Mortgage Mates Property Pals And Home Buying Friends

At some point we've all played the ?wouldn't it be nice to live there? game, where we press our noses up to the estate agents window like hungry children eyeing up the cakes in a bakery, wishing we could afford the homes that are way too expensive for us. We all have aspirations far beyond our wallets from time to time, but more and more first time buyers are finding that they simply cannot afford to buy anywhere as property prices in the UK have rocketed to such levels that the first step onto the ladder has begun to look more like an impossible leap.

Now a new breed of buyer has begun to emerge, or maybe I should say ?evolve?, because that?s what happens when nature finds a way around a problem, who have decided to tackle the issue of affordability head on, they are the co-buyers. If you?ve not been near your TV, radio or favorite newspaper recently you?d be excused for not having heard of this home buying movement. Put simply, co-buying is where two or more people buy a property together to join funds, divide of all the costs, and afford to buy years sooner than they could have done alone. Nothing new there, as friends and family have been doing that for an age now, what is new is the rise in the popularity of searching for your ideal mortgage mate on the internet.

Richard Cohn, Founding Director of Shared Spaces Limited, introduced us to the concept of co-buying with www.sharedspaces.co.uk, launched in December 2005. He explains, ?I flat shared for years before buying, and made some great friends along the way, and it was during this time that I came to the conclusion that was to lead to the creation of SharedSpaces. If you can flat-share with complete strangers with great success, why can?t people take it to the next level and buy together??

Of course there is more to it than just that because buying is a far bigger financial commitment than renting, but Cohn suggests that with the correct legal framework (a document called a ?Deed of Trust? that costs only a few hundred pounds from any solicitor that protects your legal rights and provides a roadmap for the relationship), mortgage payment protection insurance (to protect you and your co-owners from hardship should you loose your jobs or are unable to work due to illness), and time (as much time as you need to get to know your potential co-buyer well enough to call them a friend or a business partner in the process), there is no reason why you cannot have a successful co-buying experience.

SharedSpaces.co.uk has over 2,500 registered members across the UK looking for someone else to buy a property with, joined by a common goal, to fight the affordability gap. Whether you are a key worker or a city high flyer if you?re looking for a mortgage mate, a property pal or a future friend to buy your first home with there seems to be plenty of people to choose from. I don?t know whether co-buying solves the long term problem of property prices rising faster than salaries, but it sure does seem to offer an option for those who have been left behind.

Benefits of Los Angeles Flat Fee Realtors

Every day, a number of Los Angeles residents considered placing their home for sale on the market. If you are one of those individuals, you have a number of options when it comes to selling your home. Out of all of the options available, using a professional realtor is often viewed as the most popular option available.

If you are in the process of selecting a Los Angeles realtor to do business with, it is likely that you may be concerned with the cost of obtaining assistance. A large number of homeowners are concerned with the cost of a real estate agent. If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, you should not have to worry about the high costs associated with using a real estate agent. This is because it is possible to find a low-cost flat fee realtor. Los Angeles has a select number of low-cost realtors; all you have to do is find them.

Before finding a flat fee realtor, it is important to understand how most flat fee realtors operate. When a realtor charges their clients for their services used, many real estate agents charge commission or a flat fee. Commission based realtors are paid a specific amount of money that is determined after the sale of your home. Flat fee realtors are often paid after the sale of your home, but their fees are usually decided up front.

One of the many advantages of using a flat fee realtor is that you will know ahead of time how much you will be required to a pay a realtor. In addition to having an exact dollar amount before the sale of your home, a large number of home owners can save money by using a flat fee realtor. This is because most realtors will charge the homeowners the same amount of money, no matter what their home ends up selling for.

If you are the owner of an expensive home, you are encouraged to use the services of a flat fee realtor. Los Angeles residents, with homes that are expected to sell for a large amount of money, can retain a higher profit from the sale of their home with a flat fee realtor. Los Angeles residents have been making money this way for years now. If you are interested in doing the same, you need to find a low-cost flat fee realtor today.

When it comes to finding a flat fee realtor, Los Angeles residents have a number of options. You can easily compare the flat fees charged by a number of Los Angeles realtors online. Most Los Angeles realtors have online websites. These online websites can and should be used to find a low-cost realtor. If you are interested in finding the lowest costing realtor, you are encouraged to compare prices on your own. What you view as low-cost, another individual may not. That is why it is important to do your own research instead of relying directly on recommendations from others.

Once you have found a low-cost flat fee realtor that meets your expectations, you are encouraged to consider retaining their services. Selling your home can be a difficult and sometimes complicated task. Eliminate the unnecessary time spent marketing your home to buyers that aren?t even interested. Let a flat fee Los Angeles realtor do all of the work for you.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding Los Angeles Flat Fee Realtor

Real Estate Contracts

A real estate contract is for the purchase or sale, exchange, or other trade of real estate between two or more individuals or parties. Real estate, also called leasehold estate, is essentially a rental of real property, and rental contracts cover rentals, since they normally do not result in recordable deeds. Freehold trade of real estate that are generally more permanent, are dealt with by real estate contracts, and they include dealings in the title fees, life estates, remainder estates and freehold property. Real estate contracts are usually bilateral contracts, where terms are agreed upon mutually by both parties and should have the legal prerequisites specified by the contract law in writing.

Any real estate contract must have certain details well written to avoid further misconception and misunderstanding. These details include a proper identification of both parties between whom the exchange of real estate property will take place. A clear description of the both parties is required as well, as their intentions for the deal. A clear description of the real estate property must be made in the contract, including the address of the estate and other details as agreed upon by both parties. The price that the estate is being sold to the buyer and the terms of payment must also be clearly quoted to avoid misinterpretations. The signatures of both parties are mandatory on the contract, but it must be noted that this is voluntary, and no one can be forced to sign a contract.

There has to be a mutual agreement on all terms of the contract by both parties in the contract, which is monitored by the lawyer under whose supervision the contract is made.

Contracts provides detailed information on Contracts, Business Contracts, Legal Contracts, Employment Contracts and more. Contracts is affiliated with Divorce Legal Forms.

Make a Few Changes in Your Real Estate Business Model & Create a Quantum Leap in Your Closing Ratio

Real Estate Professionals-Embrace Change as an Opportunity

Did you realize that new technology is making it possible for you to do business at a level of sophistication, impossible to reach in just a few years ago?

To get an idea of how much more value you could be providing for your clients, please ask yourself the following questions:

• What would happen to my business if I could find a way to have more control over the loan process and see it through to completion each and every time and never miss a loan commitment deadline or closing?
• What if, by the virtue of creating a strategic alliance with a team, I could close more sales and increase my income?
• What if, I could have control over how mortgages are priced for my clients?
• What if, I could also get quality referrals from some of those clients that I am not closing now and get more referrals from my present clientele, because they were even more satisfied with my service?
• Working with your team would be like having my own Mortgage Company just as some Real Estate Companies and Managing Brokers already have, but without the hassles and added expense they experience?

Here is what one of our Strategic Alliance?s client had to say: I have chosen to take on the mortgage business as a serious part of my real estate business for a few reasons. I have worked with Steve Toth in the past and trust his ability and judgment. I can see the financial potential of offering mortgages to my clients who already trust in me and depend on my services. Having control over such an important part of a real estate transaction gives me a lot more confidence -Jared Faris-Realtor Keller Williams Realty

• What if, you could work with industry leading mortgage professionals using a consultative and solution oriented process to ensure that you and your clients are comfortable with the entire process from initial pre-qualification to the closing and servicing of their loan?
• What if, your team was a direct lender, offering enhanced control over the various stages of the mortgage process and maintained on-site control of Processing, Underwriting, Document Preparation and Funding?
• What if, your team understood that not every borrower fits into the traditional banker?s box and they had a keen focus on alternative loan products and help you convert more of your existing prospects into clients and closed transactions?

Do you know what the biggest obstacle is for people when it comes to change? Attitude, I find that people who have an attitudes of acceptance and excitement when it comes to change deal with it best, and become the most effective at making life and business work for them. Does your current business model reflect your excitement and acceptance of change in our industry? Or does your business model say to you, I still live in the past? To find out more about this exceptional business opportunity, the GUARANTEES we offer-?WE?LL GUARANTEE YOUR COMMISSION? and the possibility of creating a strategic alliance with our team, visit our Web-site here.

Mr. Toth has over eight years of residential, commercial and investment banking experience.

He started the Real Estate and Mortgage Focus Radio Show in early 2004 on 630KHOW Denver's Talk Station to educate the public about real estate, finance and coaching. He became known as a real estate and finance area expert and someone who networks at a high level within the industry.

In 2006 Steve M Toth, ?The Mortgage Guy?-Radio Show Host on Live365 expanded the ?Real Estate and Mortgage Focus?? Radio Show Program into a national show on Live365- the World?s Largest National Internet Radio Network.

In 2003 he started a coaching practice called Real-Coaching? to provide coaching programs and consulting services that dramatically enhance individual and team performance in the areas of Sales, Motivation, Leadership, Teamwork, Communication and Life Balance Management Skills for Realtors, Investors and Mortgage Professionals.

A Guide to Real Estate Investing: Know Your Strategy

Investing in real estate can be scary and challenging. There are all kinds of questions - How do you know if and when it is the right time to purchase? What should you purchase? How should you finance it? What type of investment is right for your overall goals and strategy? As a real estate investor in Atlanta, I have found that although there are a lot of questions, the answers are fairly easy when you use common sense, evaluate your strengths, and know what you want.

The first question you should ask yourself is ? why do you want to invest? For some it is to replace their income from a job. For others it is for retirement. Some just like to have a project and make a little money.

We have found that when helping other real estate investors, our first goal is to help them figure out the why and then help them determine the what. For example, if you need money today to replace the income you get from a job, then you need to produce income today through Quick Turning a property.

Quick Turning is purchasing a property at a depressed value, adding value to the property and then selling it at a profit. This is a great strategy and requires knowledge of the market to make sure that you are purchasing it correctly and then also some skill in determining how to maximize the return by strategically adding the value to your investment.

If having money for your future retirement is more what you are looking for ? a Buy & Hold strategy might work best for you. With this type of investment, you are looking for results in the future, so you want to find an investment that you can rent out for more than the mortgage payment so that you have some cash flow. Over time, you will pay down the mortgage and the cash flow will increase giving you greater income in the future.

Both strategies have merit and typically we recommend that every investor have some of both types to round out their real estate portfolio. Once you determine what type of investment you need, then evaluating a property against your overall strategy will help you determine which property is a good purchase for you.

Anne Lackey is a real estate investor in Atlanta and works with The REI Team at Solid Source Realty, Inc. http://www.theREIteam.com. She frequently helps other investors in their pursuit of financial freedom. In addition, she is the President of Solid Source Property Management, Inc. and helps investors manage their investments so that they can focus on acquiring wealth and not on the day to day management. She can be contacted at anne@solidsourcepm.com.

Buying Overseas Property ? Why You Should Consider Central Pacific Coast Costa Rica

The central pacific coast in Costa Rica continues to be a popular choice for both buyers of overseas property, for both investment and pleasure.

Here we will give you an idea of the region and its potential for capital growth, some examples of growth achieved and why it will remain popular.

Playing it safe with overseas property

If you want an established area for buying overseas property, that offers fantastic potential returns on your investment, then this region offers you just that, without the risk of buying an up and coming region or country.

The Region

The Central Pacific is a narrow coastal strip surrounded by the jungle and the mountains of the Cordillera de Tamalmanca and spectacular beaches.

Here are just three destinations in the region that property purchases in or near, can on past performance give you a great lifestyle as well as great investment returns.

Jac?

Jac? sits to the north and has long been a major destination in terms of Costa Rican tourism it is extremely close to the capital San Jos? making is just 30 minutes from San Jos?, and about 7 south of the stunning wildlife reserve, Reserva Biol?gica Carara.

The town boasts fantastic hotels and an exciting nightlife. The town is a mix of older holiday makers and a young vibrant surfing crowd.

The famous Los Suenos Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, at Playa Herradura, offers ta 250 birth marina an 18-hole championship golf course, and stunning beachfront views.

Capital Growth potential

The Los Suenos Resort for example can show the potential of buying overseas property in the region. The hotel pre sold 50 condos of 2000 square feet for $250,000. The next year another fifty were sold at $350,000.

This years upper end units are being sold between $450,000 to $850,000 and there is a waiting list!

For another example, Investors that purchased $30,000 of property in Jaco 15 years ago are now worth up to $750,000. The region remains popular and further capital gains look like being made by investors over the coming years.

Quepos

About 7 kilometers up the coast from Manuel Antonio, is the sport fishing hot-spot, Quepos and is considered one of the best destinations for sport fishing in the world and is also a magnet for surfers.

South of Quepos, the spectacular beaches of Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio present some of the country's most breathtaking ocean views.

A silvery white sand beach, with an expansive coral reef, backed by a rain forest, the four beaches of Manuel Antonio offer travelers beach, surf and natural beauty.

You can scuba dive, fish, surf, hike, turtle-watch or simply laze around and take in the atmosphere.

Dominical

A small fishing community beside the mouth of the R?o Bar? is now one of Costa Rica's major surfing destinations and is a vibrant fun place to be.

Around 5 miles north of Dominical are the Nauyaca Falls, a popular destination for travelers. The falls are composed of two cascades, plunging around 200 feet into a relaxing warm-water pool and are just two hours away.

While the Central Pacific is well known for several of its most popular beaches, this region has a host of small, secluded shores, un spoilt by the area's buoyant tourist industry.

Capital gains and lifestyle

When buying overseas property many people look at new areas to buy, however established areas that are popular can still be very lucrative and offer high potential rewards with low risk.

Keep in mind!

Many people buying property overseas want natural beauty, but they also want comfort, entertainment and good access.

This region has all of the above, look at it more closely and consider the advantages of buying overseas property here and you may be glad you did.

FREE REPORT AVAILIBLE!

On investing in property in the region for lifestyle or capital gains potential and for vidoes and other facts about Costa Rica as a place to invest and live visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com

Save Money with a Los Angeles Discount Realtor

Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to relocate their family. This relocation often takes them to a different city or even a different state. If you are interested in relocating your family, you may be also interested in selling your home.

If and when you make the decision to sell your home, you need to consider all of your options. Those options are likely to include using the services of a realtor or selling your home privately. Privately sold homes are often referred to as for sale by owner homes. Many individuals feel that they would retain a larger profit from selling their own home; however, this has been found to be untrue in many cases.

There are a number of reasons why using a realtor to sell your home is more profitable than doing it on your own. Perhaps, the most obvious reason is the amount of experience that most realtors have. Before becoming a real estate agent, many realtors are required to undergo extensive training. This training often includes appraising a home, assisting potential buyers, marketing the homes available for sale, and much more. Most homeowners are inexperienced in these real estate fields.

If you are interested in using the services of a real estate agent, but you are concerned with the cost of doing so, you do not have to worry. There are a large number of low-cost realtors in the Los Angeles area. With a little bit of time and research, you could find the perfect discount realtor. Los Angeles residents have a number of different choices when it comes to finding a discount realtor.

If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, you can use your local phone book or the internet to find a number of realtors. Printed and online phone books do not classify real estate agents by their fees. This means that you may have to contact each discount realtor. Los Angeles residents are encouraged to use this contact to compare the fees associated with using a particular realtor. If you are interested in finding a low-cost realtor, you can compare prices to find the best deal.

In addition to using a local phone book and online phone books, you can also perform a standard internet search. This search is likely to produce a large number of online websites for discount realtors in the Los Angeles area. You are encouraged to fully examine the website of each discount realtor. Los Angeles residents, in addition to reviewing a realtor?s online website, may also want to establish direct contact. This contact will give you the opportunity to decide whether or not a particular realtor will meet your expectations.

Trying to find a discount realtor may seem like a difficult task. Unfortunately, a large number of realtors charge more for their services than they should. With a little bit of time and research, you could be on your way to saving money with a discount realtor.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding Los Angeles Discount Realtor.

Real Estate Broker License

One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples' lives is the purchase or sale of a home or property. Because of this complexity, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate.

Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent's sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others. They also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers during which the details of the transactions are agreed on and the new owners take possession of the property.

In every state, real estate brokers and sales agents must possess a license. Prospective agents must be high school graduates, at least 18 years of age, and pass a written test. The examination, which is more comprehensive for brokers than for agents, includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most states require candidates for the general sales license to complete between 30 and 90 hours of classroom instruction. In order to qualify for a broker?s license, sixty to ninety hours of training and up to three years of experience are required. Some states waive the experience requirements for the broker's license for applicants who have a bachelor's degree in Real Estate. State licenses typically must be renewed every one or two years. Although a re-examination might not be required, many states require continuing education for license renewals.

Persons who have received their broker's license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and those familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. This field has seen an upsurge with the rising property prices ? on average, over 3000 real estate broker licenses are approved each month.

Real Estate Licenses provides detailed information on Real Estate Licenses, Real Estate Broker License, How To Get A Real Estate License, Real Estate License Online and more. Real Estate Licenses is affiliated with Las Vegas Real Estate Agents.

Panama Real Estate Market

Panama has been the center of attention of late for not only its growing tourism sector and international banking hub, but most notably its real estate boom. Panama is in the midst of a real estate gold rush right now, and it seems like everyone and their cousin is out panning.

Today?s Panamanian economy is growing more than 6% annually with the possibility of exceeding 7% in 2006 according to The Latin Business Chronicle (9-19-2006). Additionally, the IMF has said that Panama is set to grow more than any other country in Latin America next year. With speculations like these, it becomes clear why people, the world over, are migrating to Panama to invest their money.

Arrive today in Panama and you?ll see masses of cranes in use, building projects in the heart of Panama City as well as along the coast. Donald Trump recently decided to get in on the action by stamping his name on a project that?s now being touted as the finest luxury condo building in the continent. Located near the high-end Multiplaza mall and Johns Hopkins hospital (the first outside of the USA), Trump?s neighborhood appears to be getting all the attention it deserves.

The development isn?t limited to the city though. Just one hour outside the city sits Coronado and its surrounding towns, where beach condominiums, residential communities and all-inclusive resorts nudge right up against the quiet beaches of the Pacific. Further West sits Boquete, and their northern neighbor Bocas del Toro where real estate has taken off like a bottle rocket.

Certain celebrities are getting in on the action as well: The Robb Report?s Joan Tapper reports that Mick Jagger, Bruce Willis, and Tommy Lee Jones are among Hollywood?s elite investing in their own little piece of heaven. The Azuero Peninsula seems to have grasped Panama?s dark horse status, as an area with so much to offer yet so little development?yet, that is.

The government has invented a bunch of friendly investment laws encouraging foreigners to invest and with its northern neighbor, Costa Rica now making so much noise, Panama is getting more and more attention. Investors are impressed with its stable economy, sturdy political system, and first-rate infrastructure, and while many just come down for vacation, they often don?t want to leave.

Matt works on Land for sale in Panama as well as Panama properties.

Sarasota Housing Market Trends

According to the latest housing price forecasts from Fiserv Lending Solutions, a provider of mortgage and consumer lending services, prices in the Sarasota housing market will rise by 3.1% in 2006. The median price of Sarasota homes in the third quarter of 2005 was $222,000, and between the third quarter of 2004 and 2005, sales rose by 40.3%, top three in the rankings published by Fiserv. Sarasota housing market was only edged out by Phoenix and neighboring Naples in terms of the change in sales price within a one-year interval, between 2004 and 2005. Comparing this with the corresponding projection for 2005 to 2006, there is an indication of a dramatic deceleration of the market. The rates are slowing down and if conditions remain as they are at the moment, Sarasota housing market is bound to equilibrate in the years to come. Fiserv generally forecasts a significant stagnation in housing prices for the United States in 2006. Overall median home prices will only inch up by 1.5% this year. Many metropolitan areas in the United States will experience drops, including some of the largest, and most expensive, ones such as Los Angeles (down 3%), New York (down 2.43%), and Washington (down 1.9%).

Officially, the Florida Association of Realtors report that the statistics for the second quarter of 2006 showed ?signs of a market adjusting to a better balance between buyers and sellers.? All over Florida, existing-home median sales price rose 9% to reach $254,800 in the second quarter; the corresponding number a year ago was $234,500. In a more recent account, Bradenton Herald reported on August 23, 2006 that existing home sales continued to tumble throughout Florida in July. Every market in the state showed a decrease in the number of homes sold as compared to last July but only Naples saw a bigger drop off in sales than the Sarasota housing market. More recent numbers released by the Florida Association of Realtors confirm that sales in Florida dropped by 49% and home prices are starting to follow suit. Housing prices fell 11% from where they had been in July 2005, where the median cost of an existing home was $338,100. The median price for July 2006 was $302,100.

In the Sarasota housing market, residential home sales were down by 39% compared to last year, with the median sales price barely moving up from $317,800 to $318,500. Condo conversions also dropped 20% in price. A most likely reason for the general decline of prices is the difficulty in selling overpriced homes in the Sarasota housing market. No amount of advertising has ever sold an overpriced property.

Derrick Barwick, senior vice president of de Morgan Communities, figures that it will take the better part of a year for inventory in the Sarasota housing market to balance with demand. But even then, the statistics will not return to the headstrong 2004-2005 levels. The National Association of Home Builders also indicated that the Sarasota housing market is likely to remain depressed for the remainder of 2006. Evidently, the Housing Market Index for August 2006 declined seven points to 32, the lowest level reached since February 1991 when the measure was at 27. Only Housing Market Index figures above 50 indicate that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.

The National Association of Home Builders has been doing the survey for 21 years. It weighs the perception of builders with regards to sales expectations for the next six months as either ?good,? ?fair? or ?poor.? Corresponding scores for each component are then utilized to extract the Housing Market Index. For the Sarasota housing market, all three components fell in August.

With these trends, erosion in the Sarasota housing market activity to continue through most of 2006 before hopefully stabilizing by 2007.

Earl Juanico - http://siestakeyrealestate.com

Celebrity HomeStyles: Meredith Vieira

Home-as-a-refuge will never be more important to Meredith Viera while she completes the transition from ensemble member on the popular The View to the stratosphere of day time television as co-host of The Today Show. Tucked away in the Hudson River Valley, far enough away from Manhattan to provide a oriented home for her husband and three children, is a Italian style home that yields a comfortable elegance.

Contemplating a major expansion of her home, Viera seized the opportunity to redefine both the homes style and her own need to shift away from country-Tuscan to European elegance. The home is centered around a courtyard, and not a small one. Airy, roomy outdoors spaces perform a variety of functions. An outdoor covered kitchen and dining area provide a place for friends and family to taste the flavors of food and wine. A substantial fireplace anchors a comfortable open-air seating area. Authentic rough slate tiles and gray gravel provide the dramatic flooring backdrop for assorted pergolas, raised and at-grade gardens. Enclosed on several sides by the stucco two-story elevations with substantial wood doors, windows, shutters and topped with a red tile roof, you feel a million miles from New York City.

Interior rooms reflect the new attitude of Viera and husband, the writer Richard Cohen. With a mix of classical moldings and trim, random-width and standard hardwood floors, the color palette features creamy tones and masculine touches. An occasional design edge is featured through stunning furniture selections, finished with art from today and yesteryear. French doors with Juliette balconies peppered through the house bring the outside in. Just thinking about drapes blowing in the wind at Viera's home says refuge to me.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com.

Why the U.S. Real Estate Market is Slowing Down?

As of June 2006, the sales in the U.S. real estate market have decreased for the eighth time in the last 10 months, directly accountable with increasingly mounting interest rates. Nonetheless, a certain level of consumer confidence has boosted, contrary to expectations.

Statistics show a 1.3% drop in home resales as it fell to a 6.62 million annual rate from May?s 6.71 million rate. The positive thing, however, is that the 6.62 million level of resales in June was slightly above the 6.60 million projected resales rate made by Wall Street analysts. Concurrently, average 30-year fixed interest rate was 6.68% in June, up from 6.60% in May. These resales statistics show signs that the U.S. real estate housing market is apparently equilibrating.

The median home prices also rise up from $229,000 in May to $231,000 in June. This translates to a 0.9% increase from corresponding median home prices in June 2005. Significantly, such price increase represents the lowest comparative year-over-year price gain since May 1995.

The inventory of unsold homes also rose to a new record of 3.725 million units. This is equivalent to a 6.8 months supply based on the June sales pace. Such a growing level of inventory, if it persists, would further decrease prices in coming months.

Statistics for demands on U.S. real estate properties are accrued for 4 regions in the U.S. Demand fell by 3.5% in the Northeast and 2.3% in the South. On the other hand, sales did not change from their previous levels in the Midwest and in the West.

The major alarming concern at present is that the imminent sharp drop in U.S. real estate sales could send serious repercussions through the entire U.S. economy, a potential slump akin to the economic recession in 2001 following the bursting of the stock market bubble in the previous year. Real estate investors generally express cautious optimism regarding the performance of the U.S. real estate industry in the coming years. The likelihood of still ever increasing interest rates curbs expectations of a robust year.

Tom Barrack, arguably the word's greatest real estate investor according to Donald Trump, thinks the catalyst for the slowing down of the U.S. real estate market performance is a steep rise in the price of construction materials as well as labor. Construction costs have spiked 20 percent in the past nine months, Barrack states. The reasons he enumerates are: shortages of labor and materials like lumber because of the boom in construction, and increases in the oil prices. Oil is an essential raw material that is required to produce materials such plastic piping, insulation, and shingles.

The direct effects will manifest first in speculative real-estate hot spots such as Miami and Las Vegas, where condo developers are pre-selling their projects for what appears to be substantial profits. Barrack predicts, ?When [these developers actually build the units over the next year or two, they will end up spending more then the units are now selling for.? As a consequence, the developers will try to hoist selling prices. However, since speculation is the primary scheme in buying, Barrack claims that buyers will either ?sue the developers to get the original price or take their deposits back and walk away.? Hence, the developers will then lob the units back into the market, thereby contributing to the surplus of unsold condos. When the supply rises up, naturally the prices go down. The domino effect of busted deals brought about by rising construction costs is the underlying factor causing the deceleration of the U.S. real estate market.

By Earl Juanico

Miami Real Estate

By Earl Juanico - http://miamirealestateinc.com

Buying Vacation Property in Palm Beach

The boom in vacation properties is just beginning. It appears to be a strong real estate trend in the coming years.

There are two main reasons for this trend. First, people born in the 1940s and ?50s are now looking toward retirement and are financially able to own a second home. As they live longer, healthier lives and stay active, many are choosing vacation homes near ski slopes, golf courses, or water-sport areas.

The other reason for the growth in the vacation market is money. Many people have refinanced loans and taken the equity from their primary residence to purchase a vacation home. Owning a second home appeals to some people as a safer investment than the stock market.

Here are some tips to help you select a vacation home:

* Buy a home you are going to use in an area you enjoy visiting. If it is too far away or inconvenient to travel to, you won't go often enough.

* Choose a location with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for when the weather turns bad.

* Research locations and visit destinations, preferably in different seasons.

If you're thinking about buying a vacation home in Palm Beach, make sure to take care of the points made above. The market for Palm Beach real estate is finnicky and the devil is definitely in the details. After talking with many a Palm Beach realtor, it is clear that the difference in making a fast sale and staying on the market for a while is the small fixes that svae lazy buyers from doing it themselves.

2007 Residential Real Estate Forecast

In many ways 2006 was the non-year for real estate. The National Association of Realtors(R) reported that sales will be down in 2006 about 9 percent from 2005, a record setting year.Many markets waited for spring market which was disappointing. Markets then believed buyers would re-group in summer,and buyers were a no-show. Fall and last market hopes were dashed when fall came and went, with plenty of traffic at open houses, but few contracts.

Pent-up demand from a lackluster 2006 should drive buyers back to market. But, these savvy buyers will be on the lookout for realistic prices and seller give-backs. Most buyers will tell you point-blank that their income gains in the last five years have not matched rises in home home prices. Real estate markets won't bounce back until home sellers realize as prices go up, the pool of buyers shrinks proportionately. Buyers with a home to sell will include a home-sale contingency, so sellers should be prepared to accept one.

Inventory levels will remain in the six to seven moth range. Listing leftover's from 2006, will roll into 2007. The leftovers are either un-realistic sellers whose pricing is from the froth years or thier homes haven't been updated to keep up with the stiff competition and time-starved buyers.

Mortgage rates will remain in the 5.5% to 7% range. Historically low, but low rates by themselves haven't motivated buyers to write real estate contracts in 2006.

Foreclosures will rise. Risky loans such as Interest-Only, Option ARM's and 100% financing will tap out buyers whose used these appreciation-oriented mortgages.

Prices will drop 4-10% before leveling off in the majority of non-seller's markets. Homes that are priced right and are in good condition which offer features and finishes that buyers demand, will sell close to list price in moderate market times. Flat or negative appreciation.

Florida, Arizona, California and Washington D.C., will have unstable markets. Until sellers get a reality-oriented wake-up call markets in these locales will sputter and hiccup.

Ten states posted solid sales gains in the second quarter of 2006 versus 2005. Reported the National Association of Realtors(R). The gains ranged from an impressive 48% in Alaska to a low of 5.3 percent in Georgia. The other eight states included Arkansas, Texas, North and South Carolina, Vermont, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Residential real estate will return to being viewed as shelter and housing and trend away from being viewed as a speculative investment.

What about 2008? Stable, pre-frenzy market with appreciation at 1% annually.

Mark Nash, is a residential real estate author, broker, columnist and writer based in Chicago. His fourth book 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home received eighteen five star reviews on Amazon.com. His latest book; Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home will be published in December 2006. Mark publishes a free monthly ezine for real estate professionals. Agent to Agent features ten articles that offer free reprints for agents, home buyers and sellers through EzineArticles.com . Real estate news and book reviews, Celebrity Homestyles, Home selling and buying tips and advice, Joke-of-the-Month, Help this Agent, and agent marketing tips. Over 5000 subscribers in the U.S. & Canada. Subscribe at: http://www.1001realestatetips.com/forrealestateagents.html

Changes to the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (PAMD) Queensland Australia

Amendments to the PAMD Act 2000 are effective today (21st August 2006). Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech claims that the amendments will make property buyers and sellers more confident of getting value for money and improved consumer protection.

We are not so sure these amendments will work in achieving those aims. The basic changes to the PAMD Act 2000 are effectively;

A) Bidders at Auctions will have to register prior to Auction, including providing suitable identification and receiving a marker to identify when they make a bid.

B) Any Market Opinions an agent provides to a property seller will need to be substantiated by a comparative market analysis (CMA).

Now call me a cynic about the behaviour of real estate agents, but these are really not going to achieve the goals of cleaning up the behaviour of dishonest real estate agents.

These legislated changes really only make the honest hard working agents, and yes they do exists, more honest. The dishonest agents will get around this in no time, whilst buyers and sellers believe the system will protect them.

Consider these approaches to both of the above changes.

A) The dishonest agent can still get a friend or an associate to register at an auction. That person can be informed of how high to bid ? so that they bid just below the reserve, to try and get the potential real buyer to increase their bids. Even if no-one bids after the friend or associate bids ? they are still below the reserve price, so it just looks to all and sundry like there were some serious buyers interested in that property. Additionally did you know that the Auctioneer can bid on behalf of the Vendor. This is called a vendor bid, and the way an auctioneer does those bids can still influence a potential buyer into believing they are bidding against a genuine bidder.

B) A market opinion is not a property valuation. It?s the opinion of the real estate agent on what the likely sale price of a property will be. They now must substantiate his opinion by comparing similar type properties that sold within 5km of the property in question. Now I reckon 5km covers quite a lot of ground, in-fact it could cover suburbs that have a significantly lower average price. Additionally what about the time frame ? is last 6 months a good indication. Last 12months. The market opinion is simply not a valuation done by a professional independent valuer. The agent has an agenda, they will substantiate to their hearts content and legitimately under the PAMD Act, to get the result they are after.

Sorry Mrs Keech we don?t believe either of these changes do anything to address the dishonest agents, and the process they employ.

If a property seller wants to feel truly comfortable they should seek an independent valuation. Then they can decide whether they need to use an agent or not.

As for auctions, considering current auction clearance rates in Queensland, forget the dummy bidder, you?d be a dummy seller.

Michael Eroz

Property Analyst

http://www.zeroagents.com.au

What Are The Benefits Of Hiring A Commercial Real Estate Broker?

A commercial real estate broker is a person who acts as a link between a buyers and a sellers real estate. This relationship is one of fiduciary responsibility, meaning that it is a relationship based on trust.

The person appointed as the broker, has the responsibility of ensuring that his salespeople handle the transactions according to law. The sales people are known as real estate agents and their responsibilities include representing the seller or the buyer in the transactions and making sure that they get the best possible treatment. The agent representing the seller ensures that the seller receives the highest possible price for the property they are selling, while the agent of the buyer will negotiate for the lowest possible price. The buyer's agent will also try to find properties in the best structural shape that fits within their estimated price range.

In many places, such as the United States, it is mandatory for the broker to have a license to negotiate the sale and purchase of property. The broker can act as either the proprietor of a company or as an agent for another company. There are various ways to get the certification as a broker. One way is by going to school and passing a state test. Another way is to hold a position that automatically allows you to apply for and receive the certification, such being an attorney.

Following 1992, there were brokers from Florida and Colorado that recommended that the professional relationship between the agent and the client should be broken. Instead, they felt that the dealings between the two should be strictly limited to the actual sale and purchase of real estate, without taking the personal interest of the client into consideration. In Florida, the Broward Board of Realtors went so far as suggesting that the brokers and agents merely help the selling and purchasing parties with finalizing the sale, without the bond of trust. The only requirement being that they adhere to both legal and moral standards.

The result was that in 2003, Florida amended the law and made all real estate licensees have only a transaction relationship unless there is only one person acting as the representative for both parties. This will not apply if there is a business link between the two parties.

The change in the law also made it mandatory that the aspects of the transactions be made in writing and removed the dual and sub agency designations. A dual agency results when a broker handles the transactions of both the purchasing and the selling parties. Both parties would have agreed to this arrangement in writing. The sub agency agreement meant that two agents from the same brokerage would represent the selling and purchasing parties. Like a dual agency transaction, it would have to be agreed upon in writing by both parties to the transaction.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as commercial real estate loans at http://www.commercial-loans-now.com

Avoiding Discriminatory Real Estate Practices

Real estate agents should never say or imply that the presence of persons of a particular protected class (race, national origin, etc.) in a neighborhood could or will result in:

lower property values;

a change in the composition of the neighborhood;

a more dangerous neighborhood; or

a decline in the quality of the schools in the neighborhood.

Most real estate agents would not act in an overtly discriminatory way; for example, they wouldn?t raise the listing price because of the race of the prospective buyer. Yet some of these same agents might tell racial or ethnic jokes or make derogatory remarks about a particular group of people.

Although these jokes or remarks don?t necessarily indicate a willingness to actually discriminate in a transaction, a listener might assume that they do. Even listening or going along with inappropriate remarks can give the impression that the agent agrees with these discriminatory attitudes. Agents need to watch out for signs of such attitudes, in order to avoid helping others violate antidiscrimination laws.

Listing agents should make sure the seller is willing to follow the law, and decline to take the listing if the seller is not.Real estate agents should also provide equal service to buyers and sellers without regard to their race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, familial status, age, or disability. For example, an agent should never refuse to show a property to a potential buyer based on discriminatory reasons.

UK FirstTime House Buyers Feeling Over Stretched

The population of Britain is renowned across Europe as a nation of fanatical home owners. While members of other countries are content to rent their home rather than take on the burden of actual ownership and long-term financial debt, people in the UK seem fixated with the idea of buying and owning their home. Unfortunately for the thousands of current prospective first-time home buyers, the soaring levels of house prices in recent years has made it increasingly difficult to get into the first rung of the property ladder. As the value of houses at all levels increases, the number of first-time buyers who are having to borrow the full value or more of their property, or rely on more financially secure friends and relatives to stand any chance of buying a home, has also increased.

According to a recent report by the Post Office, there are currently many first-time buyers who have become so overstretched through their borrowing that they now stand the risk of losing their homes within the next six months. According to Claire Oldstein from the Post Office: First-time buyers tend to overstretch themselves, but need to consider what they would do if they lost their income.

?One in three first-time buyers accepts that their household costs are higher than they had anticipated and 45 per cent do not have any insurance against loss of income resulting from accident, sickness of unemployment.?

While the major mortgage lenders like the Woolwich mortgages, understand that the introduction of first-time buyers is essential to keep the housing market from becoming stagnant, making it essential that many first-time buyer mortgages include incentives such as introductory reduced fixed rate interest periods, to help buyers regain their secure financial footing, this does not address the fundamental problem of increased borrowing.

First-time buyers are becoming more wary over the disparity between wages and the size of the debts accrued through taking out long-term mortgage loans. A study by the National Association of Estate Agents, indicated that only 12% of all houses sold last year were bought by first-timers, compared with nearly a third in 2000.

Mortgage comparison services like Moneynet and special introductory rates can help to ensure buyers get a better deal, but as the average length of time take to save up the deposit for a new house increases, and with it the average age of all first-time buyers, it is evident that the burden being felt is starting to weigh heavily on the already financially stretched resources of young house hunters.

Claire Oldstein warned that, It's unlikely they will have a big enough rainy day fund to rely on especially after pulling together a deposit. Protecting yourself may seem another unwelcome expense but it could actually be money well spent should the unexpected happen.?

Submitted by:
Michael Hanna

About Michael
Michael is a keen writer, and internet marketer living in Scotland:

Contact details:
E-mail: samqam@googlemail.com
Phone: 0131 561 2251
Michael's Website: Belfast Taxi

The Best Golf Course Home In Florida Have You Even Seen It?

Golf has become very popular in Florida. Due to that reason, the State of Florida provides a great golfing chance throughout its territory for golfing lovers to enjoy themselves, and one of the great places is Tampa Bay area of Florida.

In fact, the tourists and residents in that area can easily utilize the wonderful sand and surf to get in a round of golf as there are about 70 best golf course homes located in the Sun Coast of Florida. You can either enjoy taking in a quick 9 holes, or the full 18 holes. After relaxing round of golf, simply go to the edge of water for a good swim in the warm gulf waters. Next, try to catch a beach volleyball game. You will easily feel that the Tampa Bay area of Florida can provide you the best of two different worlds, with luxury golfing facilities and great beachfront properties.

Apart from that, do you like awakening to nicely colored sunrises, garden style meals, and the good round excitement of golf? Afterword, go for the beach for a sunset? If you say yes, you will surely like moving into one of the best golf course homes conveniently located near the beaches of the Sun Coast.

Here are just 2 examples of the kind of the best golf course home that you can choose in the Tampa Bay Florida area. You can choose from many other quality golf course homes to find the good place for you to settle down where you can easily play golf any time you like, and then try to spend the rest of the day at the beach relaxing.

Crescent Oaks is a Pinellas County gated golf course home which should be the golf lovers dream homes! Beautiful homes are situated along with private 18 hole golf course. The residents can also find a pro shop, clubhouse, pool, tennis,etc on its grounds.

Lansbrook is another one which is located at the East Lake area of Tarpon Springs, Lansbrook is one of the best daily fee golf clubs providing an exciting and challenging course design. Lansbrook is the first class golf club surrounded by Florida landscaping and some of the best single family homes in Pinellas County. Feel free to visit the Lansbrook Lakefront Park on Tarpon Lake after playing golf game and enjoy fishing there as well.

In short, your local real estate agent is available to help you locate and tour the different golf course homes and explore golf communities in the Tampa Bay area. You are certain to find one that you like the most.

Rashme Wong is a successful Internet Marketer and publisher of AmazingGolfSwing.info. She provides more golf swing tips, golf course tips and more information on the best golf course homes that you can search and learn on her website.

Loan Officer Marketing: Attract More Real Estate Agents With Questions

What if you could come up with a technique that would allow you to consistently talk with high-producing agents, without the fear of rejection or high-pressure sales tactics?

One way to this would be to contact several real estate agents, it does not matter if you know them or not. The only purpose of the call is to find out as much about the agent as you can. Introduce yourself to the them and do a simple, short, telephone survey.

Some of the questions you should ask them are:

How long have they been working as a real estate agent?
Do they typically represent buyers or sellers?
What are their typical activities on a daily basis?
What are their short term and long term goals?
Do they feel like they are on the track to accomplishing the goals?
What are some of the obstacles that are keeping them from meeting their goals?
What causes them the most stress in their business?
What do they need to fix it?

Notice that none of the questions are anything other than real estate related. Do not ask any questions related to mortgages or mortgage clients. You will find that instead of having to pry the information from the agents, you will not be able to get them to stop talking.

Most people have one favorite topic of conversation, themselves. There is nothing they like better than to talk about themselves and the problems their facing. Fortunately, most people never run out of problems to talk about.

Ultimately, you will receive several positive comments from the agents:

The agents will say how much they enjoyed having someone listen to them.

When the agent realizes it is not a sales call, which was stated from the beginning of the call, they will immediately open up.

Almost every survey call will end with the real estate agent asking the loan officer for more information about their mortgage services.

The survey technique is a great strategy for several reasons. It allows you to determine which real estate agents are producing at the level you require. You will gain access to the agent in a non-confrontational, non-selling situation. And it gives you an opportunity to lay the foundation for future sales presentations. Save your sales pitch for your second call. On the second call you can show them how you can solve their problems.

Does the idea of cold-calling agents, even for a survey, intimidate you? Consider approaching the agents with the survey through email. Surprisingly, you will get some response from agents.

Develop the survey into a paper-based form and give to buyer agents at closing. You will be amazed at how many agents take time to complete the survey.

When agents take the time to complete the survey, whether over the phone, through email or in person, you know which agents are receptive to you and are interested in establishing a relationship. Your simple survey will open doors, now and for a future relationship.

Jeff Nelson helps loan officers increase loan originations by attracting quality relationships with real estate agents from the development of customized relationship-building strategies.

Click here to get a free copy of the Marketing Planning Guide, a 20-page workbook designed to help you outline a strategy to become an Agent Magnet.

Visit us at http://www.loan-officer-marketing.com

A Cabal of Miami Real Estate Agents Caught Burying Giant Statue of St. Joseph

No one really knew how bad the Miami housing market was until the arrest last night of a large number of realtors caught burying a giant statue of St. Joseph in the center of the Miami Circle, a sacred pre-Columbian site at the mouth of the Miami River. Considered to be the patron saint of real estate agents, police were surprised by the effigy's size.

This is the biggest one we've found yet, advised a S.W.A.T squad spokesperson who wished to remain anonymous. For years St. Joseph statues have been turning up, but never this size. Usually they're no bigger than 8-inches. This one was over 8-feet tall.

Realtors, long considered a mammon worshipping cult by many theologians, have been burying St. Joseph statues for years in order to hasten a sale. Known as the underground real estate agent, St. Joseph is usually buried head first in the ground or in a planter on the property. Once the sale is made, it is expected that the sellers unearth the statue and put it in a prominent place in their new home-- not following through on the last part could jeopardize their future good fortune, according to the instructions that come with the statues.

Considering Miami has one of the largest Catholic populations in the U.S. and a large number of followers of Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion that mixes Catholic saints with African gods, it is not surprising that, according to Phil Cates, owner of the website www.stjosephstatue.com, Miami is the biggest market for these kind of things. Statewide he estimates he's sold 6,000 statues.

And for all the skeptics reading this, Mr. Cates says you can go to his website to read the testimonials on the statue's behalf.

Sales, he said, have just gone crazy.

Which may be good for him, but seeing a St. Joseph this size has many financial analysts worried. For the first time in a decade, home prices have fallen in August from sales of the previous year. A report released this week by the Florida Association of Realtors paints an alarming picture. Single family homes fell 34% and condo sales dropped 41% from the previous year.

As two police officers struggled with a realtor who was being led away in handcuffs, he was overheard shouting to anyone who would listen that, It's not a bubble, I tell you! It's not a bubble!

According to the Miami S.W.A.T team, most of the rogue realtors were arrested in last night's raid and that the public need not fear those that got away. Don't worry about them coming into your yards in the middle of the night to bury their statues. They left their shovels behind and we know how to read fingerprints. We'll have them rounded up and put behind bars before you know it.

Asked what law they broke, MVB was told that they had desecrated a sacred site.

What sacred site? we asked.

The Miami Circle.

'Sacred?' we laughed. There's nothing sacred about that circle of holes in the ground. Hell, they only found a shark's tooth and a used condom there. Some experts think it's nothing more than an old septic tank.

Listen, bub, we were told in no uncertain terms, As long as our county spent $27 million for it, it's sacred.

MVB can't argue with that.

D.C. Copeland is a writer and award-winning artist. When visiting Copeland's personal website and blog http://www.miamivisionblogarama.blogspot.com/, you will discover that Wayne Cochran is the Patron Saint and that many people consider it to be The Rodney Dangerfield of Blogs.

How to Jump Over The Most Common Real Estate Pitfalls

Is it really smart to invest in real estate? Who can know for sure? Like any forms of investment, there are risks to consider. When the good outweighs the bad, then perhaps, putting money in real estate is a good way to start building up your investment portfolio.

How can we know which way to go? Real estate experts have identified major pitfalls to avoid if investing in real estate is what appeals to you:

Do not bank on intuition.

Intuition is defined as hindsight, or an inherent inner warning, that oftentimes does not veer towards the positive but leans on the unexplainable feeling of doom. Most people would sell their homes based on a pessimistic feeling that the real estate market will soon crash, or the long-perceived real estate bubble is beginning to burst, hence the sooner they sell their properties at prices they can still command, the better.

Most likely, the worse case scenario never happens. Panic paralyzes the mind from thinking logically through a situation, thus, past experiences are forgotten. When real estate prices do slide, they don?t happen overnight. Unlike stock market positioning where prices can nose-dive drastically, real estate values may only suffer a decline, but not a total burn-out. Those who sell their homes with the prospect of making a profit on it while they still can, and purchase another, when real estate prices slide are heading towards being homeless, or into rental homes themselves.

Look at the odds: selling your home will displace your family for a while, it will cost you your agent?s commission, new mortgage rates may even be higher than the previous ones you were paying, the inconvenience of moving and leaving a familiar neighborhood, including other attendant costs. In the end, your calculator will register a deficit rather than profit!

Keep a discerning mind; do not believe everything you read.

That value of real estate properties will always go up is more of an illusion, rather than fact. This line of thought is dangerous as it wafts ?speculative? investing ? a financial stratagem that can be potentially profitable but very risky. This can imperil your good investment approaches. Real estate agents are moved by the prospect of earning commissions, naturally, they will outsell one another by sales pitches that can close the deal.

Quandary with Rentals.

Purchasing properties with the prospect of renting them out is sound, however when this is done during an economic slump, this may jeopardize your investment.

When real estate foreclosures are high, some investors take it as a good sign for renting out properties. Some may experience demand, but oftentimes people move away when they lose jobs. By the law of supply and demand, when there are few renters, rents will plunge.

Avoid risky loans like a plague!

Mortgage loans come in many options, can be all attractive, but caution should be exercised. As in all things, not everything that sparkles is gold.

Interest-Only Mortgages don't demand payment of the principal while other mortgage options may require regular payment of the principal, or no payment at all during the early years. But interest rates can increase monthly and the increase can cut deeper on your mortgage. If sufficient payment is not made, your total mortgage loan will cost you more than what you home originally costs.

Keep your investment straight and you have more to keep.

Funding your other investment portfolios with the equity on your home is risky. Same is true with financing second or third mortgages on a property. In the event of payment defaults, equity on such property shall satisfy the loan taken from the first mortgage lender; and any remaining amount, shall be used to satisfy obligations with the subsequent lenders. This, however, rarely happens.

Study. Probe. Evaluate. Do not speculate.

Real Estate Investment is flourishing - a sign that it is a profitable venture. No wonder, real estate industry remains a formidable choice among those who want to get a crack on the fortune pie. Having identified the common pitfalls in real estate investing will narrow down the margin of those who ventured but lost, and jumpstart the prospects of those who want to make it big.

Helen L. Erickson

Sarasota Real Estate

Helen L. Erickson - http://www.siestakeyrealestate.com

Elegant Real Estate Locations in Paris France III: Invalides and the Eiffel Tower

By the end of the 17 th century Louis XIV realised his dream of a hospice for wounded soldiers. Upon the King?s request, one of the most renowned architects, Jules-Hardouin Mansart conceived the elegant ?H?tel des Invalides? and its beautiful church with the fabulous golden dome, which was completed in 1708. During the following years, Robert de Cotte designed and laid out the ?Esplanade des Invalides?, a symmetrical green lawn that links the church to the Seine . In the late 19 th century, this axis extended to the northern riverbank including the impressive ?belle ?poque ensemble?, the ?petit? and the ?grand palais?. The famous ?Alexandre III bridge? with its beautiful lampposts was inaugurated in 1896 by the Russian Czar Nikolai II. The French Foreign Office, the so-called ?Quai d?Orsay?, is located in a sumptuous ?second empire? palace on the east side of the ?Esplanade des Invalides?. In elegant buildings just a few steps further resides the Canadian Cultural Institute and the British Council.

The top floor apartments in ?rue Fabert? on the opposite side of the lawn are particularly interesting. They are flooded in light and offer outstanding views of the ?golden cupola?, the magic ?Alexandre III? bridge, and the elegant glass-steel construction of the two ?belle ?poque palais?. From here it is possible to see as far as ?Sacre Coeur? and ? Montmartre ?. There is no doubt that this is one of the city?s greatest real estate locations. The southern side of ?Invalides? on ?Place Vauban? is also very attractive. Inspired by ?Saint Peter?s? in Rome , the architects initially planned a two-wing colonnade opening at the entrance of the church and forming a large square. This plan was subsequently cancelled and thus the surrounding buildings are now situated very close to the church and its magnificent dome. The so-called ?Br?teuil? district nearby is residential and highly prized by its ?bourgeois? population. The remarkable ?Ecole Militaire? conceived by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel under the reign of Louis XV is only a ten-minute westward walk from here. It marks the final point of the ?Champs de Mars? ensemble, which also includes the Eiffel Tower , and the stretch up to the Seine . The buildings on either side of the park date back to the famous ?Haussmann period? and many of them have exquisite stone-carved fa?ades.

The top-floor apartments are prized because of their fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower and the city, whereas ground floor properties are sought after because of their private gardens, which are particularly rare in Paris .

The tree-lined lanes parallel to the park are highly appreciated as they are both quiet and green with the added advantage of being close to shops e.g., ?avenue Charles Floquet? and ?Elisee Reclus?. One of the most famous residents was Fran?ois Mitterand who lived the last years of his life (and also died) here in ?avenue Fr?d?ric Le Play?.

The attractive residential area to the east offers some truly elegant 19 th century boulevards, for example avenues ?Rapp?, ?Bourdonnais? or ?Bosquet?. Most of the sumptuous ?Haussmann? buildings have extraordinarily beautiful stone-carved fa?ades with little balconies. In some places, ?Art D?co? buildings with opulent ornate fa?ades can be seen eg, ?29, ave Rapp?, by J. Lavirotte. Many Parisians enjoy living in the residential area between ?Invalides? and ?Champs de Mars/Eiffel Tower? as it offers both attractive real estate and an excellent infrastructure including the ?rue Cler? street market, which is a real eldorado for gourmets. The charming ?gros Caillou? district appears rustic in comparison and is considered the least expensive neighbourhood within the 7 th arrondissement.

KHS is a real estate agent in Paris ?KHS Apartments Paris ? specialising in selling and renting first- class apartments in the French capital. Read also the new ? KHS Paris Real Estate Blog ?

A Guide to Benidorm Property

Benidorm property has become very popular in recent years. People from all over Europe have been purchasing property here. Some purchase a second home for their own use. Others purchase property as an investment and rent it out when not in use.

Finding Benidorm Property

You can research properties on the internet, prior to visiting the area. Real estate websites are a good resource for viewing properties. You can look at descriptions and pictures of the properties for sale. This will give you an idea of what is out there and the prices for real estate in the area.

You will want to make several visits to the area to determine the areas where you want to live. Rent properties in a different area each time you visit. This will give you some insight into the area. You will get the opportunity to see the area in the day and at night. Talk to some of the neighbours and spend time exploring the area.

Set a budget for your purchase. How much can you afford to spend? Be sure you can afford the payments, taxes and any other expenses. Even if you plan to rent the property for part of the year, be sure you can afford the payments without this income. In many cases, you will be using your primary residence as collateral on the loan. Be sure you don?t bite off more than you can chew.

When you are ready to view properties in person, contact a real estate agent. You want someone who is experienced and reputable. If you don?t speak Spanish, look for a bilingual agent. This will make communication easier. Make an appointment with the agent to visit properties on your next trip to Benidorm.

Once you have chosen where you want to live, hire a lawyer to help you. An attorney is helpful for looking out for your interests. You will want someone to look over real estate contracts and mortgage papers. The opinion of an experienced attorney can be very valuable and save you money and headaches.

An attorney in Spain will be familiar with Spanish laws regarding real estate and mortgages. He can explain these laws to you. Look for a bilingual lawyer if you don?t speak Spanish. He will be able to translate information for you so you understand what you are getting into. You will be sure to understand the terms and conditions of the contract as well as the loan.

Will You Live in or Rent Your Benidorm Property?

Consider whether the property will be for your own use or if you will rent it for part of the year. This may influence your decision on where to buy. If you plan to use the property primarily as a rental, you will want to look in more popular tourist areas. This will make the property more attractive to prospective renters.

The Costa Blanca is very busy in the summer months. Rentals tend to get booked well in advance, as much as six months in advance. In the busier tourist areas, you can get a really good price for renting your property. However, the area can get congested at this time. If you are planning to rent the home, you may want this.

If you are planning to live in Spain full time or even part time, you may not want to deal with crowds of tourists. This can be very stressful. Consider looking just outside the heavy tourist areas. You can still enjoy the beaches and attractions, but not be in the middle of the crowds. Life just outside the busy areas is much quieter for your vacation.

Another benefit of looking outside the tourist areas is the price of property. Prices are very high near the main attractions, beaches and night life. Prices are less expensive just outside these areas. You can save a significant amount of money by looking in less populated areas. You can get a bigger place here for the price of a small apartment at the center of it all.

Clinton Maxwell's summaries are published on different websites related to tips on buying Property in Benidorm Spain and Spain. His writings on Benidorm property can be encountered on http://www.alicante-spain.com/benidorm.html in addition to other online sites.

The Dangers Of Overvaluing Real Estate

We all have done it at one time or another.

When short of listings, the Realtor goes out and ?buys' one. The process of buying a listing is as old as Real Estate itself. The agent shows up at someone's doorsteps and inflates the value of the property by more than $30,000, $40,000 or even $50,000 over and above the actual market value. I know of agents who have actually listed properties for $200,000 more than what those properties were in fact worth. The owner happily signs the listing agreement with those dollar signs sparking right in the eyes, and the Realtor happily sticks up a sign right in the front lawn. Of course the house subsequently does not sell because it is overpriced, but it doesn't really matter.

Or does it?

All the way back in 1988, in a legal case entitled Basic Inc. v. Levinson, the United States Supreme Court endorsed a theory known as ?fraud on the market', which in turn relies on another theory known in Economics as the Efficient Market Hypothesis. The Efficient Market Hypothesis postulates that prices of traded assets like stocks, bonds, or real property, already reflect all known information and therefore are unbiased in the sense that they reflect the collective beliefs of all investors about the value of the underlying asset and enable investors, therefore, to assess future prospects.

In essence the Efficient Market Hypothesis, which was developed in the 1950's and 1960's, states that subject to certain conditions the market price of a traded asset fully and accurately reflects all the available information relevant to its value. Under this Hypothesis, in an efficient market the only reason as to why a price changes is that new information comes to light.

Because market prices reflect all available information about an asset, reasoned the Supreme Court, misleading statements as to the integrity of price will affect and negatively impact the decision-making process of investors, who rely on those statements as the primary guide to finalize a purchase. Which is tantamount to ?intentional deceit', more vulgarly known as ... fraud.

That ruling has proven a goldmine for American trial lawyers, who have won fortunes by suing firms for damages when new financial information, often in practice a restatement of their balance sheets, is followed by a sharp fall in stock prices of the same firms. The fall is treated as proof of overvaluation due to the initial, wrong statements.

This decision of America's highest Court has now crossed the border with Canada and has spilled into Real Estate. A case involving a Seller, a Buyer and a Real Estate Agent acting in a position of dual agency is now pending in front of the Supreme Court of Ontario. The Agent first grossly overvalued the subject property at the time he took the listing, then actually found a Purchaser ready, willing and able to buy at a price close the grossly inflated asking price. As the transaction was being financed through an institutional lender, the underlying case initially also involved an appraisal firm, which subsequently has settled out of Court with the disgruntled Purchaser.

The decision of the Supreme Court will have an enormous impact on how real estate is practiced in Ontario and possibly throughout the whole country, and it will be interesting to see what the outcome will be. The Buyer bases his case on the Efficient Market Hypothesis arguing that he reached the decision to purchase on the integrity of the asking price and claims, furthermore, that the dual Agent knew or should have know that the asking price was grossly over and above the market value of the subject property. The Buyer is claiming damages both as against the Agent and the Seller.

The line of defence is that the true meaningful value of an interest in land is given by its ?objective value', defined as the price that the property will fetch in an open and fair market, given sufficient time to find a Purchaser, the amount of advertising involved in the marketing of the property, the relationship between the parties and the terms of financing. The additional argument of the defence is that the truthfulness of the Efficient Market Hypothesis is actually being disputed by Economists even in its original field of application: the Stock Market. More specifically, the defence argues that even highly developed financial markets such as the New York Stock Exchange are not efficient enough to allow Courts to calculate the financial damages caused by fraud, and that estimates of damages based on the Hypothesis will be necessarily overstated.

The Realtor in particular contends, furthermore, that at no time the thought of earning a double commission ever crossed his innocent mind (he was walking the dog one day and ...).

All of which goes to prove once again the point I have been making for years - that is sellers, buyers, realtors, lawyers and judges invariably make an explosive mix.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle at http://wwwrealestatechronicle.blogspot.com where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Atlanta Corporate Apartments

Corporate apartments are temporary lodging facilities for corporate travelers. These are situated in usual apartment complexes or complexes owned by a lessor and structurally similar to other apartments regarding the number of bedrooms available and indoor or outdoor facilities. Atlanta, a world-class business center, has a number of renowned corporate apartments in its downtown and suburb areas.

Atlanta corporate apartments are excellent accommodation options for business travelers for temporary, interim stays. These are more comfortable and convenient than hotels. Atlanta corporate apartments are available in various sizes and with a full range of facilities and amenities. Many apartments are ready to be rented directly to corporations, which enable the relocating personnel to engage in their work without the usual delays involved in hunting for a suitable house.

Modern corporate apartments in Atlanta offer standard to luxury stays for every budget and lifestyle. Corporate apartments are generally sited close to public transports and next to services such as restaurants, Internet centers, and convenience stores. Furnished Atlanta corporate apartments are first-rate solutions for extended- and temporary-stay travelers, relocating employees and their families, home buyers, or any person seeking a weekly, monthly, or extended stay.

Fully furnished single-, double-, three-bedroom, or three-plus-bedroom apartments are available for short- and long-term leases. Corporate apartments are rented at a rate of a minimum of about $50.00 per day, but this rate may vary with additional facilities. Standard facilities such as a business center, swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, playground, clubhouse, and tanning bed are also available in some reputable apartments. One can select apartments with a fully functional kitchen including a refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, and icemaker, and with a washer and dryer. Some apartments allow pets.

Atlanta corporate apartments maintain competitive and flexible rental rates and terms, seasonal discounts and incentives, and master leases for corporate clients. The specialized property management companies in Atlanta will assist any corporate traveler with a number of furnished, cost-effective corporate apartment options and housing needs.

Atlanta Apartments provides detailed information on Atlanta Apartments, Loft Atlanta Apartments, Atlanta Apartment Rentals, Cheap Atlanta Apartments and more. Atlanta Apartments is affiliated with Apartments for Rent in Chicago.

Las Vegas Nevada Real Estate

Nevada is a state in the western United States, well known for its widespread legalization of the gambling and gaming industry. When searching for a Las Vegas Nevada real estate, it is important to consult qualified brokers. The purchase of any type of residential or business real estate is an important decision. There are agencies, which have a network of local brokers and specialize in residential and commercial real estate. There are brokers who work individually also. In the case of a seller, the main objective is to sell the real estate property at the highest cost possible and as quickly as possible. The buyer desires to purchase the real estate at the lowest possible cost. It is essential to both to go through the transaction with no problems and no time wasted. Nevada real estate brokers assist buyers and sellers in this.

Experienced Nevada brokers primarily aim at meeting the demands of customers seeking to invest in real estate. They have a documented record in buying and selling real estate and are an ideal option to ensure the best deal possible. They are well aware of the market conditions and price fluctuation. This puts them in a position to be able to suggest the best price strategy. This helps to gain from the value of a Nevada real estate sale or purchase.

Nevada real estate agencies offer a selection of properties available for purchase and this is helpful to the real estate investors. These companies have websites that list Nevada's magnificent penthouses, condos, practically priced investment properties, single-family houses, sea front mansions and business properties. Every real estate list contains the properties available currently, house plans and elevations, builder models, pricing and square footage, neighborhood information and contact details. The information helps in securing good estate deals in Nevada.

Nevada provides detailed information on Nevada, Las Vegas Nevada Real Estate, Reno Nevada, Nevada Corporations and more. Nevada is affiliated with Napa Valley Wine Tours.

Your FICO Score and Purchasing San Diego Real Estate

You have found your perfect piece of San Diego real estate, and now you only need secure a real estate mortgage at a great rate. Simple, right? Definitely not!

Before a mortgage makes that real estate yours, the lender is going to check your credit score, which will determine what type of terms they offer to you, how much you will pay over the life of the real estate mortgage, and even if you can secure a mortgage. Your credit score tells a lender what type of credit risk you are and the likelihood that you will repay the money loaned.

Though there are several types of credit scores, most real estate mortgage lenders use the FICO score, which was developed by Fair Isaac. The FICO is used for several types of credit and can affect terms offered for credit cards, car loans, home equity loans, private mortgage insurance, the required size of your down payment, and even the amount of documentation a lender will require of you during your mortgage application. Your score determines what type of loan for which you are eligible, as well as how much money you can borrow.

Every person has three FICO scores ? one with each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Since the information retained by each credit bureau varies, your score will differ between the ?Big Three?. Before you begin hunting for real estate, it is a good idea to check all three bureaus for your FICO score, as well as right before securing a real estate mortgage. Even if you have checked your FICO scores recently, your scores fluctuate as new information is received by the credit bureaus. It is best to know for certain your FICO scores, than to be surprised during crucial negotiations.

Some of the things each credit bureau looks at in developing your FICO score are your payment history, the amounts your currently owe, the length of your credit history, new credit you have obtained, and the types of credit you use.

The Higher Your Score, the Better

There have been many commercials on television recently about the FICO score and how it follows you wherever you go (as far as credit is concerned). Just remember, the higher your score, the less you will pay to buy real estate on credit. You can save thousands of dollars every year, or you can pay thousands of extra dollars each year on your real estate mortgage, depending upon your score.

The median FICO score is 723, with most lenders requiring at least a score of 760 in order to get the best real estate mortgage terms. The highest FICO score attainable is 850; however, only 13 percent of the population score over 800.

According to myfico.com, a score of 760 or better currently makes you eligible for an average interest rate of 5.98 percent on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage of $216,000. The interest rate rises to 7.47 percent, if your score is between 620 and 639, which translates to paying an additional $227 each month or $81,720 for the life of the mortgage. A score below 620 can add another three-to-six percent interest. Even a point or two can make a major difference over time. As scores dip below the 700 mark, borrowers are often limited on how much money may be financed; while many lenders will disqualify you all together for a mortgage, even if the rest of your credit file is fantastic.

So, check your three FICO scores when you first decide to look for real estate. Get counseling in how to raise your scores, if it is below 760. If you must purchase sooner than you can repair your credit scores, then plan to refinance after you have raised your FICO scores. Buy real estate with terms that are to your advantage. Know your credit scores and repair any problems early.

John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more on San Diego Homes for Sale visit http://www.twtrealestate.com

Real Estate Agent Web Sites Penny Wise and Content Rich

Do you need a Realtor website that manages all your leads? One that streamlines your work for efficiency, and has the automated real estate marketing solutions you can rely on while you're busy working all your leads and clients?

Let me answer for you. Yes, you do!

Whether you're starting a new real estate agency or are looking for a new design for your real estate agent web site, some other things to consider when designing a web site include the level of support you'll receive from your site builder, the resources that a web designer offers and the search engine friendliness of your web site package.

Well designed sites allow agents to receive vital information about their visitors and facilitate immediate follow up! A few Agent and Realtor tools offered by the better sites included the following

Lead Generating Guest Book Package
VIP Home Buyer Program
Community Subdivisions
Online Home Loan Prequalification
Virtual Tours
And Much, Much More!

Many companies also offer automated email follow up systems, aka drip systems, for sales agents who wish to augment their lead follow up process with a tool that automatically stays in touch with potential customers. This is a pretty cool feature, as once you set up the email messages you can put it on automatic and it'll automatically follow-up on every lead that emails for information.

Content Is King!

Your web site should include lots of relevant content to increase your chances of being found in the search engines. You should also be able to customize titles, descriptions and keywords. And the ability to generate reports and perform FREE Auto/Manual submissions to select search engines is a must. If not you'll end up having to extra for what some web site building programs provide as a free service.

Don't have time to create content for your site? Join the club, as many other real estate agents are in the same predicament. They need web content to increase site visits and boost search engine rankings, but don't have the time to devote to everything else that they need to be doing. So, they use pre-written content, which I highly recommend!

Good Web Site Design

Good web site design is a critical element of designing a user friendly web site. The design and layout are important features that actually bring users to your site and keep them there.

A major aspect of your web site design is the web site navigation. If the navigation of your site is poor the user will leave the web site quickly, without taking the time to look at your content. If your web site is difficult to read, or has unappealing font size and colors and is otherwise unappealing the visitors may leave because of it, too. Consequently, a good, clean, simple and easily navigated web site is the best type of site to create.

Some people like to use side navigation bars to guide visitors through their sites, while others like to use navigation bars found at the top of the web site pages. But placement is not as important as consistency, so that whichever you use it is consistent and visitors will always know where to go to move to another page. I don't have a personal preference, and am usually guided by the look and feel that I want to project.

The most successful real estate agents and brokers realize the value of agency websites and are constantly working to improve them. Still, many have web sites that are difficult and costly to maintain. Some of the questions to ask are:

Should your agents have access only to certain parts of your administration panel, and not others? How will you manage listings? Are you using a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? How Can A Real Estate Web Site Boost Your Business? These are just a few of the questions you'll have to answer as you move forward with building or improving your web site.

Summarily, the most successful real estate agents usually have lots of leads, buyers and sellers. And one lead generating system that works well is online marketing with Real Estate Agent Web Sites. They're relatively inexpensive these days, but can give a serious boost to your real estate marketing result

Visit Real Estate Marketing Talk for more information about Real Estate Agent Web Sites.

Home Appeal for Today's Market

Sellers get todays market with pricing and longer market times, but understanding that the priced-right home needs to have an up-to-date appeal to home buyers can be a daunting next level. After years of hearing from successful sellers that they didn't have to do a thing, sellers need some rehabilitation to understand how they can stand out from their competition with rising inventories. Many sellers are open to a overhaul if the tips come from someone other than their agents mouth. Here is a handy list to help convince sellers that some features in their home might need some attention.

-Test all door and cabinet knobs. Replace mis-matched or inexpensive hardware for a quick update. Buyers rarely can get beyond a knob that comes off in their hand as they attempt to use a door.

-Take the time to paint walls, trim and ceilings. Keep adjoining rooms in the same color palette which will make your home appear larger and flow better. Clean up spills from messy painters. Hire professionals to paint mullions on windows and staircase spindles.

-Slipcover mismatched furniture in a room that requires visual unification.

-Discover ways to organize day-to-day room needs. Substantial wicker baskets or square stainless steel or brass can organize magazines, remote controls and toys. Books provide a good look, but vary them by laying some down and standing some up.

-Wallpaper is considered fill-in-the-blank decorating. No two people have the same taste in this instant decorator wannabe. If it?s more than three years old, take it down and paint in a neutral color. And wallpaper boarders are out.

-Simple furniture rearrangement can bring new life to a tired space. Float sofas and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings on bare tile and wood floors. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri, fresh fruit or glass crystals on side and coffee tables.

-Make sure there is balanced lighting in every room for dusk and evening showings. Dimmers help set the right tone. -Polish and wax hardwood floors to brighten and blend an old finish.

-Clean every surface until it shimmers and shines. Clean can seal a deal. Don't forget the windows.

-Purchase the best quality carpet pad which can make any new carpeting cushy, and home buyers love cushy. Stay away from shag styles, buyers know it won't be around long in style cycles.

-Streamline window fashions. Heavy drapes are in the minority. Think let the light shine in when placing placing blinds and shades. Light and bright can overcome other issues with home.

-Freshen-up closets with closet organizers to maximize storage space and paint a neutral washable color. Make sure buyers can see the back of all closets and cupboards. Lighting is often overlooked feature in closets, but buyers will always turn on lights when viewing a closet, big or small. Thinning closets, cabinets, basements, attics and garages will also help your storage spaces look larger. If you can't part with items, rent a storage locker to hold items for decision making later.

-Don't forget the basement, dark, dirty and musty basements are a turn-off to buyers. Add extra lighting, paint the floor and vacuum out all the cobwebs. Organize storage areas and take the time to clean the washing machine and dryer. To spruce up the hot water heater and furnace, wipe down with a strong cleaner. Scrub the laundry tub and sweep left-over leaves out of exterior stairs and window wells. Run a dehumidifier to reduce basement moisture.

-Take a good look from the street or road at the front of your home. Look for shrubs that are over grown or dead and remove and replace with shrubs that are to scale to your home. Small inexpensive bushes send the wrong message.

-Limit yard ornaments to a favored few. Excess ornaments can make yards look busy and buyers might want them included in a purchase contract.

-Paint and refresh yard lights, flagpoles, mailboxes, window boxes, fences and trellis. Don?t forget the swing set or play equipment.

-Replace broken bricks on terraces, cracked concrete patios and steps. Eliminate trips and falls on property showings.

-Restore screens on porches and lanai?s. Dirty, rusty and ripped screens limit functionality to homebuyers.

-Don't leave pets unattended for property showings especially when you know they can be aggressive or territorial around strangers.

-Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy problems.

-Pick up dog droppings in the yard. Buyers out to take a look at the roof don't want any take away.

-A barking dog or overly friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home.

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Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com.

Northern Ireland House Prices Rise By 600 GBP Per Week!

The latest quarterly price index compiled by the University of Ulster shows that the average price of a home was ?153,868, an increase of ?31,000 since last year. Detached houses are experiencing the greatest price rise, showing an average of ?237,749 - an increase of almost 30%.

Belfast has also seen the average house price rising by 23.6%, however Lisburn saw the greatest price hike with the average increasing by 44% The report, which was produce in association with the Housing Executive and the Bank of Ireland, covered 2200 transactions reported by 108 estate agents` firms. Terraced and town houses saw an increase of 29% with semi-detached houses rising by 23% and bungalows rising more steadily by 19.7%. Detached bungalows also failed to match the growth of the rest of the market with a rate of 11.9% reaching an average of ?184,045. Apartment prices continued to show a variable performance over time, rising by 19.2%. In Belfast, the overall average price of a home was ?145,051, whereas South Belfast remained the strongest performing area in the city.

All property types in Lisburn experienced rampant rates of increase. Prices in Craigavon and Armagh also saw a 39% annual rise while Londonderry and Strabane experiencing significant growth at more than 30%. The number of properties with a value of less than ?100,000 also appear to disappearing, with only a fifth of the sales (20%) in the ?50,000 to ?100,000 bracket. Louise Brown, one of the authors of the study, along with Professors Alistair Adair and Stanley McGreal, said it was difficult to see how the growth rate of 25% across Northern Ireland could continue. She said: Having said that, the 25% growth in this survey is not a one-off - it's very comparable with the rates of increase during the second half of 2005. These are boom conditions that appear to be the result of strong investment activity, relatively cheap borrowing costs and an undersupply of properties. Despite the housing boom, the average cost of a house in Northern Ireland is ?30,000 lower than those south of the border.

The average cost of properties are: Lisburn, ?188,772; South Belfast, ?188,069; Enniskillen/Fermanagh/South Tyrone, ?169,402; Mid and South Down, ?167,886; North Down, ?166,264; Coleraine, Limavady and the North Coast, ?165,591; East Belfast, ?165,432; Mid Ulster, ?163,446; Antrim/Ballymena, ?155,319; Craigavon/Armagh, ?144,157; Derry/Strabane, ?140,747; East Antrim, ?120,163; West Belfast, ?113,052; North Belfast, ?107,673.

By George McGonigal, a partner in moving. Why not visit moving estate agents northern ireland: for a full estate agency service at a flat fee of ?750 or our sister website for competitive n ireland insurance where you can compare car insurance quotes from lots companies without obligation.