Posts Tagged ‘Property Investment’

One of the hardest aspects about being a professional landlord is dealing with your tenants.

No one wants to be in the position where they have to evict. After all, isn’t your ultimate goal to find the perfect tenant to maintain your rental property?

Sometimes you don’t have that choice. And sometimes the best way to help your property investment succeed is to find a new tenant.

So if you are ever confronted with this dilemma we can help you to overcome it by following a few simple rules.

Remember – with all evictions you must have a reason to begin the process or at least a date of notice in which they must leave, otherwise you won’t be able to continue.

Basic facts to property evictions

The first step to terminating a tenancy is to give your tenants adequate written notice. This cannot be a letter written by yourself, but must be an official form stating when and why you want to evict them.

Only then once you have given your tenant notice can things proceed.

The notice itself will contain a deadline (the deadline is determined by the type of contract you have used with your tenant) – traditionally between 1-3 months. Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on your reason.

In this period if they do not amend their ways or move out before the notice period ends, you as their landlord can file a lawsuit to evict them.

Sounds simple. And in some ways it can be as long as you can prove that there is a legitimate reason for their eviction.

Every state has a very detailed set of requirements for landlords who want to end a tenancy, so make sure you are up to date with the laws of your area, and you’ll be fine.

Although the terminology can vary, there are 3 basic types of termination that you must be aware of:

•    Pay rent or Quit Notices: are typically given out when the tenant has not paid the rent. These give your tenant just a few days to pay the rent or move out.

•    Cure or Quit Notices: these are probably the most common, and are usually given out when a tenant violates a part of their contract. This can vary from a no pet policy to excessive noise. If your tenant breaks proceeds to break one of these conditions – and is stated in the contract – you can give them this type of notice.

This will only take affect though if you give your tenant a set time to amend this break in their contract. And if they don’t, you will be free to ask them to leave.

•    Unconditional Quit Notices – these are the harshest of them all. Here your tenants are ordered to vacate the property with no chance to pay the rent owing or correct the lease violation.
To use these types of notices, the tenant must have:

-repeatedly violated a significant lease or rental agreement clause
-been late with the rent on more than one occasion
-seriously damaged the property
- been engaged in a serious illegal activity whilst on the premises, such as drugs.

Termination without cause

There is an alternative. An alternative that can be simpler in the long run: giving a set fixed length of notice.

If you would simply like to terminate your rental agreement with your tenant, and there is no actual cause or reason for doing so, as long as you give them notice you can give them:

A 30 or 60 day vacate notice – this can be used in many areas, as long as you abide by the law/ rules of that area.

However in some places there are ‘Rent control exceptions’ that go beyond the law and require you to provide a legal reason for ending the tenancy agreement.

And finally,

Eviction Lawsuit – the last and final stage where you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

If your tenant has not moved out of your rental property within the required time, you can serve them with a summons and complaint for eviction. Unless they have a reasonable argument for why they should not be evicted, they must then pay immediate notice and leave.

And that’s it! By simply keeping your eye firmly fixed on the law, if you ever find you need to evict your tenant, you can do so by following this simple guide. It’s that straight-forward.

Vilamoura one of the opulent towns of Algarve has lot of business potential and you too can earn handsomely from this place by investing in property here. Vilamoura is known for its beautiful coastlines, marvelous golf courses, some amazing shopping complexes and yes the very famous Marina Beach which attracts a lot of tourists from across the globe.

This place has become a heart throb for many tourists and is considered to be one of the perfect holiday destinations. Not only does it offer some really delicious cuisines, some of the best wines of Algarve, great and affordable accommodation places but the friendly nature of inhabitants of this place leaves you fall in love with this place. Hardly a drive of about twenty minutes from Vilamoura is the international airport in the capital city of Faro. Moreover, the roads that connect the rest of the Portugal with this town are in excellent condition.

The colorful beaches with rich flora and fauna and some of the vibrant pubs and other excellent places for sports and leisure activities that Vilamoura has are any tourists delight. This place is considered as one of the best places in Europe and is Algarve’s largest and most exclusive destination. The place leaves such an impact on the visitors that many end up investing in properties with Vilamoura Properties here. The mild climatic conditions existing in this region throughout the year plays an important role, as it leaves the investors satisfied that climate would never be spoilsport and thus will not affect the frequency of visitors which can have an impact on their business.

Investing in a property in places like vilamoura is often considered worthful investment as this place is frequently visited by the tourists and can help in earning some really good profits. Moreover, as the wise saying goes, investment in Vilamoura Real Estate is considered an investment that would never go wrong. There are plenty of options like villas, farmhouses, cottages, countryside houses, and many other housing options where the investments can be made. You can take the help of Vilamoura Real Estate agents to choose the best property for yourself. And to make your property a more beautiful place that will help in attracting more number of tourists, you can rely on the services of an interior decorator who can guide you in a better way. Before striking out the deal read the documents very carefully to make sure that the property is not disputed.

Often it is seen that many people visit this place just for a formal meeting, get hooked by the beauty of this place and decide to make this place their second home for the holiday seasons. You will have no regrets in investing in the property here as it has all the facilities like Nature Park where in you can go for jogging, tennis courts, very famous Tiffany’s garden for horse riding, casinos, pubs, a cinema hall to catch the latest flick and much more. Come visit this place and develop your own perception about Vilamoura.

Trying to find a good and ‘up to date’ property investing book can be quite a challenge. There is nothing worse than reading a property investing book that refers to property prices that are half what the current day values are. In my experience I have found that sometimes a good general investment book can be of just as much use as a specialist property investment book. Most real estate investors are actively investing in other areas so having a book that discusses real estate investing in relation to the stock market etc. can be very beneficial.What to look for in a property investing book?

The best property investing books should be written in an easy to follow – step by step fashion. It is no good if the reader finishes the book but still doesn’t feel like they have the confidence to start building their property portfolio. At times the facts and figures involved with property can become quite tiresome so it is also vital that the writer can deliver the information in a fun and entertaining way. Let’s have a closer look at three of the all time great property investing books.

More Wealth from Residential Property – Jan Somers

A fantastic property investing book that covers all aspects of how to purchase residential property. It literally covers every stage and detail that you need to know when buying your first (or 10th) investment property. Jan Somers writes in an honest and fun way and she doesn’t forget that most of the people reading her book probably haven’t ever bought an investment property before. There is a chapter that talks about renting vs. buying the house you live in and Jan mentions the fact that living in your own house can have great mental advantages that don’t come into consideration when you only look at the figures. This is a refreshing view point from a property investing professional as I often find that the writers of these property investing books can loose touch with reality but definitely not Jan Somers.

What I Didn’t Learn at School but Wish I Had – Jamie McIntyre

This book is a more general investing book but it covers some great real estate strategies. The first half of Jamie McIntyre’s book concentrates on the mental aspects of becoming a successful investor. He calls it developing the mindset of a millionaire. It is easy to want to skip over this section of the book but I promise you that if you haven’t developed your mental investing muscles then no matter how many great strategies you have you will find it hard to succeed. Whilst Jan Somers book goes into the real ‘nuts and bolts’ of Real estate investing this book covers some more elaborate and interesting strategies.

Go For Your Life – Chris Grey

This is a very underestimated book that didn’t receive anywhere near as many accolades as it deserved. It is basically a combination of the above two property investing books. It shows how Chris slowly bought the 6 investment properties that he currently owns.

You might be saying “6 properties – that’s not enough to write a book!” But this is the exact reason why it is such a great book. He explains how you don’t need to own 100 houses to be a successful real estate investor and enjoy the luxuries of life. By owning a handful of properties he has been able to obtain his dream lifestyle. So there you have it 3 great property investing books that you should definitely read before or after you start building your property empire.

All of them are filled with great property investing tips and secrets that will help you achieve your goals. The only thing missing from these books and form every property investing book ever written is the magic ingredient that makes you actually put the strategies into action. You will need to find that yourself! You can read as many books as you like but if you don’t ever take some action then you won’t ever achieve the success that you would like.

So what are you waiting for? Start taking action today by reading one of these books and then when you are armed with the required knowledge take the next step and start your investing career.

Having the right knowledge and using a proven property investment system are essential for success. That is how full-time property investor and developer Ranjan Bhattacharya sees it. Having spent the last 17 years building his own property investment empire in the UK, he possesses the distinctive ability to understand and make profits in almost every property market cycle.

The unique perspective has enabled the founder of YourPropertyEmpire to come up with a proven property investment system that could help investors profit from property in any stage in the cycle of the property market. Investors who want to follow the trail of success he created may want to know what advice he can give to property investors who also want to make it big.

1. The property market still has room for investors who are interested in taking a piece of it. As long as people need roofs over their heads, property is considered a sure bet.

2. It is not hard to find properties that can produce significant cash flow. Just as long as you know where to look and how to find them, you won’t have trouble locating positive cash flow properties. First, you have to have the ability to recognise the opportunity when you see one.

3. There are basically two ways you can make money in property. First is through capital gains. There are many property investors who are enjoying capital gains, some of which have been very sizeable, thereby, creating the idea that it is the foremost reason for possessing property. The second way is via cash flow from rental returns, which provide a superior degree of certainty and security compared to the speculative type of opportunity in capital gains.

4. Buy properties when sellers are willing to negotiate. Buying property depends on the general market trend, current interest rates and the type of property you are looking at. But the best time to purchase property is when demand is low, property prices are either stable or falling, and when houses are taking a long time to sell.

5. Buy average properties. When you buy property to be rented out, you have to make sure that they are not bottom-end or top-end properties. You can instead buy average properties in average areas which you can then rent out to average tenants at average rents. Usually, the individuals who rent these properties are solid, working folks who earn average salaries.

These nuggets of advice are just a peek into what Ranjan Bhattacharya can provide property investors who want to take advantage of what he has to offer through his bestseller Build Your Property and his home study courses. Through the literature he provides, property investors will be able to learn all the information they need about investing in property and the ways to do it to make them effective property investors and developers.

Including commercial property within a SIPP can have many benefits, particularly the diversification of assets, a rental income stream and long term capital appreciation with a lower volatility than equities.

It is possible to buy the following commercial properties (both leasehold and freehold): shops and offices, warehouses and business units, hotels, motels, forestry and agricultural land. However, any property where the short-term leasehold is under 50 years is unlikely to be acceptable.

As a guide, any property with a residential element cannot be placed into a SIPP plan. For example, holiday homes abroad or in the UK and nursing homes. However, please do not dismiss a property until you have contacted us as further investigations may mean that the property can be placed into the SIPP plan.

Current legislation allows for property bought and then leased to a ‘connected’ party to be acceptable as long as the transaction is carried out at ‘arms-length’. This includes appointing unconnected solicitors and surveyors and would allow, for example, a business’ Group SIPP to include the premises in which the company operates.

It is possible for the trustees of your SIPP to borrow money from a commercial lender in order to assist with the purchase of suitable property. HMRC guidelines state that the Trustees can borrow up to 50% of the net asset value of the SIPP, as calculated immediately before the borrowing takes place. This limit includes all existing borrowing.

The rent receivable by the tenants of the property must exceed the loan repayment and the interest due on the loan. Property purchase is relatively illiquid and a long-term investment. If you wish to take pension benefits within the next ten years, you must consider whether a property investment is suitable.

It is possible to allow a number of SIPP members collectively to purchase a property. The respective percentage interest of each party should usually be specified when the property is bought.

The recent stabilisation of house prices coupled with the increasingly stringent lending standards may give the impression that first time homebuyers with little or no savings have no option but to forego their plans of buying property. Indeed, data provided by Nationwide showed that the average first time buyer in the UK has to use 49% of their post tax salary towards mortgage payments – the highest level since 1990. But according to a recent survey, the current climate in the UK does not deter many property investors from acquiring their first property even if it meant purchasing them somewhere else. A significant number of people are making their first property purchase abroad.

According to many property experts, the rising cost of mortgages and excessively expensive property prices have compelled some first time buyers to purchase their first investment property abroad.

Fifty percent of these first time buyers say they would buy overseas so they could get on the property ladder. In addition to this, the survey also found that the number of first-time buyers who are thinking of investing in property abroad has increased twofold in merely 10 months. France in particular provides a secure investment for first time buyers because of the strength of its property market. Experts agree that the outlook for the French property investment remains optimistic giving investors a better chance of earning solid returns on their investments.

The survey also reveals that countries at their peak are seeing property values rising by up to 30% per annum. This allows property investors to start taking in a weekly or monthly profit almost immediately from the rental of their property abroad which they can use to put back into a deposit for a property in the UK.

For property investors who have decided to get on the property ladder, experts provide the following essential advice to help make their climb a much easier task:

* Save up for that important deposit. The end of the 100% mortgage spelled trouble for many homebuyers as they are now obliged to put aside a significant deposit. Industry experts suggest drawing up a budget for expenditures, opening a savings account and depositing a fixed amount each month.

* Opt for shared equity. This type of scheme allows homebuyers to buy a property at a discounted price (for example 90% of the purchase price) with someone else such as a property developer holding the second mortgage on the property for the other 10%. When the property is eventually sold, they would get 10% of the property’s new value.

* Buy property using shared ownership. Getting on the property ladder is also possible through a shared ownership basis. For instance, homebuyers could own 75% while someone else, usually a Housing Association, owns the rest. Mortgage payments can be paid on the 75% and rent on the other 25%. This setup also offers buyers the option of buying more at set times.

As with any other investment, it’s best to seek the help of qualified professionals who can provide homebuyers with the best advice and at the same time protect their interests and make the purchase a stress-free experience.

Property investment has become a boosting choice for people looking for greater freedom in how they spend their interim time or how they invest for the future. If you planning to purchase Investment Property there are many choices in the internet which give you access to the biggest selection. Auction property investments, Off Plan Property Investments, Distress Sale Properties, everything the property investor requires under one online property marketplace.

Recently, the media has reported that most areas in UK have listed rates shrinks, with property investments in Greater London taking the sharpest drop of all. These estimations may be sourcing some people in the UK to question if it is still in fact a perfect time property investments.

Stories of a property investment crash in the UK have been constantly in the news for quite some time now. But many property experts are of the certainty that the property market will remain solid. The reason behind this is that the deliver of property is inadequate to meet demands not to mention the fact the property is still affordable.

When the prices falls or when there is a decline in asking price, there is always a group of ready investors that are inclined to pick up bargains. These comprise of people such as first time investors, family movers, or property investors seeking property investment deals. The justification why there is a ready supply of investors is because there is a essentials under supply of property, as the current number of completed establishments is running below demand.

The intensifying demand for a deteriorating supply of property investment will produce prices to remain firm. Even though unsold properties have been reported to rise, the unsold stock levels are expected to remain below the long-term trend. Immanent migration has increases drastically due to the attraction of the UK as an excellent place to work and live in.

Additionally, there are also two suitable circles that make the decision in property investment is a sound one. Evidently, no issue which way the UK economy turns, property investment market is still expected to stand out, most especially over the long term. First, when the economies of the world enter another recession or denigration, then interest rates could come down, further decreasing property investors’ expenses, while retentive the rental revenue. Second, if the capital venture of property investment takes a fall, then people will terminate purchasing investment properties, and rent alternatively. The growth in rental demand wills then surprise in property investment income.

If you’re buying property in France, you may find the Eastern districts suit you including Lorraine, Alsace, Champagne, Ardennes and Rhone Alpes, whether you are looking to make a property investment in France or find a second or even principal home. Here at Leapfrog Properties, we have a wide selection of property in East France, catering for all tastes and budgets.

Making a property investment in France is straightforward with Leapfrog Properties. Our online service and very knowledgeable advisors, together with our partner agencies in France, means we can guide you towards the best potential investment returns and the most up and coming areas in which to purchase a property. If you’re selling property in France, we can take the hassle out of marketing your property and you can retain your control over the process, using one of our services.

We thoroughly recommend property in the East of France especially the Franche Compte region, bordering Switzerland, as the prices here are cheap compared with the more frequented, touristy parts of France, and this beautiful region has been largely ignored by the British.

Here you will find magnificent woodlands, lakes and the Jura Mountains, popular for cross – country skiing, with views across to Switzerland and Lake Geneva. There are pretty hillside villages, exclusive spa towns, and many serene and tranquil nature spots; making this the perfect location for family holidays or a soothing escape from the hurly burly of life back home.

For more information on property in East France, click below, or why not pop in for a no–obligation meeting with one of our advisors, who can tell you more about this beautiful region.

When you’re comparing shares vs property in an attempt to decide where you’ll invest your hard earned money next, it’s never a case of one being entirely good or entirely bad. Shares and property both have their benefits and downsides. The important thing is to look for good choices in each sector, and to decide which option fits your particular situation.

For a while, the shares versus property argument was going in favor of property, as far as most people were concerned. Investing in property was fashionable. With the recent real estate crisis in America property investment is losing its appeal for many. However, that doesn’t mean that investment property isn’t a viable choice. Buying property to rent is still a good option, and there’s plenty of opportunity available in commercial property.

Stocks and shares have bounced back and forth recently, and many people are concerned about their future prospects. However, the right choice can mean that, for you, the shares vs. property debate comes up in favor of the stock market. It all depends on your situation – there are good things about both of them. Anyone who argues that one is definitely superior to the other hasn’t done his or her homework.

Benefits of Property

In general, property wins the shares vs property argument for people interested in stability and long term growth. Property offers good leverage and strong capital gains. Established properties fare better, and it’s important to choose carefully. Look for good locations and opportunities for price appreciation. If you want to be sure of income, think about rental locations as a safe bet.

Property investment is something that many find easier to understand than share investment. There’s a certain level of knowledge and sophistication required, but less technical understanding. In terms of shares vs property, property is also more tangible – you’ll be able to see where your money is going.

Investing in property can also give you more control over your investment. Property investors have complete control over the investment, where share investors have only the influence of their voting power. In terms of shares vs property, Property also gives you the ability to personally add value if you choose to renovate or develop it.

Benefits of Shares

When we talk about shares vs. property, shares offer high liquidity and good cash flow prospects. They’re easier to profit on in the short term, if you keep a good eye on shares prices. Income is one of the most certain parts of any investment return. That means you should look for companies you know to be well managed, which have a good profit record if you think shares are the best choice in the shares vs. property debate.

In addition to the above, when it comes to shares vs. property, shares are much more divisible. You can sell down portions of your portfolio without selling the whole thing – something that can’t be said about property. The minimum investment is also usually lower. If you can only invest five thousand dollars, that’s not a problem.

Transaction costs are lower in the shares vs. property debate, too. The only costs required are brokerage on acquisition and disposal. On the other hand, property will have a number of extra costs on both ends, plus the cost of maintaining it. Direct share ownership actually has no ongoing costs at all.

The person who performs a real estate appraisal exercise is called the real estate appraiser or property valuation surveyor. The value as determined by real estate appraisal is the fair market value.

The real estate appraisal is done using various methods and the real estate appraisal values the property as different for difference purposes e.g. the real estate appraisal might assign 2 different values to the same property (Improved value and vacant value) and again the same/similar property might be assigned different values in a residential zone and a commercial zone.

However, the value assigned as a result of real estate appraisal might not be the value that a real estate investor would consider when evaluating the property for investment. In fact, a

real estate investor might completely ignore the value that comes out of real estate appraisal process.

A good real estate investor would evaluate the property on the basis of the developments going on in the region. So real estate appraisal as done by a real estate investor would come up with the value that the real estate investor can get out of the property by buying it at a low price and selling it at a much higher price (as in the present).

Similarly, real estate investor could do his own real estate appraisal for the expected value of the property in, say 2 years time or in 5 years time. Again, a real estate investor might conduct his real estate appraisal based on what value he/she can create by investing some amount of money in the property i.e. a real estate investor might decide on buying a dirty/scary kind of property (which no one likes) and get some minor repairs, painting etc done in order to increase the value of the property (the value that the real estate investor would get by selling it in the market).

So, here the meaning of real estate appraisal changes completely (and can be very different from the value that real estate appraiser would come out with if the real estate appraiser conducted a real estate appraisal exercise on the property).

A real estate investor will generally base his investment decision on this real estate appraisal that he does by himself (or gets done through someone). So, can we then term real estate appraisal as a really real ‘real estate appraisal’?

Property investment has always been considered an attractive option for many people in the UK who are seeking financial freedom. Even with the perceived stabilisation of the property market, property investors still consider the investment vehicle a viable one now that prices are declining and yields are going up.

The rationalisation for this is that the buy to let sector in particular is presently undergoing rising rents and shorter vacant periods – two factors that bring about lower voids compared to those of typical borrowers. Furthermore, by purchasing discounted property from distressed and motivated sellers, there is potential to earn instant profits from day one.

What buy to let offers property investors

Investing in property, particularly buy to let, offers financial benefits in the short, medium and long term. In the short to medium terms, property investment offers various tax efficiencies. For the medium term, property investors can benefit from increased rental income brought about by inflation and the rise in market rents. For the long-term horizon, property provides capital growth. Capital growth is the increase in value of your property portfolio over time. It refers to the money you make as the value of your property goes up in price.

Why buy to let remains popular

Here are the factors that contribute to a healthy demand for buy to let properties:

* Immigration. One of the reasons that buy to let has become a widespread investment vehicle is due to the rise in legal migration to the UK. A survey from Paragon Mortgages revealed that migration is adding to the UK’s population by 0.3% annually.

* Household shortage. According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, the UK needs more than 200,000 households a year to meet the housing demand. However many property experts say that there is a major shortage in housing supply.

* Social trends. The divorce rates in the UK have risen significantly: In 1980, there were 148,500 divorce cases in all of UK. In 2000, the figures climbed to almost 200,000, an increase of more than 30%. There has also been a considerable increase in the number of people who stay single by choice and enter marriage later in life.

What to consider before investing in property

* Where to buy: Property experts suggest that you look up historical data and consider the pattern of capital growth over the last 10-20 years. This will help you determine whether the location you are interested in buying property in is worth the money. Your main goal of investing should be to achieve long term capital growth.

* What to buy: When investing in property for the long term, you need to think about what type of property to buy. Some experts recommend apartments since these establishments have high initial returns and require low maintenance usually.

* When to buy: The time to buy property is as crucial as actually purchasing it. Considering that it is impossible to know when prices are going to hit rock bottom, some experts claim that the best time to buy is now.

For you to thrive in property investment, specifically buy to let, you should be able to find the balance between obtaining the best out of your property and effectively managing spending. It is similarly crucial for you to ensure appropriate rental cover and a suitable mortgage product. But most significantly you’ll be able to get the most out of your property if right from the start you have already earned profits from it – which is possible if you buy the property at a below market value price from a distressed seller.

Buying property in Cyprus has become very popular amongst British investors. The island offers almost year-round sunshine, good quality of life and some very cheap property deals. But before you rush out and take advantage of this sunshine island, there are a few things to consider before making a property investment.

Before you even open negotiations with an estate agent in Cyprus, you must check to ensure that they are fully licensed and insured. All estate agents are required by law to be licensed and the certificate must be displayed in the office. Legal estate agents are members of the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Association (CREAA).

Once you have found your property you will need to decide how you want to pay for it. You can either go for the straightforward option and buy with cash, you can re-mortgage your home if the property is a second home (but do remember that your home may be at risk if you do not keep up with payments) or you can finance your property with a mortgage from a Cypriot bank. A financial advisor experienced in buying property in Cyprus will be able to give you the best advice as to which option to choose.

Regardless of the cost of the property itself and how you finance it, there are additional costs that you will have to fund yourself. The reservation fee is paid to the estate agent or developer once you have agreed on the price and payment terms. Legal fees will also be a major expense (as with buying any property) and you will need to be prepared to pay around 0.75% of the purchase price to cover legal costs. There will also be stamp duty to pay on the contract price. Agency fees are paid by the vendor and you should not be asked to pay any additional fees to cover agency costs.

If you decide to buy a property in Cyprus through a mortgage, there are certain restrictions as to how much you can borrow. Cyprus residents can arrange up to 90% mortgages, although EU residents are required to provide a minimum deposit of 20% of the purchase price. All Cypriot banks charge arrangement fees of between 0.75-1% of the amount of the mortgage and most mortgages are based on a 10 year repayment term.

Once you have paid your reservation fee on a property it will immediately be withdrawn from sale. You now have up to 28 days to do all your searches and surveys and appoint a lawyer to carry out the legal checks and agree a contract. Your lawyer will normally prepare a contract of sale in English, but before signing do check that all the details are absolutely correct. Once the contract of sale has been signed it becomes a legally binding document and you have a further 28 days to complete the purchase.

Buying property in Cyprus is very similar to the system used in the UK, but it is essential that you appoint a lawyer familiar with Cypriot law and procedure. As long as you ensure that the process is followed to the letter and every detail is correct before making a final commitment, buying property in Cyprus is a worthwhile investment and there are still plenty of bargains to be had on this beautiful island.

If you’re a savvy real estate investor then you know that investing in Dallas real estate is a great way to make some money because the real estate market in Dallas is very good right now but if you’re not familiar with the Dallas are then how do you know what Dallas real estate to buy?

Talking to a Dallas real estate agent is crucial if you’re a real estate investor that wants to get some great deals buying Dallas real estate. A Dallas real estate agent will be able to help you find the best deals that are in the real estate market in Dallas.

As you already know location is crucial when you are picking properties to invest in and the best way to know what neighborhoods are hot right now or are on the edge of becoming hot property markets is to ask a Dallas real estate agent. If you haven’t already hired a Dallas real estate agent who is on the ground in Dallas and can snap up a great prospective piece of Dallas real estate before another agent grabs it you should hire a Dallas real estate agent today.

Explain your budget and your price range and you goals in terms of property investment and let an experienced Dallas real estate agent find you some amazing deals on Dallas real estate. Since Dallas is such an up and coming city the best way to find great deals on Dallas real estate is to find a neighborhood that isn’t a hotspot at the moment but shows the potential to become one and buy property in that neighborhood. Then when that neighborhood starts to take off you can make a killing reselling or renting that property. When you invest in Dallas real estate you should also think about investing in rental property.

Right now a lot of people are moving to Dallas to work in new jobs at new companies and they might not be sure that those positions are going to last or they might just be checking out the city to see if it’s a city that they want to live in so if you have invested in rental properties in Dallas you can make a lot of money renting to all the young professionals that are moving to Dallas for work. If you don’t live in Dallas you should hire a Dallas real estate agent or a rental management firm to manage your Dallas real estate holdings. It really makes a difference if you have someone on site who can handle any little problems that come up and can take care of the property maintenance and renting the property out and processing rental applications and doing background and credit checks and so on.

There are plenty of great Dallas real estate agencies and management agencies that can handle the day to day operation of your Dallas real estate holdings for you. It’s worth the money to hire professional Dallas real estate management instead of trying to manage your properties in Dallas from where you live.

It has been very interesting to see the different reactions from investors to the credit crunch and subsequent reduction in available finance available to property buyers – which has had a knock on effect on house prices.

We are seeing investors generally falling into two camps – those that see this very positively – the Can do-ers, and those that have decided it is a good time to sit back and do very little – the Can’t do-ers.

The investors with clear goals and “Can Do” attitudes are getting on with it and seeing things in a very positive light.  It is well acknowledged that in the UK it is a buyers’ market – and this is offering some terrific opportunities.  The key is understanding what makes a good deal – whether it is offering a high rental yield, low money down, undervalue, or in area showing strong capital growth – and what fits in with your personal strategy.

It is important to remember not all property deals will suit all investors ie one may be most interested in rental return, whereas someone else may be more interested in low money down.  However all investors will want to buy a property that over the mid term is going to go up in value – and so it is important to choose property that has a good chance of doing this.

While some investors have seen their local areas slow down – they have then realised there are some fantastic opportunities worldwide – and some economies such as Czech Republic or Albania growing far quicker, and property markets at a completely different stage of the cycle offering huge returns.
I am pretty clear on my thoughts on the UK market – based on current interest rates, and current salaries in the UK – with an average salary of around £21,000 – house prices up to £100,000 have a very good chance of rising in value over the next 5 years – as they are very affordable – so for me these are the logical markets to target – and they have done very well over the last 5 years, and will do over the next 5 years.  With the average house price in the UK being over £190,000, then I would have thought most of the UK is over valued – and so the average property may well drop or at least be fairly flat for the next few years – which is why it is important not to target the average property!

The key though is my viewpoint hasn’t changed all of a sudden – and has been based on the same economic principles that have done me well over the last 7 years.  This is apparent with most investors who continue to do very well – they have not varied their viewpoints too much, but have been able to adapt with the times and changes.  For instance when borrowing rates went up recently, and more than expected – you had to adapt accordingly either by increasing rents, which has happened in many areas of the country – or by looking for higher yielding properties in the first place when buying, or putting in a lower bid to cover increased borrowing costs.

What has been very good for investors in the right areas is that the sellers, who may well have a very good value property in the first place ie under £80,000 also read the same papers, watch the same news and listen to estate agents – and have felt under pressure to also reduce their asking prices!  This has been very good for buyers – as even though these properties are already undervalued – the sellers have been influenced by the media and are willing to take reductions in price – this can be used to our advantage!  As I have said in the past – securing a £200,000 property at 15% below the asking price is hugely different to securing a £80,000 property 15% below the asking price – as with the lower priced property you will see a far stronger %age return on investment over the next 5 years.

So there are so many good reasons to ramp up your investments at this stage – and many investors are.  It will depend on your own personal belief levels, and confidence.  It is no surprise when we do our workshops that those with clear, written goals are the ones who are achieving the most.  At our most recent one in Manchester, was a lady who has bought 30 properties this year – she has a strong Can Do attitude and has gone out there and done it. 

Most investors are naturally Can Do people – which is what separates them from everyone else in the first place – but beware you do not become a Can’t Do-er if you want to achieve your goals!

Cant do-ers

What makes a Can’t do-er?  Usually it will be someone who has got into investing as it sounded good at the time – but probably was not mentally prepared, or had all the skills and knowledge required initially to invest successfully, or has a poor peer group, who are very negative.

At the first sign of trouble, they have used this as an excuse to get out of property, or scale back their initial plans.  Unfortunately most people have a lot of negative influences around them – family and friends are usually the worst! Partly they want to protect you (although they are unclear what they are protecting you from), and partly they are scared you are going to go and do something outside the norm and be successful – and leave them behind.
Many potential investors, or actual investors, go into investing without a clear focus, mindset and strategy – and then get put off immediately something goes wrong, or something unexpected happens.

It is like running any business, you must be prepared to deal with different consequences – both good and bad.  In buy to let, you will at times have an issue with a tenant, or a managing agent – and you will see some properties perform less well as expected, just as you will see some properties perform brilliantly – this is no different to every day life and business.

It is always frustrating to see people give up in life too easily when they set goals eg getting fit, losing weight, or buying 10 investment properties – but then again for the rest of us it means there is more opportunity!

In life to get the rewards of success it will always take hard work but it will be well worth it – it amuses to me to see resentment of film or sports stars earning a lot of money – why resent that?  These talented individuals are at the top of their game and bring pleasure to millions – and so are worth every penny.  Likewise in property – those that are doing the best will be the investors working the hardest on their strategy, and staying focussed to hit their investing goals.

Fortunately the vast majority of property investors are Can do’ers, and this has always been a big attraction for me – ie investors can bounce off each other, and encourage each other.  Generally investors know why they are investing and why property investing is the best way to build up mid term wealth for almost all individuals.  That is why every year in the Sunday Times rich list in the UK – the biggest %age of people in there will have made their money in property and this will continue year on year – as investors will continue to look for new opportunities.

Yes at times, you need to tweak your strategy ie look outside your home town, and consider Overseas, fast moving property markets – but the key is to remember whatever the newspapers tell you this year successful property investors will again do very well – and property markets around the world will continue to rise in value with double digit growth – which when leveraged will give phenomenal returns.

If you would like to discuss your strategy, or need to re-focus on what are trying to achieve, why not have a chat with one of our Portfolio Development Managers – and see how they have helped investors go from 0-10 properties in a very short space of time, or helped investors re-align their strategy with the current market conditions.

At best, Hungary is a paradox and hard to understand from the investment point of view! This landlocked country has some of the best tourist spots, yet tourism has not attained the peak it should have. Hungary is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU, yet the property stock in real estate has yet to expolde. We’ll try to understand the country a little better and hopefully, after reading this article, you will appreciate why property investment in Hungary is one of the best options in the EU.

Attractions of Hungary

Hungary is a multi-cultural destination, with a tinge of many cultures left behind from its former rulers. At different eras throughout history, the country was ruled by the Magyars (a Finno-Ugric tribe that arrived via Russia in the 9th Century), Arpad Dynasty, and Mongols. The multiculturalism is also attributed to the shared borders with countries like Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, and Serbia.

Since Hungary is a landlocked country, the Ocean tourism is a non-starter. However, this doesn’t mean that the country has dearth of tourism potential. In fact, one of the highlights of Hungary is the water-features dotting the country. Lake Balaton is known for its hot medicinal springs. The River Danube runs in the middle of the capital city of Budapest, and divides it into two parts – ‘Buda’ and ‘Pest’. The River Tisza is regarded as one of the finest rivers in Europe for fishing.

Hungarian vineyards, orchards and National Parks offer a special treat for the visitors in this country. Hungary is also known for being home to internationally acclaimed writers, artists and musicians due to its rich history and culture that promoted intelligentsia to the hilt. The modern Hungary, including the capital city of Budapest, will welcome you with trendy nightclubs, bars and discotheques.

The Börzsöny, Pilis and Mátra ranges north of Budapest are famous for hiking and skiing.

Property Investment in Hungary

As we can see that the country has lots of tourism potential. Therefore, any kind of investment in vacation property around the country should yield rich dividends.

Though the country became a member of European Union in 2004, the residential property market has not peaked as yet. In fact the recent years have witnessed a fall in property prices. However, commercial and industrial property in Hungary has shown remarkable strength, growing in leaps and bounds, and it’s just a matter of time before the residential property sector also catches up with other properties types in Hungary.

At current prices, you can hope to land yourself a decent apartment in Budapest for as little as £26K. Villas in Budapest command a higher price. But if you compare the size and location of property, then a Villa for £70K is not a bad choice in Budapest.

The overseas property investor, particularly from Ireland and the UK are flocking to Hungary purely on speculative instincts. The fundamentals of Hungary are too strong to ignore in the wake of the sluggish residential property market. Moreover, the government is doing its bit by relaxing the property owning laws of the country to bring them in consonance with the changing global order.

Why investment in Hungary makes sense?

The prime reasons that compel you to invest in Hungary include -

1. One of the fastest growing and stable economies of Europe.

2. Property appreciation averages 16% annually.

3. Rental yields in Budapest averaging 6% annually.

4. Any foreigner can buy real estate in Hungary.

5. Capital Gains taxes are declining.

6. Proactive government promoting the investment scenario in the country.

7. Several multinationals have already set up their shops in the country in the hope of capitalizing on Hungary’s economic might.

8. Excellent cultural environment on offer that encourages overall development of personality.

9. Low property prices.

10. Stable democratic government enjoying the full support of Hungarians.

11. Inviting climate with fertile plains offering ample opportunities for nature lovers.

12. Very well connected with budget airlines taking off regularly for major European and global destinations.

13. Historic roots of the country are always attracting researchers and historians from around the world and thus, make the country a richly deserving one from the investment point of view.

Buying a property in Hungary

The legal formalities of buying a property in Hungary should be best left to an expert real estate agent or an astute lawyer who understands the technicalities of property deals in the country. Though the government is trying its best to streamline the process but still there are lots of formalities before the property actually changes hands. There may be some routes, like establishing a Limited Liability Company, which make things easier for the property transfer. But for an expert opinion, you need to rely on a good local lawyer or real estate agent. For further details on buying a property in Hungary check out our Buyers Guide to Hungary.