Investment Properties: The Purpose of Chain of Title Report

When it comes to property, most people want to be able to make some kind of investment. Some people end up using a system known as “flipping” which causes the property to pass from one owner to another within a very short space of time. As a result, it is important to take a look at the different requirements that banks will give you if you want to take out a loan for a specific property. It is interesting to note that there are a lot of people who end up artificially inflating the prices of houses. As a result, this can end up causing a lot of problems within a local area’s property market. This is sometimes viewed as fraud and therefore banks and lenders will usually require what is known as a chain of title report.

A chain of title report is also a document that many would like to view as part of the purchasing process to know the history of the property. This is especially true with businesses. property owners need to know how the property was used in the past for historical accuracy as well as for environmental purposes. With this report, you will know exactly what the property was used for and if you need to go ahead with further testing on the property such as an environmental data assessment. 

What is a Chain of Title Report?

In essence, a chain of title report is simply a report on all of the people who have owned the property within a certain period of time. Depending on the bank or lender you get, you will usually have to have a report that stretches back at least two years. This tends to be one of the more standard requirements, so it is usually nothing to worry about. Of course, there are some banks that will only allow one person to have owned a property within at least the last year. This is where the bank decides to take a close look at fraud and makes sure that prices are not being inflated artificially.

When it comes to a chain of title report, you need to make sure that you get all of the necessary information. A lot of people may be concerned when it comes to buying a house, or even if they are just investing in the property. You therefore end to take a look around at the different banks in order to see what they will accept. Some banks can be a lot stricter than others and this can end up causing people to run into problems.

When getting a chain of title report, always make sure to tell the truth to your lender. The last thing you want is to be done for fraud. It may be nerve-wracking especially when you feel that there are not many lenders out there who will be happy to lend you money. What you need to do is make sure that you keep an eye on the property’s value and make sure that you speak to a lawyer if you happen to have any concerns. This will allow you to find out what can be done when it comes to getting a loan for your property.

To obtain this report, you will need to visit local government offices such as the Courthouse in the county in which the property resides. The courthouse will be home to the information and records you need to begin your search. Speak with employees of the Title Department to be able to learn how to begin your search. You may be given access to a computer database and can simply use the address to find the previous owners of the property. every search will be different based on where the property is located but with a friendly nature and a little investigating, you will be able to determine who owned the property before you and how it was used.

Author Bio:

Ashley is a freelance writer and blogger. She writes for a wide range of different companies and creates website content for different websites. She has found that Chain of Title Report are essential to investment success. 

Investment Basics: Six Steps To Successful Long-Term investment

In order to successfully invest for a child’s educational costs and your own retirement, you must start now and think long-term. Investing successfully over the a longer period of time is not as complex as you might think. Keep these six steps in mind to help you make wise financial decision:

Don’t Time The Market

Day trading is something that became incredibly popular during the tech boom. Large amounts of cash combined with small upticks in the market, and frequent trades were able to create full time incomes for many investors. When it comes to long term investing however, less is more. There is no need to sit in front of your computer all day to be successful. Research an investment, select it, and stay with it.

Past Performance

Though past performance does not guarantee future success or failure, it can be a strong indicator, and should be thoroughly reviewed. Stocks and mutual funds are easy to track performance with earnings and rates of return. Many mutual funds mix stocks and bonds in order to diversify. There are plenty of experts with bond market research and investments tips that you can learn from to avoid past mistakes and understand the market better.

Don’t Panic

Remember that you are a long-term investor. Short term market fluctuations and sell offs are nothing to be feared. These should be viewed merely as buying opportunities where your cost basis can be greatly reduced by buying low to later sell high. If you panic and try to sell when the market drops just a little, you will end up losing much more. Again, think long-term, because there will be small dips and spikes in every stock.

Re-Balance

Even excluding short term market fluctuations, as a wise investor, you should still review your portfolio periodically to ensure that your portfolio performance is on the right track. This may be an opportunity to invest more in a particular fund that is outperforming others. Keep in mind that diversification is still critical to ensure success.

Never Chase a Trade

You have completed your research and resolve to purchase a stock, bond, or mutual fund at a strike price. If something unexpected happens that no longer makes the trade an attractive one, don’t chase the trade, move on. Although it is good to invest long-term, that doesn't mean you should chase after an investment that is clearly not going to have a positive benefit for you in the long run.

Cheap is Not Always Good

Penny stocks may seem like a good idea because they allow you to execute large purchase orders with only a small cash investment. As with any investment, you must factor in risk. Penny stocks are so cheap because they are extremely risky. Though some risk is acceptable in the successful long term portfolio for diversification, penny stocks are too volatile, and should not be considered.

Investing for education or retirement can by simple when you take these tips into consideration. Understanding to to successfully invest long-term is essential to help you meet your financial goals. Remember these tips when investing, and you will be able to gain the return on your money that will make a significant difference for you financially.

Large Demand for Realtors

Picture of a residential block in South Barrie. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Purchasing or selling propriety is one of the greatest financial transactions that people make. Therefore, before anything else, you will need to assure that you find a reputable real estate agent to supervise the sale or the acquisition, and get you a fabulous deal.

Many individuals tend to select an agent simply by considering the recommendations that they receive from their relatives and friends, or just after reading an ad in the local newspaper. However, things are not that easy, and if you really want to hire a professional agent, you will need to invest some time and effort. But, it will all pay off, and you will be very satisfied with your decision. Barrie is one of Canada’s fastest residential towns with a plethora of homes on the market. Therefore, because the demand is so high, the number of realtors is constantly growing as well.

Over the past few years, there has been a large demand for realtors in Barrie because people want to know. Nevertheless, real estate jobs in Barrie are not for everyone, and in spite of the market boom, experience is required to achieve success. Here’s how to find a good contractor:

1. Ask your acquaintances for recommendations. Your friends and relatives can make a few suggestions; still you cannot hire somebody just because one of your buddies said it’s alright. Plus, you should not hire an agent simply because you like his personality. The Barrie real estate market may be on the rise, but this doesn’t mean everyone is competent enough to get you a good deal

2. Select a reputable real estate agency in Barrie, and then ask them to recommend someone. This is one of the best things that you could do to find a trustworthy real estate agent. Providing that the agency is professional, and has a certain reputation, then all the realtors working with it will be qualified, and they will do their best to help you get a terrific deal.

3. Stay away from “dual agencies”. These agencies represent the seller and the buyer, at the same time. However, it’s very hard to be unbiased in these situations, thus one of the parties will be disadvantaged.

4. Select an agent who handles proprieties in your price range. This is very important, because if you hire an agent specialized in high-end proprieties, while you need to stick to a certain budget, he will not do his best to find you a great offer.

5. Opt for an agent who cares. It is vital to collaborate with a realtor who will listen to you, your concerns and desires, and who is willing to try to help you find what you need. Plus, the real estate transactions can be quite intricate, and confusing, thus your agent has to be patient, and explain you all the terms calmly, before signing the deal.

6. Hire an agent who works on your schedule. If you can visit houses only during the weekend, and your agent does not work in those days, then you should start looking somewhere else. It is essential to select a real estate agents whose program will match yours, as this way he will be available to help you, and answer your questions whenever you need, and your collaboration will be more profitable.

7. And finally, it is advisable to hire a realtor who can provide other types of services too. For instance, it would be useful if your agent could also arrange a house inspection, carry on a comprehensive study of your propriety’s worth, and refer you to specialized real estate attorneys, and lending experts.

Yes, the demand for realtors in Barrie is off the roof, and a real estate career in Barrie might sound extremely promising. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean you can confide in everyone.

Author Bio
RE/MAX Chay is a local real estate brokerage in Barrie Ontario, They are looking for new agents and offer training and education for people to have a successful real estate career.

Should You Purchase a Home After Retirement?

Most people make some major changes to their lifestyle after retiring. Some retirees spent years living in a community they hated and want to move away. They may want to consider buying a home, but aren’t sure whether they can afford to do so while they are no longer working. However, it may still be possible to purchase a home.
What to Consider Before Buying a House in Your Golden Years

You will want to make sure that you make an informed decision. There are a number of things that you will need to consider before buying a home during retirement:

Understand Your Budget

Most retirees are living on a tighter budget after they retire. You will need to know how much money you have on hand to spend when looking at homes for sale in Atlanta Georgia.

Cost of Renting Versus Buying

Many people rent houses after retiring because they believe that is all they can afford. There is nothing wrong with being thrifty, but you will need to know what the actual costs are before making a decision. Trulia conducted a study which found that it is actually cheaper to buy a house in the 100 largest cities in the country. That study also found that the savings are at least 40% in 85% of these cities.

Interest Rates

Interest rates are another important factor to take into consideration. The banks have offered record low interest rates, which mean this may be a perfect time to buy. Some people are still worried that they may not be able to secure a mortgage in the future, because the Federal Reserve has said that it may taper its stimulus plan. However, the stimulus will probably run in the foreseeable future. Mortgage rates have actually continued to drop as the Fed announced that it will continue its monetary easing policies.

Stability of Income

You will also need to consider how stable your income is before deciding whether to buy or rent. Buying a house is a long-term commitment. You may need to think twice if you think your income will drop in the future. This may be a problem if you have a temporary structured settlement or other windfall that won’t last forever. You will also need to consider it if you are going to be working part-time after retiring from your main job, because you probably won’t work forever. You definitely don’t want to use up your entire savings trying to pay for a new house if you won’t have much income in the future.

Ability to Get a Down Payment

You will also need to have a down payment to buy your house. You may not have a lot of money on hand. However, you may be able to borrow money from your 401K to use. According to Ben Barzideh, a financial wealth consultant, you can borrow up to $50,000 or half the value of your portfolio. This could be a great way to come up with a down payment for your new house.

About the author: Kalen writes about real estate financing and investing. He hopes to invest in some rental properties later this year.

Tips for Getting Started with Property Investment

The island of Manhattan, from which the term is derived. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Investment property. Two words that have lived on the lips of those who desire something more from life, for the last five years, since the world economy took a hit and monopolies shifted. So, should you? While there are arguments for and against, I’m not here to convince you either way, rather, should you decide to take the plunge and join the 1.3 million Australians who enjoy the benefits of investment properties, I’ve compiled some tips. Tricks of the trade, common sense or not. Whatever happens, as you set off into investment land, don’t give up or get overwhelmed; yes, there are details and caveats, confusing points of jargon and slippery real estate agents, but you can do it without leaving your mind behind. 

Where Are You Sitting?

Discerning where you’re located on the financial spectrum is the first and most essential step. Stepping back and taking stock of your current debts, assets, expenses against total income figures will instantly give you a clear picture of investment viability. If you’ve had problems paying a credit card or personal loan in the past, check your credit file and analyse where you stand. Will you have trouble making mortgage repayments, maintenance contributions and other ownership fees and taxes, on top of everything else? Defaulting on your loan is the last thing you want to do. If you’re less financially secure then you feel comfortable with, hold off on investing until you knock out a few other debts and build your credit rating. All in good time. On the other hand, if you’re in the clear and enjoy a stable occupation, give yourself a green light, start researching home buyers grants (if it’s your first home) and talk to financial institutions to compare rates. 

What Property? Which Home?

Planning and researching are important components of the investment process. Before you can refine a series of goals or even project how much you need to borrow, figuring out what sort of home or investment you want is important. Do you want to live in it at first? Do you wish for something regionally located? Do you prefer certain suburbs? Would you rather the flexibility of investing in a display home or do you fancy a simple cottage somewhere out of town? Each option has specific advantages, and only you know what you’re looking for. 

Start Planning

By now, you should have figured out whether you qualify for a loan; if not, boost those figures by repaying more than the bare minimum on other debts and try again later. Successful? Great. Now start budgeting – not only to pad your savings account and repay other debts, but to identify a long term strategy when your debts will be significantly higher. Still confident? Good. Now head out into the market, talk to property owners, look at sources like Coral Homes home and land packages and remember, be prudent regarding negotiations and real estate agents. They are there to help you, but some like to help themselves too. Don’t settle on a property you’re not 100% happy with, as you’ll be inheriting its difficulties, flaws and quirks.

Happy hunting!

Economic development of Canada's East Coast

Lighthouse of Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Without a doubt, Natural resources have obviously seen a dramatic change and increase in Canada, especially within the east coast areas, as more and more skilled labour continue to influx the country, certain areas within the east coast area continue to stand out with regards to economic boom, real estate investment and industrial growth. These select areas have definitely shown their prowess with regards to the way forward. In this write up, highlight will be given on three specific areas that have shown tremendous growth with regards to development over the years in the areas of industrial growth, real estate and economic increase; these provinces include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Halifax.

Nova Scotia, first of all is a very beautiful province located within the eastern coast of Canada. The breathtaking landscape that can only spell the word “prosperity”. 

Without a doubt, this alone is the first attraction the province gets with regards to continuous movement of people, goods and services. The presence of natural resources have also affected the price of real estate in such a way that vacant lands as well as commercial buildings are now priced at a competitive low and affordable rate just to signify a considerable growth and consistency within the real estate industry. 

Secondly, due to the continuous rise in industries and on-going rise in technology innovations, the province is also witnessing a good number of increase in job offerings, hence the need for more skilled labour into Nova Scotia. The presence of natural resources has put Nova Scotia on the world map, so if you are thinking of a province with a lot potential growth in every area irrespective of the world's economic recession, land for sale in Nova Scotia sure has a chance of coming out on top and being a good investment.

Fishing Boats in Yarmouth, NS (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another rising area within the eastern coast of Canada equally having a great impact on the economy of the country with regards to natural resources is New Brunswick. The province has also witnessed own fair share of downgrading, due to an unsustainable long term plan for economic growth which affected the province as a way back in June 2011, when a data research was carried on the province in terms of economic growth prediction. 

Presently, as the province continues to strive in the influx of goods and service; the natural resources possessed by the province has had a good impact with the step up of the economic growth. Today, New Brunswick is seen as a place with a considerable amount of potential with respect to jobs availability, future economic stability and a good location for real estate and property investment. Technology wise, the province has also been able to sustain its technological growth as there is more research conducted just to improve the standard of living of the residents. 

Property availability is also on the increase on a gradual basis due to the competitive growth of the real estate industry in surrounding cities; this has equally affected the cost of properties within the province, making it low and competitive. With this in mind, you can then ask the question, is investment of land for sale in New Brunswick a viable option? The answer is a clear yes; as long as there is potential, and then there is room for profit.

City Hall, Halifax (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Halifax is another city that has equally shown proper growth with regards to economic growth as a result of the city's natural resources. Real estate in the city has known tremendous increase so much that the situation promises the availability of more jobs as well as a competitive price in the cost of property acquisition. 

Research has also shown there is a rise in the construction of apartment buildings as well as single family homes, a lot more than it used to be about 50 years ago. This growth has definitely proven the city a good spot for property investment and if you are keen on making an investment soon on real estate, then you should give Halifax city a good consideration.

So You Want to Be a Self-Taught Home Seller?

Summer is your best bet if you’re on the fence about when to sell something prospective buyers would have to travel to see - case in point: your house. It’s during these months that your open house will get the most foot traffic, more so than later in the year, so, yes, your vacation plans will have to wait. But you knew all that, seeing that you’re planning on going it alone and striking it big with the sell, right? In case you’re not sure whether this renegade free-agent path is the right fit for you, here are some pointers that can shed some light along the way to closing the deal and will ideally help make up your mind.

Make Sure You Crunch the Numbers

Putting your house on the market, being as important a decision as it is, also usually comes with huge, paralyzing jitters, which is why most people prefer to use a real-estate agent. Alternatively, some choose to take the road less traveled, which, if done right, might be more rewarding, financially speaking - at the end of the day you’ll be just as well pocketing the 6% from the sale that would have otherwise gone to the agent. To make the leap from wishing it so to actually getting your wish, the first thing you’ll need to do is zoom in on the exact sum you’re expecting to get from the sale.

• If you intend on using the money from the sale for the purchase of a new home, do your homework on what your current home should fetch you in order to achieve that switch. You can use online tools to calculate the mortgage rate on the house you have in your sights, then apply for a bridge loan, against the equity in your current dwelling, for the downpayment.
• In order to list your house on the Multiple Listing Service, you’ll need to come up with the right asking price, which you should set 1) in accordance with the price tags on some other houses in the area which you’ve previously checked, and 2) a tad higher than the sum you have in mind - this will leave some wiggle room for negotiations. Remember that, while not using an agent will definitely save you money, the buyer’s agent commission will still shave some off the final bounty. 

Roll Up Your Sleeves for Some Heavy Lifting

Aside from the legwork entailed by comparing and contrasting your house with others in the neighborhood, which will give you a better idea of what yours is worth, there are other small details to consider - and, all counted, these will demand some effort on your part.

• Advertise the right way - the For Sale sign is one of the best “weapons” at your disposal, as it’s putting out there the asking price and contact details, in plain sight for every prospective buyer or agent to lock on to. Buyer’s agents will also pounce on the opportunity of a commission if you hint at it with a well-worded, brief invitation on the sign. 
• Your arsenal should also include quality photos of both the exterior and the interior of your house - you can use these for your flyers and / or post them on real-estate websites. Instead of relying on old snapshots, take new ones, using a top-notch camera, and only show the best, most current version of your home. Before playing the shutterbug, get your house spick and span, with all the clutter either removed or relocated around the existing space for a better, more attractive use of it, with an eye to showing the place in just the right light.

All that’s left for you to do at this point is get ready for visits - but not before insuring your house, in case of any mishap - and brush up on your knowledge of the law, as, like with any purchase of this magnitude, you’ll be required to sign some papers that you won’t want to just leaf through. Take your time, get a handle on the situation and some understanding of the market, and you’ll not only reach your goal, but also that feeling of fulfillment that comes from knowing you made it happen yourself.

How Do I Sell My House Without A Real Estate Agent?

If you are thinking about selling your home, then you may be asking yourself, "how do I sell my home for the most possible money?". Well, the answer to that is incredibly simple...Sell it yourself without using a real estate agent.

When most people think, "I want to sell my house", they immediately think that they will need to hire a real estate agent to sell the home for them. While this might have been true in the past, technology and the internet has made it quite easy to sell a home on your own. If you follow the steps listed below, you should quickly be able to close the deal and sell your home for the maximum amount of profit.

List Your House Online With FSBO Websites

The first step to selling a house without a real estate agent is to list the property on one of the many for sale by owner real estate websites. The majority of these sites charge quite small fees to list your property, which can save you a lot of money compared to the very high commission rates charged by real estate agencies.

Creating a listing on these sites is quite easy, and only requires that you sign up, choose how to pay for the listing, and then upload pictures, a description, and any other relevant information.

You can then just sit back and wait for people to start to show interest in buying your home.

Receive Enquiries & Talk to Potential Buyers

After creating your listing, you will most likely start to receive enquiries from potential buyers quite quickly. At this point, you can start a dialogue with them and eventually invite them over to tour and inspect your home to see if it's right for them. You will most likely start getting offers from at least some of the people who came to look at your house, and if you do not get any offers immediately, don't worry. Still, if you have many people come to look but none that wants to make an offer, then you may need to lower your asking price.

Negotiate A Deal with Interested Parties

Once you have received a few offers, then you can start negotiating directly with the potential buyers. This step is vital, as you can try to play the offers against one another in order to get the highest possible price for your home. You should not just take the first offer that comes in (unless it is really good), but instead you should be patient and wait to see just what kind of a deal you can negotiate.

Have Contracts Drawn Up By Your Local Solicitor

Once you have negotiated a price with the buyer and come to an agreement, you will then need to hire a lawyer or a solicitor to draw up the contracts. Under no circumstances should you attempt this step yourself. A solicitor will have experience in these contracts and will be able to make sure that the sale is done completely within the framework of the law. This will help you to avoid any potential problems or headaches that could arise down the road.

Settle Your Property in No Time & For Half of the Cost

One thing that is constantly heard from people who have sold their homes using a for sale by owner website is that the entire process went very quickly. If you are truly motivated to sell your home, then you could complete the entire deal within a matter of days. As soon as you have come to an agreement with a buyer, all you need to do is have the contracts drawn up and signed, making the process quick and easy. In addition, you can feel happy knowing that you made the maximum amount of profit possible by not having to pay the incredibly high commission fees charged by most real estate agents. So why not try to sell your home online and see just how easy it is and just how much extra money you can make by avoiding real estate agents and selling your home privately.

Contributor Profile: Contributed by http://www.nocommissionrealestate.biz – a no commission real estate agency in serving the greater part of Australia.

Selling Your House Online is a Better Option than Using an Estate Agent

Many prefer to use an estate agent simply because they do not have the time and skill to sell a house. They are not aware that there are various methods available to increase awareness of their property for sale. It is also possible to deal directly with prospective buyers without the need to travel. Being more involved in the sales process of your home can be more effective and economical than using a middleman. You can sell your house online, and reach potential buyers from any location.

What Estate Agents Do

Estate agents can have multiple functions, depending on what is required by their client. They are mainly hired to market a property, and act as a representative of the owner in negotiating with potential buyers. Estate agents are responsible for completing all legal documentations involved in transferring ownership of a property. They also answer all questions potential buyers will have about the property.

Selling a house used to be very tedious, and many relied on estate agents to do the legwork for them. But with the advent of technology, such things as advertising, communication, and filing of papers now take just a few mouse clicks. If your time is not very limited and you know how to use a computer, you can actually sell my house online without the need for an estate agent.

The Benefits of Selling Your House Online

Nowadays, people are looking for more options to find a house to buy. They are not likely to settle at just getting the information from an estate agent. Potential buyers will often search the internet for any property that meets their needs. But this is not the only reason why selling your house online is better than using an estate agent.

• No need to pay commissions. Estate agents are paid on commission. If you will sell a house through an agent, the total proceeds is not yours alone. You will need to deduct a certain percentage from the cost of the house to pay the agent is usually about 3 percent, or higher based on the time and effort required of the agent. If you will sell your house online, you will not have to pay thousands of dollars on commission. 
• You know your property better than an estate agent. It is your house, so you should know the littlest details about it. An estate agent will only examine the actual condition of your home, and determine its value based on the current market trend in your area. But the buyer can have questions about the property that an estate agent will not have the answer to. In addition, you as the owner, know about the community where the house is located such as where to find the nearest shops, restaurants, and hospital. 
• Fast turnaround. The use of an estate agent may only delay the transaction. Expect a potential buyer to haggle over the price, and try to lower his or her bid until the final price is heard directly from the owner. Having a middleman only prolongs the process. You will notice that those who are really looking to buy a property may find it more convenient to reach an agreement with the owner. 
• Focused marketing strategies. An estate agent may have other properties to sell, so he or she cannot give your house his or her full attention. If you have signed a 6-week contract with an agent, it does not mean that the agent will make the effort throughout this period. Moreover, you do not have control of the methods the agent will use to market your home for sale. But if you will sell your house online, you can take advantage of the different advertising options available. 

Conclusion

An estate agent can help sell your house in many ways, but is very expensive. If you are concerned about the time and effort required in selling a house, doing it online may be the best solution. With online selling, you will not need to pay high on commissions. You can communicate directly with the buyer, and close the deal faster than it would take if you used a middleman. Written in behalf of forsaleprivateowner.com

What to Do and Not Do When Selling Your Home

In the past couple years, real estate values have been the subject of many debates and news stories. With a down market, many home sellers are finding it hard to get the price they want and many are finding it hard to get a return on their investment. This doesn't mean it is not possible to get your asking price and make a little profit. There are right and wrong ways to sell a home, you just need to understand both sides.

Selling Solo or Through an Agent?

"I can sell my home myself" is often the first words of a bad deal. Many homeowners decide to go at it alone, trying to save money on the sale. For many this is the single mistake that keeps their home on the market and often results in a loss in profits. The average agent's cut is 2.5-3%. This can actually be negotiated down due to the competition real estate agents have from discount brokers and flat-rate services. Additionally, the benefits of an agent's years of expertise may yield a higher selling price, cancelling out the commission altogether.
Pre-Inspect and Repair

Before you sell a car, you would get the broken headlight fixed, or deduct the amount of the repair from the asking price. A home is no different. If a buyer sees a minor or major repair that is needed, they will negotiate you down from your asking price to cover the cost of the repair. Have your house inspected and make any repairs that will drive the price down. You want to sell your buyers on the features, stability, and possibilities of your house becoming their dream home, this is hard to do if you have leaking faucets and bad wiring.

Pricing and Value

If you have been following the real estate market or even talking with your neighbors, you know the market is down and prices have fallen. When you decide to sell your home, you have to keep the price within the current market and price it similar to other homes for sale in your neighborhood, even if you feel your home is worth more. Pricing too high will slow your sale and often result in a desperate sale later. Remove your emotional attachment and price your home at what the market deems is the true value.

Clean, Stage, and Prepare to Leave

One of the biggest mistakes made by first time home sellers is the lack of preparation. When you are selling your home, you are selling the structure, not the clutter. Remove as much as you can so your prospective buyers can get a good look at the floors, walls, and surfaces of the home. Your best tool for selling your home is your buyer's imagination of what the home can become when they move in, not what it looks like as you live in it.

Take Compelling Photos

Whether you are selling solo or using an agent, a picture is still worth a thousand words. You can easily find listings with blurry, low quality pictures of the property, and you will more than likely see those years from now as the house stays on the market. Be sure to take high quality photos of the outside, landscape, inside, and the unique features of the home to catch the buyer's attention and make them want to tour the home.

Selling your home is a big decision filled with planning, preparation and care. Take your time to sell the beauty of your home, research the local market value, and give your buyer the experience they expect when they visit their prospective new home. You will find the smallest details can result in the largest sales.

Sheila Madison is a property blogger who advises both home owners and real estate agents on the proper way to prep a home for quick sale.

3 Best Ways to Build Equity Over the Next Five Years

Sometimes it's not enough to simply make money. Unless you want to see the money you earn disappear with no return, you'll need to look into ways to build personal equity.

Making smart investments that either build value over time or hold their value for a reasonable duration ensures you can actually spend money to make money. Here are a few of the best ways to build equity over a manageable, five-year period.

Purchase a Home

Intelligently investing in real estate is one of the surest ways to turn a small investment into a big payday down the road. A large or lavish home isn't imperative. With proper research, you can end up spending less on a decent condo investment than you'll spend on monthly rent.

You can also see a huge turnaround on a house that has seen its value plummet over resolvable issues, like worn paint or a dead lawn. Keep the property for several years and do what you can to improve the property without investing too much more money. After several years, put the house back on the market.

With just a few valuable improvements, you could see a decent return. Be careful, though -- the real estate market is volatile and neighborhoods can change over time. Be sure to thoroughly research both the property and neighborhood so you can avoid any future surprises.

Invest in Stocks and Bonds

The great thing about the stock market is that, while many of the highest payoffs come from the biggest risks, there are still safer stocks that can give you a decent return on investment through smarts and patience. Spend some time learning about stocks that interest you and don't be afraid to consult a broker or three. Once you find stocks and brokers you can trust, sink a few dollars into a smart investment and bide your time.

There is, of course, always the chance that your investment gets lost in the often unpredictable market, so start small so you can get your sea legs. And when it comes to bonds, keep your eye on interest rates -- these will affect the return you receive at maturity.

Purchase a Car

The key to making the most out of your automotive investments is buying vehicles that keep their value. Aside from those cars that will eventually become sought-after vintage models, all vehicles depreciate in value. In this case, it's not about identifying an investment that will turn you a profit in a few years, but finding a good place to spend money where you would spend it anyway.

If you must drive, make sure industry projections show that the car will retain its value for several years and with minimal depreciation. For example, the 2014 Ford Fusion is at the top of the list of current cars slated to hold value for several years to come.

Whether you're aiming for property, stocks, or more obscure investments like precious metals, it's essential to do your research and think long-term. Ask experts how your investment might change over time. Consider the benefits and drawbacks, and whether it's about making money later or saving money today.

The 5 Best Apps for Finding a New Home

House hunting is a long and difficult process, but it doesn't have to be if you're equipped with the right technology. With a smartphone and a helpful real estate app, you'll find your new home faster than you can circle the neighborhood in search of "For Sale" signs. With that in mind, here are the five best apps for finding a new home:

1. Trulia Real Estate (Free for Android and Apple devices)

Image via Google Play

The Trulia Real Estate app combines high-resolution indoor/outdoor photos, interactive maps, and adjustable listing filters to help you find the perfect home. It also has a convenient graphing feature that compares other home prices in the area. 

Not only that, the Trulia app provides users with GPS locations of recently sold homes, schools within the area, and a list of the nearest grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants in the neighborhood as well as real-time listing updates.

2. ZipRealty (Free for iPhone and Android)

Image via Google Play

With the ZipRealty Real Estate App, you can browse interactive listing maps, select houses of interest, and save all search results. As an added convenience, once you've found a house with curb appeal, the app provides one-touch access to local real estate agents. 

Another great feature of the ZipRealty app is it provides WalkScore results for every home you search. WalkScore rates the walk-ability of the neighborhood in relation to nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and other activities.

3. Houston Homes For Sale (Free for Android and iPhone)

Image via Google Play

The Houston Homes For Sale app provides accurate, up-to-date real estate information for the greater Houston area. So, when it comes to finding new homes in Houston, this app provides information on price, taxes, square footage, and estimated mortgages. 

In addition, the Houston Homes app makes emailing or texting listings to friends and family as easy as using the listing share feature. And, when you're ready for a walk through or have any questions, the "Call" feature instantly connects you to a Houston Home representative.

4. Homes.com Real Estate (Free for iPhone and iPad)

Image via Google Play

The Homes.com Real Estate app provides all the same great features as the other apps above, but it takes house hunting a step further with in-depth financial features. 

The app has a built-in mortgage calculator to help you decide whether your dream home is a reality. Likewise, Homes.com includes an instant credit check feature, loan pre-qualification applications, and monthly loan and interest payment information.

5. Rightmove (Free for Android)

Image via Google Play

Taking interactive house hunting to all new heights is the Rightmove app. This app not only incorporates Google's Street View as built-in feature, but when you do find that perfect home, you can share the listing with friends and family via Facebook and Twitter. 

Another great Rightmove feature is the floor plan view. With this feature you can get a feel for the home before you even walk through the front door by viewing full-screen, up to date floor plans as well as property lines. 

When it comes time to find the perfect home, a multitude of listings are only a search away with the apps above.

Sources: http://appcrawlr.com/app/search?topic=house+hunting&topicId=1

Author Bio:
Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including real estate and family.

When is the Right Time to Buy a House?

Knowing when the right time can be to buy a house can depend on a number of different factors; you need to be aware of changes in the UK property market, as well as of the availability of different mortgages. At the same time, it’s crucial to consider your short and long term personal finances, and whether you’ll be able to buy a house and then be able to build up its value over time. There are also some timing issues that need to be worked out when deciding on a house purchase. 


While the UK property market is still not out of recession, the continued resilience of the London market and the capital’s house prices is having a gradual impact on nationwide prices, with London having experienced a 0.7 per cent increase in property prices in February. Other rises in house prices have been down to some fluctuating sales costs, which are going through a period of gradual improvement and stalling - the average price for a house in the UK is around £213,710 which represents a small growth on previous years. 


You should also be aware of the different schemes set up by the Government to help first time and existing house buyers to lower the costs of mortgages and get them onto the property market. The most recent of these schemes is Help to Buy, which will offer house buyers a 20 per cent deposit loan on top of their own 5 per cent contribution - these loans will be interest free for the first five years, and set at a rate of 1.75 per cent thereafter. The Government are similarly offering home buyers a guarantor scheme for mortgages, with banks being encouraged to offer higher value loans. 


When looking for a mortgage, the right time to get one can depend, then, on how cautious or optimistic banks and other lenders are at any given time; the Help to Buy scheme, which follows previous efforts to raise confidence in the property market, should help reduce risk for lenders. However, the mortgage market is still fairly stagnant, with only marginal increases in borrowing, and more repayments made than new loans taken out in February 2013. 


For most people, then, there is no ideal time to buy a house, but rather a climate of caution that needs to be carefully explored; you’ll need to make sure that your personal finances are strong enough to cover at least a 5 per cent deposit, and that you can cover stamp duty, conveyancing and other fees, which can quickly add up. Look ahead to consider whether your wages and savings can cover monthly mortgage payments and any renovation costs. 


You can make things a bit easier on yourself, though, by looking to buy a new property in Winter-time, where prices tend to be a bit lower as demand falls. Speak to estate agents about offers, and look into options where sellers may be unable to wait until the Spring for a potentially higher price. Similarly, watch out for new mortgage deals and interest rate changes for the start of the new financial year from the 6th of April, if you want to see if banks are willing to lend more at reasonable prices. 

Author bio: Liam writes about finance, from estate agents in Ipswich to mortgage rates. He attends regular finance seminars to ensure he stays on top of the industry.

3 Common Options to Spend Retirement Money And Gain Profit

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

A lot of people are looking forward to retirement. There is so much freedom when you reach your retirement years. No more worries about performing responsibilities in the office, going home late, waking up early, and the list goes on. And probably, the best part of retiring is getting hold of your retirement money. Yes! It means you will have a budget to finance your needs and wants. But, retirees should be careful in spending their hard-earned money. In an instant, it can disappear. 

For those who want to secure their future, investing your money is a clever option. However, you cannot just jump into any decision and put your money in any investment opportunity. Investment requires you to analyze, study and foresee the possible outcome. If you have not decided yet where to invest your retirement money, here are three options you can take into account. 

Stock Market

Taking part in the stock market offers remarkable return of investment (ROI). In other words, it involves great profit generating opportunity. If you are interested in this kind of investment option, you need to fully understand the risk associated to it. Being a stock investor is not easy. It is either you can gain big bucks or lose big amount of money. However, it does not mean that it is impossible to become a good stock investor. Seek out the help of stock consultants to educate and guide you all the way. Make sure you work with a reliable consultant to truly learn the ins and outs investing in the stock market. 

Start a Small Business

After spending half of your life working in a company, retirement is a perfect time to start your very own business. Are you into handicrafts and home decoration pieces? You can open up a handicraft store in your local area. If your interest revolves around car and automobile, a mechanical store is suitable for you. You can sell spare parts of the vehicles and even, mechanical services. For those who enjoy cooking, you can start a small restaurant (which you can grow bigger later on). There are so many types of business you can consider. All you have to do is think of your interest to help you decide. 

Buy Properties

Real estate is a booming industry these days. Might as well take advantage of this trend. Look for properties with remarkable opportunity to make money. There are real estate companies out there that can help you find a suitable property. Buy a vacation house in an area close to the nature or beach. You can offer this property for rent during summer holiday break or anytime of the year. Make sure the location is promising to attract vacationers. During off-season, you can spend your vacation in your property to relax.


If you have an eye for city-based properties, there are many land developers constructing apartments in Atlanta GA, Houston TX, Boston MA and other major cities in different states. Of course, you need to take into account your location. Check out property developments in your area. Later on, you can venture into nearby areas for another profit opportunity. Remember, properties are good investment as their value goes up as year passes by.


Retirees can double or even triple their retirement money if they spend it wisely. All it takes is great determination (strong will to succeed) and a lot of patience.

Simple Ways to Invest In Real Estate

Real estate is one sector where you can expect your hard earned money to multiply. There are several ways you can do so. Experts are of the opinion that instead of locking your cash in bonds and stocks or keeping in banks, investing in real estate is always a wise decision as it gives you good returns. Let us see how and what your options are. 

• Getting a property at a lower price - Let us say it has come to your knowledge that a family in your neighborhood is trying to sell off their house as they are in dire need of cash. As such they are looking for buyers and they are also ready to dispose it off at a price which is way below the market value. In other words, the homeowner is planning to release the trapped equity in his house by selling it off. If you can approach the homeowner and offer to buy his house, you can be benefited in the long run. Also find out for how much the homeowner is planning to sell it off. 
• Buying property to let out - It has also been observed that there are many investors that buy property only to let it out so that they can get good returns every month. There is a common trend among homeowner and that is if they have a house for which they are paying mortgage, they prefer to put the property on rent so that the rent they earn can service the mortgage payments. In this way the financial burden is also reduced to a considerable extent. 
• Wait for property appreciation - There are many investors in real estate that buy property and wait for a certain period so that they can get good returns once the property appreciates. But in this case, you as an investor have to wait for the property appreciation. The trick to get the maximum return from this property is to wait for as long as you can. The longer you wait the better are your returns. Investing in property for a short time span and waiting for it to appreciate will put you at a loss. 
• Enhance the look of property - Let us say you have invested in property but there are few drawbacks of the same. You can make modification of the same and make it inhabitable. 

So, by following the above guidelines your real estate investment is sure to give you good returns as these are all tested methods.

ImageCredit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/realestateinvestinggurureview/6259652837/in/photostream/

The Retirement Plan, Plus 3 Personal Investment Suggestions

What people want is a question that troubled many wise men, from early philosophers to modern psychologists. Be it eternal glory or living a happy life along with a happy family, be it fortune or health, the truth is people just want to feel an overall satisfactions with their lives. And while as adults people fight and work hard for their goals, after a certain age they get tired and just need to relax and feel at peace. 

A Retirement Paradise: Florida

It is said that within the USA, 1000 people age 50 and more retire every year to warmer locations such as Florida. Florida’s real estate market saw a first growth back in 2010, when an increase in home sales took place in the 4th quarter, according to University of Florida News. The truth is that this piece of heaven in particular offers their residents a full life at a relatively fair price. The reasons to why people move here are quite well known: the climate, the entertainment facilities, the tourist attractions and the residential compounds which offer their inhabitants a lot of health and relaxation opportunities.

Here are three suggestions on what a solid retirement plan should consist of in case one decides to retreat from the madding crowd. 

#1. Knowing What You Are Getting Yourself Into

As far as personal investment goes, it may sound easy, but before packing your bags and leaving a place, you should definitely take into account that you need a real estate agent or a reliable housing company to ease your way through state laws and paperwork. These are time-consuming activities and at your age, you strive to make the best of your time, so it is better to leave them to professionals. They can also offer you the best deals on the market, plus make sure what you get represent what you paid for. You worked your entire life and you deserve the best for a peaceful retirement. 

#2: Knowing Who You Are Dealing With

There are a lot of companies online that will show you spectacular photos and breathtaking descriptions. When choosing your real estate company, make sure they provide full services including house selection, negotiation and goods inspection. The goods inspection must be done in a detail-oriented manner, from roof to floor. To ease the process of home design and household appliances needed for daily activities and chores, it is highly recommended to buy a house that already has everything you need. Make sure to check for appliance ratings with your real estate agent and make sure they are worth the extra money. Also seek guidance in terms of purchase of extra goods, necessary paperwork, financial and legal consultations and many more. 

#3: Dealing with Additional Taxes

Regardless of what you are paying for - house or apartment - in Florida and the amount - from US $100.000 or US $500.000 – consider the fact that there are always extra costs. These include your property annual taxes, ranging around $3000/year, however expect more depending on the residential area you want to move into. Some residential areas are susceptible to a residential community tax that ensures clean streets and carefully groomed fences. This adds up to local golf club member’s fee, home insurance, repairs fund and other taxes.

No matter the household choice, remember that “Location, location, location” is the first rule in real estate and that planning your budget accordingly is of high priority. Homes set in residential areas with a beach view or facing the sport courts are more expensive, but they seem to be worth it, in terms of transportation and comfort. After all, we all seek our piece of heaven where we can retire to some day.

Author Bio:

Roxana Scott is an Occupational Health Psychologist interested in healthy life decisions. As a Life Coach, she encountered many employees close to retirement age, so she decided to write an article on what a retirement plan should look and feel like. You can follow Roxana on Google + (https://plus.google.com/100992360586064517629/)

6 Effects of the HDFC Home Loan Cuts

Interest Rates (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

The Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) has announced that it will cut down its basis points for home loans. This cut has drastically reduced the amount of money you have to pay per month over a period of twenty years. This move has been initiated by the government to help the market recover. This move has made money available in the hands of the people and has some favourable effects. Given below are six effects of these HDFC home loan cuts- 

Money Available In The Hands Of Buyers

The reduction in the basis point by the HDFC has brought down the rate of interest for home loans. This means that you have to pay almost seven or eight lakhs less in total than you would have previously paid on the same loan amount. With less money to repay, buyers are now keener to take home loan in India and buy houses. 

Increased Demand For Real Estate Investment

With the market looking favourable, and the real estate market is looking better, thanks to reduced rates. More people are showing interest in the investing in homes. Property prices are rising and people are trying to buy before the prices rise further and this has increased the demand. 

Increased Buying of Property

Property prices are rising with improvement in infrastructure and development of the outskirts of the cities. In such a scenario it becomes difficult to buy property in good areas of Mumbai, Delhi. These cities have sky high property rates, and therefore investors are looking for property in tier I and tier II cities. The demand for property in these places has gone up after the HDFC’s rate cuts. 

The Young Crowd Is Buying Property

The RBI’s rate cut has favored property investment by the young crowd. The young working class earns a good amount annually and with the slashed rates they can now afford a house of their own. The reduced rate and special offers for woman’s loans, many young women are also going ahead and buying their own property in some of the leading cities of the country. 

Property Prices Are Rising

The reduced rates of loans have increased the demand for property. This in turn has increased the property prices to go up. Prices had taken a hit with low demand, but now that the market is recovering and the investors are increasing their property prices. This has in turn increased the demand for property, so that buyers like you can buy property before the prices rise further. 

Foreign Investment

Reduced rates have brought in investments from international investors. They have realized that India has a strong stable real estate market with a good rate of interest. These foreign investors have taken up some high end projects. This will also attract more investors, both national and international in the future.

These are the six effects of HDFC’s home loan cuts. It is time to make full use of it and benefit from it.