by: Jay Bauder
Consider these parameters for a real estate deal:
Property Value: $250,000
Purchase Price: $160,000
Repairs: $2,500
If you analyze the numbers, you see that the equity available in this deal is $87,500 (Property Value minus Purchase Price minus Repairs).
So here's a hypothetical question for you: Assuming that the information above is accurate, and the property is located in an area that you view as acceptable and/or favorable, then:
If I offered to give you this deal in exchange for $10,000 in cash, would you do it?
Remember - this is hypothetical. The real question here is this:
Would you exchange $10,000 in cash for $87,500 in equity?
For most savvy investors, the answer is: Absolutely YES!
This is called "Wholesale Real Estate Investing" - the process of buying a lot of equity at a very significant discount from another real estate investor who has already done the hard work of finding a deal and getting it under contract.
Just think about that - consider how easy real estate investing would be for you if you had a network of real estate investors in your area (and maybe even all over the country) who, several times each month, offered you the opportunity to purchase significant amounts of equity for a severe discount...
...It would be quite easy to become wealthy, fairly quickly, wouldn't it?
The answer again, is: Absolutely Yes, it will.
It is through smart "wholesale real estate investing" that you can increase your net worth by $20,000 to $100,000 on every real estate deal that you do.
...Now the burning question becomes, "Where exactly do I find these wholesale real estate investing deals?"
I know of at least 3 solid sources...
You've got to admit - it will be a pretty wonderful thing when you know how to find great real estates deals in which you can trade a small amount of cash for a large amount of equity without even having to find the deals yourself...
...And that's exactly what "wholesale real estate investing" is all about.
So let's get right to it. Here are 3 places to find wholesale real estate deals:
1.) Visit the local real estate investing club in your area. Almost all of these clubs have networking opportunities to work with other investors who wholesale deals regularly, and this is an easy way to find great opportunities.
2.) Watch for ads in the newspaper, television, and in other media that advertise slogans like, "We Buy Houses", or "Sell Your House in 9 Days" or anything similar to that. Most of the time, these people are real estate investors, and they are happy to wholesale deals to people like you.
3.) Watch your email-box. Why? Because if and when you choose enrollment in various free e-courses online, such as that via tm-RealEstateInvesting.com, you'll be provided with automatic notification about great local and national deals as they become available. But be forewarned - you've got to act quickly whenever these deals are announced, because obviously the response is always significant.
About The Author
Jay Bauder is the web owner of http://www.homes-in-california.com California Homes: Buying or Selling, a website that provides information on California real estate buying, negotiating, financing, and more. You can visit his website at: California Real Estate
Friday, January 19, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Where Are The Really Good Real Estate Investment Deals?
by: Bruce W. Ford
In writing my last article about the neighborhoods where I find the most profitable rehab real estate investment deals, something occurred to me.
In that article I described investing from what I've found is typical in doing this business. I wrote about where I TYPICALLY find the deals. Well, what IS typical in this business?
No two deals are the same, that's for sure! Every rehab itself is different with different problems to solve. So, in describing a typical deal, I'm referring to the spread involved. The spread is the different between what I can buy the house for, and what it's value will be when it's brought back up to standards.
The next big question is, "What will the rehab going to cost."
For instance, if a property in my market has a $25,000 spread between what I can buy it for and what I can sell it for (the as-repaired appraised value), it's a "maybe" in my book depending on how much rehab it needs. If it needs much, I would probably pass unless some external factor makes it a good buy, like the neighborhood. In other words, if it needs much rehab, I'd have to be convinced enough to put some of my own money into it.
I typically look for houses with a $30,000 spread or better. You have to decide for yourself, based on values in your area and what is the minimum you want to make, what spread you'll be happy with.
So, what is a rehab real estate investor's "homerun? "
Homeruns occur at the outer edge of what is typical. My homerun deals have occurred one of several ways.
- The spread is stellar. Let's say the spread is $45,000 and the rehab is a manageable $5-10,000.
- The spread is good, but the rehab is very light. Wham-bam, I'm looking for tenants within days of closing.
- The cost is exceptionally low for a given area. Sometimes the spread on paper will not be anything to get excited about, but the property has a huge lot, extra bedrooms, or is located an area that is in serious demand.
- There is NO rehab, and the spread is sufficient that I can buy it with none of my own money.
True story - I've only had one NO rehab deal. Wow. This house had been recently rehabbed, clean and didn't need a thing! This was a homerun just due to the ease at which I added this property to my inventory! The spread wasn't great, in fact, I had a local hard money lender make up a story about being out of money because he thought the spread was too narrow and didn't want to lend on it. He wrongly assumed there was a significant rehab. (Being straight up with me was too hard, I guess.) I consider this a homerun because I bought this property, changed the locks, put out a sign and had it rented within two weeks. Mind you this is a beautiful well-built brick/block home in a great neighborhood. Cost to me…nothing. This house has one of my best cash flows month-to-month.
The point here is to give you an idea of what kinds of homeruns rehab real estate investors look for. But, here is a key point…
It's truly NOT worth my time, or yours, to wait around for the homeruns. I firmly believe that these kinds of homerun deals come about by being an active investor. Rehabbers that keep 1-2 projects going at all times, get calls from wholesaler with great deals. Personally, I make the best buying decisions decisions with what I have among the properties brought to me when I am in my "buy mode." Some of these turn out to be homeruns, some don't.
If I waited around for only the homeruns:
- I would waste precious learning time. Since there is no substitute for experience, I want all I can get!
- I would lose money over the long run as a buy-and-hold investor. If I'm buying and rehabbing with little or none of my own money anyway, it doesn't make sense to wait around for homeruns if I can add properties to my inventory that fits my investment criteria. If you're in the buy and hold business, the important thing is how much property can be controlled with as little money as possible.
Question: Is it better to have $1,000,000 worth of property appreciating or $200,000?
Hitting a homerun in rehab real estate, and anything else, requires these two ingredients:
- You've GOT to be "in the game." By this I mean you have to have prepared in advance for your turn at bat. In the rehab business, this means you have enough knowledge to get started, you have a decided investment criteria, you have your money source lined up, and you are looking for property.
- You are "swinging." In the rehab business, this mean you are buying property, rehabbing, learning and turning. It's not enough to merely stay on the sidelines.
Let me say that again…
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO MERELY STAY ON THE SIDELINES.
About The Author
Bruce W. Ford is the editor of Rehab-Real-Estate.com. Get his important Special Report entitled "12 Things Real Estate Investment Gurus Won't Tell You" at http://www.Rehab-Real-Estate.com.
In writing my last article about the neighborhoods where I find the most profitable rehab real estate investment deals, something occurred to me.
In that article I described investing from what I've found is typical in doing this business. I wrote about where I TYPICALLY find the deals. Well, what IS typical in this business?
No two deals are the same, that's for sure! Every rehab itself is different with different problems to solve. So, in describing a typical deal, I'm referring to the spread involved. The spread is the different between what I can buy the house for, and what it's value will be when it's brought back up to standards.
The next big question is, "What will the rehab going to cost."
For instance, if a property in my market has a $25,000 spread between what I can buy it for and what I can sell it for (the as-repaired appraised value), it's a "maybe" in my book depending on how much rehab it needs. If it needs much, I would probably pass unless some external factor makes it a good buy, like the neighborhood. In other words, if it needs much rehab, I'd have to be convinced enough to put some of my own money into it.
I typically look for houses with a $30,000 spread or better. You have to decide for yourself, based on values in your area and what is the minimum you want to make, what spread you'll be happy with.
So, what is a rehab real estate investor's "homerun? "
Homeruns occur at the outer edge of what is typical. My homerun deals have occurred one of several ways.
- The spread is stellar. Let's say the spread is $45,000 and the rehab is a manageable $5-10,000.
- The spread is good, but the rehab is very light. Wham-bam, I'm looking for tenants within days of closing.
- The cost is exceptionally low for a given area. Sometimes the spread on paper will not be anything to get excited about, but the property has a huge lot, extra bedrooms, or is located an area that is in serious demand.
- There is NO rehab, and the spread is sufficient that I can buy it with none of my own money.
True story - I've only had one NO rehab deal. Wow. This house had been recently rehabbed, clean and didn't need a thing! This was a homerun just due to the ease at which I added this property to my inventory! The spread wasn't great, in fact, I had a local hard money lender make up a story about being out of money because he thought the spread was too narrow and didn't want to lend on it. He wrongly assumed there was a significant rehab. (Being straight up with me was too hard, I guess.) I consider this a homerun because I bought this property, changed the locks, put out a sign and had it rented within two weeks. Mind you this is a beautiful well-built brick/block home in a great neighborhood. Cost to me…nothing. This house has one of my best cash flows month-to-month.
The point here is to give you an idea of what kinds of homeruns rehab real estate investors look for. But, here is a key point…
It's truly NOT worth my time, or yours, to wait around for the homeruns. I firmly believe that these kinds of homerun deals come about by being an active investor. Rehabbers that keep 1-2 projects going at all times, get calls from wholesaler with great deals. Personally, I make the best buying decisions decisions with what I have among the properties brought to me when I am in my "buy mode." Some of these turn out to be homeruns, some don't.
If I waited around for only the homeruns:
- I would waste precious learning time. Since there is no substitute for experience, I want all I can get!
- I would lose money over the long run as a buy-and-hold investor. If I'm buying and rehabbing with little or none of my own money anyway, it doesn't make sense to wait around for homeruns if I can add properties to my inventory that fits my investment criteria. If you're in the buy and hold business, the important thing is how much property can be controlled with as little money as possible.
Question: Is it better to have $1,000,000 worth of property appreciating or $200,000?
Hitting a homerun in rehab real estate, and anything else, requires these two ingredients:
- You've GOT to be "in the game." By this I mean you have to have prepared in advance for your turn at bat. In the rehab business, this means you have enough knowledge to get started, you have a decided investment criteria, you have your money source lined up, and you are looking for property.
- You are "swinging." In the rehab business, this mean you are buying property, rehabbing, learning and turning. It's not enough to merely stay on the sidelines.
Let me say that again…
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO MERELY STAY ON THE SIDELINES.
About The Author
Bruce W. Ford is the editor of Rehab-Real-Estate.com. Get his important Special Report entitled "12 Things Real Estate Investment Gurus Won't Tell You" at http://www.Rehab-Real-Estate.com.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Refinancing Real Estate Investments
by: Steve Gillman
Why should you consider refinancing real estate investments instead of selling them? Maybe you've owned a rental property for years, you've paid down the mortgage, the value is up, and you want to cash in on that equity. You will do better to refinance. Here's why.
There are two problems with selling. First, selling means paying a large capital gains tax. You can avoid this if you reinvest through a 1031 exchange, but then the point is that you want your money, right? Second, you'll be giving up your inflation-indexed retirement plan. A good rental property generates more income as rents go up.
Refinancing Real Estate Investments Is Better
If you refinance, you can get much of your gain out of the property, without paying a penny in taxes. You see, borrowing money is not a taxable event. Take your loan proceeds and spend them however you want, and still keep your rentals. Doesn't that sound better than losing a big chunk of your equity to taxes?
Now, let's look at an example. We'll suppose you have owned a small apartment building for several years. Let's say you bought it for $340,000, with a down payment of $80,000. Interest rates at the time were at 9.5%, giving you a payment of $2,106 monthly on the balance of $260,00 (30 year amortization).
The property is now worth $560,000, and you owe $220,000. Your cash flow is around $2000/month. Now, how do you get at some of that equity? If you sell, you will give up the income, AND pay a big part of the profit in taxes. What happens if you refinance?
If a bank will loan you 70% of the value, that would be $392,000. Pay off the first mortgage, and you are left with $172,000. You can spend it any way you want, and no taxes are due.
It gets even better, especially when interest rates are low. If the new interest rate is 6.5%, your new payment will be $2295. In other words, you get $172,000 to spend any way you want, and you still have over $1,800 cash flow each month, from an inflation-indexed retirement plan.
Here is an even better scenario: Spend $50,000 of the loan for high-return upgrades to the property, such as carports and a laundry room, and raise the rents. You could have $122,000 left over to spend any way you want, AND have higher cash flow than before! Isn't that sound better than selling your retirement plan? When you want that cash, consider refinancing real estate investments.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.
Why should you consider refinancing real estate investments instead of selling them? Maybe you've owned a rental property for years, you've paid down the mortgage, the value is up, and you want to cash in on that equity. You will do better to refinance. Here's why.
There are two problems with selling. First, selling means paying a large capital gains tax. You can avoid this if you reinvest through a 1031 exchange, but then the point is that you want your money, right? Second, you'll be giving up your inflation-indexed retirement plan. A good rental property generates more income as rents go up.
Refinancing Real Estate Investments Is Better
If you refinance, you can get much of your gain out of the property, without paying a penny in taxes. You see, borrowing money is not a taxable event. Take your loan proceeds and spend them however you want, and still keep your rentals. Doesn't that sound better than losing a big chunk of your equity to taxes?
Now, let's look at an example. We'll suppose you have owned a small apartment building for several years. Let's say you bought it for $340,000, with a down payment of $80,000. Interest rates at the time were at 9.5%, giving you a payment of $2,106 monthly on the balance of $260,00 (30 year amortization).
The property is now worth $560,000, and you owe $220,000. Your cash flow is around $2000/month. Now, how do you get at some of that equity? If you sell, you will give up the income, AND pay a big part of the profit in taxes. What happens if you refinance?
If a bank will loan you 70% of the value, that would be $392,000. Pay off the first mortgage, and you are left with $172,000. You can spend it any way you want, and no taxes are due.
It gets even better, especially when interest rates are low. If the new interest rate is 6.5%, your new payment will be $2295. In other words, you get $172,000 to spend any way you want, and you still have over $1,800 cash flow each month, from an inflation-indexed retirement plan.
Here is an even better scenario: Spend $50,000 of the loan for high-return upgrades to the property, such as carports and a laundry room, and raise the rents. You could have $122,000 left over to spend any way you want, AND have higher cash flow than before! Isn't that sound better than selling your retirement plan? When you want that cash, consider refinancing real estate investments.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Categories of Real Estate Investment
by: Steve Gillman
Below are ten categories of real estate, and different ways to invest in them. The best one for you is something only you can decide, according to your particular needs. To help you do that, I list a couple good points and bad points for each type.
1. Renting single family homes. Good points: An easier way to get started, and good long term return on investment. Bad points: Being a landlord isn't much fun, and you typically wait a long time for the big pay-off. You also lose all your income when a house is vacant.
2. Fixer-uppers. Good points: Fast return on your investment, and it can be more creative work. Bad points: More risk (many unpredictables), and you get taxed heavily on the gain.
3. Low income housing. Good points: Similar to any other rentals, but with higher cash flow. Bad points: Similar to any other rentals, but with more repairs and tenant problems.
4. Selling rent-to-own houses. Good points: If you buy, then sell on a rent-to-own arrangement, you get higher rent, and the buyer is usually responsible for maintenance. Bad points: Bookkeeping can be tricky, and most tenants don't complete the purchase (this can be an advantage too, but it does mean more work for you).
5. Commercial properties. Good points: Multi-year triple-net leases mean little management and high returns. Bad points: A tough market to break into, and you can lose income on vacant storefronts for a year at a time.
6. Land, split and resold. Good points: Simpler than some real estate investments, with the possibility of great profits. Bad points: It can be a slow process, and you have expenses, but no cash flow while you wait.
7. Boarding houses. Good points: You'll generate more cash flow renting a house by the room, especially in a college town. Bad points: You'll generate more headaches renting a house by the room, especially in a college town.
8. Invest cash, sell with terms. Good points: A high rate of return is possible by paying cash to get a good price, and selling on easy terms to get a high price AND high interest. Bad points: You need a lot of cash, and you tie up your capital for a long time.
9. Invest, live in it, sell it. Good points: The tax law lets you fix it up, and sell it for a big tax-free profit after two years (if you live in it), then start the process again. Bad points: You may become attached to your investment, and you'll have to move a lot.
10. Pure speculation. Good points: You can make large profits buying in the path of growth and holding until values rise, and it is a low-management investment. Bad points: Growth in value isn't always predictable, you have expenses with no income while you're waiting, and transaction costs can eat much of the profits.
There are many ways to invest in real estate. These ten are just to get you thinking about what is possible, and what type of investing suits your personality. Once you figure that out, you may want to look into other categories of real estate investment.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.
Below are ten categories of real estate, and different ways to invest in them. The best one for you is something only you can decide, according to your particular needs. To help you do that, I list a couple good points and bad points for each type.
1. Renting single family homes. Good points: An easier way to get started, and good long term return on investment. Bad points: Being a landlord isn't much fun, and you typically wait a long time for the big pay-off. You also lose all your income when a house is vacant.
2. Fixer-uppers. Good points: Fast return on your investment, and it can be more creative work. Bad points: More risk (many unpredictables), and you get taxed heavily on the gain.
3. Low income housing. Good points: Similar to any other rentals, but with higher cash flow. Bad points: Similar to any other rentals, but with more repairs and tenant problems.
4. Selling rent-to-own houses. Good points: If you buy, then sell on a rent-to-own arrangement, you get higher rent, and the buyer is usually responsible for maintenance. Bad points: Bookkeeping can be tricky, and most tenants don't complete the purchase (this can be an advantage too, but it does mean more work for you).
5. Commercial properties. Good points: Multi-year triple-net leases mean little management and high returns. Bad points: A tough market to break into, and you can lose income on vacant storefronts for a year at a time.
6. Land, split and resold. Good points: Simpler than some real estate investments, with the possibility of great profits. Bad points: It can be a slow process, and you have expenses, but no cash flow while you wait.
7. Boarding houses. Good points: You'll generate more cash flow renting a house by the room, especially in a college town. Bad points: You'll generate more headaches renting a house by the room, especially in a college town.
8. Invest cash, sell with terms. Good points: A high rate of return is possible by paying cash to get a good price, and selling on easy terms to get a high price AND high interest. Bad points: You need a lot of cash, and you tie up your capital for a long time.
9. Invest, live in it, sell it. Good points: The tax law lets you fix it up, and sell it for a big tax-free profit after two years (if you live in it), then start the process again. Bad points: You may become attached to your investment, and you'll have to move a lot.
10. Pure speculation. Good points: You can make large profits buying in the path of growth and holding until values rise, and it is a low-management investment. Bad points: Growth in value isn't always predictable, you have expenses with no income while you're waiting, and transaction costs can eat much of the profits.
There are many ways to invest in real estate. These ten are just to get you thinking about what is possible, and what type of investing suits your personality. Once you figure that out, you may want to look into other categories of real estate investment.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Best Investment Real Estate Locations
by: Steve Gillman
Where are the best investment real estate locations? If you have enough experience investing in real estate, you can make money almost anywhere, but there are always places that are better or worse for real estate investments. For maximum profits, you want places that have a better demand/supply ratio. You can use the questions below to find them.
Real Estate Demand
1. Does the area have decent job growth? Ask local authorities and use census information. Ideally, you want to see job growth equal to or exceeding population growth. You also want areas with professional jobs moving in. It is estimated that for every professional job created, there are four service jobs created, and all those employees need a place to live.
2. Is the population growing? You can check the US Census figures online, or ask the local government if they have the statistics. Stay away from areas that have little growth.
3. Is there a decent quality of life? It's subjective, but important. Are there theaters and bookstores? Count coffee shops and cafes. Trendy areas usually have increasing demand for housing. It's also a good indication of a high quality-of-life if people are willing to take lower-paying jobs just to live there.
4. Is there wealth in the area? It's a good sign when there is some degree of wealth in a town. Look for nice homes. Wealth means everything doesn't die when the economy slows.
Real Estate Supply
1. Number of homes for sale? Lower supply of homes for sale means upward pressure on prices. This indirectly drives up rents as well, which makes for better investing.
2. New construction? Census figures can tell you what's happened over the last ten years. Check with the local authorities to see if the the number of housing units they've issued permits for is more or less than the expected population growth.
3. Rent and vacancy levels? Rents have to be high enough, and vacancies low enough to justify investing. When we first came to Tucson, every building had vacancies We saw a man holding a sign that read, "Apartment - $250 Per Month." A great place for renters, but not so great for landlords.
4. The available land that is buildable? Of course, less available land is better for future appreciation. When the land runs out, the prices start accelerating upwards.
When you use these questions to compare various towns and cities, you'll see the differences more clearly. You'll have an idea about how housing demand compares to supply in each. This will help you pinpoint the best investment real estate locations.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.
Where are the best investment real estate locations? If you have enough experience investing in real estate, you can make money almost anywhere, but there are always places that are better or worse for real estate investments. For maximum profits, you want places that have a better demand/supply ratio. You can use the questions below to find them.
Real Estate Demand
1. Does the area have decent job growth? Ask local authorities and use census information. Ideally, you want to see job growth equal to or exceeding population growth. You also want areas with professional jobs moving in. It is estimated that for every professional job created, there are four service jobs created, and all those employees need a place to live.
2. Is the population growing? You can check the US Census figures online, or ask the local government if they have the statistics. Stay away from areas that have little growth.
3. Is there a decent quality of life? It's subjective, but important. Are there theaters and bookstores? Count coffee shops and cafes. Trendy areas usually have increasing demand for housing. It's also a good indication of a high quality-of-life if people are willing to take lower-paying jobs just to live there.
4. Is there wealth in the area? It's a good sign when there is some degree of wealth in a town. Look for nice homes. Wealth means everything doesn't die when the economy slows.
Real Estate Supply
1. Number of homes for sale? Lower supply of homes for sale means upward pressure on prices. This indirectly drives up rents as well, which makes for better investing.
2. New construction? Census figures can tell you what's happened over the last ten years. Check with the local authorities to see if the the number of housing units they've issued permits for is more or less than the expected population growth.
3. Rent and vacancy levels? Rents have to be high enough, and vacancies low enough to justify investing. When we first came to Tucson, every building had vacancies We saw a man holding a sign that read, "Apartment - $250 Per Month." A great place for renters, but not so great for landlords.
4. The available land that is buildable? Of course, less available land is better for future appreciation. When the land runs out, the prices start accelerating upwards.
When you use these questions to compare various towns and cities, you'll see the differences more clearly. You'll have an idea about how housing demand compares to supply in each. This will help you pinpoint the best investment real estate locations.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.
Friday, December 8, 2006
10 Tips for Successful Real Estate Property Investment
by: Rhiannon Williamson
Just because real estate prices seem to have hit a temporary ceiling in many countries around the world, that doesn’t mean that profits from property investments are hard to come by.
Even during a real estate market slowdown, stagnation or depression profits can be made locally and overseas. This article shows you the top ten tips that real estate investors apply to their property portfolio building strategy to ensure success from their investments.
1) Research the curve - the concept of a property market cycle existing is not myth it’s a fact and is generally accepted to be based on a price-income relationship. Check the recent historical price data for properties in the area of the country you’re considering purchasing in and try to determine the overall feel in the market for prices currently. Are prices rising, are prices falling or have they reached a peak. You need to know where the curve of the property market cycle is at in your preferred investment area.
2) Get ahead of the curve – as a basic rule of thumb, professional real estate property investors seek to buy ahead of the curve. If a market is rising they will try and target up and coming areas, areas that are close to locations that have peaked, areas close to locations experiencing redevelopment or investment. These areas will most likely become ‘the next big thing’ and those who by in before the trend will stand to make the most gains. As a market is stagnating or falling many successful investors target areas that enjoyed the best levels of growth, yields and profits very early on in the previous cycle because these areas will most likely be the first areas to become profitable as the cycle begins turning towards positive once more.
3) Know your market – who are you buying property for? Are you buying to let to young executives, purchasing for renovation to resell to a family market or purchasing jet to let real estate for short term rental to holiday makers? Think about your market before you make a purchase. Know what they look for in a property and ensure that is what you are going to be offering them
4) Think further afield – there are emerging real estate property markets around the world where countries’ economies are going from strength to strength, where a growing tourism sector is pushing up demand or where constitutional legislation has been or is about to be changed to allow for foreign freehold ownership of property for example. Look further afield than your own back yard for your next property investment and diversify that real estate portfolio for maximum success.
5) Purchase price – set yourself a budget that will realistically allow you to purchase what you’re looking for and profit from that purchase either through capital gains or rental yield.
6) Entry costs – research fees, charges and all expenses you will incur when you buy your property – they differ from country to country and sometimes even from state to state. In Turkey for example you should add on an additional 5% of the purchase price for all fees, in Spain you will need to factor in an average of 10% and in Germany fees and charges can be in excess of 20%. Know how much you will have to incur and factor this amount into your budget to avoid any nasty surprises and to ensure your investment can become profitable.
7) Capital growth potential – what factors point to the potential profitability of your real estate property investment? If you’re looking overseas at an emerging market, which economic or social indicators exist to suggest that property prices will increase? If you’re buying to let out are there any indications to suggest that demand for rental accommodation will remain strong, increase or even decline? Think about what you want to achieve from your investment and then research and find out whether your expectations are realistic.
8) Exit costs – if you will incur substantial capital gains taxation liability if you sell your property investment for profit, will that render the investment profitless? In Spain a foreign buyer can incur up to 35% capital gains tax, in Turkey on the other hand property sales are capital gains tax free if the underlying real estate has been owned for four or more years.
9) Profit margins – what levels of capital growth can you realistically gain on your property investment or how much rental income can you generate? Work out these facts and then work backwards towards your initial budget to work out your potential profit margins. At all times you have to keep the bigger picture in mind to ensure that your real estate investment has good potential for profit.
10) Think long term – unless you’re buying property off plan and intending to flip it for resale and profit before completion you should view real estate investment as a long term investment. Real estate is a slow to liquidate asset, cash tied up in property is not simple to free up. Take a long term approach to your property portfolio and give your assets time to increase in value before cashing them in for profit.
About The Author
Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose articles about property investing and emerging real estate markets have appeared in publications around the world. She is currently working on a brand new property investment resource http://www.amberlamb.com/
Just because real estate prices seem to have hit a temporary ceiling in many countries around the world, that doesn’t mean that profits from property investments are hard to come by.
Even during a real estate market slowdown, stagnation or depression profits can be made locally and overseas. This article shows you the top ten tips that real estate investors apply to their property portfolio building strategy to ensure success from their investments.
1) Research the curve - the concept of a property market cycle existing is not myth it’s a fact and is generally accepted to be based on a price-income relationship. Check the recent historical price data for properties in the area of the country you’re considering purchasing in and try to determine the overall feel in the market for prices currently. Are prices rising, are prices falling or have they reached a peak. You need to know where the curve of the property market cycle is at in your preferred investment area.
2) Get ahead of the curve – as a basic rule of thumb, professional real estate property investors seek to buy ahead of the curve. If a market is rising they will try and target up and coming areas, areas that are close to locations that have peaked, areas close to locations experiencing redevelopment or investment. These areas will most likely become ‘the next big thing’ and those who by in before the trend will stand to make the most gains. As a market is stagnating or falling many successful investors target areas that enjoyed the best levels of growth, yields and profits very early on in the previous cycle because these areas will most likely be the first areas to become profitable as the cycle begins turning towards positive once more.
3) Know your market – who are you buying property for? Are you buying to let to young executives, purchasing for renovation to resell to a family market or purchasing jet to let real estate for short term rental to holiday makers? Think about your market before you make a purchase. Know what they look for in a property and ensure that is what you are going to be offering them
4) Think further afield – there are emerging real estate property markets around the world where countries’ economies are going from strength to strength, where a growing tourism sector is pushing up demand or where constitutional legislation has been or is about to be changed to allow for foreign freehold ownership of property for example. Look further afield than your own back yard for your next property investment and diversify that real estate portfolio for maximum success.
5) Purchase price – set yourself a budget that will realistically allow you to purchase what you’re looking for and profit from that purchase either through capital gains or rental yield.
6) Entry costs – research fees, charges and all expenses you will incur when you buy your property – they differ from country to country and sometimes even from state to state. In Turkey for example you should add on an additional 5% of the purchase price for all fees, in Spain you will need to factor in an average of 10% and in Germany fees and charges can be in excess of 20%. Know how much you will have to incur and factor this amount into your budget to avoid any nasty surprises and to ensure your investment can become profitable.
7) Capital growth potential – what factors point to the potential profitability of your real estate property investment? If you’re looking overseas at an emerging market, which economic or social indicators exist to suggest that property prices will increase? If you’re buying to let out are there any indications to suggest that demand for rental accommodation will remain strong, increase or even decline? Think about what you want to achieve from your investment and then research and find out whether your expectations are realistic.
8) Exit costs – if you will incur substantial capital gains taxation liability if you sell your property investment for profit, will that render the investment profitless? In Spain a foreign buyer can incur up to 35% capital gains tax, in Turkey on the other hand property sales are capital gains tax free if the underlying real estate has been owned for four or more years.
9) Profit margins – what levels of capital growth can you realistically gain on your property investment or how much rental income can you generate? Work out these facts and then work backwards towards your initial budget to work out your potential profit margins. At all times you have to keep the bigger picture in mind to ensure that your real estate investment has good potential for profit.
10) Think long term – unless you’re buying property off plan and intending to flip it for resale and profit before completion you should view real estate investment as a long term investment. Real estate is a slow to liquidate asset, cash tied up in property is not simple to free up. Take a long term approach to your property portfolio and give your assets time to increase in value before cashing them in for profit.
About The Author
Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose articles about property investing and emerging real estate markets have appeared in publications around the world. She is currently working on a brand new property investment resource http://www.amberlamb.com/
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Creative Real Estate Investment
by: Steve Gillman
An example of creative real estate investment? When I was young, I had a job that paid $3.40 an hour, and I somehow saved enough to buy my first piece of real estate - 2 acres near where I lived. It cost $3,500.
I spent a few hours removing brush, outlined a driveway with logs, and hand painted a sign. Two weeks after I bought it I sold the land for $4,750, with $250 down, $100 per month, at 11% interest. With the capital gain, my annual return on investment was over 20%. This was my first real estate investment.
Creative Real Estate Investment - The Key
I bought the land cheap, because the seller needed fast cash. I solved his problem. I sold the land higher than the market value because the buyer needed easy terms. Second problem solved. Solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.
Cell phone companies, radio stations, police departments and others need hill tops for their towers. The problem is that they can't tie up their capital buying them. One creative investor found a way to solve their problem.
He got six month options on hill top properties for a few hundred dollars. Then, when he found those who needed them, he would get a long term lease signed. They built the tower themselves, of course. With a lease in hand, it was easy to get financing to exercise the option and buy the properties. He invested a few hundred dollars to create years of income.
Trees are needed by lumber mills. A friend of mine solved this problem by letting a company cut half the trees on his small property. They paid $4,500, and I couldn't see the difference when they were done. The property was worth as much the day after the cut as the day before. My friend lived there, but a creative investor could buy property like his, sell half the trees, maybe clay or gravel too, and then re-sell the land.
To solve problems, you have to figure out what they are. Do people need easy terms? Cleared lots? Lumber? Better access to a piece of property? Smaller pieces of land? Condos instead of apartments? The list could go on. Just remember that solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, go get your free real estate investing course at: http://www.MakeThatOffer.com
An example of creative real estate investment? When I was young, I had a job that paid $3.40 an hour, and I somehow saved enough to buy my first piece of real estate - 2 acres near where I lived. It cost $3,500.
I spent a few hours removing brush, outlined a driveway with logs, and hand painted a sign. Two weeks after I bought it I sold the land for $4,750, with $250 down, $100 per month, at 11% interest. With the capital gain, my annual return on investment was over 20%. This was my first real estate investment.
Creative Real Estate Investment - The Key
I bought the land cheap, because the seller needed fast cash. I solved his problem. I sold the land higher than the market value because the buyer needed easy terms. Second problem solved. Solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.
Cell phone companies, radio stations, police departments and others need hill tops for their towers. The problem is that they can't tie up their capital buying them. One creative investor found a way to solve their problem.
He got six month options on hill top properties for a few hundred dollars. Then, when he found those who needed them, he would get a long term lease signed. They built the tower themselves, of course. With a lease in hand, it was easy to get financing to exercise the option and buy the properties. He invested a few hundred dollars to create years of income.
Trees are needed by lumber mills. A friend of mine solved this problem by letting a company cut half the trees on his small property. They paid $4,500, and I couldn't see the difference when they were done. The property was worth as much the day after the cut as the day before. My friend lived there, but a creative investor could buy property like his, sell half the trees, maybe clay or gravel too, and then re-sell the land.
To solve problems, you have to figure out what they are. Do people need easy terms? Cleared lots? Lumber? Better access to a piece of property? Smaller pieces of land? Condos instead of apartments? The list could go on. Just remember that solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.
About The Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, go get your free real estate investing course at: http://www.MakeThatOffer.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)