Posts Tagged ‘guide’

by darrowwest

Trapped!


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Your Windy City Guide
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Robert Darrow, Broker Associate
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@properties
3101 N. Greenview
Chicago, IL, 60657
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bob@robertdarrow.com
www.robertdarrow.com
www.yourwindycityguide.com
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Direct (773) 305-0473
Mobile (312) 965-1552
Pvt. Fax (312) 896-1558
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Real Estate licensee in the
State of Illinois.
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Real estate is one sector that is ever burgeoning with great prospects of improvement and success. This is a major factor why increasing number of people are opting to be a part of this world rather than any other one. As there is immense scope to grow and make unlimited amount of money, property investment and deals are quite popular these days. If you also win to join the race so that you can also make some extra money then it is important that you know the fundamentals of real estate so that every deal you make is rendered successful and profiting.

When you take the plunge in the real estate market so that you can buy some good property, it is essential that you take expert advice. Proper guidance from a professional is crucial to ensure that you do not take nay faulty steps and do not end up in losses. If you are unable to find any good real estate expert then there is nothing to worry about at all. It is so that now you can also obtain buying real estate guide online. In fact, you can also find the real estate listing online very easily. With the help of this great buying real estate guide online you will not have to do all that legwork to find an expert, you can simply log in and search down experts and great advisors of the field to help you out with your quandaries.

The greatest advantage of the online buying real estate guide is that it gives some of the best advices regarding how to analyze the property deals, how to look for safety clauses in contracts, looking for attorneys, foreclosure houses and many other valuable tips that can make the entire transaction fruitful and benefiting. The real estate listing online is another great asset for you when you look for a great property option to invest in. This is so because the real estate listing online provides you with all the information that you require regarding the properties that are available for you to invest in. So, do not waste any single second and simply log in to find all the answers that pertain to buying of real estate now.

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NYC – UWS: Dorilton Apartments


Image by wallyg
The flamboyant 12-story Dorilton Apartments, designed by Elisha Harris Janes and Richard Leopold Leo, was developed by Hamilton M. Weed in 1902, who speculatively bought the lot 3 years earlier before the uptwon subway routes were set, at a cost of 0,000. Echoing a design they implemented for Weed’s Alimar, Janes & Leo employed a stone base, red brick middle section and curving mansard on a larger scale.

As architect critic, Montgomery Schuyler, noted at the time, ""It was a most questionable and question-provoking edifice in the guise of an apartment house. It not merely solicits but demands attention. It yells ‘Come and look at me’ so loud that the preoccupied or even the color blind can not choose but hear." The building took French ideas, but used them in a more ornate manner than any French architect would have, incorporating more cartouches than any building in Paris.

The Dorilton Boasting one of the most attractive entrance gates in the city–a sidestreet portal that leads into a couryard lightwell bridges at the ninth story by an arch. The entranceway is surmounted by two putti, flanked by ornate cast-iron fences and joined by glope-topped columns.

The building originally had 48 apartments, fourt to a floor, ranging from 1-to-4 bedrooms and renting for 0 to 0 a month. Today it has 59. By the time the Dorilton had been built, the idea of the apartment plan had finally been perfected, separating the public rooms like the parlor, library, and dining room from the private bedrooms and service spaces.

Over time, stores were installed in the Broadway frontage and, starting in the 1950′s, large sections of cornice, whole dormers, lengths of cresting and other elements crumbled or were removed. The building was converted into a co-op in 1984. In 1990, at the cost of .5 million, the mansard was reslated and some dormers and cresting rebuilt. A deep cornice at the 10th-floor level, originally stone, could not be rebuilt but a lesser cornice at the 11th-floor level was painted in trompe l’oeil to imitate the banding and shadows of the original.

The Dorilton Apartments were designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1974.

National Register #83001723 (1983)

In case you want to learn more about Queens apartment for rent, then neighborhoods like Long Island City, Astoria and Jackson Heights are worth checking out. Many in fact have to move to Queens on account of the fact that apartment rents have increased dramatically in Manhattan. If you are young and not older than forty, then Queens is a great place to live in.

The best way to find Queens apartment for rent is to go through a real estate broker, though these brokers will charge you a months rent to show you suitable Queens apartments. Another way to find the right apartment is by checking the local newspapers where you can see a few no fee listings. In addition, you can also check out small scale landlords who will post signs on their apartment windows informing the general public that they have an apartment for rent.

Astoria is the best and certainly a very popular Queens neighborhood that is also located close to Manhattan. It also possesses a unique vibe and is also great for those who are looking for gastronomic delights and even the nightlife here is vibrant and exciting. Because this area in New York has many immigrants, you will find numerous restaurants serving up foods from different parts of the world.

The streets in Astoria are quite congested and so the best way to get around is by using public transportation. The typical cost of a solitary bedroom apartment in Astoria will work out to approximately one thousand dollars while for two bedroom apartments the rent per month works out to about one thousand three hundred dollars.

On the other hand, Long Island City offers a contrasting scene with it having the lone skyscraper in all of Queens. Other than this, the buildings can be ugly, and the area will be rather bleak and industrial oriented. And, there is almost no nightlife available here. However, you will get to see much enjoyable art and culture when looking for A Few Good Options For Those Looking For Queens Apartment For Rent .

Still, you can rent a solitary bedroom apartment here for a monthly rent of nine hundred dollars and less.

Jackson Heights is another option for those wishing to rent an apartment in Queens. Here, a single bedroom apartment rents out for thousand dollars while a two bedroom apartment goes for about twelve hundred dollars, and more.

by darrowwest

bg_cover_commrealestate


Image by suzy_yes
thematische beilage zur wirtschaftszeitung ‘kommersant’

Have you considered buying Mexico Real Estate? Or maybe you’ve already tried your hand at buying real estate in this beautiful country known for the high-quality life in amazing beachfront locations, but with complications in the process, what you expected to be a dream come true didn’t pan out the way you had hoped. Or it could be that you bought property in Mexico, and you don’t even really know how it happened – did you just get lucky that it went so smoothly?

In each of these cases, you have a good reason for new-found motivation and enthusiasm for making a real estate purchase here; a recently published Mexico Real Estate Guide is currently available as a FREE DOWNLOAD. The book, compiled from information and advice from leading Mexico Real Estate Agents, lawyers and title company experts was created for people like you, who need to know how the world of Mexico real estate works.

This e-book, Top Mexico Real Estate Guide; Buying Safely, was created to address the need among buyers to have accurate, reliable information at their fingertips. Many buyers who experience unnecessary difficulties and complications in the purchasing process make some false assumptions at the beginning of the process, for which, if they are unlucky, they may the price later.

One false assumption is that the laws regarding acquiring real estate, and protecting buyers and sellers, are the same in Mexico as in the U.S. or Canada. Top Mexico Real Estate Guide; Buying Safely addresses this issue, outlining the differences of process, laws, and protection which exist in Mexico.

Another false assumption is that you just have to find the right property, and things will work themselves out. While finding the right property for you is very important, it is also important to check the legal status of the property (as with property purchases back home), and to carry out the processes correctly to complete the transaction. The guide outlines these processes in some detail, allowing you, the buyer, to see that you won’t make a drastic error in this very important event in your life.

A point that is emphasized heavily in the Guide is the importance of finding a reliable, experienced and qualified agent. After (or while) reading the e-book, you may wish to contact the experts who wrote it; if they work in the area where you are buying, few people would be more suitable to help you. If not, they will certainly be able to point you to the right agent in the part of Mexico you are interested in.

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

A look at some of the introductory steps and basic decisions required before designing a website. The video is part of an ongoing blog series at point2agentblog.com
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by ontheinside new york

Panama Real Estate – Contracts


Image by thinkpanama
There are several things you should know before you buy in Panama. ThinkPanama.com can guide you and keep your hard-earned money working to its best advantage.

Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County with a population of 148,000. It is the biggest city in the county and also its commerce center. The Charles Schultz museum, famous for its Peanuts cartoon characters, is located here. Santa Rosa is located in the midst of vineyards and countless vineries. The electronic industry is strongly present, a source of employment for many of the residents. Santa Rosa is in the Santa Rosa Elementary and Santa Rosa High school District. Here is a Santa Rosa real estate guide.

(1) Median house hold income is ,931 compared to the state average of ,493.

(2) The per capita income is ,495 against the state average of ,711 according to census 2000.

The following trends give you an idea of the real estate market present in Santa Rosa, from which we can draw many conclusions.

(1) The average sale price of a three bedroom home is 1,087 in Sep-Nov 2007 quarter against 5,607 in the previous quarter, showing a decline of 9%.

(2) The average sale price of a four bedroom home is 8,327 in this quarter against 3,210 in the quarter that has preceded this, which is marginally up by a percentage point.

(3) The median sale price of a three bedroom home is 2,000 in Sep –Nov 2007 quarter against 2,000 in the earlier quarter, showing a decline of 8.5%.

(4) The median sale price of a four bedroom home is 5,000 in the quarter ending Nov 2007 against 0,000 in the preceding quarter, showing a decline of nearly 5%.

(5) The average price per sq.ft has gone down from 3 to 0 in the case of a three bedroom home in the two quarters under review.

(6) The average price per sq.ft has also gone down from 7 to 2 in the case of a four bedroom home in the two quarters under review.

(7) The average listing price of a three bedroom home has gone down by 1.8% and increases by 0.4% in the case of a four bedroom home.

(8) The number of three bedroom homes sold fell from 247 t0 148 in this quarter and in the case of a four bedroom home also it has gone down from 103 to 67. The similar figures were 260 and 97 in the Sep-Nov 2006 period respectively.

From the above figures we can conclude that it is a buyer’s market with a good inventory. The average time in the market has also increased to 102 days. The total number of units sold has gone down by 320 units this year compared to last year’s sale. The only silver lining is that the loans look extremely attractive at this point of time, so take advantage of them and conclude the deal quickly.

The following expensive properties are on sale in the real estate market as of today.

(1) 7170 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa 95404 —- ,500,000

(2) Single family home, Santa Rosa 95403 —- ,900,000 —- 5 Br and 7 Ba

(3) Property, Santa Rosa 95403 —- ,900,000 —- 4 Br and 5 ½ Ba

(4) 800 Shiloh Gln, Santa Rosa 95403 —- ,995,000

(5) 7323 Shiloh Ridge Rd, Santa Rosa 95403 —- ,690,000 —- 5 Br and 6 Ba

With an abundant supply of homes and plenty of Santa Rosa real estate to choose from, you can make your dream home come true and enjoy it for a life time.

Learn how Zillow comes up with its Zestimate, and what real estate professionals need to know to about it.
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by fensterbme

My Temporary Apartment


Image by digitalsadhu
I rented this apar

I rented this apartment for 500 baht / day for 3 weeks.

It is evident that Canada is the world’s second largest country. Canada was one of the major colonial countries. Major colonization’s began here in late 15th century by British and French immediately after the exploration of the nation. Canada in total has 3 territories and 10 provinces. Canada is one of the countries with lowest population density as its total population stands out to be 33 million. Canada is a land of varying cultures, terrains and experiences. Canada has its two official languages as English and French.

Most of the people are dependent on Tourism to earn their livelihood. Over the years Canadian people have seen the potential in Tourism and have decided to explore it. Most of them are offering vacations home to visitors. This has not only fetched them good money but also they have managed to earn their livelihood.

By watching this upward trend in offering vacations home by people, many big hotel chains have now jumped into this most ignored segment of hospitality industry. Thereby, making furnished apartments for rent the most profitable and competitive segments of hospitality industry at present in Canada. Making furnished apartment market a highly competitive one for both people and big hotel chains.

Furnished Rentals Apartments can fetch you better money than putting an unfurnished one. Couple of steps has to be followed in order to get the right value for your furnished apartments.
1.    First and the foremost step is to get the maintenance done for your entire apartment, in accordance with the latest basic facilities and amenities to be provided. e.g. fitness centre, dining room, library, local telephone calls, high speed internet, fully equipped kitchens, laundry, washer/dryer machines etc.

2.    Second step is to think about the following factors such as space, location and accessibility to main areas of the city and transportation services before deciding the rent. In addition check the prevailing furnished apartment rates in your area. Then advertise your property to spread a word.  

Benefits of Furnished Rental Apartments:
1.    The Furnished Rental Apartments Toronto are usually 25% cheaper than hotel rooms of equivalent standard. Hotels charge for their maintenance and services.

2.    Furnished Rentals Apartments Toronto have a low cost in marketing as the guests tend to stay for a longer period of time wherein a hotel customer stays for few nights after which they need to resell the room.

3.    A factor related to eating expenses is also considerable as in a Furnished Rental Apartment Toronto you have a fully equipped kitchen that can be used to cook your own food or get some from the local supermarket, but in a hotel there is a restaurant where the charges are again high.

To learn more about Furnished Rental Apartments, Apartment Rent Toronto and Suite Toronto visit http://www.torontosuites.com/

budurl.com The private KL Park Holidays apartment has 5-star facilities and amenities better than most hotels at a lot more affordable rates. A short, easy taxi drive to the city centre, and excellent access to all surrounding highways also make this apartment an ideal choice for business stays. The 2nd bedroom converts into a spacious study, and the apartment has wifi. Modern and minimalistic, this unit is soothing to the senses. Sun yourself by the pool. Have a barbecue or a picnic in the park. Whether you are here on business or for pleasure, this is a perfect temporary home for you and your family. The international real estate industry honoured the Sentul West and Sentul East Master Plan as runner up in the Master Plan Category of the FIABCI Prix dExcellence Awards 2008. LOCATION: In the beautiful, private park of Sentul West. Walking distance from the theatre (KLPAC), local food stalls, and public transportation. 10min drive from KLCC. 15min drive from Bangsar. AMENITIES: Fully furnished (bed-sheets, towels kitchen utensils, TV, DVD, Wifi, etc…) 1550 square feet (150m2). 3 bedrooms (sleeps 5/6 people). 3 bathrooms. Very spacious living and dining area. Equipped laundry. FACILITIES: Three swimming pools, park, gym, squash, Tennis, Basketball, kitchen garden, water garden, meditation garden, etc… RENTAL PERIOD: From 2 nights to 2 months. NOT FOR: Pets or parties. Also not appropriate for heavy, oily cooking – there is no outside wet kicthen. ADDITIONAL SERVICES ON …
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by darrowwest

Henry Doelger’s Folley


Image by Troy Holden
Henry Doelger was a developer known for the creation of large low-cost housing tracts in San Francisco and Daly City in the mid-century prior.

Doelger was born behind his parents’ bakery in San Francisco in 1896. After his father’s death when he was 12 years old, Doelger left school in the 8th grade in order to help support his family. Henry Doelger went into business with his two brothers Frank and John Jr, eventually becoming a major real estate developer in San Francisco.

Doelger built large sections of San Francisco’s Sunset District during the 1940s. In 1947, Doelger and his associates started building what is now known as the Westlake district in Daly City. This is one of the earliest examples of a large-tract suburb. Life Magazine featured photographs of the numerous rows of houses in the 1950s, which were immortalized in the song Little Boxes.

From The Western Neighborhoods Project:

"Lying south of Golden Gate Park, and far beyond Stanyan street, lies a vast tract of waste and barren lands, whose topographical arrangement is hourly changing through the shifting of the restless sands, and yet whose favorable position – in the direct line of our westward growth which is as inevitable as fate – renders it a most desirable region for investment and for the founding of lovely and healthful homes." —Baldwin’s Real Estate Guide, August 1887

Henry Doelger died in 1978 at the age of 82. The "little boxes made of ticky-tacky" remain to this day.

Puerto Vallarta real estate is a market full of excellent opportunities; however, if you do not have the right information at your disposal, or do not focus on the points most important for your needs, what should be your dream come true, could turn into a nightmare. This point is true in all real estate transactions, but it is also important to note that laws in Mexico are different, as well as business culture.

This fact can actually lead to much greater opportunities, but if not used in your favor, it can cause you to miss out. This is why it is of key importance to make sure you have the basics down – legalities, steps in the purchasing process, etc. – so you can focus on making the most of your investment. E-books available for FREE online, such as the Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely, can provide you with this basic information.

This particular e-book was compiled in question-answer format from the advice of 12 of Mexico’s leading real estate experts, including brokers, lawyers and title search professionals. An easy menu format which appears on the margin of each page allows for quick navigation either by chapter, topic or contributing author.

While some of the information applies to inland purchases, (a difference which is clarified in the e-book,) the majority of the information, tips and advice are entirely applicable to Puerto Vallarta real estate purchases; one of the experts is, Michael Green, a broker with 15 years of experience in that market.

The main topic headings in this real estate guide are:

Purchase Process
Bank trust and restricted zones
Offer to Purchase
Promissory contract and Purchase sales contract
Key players in a Mexico real estate transaction
Closing cost estimates

Take a look at this e-book and find an experienced, qualified Puerto Vallarta agent. DO NOT get “swept away” by excitement without investigating the information. Make your real estate purchase informed and safe, ensuring that you will enjoy the process of acquiring your property and owning it with complete confidence that it is being done right.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

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by داود

Matthew Bronfman at http://ontheinside.info


Image by ontheinside new york
Read about, see more photos and check out business exec Matthew Bronfman’s favorite NYC spots at ontheinside.info

Photograph copyright Sherpa City Guide. Photograph is licensed for use under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND. When using on the web in compliance with the CC BY-NC-ND license, please link the photograph back to ontheinside.info and give credit as "On The Inside". For all other uses, please email info@ontheinside.info.

Buying Cancun real estate is an exciting experience; your dream of owning a condo overlooking the turquoise Caribbean, or a home a short walk from the beach is finally coming true! There are so many great options – it’s not quite the way you remember buying a property back home, but that’s OK, it’s Mexico, right?

Wrong! While buying Mexico real estate is definitely different from buying back home, and buying real estate in Cancun is definitely different from buying in a colonial city, for example, it is risky for you to fall into the trap of thinking that unusual processes, or “skipping some steps” are OK, just because your Mexico.

As one broker put it, “Don’t leave your brains at the border.”

Your job as a buyer is to become familiar with the processes here in Mexico, see how they are different from back home, and make sure you know and follow the correct steps. One powerful resource you can use to help you do this is the e-book Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely, available for free download online.

This e-book outlines the basics of buying in Mexico, the processes involved, and the differences between Mexico and places like the U.S. or Canada, as well as differences between different regions within this country. For example, did you know that to own property in Cancun you need a special bank trust? In Lake Chapala, for example, you do not. The guide explains why, and how each option gives 100% legal ownership. It also touches on legal points, and give general estimates of costs involved in completing a real estate purchase.

One of the most important points of this real estate guide, however, is the recommendations in forming a professional and capable team of experts who will guarantee that your property is transferred legally to your name, following the correct procedures, and who will help you through the process safely, minimizing unnecessary risks.

A central player will be your agent, whose experience in other transactions will allow them to refer you to other professionals you need to work with. This e-book outlines steps you should take when choosing your agent to make sure you are working with the person most qualified for the job. With your qualified, professional agent in place, and professional information at your fingertips, you will be set to enter the purchasing process with founded confidence, and not not just a blind trust that “it’s OK, since you’re in Mexico.”

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

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by Ravi Karandeekar

Jesus Guided Real Estate


Image by داود
Mamallapuram, India.

What have information do you have about buying Puerto Vallarta land? Not much, but that’s OK, since it’s just like buying land anywhere else, right?

Well, not quite. Besides some distinct differences in buying Mexico land in general, due to different laws and property ownership possibilities, there are also some distinct features in Puerto Vallarta’s real estate market, making it necessary for buyers to first collect some accurate and complete information about buying before jumping in.

One excellent way to begin is through a Mexico real estate guide. These can be found in e-book format, sometimes as free downloads. One such e-book, the Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely, is a compilation of questions and answers from a variety of experts in real estate and related fields. One expert is a real estate broker with over 15 years of experience in the Puerto Vallarta area.

This e-book comes in an easy to use question and answer format, and can be quickly navigated from two side menus, by chapter, question or by expert, to compare two experts’ answers to the same question. It can be downloaded in a PDF format in about 2 minutes from the TOPMexicoRealEstate website.

An Mexico real estate guide such as this one will lay out the basics for you to know what questions to ask, what information to obtain and what steps you will need to take to make sure you find a Puerto Vallarta property that will be transferred to your ownership, legally.

One major point which the book covers is the creation of your real estate “team” – the key players in your real estate purchase, what they will do for, how they will (and won’t) ensure a safe purchase, and how you should select them. A point of emphasis is the importance of selecting the right agent. After (or even during) browsing through the information, and keeping it on hand for future reference, the next major step is to find the agent who will guide you through the process.

An experienced, reliable agent knowledgeable of the market and area will also be able to help you select a lot for sale that will suit your needs. This is especially important in Puerto Vallarta; as mentioned above, certain market situations, such as a glut of condos on the market, have created a high supply and buyers market it this particular section. There are also a large variety of home options available, and can sometimes be found below market value.

Your should be able to advise you if land is the most appropriate type of real estate for your needs, and if you determine that is, help you find the best price for an ideal lot.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

shameless (desperate?) self-promotion


Image by dugasj
I’m pretty sure I’ve posted this photo before. How interesting, then, to use it again for quite different purposes. Before, I posted this photo as a way of introducing everyone to our new apartment. Now, I’m using it to advertise what will soon be our old apartment. ((On a somewhat related tangent, Jer was filling in forms last night… and in order to account for the last 7 years of our addresses (NOT including temporary layovers like Laura’s house or the hotel in NJ), he needed 5 lines… which was one more than was allocated on the form.)) Anywho, I’ve posted our apartment on craigslist:
newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sub/259500452.html
It’s one part sad and about fourteen parts nerve-wracking.

“When looking for the perfect apartment, there are several things you will want to keep in mind. The main factors to consider when apartment hunting include:

• The cost of the apartment

• Your freedom to decorate the apartment

• The terms of the apartment lease

• The neighborhood in which the apartment is located

• The available amenities

• Transportation and parking options

• Appliance options

• Pet rules

Some of these factors may be more important to you than others. Nonetheless, you should take each of these into consideration before committing yourself to a new apartment.

The Cost of the Apartment

Of course, the rent is the most important factor you must take into consideration when shopping for an apartment. The best deals are those that include utilities as well. That way, you will only have to make one payment each month and all of your housing costs are cared for. Other factors to consider include the amount of the deposit and how much of it is refundable.

Decorating the Apartment

If you want to personalize the apartment and make it “home,” you will want to rent from a landlord that will allow you to do a bit of decorating. This may including painting the walls, hanging shelving, and making other minor changes to the appearance of the apartment. Be sure to discuss this ahead of time with the landlord if it is important to you.

The Terms of the Lease

Even if you get a great rental rate on the apartment, you don’t want to sign a lease that is going to commit you for several years. After all, if you were looking to live in one place for several years, you would like be more interested in purchasing your own real estate rather than renting an apartment. Similarly, take the time to read all of the fine print so you don’t get yourself stuck in a bind.

Considering the Neighborhood

Location is always an important consideration in the world of real estate – even if you are not looking to actually buy the property. After all, you are going to spend a great deal of time in your apartment. Therefore, you want to be certain to choose one located in a neighborhood where you feel safe and where you can enjoy yourself.

Living the Good Life with Amenities

Amenities may not be a great concern to you. But, many apartments do offer amenities that can be quite attractive. Some of these include fitness centers, pools, and more. If you are not interested in these amenities, don’t pay extra for an apartment that has them.

Getting Around

While the apartment is not likely to have its own built in transportation system, you should keep an eye out for one that is nearby to various transportation options if you do not have your own car. If you do have a car, find out about parking options available to apartment tenants.

Updating Your Appliances

In addition to considering the appliances that come with the apartment rental, you should also consider your options. For example, if the kitchen does not come with a dishwasher but you would like to have one, you want to make sure you can hook one up in the apartment.

Keeping Pets in the Apartment

Even if you are not a pet-owner, you might want to look into whether or not pets are allowed. If you are not a pet lover or if you suffer from dander-related allergies, you might want to stay clear of those apartment buildings that allow pets.

By carefully considering each of these factors, you should be able to successfully find an apartment to suit your needs while remaining within your budget.”

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by joiseyshowaa

Have you been thinking about buying Yucatan Real Estate, or maybe on Mexico’s Pacific coast, but you’re not too sure about how to go about it? Or maybe you think you know exactly how it works – you’ve gone through the process a couple of times back home. In either case, there is some key information you must know; buying in Mexico can be the best experience and investment opportunity of your life, but it is different from in the U.S. or Canada.

As one observer put it, “buying real estate in Mexico is not better or worse than the US, its just different.”

Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely addresses this very issue. Step by step, it guides you through the process of buying property in Mexico, whether it’s the Yucatan and the surrounding beachfront areas, the many options on the Pacific Coast, or quaint towns in the interior. The guide points out the differences that exist in the Mexico real estate transaction process, compared to what we’re used to from back home.

Available as an e-book for FREE at TOPMexicoRealEstate.com, the Guide has already gained very positive feed-back from high-profile experts. One example is Jeff Hornberger, Director for Global Alliances of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR, the U.S. professional real estate association, which defines and implements professionalism in the industry.)

“The Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely gives a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to buying real estate in Mexico,” comments Hornberger. “The reader will get a high level overview of the ins and outs, and join the thousands of Americans who call Mexico home as a second home investment.”

The points Hornberger, also co-author of “Cashing in on a Second Home in Central America,” makes are important for two steps of your realizing your dream to live in Mexico. You’ve probably already got excited about Mexico, visiting on vacation; the first thing this book does is give you the real, hard information to focus this excitement. The second thing it does is allow to use this information to make your dream a reality – in the safest way possible, ensuring your dream turns out to be it should.

Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely was written by 10 leading experts, including Mexico Agents who have worked directly in their area for years, completing hundreds of transactions, as well as lawyers and title experts. In this e-book, this experience is compiled in one easy-to-use volume which will give you all that information too many people don’t realize exists, and will allow you to become that much more excited about buying property in Mexico.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

Real estate agents – learn how to use Zillow Advice, a great way to connect with millions of potential clients.

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by darrowwest

Bill Gallagher Real Estate Developer


Image by pursuethepassion
The Pursue the Passion Book was inspired by a statistic- Half of the American workforce is unhappy with their job. This is a photo of Bill Gallaher, a real estate developer in Santa Rosa, California that appears in the Pursue the Passion book.

During the summer of 2007, four recent college grads were corporately sponsored to travel across America in an RV. Their mission? To find out what makes people passionate about their work. 16,000 miles, 38 states, 300 interviews and 10,000 photographs later, Pursue the Passion profiles the interviews and stories collected from the cross country journey.

Published by People Department Publishing, 2010. ISBN number is 9780615283609 and is available on Amazon.

As either a new buyer, or as a buyer with some experience that maybe did not go as you planned, you are probably wondering where you can find clear, concise information about buying Mexico Real Estate. While internet sources can include a great deal of excellent information (if you check the right sources), when you are involved in the Mexico property buying process for the first time, the information might be too detailed, not detailed enough, etc. For this reason, a Mexico Real Estate guide with contributions from a number of Mexico’s leading real estate experts can be an excellent alternative for picking up the basics before you go into further details.

One such guide is the Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely (visit www.topmexicorealestate.com/real-estate-books/ to download a copy), and e-book recently published by TOPMexicoRealEstate. This real estate book is a collaboration of 10 experts from the TOPMexicoRealEstate Network, including experienced brokers who have been working directly in the market for many years, and have certifications to back their hands-on experience. It also includes advice from lawyers and legal experts. This e-book includes various advantages over other information sources on how to buy real estate in Mexico.

One advantage is that it is concise. Some information sources, such as the internet are wonderfully complete (if you know where to look), but can be overwhelming. There are so many pages and so much information, sometimes it is hard to know where to begin. Designed especially for foreign buyers new to the Mexican market, Top Mexico Real Estate Guide: Buying Safely describes the differences of how to buy real estate in Mexico as compared to the U.S. or Canada, presenting the basics in a clear, concise manner, with explanations of terms and ideas that may not be obvious for those not involved in the industry. While future volumes will deal with details of specific parts of the Mexico Real Estate market, this volume focuses on the central steps, and, most importantly, safety for you as a buyer.

Another problem with many real estate information sources, whether from the internet, from a real estate book, or from different people you talk to, is that the information does not always match up. One professional told you one thing, and another professional told you something that does not seem to line up. “What’s going on here?” you may ask yourself.

To help address this issue, this e-book includes parallel answers from various experts, who specialize in different geographical regions, different legal aspects, or whose experience has led them to take different approaches to the various steps of how to buy real estate in Mexico. The format allows for quick comparison of the experts’ complementary answers; in cases where different angles are taken, each expert explains their angle, again clearly and concisely, and each chapter also includes an introduction from Thomas Lloyd, founder and president of TOPMexicoRealEstate.com, so you as a reader understand exactly why things are done one way in one situation, and another way in a different situation. This way you are not left scratching your head, confused; instead you will finish as an informed reader ready to make decisions about your real estate buying process.

The format of the e-book is also easy to use. The table of contents includes links to each chapter. In each chapter, the list of contributing authors appears at the right side, so you can quickly jump from one answer to another. The list of chapters also appears on the left so you can easily change chapter. This Mexico real estate guide has a question-answer format, with each expert answering a list of 3-5 questions per chapter.

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

What does marriage really mean? Is it also a legal relationship? What are the consequences of marriage and divorce? How will it change your life? What does the dissolution of marriage mean and what is involved in the proceeding?

Getting married isn’t just living together until death or divorce. When you marry you enter into a legal relationship with many consequences on your ownership of money, your possessions, your children and ultimately how you relate. Persons getting married should research information about what marriage really means and what impact it can have on your future. For those considering marriage there are pre-marital classes. A “prenuptial agreement” can determine the economic issues if one dies or the marriage is dissolved. If there isn’t a written or verbal agreement referencing assets and liabilities; the court will have a trial to determine who gets what and who will pay what. If a party owes a debt prior to the marriage and that debt still exists at the time of the divorce that party will still be responsible for that debt unless other agreed to arrangements were made.

Once a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in Florida, then legal service is required of the other person. That party must file a written answer. Financial information to and from his or her spouse is required. Most courts where children are involved require parenting classes. In Florida there are (2) legally acceptable reasons for divorce. They are: if a party is declared legally incompetent for over (3) years or the marriage is “irretrievably broken” This means there is nothing that the court can do. If there are children and a party denies that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” then the court may order counseling and the proceedings may be delayed up to (3) months for possible reconciliation. Most courts where children are involved require parenting classes. Divorce proceedings are public proceedings and are available for review at the courthouse.

The court begins the process of division by first setting aside “non marital” which were owned prior to marriage or inherited or properties agreed to in a written agreement between both parties as non marital. Assets and liabilities will be distributed equally or not, based on equitable factors; for example a career. The court may award some assets to each party and balance the difference through a cash payment.

A trial judge may enter orders while the divorce action is pending dealing with support, maintenance, possession, where any children may live, and the time spent with each parent, and also, attorney fees and costs.

A final judgment from the court must be obtained to dissolve the marriage. Matters of property, support and child-related issues will be determined.

In summary, getting married is a legal relationship which has bearing on many factors including your future and how you relate to each other. There are premarital classes to research information on what marriage can mean for you. Consider a “prenuptial agreement” to determine the economic issues if one dies or the marriage ends. Is your marriage “irretrievably broken” or will counsel help?

Dallas, the star of Texas, the cosmopolitan city in the cowboy state, is emerging as a destination for young entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, and IT professionals. If you are looking for a new job, Dallas boasts numerous opportunities. If you are looking for a high quality of life, Dallas has excellent schools, neighborhoods, restaurants, and community programs. And if you are looking for an unexpectedly unique urban experience, Dallas has the location, the charm, and the improvisation to captivate the most seasoned city dweller.

But like any move, relocating to Dallas is difficult. The process can be overwhelming. So many apartments to sort through, so many jobs to search, so many things to learn, these challenges ultimately shape your initial experience. It is important to use a trusted guide as a reference. This article provides general information about apartments, jobs, transportation, and cuisine. With this information in hand, your move will be much easier, leaving you to enjoy the transitional process.

One of the most trusted apartment resources is Promove. They provide an extensive list of properties that span an array of neighborhoods and price ranges. Their area experts share information on Dallas’s lifestyle and culture, they help narrow your apartment search so the properties you visit directly reflect your style, location choice, and price range. They also have enticing promotional offers, including rent-free opportunities for using their services. If it’s in Dallas, Promove will help you find it.

Once you are settled in your new apartment, it’s time to secure the perfect job. Dallas is known for its high concentration of telecommunication companies, real estate market, and manufacturing industry. Sometimes referred to as Silicon Prairie, Dallas boasts over 5,700 telecommunication companies, many of which are located along the notorious Telecom Corridor.

Beyond these opportunities, though, Dallas also has jobs for creative professionals. Artists, chefs, and musicians are relocating to the area, drawn by the thriving economy and high quality of life. Dallas is home to numerous museums and art galleries, loft spaces and art studios. It is known for its award-winning barbecue and modern cuisine, with hundreds of nationally ranked restaurants. And musicians find a city with influential clubs and venues, playing on stages where many historically significant musicians also performed.

But to enjoy all that Dallas has to offer, you must know your way around the city.

The city’s transportation largely revolves around four major interstate highways that converge in a loop that spans the downtown area. The recently completed High Five Interchange, an interstate that has five levels and serves as a connector to other highways, is one of the largest freeway interchanges in the U.S.

For those who prefer to depend on public transportation, Dallas provides buses and light rail lines. The DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) services riders with access to all major points in the city, as well as surrounding areas and nearby airports. Maps, prices, and schedules are available on DART’s website.

Now that you’ve mastered the in’s and out’s of Dallas, it’s time to sit back and relax. With its diverse restaurants and bars, Dallas knows how to take care of its hard working residents. In fact, some nationally popular drinks and food has come out of Dallas. Remember last summer when you enjoyed an ice cold frozen margarita? That recipe originated in Dallas. Or what about the last time you and your friends got together for some food and drinks. Maybe it was Chili’s, or the Macaroni Grill? Both of these nationally recognized restaurants got their start in Dallas.

It’s plain to see the star of Texas when you live in Dallas.

Villamartin is much more than an International Golf Course. It is a fact that many of the home buyers around the golf course have no interest in the sport at all. They were attracted to the area for it’s greenery and the very friendly community spirit that exists on many of the complexes and urbanizations.

With house prices still very affordable it makes perfect sense to have a look at the option of purchasing at Villamartin. From bungalows to villas, from apartments to townhouses and duplex properties I think you will find Villamartin has the just the property somewhere for every buyer.

Apartments on Villamartin has always been a firm favorite of home buyers due to the fact that they are available to suit all types of budget. From 1-bedroom apartments to top floor, 2-3 bedroom penthouses with roof solarium. Apartments have also been a firm favorite with investors who are quick to acknowledge the rental pulling power that Villamartin has in abundance all year round.

You will have the option of letting a property management Company take care of all your rental service needs or you can do it yourself providing you live on the Costa Blanca full time. Using a property management company makes more sense because they often have the database of clients on hand to provide you will rental clients from the minute you sign up. When you consider the added cost of advertising your property plus the hassles of changing sheets, cleaning and taking care of the finances then letting some professional service take care of this for you is the way to go.

Villas and larger duplexes are normally purchased by permanent residents who feel their property is just too much like home to rent out to complete strangers. Many of the larger property buyers also purchased 2-bedroom properties just for the rental value alone to provide then with a small income stream in Spain. With a low cost of living renting out a second property is something to consider though you will need to take into account the mortgage fees if any and management fees if you are going to use a professional service to look after everything for you.

Townhouses are normally owned by investors and permanent residents. With prices of townhouses on Villamartin at around 125,000 Euros they are very affordable to most buyers. The properties surrounding the golf course will always command the top prices and are a sound investment if you find one on the market. This however can be a rare occurrence and if you do see one then you need to be quick to get your deposit down before it is snapped up by another buyer.

With the new developments currently being built to target the retired couple and clients over the age of 50. These are located in Villamartin Hills so you have an abundance of fresh clean air and wonderful scenery as some of the main attractions. The only problem with properties such as these is their location and if the buyer has no independent form of transport then they risk isolation as the bus services in Spain can be a little erratic at the best of times.

All in all Villamartin has a lot to offer most types of Spanish property buyer. From the golf enthusiast, the first time buyer, the investor and the retired couple looking for a more healthier place to reside. Villamartin holds a lot of positives for overseas home owners looking for that special place in the sun.

Prior to 1990, nearly all of the real estate located in Romania was owned by the state. This real estate was owned either directly by the government or by state owned entities. With the overthrow of the Communist regime in that country, there has been a slow and somewhat plodding liberalization of the real estate laws within the country.

The years under dictatorial control left Romanian in worse economic shape that any other Eastern European nation. In addition, unlike some other countries from the Soviet Bloc, Romania has been slow in digging out for years of repression and economic mismanagement. With that said, there is some light at the end of the tunnel that likely will result in more foreign nationals taking a second look at investing in Romania.

In 2007, Romania will join the European Union. It is expected that when this occurs, the real estate laws within Romania will move in a direction to make them more in line with the real estate laws in other EU nations

Investment Property in Romania

At the present time, individual foreign nationals cannot buy and own real estate in the country. In point of fact, foreign nationals cannot even inherit and then take title to real estate situated in that country. The only manner in which a foreign national can invest in real estate in Romania is through a duly established corporation or limited liability company that is established under the statutes and regulations of Romania.

Residential Real Estate in Romania – Single Family Properties

For the most part, there is no foreign ownership of single family dwellings in Romania at this point in time. Because the only manner in which foreign nationals can take title to and own real estate in Romania is through a corporation or limited liability company, there are very few enterprises that have been established for the purpose of purchasing and taking title to single family dwellings.

In addition, although Romania has been working to establish a more stable market economy in recent years, due to the amount of time that it was under the yolk of a dictatorial regime, the real estate market is shaky. The demand for single family residents is spotty throughout the country. A good share of the more recently built single family residences are not necessarily constructed in a particularly sound manner. In addition, many older properties are in a state of disrepair.

Residential Real Estate in Romania – Apartments

A significant portion of the Romanian population currently dwell in apartments. There has been some movement by foreign nationals to become involved in commercial enterprises — within the parameters established by the Romanian Constitution and related laws — that own apartment buildings or complexes in the country. At this juncture, most investors in such real estate ventures have not made exceptional profits in these ventures. However, there is hope (reasonably placed for the most part) that when Romania is integrated into the EU, the Romanian economy overall and the real estate market specifically will experience growth.

Holiday Property in Romania

Tourism in Romania is not, as of this juncture, a significant industry. Therefore, when it comes to the real estate market involving vacation or holiday properties, there is not a significant amount of activity at this juncture. Up until 1990, foreigners were barely allowed into the country in the country. And, any foreigners that were permitted into the country certainly were not allowed to visit most areas in the country. Up until the 21st century, vacation and holiday travel into Romania almost was unheard of.

In reality, Romania is not without its points of interest when it comes to tourism. However, there remains much to be done in regard to reinvigorating the infrastructure of the country before there can be much of a market in tourism. The government is working on these matters at the present time. Once again, when Romania enters into the EU, there is a high probability that there will be an increase in the number of visitors to the country in the future.

Specific steps to buying real estate property in Romania

At the present time, the Constitution of Romania prohibits a foreign national from directly owning real estate in Romania. Even if a foreign national inherits real estate, that foreign national simply cannot take possession and ownership of inherited real estate in that country. This Constitutional provision — and companion statutes and regulations enacted by the government of Romania since 1990 — is not in step with what is in place in other countries that comprise the European Union. Thus, it is fairly to safe to assume that there will be fairly significant pressure on the Romanian government to liberalize its real estate laws to at least permit ownership of real estate in Romania by foreign nationals who reside in one or another of the other EU nations.

With that said, there is not specific proposal on the block at this time to liberalize the real estate laws even for foreign nationals from EU member nations. However, and again, the main underpinnings of the EU involve free commerce between the countries that comprise the EU. Such free commercial activity would be significantly impaired in regard to Romania and other EU nations should the laws (and Constitutional provisions) in Romania remain so stringent (and strident) when it comes to the issue of foreign ownership of real estate in Romania.

With this said, a Romanian company may own real estate in the country even if that company is owned 100% by a foreign national. Obviously, foreign nationals who have an expressed interest in owning real estate in Romania, either for investment purposes or as part of a business enterprise, are establishing companies — corporations or limited liability companies — within Romania.

The process for creating these entities is not that difficult. Generally, foreign nationals are retaining legal counsel in Romania to assist them in establishing these entities. There are lawyers in Romania that now specialize in this type of legal affair.

Provided that a foreign national or group of foreign nationals have duly established a bona fide corporation or limited liability company in Romania, the process for purchasing real estate within the country is not particularly complex on the surface and in and or itself. The process commences with the execution of a preliminary contract for sale. Via this document, the purchase price is established and a deposit is made by the buyer. In most instances, the deposit is set at an amount equal to 10% of the overall purchase price of the subject real estate.

During the interim between the execution of the preliminary or initial sales agreement and the date of the signing of the final agreement conveying ownership of the real estate to the buyer, the purchaser is obliged to obtain any necessary financing that he or she will need to effect the purchase of the real estate. (Again, in the case of a foreign national, the financing arrangements will need to be made by and the mortgage loan issued in favor of a duly established Romanian legal enterprise in the form of a corporation or limited liability company.

At this juncture it is important to keep in mind that Romania is a country fraught with problems when it comes to the title to real estate. The process of checking title to real estate in Romania is convoluted and difficult. Efforts have been made by the Romania government in recent years to clarify this entire process, and to clean up titles to real estate. But, the work and effort in this arena is far, far from complete.

The Romanian government has created a national property registry office. But, the office has been slow in dealing with the myriad of issues pertaining to title to real estate in the country.

Another problem pertaining to real estate in Romania centers on the fact that in many instances that real estate cannot be used as collateral for a loan. In this regard, unlike in nearly every other country in the world, the real estate that is the subject of a sale and for which financing is being obtained, in many instances will not be able to be used as collateral for a loan. In other words, if a person (or company) wants to buy real estate in Romania and needs a loan to do so, that person or company will need to use some other form of collateral for the loan beyond the real estate that is being purchased.

Once again, and has been noted, it is likely that there will be changes to the real estate laws on the books in Romania. Indeed, those changes will need to reach the Romanian Constitution as well. The entry of Romania into the EU in 2007 will be the primary reason that the Romanian government is likely to set upon a course to liberalize the real estate laws (and Constitutional provisions).

Property Abroad always recommends using a Solicitor or Lawyer.