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To purchase land near the beach you will need to find an area that has not already been developed with a house on it. Beachfront land that borders the ocean or waterway is very expensive, and is hard to find. Land that is just off the beachfront is typically easier to find, less expensive, and a better choice for investment. Regardless of which you choose to search for, the land must have value. Consider the three points below.

1. Why is the land for sale?

2. Research the area to see if utilities are available for a house.

3. Are development projects forecasted or expected in the area?

First off, determine why the land is for sale. Frequently zoning restrictions prevent landowners from building or doing what they want, and they will try to sell it. If you are not aware of these restrictions and rules, you might be in for a big, and bad, surprise. The ground and surrounding area might not be supportive to buildings. For example, sinkholes might seem sturdy for many years, but can begin to falter over time, causing unstable ground. Know what you are buying before you buy.

Are utilities available for a house? This is the second thing to consider, as all houses will need utilities. Sometimes areas have certain utilities and not others, which make them hard to have a conventional lifestyle. For a beach investment property, you will need it to have access to utilities so that any kind of house constructed there would have access to appropriate utilities. At times, you can find an are that does not have utilities yet, but will get them soon because of development projects. These are great investments because they are usually lower priced and will appreciate greatly.

Lastly, make an evaluation of the area and what potential residential development and commercial development project might take place. Development projects can both benefit and detract from the value of a house. If you happen to find a perfect piece of land, for instance with a clear view of the ocean, an open area capable of putting a house on, and forest surrounding the house on all other sides, then development projects are not as negative. If you don’t have those, and the development would make your land feel crowded, then it would be a detraction. The main idea is to think long term about your investment.

If you are interested in more information about real estate investing, then check out Jeremy Szechenyi’s awesome Blog on beach investment propertys.

categories: Beach Real Estate,Beach Land for Sale,Buying Beach Property,Buying Land,Buying Property,Real Estate Investing,Real Estate,Investing,Money,Business

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

Most of the cities within the Atlanta Real Estate markets have done rather good this year, even though we are suffering through one of the worst housing slumps in our nations history. While looking at the statistics, the numbers show that we are not that far off as previous years. One dull spot, as with the rest of the nation, is the New Home market. Atlanta real estate that is fits the 200k price point has been doing pretty well and seems to be the magic price point these days. There are three North Atlanta cities that have been doing well in this market which include Kennesaw, Woodstock, and Acworth.

Kennesaw, GA sits in Cobb County which is located about 18 miles north of Atlanta. Kennesaw real estate has been very resilient and has showed gains in these tough times. Kennesaw has both a great location, and an excellent array of restaurants and shopping. This great city has also been recently featured on a CNN Headline News segment based on prosperous city during the housing recession. Cities like this one have helped the Atlanta real estate market survive the negative effects of the national housing downturn. Kennesaw has a wide variety of homes for every income and lifestyle. Everything for Million dollar homes to cluster homes is available and always there for a great value.

Woodstock, GA is located about 10 miles north of Kennesaw in the southern region of Cherokee County. Woodstock real estate is another positive link in Atlanta’s strong market. Made up of a good mix of higher and lower priced homes, Woodstock has homes to take care of any budget. Commercial real estate in Woodstock has remained positive also. Everywhere you look, strip malls, shopping centers, and restaurants spring up seemingly unfaded by a poor national housing market. REALTORS rarely have a difficult time showing clients homes for sale in Woodstock, due to the wide array of housing choices. I would have to say that Woodstock is a great city that has benefited the Atlanta real estate market.

Acworth, GA is sits just west of Woodstock and north of Kennesaw. With an impressive historic downtown area and great recreational activities, the Acworth Real Estate has also not slowed down. Acworth Homes are in high demand due to there large selection of new construction. A large amount of new construction is available, and although sales are not on fire like previous years, builders here are still selling houses. Price, value, and location are three reasons. Acworth also has a thriving luxury home market that continues to do well in these tough times.

As you can see, here are three cities that help make up the Atlanta real estate market. While not all Suburban Atlanta cities have seen this much prosperity throughout the last few years, these three cities are definitely a bright spot. For more information please click on a city link to view listings, search schools, and see local history.

For more info about Kennesaw Real Estate, please visit our site to view listings, schools, and local history and news. Atlanta Real Estate Woodstock Homes and Real Estate

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

My wife and I had to go to our local grocery store on Saturday to pick up some basic items – bread, milk, tomatoes, etc. The store is closed on Sundays so Saturday afternoon they always reduce the price on selected perishable foods. It’s very tempting to pick up some of these cheap items until one realizes that there’s a good reason they are so heavily discounted.

That bargain loaf of bread has reached its “sell by” date. Before I can use the entire loaf it will probably become stale and I’ll have to throw away half of it. Likewise, that gallon of milk is about to expire; by the time I get through half of it, the milk will most likely turn sour. And that shrink-wrapped package of eight tomatoes? They’re already getting soft – how will they be in 3 or 4 days? Yuck!

Sometimes cheap really is cheap. The real estate market can be very similar to the food market – there’s always a reason that that bargain is priced so low. Learning why a cheap property is priced so low is critical to figure out if it is truly “worth it” to pursue. Seeking the advice of a buyer’s agent can be a very wise move to make before you jump on a cheap home.

Homes that are listed with major discounts can normally be classified in just a few categories:

1. The Handyman’s Special or “Fixer-Upper”

Homes that have fallen into disrepair can usually be purchased at prices well below the asking price of well maintained, similar properties. When the property owner is unwilling or unable to make the necessary improvements, the only option is to list it for sale at a heavily discounted price.

If the prospect of manual labor is particularly unappealing, you probably should avoid this type of cheap property. Similarly, if paying someone else to perform the necessary work is out of the question – just walk away. However, If the prospect of doing the work yourself doesn’t completely turn you off, these “handyman specials” can be an excellent investment.

2. A Somewhat Questionable Neighborhood

We’ve all heard the saying that the three most important aspects of real estate are location, location, location. Well, it’s really true. The value of a home can vary quite a bit depending upon its neighborhood. This can be fabulous for the homeowner in an upscale location. However, it can be devastating for a homeowner in a neighborhood that has fallen on hard times. Contrary to many people’s beliefs, real estate values do not always increase with time.

In some cities, certain neighborhoods that have been on the decline are gradually being revitalized through the renovation of individual homes. As these renovations spread, the potential value of property in the immediate neighborhood can begin to climb. Your Realtor will be able to give you an idea about the direction that prices are moving so that you can make a well-informed decision about the potential value of inexpensive homes that fit this category.

3. “Priced To Move Quickly”

A times a homeowner may be under pressure to sell their property very quickly. There may be a need to liquidate assets for cash in hand, an imminent relocation for employment purposes, or pressure to eliminate double mortgage payments after committing to the purchase of another home.

Inexpensive homes in this category usually provide the best value. However, these bargains do not normally remain on the market very long since a fast sale is the very reason that the property was discounted. The best approach to finding these fleeting opportunities as they arise is to have your buyer’s agent notify you when new property listings hit the market. Most real estate agents have access to automation tools that will automatically notify you via email the same day that a property that meets your requirements is put up for sale. Without that type of competitive edge, it’s likely that you’ll never hear bout these prime opportunities.

4. The Mystery of the Unknown

This is the “catch-all” category for homes that don’t seem to fit any of the three previous categories. They are the riskiest properties and should be approached with extreme caution. There is always a reason for a house being under priced – if it’s not apparent at first glance you may have to do some serious investigating before considering a purchase. Sellers are obligated by law to disclose any information that affects the home’s value. Your buyer’s agent will prove invaluable in these cases by helping you ask the right questions.

Obtaining the advice of a buyer’s agent and investigating the reasons that “bargain” properties are priced so low are the keys to discovering the true value of a “cheap” home. These deals can look very attractive at first but, only after further evaluation, will you have an idea if a property may turn out to be a “money pit” or a fabulous opportunity. You won’t regret performing your due diligence.

Jim Navary has been a researcher and freelance writer for more than thirty-five years covering a wide range of topics. He is also a licensed real estate agent in the state of Virginia featuring Fort Lee VA real estate and Colonial Heights VA homes for sale. You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

Chlorine has long been used to sanitize swimming pools. It is effective at killing germs and preventing algae growth. Recently, however, saltwater pools have started to grow in popularity. Saltwater swimming pools offer many advantages including lower cost of maintenance and reduced usage of chemicals. There are also several other benefits of salt water pools. Table salt is the only chemical that is used.

Most people find that saltwater pools are much more comfortable than traditional chlorine pools. The saltwater pool is not as harsh as a traditional chlorine pool is. The pools help to avoid red eyes, discolored hair and itchy skin associated with a chlorine pool. You will not have the drying of chlorine, even if you swim every day.

Saltwater pools also use fewer chemicals than chlorine pools. You will not have to buy, store or handle the toxic chemicals regularly. Saltwater pools are more safe for the environment and do not have the chlorine odor often associated with a swimming pool.

Saltwater pools have the distinction of being almost self-cleaning. The require little maintenance yet keep the chemical level constant for the entire swimming season. You will not have to constantly be checking the pH level or chlorine content with these pools. The salt generator is filled once each season and then left alone. As a bonus, there is never a need to add anything to get rid of algae, as it just does not grow in a salt pool.

Chlorine pools can cause many medical problems, including infertility or reduced fertility, problems with the immune system, and even cancer. Some of the chemicals created when the chlorine reacts with ammonia from the human body can make emphysema and asthma worse. Since the chlorine level is always constant in the saltwater pool, these chemicals are never formed.

Overall, saltwater pools are less expensive to operate. The cost to operate a saltwater pool will be less than one-half of the cost of a chlorine pool.

There are, however some disadvantages to the saltwater system that a buyer needs to be aware of before deciding to buy the system.

Some people have trouble with scaling or deposits of calcium on the surface of the pool. Another problem is corrosion. Metal handrails and pool furniture may be corroded by the presence of the salt in the water and in the air. The third disadvantage is that the pump should be run at all times. For some pool owners this is no problem; however, others with chlorine pools only run the pump when there are actually swimmers in the pool. Running the pump the required number of hours may increase utility bills.

Considering the advantages and disadvantages, many people still opt for the saltwater pool. They like the comfort level that is offered by a saltwater pool. The prefer not to have to deal with the harsh chemicals of a chlorine pool and love the fact that their saltwater pool keeps itself clean. There is no need to hire a pool boy to maintain a saltwater pool. This saves additional money over that which is saved by the lower cost of operating a saltwater swimming pool when compared to a chlorine pool.

Recently, saltwater Swimming Pools have started to grow immensely in popularity. Saltwater Swimming Pools offer numerous advantages such as lower cost of maintenance as well as Swimming Pool Contractors expenses and use of dangerous chemicals

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

If you ask anyone who has ever tried to sell their home themselves they’ll tell you that from the moment the “For Sale by Owner” sign goes up, the phone begins to ring. Unfortunately, many of those calls will not be from prospective buyers, but rather from real estate agents looking to obtain your listing. Here you’ll find innovative property marketing ideas that will keep your phone ringing and proven strategies to lift yourself above the crowd.

Classified Ad Sites: Many private sellers have found classified ad sites to be very effective in selling property. Advertise your property for sale through online classified websites such as Kijiji, Adsglobe.com, caigslist etc

Get your own Blog: Get your own blog and advertise your property for sale on it, complete with digital photos. With a paid website will you be able to have ‘property for sale’ in the first part of the URL.

Social Media Sites: Social media sites create an effective way for you to advertise your property for free. Myspace , Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are some of the site that you can advertise on. Be creative and use good quality pictures and your property will be sold before you know it. These days even some people are creating virtual tours or videos of their properties and posting it on the net.

Find a good real estate agent to represent your needs: A professional real estate agent knows the market and has information on current sales, past sales, current listings, a marketing plan, and will provide their background and references. So be careful on choosing the agent. Choose the agent basis of their experience and qualifications.

Property Portals: A property portal offers you the opportunity to advertise you property on a site that enjoys a large amount of traffic from mainly house hunters. For a set price you can upload images and information of your property as well as your contact details.

Property Magazines: Just like newspaper or printed advertising, this option is relatively cost effective but if you are ready to pay, this is a great way to market or advertise your property.

Newspapers: It is slightly less expensive than property magazines, newspaper ads are a great way to market your property for sale. Make sure that you have good quality images and write a proper and small description to go along with it.

Auction: It is very expensive way to sell your property but it can be very beneficial especially for properties that have the combination of being both unusual and sought after. When selling on auction, you introduce a starting price and potential buyers bid against each other. The final price is decided by the highest bidder, which means that the sale price can be higher than expected in some cases.

Brochures: Print brochures with the property details, images and your contact information and drop them off in mailboxes or stick them up on notice boards around town.

Sale by Private Tender: sale price but at the same time it reduces the possibility of achieving a result higher than expectations When you put your property up for sale by tender, you set the terms, conditions and the deadline while prospective buyers have the opportunity to put forward their competitive bids. The individual bids are not transparent and tenders are asked to seal their offer in an envelope and deposit it by a predetermined date and time. The seller then opens the tenders together and chooses the best one. This method of selling is a great way to get the maximum.

Word of Mouth: Tell everyone you meet that your house is for sale. Your neighbors across the street may have a friend who has been waiting to move into the neighborhood. Word of mouth is a strong selling aid. If each person you tell that your house is for sale tell two more people, and those people each tell two more people, word can spread quite rapidly.

Front Yard Sign: Place a big Property for Sale sign in your front yard. Make it big enough so that people can read it as they drive past.

Books: Check out Sell Your Home in Any Market: 50 Surprisingly Simple Strategies for Getting Top Dollar Fast for more details.

This is Virginia Chou. Please visit ShoppersGlobe.com to learn more about me. Please visit AdsGlobe.com to learn online classified advertising. Please visit DealsGlobe.com for good and great deals and coupons and online shopping.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

Being prepared is perhaps the most important step in home ownership. There are few if any purchases you’ll make in life that are as expensive or important as a home, so it’s worth your while to do it carefully. Here’s what you need to consider.

Everyone has a reason for wanting to buy a home. After all, home ownership is part of the American Dream. You may need more space or have received an inheritance you want to invest. Or perhaps you’ve crunched the numbers and found that home ownership, with its many tax advantages, is less expensive than renting. There may be several reasons why you are considering buying a home. What’s your reason?

What’s your timeframe? It could be that you’re moving to a new location next month for work, and the need is pressing. It could also be, though, that you’re in no rush whatsoever, so you can take your time finding the perfect home.

What type of home do you want to live in? Urban or Rural? New construction or older home? Large or small? There are many different types of homes available for every taste imaginable.

Speak with your realtor, accountant or banker about how to finance purchasing a home. They will also help you determine the price range of home you can comfortably afford to buy. These advisors keep up-to-date about finance programs, and can advise you where to go to get the best mortgage deal. It might even be possible to fold all your closing costs into the arrangement.

The general rule of thumb is that all of your debt payments combined (house payment, school loans, car payment, credit cards, etc.) should not come to more than 30% of your gross monthly income. There is some leeway within this guideline. If the home you want to buy needs a major improvement (e.g., central air conditioning), it’s also possible to get a mortgage that will include funds for the upgrade.

Homes need regular maintenance and upkeep. Even new homes have problems occasionally with plumbing, windows, furnaces and light switches. You can do the repair work yourself in many cases, but there will be times when you’ll have to call in a professional repair person. One of the joys of home ownership is doing regular tasks like mowing your lawn; it makes sitting on your patio afterwards that much more fulfilling!

For most people, home ownership is incredibly fulfilling and emotionally rewarding. It’s a labor of love that gives back to us ten-fold over the years. So be prepared.

About the author: Susanne Novak is a long-time property investor who helps home owners buy properties at discounted prices. Read her blog to find the best Columbus houses and how to buy Columbus OH Homes for Sale.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

When you think about real estate and all of the taxes that can be associated with it, you soon start to take an interest in tax shelters and how to use them. There are many things to learn, but if you would like to keep more of your money and not pay taxes that you do not need to, then you need to learn these things.

One of the methods of a tax shelter is done through a TIC 1031 exchange. TIC is an acronym for tenants in common. In other words, this is when someone owns a piece of one real whole property with at least one other person.

The smaller individual investor tends to prefer a TIC investment because it allows them to invest in larger property that they may not otherwise be able to invest in. This is a great way for them to get in the game on what they see as a wise investment but that they cannot afford to do all themselves.

There are many advantages to a TIC property. One advantage is that a TIC 1031 gives the small guy greater investment power. Also, it gives an investor and opportunity to split their investment geographically.

However, as with all investments, there are some risks with TIC investments. One risk is that the tax code that allows this to work and shelter money can change and cause some real problems for the investors. Another risk is not being able to get out of the investment quickly. If a need arises that you need the money out of your investment, it is not easy to do in this type of investment because you are dealing with other people that have to sign off on it as well.

The 1031 exchange program, in either the traditional sense or in a TIC 1031 can be a great benefit and money saver for investors. This is a great way for you to clarify to the government that you are simply reinvesting your money from one thing to another and therefore really did not make any money from which to pay taxes from.

When doing this type of activity to shelter the money from taxes, it is required by law that you use a 3rd party qualified person or company to handle the money in the interim between selling the first property and reinvesting it into another. This does cost a little bit, but it is not only required but can be very helpful to make sure that you do not make any large mistakes

The tax code line number 1031 is all about this type of tax shelter and that is where it got its name. The 1031 exchange has been a great way and a favorite among some to defer the taxes from the sell on property. However, it should not be used to try to cheat the government. If you do this, it could cost you a lot more in the long run.

A TIC 1031 exchange is a nice way for small investors to shelter their investment money from unnecessary taxes. However, all kinds of a 1031 exchange are beneficial for investors.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

For most homeowners today, the only way they may be able to sell their home is through a short sale, but many people do not even know what they are. In a short sale the proceeds of the sale of the home are actually less than the note the lender holds securing the property. Since the amount to be paid to the lender is smaller than the value actually due, the lender has to agree with the arrangement first.

Are there any other ways to avoid foreclosure? In foreclosure, the owner of the property can stay there for a couple of months or more before being asked to vacate the property. Each state does have its own unique laws regarding this so check this out before you try it. In short sale on the other hand, the owner has to make an effort presenting the estate to potential buyers. This does not even ensure that the buyer will make an acceptable offer.

Many homeowners feel like this is scarcely better than a foreclosure, but it is. This is because you are able to pay out the mortgage at a discounted value. The short sale reads better on your credit and will help in an economic time such as this. The lender may not be able to get their expected return in full, but they can surely minimize the losses through this.

Although many experts point to the negative effect of short sales on the homeowners credit score, the information is not accurate. Knowing this makes it easy to pick between the lesser of two evils. The homeowner will need their credit score to get their feet back under them, either way.

Which one tends to affect your credit less? A foreclosure supposedly does more damage to your credit than a short sale. It has been proffered that they affect your credit just the same. This is due in part to the fact that a short sale is a stage of foreclosure. For most any creditor, a short sale represents a grave deficiency.

That is why any homeowner should really mull things over before executing a short sale. The bank may take their time in responding and deciding on a short sale. Remember, your financial state will still be verified. If you have other assets that they can tap into, they will try to do that. They will check the rest of your assets too. The lender has to be convinced that a short sale is the best option for your condition.

Even though they act like they are not, banks are even helped out through a short sale. Short sale tend to reduce the amount lost on the banks end substantially.

By now you should be able to tell how a foreclosure is disastrous for all involved. Simply remember to take into account the affect on your credit in the short term.

For more information on Boise real estate or Boise foreclosures.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

For people who are not able to afford rent, they may be able to benefit from living in low income apartments for rent. These are rent subsidized apartments paid for by the government.

To find out whether you can apply for low income apartments for rent, just visit HUDs site or call them. HUD has income limit information on their site that you check out. The yearly income of a person is the most important factor in determining eligibility for low income apartments for rent.

After you have figured out if you can live in low income apartments for rent, visit your local HUD office and fill out the forms. Upon approval, you can start applying for low income apartments for rent. To find low income apartments for rent, the quickest way is to search online.

The HUD website should be the first place where you look for low income apartments for rent. They have information on all low income apartments for rent that are participating in their program.

If you do not want to search online for low income apartments for rent, you may also wish to drive around the neighborhood and do your search that way. Using this method, you get to actually see the low income apartments for rent and the neighborhood they are in.

Once you have discovered a few low income apartments for rent that strike your fancy, go and have a look. You will want to find out if the neighborhood is the place you want to live in.

Look inside the apartment too and not just the model apartment. Model apartments always look nice which could be a complete contrast to the actual apartment you will be living in. If there are any problems in the low income apartment, you should tell the landlord to fix them.

Low income apartments can be hard to get into depending on where you plan to move. Some places that have higher amounts of low income people would make the demand higher. This could set you back several months as you wait for an opening, so be prepared to wait.

Dean Richards is a housing manager who has many years of experience running low income apartments. He has also helped many people apply for these apartments. For more information on finding low income apartments for rent, please check out his website.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

A short sale is when the creditor will allow the debtor to sell off the mortgaged property for a lower price for the sake of saving it from foreclosure. However, even though a bank will process this, there is no necessary commitment by the bank to sell the house. When the bank completes a short sale they have to write off the difference between their loan amount and the lesser proceeds from the sale is something creditors want to avoid.

As a provision in any short sale contract, there is a contingency where the bank must approve the sale. In other words, the catch is that if the bank persuades the seller to refinance the house, the bank doesn’t approve the short sale and the buyer gets their deposit back. After this offer is made, the bank may try to convince the seller to refinance their loan and stay in the house, which means the bank doesn’t have to take the write off.

Generally speaking, people do business with those they trust. What will matter to them would be having interest in what is best for the buyer, and having a long term relationship with the people you are engaged with. The real estate market of Las Vegas short sales and Las Vegas foreclosure is not easy.

Las Vegas short sales need a lot of patience and time to seal a transaction. It may take months for the lender to respond, and you should find someone who can help you that is very experienced in the industry.

Foreclosure is a legal process where the creditor takes ownership of the property when the debtor fails to meet payment schedules due to sever financial constraints. Foreclosed properties simply mean the owner has moved out and the bank holds legal title to the property. In some states the previous owner still has a “redemption period” to get the home back from the bank.

A Las Vegas foreclosure is final and the bank can turn around and sell the property right away. An offer on a foreclosed property can take anywhere from one day to two weeks to be accepted by the bank and usually 30 to 45 days from acceptance to completion.

Generally speaking, it is possible to get better deals on Las Vegas condos and homes by targeting foreclosure listings. Foreclosure buyers need to keep in mind that everyone is looking for those deals right now. Sales volume in Las Vegas in August and July was back up to 2005 levels, and the best priced foreclosures have multiple offers submitted. Most foreclosures are actually selling above the listed price, not below.

Buyers need to keep in mind that these foreclosures are steals to begin with. Then they need to have a savvy agent that can provide a comparable home to let you judge a property’s true worth. It’s not how much you can “take off” the sales price that counts – it’s how much the winning bid is in relation to the home’s value. Buyers need to be patient and realize it can take anywhere from two to six offers to acquire their dream home at the price they want to pay.

If you have looked at houses in the last little while, you know that Las Vegas short sales are everywhere. Homebuyers looking for a property should seriously consider a Las Vegas foreclosure.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009