In many parts of the country, home prices doubled during the period from 2000 to 2005. During this same time, creative financing programs (e.g. zero down payment, adjustable rate loans, interest only loans, option ARMs loans, negative amortization loans, etc.) gained popularity and helped some people buy homes who would not normally qualify based on their income, debt level and credit history.

Most real estate markets are now cooling, and some are even experiencing declining prices. In times of dropping real estate prices, the amount owed on a loan by some homeowners may actually exceed the value of a property. If homeowners cannot make their monthly mortgage payment, there is a potential for default on the loan and foreclosure of the property by the lender.

The term “short sales” is used to describe a situation in which a homeowner is at risk of defaulting on their loan, and the lender agrees to sell the property below the original appraisal price in order to avoid foreclosure. Most lenders do not readily agree to short sales, although exceptional circumstances such as a homeowner losing his/her job or the death of a wage-earning spouse may make some of them more open to doing so.

If a property is sold as a short sale, the lender recoups at least a portion of the original loan amount, the homeowner avoids the stress and stigma of foreclosure, and the new homebuyer gets a property below its original appraisal price. If a short sale doesn’t work, then the property usually goes into foreclosure.

Short sales may be an emerging trend as the rate of foreclosure is rising dramatically across the nation. According to Business 2.0 Magazine, the top 10 foreclosures markets are:

1. Greeley, CO
2. Detroit, MI
3. Miami, FL
4. Indianapolis, IN
5. Fort Lauderdale, FL
6. Denver, CO
7.Dayton, OH
8.Dallas, TX
9.Fort Worth, TX
10.Atlanta, GA

The credit of homeowners may be impacted after a short sale, but it all depends on how the lender reports the outcome. Some lenders report a partial loan repayment as full payment of the debt due, which does not adversely impact the credit of the borrowers. Other lenders report the sale as “settled,” which adversely and significantly impacts the borrower’s credit. The other problem is that the portion of the loan amount forgiven by the lender may actually count as taxable income by the IRS.

In summary, a successful short sale has some potential positive benefits (e.g., homeowners avoid foreclosure, lenders recoup at least a portion of the loan amount, new homebuyers gets a property at below the original appraisal price, etc), but there are also many negative consequences. Some of these potential negative consequences include: the negative impact on borrower’s credit, negative impact on the value of other similar homes in the neighborhood, and that the amount forgiven by the lender may be taxable event. Homeowners having difficulty making their monthly mortgage payment may benefit from talking to a real estate agent who is experienced in short sales.

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If one is thinking of investing in real-estate/land there are several things to be kept in mind before one begins investing in real estate. A single wrong step may be enough to make one’s investment a failure.

The first thing one should do is decide one’s budget. Investing in real estate is an expensive affair and so the affordability factor should be considered. The likelihood of taking a loan for investing in real estate is high and so it is necessary to consider whether one will be able to pay back the loan. Real estate investment is a big commitment one makes and so it is necessary to know whether one will be able to pay back in time. In case one is not able to pay back the whole amount in time the chances of having a bad credit rating is high and ones this happens the chances of a loan approval is low. Even if one is approved for a loan at a later date the rate of interest will be higher.

There is a need to decide the reason for investing in real-estate – whether it is for commercial purpose or for the purpose of the family. If the real-estate is for commercial purpose an appropriate location should be chosen. The location should be such that there is a lot of traffic like near the railway station or bus station. In these locations different kinds of commercial real estate can be established like hotels, restaurants etc.

If one wants to invest in the real-estate for the purpose of the family then one should check several formalities that comes with investing with real-estate. It should be kept in mind that real-estate property for the purpose of homes should be located near schools, malls and shops. The road connectivity and water supply should also be considered. The interior and outdoor walls should be observed so as to be sure of any faults that may be there or any repairs that may be required.

A lot of research is required for reselling a real-estate property in future. So if one is thinking of investing in real-estate or land that is to be sold in future then the trend in appreciation rates should be considered. Every year the rates of the real estate property increases and so the average rate of increase should be calculated. After calculating this rate the projected rate of growth should be calculated to get the approximate rate of a real estate property in future. The best way to get an appropriate rate is to consult a financial planner of real-estate. An agent will also be able to give an approximate rate of increase in future. A real estate or land that is not in demand should not be bought as the rate of return is uncertain.

A good and reliable agent should be chosen so as to succeed in investing in real estate/land. A good agent not only gives the best rates of the property but also helps in finding the approximate rate of property later on.

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www.localmentor.com real estate investing training video – risk free performance lease option strategy for declining real estate markets. Lock in profits, eliminate risk, skyrocket cash flow, wholesale flip to other investors or keep for long term passive income and equity profits. Discover more ‘real deal’ real estate investor strategies for free at www.localmentor.com free e-course on “How to Succeed In Today’s Real Estate Market” Mentoring and Coaching subject to wholesaling flipping short sales foreclosure fix n flip

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My real estate agent happened to tell the seller's real estate agent that we found out some of these things on the property – most importantly about the flooding – and now the selling real estate agent wants me to sign a bunch of documents listing out what I found out as if she had told me about them. I don't want to do it – it took considerable effort for me to uncover these issues and I have already signed off on contingencies. I don't think I need to also let her off the hook as if she had disclosed these things to me – she did not. Can the realtor force me to sign these?
I am asking if a real estate agent can legally force me to sign informal and misleading documents in order to progress with the purchase? The seller and I have already signed all legal documents as outlined in our legal contract.

Over the last several years real estate investing has become extremely popular, almost mainstream. Real estate investment groups have sprung up all over the country, complete courses have been developed to educate the masses, books on the subject arrival on the shelves daily, and reality TV even joined the bandwagon with a variety of shows. Suddenly every bartender, receptionist, cabdriver, and Tom, Dick and Harry is into real estate “investing”. Everybody is trying to create wealth through real estate.

And for a while it was working. As a whole, our country experienced several years of exceptional appreciation in real estate values, making many investors wealthy. Most were accomplishing this by “flipping” real estate. People from all walks of life were buying house on Sunday and quickly selling them for a profit on Monday, with very little downside. There was a time when almost everybody thought real estate investing meant buying and “flipping” properties.

But then things changed. Virtually overnight the real estate fairytale ended. The subprime market crashed. Interest rates on ARMs started to climb. Foreclosures hit record highs. Values started to plummeted. Really plummet.

In fact, as I write this, it is estimated that the current real state crash will be the second largest since the Depression. Some analysts are projecting drops in value of 10 to 20%, maybe more. Foreclosure rates may again double. (Currently, one of every 200 homes is said to be in foreclosure). Some lending institutions are closing their doors. Others are barely hanging on.

But even though this may be an extremely large crash, there are a few factors that separate it from previous down markets. For one, the economy is still pretty strong in most areas of the country. This means, as of yet, we are holding our own against a recession, or worse, a depression. Also, interest rates are still very affordable and should be in the near future. These are two important factors real estate investors look for as they invest in property.

What does this all mean? To sum it up, it means the real estate market is flooded. It means people and banks are willing to deal. It means anyone wishing to dispose of real estate are selling real estate gold at silver prices. It means it’s is time to buy! Only now the investor will not profit by flipping or selling their property, they will have to hold their property and wait for values to resurface. The new strategy for real estate wealth will be simple, buy at the fire sale, and sell after recovery. This wealth will come to those who can successfully accomplish two important during this time:

1. Purchase solid homes in stable neighborhoods at steep discounted prices,

2. Rent those homes to quality tenants who will pay the rent and maintain the property until the recovery occurs.

The average investor thinks wealth is accumulated by purchasing real estate. Successful investors know wealth is created by having quality tenants pay for that real estate under your name. If you really want to invest in real estate, now is the time, fire sales don’t last forever.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go. I have gold to purchase.

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From the October 6, 2009 PBS “News Hour.” One sees this every day. Storefronts on Park Avenue South where overpriced restaurants sat two years ago are empty with “For Rent” signs, something one never saw in such neighborhoods. Traditionally in NYC, property changes hands in private deals, never through the posting of rent signs. With 1% down payments, commercial real estate makes the subprime meltdown look outright responsible.

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Real estate investing is always presented in the best light. You know, “fast cash”, “huge wealth” … all that. And even though the sensible, mature part of us is urging caution, we can find ourselves at a real estate investing seminar breathlessly offering our credit card at the back of the room spending money we don’t have to buy a course on how to make a million dollars in real estate.

Don’t feel bad. These are marketers wielding finely honed weapons of influence. You are supposed to make a rash decision. That’s how it’s all been designed. The problems begin though when you continue making rash decisions outside the hotel ballroom.

You know, it’s exciting making $20,000 on a deal, and it is relatively easy to make those profits once you know how. But to think it will be easy first starting out because some guru who has sold you a course tells you so … is a TRAP!

Don’t get me wrong, real estate IS an incredible opportunity to generate cash to make you completely debt free and then build substantial wealth, but all in good time. Right now, the pixie dust sprinkled during the seminar has made you a little confused.

Beginning real estate investors are given a lot of selective how-to advice, but little information about the traps to avoid. There are many, but here are the main six:

1) Quit your job: You may hate your job. You may despise your boss, but when it is providing the money you need to put food on the table and keep a roof over your head, your job is your best friend. Especially if you have been bitten by the real estate bug and are now addicted to buying real estate courses. Your job will support your habit.

2) First deal delusions: If you are tempted to quit your job your rationale for doing it probably has something to do with all the money you feel certain is going to be coming in soon. There is a softening effect real estate seminar pixie dust has on your powers of reasoning. Entertaining this delusion is merely the first sign. Don’t fall into this TRAP! Your first deal will be the hardest deal you ever do, not the easiest. Let’s face it, you don’t know what’s coming, you don’t yet know how hard you have to try, you don’t know the numbers involved, whether “no” really means ‘no’, whether private lenders really will hand over their cash for your deal, you don’t know the nature of everyone in the business and how to deal with them. Most of all, you don’t know whether it will pay off if you give it everything you have. Getting through all these unknowns make the first deal the hardest, indeed, it’s what weeds out the 98% who try. How long it takes you depends on many things, it may take a month, it may take a year. In the meantime, keep your job.

3) Underestimating the effort required: In it’s essence, putting together profitable deals is pretty simple, and it can be easy, after you know how. But on your first deal you don’t have the benefit of experience, it’s all new and you have to pay retail for every bit of progress you achieve. If you’re still under the spell of the cool-aid you drank at the seminar the first thing you realize is that deals aren’t just sitting somewhere waiting for you to pick them up, they must be detected and then created. Sellers shade the truth about their property, brokers give you pro-forma numbers and make access difficult, lenders want miles of paperwork, closing agents can be wonderfully self-involved and ‘forget’ to tell you important things. If you can be objective through all this (and not take it personally) you realize that no-one cares about making anything easy for you. In fact, everyone is looking to you to create value for them. The deal happens or falls apart to the extent that you cast yourself in the role of ring leader and take responsibility for making sure everything happens. It requires a lot of effort the first time through, and the “best you” has to show up.

4) Not using the tools you have: Not all real estate courses are hype. In fact, there are many high quality, authoritative courses available, usually through your local REIA, that give you the tools and guidance you need for success. When you buy a great course that passes along to you the tools and hard won lessons earned by the author, there is a tendency to slack off. This is a trap, and avoid it like the plague. You have done a lot of work and invested your hard-earned cash sorting through the dross to find some authoritative instruction. Capitalize on your good fortune and take action immediately. The tools of real estate investing are incredibly powerful. Direct response marketing for lead generation, positioning, developing lead-flow, negotiating, creating more demand for you than there is supply, understanding “next”, are all tools and processes that will change your life and how other people see you. You need to get familiar with and master them your earliest opportunity.

5) Playing the skeptical victim: Real estate investing gurus like to showcase the elements of doing deals that make audiences gasp in shock. Things like buying with none of your own money, or selling the property before I even buy it! The thing about these sizzle points is they are all true. Only after you gain a little experience you realize doing these things is just the most effective way to do business. Yes, you may feel manipulated by marketing hype but it’s a trap to think of yourself as a victim because of that. First, because if you allow cheap skepticism to protect you from “risk” you’ll never learn how the business works. There IS unlimited money available to fund your deals. You CAN close on deals before you buy them, it’s just how a simultaneous close works. You CAN buy a 100 unit apartment building without a dollar of your own money invested … it’s just the most effective way to buy income property. Second, if you see yourself as a victim you will never make it through your first deal. You must take full control of your efforts and try as hard as is required to put your first deal through. See yourself as the one at the center who is making everything happen. You are the difference-maker.

6) Not taking full responsibility for your success: Take careful note of the internal dialogue going on in your head. If there is any kind of self-pity, rationalization going on it’s a sign you haven’t yet taken complete responsibility. Another sign is that you are always looking for shortcuts. Sadly, there are no shortcuts in real estate. You may have previous business experience that speeds up your learning curve, but in the end you won’t receive the money you are looking for until you create value for all the players in a real estate transaction. Learning the game, the rules, the strategy, the mindset, takes time. You’ll know you have taken responsibility for your success in real estate when, a) you see your current job as an asset, not only to provide income but also as an opportunity for personal development. b) when you are thinking in terms of taking a full year to get thoroughly educated and put into practice everything you learn. You may buy a property before the year goes by, but there is no pressure. This is your learning phase. c) you start being a serious student. You focus on one type of real estate and cease being a connoisseur of real estate courses and seminars. You do as much as you can with what you have at any given time. i.e. try as hard as you can. 90% of “smart” is work. And be very selective with who you listen to. There is nothing quite as valuable as good information on a specialized subject. It gives a unique leverage. The opposite is also true.

Many of us jump unthinkingly into real estate investing through fear. Skillful marketers tell us that we must act now or the opportunity will be lost. Well, real estate will always be around, and no matter what market phase real estate is in there will always be the opportunity for a lot of money to be made.

We must be adult about it though and take our education and investing seriously. Keep your job and provide for you and your family’s immediate financial needs first, then start your exciting journey into real estate wealth.

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Sunny Day Real Estate – Seven

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The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) M Damodaran on Wednesday said the regulator was considering proposals to allow real estate investment trusts (REIT) in India.

Speaking at a conference on capital markets organised by the CII, the Sebi chief also said the rules on listing and trading of securitised debt market instruments will be finalised by December.

The regulator had put out a consultative paper on securitised debt in June this year. The draft regulations proposed a system of registration of special purpose distinct entities which were planning to offer securitised debt instruments to the public or seeking the listing of such instruments issued earlier. Damodaran further said that select companies could opt for fast track issuances.

According to the fast track share issuance programme allowed by Sebi in August this year, companies with a 3-year track record on NSE and BSE, and with free-float market capitalization of at least Rs 10,000 crore, can raise funds through rights and follow-on issues, without having to wait for the market regulator’s clearance.

Sebi, at its board meeting in June 2006, had approved guidelines making it mandatory for REMFs (real-estate mutual funds) to be listed on the stock exchanges. But the absence of valuation norms delayed the introduction of REMFs in the country.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was looking into the valuation issue and once it clears the norms, Sebi will be ready with the rules, M Damodaran said.

“It is not going to be a REIT versus REMF issue. Consultations with people who have a better understanding of these products have commenced and we will shortly write the first set of proposals,” said Damodaran. REIT is a better product, but we will ensure that both products are introduced over time, he added.

The Sebi move comes amid plans by a clutch of companies to raise funds from the Indian market for listing REIT-like vehicles on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX).

The Bangalore-based developer Embassy group, Ascendas, provider of business space in Asia and the Delhi-based DLF and Unitech have announced plans to list their fund structures, mainly REITs, on the SGX, banking on its recent easing of norms.

REMFs will be close-ended funds and will invest directly in real estate properties in India, mortgage (housing lease) backed securities, equity shares/bonds/debentures of listed/unlisted companies which deal in properties and undertake property development, and in other securities.

Following the curbs on participatory notes (P-notes), Sebi has received a large number of applications from overseas investors seeking FII registrations, Damodaran said, without providing figures.

The regulator is planning to launch a nationwide campaign for investor education in 2008 and encourages the market participants to take their role as self-regulatory organisations (SRO) seriously.

Nimesh Kampani, Chairman, CII National Committee on Capital Markets and the head of JM Financial Group also stressed on the need to develop SROs for financial intermediaries.

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November 21, 2007

Fortis Invest eyes Japan pension funds

Filed under: India Real Estate News Updates, Real Estate Funds, New Development — Administrator @ 3:05 am

TOKYO, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Fortis Investments, the global assets management arm of the Fortis group, is eyeing Japan’s multi-billion dollar pension funds as key investors for its two new investment funds next year worth a combined $745 million, its real estate chief said on Wednesday.

Fortis Investments, which has about 130 billion euros ($190 billion) in assets under management, will launch two new “funds of funds” — funds that hold a portfolio of other investment funds — focused on European and Asian property.

“We were very Europe-specific when we started two years ago but have diversified outside of Europe since,” Bart Coenraads, chief investment officer and head of real estate for Fortis Investments, told Reuters at the sidelines of a conference in Tokyo.

The firm currently has two Europe-focused fund-of-funds vehicles and a third invested in Asian assets.

Coenraads said he was particularly keen to attract Japanese pension fund investors as their allocations for real estate were minuscule relative to other asset classes.

“A lot of Japanese pension funds already invested in Japanese real estate now see opportunities in Asia ex-Japan,” he said, adding that Fortis Investments had already obtained a $40 million commitment from a Japanese pension fund investor for an existing fund of funds focused on Asia ex-Japan property.

Japan’s pension funds have traditionally parked their money in low-risk corporate and government bonds but are raising their investments in riskier assets such as equities and property to boost returns for the country’s ageing population. Fortis Investments has about 2.5 billion euros in global real estate exposure — 25 percent of which is run through its fund-of-funds vehicles. The remaining 75 percent of its property-related holdings are in publicly traded securities.

“Many pension funds don’t have the internal capabilities to get the sort of exposure that they can get by buying into a fund of funds,” Coenraads said.Coenraads plans to raise about $300 million for the new Asian fund of funds, about half of which will be invested in Japanese funds. The remaining portfolio will be invested in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, India and Singapore assets.

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Omaxe may tap West Asia as Indian real estate market cools

Filed under: India Real Estate News Updates, Commercial, Residential, New Development — Administrator @ 1:26 am

Source: http://www.livemint.com/2007/11/21005026/Omaxe-may-tap-West-Asia-as-Ind.html

New Delhi: Real estate company Omaxe Ltd has decided to develop properties overseas in places such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the real estate market in India starts to cool and profits get squeezed.The developer plans to build commercial and residential properties in Dubai.

“Last year was very bad for developers,” Rohtas Goel, chairman and managing director, Omaxe, said. “Prices declined by 10% and even by 30% in some locations, which has forced developers to look at overseas markets for expansion,” he added.

The company has decided to enter the Dubai real estate market as the average yearly return on an investment in Dubai is slightly better than in India, Goel said. “It is also easier to do real estate business in Dubai compared to India,” he added.

Omaxe will float an offshore development company to enter the Dubai market. Goel declined to say how much money Omaxe had earmarked for overseas development.

The company will develop real estate through joint ventures with a local real estate developer. Omaxe has to find a local developer to market property in Dubai in keeping with regulations of the UAE government. “We can acquire the land on our own, but to market the property we need a local partner,” Goel said.

Omaxe is in talks with several developers from Dubai for a possible tie-up. But nothing has been finalized yet, Goel said. In the last seven to eight months, the real estate market in New Delhi and its suburbs has seen a decline in demand mostly because of the high interest rates on home loans, which are at a five-year high. The interest rates have increased to 12%, compared with 9% just a year ago. That, coupled with the rising value of land, is making homes more expensive and less affordable—keeping buyers at bay.

“A few developers might be looking at overseas markets because of the high cost of land in India,” said Ganesh Raj, head, real estate practice at audit and consulting firm Ernst & Young India. “As return is a function of price of land, given the present cost of land, developers probably feel that returns in the overseas markets will be better. However, very few developers have actually started real estate development in offshore markets,” Raj added.

Omaxe’s plans to go global comes in the wake of similar efforts by other developers. Parsvnath Developers Ltd has decided to venture into real estate development in the UK, Singapore, UAE, Muscat and Mauritius. DLF Ltd is looking at international acquisitions, and Ansal API Ltd has a partnership with Malaysia’s UEM Group to bid for government projects in Malaysia.Investors are not willing to buy residential properties any more as the interest rates have shot up and it is costlier to buy homes on borrowed money.

Investors are gradually exiting the real estate market, say developers. While investors constituted 70% of the buyers last year, it is now the reverse, Goel said. “Now the actual end-users constitute 70% of the buyers,” he added. Omaxe is present in 30 cities and nine states in India. The company operates across residential, commercial and retail verticals. Omaxe made an initial public offering of shares in July and raised around Rs600 crore.

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Here’s part 9 of “The Cocoanuts”

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“When you meet with a real estate agent for the first time, you might be a bit nervous or even uncomfortable. This is particularly true if you have never sold real estate before and you are uncertain of what to expect.

In order to relax your nerves, you should come prepared to interview the real estate agent on your first meeting. Don’t feel awkward about conducting this interview, as the real estate agent expects you to ask plenty of questions so you can determine if you are a good match. Similarly, the real estate agent is likely to ask you plenty of questions in order to learn more about your home and to determine a plan for selling the real estate you are looking to sell.

Questions to Ask the Real Estate Agent

When you meet with the real estate agent for the first time, there are several questions you should ask in order to determine if you are good match. These questions include:

• How long have you been in this business?

• What is your list-price-to-sales-price ratio?

• What is your marketing plan?

• What are your references?

• What separates you from the competition?

• What do you charge?

• What type of guarantees do you offer?

Although it is possible to get good service from a real estate agent that hasn’t been in the business for a long time, you are better off dealing with a real estate agent with experience in the business. If you are considering working with a newer real estate agent, find out more about that agent’s mentor or supervising broker in order to see if he or she has someone with experience to help with the process.

The average list-price-to-sales-price ratio is also an important consideration because you want to choose a real estate agent that will be realistic about the asking price and that will work hard to get you the amount you are asking for. Similarly, you want to learn more about the real estate agent’s marketing plan, such as where and how he or she advertises.

The real estate agent should also be able to provide you with references, and you should be sure to follow up with those references and to ask them questions as well. In addition, the real estate agent should be able to clearly explain to you what he or she can offer that the competition cannot. Finally, the real estate agent should charge a reasonable fee while also providing guarantees, such as allowing you to cancel your contract if you are unhappy with the agent’s services.

Questions Your Real Estate Agent Will Ask You

In order to best serve your needs, your real estate agent should ask you several questions as well. For example, the real estate agent will want to know whether are not the real estate you are trying to sell is currently occupied. If so, the real estate agent will need to make special arrangements when showing the house to prospective buyers.

The real estate agent will also want to know if there is anything special about the property that you think should be highlighted while showing it to potential buyers or if there are any problems with the home that need to be repaired. Similarly, the real estate agent might want to know if you are willing to spend any extra money in order to make improvements on the home in order to improve the chances of making a sale.

In all, you should expect your real estate agent to communicate with you effectively and to make an effort to make the entire process as convenient and as profitable for you as possible.”

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Hosts Jim Thomas & Tami Humphrey give you a personalized tour of Manhattan Beach, one a LA’s premier beach locations. For more information about South Bay and Westside real estate visit: www.LABeachLiving.com

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Real estate photography is a new, exclusive initiative to promote international property business to inspire by the theme Development, Nature and Architecture. Real estate photography leads to increased competition in the photographic market. Most of time people would likely visit their property for sale because of the attractive images.

Tips of good real estate photography
- A good source of light.
- Wide angle lenses make real estate photos appear spacious, inspirational and motivational
- Digital formats cut down on printing and developing expenditures and makes photos available immediately.
- Same images should be available in different sizes so that according to the specifications you can provide it.
- take a shot of every part of house for sale including living room, kitchen, dining room, and other parts of the house.
- highlight the best features of your house.
- clean the entire house before taking its photos.
- hire a professional real estate photographer.

Real estate photography is of following kinds:
- Standard real estate photography,
- Elevated pole real estate photography,
- Exterior twilight real estate photography,
- Interior real estate photography services,
- Real estate photography for builders and architects.

Real estate firms have totally booming nowadays. If you are a property agent, you have probably faced a lot of competitions. Over few older years, when all you require is a well written advertisement to sell a real estate. Currently in order to fully publish your listings, you need to attach a good real estate photographs. With the emergence of digital cameras, the realestate that you are selling can be photographed and placed online. Potential purchasers from different parts of the world can actually see your listings with the images in it. Don’t underestimate the value of these photographs because a purchaser can definitely decide to check out the real estate based on the pictures that you have.

Real estate photography makes the property images impressive. If you have a house which looks unattractive and you want to sell that but because of appearance no good investor wants to buy it. Through the technique of real estate photography you can make your house to appear better and most of the investors search online for real estate images to buy it. Based on recent estimations, the number of individual searching home for sale online has increased. Almost half of these property seekers found their dream property instantly online through the help of real estate photography. An image is worth a thousand words. Especially when your words may be limited by the Multiple Listing Service use real estate photography techniques to express your quality difference in properties.

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Green Happiness

“He who plants a garden, plants happiness” is an old saying. However, things have changed a lot nowadays. Today, the proverb could be thought of as “He who plants a garden, plants money!” When it comes to selling a house, landscaping is an important factor that determines the value of the property. Real estate gurus believe that gardens around a house can contribute more than 10% to the total value of the property. Moreover, the houses with attractive gardens, particularly mature trees, are easily saleable when compared to the other houses with limited or underdeveloped landscaping. Investing a little time in tending your garden can really pay dividends when it comes to selling your home.

Enjoying Green

Houses with gardens around them are excellent choices for those who wish to enjoy time outside, while not travelling far to do so. It is always refreshing to open the door and go out into the garden and smell the flowers, plants, and trees. Most of us spend less time enjoying the greenery in public parks and sanctuaries since they are becoming more scarce and because of urban sprawl are often far away. Since most of us will never have a chance to visit the tropical rain forests of Central America why not invest a few dollars and house and have your own piece of nature right outside your door?

Green can be healthy

Plants not only contribute value to the property, but gardens also have great health benefits. The health benefits of gardening are impressive. According to medical experts, gardening is a great exercise for legs, shoulders, arms and neck. Gardening also helps to strengthen the joints in our body. Recent researches indicate that gardening lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels and also prevents diabetes and heart diseases. Gardening is also an ideal physical exercise for people who want to reduce their weight. Gardening helps to burn fat and as an added bonus, creates some healthy, organic fruits and vegetables for your entire family to eat.

Green in real estate

Based on a recent survey or property owners, it was noted that 95% of residential homeowners and 86% of commercial property owners believe that good landscaping adds more value to their properties. Also real estate brokers around Austin think that merely having a garden is enough to attract the buyers. Moreover, gardening has lots of benefits like offering a healthy body, fresh air, a fresh mind, fresh food, bringing birds, attracting butterflies, sustaining beneficial insects and added value to your property. Finally, gardening and makes your property look its best. So plant gardens around your home and grab the sure ticket to quick and valuable resale!

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Based on several factors that include lifestyle, retirement, opportunities for fun and investment, International Living magazine has chosen the world’s seven hot spots for 2007. Still virtually unnoticed by the world’s tourists, these seven regions are the best international real estate markets in 2007. They are:

1. Montenegro: This spectacular European country on the Adriatic Sea that many have almost forgotten has topped the list of best international real estate markets. The aquamarine sea, enthralling mountain backdrop, captivating summer villas and quaint fishing villages are just a few features of this jaw-droppingly beautiful country. An ideal tourist spot, this country has been adjudged the ‘fastest growing travel and tourism economy’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

2. Cartagena, Colombia: This is an ancient walled city embellished by magnificent Spanish colonial architecture and flanked by white-sand beaches. The city offers a warm weather, affordable lifestyle, and world-class diving and snorkeling for tourists and locals alike.

3. Malaysia: Southeast Asia’s top retirement haven, country is a very affordable destination. Malaysia offers a western lifestyle and a host of attractions including modern infrastructure, cheap accommodation and innumerable cultural charms. Its beautiful white beaches and clear blue waters offer sailing, diving, snorkeling, etc.

4. Calabria, Italy: A sunniest corner of Europe, Calabria is a beautiful peninsula that is enveloped by clear silver-blue sea on three sides. Life happens in a very leisurely manner in this place that possesses all the charms of a medieval village. A promising real estate market, the region is well connected by the low-cost Euro-carrier RyanAir.

5. Ciudad Vieja, Uruguay: This is another of the world’s inexpensive cities that remains undiscovered yet. The city has seen a booming real estate market since 1995 and the upward trend is sure to continue through 2007 too. Also ranked as one of the top 10 cheapest cities in the world last year, Ciudad Vieja remains one of the best places to invest this year.

6. Honduras Cloud Forest: With acres of mountain forests of breathtaking beauty, this mountain paradise is just minutes from a charming beachside town and an international airport. One can access this town by air in less than 2 hours from many places in the U.S. With the area poised for a real estate boom in a few years down the line, now is the time to buy.

7. Mexico’s Flamingo Coast: An enticing stretch of coastline with dozens of quaint little beach towns, side-by-side, the Flamingo Coast offers great beachside living and a laid back lifestyle. Its warm weather, white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters and cheap rentals are some of the attractions the region offers.

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When you start the process of buying a home or any type of real estate, you’ll no doubt hear the term “earnest money deposit” (EMD). So what exactly is an EMD?

An EMD becomes relevant when you are ready to make an offer on a property. In most states, your Real Estate Agent prepares the offer on your behalf. The offer usually takes the form of a written contract that is submitted to the seller by way of their agent.

In addition to the offer document, sellers typically expect an EMD. An EMD is a monetary deposit submitted via check to demonstrate to the seller that you are a serious buyer. In some regions of the country, only a photocopy of the check is submitted with the offer, and the original check is delivered to the appropriate entity if the offer is accepted. Ask your Real Estate Agent to clarify how deposits are handled in your region of the country.

The check is usually made out to an independent third- party such as a Title Company, Escrow Company, Real Estate Attorney or your Real Estate Broker. Ask your Real Estate Agent to clarify who will hold the EMD.

The amount of the EMD sellers expect varies by region. The EMD amount is based on the customs and practices for a region, but is generally from 1% to 2% of the purchase price. In a competitive market place where demand exceeds the supply of homes, some buyers may offer a higher EMD than expected to impress the seller of their intent. In determining the amount of your EMD, consult your Real Estate Agent and balance the need to demonstrate your serious intent, against the good business practice of minimizing the deposit amount.

The amount of the EMD is usually applied to reduce the purchase price of the property or to cover closing costs, as you dictate. For example, if you are purchasing a $300,000 property and you give an EMD of $3000, then the remaining balance owned at closing is $297,000 (plus closing costs). Alternatively, you may direct that the EMD be applied toward the closing costs.

Once a valid contract for purchase is created, an independent third-party usually holds the EMD until the purchase is either completed or cancelled. At this point, the money belongs jointly to both the seller and the buyer.

In cases where you make an offer that is accepted but later decide to cancel the offer, the terms specified in the contract (or state law) will dictate if, and under what circumstances, the EMD is returned to you. Be aware that you could loose your deposit if you do not not comply with the terms of your contract. Your Real Estate Agent can provide you information about how EMDs are dealt with if a contract is cancelled.

Since state law varies by region and practices can differ even within the same state, be sure to consult your Real Estate agent about the rules that apply to EMDs in your region of the country. You should also be aware that the EMD is not related to any down payment that you make toward your home loan.

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I want to get my real estate licenses, but I don’t have time to go to school. I would rather work for a company that will train me. If not, how do I go about getting my licenses in the least amount of time as possible?