5. Hialeah – 226,000

6. Orlando – 186,000

7. Ft. Lauderdale – 152,000

8. Tallahassee – 151,000

9. Hollywood – 139,000

10. Pembroke Pines – 137,000

11. Coral Springs – 118,000

12. Clearwater – 109,000

13. Cape Coral – 102,000

14. Gainesville – 95,000

15. Port St. Lucie – 89,000

16. Miami Beach – 88,000

17. Sunrise – 86,000

18. Plantation – 83,000

19. West Palm Beach – 82,000

20. Palm Bay – 79,000

21. Lakeland – 78,000

22. Pompano Beach – 78,000

23. Davie – 76,000

24. Boca Raton – 75,000

25. Miramar – 73,000

Most Populous Metro Areas (2000):

(Rounded to the Nearest Thousand)

1. Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater – 2,396,000

2. Miami – 2,253,000

3. Orlando – 1,645,000

4. Ft. Lauderdale – 1,623,000

5. Jacksonville – 1,100,000

6. West Palm Beach/Boca Raton – 1,131,000

7. Sarasota/Bradenton – 590,000

8. Daytona Beach – 493,000

9. Lakeland/Winter Haven – 484,000

10. Melbourne/Titusville/Palm Bay – 476,000

11. Fort Myers/Cape Coral – 441,000

12. Pensacola – 412,000

13. Fort Pierce/Port St. Lucie – 319,000

14. Tallahassee – 285,000

15. Ocala – 259,000

16. Naples – 251,000

17. Gainesville – 218,000

18. Fort Walton Beach – 170,000

19. Panama City – 148,000

Home to 11 of the country’s 100 fastest-growing counties, a Florida investment property has high potential as a profit-maker, unlike most other areas. Port St. Lucie, Miramar and Cape Coral are the fastest growing cities in Florida. It’s unlikely you will make a mistake investing in Florida real estate considering the vast number of tourists and new residents flocking to the land of sun and surf. The most difficult decision to make will be which location in Florida to purchase. Good investments abound in each area of the state, from Miami in the south to Clearwater on the gulf coast, going east to Daytona Beach and north to the panhandle. Selecting a location depends on your goals for purchasing Florida investment property. Carefully consider what you intend to do with your Florida investment property. Will your purchase be used mainly as a rental property for vacationers? Do you intend to have access to the property during certain seasons? Or is your goal rental of the property to local tenants? Some of these questions will help you in narrowing down your search. Once you have determined whether your Florida investment property will be used primarily for vacationers or for local renters, and whether you intend on using it as a vacation resort yourself, it is easier to choose the location.

“Each year is better than the previous one,” said Abe Pizam, dean of the University of Central Florida’s hospitality management college. “But it’s not yet where it should be, or where it was.”

Pizam said that, while a weak dollar has helped renew interest in Orlando among some foreign visitors, many are continuing to stay away because of heightened security measures in the United States and the hassles that accompany them, as well as increased opposition to the war in Iraq.

“It’s a miracle that, despite that, we have improved our visitor counts,” Pizam said. “We cannot deny there is still animosity toward the United States in many parts of the world.”

Struggling economies in South America also put the brakes on many potential tourists’ travel plans in what historically has been a strong market for Orlando.

According to the bureau’s figures, the number of South American visitors have dropped substantially in recent years, from 659,000 in 2000 to fewer than 300,000 last year.

Other signs point to a recent upswing in international traffic, however. Orlando International Airport officials said in June that the airport recorded a 20 percent increase in international passengers compared with the same month last year.

On International Drive, a tourism corridor that benefits heavily from overseas travelers, merchants are noticing the difference.

“It’s maybe picked up,” said Zach Marino, manager of Texas de Brazil restaurant on International Drive. “In this area it’s hard to tell because this is the spot to be. We have a strong international clientele.”

Asian visitors increased by nearly 40,000 in 2004, and about 100,000 more Canadians traveled to Orlando last year than in 2003.

The visitors bureau noted that it has stepped up its national and international marketing of Orlando, having pulled back on such advertisements after 9-11.

“Our plan is more back-to-normal in terms of marketing thrust,” Peeper said.

New York remained the No. 1 source of domestic out-of-state vacationers to Orlando last year. The Tampa Bay area held on as the top source of in-state visitors.

Experts are predicting that 2005 will exceed last year in terms of both international and domestic visitors.

Earlier this month, Walt Disney World reported percentage growth in the low double digits among international tourists, while the number of domestic customers remained relatively flat during one of the rainiest Junes on record.

“If everything stays stable, we should come out on the international side real well” in 2005, Peeper said.

Sharona Murvin
Florida Investment Real Estate Expert
http://www.biminibayresortinvestment.com

Author: Sharona Murvin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
White Coat Hypertension

How to buy a house is a topic that is asked of me often. As a professional real estate broker I work with clients who are very knowledgeable about buying a house and those who know nothing about the process. There are things you should certainly know in order to save yourself time and money. These two things alone can make buying a house very stressful. So, make sure you are armed with the right information so you will know how to buy a house.

One of the most important things that I advise clients on is to be honest with me. Why is this so important? Let me give you the answer in an example. I had a client who told me that they made $85,000 a year and that their credit was perfect. So, we set about looking at properties in the $450,000 – $500,000 range. After several weeks of looking, we finally put an offer to buy a beautiful home that they were ecstatic to own. When the loan officer took their information, ran their credit and pulled their W2s, not only was their credit rather poor, but they made only $70,000, not $85,000!

That immediately disqualified them from buying the house of their dreams! I advised them that this was not how to buy a house. The loan officer refused to work with them further and the market for the house price they could afford was clearly not in their range. Unfortunately, they shot themselves in the foot.

Another great tip is to fill out a loan application very early on in the game. This is especially true today, when there is a scramble to buy homes that are now “attractively priced” due to the numerous foreclosures and short sales. But completing this application way in advance, you will save your loan officer, your agent and yourself a lot of time … focusing on houses in the price range that you really can afford.

A home warranty is always one of the best investments. I recommend this anytime I advise clients on how to buy a house. In this way, you are insuring certain items in the house in case they break down. For example, your washer / dryer, refrigerator, and internal plumbing are things that can be covered by a home warranty. Many people do not know that you can also include above ground pool/spa, as well. This one warranty item saved my client over $1,000 one year. Also do not forget that the home warranty can also be renewed each year.

Comparing the price of a home with other similar homes in the area is key to ensuring you are getting your monies worth. Buying a house is one of the biggest investments in most people’s lifetimes. Make sure that you have built in the possibility of a long term financial security with the house.

Christine Tran is licensed real estate broker. You can find out more home buying secrets and real estate investment tips at Our Investment Group.

Author: Christine L. Tran
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Advice on AdSense

“How can I sell my home in the face of this global recession?”

Believe it or not, you’re not the only one who’s asking that question. Almost everything becomes a “hard sell” in a bad economy, and the current state of the world’s finances is the gravest it has been since the Great Depression in the middle of the last century. Even the real estate market, once known as a vibrant industry that knows no downtime, is suffering a hit – a big one at that.

For example, if I want to sell my home at $500,000, I would have to reconsider as the following factors are at play in a down economy:

- People are less likely to buy a property because they will be wary about their own finances.
- People are less likely to buy a property that isn’t considered a bargain, as they are more conscious about their expenses these days.
- Other real estate sellers will be selling properties at a significantly lower price, hence resulting in a very competitive market.
- With the number of real properties being foreclosed, public auctions have become emergent competitors to the commercial real estate businesses.

Bottom line is that people can’t sell houses as easily as they did a couple of years ago. And this trend is said to continue way into 2010, and may even last up to 2011.

So how are you to get some cash for property in this day and age?

The simple solution: hire a real estate broker.

Indeed, a real estate broker may jack up the selling price of the real property, as you will factor in the commission that he will receive, but a real estate broker will make things so much easier for you. Think of the global recession as a storm and the real estate broker as a skilled sailor. He will help you navigate through the turbulent waters.

A real estate broker can get you the most cash for property because:

- He knows the ins and outs of the industry, and if there’s someone who can provide a definitive answer to the question of “how can I sell my home in the face of this global recession,” it’s him.
- He is connected with real estate agents all over the country. You will have a harder time looking for buyers because your search will be limited. His search will be broader, and he has a higher chance of finding a good buyer.
- He has mastered the art of negotiating a good deal. You won’t have to make a huge compromise with regards to the sell house price. He will advise you as to what amount would be a “good sell.” He will also negotiate with the prospective buyers on your behalf.

In this global economic storm where you seek answers to the question “how can I sell my property,” the surest answer is to seek the help of someone who will be paid to ensure your success.

If your looking for cash for property then visit our website for more info.

Author: David H Hobson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

Do you own a home you need to sell immediately to raise cash? Instead of listing the property with a real estate broker, holding open houses, waiting for an offer, hoping the buyer can get financing and facing delays, would you like to sell it in only a few weeks instead without any broker fees? The way to accomplish such a transaction is to sell the home to a third party business that buys property for cash. You can best locate them through an Internet search. You can usually apply online. In most instances, the company will provide you an oral estimate of the purchase price within one day. These businesses will buy property regardless of condition at a price they believe is reasonable.

Many people need to sell quickly not just due to financial problems. It may be something as simple as you are moving across the state, country or globe due to a job or for personal reasons. You could immediately sell the home to a business for cash without any advertising, broker or other sale fees. Real estate brokers and agents often charge 6-10% of the purchase price depriving you of a tremendous amount of the equity. They never guaranty either the time frame for the sale or even if they can sell the property at all. Even if you kept lowering the price due to market conditions or to attempt a quick sale, there is no promise of an available buyer especially in the current economic climate. Selling to a third party company for cash is a guaranty of sale in a short period of time for an agreed amount.

Aside from financial problems or relocation, another reason why you might need a quick sale could because of divorce. The termination of the marriage is a stressful enough situation. If you need to sell the family home as well, the circumstances could become overwhelming to everyone involved. The faster the property sells, the quicker the divorcing parties can move on with their lives and use the proceeds to relocate or for future needs.

Another state of affairs causing a need to dispose of property immediately is an inheritance. If you or your siblings have inherited property from a friend or relative but do not want to live in it, selling it quickly will avoid a host of related problems. First, you can avoid having to locate and choose a real estate broker. You can sell the property with no sale fees. You can avoid having to pay any upcoming school, state or other taxes that might arise during your ownership. Absent selling for cash, the property could sit on the market for months, years or never sell in this economy. When selling to a third party company you know immediately how much you will receive for the property, get a quick closing date, pay no fees and can dispose of the property smoothly. There is no cost to you to inquire about how much they will pay for the property. You can always decline the offer.

In many instances, you may just not be able to afford your current mortgage payment. You may even be in arrears. If so, you may even be able to sell the property for cash to a third party business and then lease it back from them. They may even provide you with an agreed upon advance price for which you can buy the property back in the future once your financial circumstances improve.

If repossession is only a matter of time away then you need to do something about it. We can help you to sell property rent back which would allow you payoff the mortgage. Oliver Wingrove is a specialist in real estate and over at sellhousefast.co.uk we will ensure a house quick sale is possible to ease your anxiety. See also Sell Property Rent Back.

Author: Oliver Wingrove
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Electrical Pressure Cooker Online

There are a lot of people in this country trying to sell their homes. The inventory of homes and condos for sale across the country is very high due to the collapse of the real estate market. Home owners are desperately trying to sell their home to capture any equity they may have or just get rid of their property because it feels like an albatross hanging around their necks.

I see and hear frustration from sellers quite frequently. Their home may be listed with a real estate broker and they cannot understand why it has not sold. There could be several reasons why a home does not sell – overpriced, ugly, bad location, bad Realtor, no marketing, the market is no good, buyers can’t get a mortgage, too much deferred maintenance, bad colors, bad floor plan, no buyers, too many sellers etc.

If you interview a few Realtors you will probably hear about all of the things that they will do to market your home. They may tell you that need color brochures, a real estate sign, Just Listed cards, a Realtor caravan, listed on several real estate websites, the MLS, virtual tours, high quality photographs, movies, pitched to other Realtors at the sales meeting, cocktail party, email blasts, magazine and newspaper advertising, open houses etc. All of those things are great and can help sell your home. However, all of those things are not needed to sell your home. Most experienced Realtors know this little secret. However, for various reasons, few are willing to talk about it. There are two essential ingredients to selling your home. Can you sell your home without these two things? Sure you can but it is much harder and much more luck is needed.

1)    The Right Asking Price

I know you have heard this before. It is like a broken record. You hear and read about the need for the right asking price all of the time. Yet, so many sellers still are unrealistic in their asking price.

Buyers are driving this real estate market right now. They have control of the car. If you want them to pull over at your house you need to be the most attractive house on the street. The best way to do that is providing better value than your competitors.

You cannot open the newspaper or listen to the nightly news without hearing about the real estate collapse. Many homeowners are hurting, especially those who purchased a home at the peak of the market in 2005. Everyone knows someone that has lost money in real estate over the last 4 years. This in conjunction with a bad recession makes today’s home buyer very cautious and slow moving. They absolutely do not want to overpay and will not purchase unless they feel very good about their purchase.

Occasionally, I do see people who overpay for a property but you cannot rely on those buyers coming around. They are few and far between. If you do not have a realistic asking price you have absolutely shot yourself in the foot. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and go look at the homes that you are competing with. Be objective. I know that is hard and impossible for some people. Is your house the best deal out there? If you don’t think so what makes you think some else will?

2)    The Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

This is another must have when selling your home. There are a few markets where MLS’s are not that used or relied on but for most of the country the MLS is crucial. The MLS is essentially just a central database that Realtors use to find properties. It is the nucleus that makes our real estate system work. I can list a property in our MLS system and immediately have thousands of other agents out there trying to sell my listing in order to earn a commission. If the MLS system did not exist my listing would only be exposed to my buyers and the buyers of agents in my office. My listing stands a much better chance of selling with thousands of agents promoting it to their buyers then just me and my office. 

The MLS system is the Realtor’s single best tool for selling homes. It is the most important that I use to sell Sarasota real estate. Print adverting, highly searched real estate websites, just listed cards, yard signs, open houses nor email blasts come close to being as effective as the MLS. That is why Realtor Associations are so protective of it. Can you sell a home without being listed on the MLS? Sure you can but your chances are much slimmer.

Essentially, if you have the right asking price on your home and have it listed in the MLS (assuming the commission you offer Realtors to sell your is the same or better than other listings) you stand an excellent chance of selling your home. There is nothing wrong with the marketing tools previously mentioned but they are not essential. Can I easily sell a home that is not in advertised in a newspaper or magazine? Sure. What about if it is not on a real estate website? Absolutely. Do Just Listed cards really need to be sent out? No. Do open houses sell houses? Yes, but the percentages are very, very small.

You can do everything else wrong but two things you must do right is have a good and realistic asking price and have it on the MLS system.

Marc Rasmussen
Realtor in Sarasota, Florida
http://www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com

Author: Marc Rasmussen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cool mobile gadgets

I was wondering what the difference was between a real estate broker and a real estate agent? How long would you have to go to school to be either one?
I pretty much got my answer to this question. Can a real estate broker act as both a broker as well as the agent? I plan on starting my own realty but want to do both jobs.