Real Estate Investment by Foreign Nationals Uh oh?

So inspiration hit me in Montreal this weekend after some drinks. It wasn't the alcohols effects that caused it (I swear!!!), but the not so wonderful cost.

When I went to school in Burlington VT ('97-'01), my friends would frequent Montreal for numerous reasons. A few that come to mind were the beautiful scenery (a.k.a. strip clubs), the drinking age of 18, and the fact that they could go out to eat, get surf and turf, appetizers, and drinks for $25 American.

Not so anymore..... the same principle definitely effects peoples purchasing decisions in most realms, Real Estate included. I found an interesting article http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/05/29/realestate/29lizo.html?ex=1154059200&en=399b29e55613ce54&ei=5070 titled Who Needs the Riviera, that focused on a small group of Europeans taking advantage of their strong Euro in the American Real Estate market. The article also indicated that it wasn't necessarily a small group of Europeans settling in the area.

The current exchange rates are not just favoring those with a strong Euro versus the Dollar, however it also appears to be fueling some currency speculation through housing. Another article http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/business/15045250.htm South Korean cash flows into U.S. real estate shows a perfect example of the reasoning behind the speculation.

They (wealthy Koreans) are betting that the U.S. dollar will strengthen, causing the value of their U.S. holdings to appreciate when converted into Korean currency, and that even slower home-price appreciation in the U.S. will continue to beat returns in Korea, where high taxes on real-estate profits discourage speculation.

With interest rates on the rise, I think that their guess that the US dollar will strengthen, is a very educated guess.

So is this a good thing or not? Well it depends on who you are.

If you're a homeowner worried about the value of your home in an uncertain market, this should ease some of your stress. Foreign investment can be a great thing for homeowners in a certain area. The increase in demand and foreign money to an area that did not have it prior, will absolutely help increase/sustain property values of other homes around the area.

For those of you still renting waiting for just the right time......If you're going to be in the same area for a few years, and you have good credit, the best time is now.

And for potential investors just waiting around for the bubble to pop and great deals to start popping up from people who overextended themselves, it appears as though you might have some foreign competition on some of those purchases.

Jon Ernest is the Principal Broker of Spotlight Realty. A small, independently owned, full service residential real estate agency in Brookline, Massachusetts.

http://www.SpotlightRE.com
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See this article and other rants and raves on my Cambridge Brookline Boston Real Estate Blog

Preparing a House to Sell

After you have decided to sell your house, you must prepare the house accordingly. The look of your house will be the first impression the buyer gets. So you need to prepare your house very carefully, to give the right message.

The first thing that the prospective buyer sees is the exteriors. Make any necessary repairs. If you have a lawn or garden, make it attractive. Check that the sidewalks and driveways are free of weeds and clutter. Make enough room to walk comfortably on steps, balconies, patios, etc. Clear away any unnecessary furniture and articles. Also, all pathways and rooms should have sufficient lighting. Ensure that all doors, windows and cupboards are openable. Try to remove clutter from the basement and garage. Have the house professionally cleaned, especially carpets and draperies. Any pending repairs and painting should be undertaken before listing the house for sale. Bathroom and kitchen fixtures should be in proper working condition. All pet areas and bathrooms should be cleaned thoroughly. Check that there are no clogged drains or rain gutters causing seepage and dampness. Spray an insecticide to get rid of bugs. And if you are still not sure how to prepare the house for selling, you can hire a professional inspector who can recommend what changes and repairs you need to do before selling your house. It will give you a third-party perspective of improvements required.

Additionally, it is a good idea to remove your personal imprints from the rooms. If you have too many family photos hung around, it can put the buyer off. And if you have a list of all the special features of your house and location, it can give a good impression to the buyer. Also list what items and accessories you are selling along with the house. Keep all your old bills handy for inspection. And before any prospective viewer comes, try to air the house properly so that any smells can be eliminated. You could use air fresheners or even coffee aroma for a more subtle effect. And try to keep your pets in control during the visit. Last but not least, try to disconnect your emotions from the house. Eventually it can turn out be in your favor, since you will have to part with the property.

Sell House provides detailed information on Sell House, Sell Your House Fast, Sell House By Owner, Sell Your House Online and more. Sell House is affiliated with Real Estate Note Brokers.

Austin Real Estate Listings

Austin has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It has a population of half a million. Austin is considered a good place for entrepreneurs, with great opportunities and a good business environment. Therefore, it is an ideal location to invest in real estate. Shop around to the different neighborhoods, and see what surrounding attractions exist, so that you will know how to pitch the land if you ever want to resell it on the market.

With its clean air, clean water, and healthy food facilities, it has attracted many people. Austin has the campus of the University of Texas, where many students come to study. All these factors contributed to the real estate boom in Austin.

In Austin there are many real estate agents or brokers. They provide listings for real estate once the buyer registers with them. They also give lists to the buyer according to the buyer?s needs. Many real estate agents have websites where they keep updated lists of the properties they have to trade.

There are many other websites which provide information about the city of Austin. These websites also possess real estate listings. But the problem with such listings is that most of the time they are not updated. Hence, time can be wasted.

The newspaper is one of the best and cheapest options to get real estate listings in Austin. Most local newspapers provide listings in their classified section or in special issues on real estate. Local magazines devoted to real estate also give listings on real estate in Austin.

Austin Real Estate provides detailed information on Austin Real Estate, Austin Real Estate Brokers, Austin Commercial Real Estates, Austin Real Estate Listings and more. Austin Real Estate is affiliated with Dallas Real Estate Agencies.

Downtown Atlanta Apartments

Downtown apartments in Atlanta are a recent addition to the downtown area's lodging options. Downtown Atlanta, the central business district of the city of Atlanta, maintains furnished and unfurnished apartments that are convenient for business travelers, relocated employees, and those in a transit stage of building a house.

For many years, downtown Atlanta was only a business center. The Summer Olympics in 1996, and the major revitalization campaigns have imparted a modern look to this region. Downtown Atlanta has undergone many renovations and modifications to maintain its attractiveness. Many housing facilities were added in the consecutive years, and it has become the location for a number of skyscraper apartments.

Downtown apartments are specifically designed to support the city's new retail businesses and cultural ventures, and they add style and elegance to the streets. Almost all apartments are located close to deluxe hotels and state-of-the-art conference centers. Luxury apartments are recent additions to this downtown area. Apartments catering to individual preferences such as price, location, nearby school districts, nearby shopping areas, restaurants, churches, pools, and exercise facilities can be selected.

Apartments are built in garden-style and town-home floor plans, with attractive facilities and amenities. Furnished and luxurious apartments are equipped with facilities such as air conditioning, balconies, fireplaces, and high-speed internet.

Rental apartments are accommodation options fit for any budget and lifestyle. Studies reveal that the market for downtown apartments has increased in recent months, with more people opting to stay in apartments rather than individual houses.

Downtown has both new and renovated apartments for rent and for sale. You can select from private or public-private partnership apartments, which are available with varying sizes and rental rates. Centennial Place, City Plaza, and Lofts at Muses are some of the downtown Atlanta apartments.

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.

Greater Washington D.C. A Great Place to Live

Metropolitan D.C. & Northern Virginia -- A great place to live

According to Northern Virginia Association of Realtors' Realtor Update Magazine, recent statistics show that the D.C. Region is the Place to Live, Learn, Thrive

The report points to the 2006 Regional Report by the Greater Washington Initiative which states that the Washington Metro area was among the best in the nation in 2005 in terms of job cration, economic growth and quality school systems. Greater Washington is now the fourth most populous metropolitan region in the nation, trailing only New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago!

The article details that unlike those areas, the Washington D.C. metro population is expected to increase 8.5 percent by 2010

Greater Washington generated 270,800 jobs during the past five years, more than any other major meto area, with an unemployment rate of 3.4% in 2005, far below the national average of 5.1%. Thirteen of the area's high schools are in Newsweek's Top 100 ranking. Greater Washington has a higher percentage of PhDs than any other metro area.

Ours is also a region of great diversity. Fairfax County has a higher density of foreign-born residents than Chicago, New York, or San Francisco. Minorities will comprise 46 percent of the population in Greater Washington by 2010. Twenty percent of area residents speak a language at home besides English.

Greater Washington's 2005 median household income was $72,799 -- the wealthies of any large metro area.

All those statistics confirm what many of us already knew -- Northern Virginia is a great place to live. That's why owning a home here is a great investment!

For additional information about the report visit http://www.greaterwashington.org

Brian Block is a Realtor with RE/MAX Allegiance in Alexandria, Virginia and a real estate attorney in Northern Virginia. He can be reached by e-mail at brian@brianblock.com. Find out the latest about the Northern Virginia real estate market at http://www.virginiarealestatenews.com and visit Brian's website at http://www.brianblock.com for the latest homes on the market.

Miami Luxury Real Estate

Are you looking for a luxurious piece of real estate? In Miami there is no shortage of luxury real estate. Where else in the world can you find Millionaire?s Row? Miami plays host to the collection of out-of-this world properties for the elite rich and chic population of the wealthiest and most prominent people in the world. Common is not a word you can describe the real estate here. Real estate developers continue to outdo one another with grandeur and extravagance when it comes to offering real estate to potential buyers.

Basic Amenities

You can find residential areas that are fully-furnished and offer services fit for royalty. The properties are surrounded with a vast garden elegantly landscaped for kings and queens. The area is decorated with sculptures and fountains, with stones and plants that enhance the surrounding ambience.

The kitchen comes with dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, sinks, washer and dryers, wine coolers, refrigerators, and more. Water is filtered for safe drinking.

Bathrooms have beautifully structured wood cabinets, marbled floors and countertops, Jacuzzis, glass-enclosed showers, and walk-in closets.

The highlight of it all comes in private high-speed elevators installed for your private pleasure; diverse architectures to suit your taste; high ceilings of about 12 feet high; fireplaces; terraces with glass doors; and personal patios. The whole area is installed with internet-ready network ports.

Housekeeping service and security are readily available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Catering service is available for your dining pleasure.

Health clubs for indoor or outdoor massages and aromatherapy treatments to contribute to your relaxing stay. Sports facilities such as the gym, swimming pool, and tennis courts are also available.

Miami Real Estate provides detailed information on Miami Real Estate, Miami Waterfront Real Estate, Miami Beach Real Estate, Miami Luxury Real Estate and more. Miami Real Estate is affiliated with Downtown San Diego Real Estate.

Scottsdale Arizona Neighborhood Overview Something For Everyone

Scottsdale Arizona is located in the north east corner of the Phoenix Metro area. Bordered on the east side by rural Indian reservation lands and mountain ranges and surrounded on the other three sides by Phoenix and the surrounding area, Scottsdale is a collection of neighborhoods that define and capture the spirit of one of the most beautiful cities in America. Here is a quick summary of Scottsdale neighborhoods:

South Scottsdale: Older section of town with condo complexes, small patio homes and industrial areas. Great location near to Mill Street, Tempe and Arizona State University, plus easy access to downtown Phoenix.

Old Town Scottsdale: Once known for the quaint Main Street tourist shops and art galleries, Old Town now offers high end shopping, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The new waterfront district with luxury high rise condominiums and other loft style and ultra modern style condo projects is providing an exciting new direction.

McCormick Ranch: Centered around several golf courses, this area has a number of home and condo communities in central Scottsdale. Great family oriented residential area.

Gainey Ranch: Located just west of McCormick Ranch is a bit newer and offers some high end shopping, restaurants, and of course golf.

Shea Blvd: Marked by Shea Blvd and located north of McCormick Ranch and Gainey Rance is the Shea Neighborhood. A mix of residential and commercial, the area includes the Starfire Golf Club and the Scottsdale Ranch area which includes lake front communities.

Scottsdale Airpark: Centered by a small airport catering to private jets, this area is a hub of commercial and retail business. From small technology companies to large and small corporations, a number of jobs and companies are located here.

Kierland: Just west of the Scottsdale Airpark is the new, upscale shopping and residential area known as the Kierland. Anchored in part by the Kierland Westin Resort and Spa as well as the Kierland Commons, an upscale shopping center filled with restaurants, this area may some day rival Old Town for a mix of high end luxury living with urban style ammenities.

North Scottsdale: This area north of the 101 highway and the Kierland/Scottsdale Airpark neighborhoods is a collection of luxury, golf course communities. DC Ranch, Desert Highlands, Desert Mountain, Estancia, Grayhawk, Troon and Troon North are some of the main golf course centered communities. There are also a number of smaller developments in and around these areas providing plenty of home, condo and townhome living options. You'll find the city atmosphere has been replaced with Sonoran Desert landscapes and gorgeous mountain views.

Scottsdale offers something for everyone. South Scottsdale is close to ASU. Old Town is the city center with the new high rise/waterfront district. McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch and Shea areas are great places to raise a family. Scottsdale Airpark is the commerical and business hub with Kierland providing high end shopping and residential areas. And, North Scottsdale offers golf course and Sonoran desert style living options.

About the Author

Liz Suto is a Phoenix, Arizona Real Estate Agent specializing in the Scottsdale Condo, Loft and Townhome Market. Visit her websites www.ScottsdaleCondoMania.com and www.PhoenixCondoMania.com to easily browse the condo markets by area, complex, style or price and start home shopping today! Liz can also be reached by phone at (623) 810-1273.