Local Housing "Market Knowledge" Is Most Valuable Attribute Consumers Look for In Hiring An Agent

In today?s changing real estate marketplace, one-third of consumers said in a national survey that local ? housing market knowledge? is the most valuable attribute they look for in hiring a real estate agent. ?Commissions? and ?communication? tied for second place in the survey. Each received 22%.

Fourteen percent of consumers responding to the random survey said ?experience? is the most valuable asset they seek in hiring an agent. Ranked last is ?negotiating skills.?

?Market knowledge is critical in all kinds of real estate markets, no matter the location,? observed Michael Bearden, President and CEO. ?This is especially true when housing markets are as balanced as they are now between buyers sellers.

?By taking advantage of the free ?Current Market Conditions? feature on their websites, our member agents can immediately establish themselves as real estate market experts in their exclusive territories,? Bearden continued. ?These quarterly surveys measure such things as days on the market, percentage differences between listing and selling prices, inventories of unsold homes, the ratio between buyers and sellers, local market hotspots, and repeat and first-time buyer activity.?

By participating in the survey, local sales data developed by member agents also becomes part of regional and national housing data released quarterly to the media and publicized both internally and externally.

The importance of communication between agents and their customers is underscored in the survey results. ?The Internet has become an important tool in establishing and maintaining good communications with clients, past clients and prospects. The customer expects and demands instant communications.

By ranking ?commissions? ahead of agent ?experience? and ?negotiating skills,? consumers are focusing on the bottom line after a five-year run-up in homes for sale prices in many parts of the country. ?We?re talking about bigger commission dollars and higher expectations of services and results by home buyers and sellers in slower markets,? Bearden said. ?To be successful, real estate agents must have aggressive marketing plans and have a solid track record of successful results in all kinds of markets. Our system and our marketing tools were designed to do just that for our members.?

Monte Helme is a national public relations consultant with HouseHunt, Inc. Previously, he was vice president of public relations and publications for Century 21 Real Estate Corp.; vice president of communications for AmeriNet Financial Services (now LendingTree); assistant city editor/Orange County for the Los Angeles Times; executive sports editor of the Rockford, IL, Morning Star and Register-Republic; and reporter for the Dixon, IL, Evening-Telegraph. Find real estate, homes for sale through public MLS and check what my home is worth in your area.

Introduction to Investing in Real Estate

?The property boom has made us all feel wealthy, but unfortunately it has lulled many of those nearing retirement into a false sense of security.? -Noel Whittaker

Making money in the real estate market has never been easier. It used to be that investing in real estate was an activity only the affluent could afford to indulge in. However, today, property investing is available to anyone at any price range.

If you have ever dreamed of being a successful investor, or buying and selling properties at a huge profit, now is your time! Do not let this opportunity pass you buy. Not only would you be involved in the most profitable and exciting form of investment in the current economic market but you would be securing your financial future.

Never having to think about financial concerns again ? sounds like a dream come true. Real estate investing is a great way to earn an income off your investments. All you need to learn is how to it and then take your newly acquired skills and make it happen! The first step is stop dreaming and start acting.

If you are truly interested in finding financial freedom you have to act today. Once you have decided to get out of your chair and do what it takes to become an active property investor you need to first start with research. There are many websites which offer information and advice about how to get started in investing in real estate.

There is plenty of free information, ebooks, tutorials, and even mentors just waiting for you to get involved. Remember the first step to any investment is learning and that cost absolutely no money.

Once you learn the basics, seek out a successful real estate investor to discuss your options with. Most people are more then willing to show a new investor the ropes and offer insider tips and wisdom.

Then you must learn the techniques of real estate investing which you will soon have to utilize. These skills include how to find the right properties to invest in, how to be a good negotiator, and how to structure legal and binding financial contracts. The goal of all real estate investments is to put out as little capital as possible and then reselling to achieve the maximum profit available.

To become a real estate investor no formal education is needed. All that is needed is understanding the value of hard work, determination, and drive. A couple of solid real estate investments can turn a substantial profit for the investor.

For those folks who are not looking to get rich but merely have a decent income, real estate investing is for you. With just a single real estate investment, four times a year, you could bring in an income that is far greater then the salary you receive from working your 9 to 5 job. Stop working, live off investments, and enjoy you present as well as your future.

Visit the Global Investment Institute and signup for our free Investing For Beginners E-Course at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

Investment webmasters or publishers, please feel free to use this article provided this reference is included and all links remain active.

Washington Home Buying

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Washington, or perhaps you?re relocating to Washington from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Washington home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Washington:

The median price of a home in Washington is $168,300. Recently, homes in Washington have been appreciating at rates higher than the national average. Additionally, the rate of job growth in Washington places them 13th in the nation. However, income levels in many parts of Washington are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, Washington is ranked fifth in the nation based on the number of residents that pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes on their mortgage.

On the other hand, Washington has one of the lowest past-due loan levels in the nation. Additionally, current average interest rates in Washington are below the national average. The problems with high home-price-to-income ratios may stem from the variability of median home prices between Washington zip codes. For example, in the summer of 2005, the median price of a home in Bellevue, Washington, was $566,000; however, at the same time, the median price of a home in Seattle, Washington, was $386,000, and the median price of a home in Spokane, Washington, was $238,000.

Washington law does allow the disbursement of home equity lines of credit. Additionally, Washington?s Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits mortgage lending discrimination against individuals based on their race, color, religion, gender, familial status, or national origin.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Washington Mortgage Rates and Loans.

Is Headline News Making Your Real Estate Decisions

Looking at the headlines for the last four months about housing is really depressing. However I have noticed that the bodies of the articles and the headline are often at odds. This made me wonder how many people make their housing decisions based on the headlines instead of the articles. We are a nation addicted to the quick. A vast number of us get our news from headlines on our home page or CNN. Articles take time to read; we need the condensed version.

One headline in red bold point type is: 31.7% Biggest Drop in CA home Sales 24 years. What you don't find until the second paragraph is that the drop is from September of 2005. Not mentioned is that home sales in 2005 were the highest ever recorded. Also down in the body is that Unsold inventory is holding steady and is close to the long- term historic average of a normal market. So why isn't the headline Market Reaching Historic Average?

Another article headline says: Home Price Fall Sharpest in 35 Years! What you don't get until the third paragraph is that this number ( 9.7%) is for Nationwide sales of new construction. Half way through the article you find that overall prices are down by only 2.5% and sales activity is up for the last two months. You won't see a headline that says Prices Only Drop 2.7% Sales on Rise.

If I were a Buyer or Seller reading all the headlines I'd be leery of this market. Buyers are worried that if they buy the price will drop and they will look silly for buying in a down market. Sellers are concerned that if they sell now prices will go back up and they will look foolish for not waiting until the market changed. People are truly afraid to make a decision about housing. People would rather make a mistake about a spouse then a house!

The Real Estate market has been slow for almost a year. The Bubble bloggers are praying prices drop to 1995 levels but that's not likely to happen. Sellers are waiting for prices to increase 50% and that's not going to happen either. Here is what has happened. Prices have declined and inventory is up with many housing choices. Sellers will negotiate price and terms. Interest rates are very low. 30 year fixed rates for loans less then $417,000 are 5.78% and jumbo fixed rates are 6.1%. This is an amazing market with great financing and lots of choices but people are not buying. So why are people waiting? I think people are afraid. It seems as if the entire country is just waiting for a headline that tells them the slump is over and it?s OK to return to the housing market. No one wants to be wrong, however trying to time a housing market is almost impossible and usually depends on luck more then skill. Often by the time the general public realizes a market has changed it is too late to get in at the right time. So if you are waiting for the headlines to tell you it?s time to buy you might be too late to get that good deal you have been waiting for so patiently.

Kaye Thomas is a UCLA graduate and has been selling real estate in Manhattan Beach Ca since 1979. Kaye works with buyers and sellers and specializes in residential and small residential income property in the South Bay Beach Cities of Los Angeles county. For more information on buying or selling visit Kaye at Kaye Thomas 4 Homes or Move2ManhattanBeach

or read her BLOG at Manhattan Beach and South Bay Real Estate Information You can e-mail Kaye with questions at: Kaye Thomas

Home Ownership in Palo Alto California

Trying to buy a home in Palo Alto California is a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. That's because Palo Alto homes are in great demand, and there are a lot of potential buyers. The challenge is that few people can afford a home in Palo Alto. To overcome this, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices to find a home that you want.

First, choose your price range. Palo Alto is known for its wonderful schools, proximity to Stanford University, and easy access to major freeways and transit lines. While there are many expensive homes in Palo Alto, there are also numerous less expensive homes as well, homes that may need some work but can provide the basis for a wonderful living experience.

To find a home that will meet your needs, you may have to wait a while, but no wait will go un-rewarded. That's because Palo Alto has so many unique homes, and by unique, we mean that these houses will not work for everyone. Some houses aren't setup right for today's modern families, while other houses just don't have a workable layout.

One thing you should not compromise on is location. There are many neighborhoods in Palo Alto and one way to become familiar with them is to spend time on weekends either driving or walking around these neighborgoods. By doing this, you can find neighborhoods with likely future home purchase candidates; these are homes that have something wrong with them other than location - they need work, the yards are over-grown, the insides are outdated, and so on. If you can find a bunch of these houses, you then develop a strategy of waiting for one of these houses to go on the market. Once one of them does, you proceed to make an offer. This strategy may take patience, but it's worth the wait, because owning a home in Palo Alto is a truly wonderful experience.

Amy Morris writes for the home ownership community site http://www.homeownershiponline.com, which has an active community for Palo Alto homeowners.

Buying Your First Home?

You?ve finally decided to take the plunge and buy your first home. While the journey may feel terrifying and confusing, there are some basic steps you can?and should?take before hitting the pavement in search of your future home. Instead of feeling overwhelmed you can arm yourself with the knowledge you?ll need to make informed decisions as you begin your path to home ownership.

Becoming educated in the common practices in your area is the absolutely number one objective on your list. Pick up the phone and call local real estate agents, bank loan officers, and mortgage brokers. Be warned, some will attempt to coerce you into making an appointment?this is not necessary at this stage?and is their way of getting you to sign an agreement you are not ready to sign. Explain clearly that you are in research mode only and need no more than 15 minutes of their time to get your questions answered. It?s important to talk to several professionals as different perspectives and viewpoints will give you a broader spectrum of information in which to base your decisions on.

What to ask

1.Find out what disclosures (facts that materially affect the value of the property) the seller is required by your state to disclose. This varies state to state, so it is extremely important you know what your state laws mandate. Realize that in most cases, the seller is only required to disclose information he/she already knows about the property. What this means is the seller is not obligated to hire professionals, but is required to disclose in ?good faith? any personal knowledge on the property which may affect its financial worth.

2.Ask about standard home inspections. A standard home inspection will give you information on the physical structure itself and the systems inside the home. You need to know what the average cost is in your state, who usually pays for it, and when it is commonly done. Most standard home inspections are paid for by the buyer, but sometimes the seller will split the costs. If you?re in a repressed market or the homeowner is anxious to sell, he may pay for the inspection fully.

3.A title search will have to be performed to rule out any issues with the deed of the property. Who conducts this search and what is the average cost?

4. What are other potential costs you should be aware of? Taxes, settlement agent fees, and commissions are just a few of the ?other? costs you should ask about.

5.It?s also a good idea to find out the average amount of time it takes for a loan to close once an offer has been accepted. This can, and will, vary, because often it has more to do with the personal preferences of the buyer and/or the seller. Be aware of potential time sinks before you begin your search.

6.If you do choose to use a real estate agent to assist you in locating your future home, find out if they?ll help you compose an offer when you?re ready to make one. If they use a standard form, find out if you can get a copy for your own reference. Always be informed on what the agent is giving to the seller.

What?s next?

Get a copy of your credit report, from several sources if possible, and make sure it is correct. If there is incorrect information on your credit report, contact the reporting credit agency and ask for a dispute form. Once you receive the form, fill it out and send it back certified with return receipt requested. When applying for loans your credit score will be the determining factor in getting you the lowest percentage interest rate possible. Make sure the information is factual and then work with what you have. A low score does not mean you can?t buy a house. If this is a concern of yours, find out what programs are available for less than perfect credit.

How much can you afford? You may already know this, but if you don?t, figure it out. The standard rule is your mortgage payment, taxes, and homeowners insurance shouldn?t be more than 28% of your gross income. However, this still may be too much, depending on your other financial obligations. Be honest with yourself and what you can afford to pay out each month. Consider any possible extra costs with home ownership; i.e. new appliances, new carpet, landscaping, and normal home maintenance. Don?t dig yourself into a financial hole you may not be able to get out of.

What type of loan should you get? This is not an easy question to answer, and the best course of action is more research. There are multiple mortgage internet sites you can start with to educate yourself on the types of loans available. In fact, you should definitely pick up the phone once again to make sure you completely understand the loans you are considering. Mortgage brokers and bank loan officers want your business?they will be more than happy to answer your questions and even send you specific loan information.

With this basic, yet important, information at your disposal; you are ready to begin the search for your future home. Always remember that knowledge is key in every aspect of purchasing a home, do not be hesitate in getting the facts you need in any area of the process. Ask questions, be informed, and you will arrive at the other end the confident owner of a new home.

? Copyright: Tracy Leigh Ritts
http://www.TracyLeighWrites.com

Interest Rate Buydowns What Is Old Is New Again

Whenever you hear about buydown loans again, it?s a sure sign interest rates have risen and the real estate market has slowed down.

A buydown occurs when the interest rate is ?bought down?, that is, with cash to pay for a lower interest rate known as a permanent buydown or ?borrowed? into the future with a higher base interest rate as in a temporary buydown. The lower interest rate, the lower the monthly payment and loan qualifying is easier. Conversely, the lower the interest rate the more it costs.

The permanent buydown buys the rate down for the life of the loan. Typically it costs one point or one percent of the loan amount to buy it down a quarter of a percent in rate. If the current rate is 6.50% for example, you can buy it down to 6.25% for about one point.

A temporary buydown is for a short, set period of time. A 2-1 buydown is most common where the initial interest rate is two percent below the base note rate for the first year and then 1 percent below the base for the second year, finalizing at the base note rate for the remainder of the term. An example would be a base note rate of 7.50% with the first year at 5.50%, the second at 6.50% ending with 7.50% for the remaining 28 years on a 30 year loan.

It can be bought down with cash and/or a higher base interest rate with revenue called a Yield Spread Premium, also known as YSP, rebate or premium pricing. Think of it as leveraging tomorrow?s higher interest rate to gain a lower one today.

Why is this important to you as a seller? It increases your pool of qualified buyers for your home. It costs you between one to three points but it is part of dealing with a slow market; either lower the price of your home or give more incentives. It is a widely used tactic by new home builders when the market softens.

Why is this important to you as a buyer? The buydown subsidizes your monthly payments to allow time for your income to catch up to the yearly increase of approximately 7.5% above the previous year?s payment. You can buy the home you want today rather than wait, or worse, buy a lesser home you really didn?t want. You get the added fixed rate security benefit knowing exactly what your monthly payment is at any time, unlike an adjustable rate mortgage. Structured correctly, you benefit at the seller?s expense.

Why is a permanent buydown not a good option on a purchase? One main purpose of the buydown is to get more people to qualify for more home. Three point cost only drops the interest rate about ? of one percent, the permanent rate of 6.50% lowers down to 5.75% for example. A temporary buydown using the same scenario would lower the first year?s interest down to 4.50% percent, a full two percent below. It also lowers the monthly payment substantially below the ? of one percent rate drop.

There are different buydown variations to discuss with your mortgage consultant if you are a buyer or a seller. The 3-2-1 buydown works on the same premise of the 2-1 only over a three year period. A ?flex-fixed? buydown has incremental increases every six months. Structuring depends on your credit score and how much you are putting down.

If you are a seller, a seasoned mortgage consultant will structure the buydown so it doesn?t cost you as much yet broadens the market appeal of your home. It becomes a powerful marketing tool for your real estate agent to sell your home sold faster. This mortgage consultant will also structure the purchase of your new home based on your projected net proceeds to make both transactions smooth and tailored to fit you.

For you the buyer, a buydown is a valuable financing option added to your mortgage arsenal. The buydown and the cost need to be structured into your formal offer to purchase contract. It broadens the number of homes you qualify for and if structured correctly, you benefit from a lower initial monthly payment and interest rate, at the seller?s expense. By the time the interest rate hits the higher base rate; you will be in a position of handling the higher monthly payment with your increased future income if the rates remain high and/or to refinance if rates drop.

Your mortgage consultant will explain the program, the payments and cost in detail in terms you can understand; what it means to you today and over time. Insist on a side-by-side mortgage analysis in writing from mortgage software such as The Mortgage Coach, LoanMagic or a similar mortgage analytical product. If they can?t, you need to find another lender.

Vic Yamauchi, a San Diego native, started his real estate career in 1978 as a Regional Real Estate Manager for Pier 1 Imports after graduating from San Diego State University.

A Realtor in 1980, he learned the business the hard way as home interest rates climbed to over 19% and became well versed in creative financing that has served him to this day. He listed up to 25 homes in one month. He is celebrating his 28th year overall in the real estate and mortgage industry.

Vic has been an owner or co-owner of four different mortgage companies since that time. He was SVP of Retail Production, AME Financial and a past Branch Manager for Norwest/Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

Currently, Vic is a senior mortgage consultant with CalPacific Mortgage Consultants, http://www.capmc.com, and President of Homebuyers Resource Center, http://www.mlsrec.com.

The Local Community

Whether you?re buying a residential house for investment purposes or as your home, the local neighborhood and community where it is located will make a big difference in your enjoyment of that property and in your prospects for the future. Here are some of the basic things to look for:

1. Essential Shops and Services

Are all the essential shops and services in the area and are they you?re your house? Drive around and look for the local grocery, convenience stores, church, gas stations, dry cleaners and the like. While you?re at it, take a good look at the community?s leading shopping center. Oftentimes, if the local shopping center is in decline, chances are that the neighborhood is in decline as well. In addition, if there are a lot of vacant storefronts along that neighborhood, it might be a good idea to explore other options, perhaps go down a street or two for your house hunting.

2. Proximity to neighborhood center You want your home to be neatly tucked away at the center of the residential neighborhood or as close to it as possible. You do not want to purchase a house on the edge of town or close to its outskirts. And neither do you want a house that is at the back or side of a busy thoroughfare either. If it?s a single family residence you are eyeing, try to avoid purchasing property that borders a bustling business enterprise, condominium, apartment complex or school because these places are naturally bustling with activity which can be a distraction.

3. Access to major thoroughfares The ideal property provides easy access to local highways, major traffic routes and major thoroughfares as well as to mass transit. Try to avoid purchasing a house located on a street that is a favorite shortcut of motorists between two busier streets. If it?s a residential home you?re thinking of buying, also avoid a house located at a corner lot since these tend to attract more street traffic and may not be that safe for children. Instead, try to find a house that is in the middle of the block or on a cul de sac. Now if it?s a business or commercial property you are eyeing, a corner lot would be more desirable.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Real Estate, Investing, and Finance

Your New Property in France The French Leaseback Scheme

The French Leaseback Scheme can be a great way to buy new build or newly refurbished property if getting a fixed rate of return on your investment is a high priority and you don't mind restrictions on the amount of time you can use it.

Essentially what you are doing when you enter this type of contract is buying a freehold property but granting its lease to a holiday company for a period of between 9 and 11 years where the rental return is fixed and guaranteed regardless of whether it is rented out or not. They are hence normally located in popular holiday resorts. It is possible to get a higher return from renting the property during the summer months yourself but this of course brings with it a risk and hassle factor.

Refunded VAT:

One of the great bonuses of this scheme is that the purchaser gets a full refund of the TVA (VAT) of 19.6% if it is a new build property which is either refunded 6-9 months after the purchase or paid and reclaimed by the developer in which case the purchaser never has to pay it.

At the end of the initial lease period, the holiday company usually reserves the right to lease it again until the 20th year after its construction but this is very rarely insisted upon if the client is not in agreement.

If you choose not to lease your apartment out again or sell it then you will have to pay a proportion of the TVA according to how many years are left outstanding from the first 20 years. For example, if the property has been under lease contract for 11 years and there are therefore 9 years remaining, then the amount of TVA that must be paid back to the French government is 9/20ths of the TVA. After 20 years TVA is no longer payable. Remember, if you sell the property during its lease contract then it must be sold with the contract intact to a likeminded individual who is prepared to see the contract through.

Guaranteed Return on Investment:

The guaranteed investment return will typically be around the 5% mark net of all costs tax-free as you benefit from non-professional lessor of furnished property status (LMNP). This in effect means that you will receive as much interest as you would in a high yielding savings account as well as the opportunity to gain from capital appreciation of the property.

Personal Use:

Leasebacks often allow the owner the option to occupy the property for a number of weeks a year in return for slightly lower investment yields. If you choose not to use the weeks then you will usually get a higher annual yield.

The Management Company:

An experienced management company will take care of the entire maintenance of the apartment or villa, usually with hotel services available such as reception, house linen, well-kept gardens, swimming pools and 24hr security.

Furnishing:

All furnishing, decoration and electrical appliances are supplied and taken care of by the management company.

Accounting Impacts During the Leaseback's Term

* Deductibility of the loan interest

* Deductibility of miscellaneous expenses (property taxes)

* Amortisation deductibility - 3.3% per year for 30 years. However, they are deferred and not imputable in regard to the business income.

After the leaseback's term, the deferred amortisation can be imputed and set against the received net rents.

Notary Fees and Sales Process:

The sales process follows the same routine as for new build properties with the same corresponding notary fees: 3% on new builds and for refurbished leaseback properties you will have to pay the usual 7-8% notary fees on the property before refurbishment - working out at between 4% and 6% of the value of the purchase price.

Better than Timeshare:

Unlike time share schemes, the owner actually sees a return on his/her investment through annual rental yields and also appreciation in the value of the property which can be substantial - so it is not money down the drain. The bonus though with these schemes is that, like time share, the property will be well maintained by the holiday company with no responsibility for changing of linen and cleaning - you simply turn up during your chosen weeks and enjoy it!

Nick Dowlatshahi is the managing director of Leapfrog Properties, a UK specialist agency in French property. Leapfrog offer an online database of up to 200,000 properties for sale in France plus a personal service from fluent French speakers to help you find, view and buy your property. Leapfrog Properties website is at http://www.leapfrog-properties.com.

Wisconsin Lakefront Property

The value of land is of great importance since its quantity cannot be increased. To be in possession of any type of recreational land in America is a status symbol. In the Midwest alone there are more than 20 million people contending for the few remaining lakefront properties, as this property is turning into a rarity very quickly. Wisconsin lakefront properties are becoming hard to find, if not impossible. Properties with brooks, streams and small ponds are becoming scarce, and hence the request for attractive parcels is ever increasing.

As far as lakefront property is concerned, Wisconsin has a lot to offer in terms of variety and quality. Geneva Lake is the second-deepest lake in Wisconsin, and property on its shores is particularly popular. It provides a taste of splendid scenic beauty. This lakefront provides some of the best properties with a reasonably priced investment, and taxes are not too high.

There are other lakefront properties next to the No-Wake lakes, where one can enjoy camping, hunting, and fishing without any disturbances since the area around is extremely quiet. There are fly-fishing streams close by where one can experience canoeing and kayaking. Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest lake, offers some very beautiful lakefront properties which are charming and pristine. Apart from these, the Green Lake, which is the deepest and also one of the most gorgeous lakes of Wisconsin, has a few rare and expensive pieces of lakefront property. One can find some of the most magnificently clear views of the Green Lake. Peaceful waters and a shallow shore provide safety for children to swim.

For someone who is looking for a lifetime of tranquility and fun, Wisconsin lakefront property is the option to look out for.

Lakefront Property provides detailed information on Lakefront Property, Michigan Lakefront Property, Lakefront Property For Sale, Wisconsin Lakefront Property and more. Lakefront Property is affiliated with Lake Havasu City.

The Real Estate Note Partial Purchase: Enjoy a Slice of the 'Profit' Pie!

Want a piece of the ?profit? pie? Then purchase a portion of a note and discover how to achieve a slice of wealth. The private paper industry, also known as the secondary financing market, offers choices and flexibility to give you the freedom to determine whether you prefer to indulge in a ?slice? or the entire ?profit? pie. A portion of a note in the private paper industry is termed ?partial purchase.?

To achieve such wealth, first examine the basics of a note. A note is a written promise to pay the amount stated from the borrower (payor) to the seller (payee). A mortgage deed is a written instrument that generates a lien by utilizing property to secure a debt. A trust deed holds the title to the property in the ?trustee,? often a title company, as security for the loan until the debt is paid off. A cash flow transaction is the purchase of a note in exchange for cash. The note holder will receive a monthly income stream.

To explain in further detail, through a partial purchase the buyer attains a portion of the private mortgage note owned by the seller. The note represents a promise to pay through a course of payments due at a future time. The note offers flexibility since any portion of the note may be bought or sold.

An example of a partial purchase is as follows. Bob holds a note and would like to sell a portion of the note to pay for his child?s tuition. He could sell the note to an investor who would collect the monthly payments for a specific time period and then the note would revert back to Bob, the original note owner, to resume receiving payments. People often sell a note for a variety of reasons. They may need fast cash to pay a tuition, travel to a dream vacation destination, or even to pay a lump sum to the IRS come tax time.

Benefits to Your Investment Include (But Are Not Limited To):

Reduced risk

Good interest rate

Good rate of return

Note secured by collateral- the real property

Property may continue to appreciate over time

The ability to buy and sell a portion of a note is a mutually appealing situation. Investing in a partial purchase allows the creation of deals through financial structuring that is in turn beneficial to both parties.

Maria Fee is a mortgage professional, real estate investor, teacher, and master marketer with more than 20 years of business experience. Maria is the President of REMI KNOX, LLC, a group of investors who purchase real estate notes nationwide. Quoted by the media as an expert, she is continuously recognized for her extraordinary knowledge and real estate investing experience.

You too can discover hidden secrets to success with real estate notes. To take control of your financial future with proven strategies visit Maria's website at http://www.REMIKNOX.com

Happy investing!

Tips to Save You Time and Money When Investing

Here is some valuable and time saving real estate investing tips that will benifit you and most people which you may not be aware of . . .

Everyone?s reason for selling their property is different and the settlement time in which they want (or need) to sell can vary as well.

When a person is selling a property I like to find out what is their level of Motivation to Sell.

What you need to determine is that some vendors are motivated to sell and will look favourably on your offers in order to achieve a quick sale while others have higher and often unrealistic prices that will not be suitable for your investing needs.

What I would suggest is you focus on those who are motivated and spend less time on those who are not. Don?t ever take their rejection of your offer personally,

And please don?t let fear of rejection stop you from making any offers with any types of vendors.

You will quickly find the motivated vendors by making offers, always include a ?subject to? line included in your the offer. (Subject to Finance, Building inspection, etc)

Always treat the vendor as a businesses partner it is merely a transaction between both parties to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

Be polite and respect them, don?t try to burn them. Concentrate on their needs as well. There are always plenty of deals to be had.

If you treat people this way they will be more likely to want to do business with you. Sometimes they will often come back and take another look at your offer if they can?t get their asking price.

Remember there is always more than one way to skin a cat.

http://www.therealestateinvester.com I am an experienced and passionate investor. I buy typical mum and dad type houses that give me cash flow and capital growth. My website offers helpful tips and ideas for any type of investor to help you with your wealth creation. Using my site will help to prevent you falling into the traps the inexperienced investors do.

Choosing the Right San Diego Realtor for YOU!

Whether buying or selling a home, it is one of the largest financial events that happens only a few times within your life. That makes choosing a realtor just as important and a crucial decision that can add to the stressful event or make it smoother and easier. So, choose your realtor as carefully as you would choose your doctor or attorney.

The first step in choosing the RIGHT realtor is to ask your friends, neighbors, acquaintances and business associates for recommendations. Ask them why they liked the realtor, what kind of service he/she provided, and would they use him/her again? Do not consider recommendations of their relatives ? it is doubtful that you are getting an accurate perspective on the realtor.

If you did not get several truly exemplary recommendations, then drive throughout your neighborhood and check the ?for sale? signs, especially those with ?Sold? stuck across them. Note the realtor names. Also, check out real estate, display and classified advertising in your newspaper and local neighborhood paper. Which realtors have the most listings? Which have the largest or most display ads with photos of the homes? Note the realtor names.

By now, you should have a good list of potential realtors. It is time to check them out. Attend at least one open house for each realtor you are considering. Observe them in action and judge their expertise. Are they professional ? or do they come across as a ?used car salesman?? How familiar is the realtor with the property he/she is selling? After you leave, make detailed notes of your observations and how you felt about the realtor.

If you only used the recommendations of others, now check the advertising in the newspaper and neighborhood media for the realtors in which you are interested. Do the drive through of your neighborhood to see how many sold signs these realtors have. Make notes of how visible these realtors are and their marketing efforts.

Next, choose your top three realtor selections. It is better if they are from different companies, ensuring they will work harder for your business. Call all three and set appointments. For sellers, make the appointment in your home and let them know you would like an estimate of your home?s market value. For buyers, let them know you would like them to determine how much you can afford to pay for a home. Be sure they know that you are meeting with two other realtors and will not make your decision until you have met with all three.

During each interview, take detailed notes on the realtors? presentations. Note any thoughts you have. Ask the following questions, along with any you may have:

?For sellers

oHow will they sell your home? What are their marketing plans? Are they customized to your listing?

oHow many years have they been a full-time realtor? In your area? You want someone with experience, who will be giving your listing his/her full attention.

oWhat is their sales record? This includes their production level, rating, closed rate, expired rate on listings, and average time listings have been on the market before selling within the last year.

oAre they single-proprietorship realtors, work as a team, or part of a company? What prominent company are they associated with, and what resources does the firm provide the realtor that helps him/her do a better job for you?

oWhat level of technology will they use to promote your listing ? web sites, virtual tours, online photo galleries, and so on?

oWhat services do they provide from the time of listing your home to the end of the closing?

oWhat are their communication procedures with you from listing through closing?

oDo they provide working relationships with local inspectors, appraisers, and real estate attorneys?

oWill they help you ?stage? you home for showing. This is a walk-through of the property, suggesting things that should be repaired, renovated or changed to improve your pricing for the home. It also includes things that would ?show? the home better. For example, too much furniture adds a clutter affect, making rooms look smaller. The realtor may suggest storing some of your furniture until after the sale.

oHow did they arrive at the results of their marketing analysis? Ask for the actual addresses of any homes they used for comparison.

?For buyers

oWhat services do they provide from the time you contract with them through the closing?

oHow many years have they been a full-time agent? In your area? You want someone with experience, who will give his/her full attention to finding you a home.

oAre they single-proprietorship realtors, work as a team, or part of a company? What prominent company are they associated with, and what resources does the firm provide the realtor that helps him/her do a better job for you?

oWhat are their communication procedures with you during your search for a home through closing?

oWhat level of technology and research methods will they use to locate potential homes for you to view?

oWhat is their production level and rating? How many satisfied buyers in the past 12 months?

oDo they provide working relationships with inspectors, appraisers, title search companies/attorneys, and real estate attorneys for contracting and the closing? Can they suggest mortgage lenders, if you need one?

oDo they network with other realtors in the area? Sometimes, such relationships may afford you a viewing before a property is ?officially? listed, giving your first view.

Tell the realtors that you will make a decision and contact them in the next day or two.

After all interviews are completed, note the following:

?Who gave you the most usable information?

?For sellers, the market value for your home should be in similar ranges for all three realtors Note if someone is unusually high. They may be only trying to get your listing with the idea of talking your price down later. Also, drive by the homes they used for market value comparison. Which realtors compared apples to apples, and which compared apples to oranges?

?For buyers, your buying potential (what you can afford to pay for a new home) should be in the same range for all three realtors. If a realtor is much higher or lower than the others, note this. You may even call him/her to inquire about the difference and how they arrived at the amount?

?Who answered your questions with genuine sincerity?

?Who genuinely appeared most excited about your home and its sale?

?Who truly listened, and who did not?

?Which realtor seemed to be the best fit for you?

Choosing a poor realtor can turn an already stressful event into a nightmare with ramifications that you must live with for years to come. Choosing the right realtor can make the experience a dream come true and a totally satisfying event. Selling or buying a home is stressful enough. Be sure you do not choose a realtor that is going to add to that stress.

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

Currency Exchange How This Affects Your Spanish Property Purchase

Currency market update 28th April 2006

US dollar continues fall, Sterling gains some ground on Euro

Sterling hit a new 7-month high against the dollar and rose to the day's highs against the euro on Friday after the release of a strong UK consumer confidence survey.

The Gfk consumer confidence index gave a reading of -4 in April, up from -7 in March, and above the forecast -6.

Earlier on Friday, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research revised up its growth forecast for 2006 to 2.5 percent from 2.3 percent predicted in January.

It has come in a bit stronger than expected, so it's been a reasonably bullish environment for sterling, but personally I am a bit more cautious than that, we are still in the rate cut camp, said James Knightley, economist at ING.

Sterling rose as far as $1.8079 by 0942 GMT, up a third of the percent on the day.

It also gained slightly to 1.4390.

In New York the dollar slipped on Friday, extending losses against a basket of major currencies into a sixth session after a report showing robust U.S. economic growth did little to overturn the market's view that interest rates are close to a peak.

The dollar edged lower after data showed the U.S. economy grew at a steady clip of 4.8 percent in the first quarter -- the fastest pace in two and a half years and broadly in line with expectations -- but inflationary pressures in the data were softer than expected. The euro rose to $1.2578, up from $1.2565 where it was before the data.

Interbank rates

GBP/EURO ? 1.4380

EUR/GBP ? 1.4430

EUR/USD - 1.2544

GBP/USD ? 1.8081

USD/GBP - 1.8153

GBP/AUD - 2.3870

GBP/NZD - 2.8533

GBP/CAD - 2.0246

GBP/CYP - 0.825

GBP/AED ? 6.6340

GBP/ZAR ? 10.9300

GBP/CHF ? 2.2530

GBP/PLN ? 5.545

GBP/CZK ? 40.30

GBP/THB ? 67.45

Toby is a senior FX manager who writes daily articles concerning the Euro Pound currency exchange markets and how this affects the Spanish property market.

Big Island Of Hawaii Real Estate

Hawaii?s Big Island is an ideal place for tourists and vacationers. It contains attractions that are popular vacation spots. There are beautiful lava fields, plantation tours and excellent golf courses. This is the reason why investors are drawn to the Big Island. Buying real estate for development purposes is a great way to have a quick return on your investment, and quick return of profits as well.

Investors are not the only ones buying property on the Big Island. This is a beautiful place to buy a home, whether it is your vacation home or a permanent home for you and your family. Hawaii is as close to paradise as you will ever get.

To find your dream property, you will need to contact a realtor in the area, because some of the properties for sale are not part of a national database. You will need to ask about those properties specifically, in order to get information on them. Consulting a realtor will assure that you get the right piece of land you are looking for, as well as negotiate a fair deal on the price of the land.

Property in Hawaii is an expensive commodity, and knowing everything about your potential purchase is a must. Knowing the local laws, tax information and the fair market value of the land is an essential step in buying property. This is why it is essential to obtain assistance from a licensed realtor . Realtors can advise you on the market value of the property, as well as negotiate the cost for you. Make sure the contract you sign is fair and straight, because this kind of transaction usually has a binding agreement.

Hawaii Real Estate provides detailed information on Hawaii Real Estate, Honolulu Hawaii Real Estate, Maui Hawaii Real Estate, Big Island Of Hawaii Real Estate and more. Hawaii Real Estate is affiliated with Hawaii Real Estate.

Model Home Secrets to Getting Your Empty Home Sold in Six Weeks or Less

If you are trying to sell an empty home, you may have found this to be a blessing and a curse.

An empty home is easy to show. Buyers might like that fact that they can move right in. Potential buyers might even have an easier time seeing themselves in the home.

On the other hand, an empty home may feel cold and impersonal. Buyers are looking for a home that they can fall in love with. Even if your home is the nicest home that they buyers look at, if they don?t ?feel the love?; they will probably buy someone else?s home.

How I got started staging homes

I started staging homes several years ago. I had gotten my real estate sales license during a dreadful buyers market. The market was so bad that most well priced homes were taking six to twelve months to sell.

I started staging my new empty home listings after selling a home that had been staged by the owners. It was the owners second home and the decorations were perfect. This home sold and closed in six weeks! Not only that, but I had other buyers in the wings ready to buy, if the first buyers failed to close. I realized I was on to something.

I bought and studied a book called ?Dress Your House for Success? by Martha Web. Her book helped me to figure out how to repeat the ?six week home sale?, over and over again. The fast sales made my clients happy! The fast commissions made me happy.

I bought staging items which cost me about $300. Then I staged and empty home that I had listed for sale. Shazam! The home sold in six weeks despite the buyers market.

Home staging doesn?t always work as expected, but if the home is priced right and has enough showings, six weeks is my average time to sell an empty, staged home.

How you can easily stage an empty home so that it sells quickly

First of all, I make sure the home is sparkling clean. You want everything to look as close to new as possible. All chrome must shine. All stains, from every surface, must be removed. Windows, the window screens and window sills should sparkle. Touch up paint or repaint as needed. The flooring, including tile and carpet, must look and smell clean. Dust and cobwebs must go! Clean like you?ve never cleaned before!

An empty house can be staged without moving any furniture into the home. To stage my listings, I only have to move in four plastic boxes of light-weight decorative items plus several silk or plastic plants. What I am trying to do is to create a ?model home? look, but without the furniture. If you?re not sure what I mean, visit a few model homes. Model homes are a wonderful and quick education in staging. Ignore the furniture in the model homes, and instead concentrate on the decorations. Take a camera with you, to take pictures, if you want.

The following is a room by room description of the items I use to stage a home. You can decide where each item should be placed, and how many to use. Don?t over do it, but ?stark? is not a good look either. All staging items must be new or look new. No exceptions! Make sure the silk plants are cleaned regularly.

Staging the front door:

?Place a brand new, fun door mat in front of the door. I buy a new one for each home I stage.

?If the door has a hook to hang seasonal items on, do so when appropriate.

?The front door area has to look neat and clean. Sweep the steps and side walk and wipe down the door if needed. Make sure the front door light and doorknobs shine. First impressions count.

Kitchen staging items:

?Place exciting and interesting kitchen towels and oven mitts that match the towels on the kitchen counter.

?I place veggie / oil filled decorative glass jars, grouped together on the counter.

?Silk plants and silk plants in baskets: one for the top of the fridge, more for on top of the cabinets, and if appropriate, one for the counter top.

?Decorative (empty) soap and hand cream dispensers.

?I have put together a gift basket (for decoration only) which I put on the kitchen counter. It includes all sorts of fun kitchen items, towels and knick knacks. I do this to add emotional appeal to the kitchen and home.

?Other interesting items to suit your tastes.

?I also replace any burned out light bulbs.

Bathroom staging items:

?Big, soft, fluffy new towels, large and small, tied up with raffia or decorative cords.

?Decorative soaps

?Matching soap dishes, toothbrush holders, cups etc. Buy some that are fun for the guest baths, and buy some classy, romantic ones for the master bathroom!

?Lots of candles and candle holders. Don?t be cheap on these. Get the nicest you can buy.

?More silk plants

?If you feel it will help, buy and use a new rod and shower curtain. I have done this before. You will know when and where to use these.

?I replace all burned out light bulbs. If the bulbs wattages are too low, I will replace them with brighter lights.

Items for the living room, the family room and bedrooms:

?Large and small silk plants placed to enhance nice areas or placed take the eyes of the buyer away from areas that you don?t want the buyers to concentrate on.

?More silk plants for any plant shelves.

?When ever possible I use classy wall art: framed pictures and posters, etc.

?I have also used rocking chairs, wooden rocking horses (kid?s room), pottery, and vases filled with dried plants.

?I have rented live plants for larger homes. Ten large, beautiful plants cost me $150/month. The plant company took care of the plants. This was well worth the cost. I can highly recommend this for adding to the emotional appeal of a large, empty home.

?Make certain that the curtains or window coverings are open and the windows are clean. I want the home to be bright and inviting. This helps to create a positive feeling to the home. In addition, the ?drive the neighborhood? homebuyers can see in and decide if they want to get into the home! Every potential buyer counts.

The items mentioned are just a starting point for staging. I am continually adding more items and getting rid of items which have ?aged?. So far over the years I have spent about $1,000 on staging items and now have enough items to stage two homes. I have made my investment back many, many times over.

I can highly recommend staging to both homeowners and real estate agents. Your home or home listings will sell faster and for more money.

Don Glasgow is a real estate agent in St. George, Utah. Don has been selling Washington County real estate since 1999. This article may be republished on the internet as long as this footer along with the website links are kept in place.