How Hard Was it to Get Your Contractor's License 20 Years Ago?

Well to be honest with you, it wasn't as hard as I thought. It's probably easier today to get your state contractors license than it was 20 years ago. When I took my test in 1986, there were plenty of people who didn't have much experience in the construction business, taking their test to become a general contractor. Quite frankly, I was surprised.

For example, there was a couple of women who were in the real estate business, another man who was in the insurance business and even someone who just wanted to get their general contractor's license, even though they weren't planning on doing anything with it. That man was just taking the test, to see how easy it was to get a general contractor's license.

20 years ago, I bought a cassette tapes and two books from one of the only contractors licensing schools in the area. As a matter of fact, one of the contractors who signed my application used the same school when he got his license 12 years before I got mine. To be honest with you, I don't think I got my money's worth.

I've memorized every question in the books and listened to the cassette tapes until I had memorized them, also. I was ready for the test, even though 90% of the questions that were on the test, didn't have anything to do with the questions I had memorized. Most of the questions weren't even close. I truly believe that I've passed the contractors test with the knowledge I had learned over the years, working in construction

The test took about four hours and I really didn't know if I passed it or not. They mailed me a letter telling me that I had failed, so I mailed them a letter back asking to double check, because there was no way that I could have failed that test with a 62% passing requirement.

This might sound a little odd to anyone in business, but maybe the United States government works a little bit different, because they mailed me back my new contractors license and said that I had passed the test. I often wonder, what would have happened, if I never mailed that letter back. ทาวน์โฮมมือสอง

I got my general contractor's license and have had a successful construction company for over 23 years. I recommend that anyone who works in the construction industry gets their contractors license and starts working for themselves. It's a good way to make a living and we could always use a few more contractors.

How Good Is Your Home Survey and Surveyor?

You have agreed to buy a Home and have all sorts of costs: is a House survey essential and if they are all the same why would I not buy the cheapest.

Often I hear this, usually from first-time-buyers but also from seasoned buyers. The answer is simple - the chances are that you are correct but a significant proportion of buyers purchase a problem and then wish they had taken better quality, or any advice at all. Do you really want to take a chance with such a big investment?

If you are prepared to rely on chance then you don't need me, or any other Surveyor. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors research suggests that the average homebuyer faces an unforeseen repair bill of about £2,000. If you don't want such an expense, and don't want to rely on chance, then you only have one way to go - talk to a Surveyor to see what survey options you have so you use your money wisely, not blindly.

A good Surveyor will reveal these currently hidden defects, tell you what a reasonable repair budget cost is, the effect of that cost on the value of the home (often more than the cost of works) and how to best re-negotiate your offered price. If those negotiations are successful your survey fee will repay itself many times over.

So, what are the hallmarks of a possible cheap survey service as opposed to those of a high quality ทาวน์เฮ้าส์มือสอง survey service?

Well - first of all let's define the core quality areas:

Fee Costs are explained Good communications means Initial Free Consultation available Product options are explained Choice of Adviser Short term appointment scheduling Good local knowledge Verbal initial Report Report explanation meeting Later further advice is available Simultaneous Loan Valuation with the private Survey?

If you were to not exercise any quality control self-protection by letting non-property Advisers design your property advice then the answers to the above 11 core advice areas would look something like this:-

FEES - 2012 rates start at about £400 for a private Homebuyer Report. COMMUNICATION - via an intermediatory, not a Surveyor direct. FREE CONSULTATION - not available from a Surveyor. PRODUCT OPTIONS - Often not discussed at all (do you want a survey or not, is the only advice offered!). SURVEYOR CHOICE - Despite the BIG NAME or Branding you are dealing with you will have no idea who is to work for you, or his/her experience and record. APPOINTMENTS - Often within a 7 to 21 day range (too long). KNOWLEDGE - Without talking to your Surveyor how do you know they will have knowledge of the house type, its local area and the specific type of defects it is liable to suffer from. VERBAL REPORT - This speeds things up and provides re-assurance you need BUT is lacking when you are using a cheap, non-personal Survey Company. REPORT EXPLANATION - You must understand the whole report - can you get at the Surveyor to explain all matters to you? Probably not. FURTHER ADVICE - Along the route to a successful purchase or disposal all sorts of problems and queries crop up. Is your Surveyor available to field questions at any time and long after the initial survey was completed? LINKED LOAN VALUATION - If your Advisers tell you to link the Loan Valuation to the private survey then you are running some serious risks of undeclared commissions and quality issues. Never mix Loan Valuations with Private Surveys.

If you grasp the initiative and control the way you instruct a private Surveyor direct , the core quality benchmarks will revert to something like this:-

FEES - Private Survey fee costs will start at about £500. COMMUNICATION - Will always be direct with a Surveyor, and only that Surveyor. FREE CONSULTATION - Your Surveyor will always be available for free advice. PRODUCT OPTIONS - These will always be discussed. SURVEYOR CHOICE - You will be able to ensure your Surveyor ticks all the boxes you demand. APPOINTMENTS - Survey inspection will be scheduled within the next 2 to 7 working days. KNOWLEDGE - You can check this because you have access to your Surveyor. VERBAL REPORT - Yes - this can be arranged to suit you so you have the reassurance to proceed as soon as possible. REPORT EXPLANATION - Once you have the written Report if you need further explanation and advice this can be arranged. FURTHER ADVICE - Property transactions always throw up uncertainty and confusion and any high quality Surveyor will be available to smooth things over and at any time (all part of the service). LINKED LOAN VALUATION - Never do this: too many conflicts of interest exist and the ability of a Valuer to produce a high quality Survey is open to question.

So a summary of the self-protection you need can be recognised. Below are 11 further benchmarks to be on the lookout for as they can tell you if you are being taken for a ride by an intermediatory :-

Your Financial Adviser will recommend a simultaneous Loan Company Valuation service with the private survey added to it (supposedly to save you money). Your Solicitor should recommend a private Surveyor to you so why would you need to rely on the choice of an Estate Agent, Financial Adviser or other such Non-Surveying middleman? Often the Survey Appointment is delayed for many days as Valuations are more important to Loan Companies than Private Surveys. Your Surveyor may be a great local Valuer, but is he/she an experienced Surveyor as well (probably not). Ask the Surveyor how many surveys he completed in relation to the number of pure valuations he completes! If you pay for a simultaneous Valuation and private Survey but these are done by two differing people then the Loan Company have probably out-sourced your Survey out to a cheap Surveyor who is paying the Loan Company a commission for that service (often not disclosed to you even though it is mandatory to declare any such arrangement). No Surveyor will call you to discuss your needs and worries. This means a tailored service cannot be designed for you. When you next speak to the Sellers, ask them how long the Surveyor took on-site (under two hours and you should be worried) and whether detailed questions were thrown at the owners (if not, then the Surveyor has not done his job properly). If your Report is full of repetitions and standardised text/paragraphs (easy to detect as the language used is similar for all sections and can be full of "appears to be... " phrases) then the Surveyor is not using his brain to report to you individually but instead is more concerned to reduce liability to you by treating you like any other client and therefore no personalisation can be built in to your report. If you have Report queries just try to talk to the actual Surveyor to have a detailed conversation with him/her. If this is difficult or not possible then the chances are you are talking to a Big Name but cheap-service Company (often with very familiar Names and Branding). To the actual Surveyor who is going to inspect the premises for you, ask (before they inspect your next home) if he/she has any negligence claims at all in their career. Many Surveyors have large numbers of claims against them and they are not expelled from membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as RICS do not follow such trends. If you can get through to talk to your Surveyor ask if they can recommend local Contractors and Specialists to further investigate the problems identified in the Loan Valuation or Survey Report: lack of positive response will probably mean a lack of local knowledge and so why did they accept your job in the first place?

At the end of the day it comes down to a basic choice - are you going to take the initiative to create self-protection or roll over and let the system make money out of you whilst protecting their own backs, not yours? The choice is yours.

How Do You Find The Perfect House?

The whole point of your mortgage is to help you find and pay for the house of your dreams, but how exactly do you find the perfect house?

Some people look - well, quite literally: they go out and look. They find neighborhoods that they like and drive around, looking for For Sale signs, looking for Open House signs, imagining themselves parking in that garage, talking a walk to that park.

It's great fun, don't get me wrong: I'm not saying that you shouldn't. And I'm also willing to bet that once you start walking inside all these houses, imagining what you'd do with this room or that room, thinking about how great Aunt Cathy's sideboard would look over there, you're not thinking of any of the factors that started you on you house hunt.

The reality is that after a few days-or weeks-of this kind of activity, you're going to fall in love. Not only are you going to fall in love, but you're going to fall in love with the Wrong House. And, just as happens when you fall for the Wrong Man or the Wrong Woman, heartache is lying ahead of you.

We're the mortgage people, the realists in this journey on which you've embarked, and we strongly suggest that you not start by driving around and looking.

First of all, in a scenario like that one, you are very likely to overestimate what your money can buy. Heartache . Secondly, you're looking at the wrong features, the lovely walkway and the really nice finishing touches in the Great Room-the sorts of things you could and should do yourself-instead of focusing on your requirements. Heartache . Moreover, the same house in one town-or even on one side of town-can be priced dramatically differently in the next town over, or the other side of the same town. Heartache

When you decide to locate and purchase a home, you need to think with your head and not your heart. Let's face it, whatever house you eventually do buy, you'll be able to make it your own, put your own unique mark on it, furnish and decorate it so that it's something you will fall in love with.

So.... Instead of aimlessly driving around looking at houses that in all probability aren't going to work for you, it's probably a good idea to start looking for a house in a systematic manner. And that means starting with the money.

Many people start with a real estate agent or Realtor, and that's certainly the usual way to do it. But really it's starting backwards: your real estate agent can help you best when he or she knows exactly what you can afford, and doesn't waste her time, your time, or - again - your heartache showing you properties that are inappropriate.

So start with the mortgage. Getting preapproved for a mortgage with someone who can help you through the ทาวน์โฮมมือสอง ราคาถูก entire process means having a context in which to place your dreams. It means being able to look within your means and discover diamonds in the rough you might not have considered otherwise.

Going into a real estate office with a preapproval in hand is best for everybody involved. Your real estate agent knows that the sale is a real possibility, as you have the means on hand to purchase an appropriate property. You know that you won't be looking at dream houses that you wouldn't be able to afford in a hundred years. And your mortgage advisor knows that you've been matched up with the best possible financing for your needs.

A final note: your mortgage advisor and your real estate agent are your partners in this process. Be candid with them. Tell them everything that could remotely affect your purchase of a home. Just as your mortgage specialist won't try to force you into a one-size-fits-all financing situation, your real estate agent won't try to sell you the first house she shows you, either. They both want you to come out of the experience secure, happy, and knowing that you're in the best possible place.

So do a few drive-bys and look at houses if that gets you in the mood. But do your homework, and rely on the professionals whose job it is to get you into the Right House.

You won't regret it!

How Do You Find The Perfect House?

The whole point of your mortgage is to help you find and pay for the house of your dreams, but how exactly do you find the perfect house?

Some people look - well, quite literally: they go out and look. They find neighborhoods that they like and drive around, looking for For Sale signs, looking for Open House signs, imagining themselves parking in that garage, talking a walk to that park.

It's great fun, don't get me wrong: I'm not saying that you shouldn't. And I'm also willing to bet that once you start walking inside all these houses, imagining what you'd do with this room or that room, thinking about how great Aunt Cathy's sideboard would look over there, you're not thinking of any of the factors that started you on you house hunt.

The reality is that after a few days-or weeks-of this kind of activity, you're going to fall in love. Not only are you going to fall in love, but you're going to fall in love with the Wrong House. And, just as happens when you fall for the Wrong Man or the Wrong Woman, heartache is lying ahead of you.

We're the mortgage people, the realists in this journey on which you've embarked, and we strongly suggest that you not start by driving around and looking.

First of all, in a scenario like that one, you are very likely to overestimate what your money can buy. Heartache . Secondly, you're looking at the wrong features, the lovely walkway and the really nice finishing touches in the Great Room-the sorts of things you could and should do yourself-instead of focusing on your requirements. Heartache . Moreover, the same house in one town-or even on one side of town-can be priced dramatically differently in the next town over, or the other side of the same town. Heartache

When you decide to locate and purchase a home, you need to think with your head and not your heart. Let's face it, whatever house you eventually do buy, you'll be able to make it your own, put your own unique mark on it, furnish and decorate it so that it's something you will fall in love with.

So.... Instead of aimlessly driving around looking at houses that in all probability aren't going to work for you, it's probably a good idea to start looking for a house in a systematic manner. And that means starting with the money.

Many people start with a real estate agent or Realtor, and that's certainly the usual way to do it. But really it's starting backwards: your real estate agent can help you best when he or she knows exactly what you can afford, and doesn't waste her time, your time, or - again - your heartache showing you properties that are inappropriate.

So start with the mortgage. Getting preapproved for a mortgage with someone who can help you through the entire process means having a context in which to place your dreams. It means being able to look within your means and discover diamonds in the rough you might not have considered otherwise.

Going into a real estate office with a preapproval in hand is best for everybody involved. Your real estate agent knows that the sale is a real possibility, as you have the means on hand to purchase an appropriate property. You know that you won't be looking at dream houses that you wouldn't be able to afford in a hundred years. And your mortgage advisor knows that you've been matched up with the best possible financing for your needs.

A final note: your mortgage advisor and your real estate agent are your partners in this process. Be candid with them. Tell them everything that could remotely affect your purchase of a home. Just as your mortgage specialist won't try to force you into a one-size-fits-all financing situation, your real estate agent won't try to sell you the first house she shows you, either. They both want you to come out of the experience secure, happy, and knowing that you're in the best possible place.

So do a few drive-bys and look at houses if that gets you in the mood. But do your homework, and rely on คอนโด the professionals whose job it is to get you into the Right House.

You won't regret it!

How Do You Know It's Time To Get Real Estate Management Software?

There are endless opportunities in the real estate industry, but the truth is that it can get stressful to manage especially when you do not have all the necessary tools. When you are in the property business, you will not only need to put in measures to attract tenants and maintain them, but you will also need to have proper management planning to ensure that you have an easy time keeping an eye on everything that touches on the property.

Real estate management software are designed to assist property owners, investors and property managers with an easier time managing the property. Sticking to traditional management practices that only accumulate documents that become harder to manage can be messy and tedious. When you have the right one you will have a swift process of getting things done, communicating and keeping things neat and organized so it is much easier to handle your real estate. You should consider getting the right real estate management software if:

You have challenges keeping an eye on payments. If there is something that really matters in real estate is tracking payments. If you find that you have issues keeping records of rental payments, tracking late payments and expenses related to the property, then it should be time to get yourself a solution. Paper records can be tough to keep up and you could end up losing cash and time trying to calculate and clarify them. The right real estate management software will give you a paperless way of tracking all payments and recording them as appropriate.

You experience delays in dealing with maintenance requests. Such delays ขายอาคารพาณิชย์ lead to tenant dissatisfaction and this is not something you really want for your property. When you seem to have issues with your move-in and move out procedures and find it hard to keep up with the property needs, you should consider getting a little more organized. Getting real estate management software will save you from all the confusion that can end up harming the property as far as the tenancy is concerned.

You have missing documents and checks. They are the expected consequences of keeping up with traditional property management. You will end up losing money, especially when you can't seem to find checks sent to you by tenants or other important documents. Real estate management software makes it easy for you to maintain all important data. When you have a good solution handy, you will also manage to give your tenants an easy time making payments through the right channels without any chance of confusions.

You are overwhelmed by the tasks that need to be done. Property management can come with plenty of tasks to manage and it can be overwhelming for you or your property manager. Some management processes are too complex and apart from demanding lots of your time they can easily wear you out. Real estate management software offers that extra convenience layer to the tasks and processes so you have fewer things to do. It can do some of the tasks automatically saving you the time and energy you would have otherwise used to accomplish them.

How Do You Select The Best Property Management Software?

Property management can be a challenge, especially without the right tools. Getting the right software program is very essential in helping you streamline the process of handling your growing business and to keep it organized. More and more companies are eliminating paperwork by choosing software solutions that can handle all important functions including management of documents. But then how do you go about selecting the best property management software for your business?

Step 1 - Start by focusing on what you need

Avoid choosing software that is an overkill or under-kill for your business. It is important that you evaluate exactly what you need the software program for; you can separate office accounting needs from property management needs to cut costs of the software program. Consider whether it is important for the system to help you with tenant background checks, liability and asset accounting and budgeting so you do not waste your time on a solution you really do not need. Whereas you do not want to go overboard when choosing the system, you also do not want to end up with a program that cannot handle the most basic things for your business. It helps to at least ensure that the management software you settle for can automatically post management fees, rent and late fees, maintain separate ledgers for tenants and owners, easily update information via a friendly interface, handle different property types without additional module buying and deal with bank deposits and checks.

Step 2 - Check all important features

ขายอาคารพาณิชย์ There are so many features that may not be that critical to the management process of the property, but they will prove to be valuable on your software. Some of the features that can make a difference in your system include reminder features to help track appointments, pop-up lists of owners and tenants owing you money, features that help check tenant info for log back payments and credit references, automated rent amount updates, automated account updates and other. The more you are able to do with the program the better the convenience you stand to enjoy running your property business.

Step 3 - Confirm support, reliability and reasonable pricing

Most property management software companies fail in offering the needed support. Some may even compel you to pay for software updates to enjoy technical support, whereas others may offer free support for a limited time frame and start charging for any support beyond that. Choose a support plan you can fully trust in and rely on. On the same line, you should take the mandate to check for any hidden costs when buying the software. Ask as many relevant questions as possible and read as much as you can about what you stand to gain using the solution before making the final purchase. It helps to choose a software program that is easy to install and use and one that comes with a comprehensive inbuilt help file. Keep off programs that require you pay for updates and research.

How Do You Choose a Building Inspection Company?

You've finally found the house you've been looking for. The price is right and finances are in order. But is the house worthy of purchasing? To avoid disaster it is imperative that you obtain the services of a professional independent and unbiased building and pest inspection service. But how do you choose a building inspection service out of the hundreds sprawled across the Internet and various other forms of media. Well, as the director of Action Property Inspections, I've personally undertaken over 20,000 building inspections and have certainly seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to building inspection companies and their reports. Based on my experience, I've compiled what I believe to be the top 10 points that should be considered prior to engaging the services of any Building and Pest Inspection Company.

No 1. Sample Report Ask to see a completed building inspection report prior to booking the inspection. A legitimate building inspection company should have a sample of their report on their web site to be viewed by potential clients prior to booking their building inspection. The sample report should be one that was actually undertaken during the building inspection of a prospective clients house and not a pointless dummy Sample report that has not been filled out or includes every possible scenario for every different type of house crammed into the one report. The report should be very easy to understand and should not comprise of tick and flick style boxes followed by little or no specific written commentary. Where written text has been used it should always directly relate to the faults at hand as viewed on the house you are actually purchasing. Many inspectors use generic comments that are simply cut-and-paste to make up a report.

No.2. A picture is worth 1000 words The building report should always incorporate a significant volume of photographs clearly detailing the faults found. Whilst the text within the report should be clear and easy to understand, nothing explains better than actually visually seeing the fault at hand. The photographs will often also incorporate arrows, circled sections or additional written text specifically pointing to faults or items within the photographs.

No 3. Who the agent recommends Independence is paramount if you wish to receive a legitimate report. One would think it common sense not to ask the estate agent who they would recommend to undertake a building inspection on the very house the agent is selling, yet it is amazing how many people do just that. Many agents have become quite skilled at convincing their prospective clients that they don't have a vested interest in who you use for your building and pest inspection. A common ploy is to provide a potential purchaser with multiple cards from various companies. This creates the illusion of independence. They want you to believe they don't care whom you use and the cards provided are a random sample of building inspection companies within the industry. The truth is, the cards provided are all from building inspection companies that the agent knows will usually provide soft, complimentary reports on even the worst of houses. You need to be informed of the true condition of the house and not be sucked into the agent's sales spiel.

No. 4. How much will the inspection cost? Like they say, if you pay peanuts you only get monkeys. It may be an old adage, however certainly one you should consider. Many building and pest inspection companies, particularly larger companies, work on volume. The theory being that if you charge a small fee you are likely to get the lion share of the inspections when clients phone around. A cheap fee however results is a rushed inspection and a vague report. Some building inspectors do as many as 8 inspections per day. Building inspection companies adopting this practice have a higher rate of dissatisfied customers and more claims of inspection negligence made against them. The volume of inspections they undertake however outweighs the cost of making the occasional pay out to a dissatisfied client. This system may prove profitable for the inspection company however could prove costly to the purchaser.

No 5. Specialised equipment required When a building and pest inspector evaluates a house they are predominantly undertaking what is generally known within the industry as a visual inspection. Subsequently the building or pest inspector will not dig or gouge into walls etc during the inspection process for obvious reasons. A thorough building inspector will however carry the latest equipment to help evaluate areas where visual inspection alone may not be sufficient. At a minimum a building and pest inspector should carry moisture detection monitors and thermal image cameras along with other standard inspection equipment such as ladders, high-powered torches and tapping sticks etc. Whilst thermal image cameras and moisture detection equipment do not give inspectors x-ray vision, they certainly provide the next step in diagnostic evaluation that can often confirm or deny the existence of a suspected fault.

No 6. Check license and insurance details When on site it is imperative that you visually sight the license and insurance details of the actual inspector undertaking your inspection. Whilst the company may carry insurance, the actual building inspector on site may not be licensed or be covered under the companies insurance policy. When on site the inspector should be able to produce a license stating "completed building inspection" and should also be able to produce an insurance document bearing the inspector's name.

No 7. Building inspection agreement For Building Inspections Brisbane or for that matter generally in Queensland, it is a compulsory component of the Australian Standards that both building and pest inspectors should provide their prospective clients with a Building Inspection คอนโด ราคาถูก Agreement prior to commencing any inspection. The Building Inspection Agreement should state: the name of the client, how much they are paying for the inspections and most importantly will document the limitations and conditions of the inspection prior to it being undertaken. The client should sign this document with both parties receiving a copy. Any building inspection company failing to provide a Building Inspection Agreement prior to the inspection, is not only not complying with the Australian Standards for inspections but is also unlikely to be insured.

No 8. When do I get the report. Time is usually of the essence. A professional building inspection company should be able to produce a completed detailed report the same day as the inspection was undertaken. Most inspection companies would release the report the evening on the day of inspection. I would however be very wary of any company that presented you with a completed report literally at the end of the inspection or within an hour or so after the inspection. An instant report usually means that the report was a premanufactured cut-and-paste report that only generically relates to your house and is unlikely to be detailed or accurate.

No 9. Separate building and pest inspections. The qualifications for a licenced builder/building inspector in comparison with that of a pest inspector vary significantly. They are two entirely different trades and subsequently have entirely different criteria for undertaking a building inspection. Despite what some companies will tell you it is virtually impossible to undertake a thorough building and pest inspection when one inspector is trying to cover both fields in the one inspection time frame. You should always engage a fully qualified building inspector in conjunction with a separate and fully qualified pest inspector and skip the "Jack of all trades" approach that some companies practice to maximise profit with the least amount of effort. Most building inspection companies can organise a completely independent and fully qualified pest inspector to attend at the same time the building inspection is undertaken.

No. 10. Experience is everything Have you ever seen those ads that claim a certain business has for example 130 years of combined experience. Well when it comes to building inspections, unless you're building inspector is 130 years old the combined experience of the company is of little benefit. The experience and knowledge of the individual building and/or pest inspector on site is what counts. Where possible establish how long the company been established, how many inspections has the individual inspector actually undertaken and will the owner of the business undertake the inspection or will it just be an employee etc.

If you carefully consider the above-mentioned criteria you can't go too far wrong when you next require the services of a qualified Brisbane building and pest inspector.

How Do You Determine If a Seller Is Motivated in Real Estate Investing?

Determining if a seller is motivated in real estate investing is a major problem for most investors but especially for new or inexperienced investors. When a seller is not motivated, he is looking to receive Full Market Value (FMV) for his property. This is a major issue if the investor is trying to buy the property to wholesale it to another investor.

How Does a Lease-Option House Purchase Work?

How Does a Convertible Purchase Option Sale Work?

A Convertible Purchase Option, represents a non-traditional home ownership financing solution for highly-qualified buyers who have cash, but for one of many currently restrictive reasons, aren't able to secure a traditional bank financing loan. The highly-qualified buyer signs an agreement with the seller to lease/purchase the property at a monthly rate set by the seller (typically a substantial amount which easily pays the mortgage plus $100-$300 extra). The new buyer can also agree to be responsible for paying the taxes and sewer, maintaining the property and all associated expenses that come with home ownership in their entirety.

The new lease/buyer has the contractual option to buy the property at a predetermined price at any point during the lease period (usually between 18-24 months). If the potential lease/buyer completes the sale, a portion of the lease payments will be credited back to the lease/buyer by a traditional bank, to be used as the buyer wishes. This is most often as credit toward a down payment with the traditional bank.

If the potential buyer does not to complete the sale, they forfeit any monies paid or any financial/ownership claim to upgrades, new appliances, fixtures, home repair expenses, etc and the home reverts back to the original owner. The potential buyer, on the other hand, has far less negotiation ability when it comes to the contractual price of the property which usually results in the property selling for the asking price or higher (should a bidding war occur). By buying a home this way, the potential buyer also has the added benefit of experiencing the pride of home ownership immediately, while at the same time, being able to save for a bigger down payment (or other qualification needed) to secure a traditional financing ทาวน์โฮมมือสอง กรุงเทพ loan or to wait for the financial industry to ease its restrictions in regards to its lending practices.

What's In It for the Seller?

What's in it for the seller? Simply put...EVERYTHING! For someone who is having trouble selling their home, a convertible purchase option gets cash in the owner's hands, a sale of the property, as well as possible residual monthly income, instead of continuing to go deeper into financial distress, walking away from the home, or just having the home sit vacant. This way, even if the new buyer does not complete the sale, the seller hasn't lost much ground, and in most cases, finds themselves far ahead.

Beware of Pitfalls

Because this method of purchasing a home is not common, sellers should ensure that the new buyers are financially qualified to purchase your home. For a new lease/buyer you must be aware that unscrupulous property owners may let you sign a similar contract when they have no intention of ever selling you the home. In that case, you run the risk of losing any rights to the property as well as all of your payments and hard work that you put into making the property your own

When considering a lease-option purchase, or any purchase, make sure you're dealing with a reputable firm.

How Can a Home Inspector Help You Buy Your Dream Home?

Finding your dream home is a rewarding feeling in itself. After weeks, or maybe even months, of searching, you are finally able to picture yourself living in this home. However, before falling head over heels in love with the property, you should take a moment to hire a home inspector who can inspect the property and see how good it really is. Although, you may have fallen in love with the look and the decor of the house, but there are still many things that are not visible in plain sight, which can cause serious problems if they are ignored. A home inspector can provide you with a professional report on the condition of the house. This unbiased report will help you in deciding on which home will be the best for you to buy.

A home inspector is a professional trained in assessing any damage that is present in the structure of a house, some of which are easily spotted and others, which need a keen eye. Some of the problems that can be identified are outdated electrical systems, faulty insulation, structural faults, external deterioration and fungal infections, like mold, in certain areas of the property. These problems can cause the owner a lot of trouble, if they are overlooked. Therefore, a home inspector will answer many questions that are in your mind, regarding your prospective dream home.

Once the inspection has been carried out, the inspector can provide you with a complete report, which can also include photos that are a proof of the dangers and hazards that are present in the home. This is sometimes a heartbreaking moment, as people are told that the house they liked so much is not fit for residing in. However, the good news is that the hazards were found before the purchase and not after. Therefore, a professional home inspector is quite beneficial in ensuring the safety of your home and your family too. This is why home inspection should be a mandatory requirement before the purchase of any property, as the following aspects are covered as well.

Safety

While there are many factors that determine whether someone will purchase a property or not, such as affordability, style and location, however, the most important one that is on the minds of most people is the safety that it offers them. Every buyer wants to be assured that the home he is buying is not a security risk for him and his family. A home inspection also aims to identify any areas where a hazardous situation could be present for your family, giving you ample warning to get it fixed.

Security

An individual's home is probably one of the largest investments that he will make; therefore he will make sure that this investment is as secure as possible. Often there are many hazards that can reduce the security that the house provides. Structural damage, fungal infection and wiring faults could pose serious security risks. A thorough inspection of the property can find such dangers, which can make your home an unsafe place คอนโด ราคาถูก to live in.

With a complete inspection of your property you will be better informed about whether you want to purchase it or not. This will help you to choose a home that will truly be your dream home.

How Crowdfunding Is Being Used by Real Estate Investors

Crowdfunding has become all the rage in recent years to help people launch a variety of projects, nonprofits, or even companies. It looks like crowdfunding could even be reaching into the real estate market, though, which has some important implications for investors.

How Do I Buy a House?

Buying a house is probably the largest purchase you will make in your life. It is also a lengthy process and takes anything up to two months, sometimes longer. From the mortgage through to the completion of the sale, there is a set process for buying a property.

Securing Your Mortgage

How you will pay for your house is important. Not many of you will be lucky enough to buy a house outright. Therefore, you will need to borrow. The loan, which is secured on the property is called a mortgage and this market is vast. You will have to work out how much you can afford and then approach lenders. This may be your regular bank or a mortgage broker who will search the market for you. Once, you have taken all of this into consideration, you will have a mortgage agreed in principle.

Choosing A Home

Here is where you will require the services of an estate agent. Local papers will have a property section whereby you can scour properties on the market and you make an appointment to view a few homes in the area you would like to live. Once you have found a property you like, you then make an offer. The estate agent will negotiate on your behalf with the vendor, an agreed price. The agent will inform you if the offer has been accepted.

Instructing A Solicitor

Find a solicitor who ฝากขายที่ดิน specialises in property purchasing. The solicitor will handle all the legal aspects of the house buying process for a fee.

Survey and Valuation

It is a requirement by law for a property to be surveyed. This is to check the property is worth the valuation and the money which will be secured against it. The survey will show up any major structural problems which if not completed, could end up costing you thousands later down the line.

Complete the Mortgage Process

Your mortgage will now be agreed in full and you will have to arrange life insurance cover in the event of your death. All of this will be handled by your mortgage provider.

Exchanging Contracts

Once the sale is agreed and your mortgage in place, you will pay your deposit and exchange contracts with the vendor. At this stage, the sale is now legally binding and if you withdraw from the sale after the contracts have been exchanged you could end up losing your deposit and being sued for a breach of the contract. Once all the contracts have been signed, the sellers will transfer the title deeds to the buyer. All the legal side is almost completed and the final searches on the property are done.

Arrange Your Move

The process is almost completed. Here you will arrange for the movement of your goods from your home to your new home. This is usually on the day the money is transferred through to the vendor. Once this is done, the estate agent will hand over the keys and your new home now legally belongs to you.

How Can You Compare Display Homes With Each Other?

Working through the paper work presented in Display Homes by the local Home builders often creates confusion over what is and isn't included in the display home building price. This is a tactic employed by builders to make it much more difficult for the average home buyer to compare one home with another. As a Building Broker it can take ฝากขายคอนโด me hours to compare quotes, and that's when I'm comparing quotes for the same house using the same specification! Each builder has their own method of pricing and what they do and don't include in the base price. This simple guide will show you how you can make a comparison between each display home.

The first step is to create a spreadsheet where you can write in figures to make calculations easier. Set up each builders going horizontally and then write each category for comparison vertically in the left hand column. This will allow you to bring each home into line with each other, to make them 'equal' or as close to it as possible using a method of ups and downs to compare.

Enter the house price for each of the homes working horizontally across the page and then the overall area of the home. Dividing the area into the house price will create a 'base square metre rate' where you can see the general square metre price for each of the homes. Square metre rates aren't always the best way to compare homes as it excludes vertical prices, but it can be used as a rough guide.

Now you need to nominate one of the homes to use as a standard. I would recommend selecting the home that you think has the lowest level of product specification included in the price. This is the platform you will use as the 'base level of inclusions'. Often it's the home that is the cheapest when using the square metre rate.

Now you must consider the features in the other homes. Let's say 2 of the homes have stone bench tops to the kitchens and 2 of the homes have standard laminated bench tops. For the homes that only have the laminate you need to add an amount that is reasonable for the cost of adding stone bench tops. In this example, for an average sized kitchen you may want to add between $6,000 - $12,000 depending on the size of the kitchen. You will see that a running total for the 2 lower specification homes has now increased by your nominated amount bringing them up to the equivalent value of the higher specification homes.

Perform this same comparison on all other areas of the home that you can think of. This may include items such as plumbing fixtures, shower screens, ceramic tiling extents, appliances, render vs brickwork just to name a few. When complete you be comparing a fair value of each home on an equal (or close to equal) specification level. By performing this calculation you're able to discover which base price is the best value for money.

Each Display Home is different and each home builder will intentionally try to make it difficult for buyers to compare, however if you take some time and follow this method, you'll be able to establish an accurate guide as to how each builder and display home price compares.

How Can I Improve The Cash Flow of My Negatively Geared Property?

If your property costs you money each week, the amount of properties that you will own is limited. On the other hand, if you're earning money each week from the property, then the properties that you will own is unlimited.

Fortunately, there are actually few things that you can do to help you boost your rental earnings or lessen your expenses. It is also beneficial to know how to switch an investment into an excellent earning potential through the aid of owner finance. Here are some tips for you to consider:

Focus More On Your Loan: Consider your mortgage as your greatest expense. If you successfully save money out from your mortgage, then you are saving a huge amount of money out from your cash flow expense. It's always wise to take to บ้านมือสอง ราคาถูก an excellent mortgage broker, who is an expert in dealing with lenders, which in turn helps you to have the best possible loan.

If you are thinking about redoing a loan, then you should definitely think about the interest rate. Most importantly, you should get the competitive and compelling interest rate. You can also look at various 'interest only loans' since it can lower monthly expenses. If you think that the issue is your cash flow, then you might want to look at interests only loans.

Utilizing an offset account is also a wise idea. This is the next important thing that you should take into consideration. Get offset account, and put in your money in order to offset the mortgage repayments or even make them much lower. You can put your saving in an offset account to offset monthly strain on your cash flow.

Look for Effective Ways to Boost Your Rental Revenue:

If you really want to improve your cash flow out from your property, you should definitely look for effective ways on how to boost your rental revenue. Why not ask yourself what can you add in your property to increase its value, and so the income it produces.

There are always a lot of valuable additions out there such as dishwasher, air conditioning, and other things like internal laundry. Look for something that can add up to its excellent feature. You can also consider making your property different from the other properties available in the area. This could make it more demand, thus its value will also increase.

Find Ways on How You Can Lower the Expenses:

There will always be a way to help you lower the expenses. Why not manage the property yourself instead of using a property manager to save in costs.

Maximize Your Depreciation: Capitalize better on the depreciation. If your property's new, there can be a lot of depreciable assets. This will mean having a surveyor show you which one can be depreciated. It can be very beneficial against your tax.

Sell Your Property Through a Reliable Owner Financing Agreement:

Lastly, you can also consider selling your property via vendor finance. If you think you cannot afford to let your property be rented out because it won't cover the costs of the house, and you have tried and done anything you can to make it positively geared, and that you cannot sell it, you can always consider selling through vendor finance. There are actually lots of investors and land lords out there who invest in property this way, which help them generate increased cash flow.

This is potentially beneficial to both the buyer and the seller. The buyer will be able to buy your property while engaging in effective credit repair strategies. While you, being the seller, obtain much higher cash flow usually receiving anywhere from $100 to $300 per week above market rent. Think to yourself how this additional cash flow could help with your expenses of your property. Essentially, the buyer will be able to buy your property by making higher than usual payments directly to you.

In addition you will receive your 'asking price' for your property without paying any commissions or fees.

There are lots of ways on how you can improve your cash flow from your property, most especially a negatively geared one. All you need to be is to be creative in finding ways. But the most essential things would be to lower your expenses, focus on the mortgage rate, increase the rental income, lower the vacancies, and most importantly, consider vendor financing.

Property investment is indeed one of the most important investments that you will ever make, thus, it is potentially essential to see to it that you have a good cash flow out of it. With a positive cash flow from a positively geared house, you will be immensely benefited.

Leasing To Buy Homes are Vendor Finance experts. If negative gearing is not working for you or your property isn't performing as it should be and you would much prefer monthly positive cash flow, then why don't you contact us today for a FREE vendor finance analysis on your house and we can show you how you can achieve real positive cash flow for your investment property portfolio.

How Do Growth and Residential Construction Reduce Poverty for UK Cities?

Private investment in housing is largely about asset growth. But by fostering construction and new homes, the investor also plays a role in poverty abatement.

If the price inflation of food since the 1970s was as great as that of housing in the UK, a chicken in 2015 would sell for £51, a leg of lamb at £53 and six bananas would cost £8.50. Which is not a bad deal for long-time homeowners, but not so good for first-time homebuyers and anyone stuck in the rent trap.

Economists and the country's leading housing advocates echo each other where it comes to the price of housing overall, whether one is able to buy or trying to rent: the increasing share of pocket that goes to shelter is making it much harder for citizens of the UK to pay for fuel, food, other necessities and consumer goods. Further, Government spending on housing benefits are soaring as well, while employers in central London say their wage costs are rising because it has become difficult to find staff able to travel into the city. Because they cannot afford to live there, they must live great distances away from their workplaces.

By every calculation, the cost of housing is a near-pure expression of supply-demand principles. London has historically limited tower height, the greenbelt has restricted sprawl, and brownfield remediation costs have limited building on what sites there are. So without supply to answer a growing population, the price naturally rises.

In response to these housing economics, younger people and employers are moving out of the capital city. The Office for National Statistics reports that 58,000 people in their thirties left London in one year (2012-2013), heading for lower-cost cities that include Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford. A 2014 survey of a network of entrepreneurs, the Supper Club, indicated that 40 per cent say the cost of housing is driving away their best employee prospects; almost half said that housing and transport costs lead them to consider moving their businesses elsewhere.

Those difficulties trickle down to lower-income workers and residents. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which advocates an end poverty and injustice, states that "housing costs constitute the most important and most direct ทาวน์โฮมมือสอง ราคาถูก impact on poverty and material deprivation." Other studies and charities add that the costs of substandard housing lead to fuel poverty while inefficient heating systems add carbon to the atmosphere. Poorly insulated homes cost a greater share of disposable income to those who can least afford it.

How do investors - individuals as well as institutions - make a positive impact on this? By building. By increasing supply and by building better. They construct more efficient homes that provide more options for living, in and outside of London and throughout the country. If the housing stock is more favourable in Manchester, the entrepreneurial class might be more drawn there, set up their shops and grow those local economies - affecting not only their employees but in the ripple-rings around them: shopkeepers, cafés, auto dealers and service personnel, schools, hospitals and leisure activity providers. Each of these things are affected when better housing is available everywhere.

Individual decisions on where to invest are best guided through an independent financial advisor. Their role is to assess the specific investment as well as how it can affect your overall asset accumulation strategies.

How DIY Dream House Construction Works

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the term "DIY"? DIY stands for do-it-yourself; it's an acronym that refers to the use of individual efforts to achieve an objective. DIY is often used for equipment and appliance repair jobs like home and automobile repair, as well as for handicrafts such as DIY bags, accessories, and clothes. DIY is generally used for household chores and handiworks that require little time, effort, and money.

Have you already heard of DIY house construction? Building a miniature dream house out of building blocks is easy, but constructing a real house entails a lot of effort, talent, time, and money. You cannot build your dream mansion with a measly thousand budget, inasmuch as you cannot buy high-quality materials with a penny on hand. You need adequate financing and budget to attain your dream house. An average American cannot afford expensive houses and lots in commercial neighborhoods. Hence, housing companies have devised a way to pull down housing costs. Today, DIY dream house kits enable average Americans to build their dream house with a limited budget.

In DIY house construction, the homeowners themselves are the homebuilders. They plan, implement, and finance their own housing project. They procure DIY home kits from housing companies. DIY home kits contain home blueprint, materials, and equipment for house construction. Homebuilders simply need to follow an assembly guide in instruction manuals. They do not need to hire numerous workers for their house construction; they only need a few to assist in assembling materials.

Moreover, homebuilders can ask for the assistance of engineers when choosing supplementary construction materials. They can choose energy-efficient materials for their DIY home build construction. Through this, homeowners create a lasting investment for their dream home.

Building your house คอนโดมือสอง กรุงเทพ seems like an impossible task for conventional housing techniques. Real estate and commercial housing companies charge a high cost for real estate properties. They profit from amenities in the neighborhood that come with real estate purchase. Nevertheless, in building a DIY dream house, you can get your home for a smaller budget. Furthermore, you have the freedom to choose the location, design, and materials for your home.

How Augmented Pixels Is Helping Real Estate

Tech gurus predict that of all the evolving technologies in 2015, augmented reality and virtual reality are the two trends that will rule the year. Though these trends have found many developers, but only few have come forth in the limelight. Augmented Pixels (AP) is one such name that has made a remarkable growth in this field since its inception. The company provides virtual and augmented reality solutions to its clients and has already bagged names like National Geographic and Jayman in its clientele.

How Buying a Real Estate Property Will Affect Your Taxes

Taxes are considered as one of the highest expenses that a person needs to take during his lifetime. This relates to majority of the reduction in the income that you have received, and is said to be one of the reasons why there are people who are having problems when it comes to building wealth. However, there are financial experts who are saying that buying real estate properties will help you get better tax breaks, and will even make it easier for you to build your wealth. Read on to find out how you can get better taxes with the help of real estate properties.

Tax Breaks

There are states that will encourage you to invest by giving tax breaks to people who are spending on investments such as real estate properties and vehicles. This will help you reduce the tax that is being taken from you, compared to spending your income just like what an average person does. Although it won't give you more spendable cash, you will be able to have more money to invest in real estate, and this will help you build your wealth in the long run. The only thing that you need to do is to be sure that you will be doing the right thing when generating income from it.

Money-Generating Assets

Every real estate property has the ability to generate cash, but you need to know how you can do it in order to get the most out of it. Most people are trying to invest in real estate without knowing about how they can generate income from it, and this is the reason why they are having problems in getting back the money that they have invested. For example, having it rented by another person will be beneficial for you, because you will be able to generate income from it on a monthly ฝากขายทาวน์เฮ้าส์ basis. Aside from this, rent is not charged with taxes, unless you are running a residential building.

Unrealized Income

Aside from the fact that you will be able to generate income on a monthly basis, you will also be able to generate unrealized income from your properties. If you are going to keep your property for 20 years, not only will you be able to generate "untaxed income", but you will also be able to enjoy the appreciation of your property. There are people who were able to buy a house for $50,000, and were able to sell it for $250,000 after a couple of years. Although your income will be taxed after you sold your property, it is not as much as the tax that you will be paying if you are going to generate realized income of the same value.

How Booking Property In Lucknow Can Offer Huge Benefits?

The real estate development has touched the heights in India at a remarkable extent. Lucknow is also one of the prime locations in India in the real estate world. Thus, people are moving forward to get settled down within this city, in case Uttar Pradesh is given a preference. Also, Uttar Pradesh is popular for a huge number of population in India. Thus, the city is liable to offer a numerous of benefits to the real estate builders. With this scenario, the reputed builders emerged with residential and commercial properties equipped with exclusive facilities and amenities.

Reasons behind real estate boom in Lucknow:

A plenty of reasons are responsible for the rise of real estate within the city. The primary reasons are the economic growth and educational institutes. Students all over India get enrolled in the renowned institutes of this place. Moreover, the commercial zones involving shopping complexes are contributing a significant portion in the economic growth. Thus, the residents within the city can get a high source of income by making investments in such commercial areas. Also, the property rates there are affordable against other similar locations.

Since, Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh and the destination for politicians and industrialists. Thus, it enjoys the maximum development in various sectors. The rate of employment is also high because the city is bagging a plethora of tourist places along with the renowned industries. There are also a few international IT industries for which the people are investing in residential property so as to get settled nearby บ้าน มือสอง their firms.

In the upcoming years, the city is expected to have many more developments, thus, booking a property in Lucknow can bring high return of investment. However, the non-residents can explore the best property option with the assistance of an experienced real estate consultant. Some of the firms are also involved in advising the property options. With such resources, an individual can find the residential or commercial unit within their desired budget and preferable location.

Perks of real estate development for Lucknow residents:

With the growing industrialization and economic growth, the builders realized the future prospects of real estate development. Thus, they launched excellent projects for high return of investment and benefits of residents. A range of all these exclusive projects includes Paarth Aadyant, Omega Affordable House, Radhey Krishna Casa Greens Exotica, Azea Botanica, Omaxe Grand and many more. All these projects are not only offering a future saving, but also an international lifestyle to the residents.

People are investing in these projects as they can enjoy a luxury lifestyle with comfortable living. The basic amenities within the building include parking area, excellent connectivity with neighboring cities, electricity supply round the clock, proximity to schools, healthcare centers and shopping complexes. This is not the limit to the benefits that a resident can enjoy, but there are many more advantages. There are a few prime locations like Gomti Nagar, Sitapur Hardoi Road, Sector-6, 7 and many more. Thus, people are looking forward to book a property in Gomti Nagar for best returns.

How Are You Going to Have Your Dream House Built?

First and foremost, remember that a dream house should not only be a house but a place you can call your home. So before envisioning your dream house, make sure it is a place where you really want to settle in with your family.

How Builders Can Add Value to Their Homes With a Fireplace

Flip through any new home magazine and take a look at the pictures of the family or great rooms. What do you find? In almost all cases you'll discover a picture of a beautiful fireplace.

Home buyers want a fireplace and factor this into their home buying decisions. Consumers equate home and family with the comfort that a fireplace offers. The fireplace becomes the focal ทาวน์เฮ้าส์มือสอง point of any room that it is situated in. It not only offers a visual aesthetic but can also be the primary or secondary source of heat for the home. Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said "The Hearth is the Heart of the Home". This stands true today. Research completed by the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association indicates that 85% of new home owners want a fireplace in their home. This is backed up by information from the National Association of Home Buyers that the second most desired amenity in a home is a fireplace. This is second only to outdoor spaces. With today's technology outdoor living can be combined with a fireplace through units that are strictly designed for outdoor living or with units that are available as indoor/outdoor see through models.

Fireplaces will help builders grow their profits. Recent research conducted by Marshall & Swift indicate that the average appraisal value of a home is increased by $3,500 when the home contains a fireplace. Increased appraisal values ranged from $2,900 up to $5,400 and beyond. Ask your local appraisers how they value fireplaces and you'll be pleased with their answers. Consumers also want to personalize their fireplaces and are willing to pay for upgrade options. Profits of 40% to 50% can be achieved on finishing options and add value to the fireplace package the builder is offering. Regardless of the style of home you are building, there is a fireplace to suit that style. Contemporary linear gas fireplaces offer a sleek modern look at one end of the spectrum while a traditional wood burning fireplace offers the smell and ambiance of an age old home heating practice.

Fireplaces provide the builder with a competitive advantage. The builder needs only to compare a picture of their home containing a fireplace to one of their competitors rooms with an empty, stark wall to reinforce the idea that the focal point of any room can be a fantastic fireplace. Direct vent technology used by almost all manufacturers of gas fireplaces meets all Green building requirements and offers an energy efficient option.

A fireplace is just another way for you, the builder, to add value for your clients and put a little more profit in your pocket.

How Buying a Home Will Affect Your Taxes

How buying คอนโดมือสอง กรุงเทพ a home will affect your taxes really depends on your personal situation. If your current income is high and your tax consultant tells you that you need to invest your money so you don't have to pay as much in taxes, buying a home or rental property is one way to do that. There are several items that you may deduct when owning property.

One time deductions include closing costs you paid when purchasing your new property. Closing costs include lender points and fees, appraisal fees, title and escrow fees, processing fees, notary fees, and pro-rated tax payments. If you purchased a property in the tax year, take your final HUD-1 Settlement Statement with you to your tax appointment. Your tax consultant will know what items are deductible.

You may also deduct home mortgage interest and real estate property taxes. If you bought your home early in the year, this deduction will be greater because you would have paid more throughout the year. Your mortgage lender will send you a Form 1098 that will show the interest you paid. It will also show the real estate property taxes you paid if they were paid by your mortgage lender through an escrow account. If you paid the real estate property taxes yourself, keep cancelled checks or receipts as proof of payment.

If you purchased a rental property, you may deduct the above items as well but you will also have to report any rental income you received throughout the year. In addition, rental properties allow for a depreciation deduction over a certain amount of years. If you manage the property yourself, you can deduct travel time and office space related to your rental. If you hire people to take care of this for you, those costs are tax deductible.

If you have spent money to fix up your rental units, these costs are tax deductible. Keep track of all your spending and save a complete record of these items in case you are audited. Home improvements on your primary home are usually not deductible.

Homeowner's insurance is not deductible unless you use part of your home for your business or you have a rental property. The full amounts may not be tax deductible so you need to check with your tax consultant.

Recently, the federal government has approved additional tax benefits for new homeowners. Again, check with your tax consultant to see if you qualified for any additional new homeowner tax benefits.

Once you have prepared your income taxes using these deductions, you may notice that your monthly mortgage payment is actually less if you receive a refund after filing your taxes. Take you total cost of owning your home, subtract your refund, and divide by 12 to come up with your actual monthly payment.

How Are Real Estate Agents Compensated?

It seems like everyone has a license to sell real estate these days. Realtors are like superheroes. They may be a teacher during the day and a real estate agent on nights and weekends. If you've ever thought about going into the real estate business, you've probably wondered how realtors are compensated for their work. Realtors are paid a commission or a percentage of the selling price. However, the commission is split is various ways. In this article, we'll examine a few of these splits including a broker/agent split, 100% commission, and referral splits.

First, some agents split the commission with a broker. The broker is the manager of a real estate office. Real estate agents work for these brokers. They may work in the office or from their own home, but they ultimately answer to the broker, who is in turn responsible for the service. The percentage of the split is determined by a couple of factors. While some brokers and agents split the percentage 50/50, others split it differently. The amount of the assistance provided by the broker and the amount of business brought in by the real estate agent are two factors that help establish the percentage of the split. An example of the broker/agent split is as follows: if the commission earned is $10,000, and the broker and agent agree to a 50/50 split, the real estate agent takes home $5,000.

Another compensation method is the case where 100% commission is paid to the agent. This method sounds pretty good, right? Well, often times, the agent pays a monthly fee to an office in order to have the office or company vouching for their name. Having an office or "brand name" backing the agent helps generate business for the agent. The monthly fee can be high, but agents are willing to pay the fee in order to collect the full commission. In this scenario, the costs are capped, but the earning potential and income has no limits. Generally, this method of compensation doesn't work as well for new agents, as they บ้านมือสอง can't generate enough work worth the fee. For example, a seasoned agent may have to pay $1000 per month to an office, but if they make the $10,000 commission in that month, they are up $9,000 for the month. They take home $9,000 instead of the $5,000 they acquire in the broker/agent split. However, if they don't make any sales in the month, they are down $1000 in this scenario. However, in the broker/agent split, this same new agent wouldn't be out any money for not making a sale.

Finally, some agents are compensated based on referrals. In this scenario, an agent (Agent A) refers a seller or buyer to another agent (Agent B) in another state, for instance. Agent A may charge a 25% referral fee. If the sale happens for Agent B, and Agent B receives the $10,000 commission, Agent A would receive $2,500. Agent A's referral fee comes right off the top of the commission. Agent B would then either split the difference with his broker (in the broker/agent split), or he would take 100% of the balance (after paying his monthly office fees), if this agent works under the 100% commission method of compensation.

As you can see, real estate agents are compensated for their efforts by receiving a percentage or commission of the selling price of the home. Three methods of compensation include the broker/agent split, the 100% commission, and the referral fee. When determining if the real estate business is for you, it is worth thoroughly investigating the compensation methods when determining which method provides the best fit for your individual needs.

How An Open House Can Help New House Builders Be As Successful As Possible

With less and less people looking to build their own homes, it is becoming increasingly difficult for new house builders to find and attract clients. This problem is especially prevalent amongst builders who are just starting out in the industry. One of the best ways to attract new clients and to encourage them to sign up is by constructing a house (a display one of sorts) and inviting people to come and take a look.

The first thing that you need to do is build the house. Make sure that you choose a location that is fairly easy to get to and that is in an area similar to that which you work in. Once the construction has finished, you will need to decorate the house just as you would if you were going to live in it. This includes painting the walls, installing working light fixtures and hanging curtains or blinds. It is also a good idea to rent some furniture that you can place in each room, as this will make it easier for potential clients to envision themselves living there.

The next thing you will need to do is think about the best ways to advertise your display home. Many new house builders find that advertising on television, in the local newspaper and on billboards is the best way to attract ขายบ้าน clients. Simply having signs or flags up out the front (especially if the house is located on a main road) could be all you need to attract some much needed clients. You must also ensure that the house is manned by a builder whenever it is open. They should be able to answer questions and sign people up on the spot.

There are also a number of ways that you can use your display home to your advantage. Utilize the space as your primary offices, for example, so that you don't have to rent out additional space. You will just have to make sure that the house is always clean in case clients pop in for a visit. Once you have finished with the display home or have decided to move onto bigger and better things, you could even sell it to a willing buyer.

Whilst you will certainly be out of pocket when you first construct this display home, it is important to keep in mind the bigger picture - that you are trying to get new clients to sign up. For a new house builder that is struggling to get some clientele, this could be just the solution that you have been looking for. By making the display home a comfortable oasis, you are showing potential clients just how great your work really is.

Houston Is the Next Hot Market for Foreigners Looking for Mega Mansions

For years, New York City, London, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Miami and San Francisco have been the target cities for foreign investors, looking to park their assets in safe markets away from corrupt governments. Most of these investors are coming from China, Russia and South America and they are looking for expensive residential real estate. This inward movement of outside investment has caused home values in these markets to explode to the high side, driving up values to unbelievable levels as high as $3000. per square foot.

How A Property Management Company Helps With Quality Renters

One of the toughest parts of being a property investor is finding an outstanding tenant to fill your vacancy. What makes an outstanding tenant? The two most important things are that the tenant pays their rent on time and cares for the property as if it were their own.

Housing by Increments: A Great Pay-As-You-Go Solution

Buying an existing home or building a new one is an expensive proposition, but if you're willing to take an unconventional approach, you can build your own home by increments and spread the cost out over a period of years, possibly saving yourself a mortgage.

The first step is finding and purchasing a piece of property. You need to have the property inspected and judged acceptable for sewage or a septic system and availability to water and other utilities, and to make sure the land is zoned for residential use. Make sure you get all the building permits and other documentation you need, and then plan your home.

You might want to look at plans for homes, for sale in bookstores and through a number of magazines, or you might want to design your own home. Think of ways you can build your home in stages, making sure that the home is habitable at an early stage of building. One young couple decided to build a conventional stick-built home, but finished off the basement area first and capped it, then lived in the cellar while building the rest of the house.

There are companies in existence that offer modular homes built largely in a factory and then assembled on-site [http://www.shelter-kit.com/lofthouse.html]. Some of ฝากขายบ้าน these are created in segments which can either stand alone or be pieced together either all at once or over a period of time. The manufacturers will be able to give you valuable advice on how best to proceed.

Make sure that the most necessary parts of your home are built first. If necessary, you can live essentially in one room that serves as kitchen, living room and bedroom-renters of efficiency apartments do it all the time-but unless you want to live really roughly and use an outhouse (not a pleasant thought!) one of your first priorities should be to build a fully functional bathroom.

Also make sure that, even though you plan to add on to your home in increments, you plan the entire structure of the home up front. You may decide that you will add on a laundry room in two years, for instance; you will want to have the plans for that laundry room now, so that expensive plumbing and electrical work will be done in the most efficient manner possible. This generally means clustering rooms that need a water supply close together to minimize the material needed.

Building your home over a period of years by using your own money or by accessing short-term unsecured personal loans, or a combination of the two, will allow you to own your home outright immediately and save you many thousands of dollars over your lifetime. If you're willing to be patient and live unconventionally for a while, it's a great option.

Houston: Property Listings

Houston is the fourth largest metro area in the Nation and it's no surprise why it is such a popular place to live. With a year round sunny climate and a host of rich cultural activities that include art, entertainment and fine dining, this is the area to be in. Few areas are as attractive as this one appealing both to families and the single sets.

The housing market is Houston is not robust as it once was but for the smart home investor who is looking for a deal and a long term investment this is the ideal time to buy. Current home sales in Houston are ten percent slower than they were this time last year but the homes that are selling are going for 12% more than they went for last year. The medium price for a home in Houston is hovering around $200,700 and the options are as limitless as Houston itself is. If you're considering buying this is the edge of the market to buy in while the deals are still plentiful and the investments are ready to start going back up in value.

There is a long list of neighborhoods in Houston, all of which come with their own personalities and vibe and can offer a wide array of lifestyle choices depending on what you are looking for. From single family homes and multi family homes to townhouses, lofts, high-rises, and condos the variety and choices are limitless.

One of the active areas right now that is still accessible is the historic downtown district. With easy access to shops, clubs and dining the downtown area is bustling with renewed energy and activity. A quick search shows that a spacious loft offers more than just a place to sleep at night. Lofts have become the place to go for those who want to play from the comfort of their own homes. Lofts can offer the chance to entertain on the rooftop while enjoying ฝากขายที่ดิน the Houston skyline and the rooftop pool and are a sought after commodity. The loft spaces themselves are a cool mixture of modern and historic giving a fun vibe to young families or fun loving singles. These areas are fun to decorate because space is not minimized and high ceilings give the feel of space all around you.

For the more traditional home buyers the market has a wide array of homes from historic fixer uppers that have been restored or await restoration to the never lived in custom built homes that await owners. If you're looking for a quiet neighborhood to restore an older home in or a more active new neighborhood to begin a family in, it's all there. Whatever lifestyle you are looking for it's there waiting for you to discover it.

Housing Market in Scotland Still Down in the Dumps

The property market in Scotland is still very gloomy, judging by recent statistics. Over the summer the number of house sales recorded was down to half the number sold in 2007 and 2008, just before the recession gripped the whole of the UK.

Housing Options in London

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London doesn't quite have the crunched space that Manhattan has, but it certainly has its high prices. Most people who reside in this fabulous city cannot afford to live in houses the way they might be able to in other metropolises. Millionaires live in flats and thirty-five year old working professionals live in house shares.

So what are your housing options, realistically, if you choose to live in London? Well it depends on where in the city you want to live for starters. If you want to live central, ie. from Gloucester Road to Covent Garden you're going to be paying the big bucks. Unfortunately the same is true for the nicer parts of North London, like Hampstead, as well as East London. The sad reality is that even the grungier areas of London, that are now deemed as cool and trendy are becoming really expensive.

If you are single and looking for a good deal on rent then you're probably best off looking out for a houseshare. The more people there are in the house, the cheaper your portion will be. Another advantage of sharing a house with a few people is that you get to meet new friends, and you have access to all of the niceties that come with living in a house (as opposed to a flat), like a garden, stairs, a front porch and more.

If you don't mind upping your budget a little bit and really would prefer to live on your own, then you're going to be looking at studio and one-bedroom flats. These can be really expensive and are often cramped for space, but you can find some beautiful, small flats in London that will suit your needs without totally breaking your bank. If one-beds are too much, then maybe find a friend with a similar budget and get a two bedroom to share. This will save on costs and give you a bit more room to spread out in.

If you are a family and cost is no object, well then there are some fabulous, tall and classic homes all over London that you'll love. Of course you still have to decide what your priorities are - big home and big garden, but not so central, or being in the heart of the city but foregoing the luxury of a big garden with trees, flowers and maybe even a swimming pool.

Life is all about compromise. If you want to live in London, you'll have to pay the price.

Houses For Sale by Auction

If you want to invest in property at a bargain price, the houses for sale by auction could be the option for you. Many auctions draw the interest of property investment professionals, so it's important to search around and be aware of all the auctions that are happening near you. You can find out about property auctions through your local real estate office.

Houses For Sale: More Than Just Your Ordinary Shopping Expedition

Some people believe that house hunting is pretty much like shopping for new clothes. In some respect, it is. But there is much more to looking at houses for sale than meets the eye.

Unlike when you are on a shopping expedition for the latest trends, when looking for a home, you need to know what exactly it is you want. You can't just approach a realtor and say you're out to buy a home without giving any specifications with regards to the budget or the style or location. That will take you forever to find one you can settle down with.

And then, there's the fact that the price ranges you are dealing with are not exactly ones you can pay within a few months. A 2 bedroom, 1 bath house today retails at around $70,000 while a family home in the suburbs can come close to $500,000 to a million. Sure, there are clothes and accessories that somewhat match these prices. But then again, there is that third distinction of permanence.

When you buy a home, it's meant to be forever, or at least a good ten to fifteen years until your family grows or diminishes. Outfits, shoes, purses get old within a year. And at most, they can be useful for three. This makes the task of looking at houses for sale and selecting one all the more challenging. You don't just pick the flavor of the week. You have to settle with what you believe you can love through the rest of your life.

Finally, when you buy a house, you don't just consider yourself; especially when you're married คอนโดมือสอง กรุงเทพ or starting a family. You also think about what your partner will like and need, and if the space is enough for your children to enjoy. You also have to factor in your pets, if you have any, and if they are safe to roam in the premises. And of course, you have to weigh the viability of a property according to its affinity to important facilities like schools, super markets, parks, hospitals and police stations. These are not things you consider when shopping at Macy's or Neiman Marcus.

Which brings us to an essential part of getting homes. How do you start looking for one? Unlike clothes and shoes, there is no one-stop-depot for all your home shopping needs. So where do you begin exactly? Well, for starters, you could go online and Google houses for sale in certain areas. The more specific you are, the more likely search results will match your needs. You could also look at listings in magazines and newspapers to expand your selection. And then you could ask friends and family about real estate agent referrals so they could help you out in the search.

In spite of being slightly more complicated than shopping, looking and purchasing homes don't necessarily have to aggravate you. If you use the right tools, contacts and channels, it could take as short as a week before you finally land for yourself that dream abode.

Houses in Arkansas Without a Credit rating Check

Arkansas is a place that sticks out from all other states because of the fascinating location. It remains in the southern region of the United States where you will locate the Ouachita Hills. The eastern side of it is adorned by the Mississippi River.

Houses in Thornhill, ON

Whether you are a first time home buyer or looking for a second vacation house or estate, purchasing a property is an important decision that needs to be thoroughly contemplated and researched before arriving at a conclusion. Buying a house or a property within your estimated budget is another crucial aspect to consider along ทาวน์โฮมมือสอง กรุงเทพ with the location and surroundings of the area.

Location is one of the most important aspects that need to be considered before buying a home. The Thornhill community of the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada is one of the most beautiful and divine locations one can find for getting a residence at. It is located at the Northern border of the city of Toronto and spreads across the town of Markham and the city of Vaughan. Thornhill is among the premiere residence locations of Canada that has an extensive offering of plush and comfortable houses and condos along with grand Thornhill estates.

Incorporating new and innovative expansion plans, the small township of Thornhill has reshaped itself into a vast and thriving community that has some of the best in contemporary and vital amenities such as schools, healthcare and basic infrastructure. Its robust residential market has a huge range of Thornhill houses and estates on offer. You can also find a number of great Thornhill townhouses that have a rather appealing outlook. Some of them are newer too.

Most of Thornhill houses have been built 25-30 years ago while some townhouses and custom build homes are much younger - somewhere between 10 to 15 years old (as of 2011). When buying a house factors such as distance from children's school or shopping complexes also be kept under consideration. Thornhill not only has a great schooling system comprising of highly rated by Fraser Institute various public and private schools but also has a number of illustrious shopping places such as the Promenade mall.

When it comes to houses for sale Thornhill has an enticing range of properties including condos and new condo Thornhill that offer the very best in modern and comfortable living. The entire neighborhood of Thornhill is quite safe and secure, making it among the few best places to start a family. No matter what type of property you may be considering to buy, just make sure to go over the history and legalities of the property beforehand with a reputable real estate broker.

Houses For Sale: The Downsides Of Getting Your Very Own Property

Real estate agents can't tell you enough of the advantages of having your own home. But if you are to make a satisfying home purchase, you need to be aware of the cons as well as the pros of buying houses for sale today. That way, you can realistically gauge your readiness for the prospect as well as protect your interest.

First of all, buying a house is a commitment. You can't just decide one day to move, unlike when you คอนโด ราคาถูก are renting. When you have a home, you have to deal with the stress of packing and selling when you are bound for another state or country. And if you are in a hurry to scrounge up the finances, you might have to settle at a lower price than what you initially paid the house for. Sure, it lends you a sense of control and freedom. But then again, it takes away as it gives away. So unless you are convinced that you have nowhere else to go in the next fifteen to thirty years, you should hold back on getting your own abode.

Secondly, you actually have to spend more for a house than just the asking price. If in case your realtor has not emphasized it to you enough, second hand homes come with a number problems. If you don't inspect enough, you might just end up with one that has broken pipelines, worn out walls, ceilings and roofing, as well as problematic HVAC systems. That's an additional five thousand dollars or more in maintenance fees on your pocket. And then you have to think about the succeeding months and years. You can't possibly assume everything will be as great from the day you bought it to forever. When you're renting, you don't have to worry about these things. Then, there is also that added burden of property tax which you have to honor every year, so long as you have an asset. And that is something that increases through the years, which brings us to the third disadvantage.

With a house, you can't act according to your whims. You are in a financial bind long-term so taking expensive vacations and buying extravagant possessions may not be a viable option for a number of years. On top of that, you may have to exercise more accountability when it comes to your finances; perhaps, even take on a bigger paying job just to keep up with the possible future expenses.

Finally, there is that risk of being asked for more than what the home is actually worth. If you are not mindful enough to get the residence you're considering appraised, you might end up getting duped by both your realtor and the seller. And with the mortgage interest rates, you actually end up paying more than three times for it before everything is resolved.

Don't get this wrong; owning your very own home is a smart move if you are ready for everything else that comes along with it. But until such time comes, you might want to steer clear of buying houses for sale.

Houses To Purchase - Find What You Want, Where and When You Want It

With the internet today, finding houses to purchase is easy. It can also be an efficient, objective method of locating a possible property to purchase particularly if you are the type to let your emotions rule your judgement.

There are many online websites that allow you to target a particular area, property type, price range, number of rooms etc. all across a number of different estate agents. It's kind of like eBay for houses.

It's important to remember that before you even start looking for a house to buy that the basic rules property buying apply. Rules such as:

- know your budget (make sure you include agent fees, legal fees, taxes... everything) - get pre-loan approval - list out your house requirements (number of rooms, location etc.)

An unwritten rule, that many experienced in looking for houses to purchase follow, is to do with your mindset. You need to be unemotional and think at the time that you are 'buying a house' and not a home. Master negotiators know their bottom line as well as their top limit and don't get swayed in spending any more and as a bonus have a steely resolve that can quite often result in getting the property for less.

If you have a property to sell before you buy another, and I've said this many times before, you need to focus on selling your house first before you even contemplate buying or even looking at another. There are both practical and emotional reasons for this.

For practical purposes it confirms your budget which helps to narrow your search and put you in the best negotiating position when looking at houses to purchase. In an emotional sense the benefits are even greater. It's almost heartbreaking to watch a family who has committed to buying a new property, trying desperately to get the price they need when selling their old home.

A good old-fashioned way to search คอนโดมือสอง กรุงเทพ for a property is to get in the car and drive around the neighbourhood where you want to live, look in the windows of real estate agents for properties you would like to buy and (for something different) visualize living in the area. But remember this should only be done once you have sorted out your budget. The last thing you want to do is fall in love with a house and over extend yourself.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, finding houses to purchase is efficiently done today on the internet. And Google has made changes to how it presents information that can make things quicker for you and it's called Google Places.

So how can you use this to your advantage AND get a team of people searching for a house for you?

By simply typing in something like "estate agent in Pomona", Google will now bring up as the top listings real estate agents for that area. Most good agents will now allow you to register your property requirements with them and they will automatically email you matching listings as soon as they come on the market.

To re-count, know your budget, get finance approval (if needed), list what you want in a house, develop the right mindset and then hit the internet for houses to purchase!

Houses for Sale in Ontario Canada

A house is a structure primarily used for habitation by humans being symbolic of the idea of sanctuary and protection. Anyone who buys a house dreams of it being their 'Dream Home'. Since a house represents in a way all that the person has worked for in his life, it is only natural that they should want the experience to be one of the most-unique and rewarding ones of their life.