Buying Real Estate for Profit

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Purchase Real Estate In College Towns As A Longterm Investment

Are you looking for a residential real estate investment that can be a guarantee of appreciation over the long term? Purchasing real estate in college towns can be extremely rewarding, both financially and in terms of dealing with tenants. Colleges and universities across the United States are seeing an increase in enrollment, and dormitory and other student housing has been unable to keep up with this increased demand. Both students and faculty alike have an urgent need for housing, and this can mean great investment opportunities for you. Here are some things to consider when purchasing real estate in a college town.

• Look for cities with a population of less than 500,000. Cities of this size will tend to have a stronger infrastructure of transportation, support facilities such as shopping and hospitals, and industry and employment outside of the school community. People in towns of this size are used to the college or university being the center of activity.
• Choose a property that is no more than one mile from the college. This will enable your tenants to walk or bicycle to school much of the time, depending on the weather, and save them money for gasoline and parking fees. There is also an opportunity for nearby employment in businesses that directly serve the school community.
• Properties with

Selling Your House In A Tight Real Estate Market

This was written by Ruth Klein, America's De-Stress Diva. Visit her at www.RuthKlein.com

It's stressful enough to consider selling your home, but when the real estate market takes a serious nosedive, you'll need these ten practical tips to remove the stress from having to sell during difficult times in real estate.

1. Do your Realtor homework. In a lousy real estate market, you want the best help you can get to sell your home. Take your list of questions to several Realtors and take a goodly amount of time when you interview them. Comparison shop. No one's rushing to buy homes this year, so don't be in a rush to choose a Realtor.

2. Get ready. Many Realtors agree it takes 30 days to ready a house before the "For Sale" signs goes up, because those first impressions often will prove the most important factor in whether a "looker" eventually becomes a "buyer." Make the investment in external repairs that can mean the difference between a quick "No" and extra time spent examining your house. This is the time to paint, patch and repair what buyers will see first. Buyers are more forgiving in a strong real estate market, not in a weak market.

3. Consult the owners of homes that successfully sell. What buyers consider valuable can vary from region to region. Ask those in your community with a newly placed "sold" sign for pointers on how to prepare your house for sale. What did they notice that most "lookers" paid attention to, or commented on, when exploring their house? Just ask - is installing new carpeting more important or is it better to freshly paint the walls. Ask several owners of recently sold homes, and take lots of notes. These can serve as your guide to using your time wisely to prepare your home for sale.

4. Actively engage your family. Let them know that there will be "company," and to assist you with their unique skills. Let the list-maker in your family make repair and "sprucing up" lists, and keep lists of Open House dates and other important information. Share the work of selling a home, and every family member will have a personal stake in your success. You'll be able to remain more stress-free if you'll delegate some of the preparation work for getting your home ready to sell.

5. Be flexible with personal plans. Stay focused on the goal from the time you first plant that For Sale sign on the front lawn to the first Open House - no activity should become a distraction. Don't plan messy parties or major functions during this period, because you want your home to be tidy at all times. Arrange family gatherings elsewhere. You'll want to be particularly vigilant when homes aren't selling easily to make no mistakes.

6. De-clutter. A cluttered house looks

Home Buying Secrets - 7 Reasons Why 2008 Is The Year Of The Home Buyer

This is a guest post by Mortgage Advisor Racheli Smilovits.

Let's dive in and see what's in store for you

•  The supply of homes is increasing rapidly-The number of homes for sale around the country has increased way faster than home sales, creating a continued surplus of homes and in some locations can last 4+ years. Obviously some areas are seeing higher numbers than others. Here are some stats:

In 2005 we had 2,846,000 Homes for sale

In 2006 we had 3,450,000 Homes for sale

In 2007 we had 3,974,000 Homes for sale

As of January 2008 there are  4,191,000 Homes for sale

These are national numbers from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

•  Prices are way down-Because of the access surplus of homes on the market sellers are forced to reduce prices to be more attractive. We have seen locations that have gone down as much as 30%-40%

• Sellers are very motivated- Because of the increase in inventory sellers who are serious about selling are more willing to negotiate knowing that the buyers have lots of homes to choose from. You need to be more attractive than your neighbors. Sellers know that.

• Rates are historically very good- 30-yr fixed rate mortgages are at a little over 6%. (as of this article 3-08). From 1992 to date rates have ranged from 9.25% and 5.25%. So +6% is on the low side. Take advantage of cheaper money.

• Take a little cut on selling your current home and get a big cut on your new home-  If you currently own a home that you need to sell in order to buy a new and more expensive one, think about discounting your home let's say by $30,000 or so to sell it fast. And get a much bigger cut $70,000 or more in savings when you buy your new home. Yes you will act as a buyer expecting you seller to negotiate and be more willing to cut prices

• Buyers have many options to choose from- and sellers know that. A few years ago buyers had to settle for what was available even though the home was not really what they wanted, because of bidding wars and multiple offers. Now buyers can pick and choose and in many cases get more than they thought they would.

• Short sales are an option, don't get hung on them- The number of short sales and foreclosures are climbing. It may be a great opportunity but be prepare to deal with a lot of red tape. The banks take their time to reply. Weeks sometimes months pass by. You must have a company that knows what they are doing when negotiating with banks. We will gladly refer you to one.

And now you can see why and how 2008 is a great year to buy a home for 1st time buyers, upgrading to a bigger home or down sizing. I would like to offer you a free access to the weekly video news so you can stay informed and up to date.

Also you will get the free guide "10 biggest mistakes people make when buying a home" by going to http://www.loans-4-u.com/FreeBonusReportBuyingaHome?c=2  to sign up.

View Racheli's bio at http://www.rachelismilovits.com/

Does Curb Appeal Really Matter? When Selling A Home - You Bet It Does!

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Mills-schremm]Teresa Mills-schremm

Does curb appeal really matter?  You bet it does!  When you put your home on the market, it is no longer your "home," but a "product."  It has to shine...inside and out!  It is said that a first impression is a lasting impression.  So what is the first impression of your home? Here is a little "food for thought."  A buyer has found your home either on the internet, in the newspaper, or through a licensed real estate professional.  The home meets their criteria, nice neighborhood, good schools, right style, upgrades galore, and so on.  They eagerly jump in the car and race to see this "dream home."  As they pull up in front of the house, the first thing they notice is the weeds and dead foliage from last fall, dingy windows, and a front entrance door from the 70's that screams "paint me!"  If you visualized this little scenario, then you have already guessed what happens next.  They drive away!

There are some simple and not so back-breaking things you can do to stop them from driving away.  A little time and effort, and a small budget can improve the curb appeal dramatically.  So much so that buyers will love what they see on the outside, and want to see what is on the INSIDE!  The first successful step to selling your home is to get buyers through the front door!

As a professional home stager and redesigner, I have visited many homes that were right down "icky" on the outside, but lovely on the inside.  I have compiled a list of some simple fixes and practical advice on curb appeal that I pass along to all of my staging clients.  Please feel free to take my advice and make those buyers want to see the inside!  Now that Spring is just a few days away...its time to get moving on that curb appeal!  Enjoy!

Start by pulling up and cleaning up last fall's leftovers!  Remove all weeds, flowers, and foliage and make room for the new!

As soon as weather permits, add a fresh layer of mulch.  Yes! Even before planting anything new.  This will "brighten" the flower beds and make a great start for those Easter Lilies, Crocus, Tulips, and other early bloomers.

Wash those "winter" windows!  Clean and sparkling inside and out should be the rule of thumb on this step!

Give your front entrance door a fresh coat of paint.

Take a good look at the door hardware such as handle and locks.  If they look old and tired...replace them!

Don't forget the mailbox!  Does it look old and tired?  A simple fix is a $3.00 can of spray paint!

How are those house numbers?  If you have the stick on kind..consider upgrading to the individual plastic or wooden ones.  These look more "high-end."

When weather permits, trim the hedges and shrubs.  Don't over prune them because you will KILL them.

Add a decorative planter with a colorful Sping flower arrangement.  I always recommend 'YELLOW" because this is the first color the human eye sees.

Last but not least....weather permitting, of course, mow, trim and fertilize the lawn.  A crisp, lush, meticulously cared for lawn will set the tone for what is behind the front door.

For more information and home staging tips, please feel free to contact us at the address below.  Thanks for reading, and best of luck with selling your home!

Teresa Mills Schremm is the co-founder and owner of LOOKING FINE BY REDESIGN, a professional home staging and redesign firm in North Olmsted, Ohio.  Our Design Team partners with homeowners and Realtors in Western Cuyahoga (Cleveland) and Lorain Counties.

For information on how we can help you "position" your home to sell, please visit our website at http://Lookingfinebyredesign.com or e-mail us at  [mailto:teresa@Lookingfinebyredesign.com]teresa@Lookingfinebyredesign.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Mills-schremm [http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Curb-Appeal-Really-Matter?--When-Selling-A-Home---You-Bet-it-Does!&id=1037766 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-Curb-Appeal-Really-Matter?--When-Selling-A-Home---You-Bet-it-Does!&id=1037766

The Law of Attraction - Help or Hype in Today's Market?

This article was written by Maya Bailey, Ph.D.  I have followed her work for some time now and have great resepct for her and her teachings.

One of the most popular movies circulating around in everyone's living room these days is The Secret.  Everyone in every profession is watching this movie and wondering,” Can the Law of Attraction really work for me?”

If you are a real estate agent, this article will describe how I have used the law of attraction in coaching real estate agents to

Super Tuesday and the Real Estate Market

Now that Super Tuesday has passed and we are in full swing as we gear up for the national election, real estate may start to move again. The interest rate keeps dropping, allowing many more people to buy than in previous months. Also, California will benefit from the changes with non-conforming loans. Many people will be saved from foreclosure and the market will loosen up a bit.

If you do not need to sell your home, hang on for the ride. If you are able to buy, look for residential properties in upscale neighborhoods where the schools are desirable and the economy is stable. When prices begin to rise you will be in an excellent position.

Commercial Real Estate Still Optimistic

Here is an article on commercial real estate that makes many relevant points.

Commercial Real Estate Optimistic Despite Housing Slump
By M. Siddique

The commercial real estate outlook is cautious but decidedly upbeat despite recent busts in the housing market, says a recent article by the Associated Press.

Commercial property sales hit $401 billion through the end of October due to strong growth in the office and retail segments. This topped last year's $359 billion total, according to Real Capital Analytics, a real-estate research firm based in New York.

According to the Commerce Department Construction last month, spending on office buildings, shopping centers, and other private, nonresidential projects leaped 15.2 percent in August.

Though analysts say there are some signs of slowing growth, it is nothing compared to the residential real estate market plagued by foreclosures and mortgage defaults mainly due to risky subprime mortgages.

The commercial market has not seen the problems the residential mortgage mess has caused, mostly due to the fact that buyers and sellers are more refined, have more financial flexibility, and have the resources to endure the credit-market mayhem.  However, that doesn't imply the market would go unaffected if economic growth stalls.

"As home prices continue to fall, people feel poor and spend less and that puts pressure on the profits that fuel corporate spending," says William Wheaton, research director at MIT's Center for Real Estate.  Wheaton asserts that there is a 50% risk of a mild recession in the U.S. within the next six months.

Data rates due to be released soon will most likely show that September was one of the slowest months in several years for each area of commercial real estate.

However, if the broader economy falters, the commercial real estate market will be susceptible to what Wheaton calls "credit-risk contagion".

The credit crunch has already caused some sellers to ask for more upfront capital when mortgage-backed financing is used.  However, the markets in New York, Washington, and San Francisco have remained notably stable, according to Real Capital Analytics.

Siddique is real estate investor for over 22 years and President of ButterFlyLister. This article first appeared on http://www.butterflylister.com - a leading real estate website with a comprehensive property listings with owner financing and lease to purchase options. Now Sellers can sell their homes at full price in any market. Launched in 2007, ButterFlyLister now offers Home Listing service throughout the united States for buyers and sellers. ButterFlyLister attracts thousands of buyers, sellers and real estate investors a month. Download Free How to sell your Home for Full Price in any market.

Buying Rental Properties As An Investment When Prices Are Down

While real estate prices are down, rents have steadily increased across the country. This makes sense because people who are waiting to buy real estate until the prices go down further will continue to need someplace to live.

If you are an investor, this is the time to purchase properties that make good rentals. What kinds of properties make the best rentals? Here are some things to look for when considering a property as a rental investment:

• Is it close to transportation? This is crucial when you are renting out a property. People need and want to be close to bus lines, railway stations, and other types of mass transit. Look for properties that are within a block or so of mass transportation.
• Are there two bathrooms? Homes with only one bathroom are never desirable, but when they are rentals it becomes even more important to have that second bathroom. A buyer will always feel like they can add one on later, whereas a tenant will want it immediately.
• Is it in a quiet location? No one wants to be in a property that is on a main street, adjacent to a school or next to commercial property. Look for properties that are located on quiet streets and away from the busy, noisy areas.
• Are there an abundance of tenants in the area? You may have to check with a realtor to find out exactly what the statistics are, but you can do your own investigation by looking in the local papers and on the internet. This will also give you an idea of the rental rates so that you can arrange financing that will be in your favor.

Rental properties can make you wealthy as an investor, but you must do your homework first.

Buying Real Estate That Needs Repairs

Buying real estate right now will most likely mean that you will need to do some work on the home before you can rent it out or sell it. Home repairs and improvement projects can be dangerous. If you are using sharp tools or power tools you must take extra precautions to avoid injury. Here are 7 tips to stay safe when you are working around your home:

1. If you are working with wiring be sure to turn off the circuit.
2. Unplug your power saw before you change the blade.
3. Keep your power tools dry and only plug them into grounded electrical outlets.
4. Read the instruction manual and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions before using a power tool.
5. Keep your fingers away from a power blade. Clamp down small pieces of wood instead of holding them.
6. Take off your gloves and roll up your sleeves when you use a power tool.
7. Wear eye and ear protection when you are working with a power tool.

Some of these tips may seem