Posts Tagged ‘Property Investment’
Buying Houses For Back Taxes Vs. Investing In Mortgage Foreclosures
1st House that Johnny Wants to Buy 025

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If you’re interested in foreclosure investing, you’re on the right track. Foreclosures are at an all-time high due to the recent slump in the global economy, and the opportunity for huge gains has never before been quite what it is in this current financial climate. The question is, what road will you take – buying houses for back taxes, or by investing your money in mortgage foreclosures?
<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://deedgrabbers.com”>Buying houses for back taxes</a> is your best bet every time. Here’s why.
While investing in mortgage foreclosures used to be a lucrative business, current times are showing more and more homeowners upside-down in their mortgages. The equity these people had in their homes dropped along with their home values. Finding a mortgage foreclosure with any equity still left in the purse is virtually impossible at this time.
<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://deedgrabbers.com”>Buying houses with back taxes</a>on the other hand, usually never presents this problem. Back taxes houses almost never have a mortgage and still have a ton of equity left in them. Why? Because at tax foreclosure sales, mortgages are eliminated – mortgage companies ensure the payment of delinquent taxes on a property before it ever makes it to tax sale, leaving properties that have no mortgage on them by the time the sale comes around. Also, often times the back taxes owed are the only debt on these houses; properties without a mortgage are almost always free and clear.
So what do we do now? How do we get this property?
Most will likely have very little success at the tax deed/lien sale itself. A host of large tax property investment firms will have long done their due diligence and researched the top properties to invest in. They’re willing to make a smaller return on their investment than you are – in other words, you’ll likely be outbid.
This shouldn’t stop you from wanting to <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://deedgrabbers.com”>invest in tax property</a> – you simply have to be a little more creative. Why not try something along these lines? Purchase the home directly from the owner, and bypass the need for competitive auction bidding. Generally, these property owners are more than willing to rid themselves of their tax obligation and would rather see you with the property instead of losing it to the government.
You’ll find that the majority of these owners have already accepted the loss of their homes and simply want to put the bad memories behind them. They are motivated to sell, and to sell for cheap. Not only do you help someone in need, but you also make a wise investment move.
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Property in Ahmedabad, Property Developers Ahmedabad, Real Estate Property in Ahmedabad
Re-development

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Ahmedabad is one of the most admired cities of India because it is the largest city of Gujarat and seventh largest city in India and is proving to be an ideal city for acquiring residential and commercial property due to excellent infrastructure that city has and the kind of facility it offers. Since the capital value offer for residential and commercial properties in Ahmedabad is fairly low, reasonable and affordable in comparison to other cities in India makes people more attracted towards investing in property in Ahmedabad. Over here, NRIs are having special attraction for property investment in Ahmedabad. Building or buying a newly built property is one of the biggest investments you can make in Ahmedabad.
The real estate sector in Ahmedabad is also flourishing due to major developments by builders in Ahmedabad. Majority of the big builders are constructing properties in Ahmedabad, which are not only residential but also for the commercial properties. Pacifica Company has come up with major property development projects in India. The demand for the residential property and commercial property is increasing because of various infrastructure development and economical standard. Investors purchase property and set it for rent, which is a very good mode of income. In the recent past, even the number of real estate agents and brokers have increased. As a location of property investment, Ahmedabad certainly has good prospects in store for prospective investors.
Since the declaration of Ahmedabad as a mega city, the real estate activity has gained momentum. Brands and organizations are setting their sights on real estate properties that are being developed in Ahmedabad. There is a strong sentiment for real estate investments, therefore, Ahmedabad presents excellent prospects of growth. Ahmedabad being a big city and expanding day by day, builders here get more opportunities to build more hi-tech buildings. Except Ahmedabad there is no other city in India that is focusing on developing its infrastructure. Big corporate companies from various places prefer Ahmedabad over other cities due to easy norm by government. Also Ahmedabad is becoming an IT city at a very fast speed. These all reasons are more than enough for a person to invest in property in Ahmedabad.
The high end residential properties in Ahmedabad are investor-driven. Ahmedabad offers great infrastructural base and excellent opportunities for commercial purposes. From investment point of view Ahmedabad certainly has very good prospects in store. New real estate projects have pushed property rates to new highs. Ahmedabad is the city that focuses a lot on developing its infrastructure, whereas there is no other city in India that does the same and this is one of the basic reasons that more number of real estate builders are coming and investing here.
There are various, apartments, multiplexes residential bungalows in Ahmedabad, luxurious villas in Ahmedabad and much more that are being developed and are good from investment point of view. There are big, independent bungalows and villas that are luxurious and have various facilities like clubs, gymnasium, children play area, swimming pool, etc. The meadows bungalows are located in beautiful landscaped area with semi-covered parking. These are kind of places where you would love to stay. There are also apartments that are provided with similar facilities and are better from independent bungalows or villas from security point of view. On the other hand, it is also possible to find houses that are available at prices, a person with moderate income can easily afford.
Pacifica is launching with its expertise the Green Acres at Prahladnagar, La Habitat at Thaltej, and the Courtyard by Marriot hotel on S G Highway, which is the most developing area. As investing in property is a long term program so take a right decision in choosing the best builder for yourself, so that you don’t suffer later. Therefore, investing in Ahmedabad property is beneficial and Pacifica can help you purchase the finest residential and commercial property in Ahmedabad as per your requirement, which you could later sell or put on rent or use it personally.
The flyovers and roads are getting more and more improved day by day. After Ahmedabad is declared as Megacity by the centre, it has become favorite spot of youngsters as educational opportunities have increased with world class institutions. Investing in residential property in Ahmedabad has now become a business segment for common man and agents. In recent years, the city is witnessing some major construction projects including hotel projects, real estate residential project, commercial projects, shopping malls development, information technology parks and scientific industries. Unlike share markets return on investment in residential properties is at a continuous speed and is increasing day by day.
10 tips for a new property developer
James Cook sailed to China

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Well, actually, I’m pretty sure he didn’t. But he sure likes this property development!
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Making the decision to become a professional property developer and invest in property is no easy step. Is it one that requires a lot of thought, consideration and time to ensure you are making the right decision.
If you too are struggling to decide if property development is the right route for you, then the following FAQ can help put all your concerns to rest:
What is property investment?
There are many misconceptions about property investment and what it exactly entails. The most common route you will encounter – and hear of – is renovation, where you buy a property with the purpose of doing it up and selling it.
However, whilst this niche was profitable during the property boom of 2007, this investment technique unfortunately is less effective during economic downturns. That is unless you have got the cash to turn the property around fast and quickly get it back on the market.
The other route however – and the one we recommend to you – is buy-to-let. With buy-to-let, you can invest in property based on the areas tenancy demand and ability to produce positive cash flows, and generate month on month incomes simply by leasing your property development to tenants. There is no need to sell…
What makes property investment different to stocks, bonds or shares?
The fact that it will never go into zero values! Although stocks, bonds and shares can help you to experience annual returns of up to 25%, they are also prone to dipping down to -8% leaving YOU out of pocket.
With property it is a much different story. Even in a recession, properties can still produce annual returns of up to 25% – if you invest correctly – making it a much safer, more stable investment route.
Do I need capital to invest?
No. Equip yourself with the right strategies, and it is possible to invest in property using little if any of your money and purchase properties without putting your own home at risk.
Investment strategies such as No Money Down or No Deposit Down are specifically designed to help you invest with minimal costs involved. All you will have to worry about is your legal fees and stamp duties; yet even then it is possible to negotiate such property discounts that your property will essentially pay for itself.
Do I need experience?
Despite what the media would like you to believe, you don’t have to have prior property investment experience to make a profit from property.
The key to achieving long term successful investments is to: equip your property portfolio with the right investment strategies; negotiate the right property price discounts, but more importantly ensure that you only invest in properties which can produce the positive cash flows and tenancy demand you need.
Attending a property development course can help to equip you with such investment strategies. Just make sure that you thoroughly research these property development courses first, check their history/case studies and only sign up to a course that can offer you at least 5 investment strategies.
REMEMBER: Not all investment strategies will work in all financial climates, which is why having plenty of choice can come in handy.
How do banks lend money for investment property?
Unlike applying for a mortgage where your lending amount is based on how much you earn, buy to let investment is assessed very differently.
Here, all lenders require is that your property is able to generate 125% of its mortgage repayments through buy to let. Meaning choose wisely and it is possible to invest in bigger and better properties, than you normally would be able to if it was based on your salary.
What are the best properties to invest in?
There is no fixed rule to this exactly, although residential properties do primarily win in the investment stakes against commercial property and land.
When you are researching potential property developments, the key points to take into consideration are the properties tenancy demand; the mortgages deals available and the positive cash the property can generate. As long as there is the demand and the property can produce at least £300 in positive cash flows, then it doesn’t matter if it is a terraced, semi-detached or detached.
This information aside, economic circumstances can make one property type more popular than the other. During the recession for example, studies found that tenants preferred living in terraced properties compared to all other property types because they were better designed and more energy efficient.
What is positive cash flow?
Positive cash essentially represents the income left over from a tenants rent after the properties mortgage repayments have been deducted. So, the larger the properties positive cash flow, the more profitable the property is.
Is it possible to invest in all financial climates?
Yes. If you are looking to enter specifically into the buy to let investment market, then with the right investment strategies, brokers and negotiating skills, it is possible to invest come property boom or economic crisis.
Take the recent recession. During the last 2 years we have been confronted with property price discounts of at least 20%; base rates of only 0.5% and a tenancy demand that has increased by 24% alone during the last quarter of 2009.
However, even with the property boom of 2007, property investment was still powerful asset as it encouraged rapid capital growth which in turn prompted rental increases and larger positive cash flows.
The financial climate does not have to play a factor in your decision to invest; only help you to determine which of your investment strategies will be most effective.
Is it possible to invest abroad?
Your property portfolio does not have to remain restricted within one city, region or country. UK, USA, Europe or Australia… with the right strategies all properties can be transformed into credible property lets.
The only thing you should be cautious about when investing abroad is familiarising yourself with their property laws and investment regulations. Every country is formatted using a different system, and will employ different methods for lending, organising repayments and structuring property leasing.
Do I have to give up my day job?
No, far from it. The great thing about property is that you can easily research, invest and build your property portfolio in your spare time – for as little as 1 hour property per week – and continue working your day job.
You can even employ a property manager to take care of your properties, and ensure that your rent; maintenance issues and tenant problems are quickly resolved without need for your assistance.
Related Property Development Articles
Online Buying Real Estate Guide Can be Great Help
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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Strategies for Selling Real Estate in a Tough Market
Dollar Real Estate

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Dollar Real Estate – www.andralax.com/dollar – Selling property, sell your home, sell your house, sell your flat… Sell or Rent your home without an estate agent and save thousands in commission!… We have the Smarter Way To Sell Your Property. Dollar Real Estate operates through a Single Plan – This plan enables you to have up to 1.000 properties in your account (rentals, sales or leases), for only $ 30 USD/month. Listings never expire.
Not every property owner can wait out a down market before selling. Sometimes it’s necessary to relocate quickly, and sometimes there’s a better investment on the horizon requiring all assets to be liquidated – there are a wide variety of possible reasons a sale might have to happen sooner than later. When selling in a downmarket becomes necessary, real estate owners can employ a variety of strategies to get the best return for their investment.
The first thing owners should consider no matter when they’re selling is why buyers might want their property. Investment potential isn’t the only reason buyers enter the market, and sellers who can appeal to those other reasons are more likely to close the deal. Considerations like quality of life, good location, and lifestyle stability are important for buyers weighing the potential of each property.
Another simple, yet effective downmarket selling strategy is making the property look good. Sellers who invest a few hundred dollars on this task and simplify their properties’ appearance can increase the sale value by thousands of dollars.
Sellers in a tough market also need to make sure their property is advertised online. With more than 80 per cent of real estate buyers checking the Internet first, this step exposes the majority of the market to a property, and helps encourage competing offers. Most sellers have made sure their property is online, but attractive photos and a well-written description can really make a listing stand out – the help of a real estate professional can be valuable here.
Competitive pricing is the most important part of any property sale, especially in a tough market. When homes in the area aren’t selling well, the best strategy is often to compare recent sales on similar properties in the area, and try to sell a few thousand dollars lower. That pricing method helps protect against further downward market shifts, and may encourage competing offers if the market picks up.
Sellers can further sweeten the deal by offering incentives like closing bonuses for Realtors, goods or services for buyers, and help with financing if the buyer can’t access a large enough mortgage.
Investment property loans – Selling Real Estate Investment
These days, the attention to much real estate is a resident focused specifically on the properties. This is not surprising as economic and credit crisis has caused many foreclosures in the United States. As a result, many homes for sale by banks or people who want to sell their homes because the closed set. On the other side of the business, there were many people take advantage of the situation of new prices, or simply take in researchFor more affordable housing.
- Investment property loans
No wonder then that the information on investment in real estate is often lost in the shuffle. However, real estate sold is quite a good option for one looking to real estate agents. Here are some tips that can be useful, especially when a new agent, or one who used to work primarily with real good as a holiday.
Note that the advertising for people to bringInvest in a particular property or piece of land is different, and are generally used for the interest in the properties of a real life special. In the latter they are trying to convince buyers that the property not only convenient, but suited to their needs, lifestyles and even personality. The above considerations are, however, the financial easier, because the person is not really the land on his life. You should probablyhence the emphasis on more “objective” characteristics and statistics, rather than on subjective things like environment.
- Investment property loans
Then again, and then an hour still subjective elements to the fore when you try to find one for investors. For example, you could try a sale of land to be used to include business or school is to provide aid to disadvantaged young people. could contribute to the cause-oriented advertising. You might want to use NGOs as a source of networking. ForWho regularly “take part in the NGO Committee on the” cause “property development could be of interest to invest in people like that.
If you are adventurous, especially feeling and get contacts to help with legal issues, you may also want to have offshore investments in real estate. This could be a bit ‘difficult because the standards are different and even contradictory overlap should be followed. Here are some things you should look at isfor.
First, in some countries (the Philippines) that often the commercial property in the country have a certain percentage must be local. Be careful not to hurt unwittingly involved such reserves. Not entangled with projects that violate environmental or labor in the country where the property is located. It is normally the rules of the country, the property is not (the country of investors), thefollowed.
http://www.investmentpropertyloans.goodarticlesite.com/selling-real-estate-investment/

To buy a home for sale by owner, hire a local lawyer to write up an official offer. Buy a home for sale by owner with tips from a licensed agent in this free video on real estate. Expert: Richard Blake Bio: Richard Blake is a licensed real estate agent that has closed more than 20 times the number of transactions per year than that of the average realtor for the last three years. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Dolf De Roos’ Real Estate Investor’s College: Real Estate Investing for Everyone (Audio and DVD Success)
Dolf De Roos’ Real Estate Investor’s College: Real Estate Investing for Everyone (Audio and DVD Success)
- Make a date for financial independence by enrolling in Dolf de Roos’ Real Estate Investor’s College on audio compact disc.
- Let property investment guru Dolf de Roos demonstrate insider techniques and field-tested strategies designed to maximize property value for all levels of real estate investors, as he shows just how frequently unique opportunities present themselves
- Covering everything from lenders to leases; tradespeople to tenants, Real Estate Investor’s College is your graduate course to financial security!
- Real Estate “How to”! All you need to know, easy and Helpful.
- Dolf de Roos’ Real Estate Investor’s College is your graduate course in financial security!
Make a date for financial independence by enrolling in Dolf de Roos’ Real Estate Investor’s College on audio compact disc. Let property investment guru Dolf de Roos demonstrate insider techniques and field-tested strategies designed to maximize property value for all levels of real estate investors, as he shows just how frequently unique opportunities present themselves to those in the know.
Investor’s School on 10 CDs provides a dynamic audio record of Dolf’s mentoring sessions previously available only in-person,to only 10 students per year. Real Estate Riches on 3 CDs abridges the New York Times and Wall Street Journal print bestseller to create a portable audio compenduim of of how-to tips for creating property income. Finaly, sit in on Discussions with Dolf, a DVD bonus comprising an international question-and-answer session featuring specific real estate queries from program participants. Covering everthing from lenders to leases;tradespeople to tenants,Dolf de Roos’ Real Estate Investor’s College is your graduate course in financial security!
Price: $ 15.54
Bulgarian And Property And Investment
Bulgarian and property and investment opportunities are widespread right now with more and more properties being built and put on the market all the time. Bulgarian and property and investment is taking off in the form of a very stable property boom that is getting the attention of real estate gurus from all over the world. It’s true that Bulgarian and property and investment is at an all time high and is only expected to climb higher and higher.
The reason that Bulgarian and property and investment is so popular right now is al based around the property boom. Bulgarian and property and investment is a good idea because the country has everything going for it in the way of economics, location, cultural appeal, tourism, and more. The government has instituted and economic reform plan that involves Bulgarian and property and investment, which is really helping to get the attention of more and more people. Where once it was more difficult to get into Bulgarian and property and investment, mortgages and off plan properties are offered to people who are not native to Bulgaria. Bulgarian and property and investment has already proven to be wise and has a lot of people seeing huge returns on their investments just a couple years into the boom that seems set to last.
Bulgarian and property and investment is attracting all types of investors. Many people that have already tried out Bulgarian and property and investment are finding that it still has a lot of appeal. Those that have experience in Bulgarian and property and investment are branching out and investing in new things. Those that have been involved in commercial Bulgarian and property and investment are now looking at the residential aspect of things. It has also been noted that any sort of Bulgarian and property and investment that ties into the tourism industry is as good as a guarantee that you will make money off of the investment. Bulgarian and property and investment has been good to those that already know the Bulgarian and property and investment waters.
Those that are new to real estate investment and more specifically to Bulgarian and property and investment are also having a good time of it in Bulgaria right now. The property boom is really allowing new investors to take that first jump into the investment waters and experience success. Many of the Bulgarian and property and investment opportunities are for properties that will only continue to grow in value and desirability over the years and will yield huge returns. What is nice about Bulgarian and property and investment is that the property values will not suffer from inflation like other regions of the world have, which makes Bulgarian and property and investment a great first step for a new investor. Simply put, Bulgarian and property and investment has been good to the new investor as well as the very experienced investor and everything in between. This success has more and more people looking into Bulgarian and property and investment.
Thinking About Morocco Property Investment
The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in northwest Africa. It has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco brims over with contrast, color and mystery and all you can do is simply catch your breath in wonder. It has a timeless quality that no longer exists in the modern world.
Morocco has become one of the major holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, an exotic location with extraordinary natural and cultural wealth. A rapidly growing holiday market, focused on quality.
Today Morocco is a promising emerging market and a huge growth in developments to the region is living proof of this. The Moroccan government’s commitment to increase the numbers of tourists is a real incentive for developers and investors alike.
There are a number of reasons why Morocco property is so profitable investment, chief amongst them is the fact that Morocco has enjoyed relative stability for an extended period of time. In addition, the climate in many parts of the country is very appealing to people from many different countries around the world.
There are several major cities where capital growth has been at its highest – most notably, Casblanca, Fes, Marrakech and Tangier. Areas along the Mediterranean coast are expected to be the next boom – prices are currently very low.
Another reason that investing in Morocco property is currently so attractive is the relatively low cost of living. Foreign money can go a long way in the country making it easy to live in the lap of luxury at very little cost. This has spurred the creation of many foreign real estate investment firms that specialize in helping investors find the ideal property for their investments. There is also a large variety in the kind of property available on the Moroccan real estate market. Whether you are looking to invest in a tourist resort, in a rental unit or a business there are hundreds of viable options. The Moroccan property market provides a great abundance of investments, making it easily available for all investor groups regardless of their budgetary constraints.
When you are buying property in Morocco the most important factor is to work with an established agent, who can guide you through each step of the process and help you avoid any pitfalls.
When you have decided on a property to buy in Morocco you will need to make a verbal offer through the agent, which will need to be accepted by the vendor. Once an agreement on price is achieved, sale negotiations will proceed. Also it is wise to appoint a lawyer who is fluent in your language so that you properly understand all the legalities and exactly what is happening. And the purchase of a property in Morocco is a standard procedure, similar to anywhere on the European Continent. The buyer will open a Euro account with a bank in Morocco and transfer Sterling or Euros to this account. The Euros will then be converted into Dirhams when paying funds to the vendor.
Investing in Off Plan Overseas Property Abroad
An off-plan property signifies the buying of a property that is not yet complete. The construction may be at any stage – even at the pre-licensing stage, if you are buying a property that has not yet fully completed in all regards, then it is said to be an off plan property. The demand for pre-construction overseas property, or off-plan property, has seen a steady rise over the past decade as more investors turn to the overseas property market for bigger capital growths. On the face of it, investing in property abroad seems a good proposition, but it’s always advisable to acquaint yourself, as far as possible, about the pros and cons of an unfinished property.
Advantages Of Investing In Off Plan Property Abroad
An off-plan property investment abroad entails a whole lot of advantages to the investor. Some of these include -
The foremost advantage is the price factor. You can avail strikingly lower prices for the undeveloped property. The builders offer these discounts because they need to raise immediate capital for construction purposes. Moreover, it’s always the endeavour of a builder to sell the property during construction to offset any probability of failure to gain from selling it in future. Another reason for builders to offer off-plan property at discounted rates is to obtain better interest rates on their development loans from banks and investors. The price obviously has to be on a lower side for an unfinished construction as the builders have hardly anything to show except for a floor plan and an artist’s impressions of the finished development.
Moreover, even this discounted price is not paid immediately. Normally, the builders ask for 20%-30% deposit at the time of the Sale Agreement, and the balance normally becomes payable on completion of the property. You can easily finance the balance on a 70% mortgage in most countries.
Investment in an off-plan property overseas will, most certainly and drastically, mitigate your capital gains tax liability.
If all the payments you make to a builder are covered by a bank guarantee, it means that anything paid is returned to you should the builder defaults. So, your investment is largely secured by a bank guarantee.
An off-plan property investment gives you a chance to supervise your returns on the property during the construction period as well, which is generally 1-3 years. This way you can realize the profit during the construction period as well, should you require immediate money. This benefit is particularly significant if one considers the small amount invested in the form of deposit at the time of Agreement.
The overseas property should be alluring enough to invest. In other words, the builder must, at least, promise to employ state-of-the-art construction materials and install modern gadgetry to make the finished product an exciting proposition to reap maximum rewards, if resold. Some builders also allow the investor to choose the fixtures and fittings to be installed during the construction.
Disadvantages Of Investing In Off Plan Property Abroad
Though off-plan property investment abroad may seem quite a cheap proposition, it has some pitfalls too. Here are some of the disadvantages you might face in an off-plan investment -
The apparent negative feature of off-plan property investment is the chances of the developer disappearing or going bust. Therefore, it’s extremely vital that you do your homework and research thoroughly the credentials of the developer. If the developer is a well known entity in that particular region, chances are that the deal will be good, but if he is a new entrant in the business, you must be extra vigilant in ensuring that your money won’t go down the drain.
Another risk you will be undertaking by investing in off-plan property is its possible sudden fall in value within the real estate sector. You can never predict the tilt of market forces, and can incur losses if the demand for that kind of property has hit a low during construction.
There is a wide gulf between the projected and the actual product. The overseas builder can easily take you for a ride if he uses inferior or different materials during construction than promised. However, if the developer has a good reputation, chances are that such cheap tricks won’t see the light of the day.
If you are planning to move into your newly acquired possession, then ensure you are flexible with your moving dates. You can never be sure about the precise date by which the construction will be completed. There may be any number of hurdles in the construction process, and during this period, you just cannot pack your bags and hop in your dream home or apartment.
Legally speaking, you are not the actual owner of the off-plan property until it is completed. So, you don’t enjoy all the rights against the property as enjoyed by an owner. Without ownership, the banks may not lend against the property, and therefore, any money required before completion may have to be raised from personal resources. However, these cases are few and far between, most banks will lend the remaining monies in the form of a mortgage secured on the finnished product.
After getting yourself acquainted with the ins and outs of off plan property investment, it’s time to make a decision on investment. If you’ve decided to invest in an off-plan overseas property in Europe, then check out our off plan developments in Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Portugal, and Italy. Visit our Off Plan Developments page for a full list of current off plan properties for sale abroad.
Should I Attend Property Investment Courses?
Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins, Jim Rohn
Investing in property may seem like todays flavour of the month. However, due to the large amounts of money changing hands, it is not something that you should try without proper training and guidance.
When I first started investing in property, I spent a lot of man hours educating myself. I bought every single book on property that I could lay my hands on. I spent a lot of time and effort attending workshops and seminars. When I had become confident of my abilities, I ventured out and bought my first property.
Buying my first property did not mean that I could now stop learning about property investment. In fact, it was the exact opposite. I was now spending more time learning the different property investment strategies; I was attending more seminars and courses and reading specialised books on investing. Had I stopped learning after my first purchase I would not be a successful property investor today.
A couple of weeks ago, I did some research to see what courses were being offered to help people get into property investment. Quite frankly, I was shocked by the results. I found single day courses and workshops ranging from 500 pounds to 10,000s pounds. And, thats not all.
I even found several portfolio companies requesting 6 figure sums in return for an off the shelf property portfolio! Today, every other person appears to be offering a property investing course. How do you choose which one is right for you?
Firstly, my advice would be for you to not pay anyone to buy a property portfolio for you. If you want success in property, you need to understand at least the basics of property investing. Paying someone a truck load of money to buy a few properties for you will not give you this knowledge.
Attending property courses should by definition increase your knowledge of property investment. However, prior to parting with any money you need to address the following issues:
- What are the credentials of the course organiser? Is he/she a property investor himself and how much experience does he/she have?
The best person to advise you on property investing would be someone who walks the talk – theres little to gain from a presenter who has never bought a property before.
- What are the course contents? Will advanced techniques be addressed?
Its the advanced techniques used by successful property investors that will set you apart from all those other wannabe property investors.
- How many people will be attending the course?
A course attended by hundreds of people may lack the personal touch, but will present networking opportunities to you.
- How much and how long is the course?
Paying several thousand pounds for a one day course is too much. You need to weigh up the cost, length and contents before making up your mind.
- Will I be given the opportunity to network with other attendees of the course?
The property business is a business of relationships. You need to network with others in the same business as you will not be able to do it alone.
- What is the location of the venue?
Is it worth travelling hundreds of miles to a course that may be offered closer to where you live?
- What support will be provided after completion of the course?
Course attendees quite often become unstuck after attending a course. You need to find out if any support is offered after you complete the course.
Only once you are satisfied with your answers to the above questions should you part with any cash.
Be warned though, attending a course by itself will not make you into a successful property investor. What will set you apart from any other attendee on the course is your level of motivation and determination to succeed in property investing.
Property Options Give You Options
Property options are one of the best ways for investors to make a significant amount of money without investing a lot and definitely without risking too much. That combination of reducing risk and increasing profitability is essential in the investment world. Property options may be the ideal way for you to see your highest return on investment. Property investments are not always the best solution for everyone, of course, but for many, they are a solid way to building wealth. Regardless of where you are in the process of wealth creation, consider property options is a stepping-stone.
What Are Property Options?
Property options are a type of property investment where you do not necessarily own the property but do own the control of that property. You will make an agreement with the owner of the property. This agreement provides you with the ability to buy the property during a certain amount of time as decided in the agreement. You only need to purchase the property if you would like to. The agreement is made with a small deposit of your money, usually about $1000 or so. The only risk that you have, at this point, is this deposit of your funds.
The agreement gives you the right to purchase the property if you decide to. You do not have any obligation to do so, though. The benefit here is the time that you gain by using the property option instead of outright purchasing the property. During this time, you can see added value to the property that you create when you use the property in some way to gain better use of or value from it.
The Benefits
There are many great benefits to a property investment like this. First, consider how easy it is for you to get into this type of investment. You do not have to have a large sum of money to make the purchase. This opens doors for many people. You also do not have to deal with the bank and being approved for a loan for the purchase of the property. In fact, this is one of the easiest ways to get into property ownership. Additionally, you do not have to deal with a real estate agent or haggle with your lender about interest rates.
While purchasing through a property option offers benefits, owning property in this way is always quite lucrative and beneficial to you. For example, if you own property like this, you do not have to worry about the tenants that live there or the many repairs that need to be done. You do not have to worry about the day-to-day running of the property. From a financial standpoint, you also do not have to pay a mortgage payment or handle the risk of purchasing a property and losing money on it (and therefore destroying your credit.)
As you can see, property options allow you to enter into property investment safely; something more people need to have to be comfortable enough to make an investment. With property options, more options are opened for you and more success is likely to be around the corner.
Boom in Dubai Property Investment
Until a few years back, buying freehold property in Dubai was not possible for foreign nationals. Property boom in Dubai only ensued after some considerable changes were made to the emirate’s property laws. Currently, Dubai real estate sector is witnessing a rapid upward trend that’s expected to go even higher with the passage of time. Population of Dubai has grown manifold over the past few years given a sharp and growing increase in the number of expatriates. Both veteran and would-be investors across the globe are eying Dubai as the property investment paradise for a long time to come. Property for sale in Dubai has already succeeded in drawing the attention of foreign investors.
Investment in Dubai property, whether it’s buying property in Dubai for permanent relocation or business, or you simply want to cash in on the most popular investment trend in Dubai property i.e. buy-to-let, is very lucrative. The immense development Dubai continues to undergo with massive infrastructure projects reflects the exploding need for space for the country’s multiplying populace. Given these circumstances, the boom in Dubai property market doesn’t seem to slow down at any point in the foreseeable future. These upward trends of Dubai real estate make investment in Dubai property extremely risk-free for foreign nationals and they can choose to invest in Dubai even with their eyes closed.
Nearly all of the buyers of Dubai property find property resale and buy-to-let trend as the most attractive features of property ownership in Dubai. Some recent announcements point towards Dubai’s becoming a tourist hotspot in the near future with more recreation than ever. Newer entertainment and recreation projects are underway which have already drawn a great deal of international attention. The emirate, which is already termed as a playground in the desert, is soon to have more to offer to the world’s recreation seekers. This much international focus means an even stronger property market potential with returns that continue to shoot up.
To the benefit of investors, though not a positive sign for the buyers with no commercial intent, the demand for Dubai property, Dubai apartment, Dubai villas or any other type of property in Dubai by far outstrips the supply. This demand/supply disparity makes Dubai property investment an extremely attractive prospect for the foreign investors. As the experts of Dubai property forecast, the market is lucrative for the investors who already bought property in Dubai. But the market is not so friendly for those seeking rental property right now. If you’re one of those lucky enough people who have already secured property in Dubai, you’re likely to be reaping profits. But if you’re on the lookout for a decent rental accommodation in Dubai, you might have a hard time ahead as the prices are very high and are set to rise higher.
Experts speculate that the population of Dubai will be doubled in 2010. This will turn Dubai into one of the world’s hottest destinations for expatriates and holidaymakers alike and this just bodes so exceptionally well for property investors.
Ups and Downsides of Off-plan Property Investment
For many investors, stock markets around the world have lost some of their appeal; the excess money in people’s coffers has been ploughing into international real estate at a rate never previously experienced. As a direct result of this intense interest in overseas property the demand for real estate in many locations such as Dubai and Spain is outstripping supply by up to 75%, generating a continuous growth on price levels.
As a result, it is increasingly common for investors to enter into off-plan property purchase. There are a number of benefits to off-plan purchases, but also some drawbacks in this method of buying real estate. In this next section we examine them for you to help you determine whether off plan property investment is the right choice for you.
The Benefits of Off-Plan Property Investment
If you buy off-plan when the villa or apartment is at the drawing board stage or initial stage of build, then you have the potential to make considerable input into the internal layout and finish of your chosen property. You can change around internal walls, select paint colours, tiles, carpets, kitchens, bathrooms etc, and custom design your property as though it were a self build without having to pay the extra cost for an architect that would normally be associated with this service.
By buying a property off-plan today you are securing the price of that property at today’s prices. By the time the property is completed it may very well have risen in value, thus making you a significant return on your investment immediately. Furthermore, if you can ‘just’ afford to buy at today’s prices, knowing that if you wait until more completed properties come on sale you may have missed the opportunity and as a result, been priced out of the market.
Developers usually require stage payments from their buyers throughout the build process. This means that you don’t have to make a large one off payment, you can save for each payment, allowing you to budget for each payment and effectively securing a high value asset for a very low initial capital outlay.
Some investors buy property off-plan, never intending to pay for it and certainly never intending to live in it! They take full advantage of the stage payments method of funding the build and never make the final payment which is usually the largest; rather they put the property back onto the market just as it is about to be completed and take out all the profit from the natural increase in value the property has achieved throughout the period it took to build it. Obviously, this is a rather risky approach as the property market does fluctuate downwards as well as upwards and there might not be a buyer waiting in the wings at just the right moment for the vendor.
Some developers use private investors to fund the build of holiday accommodation by offering them guaranteed rental yields on their completed property for a fixed period of time. This is a purely symbiotic relationship in theory as the developer has inward cash flow from the property investors to afford the build and also has a set number of properties he can let out via holiday and tour companies or even privately for a fixed period. The developer then takes any excess rental yield and thereby profits and the investor is guaranteed an income and also owns a property that is hopefully increasing in value over and above what it cost to buy in the first place – therefore, everyone’s happy!
The Downfalls of Off-Plan Property Investment
By buying a property from a developer off-plan you are taking a risk on that developer. What if he encounters financial difficulties during the build and never completes? What if he doesn’t build the properties to a high standard? You can help eliminate these situations by ensuring you see examples of previously completed projects, speaking to other customers who have been through the process with the developer already and asking about their experiences. Get guarantees of the builders financial status written into the contract where possible.
How secure will your investment be? You need to ensure you have a watertight contract drawn up and employ independent legal representation to protect your rights and money throughout the build process. If anything happens to the builder what do you actually own? Can you get your money back? What guarantees do you have? By buying off-plan and paying in installments it is usual that the title deeds are not drawn up in your name until completion, meaning that in theory throughout the build process the builder can re-mortgage the land on which your property will stand and until he repays the lender you cannot take legal ownership of your property.
You have no way of guaranteeing the finished quality of the property you’re buying. You need to ensure that you discuss your expectations with the builder and have them written into your contract. Furthermore, as mentioned, you should inspect previous examples of work. Also make sure you have some legally binding guarantees covering the structure of the building for five or ten years.
If you’re buying into an area where there is a large amount of development going on it will be very difficult to know what the area is going to look like when finished. Your particular developer may finish his properties, roads and shared areas to a high standard, however, what if nearby developers fail to do so, or if nearby developers are actually building aesthetic eyesores for example? You will have no idea who or even what your neighbours are going to be. They could be like minded people or your could end up living next to an industrial unit!
Off-plan property investment has one more down side and that is you will have to wait a long time to move into your dream home. You will be paying out for something for a long time before you actually benefit from it.
In case you need more information or have doubts on any of these issues, the specialised staff in January First Real Estate will be glad to answer all your questions, January First Real Estate, click here.
Reversionary Property: Risk-free and 50% Off
Copyright (c) 2008 Parmdeep Vadesha
Reversionary property is a good medium to long term investment. Though non-income generating, reversions are superior when it comes to capital appreciation. Easy and virtually risk-free, reversionary property investments also offer potentially high returns. And since it is almost impossible for property prices to fall 50% below their present value, it makes good business sense to invest in reversionary property.
In reversionary property investment, you simply purchase a residential property from a homeowner at a highly discounted price. A reversionary property can be bought for around 50% of its value, depending on the age of the vendor and the location and characteristics of the property. Payment is either in a cash lump sum or in monthly installments. The homeowner continues to live in the property as a tenant rent-free and with full legal rights to remain in occupation until his death or until they voluntarily vacate. Then the ownership of the property reverts to the buyer.
Since the homeowner continues to live in the home as if it were his own, he is still responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the property such as utility bills, building insurance premiums and capital tax while he continues to occupy the house.
Reversion investments are basically a bet on the life expectancy of the homeowner. The buyer pays the monthly reversionary annuities until the homeowner dies.
Reversionary properties are of two kinds: tenanted, which means that the homeowner lives in the premises, and untenanted, whereby the vendor does not live in the property. In this case, the buyer can use the property or rent it out. Payment can either be in a lump sum, in monthly annuities or a combination of both. Usually, institutional investors, affluent individuals and those looking for a holiday home in the future would greatly benefit from reversionary property.
Investment in reversionary property is beneficial to both the homeowner (vendor) and the buyer. For the vendor, it is as if he is granted a lease that will last until the end of his life. He is released from the responsibility of big-ticket payments on his property such as major works and land tax. He also receives additional income in the form of the cash lump sum or monthly annuities, which could greatly supplement an elderly person’s pension. More importantly, he does not have to sell his own home or move out, thus increasing his stability and peace of mind.
For the buyer, investment in reversionary property is an excellent opportunity. Not only is the property available at a huge discount, most of them are studio flats, apartments, villas and commercial establishments located in prime areas. Since most of these properties were initially purchased as a retirement house, they are often located in a major city or in the quiet countryside.
Reversionary property is definitely one of the least troublesome and safest way of investing in property. It is best for those who would like to have a holiday home when they retire. For sure, the property is well-maintained by the homeowner, since he still considers it his home despite the fact that ownership has been transferred. By investing in reversionary property, one is sure to acquire a well-maintained, valuable home in the near future.







