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- The Importance of Choosing a Good Home Inspector - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2009 from Compatible AgentWe’ve all heard it before: The purchase of a home is often the single biggest purchase anyone will make in their lives. As with all purchases, there is an expectation on the buyer’s part that the home they’re buying will fulfill a want or need and a hope that ‘things will go smoothly’ and ...
Views: 1094(2 votes) - First-Time Home Buyer: Obama's Tax Credit, Home Values, & Mortgage Interest Rate - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2009 from Betsy MooreIn today's economy, it is easy to be gun-shy about buying a home, especially if it is your first home. Who wouldn't be? This is your biggest debt but, remember, it is also your largest asset. There are five major reasons why the time is now: First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit ...
Views: 1263(3 votes) - The Economy’s Impact on Senior Housing Trends - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2009 from Brian IcenhowerThe United States Census Bureau has reported that a third of the country’s population will be 50 years or older by the year 2010. Accordingly, a 2009 study conducted jointly by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the MetLife Mature Market Institute (MMI) revealed that the Baby ...
Views: 967(2 votes) - Real Estate Representation - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2009 from Compatible AgentWhen buying a home you have the opportunity to have a Realtor work with you in your search and help you every step of the way, and almost always at no additional cost to you. Why then do some people not take advantage of this option? I think it goes to a basic misunderstanding of the process, ...
Views: 1501(2 votes) - Real Estate Short Sales - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2009 from Compatible AgentOver the last week, I have received a number of real estate emails asking this question. And the answer is why short sales continue to be a less tapped part of the real estate market. The short sale process requires cooperation from the seller, the seller’s lender or lenders as there is often ...
Views: 1448(2 votes) - Getting Up Close and Personal with Your Credit Score - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Krista ScruggsDo you know what your credit score says about you? Undoubtedly you are quite familiar with the need for having a credit report devoid of bad notations, such as missed payments or repossessions, but how the scores are actually interpreted might not be as easily ascertainable as you thought. ...
Views: 582(2 votes) - What is a Streamline FHA Mortgage Refinance? - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Krista ScruggsStreamlining is not really a term that explains the loan product so much as it refers to the amount of paper that the borrower is required to provide to the lender. Generally speaking, the amount of paperwork that is usually demanded during the initial mortgage application is virtually cut in ...
Views: 1003(2 votes) - Selling Your Property and the Emotional Attachment - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2009 from Deon SwiggsIn todays market it is both taking longer to sell your home and harder for buyers finance to be approved. This coupled with what seems prices dropping slightly every month is making for a very interesting and tough market to work and sell in. But there is always ways of making the selling ...
Views: 1666 - Buying Real Estate At Auction Tips - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2009 from Deon SwiggsBUYING AT AUCTION: Auctions can be a daunting time to buy a property as some Auctions you may not have any idea where it might sell or what it is worth. In New Plymouth we have adopted a policy of publishing the Auction Reserve in order for the whole process is transparent. We do about 60% of ...
Views: 1269 - The Three Types of People in the World - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2009 from Deon SwiggsThe recent and ongoing world economic crash is one which will be remembered by everyone for a very long time and will change the way things run and operate in the future forever. This change is not ‘going to happen’, it’s happening and if you think what you used to do will work tomorrow chances ...
Views: 2205(2 votes) - 7 Ways a Real Estate Agent Can Become More Productive by Making Use of a Virtual Assistant - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2009 from Owen McGab EnaohwoMost successful Real Estate Agents know that creating systems for every process in their businesses allows them to be more effective and efficient at delivering the necessary solutions that their clients desire. Systems once created free up time for you to concentrate on income producing tasks; ...
Views: 1206 - Seven Myths Concerning Credit Card Usage That Can Affect Your Ability To Obtain A Mortgage - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from David LeachIt has been my privilege to work with hundreds of people over the many years I have been involved in the real estate and mortgage business. My experience and expertise have helped them buy their dream home when they thought their circumstances would prevent it. It has been a joy to help so many. ...
Views: 3583(3 votes) - How to Select a Feng Shui Consultant - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2010 from Katy AllgeyerFeng shui is such an esoteric practice. It’s often misunderstood and categorized as hooey, hocus-pocus, or even voodoo. It’s none of those things. Still, there is a tendency in our society to put a shingle out and call ourselves experts after having read a book or two or maybe taken a seminar. ...
Views: 1437(3 votes) - What is a Loan Modification & How Can I Successfully Negotiate One? - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2009 from Justin BartlettWhat is a Home Loan Modification? A successful mortgage loan modification is a process whereby the terms of the existing mortgage are modified to new terms that are more agreeable to the homeowner and lender. What’s the basic idea behind loan modification agreements ? How does this ...
Views: 1027(2 votes) - Climbing the Investment Ladder - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2009 from Michael YardneyOf all the real estate investors out there, only a small percentage ever achieve the financial independence they desire. It’s not because they lack the drive or ambition or knowledge to become rich. The reason most investors fail is because of their mindset – the way they think about money ...
Views: 1542(9 votes) - 4 Ways to Use Leverage to Build Your Wealth - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2009 from Michael YardneyHave you ever wondered why it's easier for people who have money to make more of it? I mean, why is it that the second and the third million are so much easier to earn than the first million? Do you want to know what the biggest difference is between how the wealthy people build wealth and ...
Views: 8479(17 votes) - Creating Daily Success in Real Estate - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2009 from Dirk ZellerThe journey to a successful life should be enjoyed. True success comes from accomplishing the daily activities that will lead you to your ultimate goals in life. Failing or neglecting to accomplish the daily disciplines will lead you down the path of lost opportunities and lost income. If ...
Views: 778 - Saving Money by Increasing Home Energy Efficiency - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Rob LondonMost people don't know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy, and here at InterNACHI, we want to change that. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Of course, for ...
Views: 1424(5 votes) - Secrets to Understanding REOs - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Michael NewtonIf you are getting involved with real estate you may have heard the term REO without really knowing what it refers to and how it could play a part in your current or future investments. REO is actually just an acronym that stands for real estate owned by the bank. REOs aren’t all that common ...
Views: 569 - Why learn market cycles in Real Estate? - by Submitted on Jul 31, 2009 from David LindahlIn order to be successful in the real estate business, it is vital not only to research, but to learn and to become familiar with the current market trends. Knowing the market cycles, you as a potential buyer, can make a smart investment decision by developing a strong market strategy. This ...
Views: 1493(43 votes) - How Can We Can Avoid Home Foreclosures - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsI believe that in the current housing and economic environment (with declining home values nationwide) it never makes economic sense for a Bank/Servicer to foreclosure on an owner occupied home. As a result, I believe we can successfully and rightfully place a temporary nationwide foreclosure ...
Views: 505 - Estate Planning Legal Guide for Dummies - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Priyank SaxenaBlythe’s parents divorced when she was 5 years old. The court awarded joint custody with liberal visitation privileges. The divorce was not acrimonious and Blythe made a good adjustment to the new living arrangement, staying with her mom during the week and visiting her dad on weekends. Then, 3 ...
Views: 930 - One Key Missing Piece: Early Thoughts on the Obama Plan for At-Risk Homeowners - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsI am pleased to see the Obama administration attempting – much more aggressively than the Bush administration ever did – to help (3-4 million) at-risk homeowners stay in their homes through a variety of loan modification initiatives and incentives which are designed to lower the at-risk ...
Views: 455(2 votes) - New Financing Option Provides Alternative to Traditional Lenders - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2009 from Joel GreeneWith real estate values continuing their nosedive to astounding new lows, the one thing that prevents investors from taking advantage of the great buying opportunities is the scarcity of money. Despite their federal bailout, banks still aren’t ready to open up the cash tap. Most borrowers ...
Views: 622 - 3 Things to Know About HUD Homes And The Teacher Next Door Program aka Good Neighbor Next Door Program - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2009 from Nishika Jones-GreenThe Teacher Next Door Program (TND)also known as the Good Neighbor Next Door Program (GNND) is a HUD homes special program open to not only teachers, but also police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMT). To get started and for qualifying purposes there are three things ...
Views: 2880(1 vote) - Commercial Real Estate: The Importance of Population Trends - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2009 from Craig HigdonWhile commercial real estate can be an excellent investment, it’s all but impossible to succeed in this competitive environment without some sort of game plan. The most successful professional real estate investors are those who are able to look at a given area and accurately predict which ...
Views: 1918(4 votes) - Commercial Real Estate: Raising Equity - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2009 from Craig HigdonGETTING STARTED WITH INVESTORS Those researching the subject of commercial real estate investment are likely to encounter the term “OPM” on a regular basis. OPM is an acronym for “Other People’s Money.” I’ve covered this topic in general in an earlier article, but today I want to focus on ...
Views: 960(2 votes) - What Should You Look For When Selecting a Real Estate Investing Course? - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2009 from Ataur RehmaanWhen selecting a real estate investing course, you must ask yourself the following five questions: 1. Are they happy to provide contacts of past participants? 2. Are they providing the course content in advance so that you can take a look at what to expect? 3. Do they themselves develop ...
Views: 464(1 vote) - Bullet-Proof Listing Presentations - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Dirk ZellerThere is an old adage that we make three listing appointments for every one we actually go on. We make a presentation on the way to the appointment as we run through it in our car. We make the actual presentation live – in front of the seller. And we usually make the final one on the way home ...
Views: 930(3 votes) - Real Estate Scripts: Buyer Objections - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Cheri AlguireI am often asked, "What do you say when a buyer asks?" I always have an answer for every objection, but only because I use a method for analyzing every objection. Here is a list of common buyer objections and a quick follow-up statement for the buyer agent. They say:"I am too busy to make an ...
Views: 7448(4 votes) - The New Rules to Wholesaling Real Estate - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2009 from Terence YoungIt seems that the rules have changed when it comes to wholesaling. I remember when you were able to find the ugliest house on a good street, put it under contract, and sell your contract for a nice profit. I mean, you can still do that, but with so many foreclosures on the market, your good deal ...
Views: 540 - Commercial Real Estate: Outlook at the Power Breakfast - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonI had the opportunity to sit in at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) annual “Power Breakfast” that featured some high powered institutional investors as panelists. They included Erwin Aullis, the Managing Director of Transwestern Investment Company, Stanley L. Iezman, the ...
Views: 776 - Commercial Real Estate: Asking the Right Questions - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonThere are many “insider” commercial real estate secrets. One of the most important secrets is knowing the right questions to ask when investigating a commercial property investment. While I’m not going to cover all of the potential questions in detail, I will make you aware of some of the key ...
Views: 1041(2 votes) - Commercial Real Estate - How to Ask Your Discovery Questions - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonIn order to make a successful commercial real estate investment you need to know the right questions to ask and the right way to ask them. Since purchasing commercial real estate is a negotiation between the buyer and the seller (and probably their prospective brokers), it is important that ...
Views: 1231(2 votes) - Are you willing to Work for Free? - by Submitted on Jul 10, 2009 from Christopher ShawI am a small business owner and sometimes just to break the monotony in the hiring regiment I will ask a prospective interviewee if they would work for free. I do this because I understand that the standard resume and usual interview questions are predictable. So, when I pitch this curve ball ...
Views: 1891(6 votes) - Build Your Million Dollar Dream Team - by Submitted on Jul 10, 2009 from Christopher ShawSuccess is just a mindset; you hear this old saying all of the time or what about “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. Did you ever stop and think about these words and phrases as you go about your everyday life? Have you ever paused and truly thought about the ...
Views: 995(8 votes) - Commercial Land: The Asset That Lenders Forgot - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonLast week I discussed the financing of the purchase of a residential lot for development with a woman who, with her husband, wanted to build a custom home. As always happens when discussing financing, the conversation turned to interest rates and loan structures. When I described the going ...
Views: 720 - A Roadmap for Commercial Real Estate Syndications, Part 2 - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonLast week I covered the first ten steps to creating your own investment groups for commercial real estate acquisitions. I was able to take the process right up to the acquisition of the property and I’ll cover the balance of the process here. The focus of these articles has been on acquiring ...
Views: 835(2 votes) - A Roadmap for Commercial Real Estate Syndication, Part 1 - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonOne of the most important requirements for purchasing commercial property is having enough down payment money, called “equity,” to complete the transaction. A very popular method of raising these funds when you don’t have it yourself is by forming a group of people who pool enough capital to ...
Views: 1702(3 votes) - Where Have All the Commercial Lenders Gone? - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2009 from Craig HigdonDo you remember that song from the 1960’s that went something like: “Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?” Oh … you don’t? Hmm, maybe I really AM old! Well, I would update that song for the current decade to something like this: “Where have all the lenders gone, no loans ...
Views: 771(1 vote) - Free Market Lends Federal Housing Stimulus a Hand - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2009 from Brian IcenhowerEconomic experts overwhelmingly agree that before the United States financial crisis finally comes to an end, declining housing values must be halted so that real estate will once again provide adequate security for lenders to make loans comfortably. The prospect of imminent declines in housing ...
Views: 713(7 votes) - The Future of Real Estate Investing - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Terence S YoungSince fall of 2008, the news has been bleak for the real estate market. Foreclosures have been at an all-time high. And while buyers found that it was harder to get a loan, they did find the market favored them. Many good quality homes have been on the market months longer than they would have ...
Views: 968(9 votes) - The Difference Between Foreclosures and REO’s - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Terence S YoungForeclosure, REO, short sale—these terms can be confusing if you are a first-time real estate investor. But knowing the difference is important if you are going to sink your hard-earned money into investing. Let’s look at the differences. In a foreclosure, the property owner has defaulted on ...
Views: 818(9 votes) - How to Find the Best Investment Property - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Terence S YoungThe real estate market of 2009 is vastly different from the real estate market of 2004. Just five years ago, homes moved fast and at good prices. Interest rates were low. Lenders were eager to lend money. In the fall of 2008, everything changed. The economy soured and millions of people lost ...
Views: 755(7 votes) - Finding Below Market Deals - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Terence S YoungWhether you are investing to rent, wholesaling or flipping, you want to find the best deals you can. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to be honest with you about the condition of the property and its market value. Still, investors are making thousands on property they are buying at below ...
Views: 638(6 votes) - Characteristics of a Great Investment Property - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Terence S YoungYou have motivated buyers. Now you need great property. The definition of great investment property varies from buyer to buyer and from community to community. In this economy, there are some guidelines that are great across the board. Apartment units and other types of multi-unit ...
Views: 705(5 votes) - Earn More Interest on Your Money Through Real Estate - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Terence S YoungWhen investing your money, you want the greatest return on your investment. But in this dismal economy, investing is risky. If you don’t lose your money, you are not likely to get any type of return. But there is an answer---secure your money with real estate. Even that idea may seem insane with ...
Views: 842(8 votes) - Selling Your Property in a Financial Distressful Situation: Take Action. - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2011 from Kevin SullivanSwimming alone in the deep waters of financial distress will sometimes make us want to bury our head in the sand and hope all of our problems will all go away. This doesn't usually work, however, so if you are in this position you need to take action! One of the first steps you want to take ...
Views: 746 - Selling Your Property in a Financial Distressful Situation: Communication is Key - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2011 from Kevin SullivanSelling your property under the best of conditions can still leave many homeowners feeling a bit stressed as well as vulnerable: promising offers that fall apart, price reductions leaving less money for next property purchase, and opening the house (and valuables) for strangers to pick through ...
Views: 748 - Building Your Real Estate Investing All-Star Roster - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2009 from Cheryl PinkardEvery star player (that’s you) needs a supporting team. There are several key players you’ll need to facilitate the success of your real estate investing business: Realtor, Contractor, Mortgage Broker, Appraiser, Attorney, Accountant. Realtors—One great source of leads can be working with a ...
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