How to Determine the Best Real Estate Markets to Invest in?

Writen by Guru Bhakt

Now, let’s suppose you are planning to invest in real estate … you might want to ask yourself two questions

Where will you invest? And

What sort of property will you buy?

Why ask questions like these? Well, like some wise person said, money is made when buying. It’s very important that the buying decision is a very good one … that decision alone might greatly increase the possibility and amount of profits made.

Also, buying real estate properties at relatively low prices in areas that have very good fundamentals and future prospects is one way to almost guarantee profits.

One way to answer the first question might be to see which are the fastest growing communities … and then determine why they are the fastest growing communities.

For instance, according to a recent article on netscape.com, Greeley, Colo. is one of the fastest growing communities … and the possible reason stated for it being one of the fastest? Its relatively inexpensive homes and its proximity to a major metropolitan center.

If Greeley remains at the head of the list of fastest growing communities for another year or two, its “relatively inexpensive homes” might become fairly expensive … and by that time the people who saw this trend first and bought homes there would have made many a pretty penny : )

Communities with the fastest rate of population growth can also see very high real estate value appreciations.

And coming to our second question, what sort of property will you buy?

Well, the answer to the first question might determine the possible choices for this … for the type of property to buy might well depend on where you buy property …

Location might determine the best type of property to buy …

For instance, luxury property has a been one of the best performing segments of real estate, but you may not want to buy luxury property as an investment option just about anywhere maybe if you chose to buy property in Beverly Hills, then luxury real estate would be a great option.

And what if you are buying property in a fast growing community where a large percentage of the new population is single families? Then maybe buying single family homes would be a good option…

And if a large percentage of the population is retirees, then you might want to determine what types of property people in their golden years prefer.

Gurubhakt is a writer and web content developer who has written content for several niche sites, and one of the latest is http://www.beautifulhomesandproperty.com that discusses a wide variety of luxury real estate.

Boston Condo Market First Quarter Sales

Writen by John C Ford

The first quarter Boston condo sales results from the Ford Realty sales report show some moderation in sales prices. Portion of this data was obtained from LINK. LINK is the Boston real estate listing service used by most Boston real estate brokers for obtaining Boston condo sales information.

The Boston real estate sales data regarding the Boston condo market is much better then most people have been expecting. The total number of Boston condos sold reached 1,046 this quarter only slightly off of 1,058 at the end of the first quarter of 2005. The Boston condo sales data also revealed that the lower end of the Boston condo market is on the rise. One area that showed enormous growth was in the Boston Fenway area. Presently the $500,000 and less Boston Fenway condo sales rose from 21 at the end of the first quarter of 2005 to 41 this year a 50% increase in Boston condo sales.

The million dollar Boston condo market wasn’t as fortunate as the number of Boston condo sales dropped 30% by most experts estimation. The cause for drop in million dollar Boston condo sales was mostly due to an over abundance of supply. The million dollar plus condo market is sprouting up like mushrooms while the $500,000 and less condo market are viewed by first time home buyers as cherished sought after gems that are being bought up at a fast clip.

The data reveals that despite the negative publicity of late of the Boston condo market may enter into a real estate bubble it has proven to be very resilient dispite the recent price fluctuations.

To view more information on the Boston condo market visit Ford Realty at its website at http://www.fordrealty.net

John Ford is the President and owner of Ford Realty Inc., in Boston, Ma.

A Log Cabin of Your Own

Writen by Eriani Doyel

When you think of a log cabin, what do you imagine? Something rustic and small that the settlers lived in until more permanent housing could be built? Or, do you imagine the cabins of today, with beautifully designed architecture and sturdy construction meant to stand the test of time and the weather? If you have thought about a cabin as a vacation home you should definitely look at the log models of today. Not only are they well built, but they are fairly economical and you can even build your own log cabin from a plan that you purchase.

There are a few basic steps to building a log cabin, whether you build it yourself or have it built for you. The first step is to find a location. Most cabins are in wooded areas and forests. Find one in a desirable area where the land is available and zoned for residential housing. Also check to make sure that utility service is available and that your lot would be accessible when you want to go there.

The next step is to find a builder or some plans. You can go online to find a builder and also blueprints that are standard or custom designed. Consider future changes in your family situation when you decide what features will be important in your log cabin. Such as how many bedrooms do you need? Are you going to need lots of storage? What appliances and electronics do you want? How many bathrooms?

Once you have chosen a builder or plans, it is time to lay the foundation. The foundation of your log cabin should be level to avoid cracking and sliding. Find out what precautions should be made due to weather. Any plumbing, etc. should be adequately protected.

Next, the exterior walls of the log cabin will be put up. They are what will give the cabin its shape and character. The logs should be treated to avoid rot and should fit tightly together with some type of sealant in between for insulation and security purposes.

The roof of the log cabin comes next. Some cabins have a metallic roof while others have wood or tar paper shingles. The choice is yours. Metal will not rot, but it is not as attractive or as insulating as other roofing material.

Once the roof of the log cabin is installed, you can begin work on the interior, windows, etc. If you want log inner walls they may need to be installed at the same time as the exterior walls in order to make a tight connection. If you use drywall, then you can put the walls of your log cabin up later.

A cabin can be a great investment, not necessarily in resale value, although depending on the market that can be true, it is mainly an investment in the quality of your life and the time you spend with those you love.

Eriani Doye writes articles about Finance and Real Estate. For more information about owning a log cabin visit dotcabin.com

Fractional Ownership, Private Residence Clubs, Condo Hotels and More Second Home Buying Report

Writen by John Kazanjian

You’re seriously considering buying a second home or vacation home. What are your options? Is whole ownership the right choice? What about fractional or shared ownership? What’s more important to you - investment or enjoyment? This report answers these questions and more.

A second home is something many aspire to own and enjoy. You’re not alone. In fact, people are buying second homes like never before. Second homes tend to be held for seasonal and occasional use or whose usual occupants live elsewhere.

The expansion of second home growth has had two driving forces behind it: increased wealth and favorable demographics. With tax laws that benefited the transfer of wealth, the stock market boom in the 1990’s and renewed house price appreciation, average household net worth has risen dramatically. These demographic changes coupled with the recent languishing stock market have intensified second home demand and contributed coincidently to the extreme rise in prices within destination resort areas. Second home purchases are most commonly made by middle aged heads of households in their prime earning years.

In 2004, the second home industry in North America achieved record sales volumes. A total of 2.82 million second homes were sold in the U.S., up 16.3% from 2.42 million sales in 2003. This growth trend is attributed to several factors:

• The US economy recovered from a deep recession.
• Cash in money markets languished with the lowest interest rates in decades.
• Confidence in the stock market remained and continues to remain low with consumers seeking out alternative investment opportunities.
• Consumers in the US and Canada saw second home real estate as a safe haven for investment appreciation with the opportunity to also enjoy the use of their new asset.
• Second homes also provide investment diversification, which has become a critical concern among consumers since the stock market crash in 2000 and 2001.

New Ownership Options Available to Meet New Market Demands

In response to growing demand, the resort industry has undergone substantial change in the last five years. In order to broaden market appeal, developers have crafted new second home real estate products to better respond to people’s needs and desires. The most recent innovations in the second home industry are the introduction and rapidly increasing popularity of luxury fractional real estate and the condominium hotel - two of the fastest growing segments of the real estate industry today.

Fractional Real Estate and Condominium Hotels are primarily purchased for lifestyle enhancements. The variations between these products tend to be in how the owners plan to use their residences and what they hope to gain from their ownership. To better understand these differences it is important to note the two primary motivations for owning a second home - as an investment and enjoyment from use of the residence.

Similar to whole ownership purchases, fractional and condo hotel owners are granted ownership by fee simple deed with title insurance. Since Fractional Real Estate and Condominium Hotels are backed by deed and title, these purchases are considered equity based investments as opposed to the non equity based multi site destination clubs also popular in today’s market. And, just as you can with a primary dwelling, the deeded fraction or condo hotel real estate may be resold or bequeathed.

Fractional Ownership

Fractionals are very upscale fully furnished second home properties usually located within renowned destination resort areas or select urban settings where cultural, dining and shopping experiences are extraordinary. More important to the consumer is that resort fractional projects are being located within destinations that have been family favorites for generations. These residence programs normally include superior resort services such as concierge, valet parking and personal gourmet chef services for in home dining, as well as the use of first class quality amenities and a variety of recreational activities.

Common settings for fractional properties are ski and golf resorts and beach communities. Popular destinations include Aspen and Telluride in Colorado as well as the Caribbean. “Fractionals are typically found in resort areas where prices for second homes are very high and/or there is a scarcity of available real estate,” says Richard Ragatz, president of Ragatz Associates, a hospitality market research and consulting firm based in Eugene, Oregon.

Carl Berry, CEO of Scottsdale based Star Resort Group, notes that the luxury fractional or private residence club concept has become attractive because property values in popular resort areas has skyrocketed out of reach of all but the wealthiest buyers.

For example, Mr. Berry notes that $1 million now buys a tear down cabin in Aspen, Colorado, whereas a fractional there costs $200,000 to $500,000, “which is chicken feed compared to what these properties are going for.” Nowadays, $200,000 will buy a piece of a $1.5 million property, according to Ragatz, who notes that this concept has been around a long time. “People have been investing in second homes with relatives and friends for years, but divided ownership property was never a true product until recently.”

I like to emphasize that the popularity of the second home fractional is that it makes sense to purchasers who simply could not justify the purchase that they might only use for a few weeks out of each year. With a fractional, owners have the asset and all the advantages of second home ownership without the cost or year round maintenance obligations. Professional management relieves owners of the worry and anguish that often accompanies second home ownership. When coupled with superior hospitality service levels, the fractional purchase is an exciting and sensible alternative in the second home marketplace. Fractional choices are broadening as developers continue to design programs that truly allow owners to use their second home as they prefer at a fraction of the cost.

What Types of Fractional Ownership Are Available?

There are several different types of fractionals that serve divergent interests. The most popular categories include Traditional Fractions and Private Residence Clubs.

Traditional Fractional
This original fractional format was first formulated in the 1980’s to formalize the sharing of a single family home within a destination resort area. Traditional fractions now involve condominiums and attached townhouses as well as detached single family homes. These Traditional Fractionals are usually sold in one fourth interests, also termed Quarter shares. Quarter share owners receive one week of use each month for a total of 13 weeks per year. Variations of the Traditional Fractional include: Fifth shares with a total of 10 weeks per year and assignment of use every fifth week, and; Sixth shares with 8 weeks of use per year and allocation of time every sixth week.

Within each traditional fractional format, the weeks are assigned through a calendar that rotates to distribute the most desirable times of the seasons in a fair and equitable manner. The owner may either use or gift their weeks, or they can place their unused time in a rental program and split the revenue with the property manager after costs. Quality of the residence and furnishings is in the 3 to 4 star ranges. Service levels are at the 3 star level, if included in the program offering.

Private Residence Club (PRC)
A Private Residence Club (PRC) is designed to meet the needs of the same affluent buyer that would normally consider purchasing a luxury wholly owned second home. The purchase decision is primarily based on the buyer’s motivation to enjoy the residence and the resort area, although potential value appreciation is a factor.

Affluent purchasers recognize they have limited leisure time and are looking for real estate that is price proportionate to actual use. The Private Residence Club ownership model follows a “pay for what you need and want” philosophy in an intimate, exclusive community together with highly personalized service and a wide range of amenities. As in the Traditional Fractional, owners purchase a share or “fraction” of a Private Residence Club home. They receive a deed with title insurance.

Private Residence Clubs comprise a high end luxury product sold on a one seventh (1/7) to one thirteenth (1/13) share basis. Quality of the residence and furnishings is in the 4 star to 5 star ranges. Service levels are superior with every need or request by an owner accommodated by an attentive staff.

As pioneered by principals of Star Resort Group, the defining quality of the Private Residence Club is in the owners’ ability to access their time in a flexible manner and literally as often as they want, similar to a golf country club and subject to the project’s Reservations Policies and Procedures.

Dave Hanna, President of Star Hospitality and a member of the first PRC development team explains, “In the Private Residence Club program, the owner’s use of the residence is on his schedule and not controlled by a calendar. Generally, ownerships are granted a set amount of time, termed ‘Pre planned Vacations’, to guarantee each owner access to their residence during peak seasonal times. In designing a particular use plan, we consider the length of the peak season and set a ratio of owners to each home that allows enough flexibility so owners can be assured of securing the times that they want each year. Spontaneous visits by owners are accommodated through a ‘Space Available’ reservation program that allows for use as little as one night at a time and up to seven nights per reservation. Some owners may use the program less in certain years, making more time available at the resort for the other owners.”

Carl Berry adds a note on hospitality service levels: “Certain Private Residence Club projects prefer to promote their program with “5 star service” levels. When compared to the rating system utilized by the hospitality industry for luxury hotels, residence clubs that do not provide fine dining alternatives, butler service and other requisites that earn the 5 star rating are at 4 to 4.5 star levels. That is not to say that the service isn’t excellent, for it is. It’s just not 5 star by hospitality industry definitions. Owners at Star Resort Group projects appreciate the tradeoffs between having a 24 hour butler staff versus having to pay for that convenience in their annual fees.”

PRCs are seldom rented, since the owners generally prefer to keep unused time available for the owners while maintaining exclusivity. The Homeowners Association supports their thinking by not facilitating or encouraging rentals. Should owners decide to rent any of their guaranteed weeks to friends or associates, the renters are treated as the owner’s unaccompanied guests.

Condo Hotels
Statistics show that the market for homes with rental income potential is nearly twice the size of the market for vacation homes that are seldom rented. However, both markets are growing rapidly in double digits. As expected, the typical buyer is at least partially motivated by investment and rental income and may be younger and less affluent that the luxury whole ownership second home buyer.

A Condo Hotel unit is a condominium sold on a whole ownership basis with the intent of the owner using some of the time when they wish, while placing the balance of their unused or unscheduled time into a hotel rental program. An operating hotel with attendant services is critical for this program to be successful. The appeal of a condo hotel ownership to prospective buyers is that there may be an opportunity for rental income to cover yearly operating costs. Strict rules apply toward representation of the condo hotel product as an investment. It is first and foremost a real estate product predicated on the owner’s planned use.

Although most condo hotels are sold as whole ownership, some condo hotel regimes have structured a hybrid fractional overlay model into the mix of products in order to reduce the price point and diversify the market. Aside from the prevalent whole ownership condo hotel model, traditional quarter shares or fifth shares tend to be the most popular hybrid within the condo hotel platform.

Whole Ownership Second Home Options
For those who choose to use their resort residence for longer periods of time, or are inflexible in their use times, or for those who simply prefer not to share and are willing to pay the price, whole ownership of a second home is the only acceptable format.

You’re One Step Closer to Your New Home

Now that you’re armed with all the facts, the next step is to start shopping for your new second home. And now that you know all about your fractional ownership options and all of the benefits of only paying for what you need, you just might find yourself owning your dream home sooner than you thought possible.

For more information on fractional ownership in private residence clubs and on condo hotels, including listings and photos of available properties, visit the Star Resort Group website at www.starresortgroup.com

John R. Kazanjian, is Executive Vice President of Star Resort Group. He is a co founder of The World’s Finest Resorts and has served as CEO of Resort Development & Advisors. His 30 year career has focused in fractional ownership resort real estate and vacation ownership development. Visit the Star Resort Group website at http://www.starresortgroup.com for more information on fractional ownership in private residence clubs and on condo hotels, including listings and photos of available properties.

Know What Is Right Real Estate Deal

Writen by Jack Parker

We usually focus on investment in any real estate deal and in that course we forget to consider the most important issue that is whether the deal is right or not. If one wants to determine the potential deal is good or not then here are few points that can help you:

Leverage is important in investment as you can put your money in more number of properties and earn well. See if you invest in one property and that property is not appreciated well with time than you would not get much profit. In case you invest in more than one property then there are chances of earning more profit as the risk is leveraged. One of those properties will definitely appreciate and you will gain profit. So it’s always a better practice to invest fewer amounts in more number of properties. That’s why leveraging is a very important concept in real estate investment. If the property goes up in value then the returns are exponential. Even if the property rates fall down one can always pay back the debts as the real estate is considered cyclical in nature.

Equity is another important aspect in real estate which can have various forms like discounted property price, foreclosure, poorly managed property. Equity can be created in many ways but its better to buy into equity.

In real estate deal cash flow is also very significant aspect. Cash flow can be dependent on various factors like rate of interest on finance, the down payment the financial institution ask for and even the local market condition. It even depends on the factor that there are single or multiple occupants.

Property is always bought with the aim of earning profit for that its value needs to be appreciated with the passage of time. For that the buyer needs to investigate for the surroundings where he is buying the property. With the choice of right neighborhood the other aspect is the time to plan for real estate deal. Both these factors will definitely bring profit to the property dealer. But always consider the risk factor because your assumptions can go wrong even. So always prepare a back up plan. Like if in case some of your property does not get appreciated then the alternative is to rent it out so that you will have some cash flow. So one must always keep an alternative plan ready for that worst that can knock your door any moment.

For any further information: property dealers and online real estate

Real Estate Bashing 101

Writen by Will Daly

Well we found yet more holes in Catherine Reagor’s totally irresponsible June 4th AZ Republic Article “High end condos’ low opening bids signal glut.

Our local paper’s real estate “journalist” failed to do even basic research before making her exagerated claims. In her article she stated that “four condos in the Optima Biltmore Tower on Phoenix’s posh corner of 24th Street and Camelback Road are going on the block [auction] this month. The high rise homes cost [emphasis added] $949,000 last year. The opening bid for one of the condos now is $475,000.” She also stated in the article that “the minimum bids are half of what the homes originally cost.”

Man, more horrible real estate news. Is it true that some poor soul is facing financial disaster, possibly foreclosure, and has resorted to auctioning his home for less than half the price he paid for it??!! Nope; Reagor got it all wrong.

I’m no journalist, in fact I’ve never even taken a journalism class, but I do have some common sense. Without any fancy schmancy “press ID” we got the facts from Sheldon Good and Associates, the auction company referenced in Reagor’s article.

A simple telephone call revealed that contrary to Reagor’s claim, the condo referenced in her article did NOT originally cost $949,000. Instead, it was purchased by an investor for approximately $500,000. The investor then put it back on the market for $960,000.

When after several months he could not find a buyer to pay his ridiculously inflated price he decided to try another angle and hired Sheldon Good & Associates to “auction” it. He set the minimum bid at $475,000 but also instructed Sheldon Good to take the home off the market if the auction does not garner a certain predetermined price. Bright guy; too bad the journalist did not bother doing even basic investigation of her “facts”.

One of the greatest things about America is our free press. Unfortunately, although we citizens are told not to believe everything we read we can’t help but put trust in our traditional journalist media. In the case of Catherine Reagor and her above referenced article any trust would be totally misplaced.

Copyright © 2006 Will Daly. All Rights Reserved.

Will Daly, a Realtor with RE/MAX Excalibur in Phoenix and owner of the marketing labels http://WeKnowUrban.com/, http://CondosPhx.com/, and http://WillDaly.com/, combines years of experience, a thorough understanding of current real estate markets, and cutting edge technology to provide his clients the best advice for proven results. He specializes in Loft and High Rise Development/Sales and Condo Conversions. You may reach him directly at (480) 510 8755 or by visiting one of his web sites.

Expect Great Things from Your Next Open House

Writen by Alex Peterson

Open houses are great ways to create exposure for your property. When advertised and executed properly open houses will tap into most interested buyers and reinforce established ties with a community. Running a well prepared open house can give a potential purchaser many insights into life inside the home and the community and ultimately sell the home faster. Taking the proper steps to make sure your home shows its best, and tap into all possible sources before showing are essential.

With the competitive nature of the home selling process, more real estate agents and homeowners are utilizing “stagers,” professionals with design backgrounds to create the most appealing atmosphere possible. Home stagers’ fees can start at $100 an hour with a two hour minimum. They can create environments for homeowners that make a property more appealing to a greater number of potential buyers. Regardless of what methods you use to present your home, it should feel like a home. Your home may not be ready to grace the cover of a trade magazine, but it should make the most of its best attributes.

Cleaning the home from top to bottom is where most real estate professionals recommend, paying strict attention to kitchens and bathrooms. Carpets should be vacuumed, every surface dusted, dishes put away as well as anything else: clothes, toys and books that will take away from the focus of the room. Small repairs should be made: leaky faucets and toilets, chipped paint, and torn screens should all be fixed. An inspector or Realtor would be helpful in streamlining the house: removing extra furniture or putting away any excess that would take away from the warm and inviting environment of the home.

Once the inside is cleaned you can take care of other necessary improvements that will add to the overall atmosphere of the home. Painting, landscaping, and deep cleaning are just a few. Changing the lighting at the entrance ways can also create a warm mood and make the home more inviting. Major improvements shouldn’t be done unless you plan on recouping the cost in the sale price.

Bushes, plants, trees and grass should be trimmed and neat. The exterior impression is the first impression your home makes to a buyer. Recent Studies indicate “50 percent of purchase decisions are made during the first 60 seconds” of a buyers’ stroll up the walk. If an inspector or professional home stager aren’t in your budget, have your Realtor inspect the inside and outside of the house and offer insights or advice. The whole point is to make the best first impression you can to entice the buyer in for a better look.

As the big day approaches there are some things to make the open house runs as smooth as possible. Make sure all your valuable and personal items have been put away. Make sure doors and windows that should be left open are and main hallways cleared. Garbage should be emptied and if you haven’t had a chance to completely air out the home, now is the time. Turn on all lights to allow the home to appear as bright as possible.

Realtors strongly advise against scented fresheners and carpet deodorizers. They do recommend fresh cut flowers, potpourri, and scented candles. Even simulating the subtle aroma of a home cooked meal has been suggested. The key is subtle make sure that the aroma will not aggravate prospects’ allergies. It also might be the time to take advantage of visual cues. There are some neat tricks that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to enhance tables, sitting areas or focal points of the tour with a bowl of fruit, a display of magazines, candles, small water gardens, or a strategically placed wicker basket.

Ask questions and gain opinions of other homes for sale in your area. Find out what other sellers are doing and what buyers are expecting. Visit other open houses in your area before your event. The whole point of the open house is for prospective buyers to find what they are looking for in terms of a home. The easier a seller can do that than the quicker he sells his home.

Alex Peterson writes for ZipRealty, Inc. ZipRealty provides home buyers and sellers with an innovative real estate solution. By using the efficiencies of the Internet, ZipRealty has streamlined the real estate process and is able to pass significant savings on to home buyers and sellers.

Do You Work from Home? Plan Your Next Home Purchase Accordingly

Writen by Cecelia Taylor

The flexibility afforded by a “zero commute” combined with the skyrocketing price of gasoline has strengthened the case for full time teleworking and telecommuting. According to an Environmental Protection Agency (2004) study:

“Americans spend an average of 46 hours per year stuck in traffic. Gridlock produces more than $63 billion in congestion costs per year”

The artist community has been well acquainted with the use of work/living spaces for years, but improvements in technology have made the benefits of teleworking and occasional telecommuting more attractive to general consumers. According to the key findings form the International Telework Association & Council (ITAC) Telework America (2000) study:

“”Home based teleworkers also have larger homes, on average, than non teleworkers; the difference amounting to about 500 square feet. The most popular place for an office in these larger homes is a spare bedroom, with the living room a distant second. The primary home telework activity is computer work (55% of total activities), followed by telephoning, reading, andaveraging 7% of the timeface to face meetings.”

As you purchase your next home, there are certain factors to consider if you need to set up a new home office:

Make sure that your high tech needs can be met. Have a qualified electrician inspect the wiring of the house to see if the system can handle the extra power load that your home office requires. Older homes may need significant upgrades to handle the extra power, while newer homes are built with more energy efficient systems to handle the additional power along with heating/air conditioning requirements. If you use cable, DSL or satellite internet access, check with your local service provider to see if access is available in your new neighborhood. Shop around for your telephone providerin some cases, business service bundles may be more cost effective than regular residential service.

Designate where your office space will be. Determine the amount of space you will need to accommodate your work style and space. In many cases a spare bedroom or living room space can be used, if a formal den option is not available. If your work requires heavy telephone usage or just heads down concentration, you may want to consider utilizing a room with a door. Doors can be closed to reduce interruptions from other family and household noises.

Plan your office blueprint to include all required furniture, bookcases, computers, fax, and printers. Make sure to allow for filing and storage space for files and extra office supplies. Lighting is critical for computer or assembly work, so make sure to allow for direct sunlight along with any specific task lighting that may be necessary. Select flooring options that will allow you to work comfortably you may wish to go with hardwood or laminate flooring to allow for your chair to move smoothly across the floor. Install enough phone lines to cover your home, business and fax machines needs.

Is the office easily accessible? If you will expect regular package deliveries, make sure that your designated office is easily accessible to the front door of the home. This is also necessary if you will need to meet clients or visitors in your office and would like to ensure a professional appearance for your business.

Find out about local business requirements. Some cities have zoning restrictions and guidelines for work/living spaces along with tax implications. Make sure to check with your local government to determine if special restrictions exist.

Cecelia Taylor writes for Bay Area Real Estate Advisor, which profiles communities and neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Termite and Moisture Damage Not Reported

Writen by Suzie Shannon

I have done so many appraisals where I saw obvious damage that was not reported by the other inspectors. The first couple of times I thought it was just carelessness. I came to realize it was the same agents who had found what I call pocket contractors or repeat business. Most buyers are not aware of this problem but believe me it is a big one.

I remember one very nice fairly new house and I saw what appeared to be moisture damage as soon as I pulled up to the curb. It was on the first and second floor window frames. Also there was a paladium window that leaked on the second floor of the foyer. When I got done with the appraisal, I made the report “subject to” the specific itemized repairs and termite and moisture inspection. The loan processor immediately called me and said they had a clear letter from the termite and moisture inspection and nothing was mentioned in the home inspection with regards to those problems. I didn’t change anything. A few days later the mortgage company called and said the repairs had been completed and to do a final inspection. I returned to the house. The first thing I noticed was the second floor fascia and sills looked exactly the same. Everything had been done on the first floor. We got the huge heavy ladder out which infuriated me, as I don’t like heights and that someone would try to fool me by doing the obvious, clearly visible repairs.

I climbed up the ladder and stuck my pencil in the wood, it sunk right in like a chop stick in pudding. Then a big hunk came off. I called the mortgage company and rejected the repairs. I was called again and they weren’t complete. The repairman was supposed to finish in the afternoon and the loan was to close the following morning. The new owner was a doctor at VA and didn’t have any flexability in her schedule. The carpenter apologized to me that the agent had not told him about that or he would have done it.

I didn’t tell him that I knew the agent and deceipt was her profession. He ran out of the right sized wood so I suggested that he improvise by putting a piece of trim at the top front with caulk just to prevent element exposure. I was there until 8:30 p.m. before it was complete and I could approve it. The agent is still practicing and I am sure using the same inspectors. How sad. P.S You know who you are Ann.

Suzie is a licensed real estate broker and certified residential appraiser with twenty years of experience. Other professionals in the field have contributed as well. They are brokers, agents, appraisers and educators. http://www.freewebs.com/realestatenews

Investing in UK Land An Average Growth of 920% over 20 Years

Writen by Stephen Todd

Many overseas investors are seeing the potential for investing in UK land. Not only does land ownership in the UK offer high returns, it also offers low risk, making it a great investment for long term capital gains.

There are opportunities countrywide for investing In UK land: