Archive for the ‘Selling Real Estate’ Category

by dalechumbley

ravi karandeekar


Image by Ravi Karandeekar
Ravi Karandeekar, the real estate salesman who has stopped selling and started helping property buyers to buy a property in Pune real estate market. You can call Ravi Karandeekar on 919860044110 for "Free 3 Minutes Consultation"! Please, visit his Google Profile at: www.google.com/profiles/ravi.karandeekar
Ravi Karandeekar’s blogs are:
1) Ravi Karandeekar’s Pune Real Estate Market News Blog
2) Ravi Karandeekar’s Pune Real Estate Blog
3) Ravi Karandeekar’s Pune Real Estate Investment Blog
4) Ravi Karandeekar’s Pune Real Estate Advertising and Marketing Blog. To know more about his blogs, please, visit his Google Group at groups.google.co.in/group/ravikarandeekarsgroup

Many people are entering into for sale by owner real estate agreements than ever before. With property sales at an all-time low and millions of homes for sale, the real estate market is oversaturated; making it difficult to sell properties for profit.

Listing property as for sale by owner real estate allows homeowners to reduce the sale price to attract buyers. FSBO offers benefits to both seller and buyer and saves both parties thousands of dollars in realtor commissions. However, property owners who choose this option should become educated about the process. Otherwise, they could place their property at risk.

The Internet offers a wealth of for sale by owner tips, information and resources. Sellers can download real estate contracts, order FSBO education kits, locate real estate lawyers, and join real estate networking groups to share tips or connect with potential buyers.  Numerous websites exist where sellers can list FSBO real estate for a nominal fee.

It is important to determine property value before placing a ‘for sale by owner’ sign in front of your home. Property values are determined based on location, condition, amenities, and sale price of comparable homes in the area. It is best to hire a professional real estate appraiser to obtain an accurate assessment.

A home inspection is required to locate potential problems and provide time to make necessary repairs. Home inspections are required before closing can occur, so it is best to hire a home inspector before listing the FSBO realty.

Take time to become familiar with real estate contracts. Learn how to negotiate terms of the sale and understand legalese of closing and settlement documents. It is best to retain the services of a real estate lawyer to review for sale by owner real estate contracts and ensure they are legally binding and properly executed.

At present, real estate is a buyer’s market. It is important to prepare the home and make it better than other homes for sale in the area. This might involve deep cleaning, repairing or replacing broken items, or painting the interior and exterior of the house. Remember the exterior is the first thing buyers see, so take time to make the outside shine.

One for sale by owner tip that might expedite the sale of your home is to host a yard sale. Not only can you sell items no longer needed, you can inform visitors the home is for sale.

Create informative flyers to hand out to visitors. Include pictures and details of the house, along with the sale price and contact information. Talk to everyone who arrives at the yard sale and ask them to let others know about the property sale.

Consider offering a finder’s fee to generate excitement about telling others about your home. Be prepared to show the house to interested parties. One couple used this strategy and sold their home on the spot during their yard sale. If it can happen to them, it can happen to you.

Selling real estate without a realtor can be overwhelming. Keep in mind it is not necessary to do everything alone. Hire professionals to perform various tasks. If you do not understand contracts, hire a real estate attorney. If you don’t have time to paint, hire a painting company. If you dislike cleaning, hire a cleaning crew.

For sale by owner real estate places everything in your hands. If you invest time in becoming educated about the FSBO process before listing your property, you can save yourself a lot of stress and money. Education is the key to selling your home, so don’t skimp on the process. Otherwise, you could learn a painful and costly lesson.

by daveiam

Jackie tends the children at Kelly’s


Image by sandyfeet
First you sell real estate all day and then you sell cocktails all evening and if you are lucky you get some sleep before you get up and do it all over again.
Welcome to (the local’s version of) spring break…

Are you considering buying real estate in Maryland?  Don’t go it alone.  Real estate is a complicated business, especially now, in the wake of a global meltdown of unprecedented proportions.  If you’re thinking about investing a significant amount of money in a new home or property, you need all the help you can get.  Real Estate America, a Maryland broker and realtor with years of experience assisting people like you with buying real estate in Maryland, can help you avoid the pitfalls of the local market.

Real Estate America offers a service package for every need, whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for a hand-holding experience, or an experienced seller looking to shoulder the majority of the work yourself.  With it’s compressive sliding scale of service options, Real Estate America makes buying real estate in Maryland (or selling real estate in Maryland) easy and affordable for almost everyone.

The crown jewel of Real Estate America’s service offerings, for those interested in buying real estate in Maryland, is their online home listings service.  On the Real Estate America website, people interested in buying real estate in Maryland can quickly and easily sort through hundreds of home listings by any of a number of different criteria, including number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, and location.  This service makes it easy for potential buyers to narrow down Maryland’s vast pool of available real estate to a relatively manageable subset.

For those who are not interested in buying real estate in Maryland, but have some to sell, Real Estate America also offers a variety of seller-oriented services, including highly affordable flat-fee MLS listings.  A flat-fee MLS listing is a handy way to avail oneself of some of the advantages of hiring a Realtor, but at only a fraction of the cost of a full-service listing.

Typically, a flat-fee service listing entails paying a Realtor a fee of approximately five-hundred to five-thousand dollars, in exchange for which the seller receives a listing in an MLS, or “multiple listing system.”  An MLS is just a database, shared among Realtors, that enables them to quickly search and view properties that are for sale in their areas.  By listing your home in an MLS, you enable Realtors to find people who are interested in buying real estate in Maryland to purchase your home or property.  The responsibility for showing and closing on your home, meanwhile, falls entirely to you.  Typically, once your home sells, there is a small commission to be paid to the cooperating Realtor who located the buyer.

With its wide range of services, Real Estate America is an ideal partner for anyone interested in buying or selling real estate in Maryland.  Contact them today.

Real Estate America is a Maryland broker and Realtor with years of experience helping people interested in buying real estate in Maryland.  For more information, visit Real-EstateAmerica.com

by ~fyrfli~

my first scorpion in a house


Image by housechick
i’ve been here 12 years, selling real estate for 5 of those, and this is my first scorpion i’ve ever seen in a house

Queensland is known as the sunshine state. It has everything to boast about from pristine beaches to dense rainforests and the authentic Australian outback is one of the most preferred holiday destinations. The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most beautiful natural formations occupies 2,300 km of the Queensland coast line. Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the state can be broadly divided into Bayside, Brisbane (central, inner north, inner south, outer north, outer south, west) central Queensland, far north

Queensland, Outback Queensland, North Queensland, Southeast Queensland, Sunshine coast, Gold coast and Townsville region. Real estate is a booming industry in Queensland. To become a Real Estate Agent in Queensland, AU you need to hold a real estate license. To be eligible for the license you need to be more than 18 years old, you need to have a place of business in Queensland, you must be a suitable person (as per defined guidelines) and have the requisite training. Training is very important to become a Real Estate Agent in

Queensland, AU. There are as many as 19 units that need to be successfully completed. If you are a part of the real estate industry already and have worked as a sales person, letting agent or the like, you would have most certainly completed six to eight chapters already.

You can then get a Recognition of Prior Learning and then you will not have to repeat the chapters you already know. Formal education in real estate is also evidence to get Recognition of Prior Learning. You can contact your work place and let the learning centre know the chapters you have already done and study only the remaining. Training courses are offered through correspondence and at centres. With correspondence mode, you have flexibility of timings and can do it from home.

You can do the learning after school or work and there does not need to be too much adjustment in your daily schedule. The other advantage is that you can study at your own pace and take your own time to complete the course. There are no timetables to follow as well. But classroom training has some major advantages. With classroom training, you get ready access to the instructors and your problems/queries can get solved easily/quickly. Many organisations provide workshops at various intervals during the year to help candidates prepare for getting the license to become a Real Estate Agent in Queensland, AU. There are many types of real estate licenses you can get, specific to the job you want to do. If you are only interested in auctioning property then an auctioning license will be enough, but a complete real estate license gives you the spectrum required to get into any sub field. With a full real estate license one can become a Real Estate Agent in Queensland, AU and own and manage a real estate agency. One can sell real estate without getting into the hassle of passing it through an established agency.

Once you become a Real Estate Agent in Queensland, AU you:

1)Can buy and sell properties, put up business, residences and land on rent or have any kind of interests in them.

2)Can collect rent on behalf of the owners of the property.

3)Can do transactions or negotiate in the sale of property

4)Can negotiate and exchange buy, sell or rent residences and businesses, land or livestock

5)Have interests in livestock. You can buy, sell or exchange livestock

6)Can inspect or appraise property that is up for sale or rent

7)Can advertise, place signs on property that is up for sale or rent.

8)Can show property to buyers or anyone who wants to rent them To become a Real Estate Agent in Queensland, AU you will have to fill up a form that you would get on the official website and pay for the personal background check as well.

The license is usually processed within four to six weeks. This can be longer if any documents are missing and the authorities have to get in touch with you about this. Hence it is important to ensure that all your documents are attested where ever necessary, all the charges are paid for and the form is filled without any error. Getting a full real estate license in Queensland will let you have a career in real estate like you had always wanted.

Probate property refers to assets owned by a person who has died. Upon death, decedents’ last will and testament is recorded through probate court and a case number assigned. The estate undergoes the probate process to settle outstanding debts and transfer inheritance to rightful heirs.

The type of probate property involved can affect the duration of probate. For example, estates consisting of real estate, business assets, or valuable property typically require more time to settle than estates without valuable assets.

The probate process can vary depending on if the estate is testate or intestate. When a person executes a last Will, it is known as testate, while intestate means no Will exists. Intestate estates require additional steps be taken to abide by state probate laws. These can include determining rightful heirs and appointing an estate administrator.

Administrators are designated within the last Will and responsible for all facets of estate management. When necessary, estate executors can obtain assistance from probate lawyers. Attorneys can be particularly beneficial when estates consist of valuable property or when family members disagree over inheritance distribution.

Estate administrators are responsible for securing and maintaining probate property. If real estate is secured by a mortgage note, the estate is financially responsible for making payments until the property transfers to heirs or is sold. Selling probate real estate generally requires court authorization.

Estate executors can petition the court to sell real estate or other valuable property when it is in the best interest of the estate. When multiple heirs are entitled to probate property, they must all agree to sell the asset unless the sale is court ordered.

Probate real estate can be a good option for real estate investors. Locating properties requires a bit of investigative research, but can be well worth the time and effort. Probated estates are a matter of public record and anyone can view the last Will.

Investors review probate records to locate potential properties for sale. The Will contains the physical address of real estate, along with contact information for the probate personal representative.

Investors then review property records to find out details such as age, square footage, purchase price, property taxes, and if mortgage notes, creditor judgments, or tax liens are attached. Property records also include the name of the lien holder and appraised property value.

Investors create a list of potential probate properties and contact the estate administrator or representing attorney to discuss a sale. When estates are financially strapped, heirs are often willing to sell real estate below market value to eliminate estate expenses.

Buying probate real estate normally involves submitting bids through the court. It is not uncommon for several investors to submit bids on the same property. Once bids are accepted, investors undergo court confirmation and transfer property within 30 to 45 days.

Probate real estate often makes for exceptional investment property. Houses are usually in good condition and require few repairs. It is important for investors to conduct due diligence prior to submitting bids. It is also a good idea to work with a real estate attorney to ensure a smooth transaction when buying houses held in probate.

Thinking of selling your house? To sell for top dollar, it’s critical that you get the right agent to help you! “Jim the Realtor” works the North San Diego County Coastal region, from La Jolla to Carlsbad CA – if you’re thinking of selling around here, contact Jim. He’ll answer these questions and more. Also take a look at his website for current market conditions and statistics that will help you see exactly where the market is in North San Diego County. www.bubbleinfo.com His email address is jim@jimklinge.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Heritage Square


Image by The City Project
Hale House

Built between 1887 and 1888 for GW Morgan, the house was sold numerous times and moved twice before coming to the museum.

Originally located at 4501 North Pasadena Ave (now Figueroa St), it was purchased by James and Bessie Hale in 1906 at it’s 2nd location, 4425 N. Pasadena Ave. James was a motor man for the railroad. The couple separated a few years after moving in-Bessie remained in the house and took in boarders and bought and sold real estate in the hot property market of the early 20th century in Los Angeles. Moved to the museum in 1970, the house underwent a large restoration effort. It is a classic example of a Queen Anne/Eastlake style house. Queen Anne details include fish scale shingles, corner turret, iron grillwork and dentil blocks.

Charles Locke Eastlake was a renowned interior designer of the period. The Hale House’s extensive surface decorations, including chrysanthemums, fans, and geometric designs can be found in Eastlake’s book, Hints on Household Taste. Unfortunately for Eastlake, many of the designs that he abhorred were adopted by the homeowners and furniture makers alike who copied all of the designs in his book-the good and bad-and dubbed the ‘Eastlake’.

The exterior colors – four shades of green, three red, with yellow and Victorian black trim – were reproduced from pain uncovered during restoration. Lincrusta, a wall covering made to look like leather, decorates the downstairs rooms and is original to the building, as are the light fixtures, fireplaces, and some of the furniture. The upstairs bathroom contains original bathroom fixtures, including nickel-plated bathtub, ceramic sink and a pull-chain toilet.

One of the biggest tax hits you’ll likely ever take is when you sell investment real estate. Although taxes are a way of life, avoiding taxes is also as American as apple pie. Fortunately for all of us, there are ways to reduce (and even eliminate) taxes legally.

One of the most loved loopholes the rich use when selling real estate is Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Established in 1928, Section 1031 lets you escape 100% of the tax on the sale of a property by exchanging it for another. Knowing the basic 1031 rules as they apply to real estate can save you a fortune (and make you even more).

1031 Rules to Know

1. To be totally TAX FREE, the purchase price (VALUE) of the newly acquired “exchange” property must be equal to or greater than the sale price of your original property, and equal to or greater in debt.
2. All the proceeds from the sale of your first property must be used to purchase the “exchange” property.
3. The real estate must be of “like kind,” meaning both properties must be investment properties. (They do not have to be of identical use. You can exchange a rental condo for a strip mall, or vacant land for an apartment building. However, real estate outside the U.S. is not of like kind.)
4. You cannot exchange personal residences. The property must be used for business, trade or investment.
5. You can sell one property and buy several properties. Or you can sell several properties and buy one.
6. This is not a self-administered transaction. The cash from the first sale must go through a “qualified intermediary” and not directly to you or an agent working for you or who has a fiduciary relationship with you. If you (or your agents) take the cash, you pay the tax.
7. You do not have to sell one property and buy the exchange property simultaneously. You have 45 days from the closing of the first sale to identify up to 3 potential exchange properties. You have 180 days from the closing of the first sale to complete the exchange sale(s).
8. You can exchange for a property that is under construction. But you cannot use its future completed value. The value of the unfinished property as it stands when you take title must be equal your gains from the first property.
9. A partnership can sell and exchange real estate as long as it takes title in the name of the partnership.
10. You cannot buy a property that is “held primarily for sale.” Meaning if you intend to do a quick flip of the exchange property, it will not qualify.

These rules are just the tip of the Section 1031 iceberg. The more you know about Section 1031 the more questions you’ll likely have. For example, although you now know the real estate exchange has to be of “like kind,” that does not mean it has to be of like quality. You can exchange an improved property for one that needs major rehab.

You do not have to “trade” properties with the same individual. You can sell your property to one person and by your exchange property from another. It’s not, “you give me your property and I’ll give you mine.”

More for Your Money

Paying no tax isn’t the only advantage. Exchanging real estate gives you greater buying power. Instead of using after-tax dollars, you’re using 100% of your money. If you made a million profit on the sale of a property, as much as 0,000 that otherwise could have gone straight to that taxman can instead go toward the purchase of another property.

If you’re ready to snowball your real estate portfolio into bigger and better properties, consider the 1031 exchange. It can get you there faster and tax-free. With proper estate planning, you (and your heirs) will never pay a dime of tax on the gains. And that’s a very good thing.

Tax on Real Estate Sales in Canada

If you own a rental property or a real estate investment in Canada, and have sold or are thinking of selling, then it is very important that you read this article because it provides helpful tax tips that can save you $ $ $ thousands.

Paying Capital Gains Tax – Tax on Real Estate Sales in Canada

When you sell an investment property in Canada you are required to pay capital gains tax on the real estate sale in Canada. ‘Capital Gains Tax’ simply means that only half of the profit (i.e. gain) on the sale of your real estate investment in Canada will be taxable.

For example, if the profit (gain) is 0,000 on a real estate sale in Canada, then only half of the gain (,000) would be taxable at your marginal tax rate.

Profit on the Sale of Real Estate Investments – Tax on Real Estate Sales in Canada

How do you calculate the profit on real estate sales in Canada? It is a very simple formula: Net Sales Proceeds minus the Cost = Profit (Gain).

The Net Sales Proceeds is equal to the selling price less legal fees paid to your lawyer and commissions paid to your realtor.

The Cost is computed as the original purchase price, which should be shown on your purchase and sale agreement when you first bought the property, plus land transfer tax, legal fees paid and the cost of any improvements made to the property.

What are Improvements? – Tax on Real Estate Sales in Canada

When calculating the tax on real estate sales in Canada, you should consider improvements. Improvements increase the cost of your property and therefore reduce the gain and tax on sale.

Improvements (also know as capital expenditures) are something that better the quality of the property or extend the property’s life. For example, if you replaced the windows on your property, then that is an improvement because it has extended the life of your property. Windows usually last 10 to 20 years.

Another example of an improvement would be replacing your old gas furnace with a high energy efficient furnace. That improves the quality of your property and therefore it is an improvement.

Repairs are not improvements and they would not increase the cost of your property for tax purposes. Repairs include fixing a leaky faucet or repairing a squeaky floor board. Repairs are tax deductible as a current expense on your tax return.

Capital Cost Allowance – Tax on Real Estate Sales in Canada

When calculating tax on real estate sales in Canada you must factor in depreciation, also known as Capital Cost Allowance. Depreciation represents the wear-and-tear on your property and is tax deductible.

When selling real estate in Canada, the Capital Cost Allowance that you claim in the prior taxation years must be included in your taxable income in the year of the sale. This is known as Recapture. For example, if you claimed 0,000 of Capital Cost Allowance in prior taxation years, then 0,000 of previously claimed Capital Cost Allowance will be included in your taxable income in the year of sale.

Remember that when you sell a real estate property in Canada, the sale must be reported on your personal tax return, including the Capital Gain realized and Recapture. Since the taxation on the sale of rental properties and real estate investments can be complex, I encourage you to engage the services of a Chartered Accountant in Mississauga / Toronto.

A real estate video can show the interior of the house just like someone was going on a tour through the house in order to decide whether they want to buy it.  Many sellers are finding that virtual tours of real estate property are the best way to sell their homes. Not only does it cut down on unqualified or uninterested buyers when it comes to those who visit their property, but it can reach out to a broad range of people through the internet who might not otherwise even know that the property is up for sale.

Most real estate agents today realize the power of the internet when it comes to selling real estate.  A great deal of buyers will look for property today online, although they still use an agent to actually give them a tour of the property that they are interested in seeing.  The problem with this is that buyers have so many properties from which to choose and will end up spending a great deal of time looking at homes and other real estate properties that they do not like due to the interior of the homes.  By taking a virtual tour through a real estate video, however, a buyer can actually get a feel for the inside of the house.  After they take the virtual tour by viewing a real estate video of the property, they can make a decision as to whether or not they want to see the home.  Many agents realize that virtual tours through real estate video saves time on behalf of both the seller as well as the buyer when it comes to the sale and purchase of real property.

A real estate video can be created in a way that accurately reflects the property and gives those who are interested a virtual tour of the interior of the property.  This cuts down on those who are just interested in taking a look at a piece of property but have no intention of buying it as they can then just view it online.  Those who view a virtual tour through a real estate video and still want to see the real estate property that is for sale are more inclined to make an offer.  Sellers can benefit from this way of selling homes by streamlining the amount of visitors they have in to see the property to those who are in the market for what they have to sell, like what they have seen on the virtual tour and are still interested in buying the property.

Buyers can avoid taking the time to see property that they are not going to like from the inside when they view a virtual tour with a real estate video.  Anyone who is selling property today can present the buyer with this option of seeing the property on a real estate video so that they can cut down on the amount of traffic that comes through their home when it is for sale.  A virtual tour by a real estate video that is viewed online is a timesaver for both sellers and buyers in the real estate market today.

by burienundressedblog

Many people have been asking me “Mark, why would I buy a brand new pre construction investment condo when I can buy an older one and fix it up and sell it?” This is a good question. Some people do very well buying old fixer uppers and throwing in some new carpet and new paint and making a few bucks but this is defiantly not for serious investors. In this article I will go over the pros and cons of the “We Buy Ugly Houses” that has gained in popularity over the last few years with the help of some charismatic real estate “Gurus”.
Avoid the Hype

First let’s analyze exactly what these “Gurus” want you to do. They tell you that you don’t need ANY money and if you use their system they can make you a millionaire in just a few short months. If this was true I would have retired a billionaire a long time ago, the truth is the opportunities they talk about are VERY few and far between and you add in the factor that every major city has at least 15-20 people trying the same technique as you.

(They may even have the same 9 CD set!) And you’ll see the odds are stacked against you. Now these CDs are not all bad, they do educate many amateur investors. But just remember, these “Gurus” do exaggerate the market and do spread a lot of false hope to impressionable new comers. When you listen to the CD’s sets in your car always keep this little fact in the back of your head “They made it rich off selling the CD sets, not from selling real estate” Why would someone who made it rich from real estate want to start selling CDs? It’s like that age old quote says “Those who can’t do, teach”

Now let’s go over the pros and cons of real estate investing. Although I don’t believe there are many drawbacks in investing in pre construction real estate there are some points that scare people out of the market.

I think it will be easier just to bullet the points and explain. This way all the people looking for a quick answer can just browse to the points of Investment real estate – pros and cons.

Pros in Pre Construction Real Estate Investing

It’s the Easiest Form of Real Estate Investing – Investing in pre construction real estate is the easiest form of real estate investing, all you need to do is buy a property wait a few months for it to get into a higher phase of construction then sell it for a profit.

No Head Aches – Pre construction real estate doesn’t have nearly the number of problems/headaches as traditional fixer upper real estate investments. With fixer upper real estate you have to worry about a furnace going, re-paving a driveway, insect infestation, or a whole world of other problems. Pre construction investment real estate is brand new out of the box housing, there are no major problems that commonly accompany older houses.

Free Vacations – Buying pre construction investment real estate in Florida or Las Vegas means you have a free vacation house when the family goes on vacation. Fixer uppers are usually close to your home for easily access and typically not a place your family wants to vacation too. Most people do not have the luxury of buying a fixer upper house halfway across the country and flying down every weekend to work on it.

Rental Income – Rental income is a huge factor for many pre construction real estate investors. The fact that once the condo or townhouse is built and they can rent it out for more money then they pay a month is very appealing. Think about it, if you receive 00 a month in rental income and you only pay 00 for your mortgage and upkeep AND your house is skyrocketing in value… Is that a good investment?

Cons in Pre Construction Real Estate Investing

* You Need Money to Make Money – Because pre construction investment real estate is so sought after developers are demanding a higher percent for down payment. Often times developers want 10-20% of the property sale price as a down payment, also just to hold your spot (a reservation) often requires between 00-5000.

Not Every Project is a Winner – The biggest downside to investing in pre construction real estate is with so many projects popping up it’s hard to find the most profitable investment. Although at the current time most pre construction investments will make you money it’s important to do your due diligence and research the developer AND the management company. Make sure your real estate brokerage has your best intentions at heart, many investment brokerages only focus on a handful of projects where they make the biggest commission.

Money for Nothing – One reason that some people stray from pre construction investment real estate is the simple fact that they do not feel comfortable buying a property that they can not see the finished product. Remember, when you’re going to buy pre construction investment real estate it usually hasn’t even been started yet. This tends to scare amateur investors because spending that much money for them is usually an emotional buy, the seasoned investor understands that the reason they are getting the price they are is because it’s in the pre development stage. If the property was already finished the price would be more. I hope these basic Pre Construction Investment Real Estate Pros and Cons help you to make smart investments in the future..

by Telstar Logistics

John C. Westbrook


Image by Dystopos
J. C. Westbrook was born August 25, 1819, in Sampson County, North Carolina. He was the youngest of thirteen children. His father was a farmer of the slaveholding class, but relied upon the labor of his children, also, at the plow. The educational advantages he was able to give them were limited, and were confined, as far as they went, to a few months’ attendance at the neighboring common schools. He set before them an example of industry, honesty, and patriotism, and thus instructed we will see that John C, of whom we have particularly to write, received a foundation of character upon which from early manhood he has erected a substantial and useful life. In 1827 his father moved his family southward in search of better land. He located in Fayette County, Georgia, and, after six years of hard work on the farm, both parents died. There were ten sons and three daughters left, and John C, then fifteen years of age, was the youngest. Immediately after the loss of his parents he set out to gain something more of an education, leaving an older brother in charge of the home. The Creek War breaking out at this time (1836) this brother volunteered under the American flag, and his course compelled John C. to abandon his laudable purpose to go to school. He took his brother’s place on the farm, and labored faithfully to keep up the support of the household. In 1837 he succeeded in acquiring a few more and final months at school. In 1838 he enlisted in the ranks of the Federal volunteers, and the command to which he belonged was ordered to Fort Scudder, Cherokee County, Georgia. The Seminole war was then in its last stages, and the removal of the Cherokees was soon consummated. Upon the fulfillment of these purposes, which originated the call for volunteers, the troops were disbanded.

In 1839 Mr. Westbrook was employed by a clock manufacturer as traveling agent. In the fall of 1840 Mr. Westbrook immigrated to Tallapoosa, one of the central counties of Alabama, where he opened a farm, established a grist and saw mill, run by water power, and carried on a mercantile business, all on a small scale. His peaceful nature, but frank and courageous bearing, gave him good standing in a new country. He married in November, 1840, Elizabeth A. Lamberth, of Tallapoosa County, whose family had immigrated to Alabama that year.

In 1883 Mr. Westbrook moved to Birmingham. For ten years before that date he had bought and sold real estate in the city. Upon his removal to the city he entered largely into the market, buying eight thousand dollars worth of property, and improving it as he invested. Some example of his operations may be cited as illustrious of the success which good judgment and pluck and square dealings may attain. He offered some suburban real estate in 1884 at two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. It commands, January, 1887, two thousand dollars per acre. He bought seventeen acres in the spring of 1886 for one hundred and sixty dollars per acre. This now commands two thousand dollars per acre. Upon this latter tract he discovered a limestone bed, the stone being 75 per cent. lime. Besides operating on the suburbs, Mr. Westbrook has bought and sold some of the choicest lots in the business part of the city, with high profits. He had been a practical coal miner in the meantime, and in mercantile business in the produce line.

His marriage bore five children, one of them a son. The four daughters, now married and living near him in Birmingham, are the only survivors. He is connected with several corporations, among which we name, president of the Western Valley Street Railway; also, holds a directory in the Birmingham Agricultural Works.

A physical peculiarity Mr. Westbrook mentions in regard to himself may be worthy of mention. His average sleep out of twenty-four hours has not exceeded four hours as far back into his youth as his memory goes.

- from Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama: History and Biographical, edited by John Witherspoon Dubose and published in 1887 by Teeple & Smith / Caldwell Printing Works, Birmingham, Alabama

A mortgage is a mortgage is a mortgage. NOT! Not only do mortgages differ between lenders, but they also differ greatly by the lenders, themselves. There are two types of real estate originators — brokers and loan officers.

Brokers generally are self-employed professionals, who work to secure a real estate loan for you. They work through a variety of lenders and earn a fee for the transaction. Most of the mortgage lenders who advertise on the Internet are brokers.

Loan officers are employees of a bank, credit union, or other lending institution, such as a mortgage company. They sell and process mortgages and other loans only for their employers. They are usually local and in a physical location.

There are advantages and disadvantages in using both brokers and loan officers for your real estate purchase, so you need to shop for the one that is right for you and your particular circumstance.

Brokers

The advantages to using a mortgage broker for your real estate purchase are many. Usually, the better deal they get for you, the buyer, the more they are paid on the transaction — a big plus for you. If your local bank, mortgage company, or credit union has refused you a loan, a mortgage broker may be able to find a lender, even if you have bad credit — just expect to pay a higher interest rate. If your real estate is unique or commercial property, using a mortgage broker to secure a loan is at times easier and faster.

One downside of using a mortgage broker is that your mortgage loan will be sold to another lender immediately after closing. Another is that brokers choose to do either non-conforming loans, which are higher risk and usually higher interest rates, or conforming loans. This limits your loan options. Brokers do not have to disclose a “good faith” estimate on what closing costs will be, nor are they regulated by the Fair Credit Act. Additionally, they seldom have a physical office with employees offering you face-to-face customer service, and they generally are in another town or state than where your real estate is located. This means they may not understand the local market in which you purchased your real estate. Important issues may arise from the real estate classifications and terms used by your appraiser, for example.

Loan Officers

Though loan officers offer a variety in the types of loans available, you are limited to only those products offered by one institution. Usually a local institution, the loan officer will be familiar with all local regulations and issues will not arise over lack of knowledge in local market terminology.

Banks and Mortgage Companies

Bank and mortgage company loan officers will give you face-to-face customer services, at least before the closing. Like brokers, banks have the option of selling real estate loans on the secondary market. Some banks sell only low-end mortgages or those that require too much servicing with little return. Some sell the loan but keep the servicing portion, making it appear that your mortgage continues to be owned by the bank or mortgage company. They are required, however, to tell you during the initial paperwork if your mortgage may be sold. I suggest you ask before you ever get to that point, if this is a deal breaker for you.

Bank and mortgage company loan officers are licensed and must meet certain criteria. They have more criteria that you must meet, as well, in order to secure a loan (banks usually require the most). Many real estate buyers are refused mortgage loans by these institutions. Both banks and mortgage companies generally do offer better rates and terms. They also must disclose a good faith estimate on what closing costs will be, and they are regulated and audited under the Fair Credit Act.

Credit Unions

You must be a member of a credit union to apply for a loan with them. Many credit unions do not offer real estate loans. The major advantage of securing a loan from a credit union is that they pass on only actual costs of the loan to you — no broker fees or commissions. They also never sell their loans on the secondary market, they always are local, and give you continuing face-to-face customer service.

What to Do

The time to begin looking for a mortgage lender is before you begin looking at real estate. Ask family and friends for referrals, as well as their experience with the real estate lender. Ask your real estate agent for referrals. Then, contact each prospective lender and ask questions — lots of questions! Compare interest rates, terms, after the closing mortgage sale policies, and what criteria do they require that you meet in order to qualify for a real estate loan.

If you are a residential real estate buyer, consider getting pre-approved for a loan. You will know exactly what you can afford to buy, which usually turns out to be much more than you expect.

Spend as much time shopping for a mortgage lender as you will for your real estate. The deal you get can save or cost you thousands or even millions over the life of the mortgage. Get the best deal possible, as well as the right lender for your real estate purchase.

by daveiam

You’ve decided that you want to get your real estate license. You’ve heard of a broker license too. What is the difference between these two real estate professions? Unless you’ve been involved in a real estate transaction or are familiar with the careers, you might not know the exact differences.

If you want to pursue your real estate license, you should thoroughly understand the similarities and differences.

All states require that real estate sales professionals, including salespersons and brokers, be licensed by that state. Brokers will generally be required to complete more real estate education and experience than a salesperson.

A real estate agent is usually an independent contractor who provides his or her services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the real estate broker pays the salesperson a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property.

Real Estate Salesperson – An individual who can show property for sale on behalf of a seller, but who may not have a license to transact the sale and collect the sales commission.

Assist sellers in marketing their property and selling it for the highest price.
Assist buyers in purchasing suitable property for the best possible price.
Acts as an intermediary between the buyer and seller.

Real Estate Broker – A person licensed by his or her particular state to charge a fee for bringing a buyer and a seller together to purchase real estate.

Assist sellers in marketing their property and selling it for the highest price.
Assist buyers in purchasing suitable property for the best possible price.
Acts as an intermediary between the buyer and seller.
Buys and sells real estate for a company or individual on a commission basis.

Real estate salespersons and brokers perform many of the same duties including: obtaining listings, determining sales price; showing properties; assisting with financing; selling property; overseeing inspections, and more.

The state examination, which is more comprehensive for a real estate broker than an agent, includes questions on real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most states require that a real estate salesperson complete between 30 and 90 hours of instruction. A real estate broker needs between 60 and 90 hours of real estate education and a specific amount of experience selling real estate (usually 1 to 3 years).

http://www.realestatelicense.com

Tom Ferry Real estate training www.yourcoach.com When you are uncertain about where you are in life, your future has ended in a lot of ways. Tom Ferry, leading coach asks you to take time this Friday to get really clear on 5 fundamental questions and live by them. In this video Tom will talk you through these questions and asks you to answer them to help fire you up. These questions have guided Tom for many years and it is his intention that they help you as well! No matter what Industry you are in, take the time to answer these questions!
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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by GuideEbook

buy or sell your home


Image by TheTruthAbout
interesting marketing effort

If you were offered a dollar today or ten dollars next week, which would you choose? What if you couldnt have that ten dollar bill until next month or next year? If you would rather have the cash now than wait, you are in the majority. This is why real estate notes are sold at a discounted rate from the actual value of the note.

Real estate investors use a special formula to determine how much money a note is worth at any given time based on the time value of the money and the time value and future value of the money involved. Since money today is not worth as much to potential investors or sellers as money today, the discount becomes a regular part of buying and selling real estate notes. This discount means that the note, which includes the value of the loan and the value of the interest that will be earned on the loan, is actually sold for less money than you will potentially be making by holding it. You pay a lower rate based on the value that you have determined the note will be worth in the future, adding in considerations for how much time you will have to wait to get your money.

Buying and selling these discounted notes can bring you a great deal of profit, and one way in which this is possible is by purchasing your real estate notes directly from the original private owner of the owner financed mortgage at a deep discount. The seller is less likely to have experience in pricing, buying, or selling real estate notes, and is more likely than a company would be to be motivated to sell the note quickly. Because of this, they might accept less than the note is truly worth as an investment, and you can make a great return on your own investment by selling the discounted real estate note to other investors in turn. Your profit is the difference between your cost to buy the note and the price at which you can sell it.

Because of the high potential for profit in this kind of transaction, the competition to buy privately owned real estate notes is extremely high. A great deal like that one could jump start an investors career as he or she begins to build their investment portfolio, however the competition makes it very hard to find a great deal like this in the current real estate note market.

The internet is a great tool for locating sellers and helping to direct them to you, however most of your competition knows this as well and will be searching the same pages as you and advertising in all the same places. Advertising locally is more likely to bring you great business opportunities, and you can build up your real estate note business note by note over a period of time. This assumes that you have the start up capital to even buy real estate investment notes, which are quite expensive. You may not be able to afford a mistake in this business, so plan for emergencies to come out on top.

Regular income from discounted real estate notes can be accomplished as well, in a form known as cash flow. This investment strategy involves buying and holding a note instead of selling it, and in that way building up your cash flow monthly as long as you can afford to sit on your investment.

To build up successful cash flow, you will have to have the large amount of money required to invest in a discounted real estate note for a long period of time. This kind of investment can pay well in the long run, making it worth sitting on your money if you can afford to do so. A real estate cash flow of this kind returns much more than a CD or government bond, and you get monthly payments instead of waiting for a lump sum at the end of the investment. No matter how you choose to invest in real estate notes, they are not an opportunity to be dismissed lightly.

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by ~fyrfli~

Elvis Lives


Image by Atelier Teee
Elvis lives, and he’s selling real estate in Hawaii. Blue Hawaii Properties storefront on Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii

Tenuous Link: blue ⇒ Blue Hawaii.

All of us like to keep as much of our money as we can. It’s human nature. So when we make one of the biggest sales of our lives, we have to pause for a moment when we think about spending thousands of dollars on a real estate agent to handle the sale.

One of the biggest reasons that someone hires a real estate agent comes down to just one thing: time. If someone is selling a house, then they are probably looking for a new house or are shopping for items for a new house. They won’t have the time to advertise, take calls, show the house, handle the negotiations and close the deal.

In my state of Oregon, agents are tested and then if they pass, they are granted a license to sell real estate by the state. Applicants sign up for a class at the end of which they take their real estate license test.

Whether or not you hire an agent, you need to first set a price that is in line with the current housing market. It’s hard to set a price if you don’t know how much the houses in your area have been selling for. A real estate professional has spent many hours going through the local listings and showing local houses, so he or she may have a far better idea as to what your house is worth.

Another area where real estate agents have a lot of experience is in negotiations. If more that one party wants your house, a skilful negotiator may be able to get more that the asking price for your house.

If you’re thinking about selling your house by yourself, ask yourself how much do you know about escrow, inspection, appraisal, earnest money and closing? Be sure to think about all of these things when thinking about trusting a pro to handle your real estate transaction.

Naturally, you could always decide to be your own agent. Most of the people who sell their houses themselves, do so because they would like to put more cash in their pockets at closing.

Just to show you how much the market has changed, when I got into the real estate market in 1984 I paid ,000. for my first house.00. I beleave the going rate back then was 6%, so the real estate agent would have received 0.00.I’ve made some improvements plus the market in my area has been hot for some time now, so I think that the house would go now for around 0.000.00. If I figured the same percentage, the commission would be a whopping ,000.00. This is a lot of money. After thinking about the money I could save, it’s easy to why a lot of people seriously ponder being their own real estate agent.

What I have to think about is how much that house has increased in value since I bought it. The trouble is; I won’t see any of that appreciation unless I sell the house.

If you’ve experienced a great deal of appreciation as I have, then maybe you can negotiate a lower fee with your real estate agent.

If I did sell the house myself I could lower the asking price by the amount equal to what a real estate agent would charge or if I could get my full asking price, or I could keep all of the profits, but this would be a gamble.

Whether or not you decide to sell you own home will be up to you. Your decision will be based mainly on whether you have the time available, the patience, the knowledge and the confidence

In summary, I can understand the peace of mind that comes from hiring a real estate professional, but then maybe I just lack the confidence. My hope is that you can use the above paragraphs to honestly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses when deciding whether or not to hire a real estate professional to help with your sale.

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by dalechumbley

Your ability to find motivated sellers is one of the keys to becoming a successful Real Estate Entrepreneur. What is the definition of a motivated seller?

A motivated seller is someone that needs to sell. You won half of the battle when you understand that there is a big distinction between someone wanting to sell a property versus someone that needs to sell a property. One is a suspect and the other is a prospect.

Someone who just wants to sell a property is usually expecting a buyer to pay retail prices and if they get it fine and if they don’t it’s no big deal.

Now a motivated seller on the other hand has to get the rid of that property by any means necessary, they are looking for a solution to their immediate problem which is the house that they need to get rid of and if you the Real Estate Entrepreneur comes up with a workable solution, their house becomes yours at a bargain price.

What are some of the circumstances that make owners of real estate motivated sellers?

Job relocation. Millions of families travel to new cities and towns when companies shuffle their employees between different locations. This makes selling real estate a top priority for the moving family.

Job termination. Although no one likes to think about it, millions of people lose their job, which puts their finances at risk and can often lead to selling real estate to move to a more economical alternative.

Death in the family. Real estate may be given to one or several family members by a relative who has passed away. If the family already own real estate, then one of the two properties is often sold.

Bankruptcy. When someone is completely down on their luck, often the money invested in their real estate is the only money they have access to so they must sell quickly.

Maintenance woes. After acquiring several properties and buildings in different areas such as a home in the city, a rental property, and a cottage, some people may decide it is too much work to maintain them all and want to sell one of them.

Divorce. People sometimes split up which changes the economic dynamics of their situation. Instead of there being two people sharing a mortgage you now have in most cases one sole person paying the entire mortgage. This creates a financial strain on them and puts the real estate investor in the perfect situation to present the perfect solution called debt relief.

In conclusion, your success as Real Estate Entrepreneur will be determined by your ability to find and locate motivated sellers so that you can present your offers and close deals.

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by okaras

IMGP0732


Image by jsheehan200
Sale Pending

Deciding to buy commercial real estate in your own country is a big decision, but making the decision to purchase commercial Real Estate in Cancun can seem even more daunting. That’s why it is so important to enlist the services of a professional, licensed real estate agent who specializes in commercial properties in Cancun, Mexico. These experienced individuals can help you to buy or sell an empty lot, a hotel, a retail space, a professional office building, an apartment building or rental property, a restaurant, a warehouse, a gas station, or any other type of commercial Cancun real estate, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Puerto Aventuras or other outlying areas around Cancun.

It is important to locate a Mexico Real Estate agent who not only specializes in commercial Cancun real estate and Playa del Carmen Real Estate in Mexico, but who has a proven track record in locating and/or selling commercial properties. One way to accomplish this is to ensure that your property has the maximum amount of exposure when selling, and that you are being shown an adequate variety of available properties when buying or selling commercial property in Cancun, Mexico. Experienced real estate agents should have an extensive business brokerage network with which to accomplish this, whether you are buying or selling real estate in Cancun.

A good Real Estate agent will be able to deal with a variety of clients with various needs when it comes to the type of property they are looking for, whether it is residential income producing real estate or any other type of commercial real estate in Cancun . Look for a real estate team that has a strong background in acquisitions and divestitures that only come from experience working with large investment banks and corporations that deal with Commercial Real Estate in Cancun. If you take these important facts into consideration, you will find the perfect commercial real estate investment opportunity in Cancun or the surrounding areas.

Author: Tom Budniak

If you are one of the over 2 million real estate agents in the United States, there’s a good chance your business is struggling. Agents across the country are feeling the pain of today’s slow real estate market. I hear similar complaints from agents all over – from Florida to California. Their commission checks come so intermittently these days that they’ve taken to staging their clients’ homes for free, hoping to sell their listings faster and for a better price. They think this will lead to more listings. Does anyone else see a problem with that?

First of all, as a real estate agent, your time is money. While you’re donating your time to help your client rearrange their furniture, sort through their junk, choose the perfect paint color for their den and decide whether or not to move the baby’s crib out of the office, do you realize the significant amount of time and money you are wasting? Not to mention the risk of offending your client and losing the listing altogether?

If you list four properties this month and spend an average of four hours staging each of them, you have wasted sixteen hours, or two entire workdays. How many homes can you show in sixteen hours? You could have planned, advertised and attended five open houses in that amount of time. When you’re in the business of selling real estate, your strengths are presumably finding and selling property for your clients and negotiating the best deals for them. If you are personally staging your clients’ homes for free, those negotiation skills are being wasted on domestic disagreements over paint chips and furniture placement.

Many real estate agents approach me, looking for information on the best way to use home staging to boost their business. My standard answer to these agents is actually in the form of a question:

Do you want to be a home stager with a real estate license, or a real estate agent who stages houses?

Your answer will determine what approach you should take.

A significant number of real estate agents who take the Staging Diva® Home Staging Business Training Program do so because they’re tired of selling real estate as their primary source of income with all the inconveniences this entails. They no longer want to be on call 24/7, miss family time on evenings and weekends and feel like they live out of their cars. They want more control over their schedules and to be paid for their time.

Real estate agents enrolled in the Staging Diva program are there to learn how to make a very good living staging homes, not how to stage houses for free as real estate agents.

As students of the Staging Diva Training Program, they learn how to be home stagers who also happen to be licensed Realtors®, rather than real estate agents who happen to stage their listings. If you are an agent first, your focus needs to be on turning listings, not fluffing pillows and sorting clutter.

If you fall into the category of wanting to be a home stager with a real estate license, there is a great chance you will be given a lot of real estate listings. The majority of my home staging clients are homeowners who are just about to list their properties, and they haven’t signed with a real estate agent yet. Many would happily list with me because of the relationship we’ve built as I staged their home. For a home stager with a license, that’s a great listing opportunity!

So what does all this mean? Basically, if your passion for selling real estate has fizzled out and you’re sick of being on call 24/7, you might want to shuffle your priorities and start thinking of yourself as a home stager with a real estate license. You should focus on promoting your home staging services, which is a very profitable business if approached correctly. Along the way you will also pick up real estate listings and find yourself competing with other Realtors® on a whole new level.

A good home stager will earn a tremendous amount of trust from their clients. (It’s amazing how the intimate task of sorting through personal possessions can bring strangers together!) If, at the end of the staging process— which you’ve already been paid for— you also get the listing, isn’t that better then staging your listings for free?

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