Posts Tagged ‘Investment Property’

Slovenia property has been forecast to grow by 280% over the next decade and has been named one of the top ten investment property destinations in the world. Here we will look at how to choose a Slovenia estate agent and a property that’s just right for you…

Go Direct

there are lots of “middlemen” offering Slovenia property for sale and most are not regulated by local law. You should only deal with a regulated Slovenia estate agent who will govern by a set of rules and regulations to make sure you receive the best possible service from them.

Local Knowledge

Many companies that act as middlemen are interested in selling their own properties on which they have the highest profit margin. These may of course not be the best properties for you, in light of your objectives and investment aims.

Use an estate agent which knows the areas you are looking at buying in and make sure they have in depth local knowledge.

What do you Want?

What actually do you want from your property in Slovenia? Are you buying for capital growth, rental income, or a combination of the two?

Try and match your objectives with a location that can deliver what you want and find an agent to help guide you and find the best properties.

You should not simply rely on the agents view or a written report. As with any form of property buying, you should go to the area and see it for yourself. Make sure you do your research and that means a visit to the area you are buying in.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, try and look at a few different properties on your visit and maximize your time.

The Buying Process

Will take around a month to complete and is relatively straightforward. Please find below a summary of the process of buying property in Slovenia

On any property you will need to pay a 10% deposit which if the seller decides not to proceed (for any reason whatsoever) then you will receive double your deposit back from the seller – this is required under local law. If you decide not to proceed, the seller will keep the 10% deposit you put down.

Mortgages are now available to foreign nationals and most Slovenia estate agents will be able to arrange finance for you. SKB Banka are now offering 50% mortgages, secured on the Slovenia property itself not on your other investment properties or principle residence.

When you buy your property you will need to produce your passport and obtain yourself a tax number, as well as an EMSO number, both are needed to complete any property purchase. This should take about a week.

Make sure you use a local Lawyer to check all paperwork, ownership details and contracts, who is familiar with local laws and regulations and don’t try and do it yourself. While an additional expense its money well spent and can save you money and problems further down the line.

Exchange Rates

When completing the purchase you will need to convert your funds to local currency and you should shop around there are dramatic differences in rates. There are also many specialist foreign exchange companies to help you and in many instances they will probably offer you a better rate than your bank.

You should set up a local bank account, so you can meet all your obligations easily when you’re out of the country. Accounts can be done on the same day and all you will need is your passport and acceptable ID.

Property Management

You can also get Slovenian estate agents who offer a management service to deal with rentals and tenants while you are out of the country making sure the property is making money and is looked after.

There are plenty of Slovenia estate agents offering Slovenia Property for sale and choosing the right one is essential in terms of – maximizing your investment and making sure it’s a lucrative and enjoyable purchase.

The fear and hesitation that surrounded investment in overseas real estate till the recent past seem to be evaporating with sufficient confidence building measures by the world’s major property markets. Governments are becoming more accommodating towards international property investors and are making property ownership possible for them. Even the countries with the strictest property laws are having second thoughts and seem prepared to let the foreign investment pour in. Many of the world’s leading real estate markets have even launched mega projects dedicated for investment from overseas buyers.

Not very long ago, any type of real estate transaction be it buying, selling or renting, was a tedious and tiring task involving physical presence and lot of paper work. Thanks to today’s technology, most part of the labour involved in property ownership process has been removed. International property buyers can now search for their desired property through internet and even pay a virtual visit to the property right from the comfort of their home. There are hundreds of real estate websites available on the internet whose property listings are regularly updated. All the buyer needs to do is simply browse the relevant property listings and the right property is just a few clicks away.

Overseas Investment property gives the owner a double edged opportunity for profit making. After buying the property remotely, the owner can rent it out and enjoy handsome regular income while staying home. On the other hand, the value of property also keeps rising at the same time and its resale after a short holding period can bring very attractive profits to the owner. And more interestingly, a residential property can serve a great second home away from home for the investor. Overseas property investors are well aware of these lucrative benefits of investing in international real estate and for them; high rental yields and rapid capital appreciation are two of the most attractive features of this type of investment.

UAE, especially Dubai, ranks first among the most favorite global investment locations. Other major property investment hubs of the world include Brazil, Dominican Republic, Egypt, India, Italy, Morocco, Panama and Turkey. Property investment, whether it is residential or commercial, in any of the said locations can bring the investor multiple income-generating opportunities which are way better than any other investment. Even an old and shabby property purchased at low price can be resold at amazing rates after a bit of refurbishing.

It was back in the early 70s when only half of the UK’s population owned a property. However, people came to realise that property investments tended to be fairly stable for extended periods of time, while other types of investments tended to lag behind in growth or fluctuate somewhat. Compared to stocks and shares, property investments provide a real and tangible asset and are considered very dependable.

With the value of land rising nearly tenfold in the last two decades, and the profits earned in the value of the housing market even more impressive, investing in property has become a more lucrative option. Now, property investment has become a far more conventional investment vehicle that’s easily accessible to investors with understanding and insight to recognize solid medium to long term investments.

However, despite all these positive aspects of investing in property, the road to being successful in this arena is littered with individuals who have committed investment mistakes and paid dearly for them. Thus, accomplishing your property investment goals necessitates that you fully equip yourself with the right arsenal of tools needed to help you survive the journey to successful property investment. There are many resources out there that can guide you in the right direction. One of them is the investment property seminar.

An investment property seminar is your portal to the world of the property market. It is where you gain knowledge on the ins and outs of property investments. Aside from educating you on the investor rules of thumb, property investment seminars aim to teach you how to: recognize the different types of investment property and identify which one suits you best, analyze property for cash flow, buy property to make money, buy with no money down, determine when it’s a good time to buy, and avoid mistakes other investors frequently make.

These seminars are often conducted by property investment managers, specialists and teachers who impart their knowledge to those who can benefit from it. Key people with extensive knowledge and broad experience in property investments are usually invited by these discussion groups to share their know-how and expertise that could help steer the property investor hopefuls on to the right track and keep them there.

If you are keen on moving up the property investment chain, then you should look into investment property seminars. Such colloquia typically attract prospective clients, property investment company managers, investors and other key people. These individuals, who themselves are looking to network and develop new business contracts, would be instrumental in the success of your endeavour.

Investing in property is almost certainly the largest financial decision and commitment you will likely take on. Because of the enormity of the decision, the need for you to get yourself fully prepped up should not be overlooked. With investment property seminar opportunities offered in the UK, investing with the correct strategy for your specific needs could soon become a reality.

If you are contemplating investing in property in Queensland but harboring doubts, it would be wise to do some research and take the time to talk to an investment property expert. You will soon come to the realization that a long-term investment plan in property can provide a source of income, an opportunity to build equity over time and security for your future. There are companies that offer advice and expert help in investment, guiding you through the entire process, enabling you to make well informed decisions.

If you are considering investing in property in order to rent it out and earning money from it, you will need to do some specific research especially to determine the monthly rental price of the property. Take a few tours around the neighborhood yourself; go at different times and days of the week to get a good idea of the area. Sunday might be the complete opposite of a Tuesday night for example. You want to know and make sure if there is anything that may turn out to be a plus or a problem for the future tenants. Like schools, bars, crime, shops, parking space etc. The history of the property is crucial to know if the tenants used to rent for long periods because then you shouldn’t have any problems sub leasing the house either. Research the rental rates for equal properties in the neighborhood and see what they are asking. Check out the infrastructure as well, motorways, public transport etc. If the house is in need of renovation you should take these costs into consideration.

The most difficult part of the process will be finding the right property to suit your requirements. This can take some time as it could be a while until a suitable property comes onto the market, and then there are all the processes involved in purchasing it. Every property you look at will be unique dependent on its location, the current state of the market and the local economy. Most people say that it’s all about location location location and with a Queensland investment property you can be sure it will be the perfect investment.

This is where the experts in the field of investing in property come in. To do this all on your own it will be a little exhausting and there is a lot of hard work involved. Most of you have a busy life already and then to make extra time for this might hold you back to invest at all. Not only do they assist you with putting together a long-term property investment plan but they’ll also find you the perfect real-estate that has the possibility to create the capital growth you are looking for in the first place. Other issues like financing, conveyance, and insurance and property management are no rocket science for them either. With the knowledge and help of the expert there’s little left for you to do or stress about!

Some property investment advisors obtain their market data from local government, regulatory and leading private industry bodies, but to ensure their advice is entirely accurate they also employ teams of professionals who research the location directly by liaising with contractors, local agents, developers and even local residents. Also taking into consideration factors such as the local environment, facilities and amenities, quality of the neighborhood, transport systems and local economy, they use their findings to locate properties with strong long-term investment potential for their customers. The types of people they have coming to these advisors for advice are seeking to improve their lifestyle by eliminating financial worries and gain security in the knowledge that they can better provide for future family responsibilities.

For new investors, the notion of making their first residential property investment is extremely exhilarating, whilst others will feel apprehension or trepidation. All these feelings are typical, however your excitement could prevent you from making the best investment, and your fear prevent you from even getting started! It is not uncommon for ordinary investors to accrue two or even three properties over a number of years, the financial confidence and increased cash flow these can generate will improve your standard of living tenfold. Always remember to do a thorough research before you invest in anything!

Property investment is not something we all know how to do. However, when done right, it can guarantee important profits and a capital growth that is maintained for a long period of time. The Internet is the perfect resource to find companies that present investment property offers on a regular basis. They put their emphasis on overseas properties, with locations like Barbados, Dominican Republic and Thailand sitting at the top of the list.

Why should you decide to seek out property investment in Barbados? The answer is obvious. We all know that this is a tourist hotspot, a destination that millions of people seek out ever year. Investment property becomes a pleasure here, as there is an increased demand for accommodations. The tourist industry develops at a fast pace and the opportunities are simply too great to pass them on. For anyone who is looking to make a profit on the real estate market, Barbados like many other popular tourist destinations is a great idea.

Like Barbados, the Dominican Republic or Thailand offer some pretty amazing property investment opportunities. The real estate market is stable and the need for accommodation increases with every day. Investment property becomes an option for more and more people, as they realize the returns that can be offered. They prefer to use the Internet in order to sign up and become members of property investment clubs, thus being informed about discounted properties situated in the above mentioned locations.

We have mentioned that some of the best investment property offers are to be found overseas. However, despite the recent economic changes, the UK real estate market can provide some interesting opportunities for property investment. For someone who is looking for discounted properties, the UK real estate market is a great place. There are many developers out there providing discounts for their properties; other offers are represented by mortgages or distressed sales.

Whether you prefer overseas property investment or you are more attracted to UK real estate, there is one thing that you have to understand. In order to get the best discounts, you need to be in contact with a professional company. The best way to do that is to join a property investment club and ask them to send listings of various properties through email. They have the necessary relations, including with developers, to provide that kind of information without wasting too much effort or time. If you are looking for good investments, then this is the place to start.

Take advantage today of the opportunities presented to you and become a member of property investment club. Check out their offers for investment property and start building a portfolio. You can find properties that were recently built and are now offered at amazing discounts. There are also distressed homes, properties that have been repossessed and those that are found overseas. The offers are diverse and the expected returns guaranteed.

Resource box: Investment property is something we deal with every day. Make sure you pay us a visit and find out more about property investment. Once you are a member, prepare yourself to discover some really great deals!

Whether you are an experienced property investor or are searching to get a first stair on the property investment ladder, a unique approach to help you develop or start your investment property portfolio. Online property investment guides you to buy, to let and provides its clients a trouble free approach to property investment by offering an innovative Buy Already Let property acquisition service. Property investment can provide a colossal sense of contentment that you simply cannot find with other forms of investment. Property investment is now becoming a far more mainstream investment vehicle, straightforward to investors with the knowledge and foresight to spot lucrative investments before the competition can. Yet whilst they stay on relatively open and accessible, the road to successful property investment and land investment is scattered with those who have made a multitude of investment and other mistakes and paid the price.

So online firms are there to help you recognize your dreams of property investment, find the right investment opportunities and keep away the drawbacks along the way. By maintaining up-to-date with the latest news and articles featured on the many websites, you will gain the skills compulsory to make a benefit from your investment. If you have priority made property investment or know someone that has, you will know how hectic and nerve-wracking the process can be. Estimating the Cost measure of any decision you make is perilous- to assure you make the best choices to maximize your profits, long term earnings.

While most investors have got engaged in property investing because they know the chances to make money via leverage and capital growth or high yields, I still see and hear of many who do not fully understand opportunity cost. “Opportunity cost is a term used in economics, to mean the cost of something in terms of an opportunity predetermined (and the profits that could be received from that opportunity), or the most valuable foregone alternative. So in property investing issues, if an investor plans to invest in a property in the opportunity cost would be what he could have made by investing in Spain, France or UK. Analogously if an investor chooses to keep equity of 50k in a property, the opportunity cost is what he/she could replaceable have invested this money in and the resultant value.

Now again this will depend on your particular strategy – and many people are not too affected about opportunity cost, they are just keen to buy 1-2 properties that can hold onto for 15-25 years to use as a pension. All discriminating property investors understand the importance of taking advantage of the most cost-effective property investment opportunities as soon as they arise, before they become common knowledge.

Property like always has been an important source to support life in any form. It supports life not only in the direct form but also in the indirect form. The direct form of the property would include property consumption as residential usage in form of houses, apartments, floors, villas and various other structures that are employed in the form used to living. The next form is the commercial usage, which is used for carrying any trade in form of warehouse, trade, office purposes and other forms that can be used with the motive to earn profits. However to perform all the above tasks one needs to posses land or the property. With the increasing rates and the time of recession has prevented people to consider huge investments or even any investment in property or otherwise. Hence there is an alternative proposed by the experts or people with the space in form of property called as Rent. To is now an alternative that everyone who needs the property being considered in across various fields.

These fields extent themselves from the residential to the commercial form, and to do so one can contact various property brokers and agents that are in the market with the expertise helping the clients find the right property for their needs. They also specials in dealing with the renting contracts, these contracts range from a yearly base to the bi annually based. While renting the house with the owner, the client needs to fix various rules and regulations that abide the renter in the course of stay with them. These norms may range from the usage of the property like not nailing on the walls, painting and paying for the damage created by the renter during the stay in the property. Restrictions of parties and other things that may harm the rights of the owner or the property while it is being rented to the renter in the due course of time of stay in the property. While these are the rules that abide the residential property there are4 different rules that abide the commercial property, while renting a commercial property the renter faces a contact that is typically only for an year which can be considered to extent after the completion of an year. Various rules and regulations that may imply to the commercial property are, in course of ceiling or any other problem related to business creating problem to the property would be handled by the proprietor. As on leaving the property the paint and the other repair charges are owned by the renter and among various others rules that the owner and the renter can think of while they get into they contact with each other during renting of the property.

To make the contacting even more smoother there are various agents and brokers that have appeared in the market helping the easy transactions of the property on rent and are aware about the contracts that exists between them while the parties get into relating for property between each other. Another factor that one might keep in mind is the advance that the owner demands in the course of renting to make sure that any harm caused to the property is recovered from the advance, which is usually an amount resulting to the two months of the rent. Keeping all these regulation no doubt the rent of property in India has created and bless to the people who cannot buy the property and help them serve all the purpose that they would want with out paying a huge amount that cannot be afforded.

Searching for an investment property can be an overwhelming experience. Today’s market is generally characterised by stabilising property prices, high interest rates and picky lenders. While the hunt for your perfect reasonably-priced property investment might be a challenge, it is not impossible. Yes, good property investment deals are still out there – if you only know where to look.

One of the more popular sources of a sensible property investment is repossessions. The repossession property market offers some of the best opportunities available for the novice property investors. Most of these houses were once owned by homeowners who have defaulted on a loan on which said property was put up as a security. As a result, the bank or loan providers repossessed the property and subsequently sold them at auction or via estate agent to recoup their investment. While the repossession process is indeed an unfortunate occurrence for the cash-strapped homeowner, it is a window of opportunity for the property investor on the lookout for a below market value property.

As you may know, the property market can be tricky to navigate. You need some business-savvy and a whole lot of common sense to succeed in property investment. Here are some things you need to do before purchasing a repossessed property:

* Explore the various types of repossessions.

Learn about the different types of repossessed properties because the earlier you come into the picture, the cheaper you can purchase the property. For many buyers, the pre-repossession stage is the best option. In this particular situation, the buyer purchases the distressed homeowner’s home that is threatened by an impending repossession. For many, a pre-repossession is a win-win process for both the buyer and seller. The homeowner gets the money he needs to pay off his mortgage. In view of the sales transaction being completed in a speedy manner, the property investor obtains a property at a very low price.

* Go to an auction.

Most repossessed properties are being sold at an auction for a fraction of their price at the regular market. If you are new to the property investment industry, an auction sale could intimidate you. Get to know how it works before you participate in one. It is also advisable to seek the advice of property mentors or an experienced friend to guide you through the auction process.

* Shop around for the right financing.

Make sure that you are financially prepared when you go to an auction. When the hammer falls after you bid, the property is yours. This normally means that you have to pay 10% cash deposit right away with the balance of the purchase price to be paid 28 days after. If you do not have the cash straight up, make sure that you have a mortgage already ironed out. Go to an auction informed and financially-ready. You do not want to end up with a deadweight and more importantly, you want to come out with a repossessed property that fits your investment needs.

Financing investment properties is an important step to master if you want to maximise your real estate profits. Find out how to handle your mortgage lender and grab the best bargains for your property loans.

When it comes to financing investment properties, there are two major families of property loans that you can choose from: adjustable rate mortgage and fixed rate mortgage

As your property loans are long term investments that will tie you down for the next 10 to 30 years, it’s crucial that you pick the type of mortgage loan that is perfect for your needs.

What is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage and When is it Right for You?

Adjustable rate mortgages are property loans where the interest rates will rise and fall according to the current market interest rates. The interest rates will usually be fixed for the first few years and it will vary for the remaining years.

When the prevailing interest market rates are too high, the most effective way to avoid being tied down by costly property loans is to go for a adjustable rate mortgage.

If you are paying for your property loans with returns from other financial assets, it makes sense to go for a adjustable rate mortgage if the returns are tied with market interest rates as well.

However when you have an adjustable rate mortgages, your mortgage payments become unpredictable and it is harder to manage your expenses when financing investment properties.

Depending on the terms of your property loan, your interest rate can vary every month, every 6 months or every year. If your loan interest rates increase drastically, your monthly mortgage payments will skyrocket and you may be forced to sell your investment property because you can no longer afford it.

When do You Choose a Fixed Rate Mortgage for Your Property Loans?

Fixed rate mortgages are the traditional type of property loans that have been around for years. As the name suggests, your interest rates will be locked in at the same rate for the entire loan period.

During periods such as economic recessions where interest rates hit rock bottom, it’s actually a good idea to choose a fixed rate mortgage so that you can enjoy cheap monthly mortgage payments for the years to come.

For fixed rate mortgages, choosing the duration of your loan is an important decision. With a short loan period such as 15 years, you will forking out less money for your interest payments and get to own your investment property debt-free quicker.

However the downside to a shorter loan period is that your monthly mortgage payments will be a lot higher. That’s why you have to make sure that rent from your tenants combined with your own salary will be enough to cover your property loans even during periods of vacancy.

What can you do if the current interest rates are too high but you want a stable way of financing investment properties? Then you can look for a mortgage lender who offers convertible mortgage loans where the interest rates will vary initially but you will be given the chance to convert it to a fixed rate mortgage after a certain number of years.

Teo Zhenjie has been showing landlords how to manage their tenants and rental properties effectively on Propertydo http://www.propertydo.com/ – To learn more important tips on financing investment properties, visit his website today for step-by-step real estate guides, free resources and forms.

To become more familiar and who want to stay on top of real estate industry trends designed for real estate investors should have the strategic investing and planning programs. Exclusive investments, strategic planning, training and industry information for the real estate professional, membership has its privileges and rewards. It you are serious real estate investor or just want to be more informed about your industry, membership with Property visitors offers you immediate access to exclusive on and off market investment opportunities, educational seminars and strategic real estate advice and counsel to help you build your net worth.

Investing in real estate can be a very profitable. But it also has potential pitfalls that need to be avoided and questions that need to be answered if you want to achieve long-term financial security and success. Real Estate Investment Terminologies, in recent years many people started to show interest in purchase of the real estate for their vacation or for future requirements. This real estate purchase decision is taken by the people after realizing the value of the property or when they are looking for an investment property.

Real estate investment has very good terminologies. When you decided to buy a property in the any place, locate the place carefully whether the property has a good value in that area. Only after collecting proper details and information regarding that area, then move on to that area. This will help you find a real estate as per your desire without wasting your money. Some Real Estate Investing Kit gives you the valuable information and customizable forms you need to make the process simpler, efficient and more cost-effective, allowing you to invest like a seasoned professional even if it’s your first venture in investment property.

The investment securities of real estate investment have a close relationship with the term finance and economics. The addition made in some kind of asset which in turn receives the good return from the real estate investment means that putting something to yield a good return. In real estate, issuer means any person who issues or proposes to issue the security. Person means any individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, joint stock Company where the interest of the beneficiary is evidenced by the real estate investment securities, unincorporated organization, government, and any of the subdivision of the government.

Sale or sell means the sale of every contract or disposition of the real estate investment securities or in the interest in the security for the value. The term real estate “security” refers to any note stock, treasury stocks, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, transferable shares, real estate investment securities, certificate of deposit for real estate security and many other things are commonly called as security. Periodically or in some other specified period the investor had to pay the fixed sum of amount, a security does not include any insurance or donation or annuity contract in which the insurance company gives assurance to the investor.

With the increase of buy to let properties and the hype in the property investing market, often an investment property is confused with a simple property trade deal or speculation.

Often any property purchased is viewed as an asset and therefore called an investment property. That is true in the wide sense of a discussion. However, a property for investment is not any property purchased just because it is viewed as an asset.

Purchasing a property that is not a primary dwelling or holiday home, can be generalized in 3 main categories:

1. Resale – For the purpose of selling for profit (often called a “flip”)

2. Fix / Renovate – For the purpose of renovating and reselling for profit (often called a property trade).

3. Letting – For the purpose of letting to a tenant and generating income for the long term (often called buy to let property).

Those are the major categories. However, not all of them are investment properties.

In the first case, when one buys a property to resell, it would be considered a speculation or a trade. In terms of income, on a short term deal of reselling a property, even the tax man will ask for income tax instead of capital gains tax (CGT). Therefore, it is not an investment property, it is simply a trade and the property is “stock” just like apples and pears that are sold at the market.

In the second case, when one finds a property that needs renovations, fixes the property and then resells the property, it is also a trade. The holding period is short term and the tax man again will ask for income tax not CGT. Therefore, this category is also not an investment property but rather a trade. The renovations Option varies significantly in strategy from the speculation, as in this case the “stock” which is the property was bought at low value, increased in value by the renovations and sold for its new value. In a speculation the speculator only waits for a period of time for the market to move up in price, and resells without doing anything to the property to increase the value.

In the third case, when one buys a property to let the property to tenants for the long term and earns income from it – it is an investment property.

This is where the confusion occurs.

The speculator often does rent out the property to tenants, to reduce the Mortgage Bond payments, (often called shortfalls). The letting out of a property for the short term to resell later for profit confuses the term investment property with speculating and trading.

Just because the property is let to a tenant for a period of time, this does not make the property an investment property. The long term holding of the property will determine if the property was bought for investment or only for speculating and stock trading.

The last resource of clarification is SARS. Every sale of property has to attract some tax, either CGT (capital gains tax) or income tax. SARS guidelines make this issue very clear.

The current state of the UK housing market makes finding investment property in the UK rather difficult as the market has taken a downward turn.

However, there are still many thousands of properties for sale, either in local estate agents or on the internet. Houses, flats and apartments all over the UK can offer potential for investment from full renovation to immediate buy-to-let.

Some websites offer resource online that enable you to assess the potential for investment property the UK has to offer by comparing properties against houses that have recently been sold in the same area. If you’re looking to buy property as a buy-to-let investor you will also probably like to know the going rate for rental income in the area for your type of property.

People in the Midlands are displaying a surge of interest in investment property in the UK, according to a study carried out by Property for Life. Levels of parties registering an interest were up by around 25% from June to November, with the south-west showing the next highest level of interest.

“Investors have every reason to be confident in the long-term returns of buy-to-let. The high demand for rented property continues on its upward path and shows no signs of slowing as immigrant numbers increase and the younger generation put off buying until slightly later in life,” said David, managing director of Austin Property for Life. “The private rented sector is an essential part of the property market, also taking up the slack on social housing,” Mr Austin added.

Investors in UK property are also set to benefit in April 2008 when the new flat rate of capital gains tax outlined by the chancellor in his pre-Budget report comes into force.

A shortage of private rental accommodation in the south-east of England means that buy-to-let investment property in the UK is making a fight-back after some negative press recently. Figures from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (Arla) show that 57% of letting agents in the south-east are telling of a shortfall of properties in the region. The study, from third quarter 2007, says that the figure is 37% across the whole country, but for central London the figures is nearer 66%. Demand for rentla property here is strong, driven by immigation, the number of people living alone and a housing market that has squeezed some families out of house ownership and onto the rental market. This means that for investment property the UK is showing some good potentialin an otherwise difficult market. There are also shorter void periods for landlords between tenants, who themselves are staying for longer periods.

“Softening in the sales market is always a driver of further demand in the rental market,” said Ian Potter, head of operations at Arla. “These latest figures confirm that the private rented sector will once again be the safety valve for a housing market worried by the current financial uncertainties and the softening of house prices,” Mr Potter predicted.

Looking deeper into the potential of investment property in the UK, a recent study has shown that landlords who buy property in areas of regeneration usually see higher yields than those on the wider UK rental market.

One way to buy investment property in the UK is to buy property at auction. Here you are hoping to buy a property under its true value because someone (be they a private owner looking for a quick sale or a company with a number of repossessed properties) is looking to shift their property as quickly as possible without recourse to normal estate agency channels. There is often work to be done on the purchased property, but that can often be a recipe for even greater profits if you can improve the look and feel of the place above the local norm.

Now may not be the best time to look for investment property in the UK as the housing market is on a downard turn, but there are always bargains to be found.

Thank you for your curiosity about the six steps to your new life as a Property Investor.

As an active investor I know it’s not about the property itself, it’s about the dream. Property is just the express bus to financial independence, wealth and to creating a lifestyle full of freedom and choice.

Have you asked yourself what financial freedom means to you? Is it having enough money to pay for a fabulous lifestyle, enough income producing assets so you never have to worry about money again? Is it having enough money to quit your job, so you have time to discover your divine purpose, do what you love for a living and contribute your message.

For me it’s empowering women in their finances as a catalyst for change in all areas of their lives. Helping women to take of the mask they wear every day, stand in their feminine energy, become authentic, inspired to share their unique message, their gift with the world.

There are so many great property programs in the market place today yet only 10% of people who invest time and money in these programs will take action. After going through the process myself for a third time, I realised that 80% of investing is psychology or mindset and only 20% is the actual strategy or investing. It occurred to me that buying your first investment can be a daunting, costly and time consuming process, when navigating it alone.

It also occurred to me that many women, regardless of how committed they are, might be put off by the uncertainty and the contradictory information available. They give in to the fear of making a mistake and allow themselves to be swayed by the well meaning dream stealers to not only give up the challenge, but all the dreams that go with it.

So through Property Empowerment I created a simple six step property program. It’s about creating the right environment and mastermind team of active investors who specialise in residential property investing. Leveraging against their experience and knowledge, overseen by the support of a qualified NLP coach who understands both people and property.

The 6 Step Property Program Includes:

Step 1: Creating an Empowered Investor Mindset

Step 2: Education and Information

Step 3: Finance Strategy

Step 4: Portfolio Structure

Step 5: Property Purchase

Step 6: Property Conveyancing

Step 1. Creating an Empowered Investor Mindset

Remembering the 80/20 rule, the first and most vital step in becoming a successful property investor is having the right mindset. The market proves this to be true repeatedly with all the failed investors who thought it was just about buying property. Empower your mindset with specific regard to your values, decisions and beliefs around money and investing. Work with a great NLP coach to identify and work with your unconscious values to ascertain whether creating wealth is something you value and if you are motivated toward a desire for abundance or away from your fear of scarcity and lack. If creating wealth is not a an unconscious value, no matter how hard your consciously try, you won’t succeed.

Step 2. Education and Information

Once you have a success mindset it’s time to head into the classroom to study Property, Structure and Finance. Understand the basic concepts so you can communicate with the experts in your mastermind investing team. Topics such as property selection criteria and the principles of company and trust structures best suited to your portfolio. Investigate the multitude of investment mortgage options and the principals of each.

Increase your financial and property vocabulary to give you a sound understanding of investing, saving you time and money when dealing with the relevant experts. Do not however get stuck in analysis paralysis, know when to say enough is enough and get started. You never stop learning about investing so enjoy learning along the way.

Step 3. Finance Strategy

Now that you have a successful investor mindset and a good understanding of property, structure and finance it’s time to look at your overall finance strategy which can make or break your success as an investor. With the guidance and advice of a finance broker who specialises in investors, review the mortgage on your existing home (if any) with the aim of setting up a line of credit as both a deposit and buffer. Next decide the best option to finance your new investment and formally gain written approval in principal for your new investment before moving to the next step.

Step 4. Portfolio Structure

Now that your finance is in order it’s time to decide what structure to purchase your investment in. This is the step that most people skip until after they have multiple properties and it’s getting messy and complicated with the tax office. Rely on the property and tax accountant to guide you on the right structure for you, be it in your name, multiple names, the name of a company, trust or a combination of both.

Step 5. Property Purchase

Now with an investor mindset, sound knowledge, a finance strategy and structure in place, it’s finally time to go shopping… Yahoo!! Unlike the novice investor who lured by the smell of baking bread and percolating coffee at an open house, falls in love with the property without finance or structure in place. As an investor you buy with logic not emotion.

I advocate using a professional Buyers Agent who specialises in the area you are investing in with the network and relationships to find you a great investment, hopefully under market value. Once a property is chosen, the buyer’s agent will use his negotiation skills to negotiate the best price and settlement conditions on your behalf.

Step 6. Property Conveyancing

Your offer has been accepted, the deposit exchanged, the champagne is flowing and you are officially a property investor and on your way to financial freedom. So now it’s time to kick back, relax and watch the capital growth right? Well, not quite. You need to legally transfer the property into your name or the trust name via a solicitor or conveyancer. They do all the necessary searches to ensure the property is as stated in the contract. They confirm structures are council approved, with no easements, caveats or any other nasty surprises. They also coordinate settlement between you, the vendor, their solicitor and both lenders… Now that is no easy feat!

So that’s it… a simple, 6 step process you can follow, no matter what your level of property experience or what country you live in. Start your investing journey in today’s buyer’s market, become financially free and create the life of your dreams. … are you ready?

For any investors serious about buying property in Dubai, one should be sure to have all one’s finances sorted out before you begin searching for the ideal real estate.

Due to the fact that the purchase process, once underway, can progress extremely rapidly and should a property investor not have a mortgage agreed upon or should the investor in question not have enough money to hand the sale – it could result in the whole process falling through as a result of the continual fast-moving nature of the Dubai property market.

Many investors, internationally and locally feel that in direct contrast to the “highly sophisticated sales process in Dubai which sees developers and estate agents presenting potential clients with superior show homes to view and lovely brochures to peruse, the property buying process in Dubai currently lacks some sophistication and transparency.” – This is not good news when sales agents seek to ‘clinch’ a deal with a potential purchaser.

Read on to see how to avoid the common issues that investors may encounter during the buying process in Dubai.

Altogether there are so many developments which are in the process of being built, that an investor will have to spend a considerable amount of time comparing the qualities of any given development, the developer and the specific properties characteristics and features, all this needs to be compared with the investors available funds, to ensure they get the best valued property for their budget and investment criteria.

When one attempts to arrange a mortgage (in order to buy property in Dubai) an investor can either do this in their country of residence or locally in Dubai. An increasing amount of financial institutions are now offering more products to non-resident purchasers on a monthly basis, therefore it is extremely beneficial as an investors to ‘shop around’ for the best interest rates and payment terms.

Should the investor require financial assistance in order to purchase a resale property, he/she will have to have a valuation completed on the property to satisfy the financial institution and further show that the property in question is indeed worth the asking price.

To help smooth matters out, it is advisable to have a solid idea as to what kind of investment you would like to attach yourself to…before you begin searching!

The good news for purchasers looking at buying investment property in Dubai is the fact that there are no property related taxes to speak of. Translated, this means that there is only a minimal additional outlay with buyers having to cover lawyer’s fees he ongoing maintenance of the property as well as any shared areas or facilities.

For all those investors seeking to gain profits from their purchase immediately, there is always the option of purchasing real estate in Dubai that is on resale.

It is important to bear in mind that because there is currently no formal conveyancing system in Dubai, as well as no way of finding out who holds the freehold title of any given property, an investor is encouraged to ensure the property transaction for any resale unit ‘goes back via the original developer.’

This is critical as it is quite common place for investor’s who are not aware and alert to become the victim of fraud. It really cannot be emphasized enough – an investor interested in any resale property must contact the original developer before signing any contract to purchase (note to self – this is one of the most important issues one needs to contend with when purchasing property in Dubai).

As had been done in the past, many property investors turn their properties over to a secondary purchaser during the construction period already, in order to take advantage of any capital gains already accrued.

When it comes to the buying of a resale property during its construction period, most developers will allow for the resale of off plan property; however some developers are of the persuasion that only the original purchaser is allowed the right to resell during construction.

The secondary buyer, in such cases will only be able to resell property upon completion of the development. It has however become the norm for investors to purchase during the construction phase, as the majority of property developments are still to be completed!

Due to the fact that there are no escrow account structures in Dubai, any money an investor pays goes directly into the developers’ accounts (so as to fund the building process).

The fact that in Dubai, the government has a sophisticated process in place, whereby “any developer wishing to sell property units has to agree to place 50% of the price of each unit in a bond and only then is he allowed to sell his property.”

Translated loosely, this means that should a developer go bankrupt or renege on a contract in Dubai, the government should have sufficient funds in the bond to get the project completed.

Such insight into the buying and selling process of Dubai’s property market is imperative and undeniably necessary for all potential investors to be able to equip themselves with all the needed information to speedily come to an investments choice, which will prove lucrative and highly successful.

Trying to find a good Property Investing course that you can trust can be a very hard task. There are many different kinds of Property Investing courses – Seminars, Property Sourcing, Real Estate Investing Coaching, Home studies plus many more. The first decision you need to make is “What kind of Property Investing Course do I want to do”.

What kind of property investing course you decide to do will depend on where you are currently at in your Property Investing career. Someone who already owns 10 properties will probably be looking for something different than somebody who is just beginning their property investment journey.

The main point that separates most property investing courses is this

- Some property investing courses offer you a step by step education or guide on ‘how to invest in property. Then after you finish the property investing course it is up to you to act upon this new found knowledge and put it into action.

- Other property investing courses will be much more ‘one and one’ and literally hold you’re hand as you go through the process of buying your investment property. Generally these courses will actually ‘source’ the property for you.

So which Property Investing Course Should you choose?

The Education and do it yourself approach

Or the

Let the Professionals make the decisions and hold my hand approach

There is no right or wrong answer here; it simply depends on your individual situation.

Let have a look at some of the positive and negative aspects of these two different types of property investing course.

The Education and do it yourself approach

This style of property investing course suits people who have the desire (and the time) to become long term professional investors. At times this strategy will be hard and you may even feel like giving up but if you choose a good course then you should feel supported enough to be able to put their instructions into action. The main benefit of this type of course is that once you have learnt, understood and implemented the information you will forever have these skills at your disposal.

The best thing about most of these property investing courses is that that nearly all offer 100% money back guarantee. This gives you a no risk option to try the course and if it lives up to expectations then you can decide to keep it.

Let the Professionals make the decisions and hold my hand approach

This style of property investing course suits a number of different people. If you don’t have enough time or simply aren’t interested in learning how to invest in property but want the results then some of these courses can be great. Or if you would like to become a professional investor but feel like you need a helping hand with the first one or two properties that you buy – just to make sure that you are doing everything right.

Generally property investment courses that include property sourcing will cost slightly more than a course that only offers an education.

So what type of person are you? Remember that there is no right or wrong answer; you simply need to find the property investing course that best suits your needs. The most important thing is that you actually take some action and begin your property investing journey. If you are yet to buy an investment property then it may currently feel like an impossible dream but believe me – once you start increasing your knowledge you will be surprised at how fast you are able to start creating a property portfolio.