It is true that the South of France is one of the most expensive areas of France for property for sale. However, if you are prepared to compromise a little on size there are plenty of lovely little apartments and houses available for under 200,000 Euros.

At the time of writing, one incredibly good value residence on the Riviera just 20 minutes from the beach in Signes is situated in an activity park surrounded by lush pine forest. This residence was designed as a hamlet and is an excellent place from which to explore the rest of Provence - from its medieval villages to its colourful landscape and Mediterranean coastline. Prices for studios start at 75,000 Euros and offer either classic freehold or leaseback purchase with guaranteed rental income of up to 5% which is unusually high for this part of France with prices equally low.

Another highly sought after location in France is Uzes with its historical centre with remnants of its Roman past. Small boutiques, unassuming restaurants tucked away in tiny alleyways and its local markets rich in local produce fill the charming town. There is a luxury development only a few minutes walk from the historical centre at a prestigious address surrounded by landscaped gardens with its own private pool for the residents. It is not often you see such a well located new build residence and even less at such keen prices: from just 113,000 Euros you can invest in a spacious 1 bedroom apartment with a terrace and with the option for guaranteed rental of up to 4.78%.

New Build Property for Sale:

New build property has many advantages:

- Small notary fees of just 2 to 3% compared to 7 to 10% for a traditional sale

- Very low maintenance costs as repairs are negligible

- Off-plan property will usually increase in value considerably by completion date 24-18 months later

- Builders guarantee for 10 years

- You can often modify designs and choose interiors to suit your personal taste

- Often an option for guaranteed rental income (depending on development)

but perhaps older character property is more to your taste? If you are looking for a small house in a rural provencal village then with a budget of 200,000 Euros you can get on the proverbial ladder.

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.

Based on a sluggish economy and a large supply of available properties, economists expected real estate in Chicago to move at a slower pace

in the fourth quarter of 2004 and into the first quarter of 2005.

To the Contrary…Real Estate in Chicago

A search of local records in Chicago, Illinois shows that 6,300 new homes were sold in 2004, an 80% increase in sales over the previous year.

The bulk of those sales came in the fourth quarter, which is traditionally a slow sales period for real estate in Chicago.

Since the New Year, residential real estate in Chicago, IL hasn’t skipped a beat in sales, contributing to new national home sales records and surpassing those set in the 1980’s. Realty experts are citing the popularity of condos converted from apartment high rises as well as an influx of new first time buyers as major influences in this growth. Chicago continues to attract a diverse group of buyers, including empty nesters and those looking to upgrade after selling their current home.

Sales of real estate in Chicago were led by the sale of condos, which enjoyed a 3.4% increase over last year. The demands within this segment also led to an increase of just over 7% in the median price, placing pricing in the range of $211,000.

Real estate in the Chicago area saw a slight drop-off in single family home sales, with a nearly 5% drop from the previous year. This drop in market share is attributed to the desire for the condo lifestyle. For those of you who think that this lack of interest in single family homes has brought about a drop in price, think again. You’ll find that the price for a single family home in Chicago rose almost 10%, placing the median price at $279,000.

If you’re interested in buying property in the Chicago real estate market, whether you prefer the city or a location in the suburbs, call or email your realty agent now so that you can begin your search of available properties.

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.

There is nothing like worldwide attention to drive interest in a region’s real estate market, and nothing drives World-wide attention like the Olympic Games. Since the announcement that Vancouver and Whistler would co-host the 2010 Olympics, The real estate market in the area between Vancouver and Whistler has been exciting to say the least.

While the Whistler Real Estate Market is historically famous for its high priced homes and chronic staff housing shortages, much of that has dissipated over the last few years. Whistler Real Estate sales remain steady as its profile is further increased, and since, compared to options like Vail or Aspen, Whistler offers a competitive option in securing ski resort real estate.

Further to the South, things are even more interesting. For decades, Squamish BC, a quiet industrial town at the end of the spectacular inlet of Howe Sound, lived in relative obscurity between it’s much more famous neighbours of Vancouver and Whistler. This quiet town of 15,000 was home to those who were tolerant of the commute to Whistler or Vancouver, forestry industry workers, and a few passionate outdoor recreationists.

However, the fact that the next Winter Olympics will take place in venues both north and south of Squamish and a concurrent booming British Columbia economy, combined with a hot Vancouver housing market have boosted awareness of the Squamish Real Estate Market. Squamish is now attracting a great deal of interest as a place to live and invest in real estate. Housing developments are springing up or being planned all over this town, which has recently branded itself “The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada”.

For decades, the spectacular Squamish waterfront has been dominated by industry, most notably a saw mill, a deep sea port, and a chemical plant. But the Sawmill is gone, and 1300 housing units are planned as part of “Waterfront Landing”, a development by Pridham that will see townhouses, apartment towers, and an impressive a waterfront walkway talk the place of a former sawmill.

Further south, The District has also attained ownership of another 60 acres of oceanfront property – a former chemical site, which it hopes to develop as a park and residential area, with perhaps some light industry to provide local jobs.

For many, Squamish’s key attraction, the one thing that by far sets it apart from just about any place on earth, is the incredible variety of outdoor recreation opportunities available in this town. Just the sheer number of outdoor recreation activities available is hard to comprehend and it is a challenge to even attempt to catalogue them all. The rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, white water kayaking, ocean kayaking, kite surfing, wind surfing, and river rafting are all frequently described as “world class” in Squamish. Add to that three great golf courses, horseback riding, scuba diving, fishing, some road cycling and options for boat tours or air tours, and it is clear that many days of adventure can be fulfilled in Squamish, whether by resident or tourist. And of course, for those living in Squamish, a considerable bonus is the proximity to Whistler, putting world class downhill skiing a short drive away.

Moving towards taking advantage of the growing tourism opportunities, The District of Squamish has just completed a Tourism Information Centre on the well-traveled Highway 99. The $6 million structure is known as the “The Adventure Centre”. The impressive, “saddle shaped” building contains a coffee shop and district offices as well as standard Tourist Information Offices.

Real Estate in Squamish draws a great deal of interest from North Vancouver and with the commute from Squamish to Vancouver now shorter than from the Fraser Valley, there is a lot of interest from residents who are not sure they want to endure the daily slow drive from the Fraser Valley, the area to the east of Vancouver that has seen the greatest interest from the Vancouver based worker. And with its isolation, Squamish offers an escape from urban sprawl and an authentic small town feel.

Squamish has seen a huge increase in prices, with eight $1,000,000 plus homes for sale at the current time, and it is predicted that in a couple years time, it will be quite common to see $1,000,000 homes. At the other end of the real estate market, Squamish remains the most affordable community between Maple Ridge and Whistler.

1. Firstly do you have any recommendations from friends or family? Recommendations are always valuable. Your estate agent may also be able to give you feedback on the solicitors in your local area.

2. Be sure to get quotes rather than estimates for how much it will cost. Fees can vary considerably and it's good to know what the final bill is expected to be.

3. How can you contact them? Some estate agencies may offer an in-house conveyancing service which may be what you are after. However, check how you can contact them and make sure you are happy with what they offer. For example, you may only be able to contact them via email. If you are someone who likes to have an immediate question answered then this type of communication may not best suit you. However, their benefits such as no sale, no fee may suit you well.

4. How busy are they? If they are very busy then this might show two things: one, they are popular which could be a point in their favour, but two, if they are too busy then the large workload could mean that progress on each individual case is slow.

5. Check out online conveyancing companies. They can offer low fixed rates, no sale - no fee options and have extended hours where you can contact them by phone, email, post or fax. You do not meet anyone face to face so again it depends on how you like to work and what you feel most comfortable with.

To find a conveyancer to suit your needs research what is on offer, consider how you like to work with others and then make an informed decision. A conveyancer you are happy with should make the whole process of buying and selling property easier and give you more time to be excited about your new home.

In today's changing market, many real estate agents are wondering what to do. Some have gone through a cycle of shock, disappointment, fear, and now confusion. What seemed to work in yesterday's marketplace isn't working today, so what to do?

The truth is that there are many opportunities in today's market for success. This article will give you 7 tips to thrive in today's market.

Tip 1: Listen to the media with discernment

As you know, the media likes to paint a negative spin on everything to get more sales. There's a saying, "if it bleeds, it reads." Lately you've been hearing a lot of scare tactics from the media. When you're buying into the ideas that are presented, notice how you feel. Do you feel motivated and raring to go?

No, you probably feel demoralized, unmotivated, and downright scared. Guess what? As you feel these feelings, you are radiating energy to prospective clients that stop them from wanting to move forward. "Whatever you give out comes back to you multiplied."

That might explain why your phone isn't ringing.

Tip 2: Look at the facts

The economic forecast is actually quite different than what the media is spinning. Here's what you need to know to get you motivated, and in action:

• interest rates are still at an all-time low

• we've gone through the worst of the dip

• indications are that prices will start to rise

In other words, according to the experts, the worst part is over and houses will begin to sell again.

Tip 3: Put up boundaries on negativity in your environment

You probably know what environment I'm talking about. I'm talking about being around other real estate agents.

Many of the clients that I'm currently coaching are busy creating a positive mindset. How do they do it?

They tell me, "I don't hang out with real estate agents who are negative. I would rather ride in my own car than hear the negative buzz."

“Well done”, I say, “Don't let anyone rain on your parade”.

Tip 4: Monitor your own self talk

No one knows how to create negative chatter in your mind, more than you do. With the flip of a switch, you can turn off negative self talk and give yourself positive and encouraging self talk.

Here's how you can spot negative self talk. It will sound something like:

• "I don't know if I can succeed in today's market"

• "I don't know if there's enough business to go around"

• "maybe it's time for me to get a 'real job"

After working with real estate agents for the past 10 years to help them to double and triple the incomes, I have found an easy technique to intervene and create a positive mindset.

The next time you notice any negative self talk, just say STOP! Then take a breath and put in some positive new thoughts. Here are some examples of positive thoughts I have helped my clients create:

• "I have what it takes to succeed in any market"

• "there's more than enough to go around"

• "the bottom line is - no matter what, people will always need to buy and sell houses"

• "I do work I love and I’m richly rewarded"

What does this do? This creates a positive, affirming mindset so that instead of asking the question, "can I do this?” you ask, "how can I do this?"

Tip 5: Find and educate buyers

With an abundance of homes that need to be sold, and interest rates still low, what a wonderful time for buyers to get a great deal.

Your job is to find them, and educate them on this rare opportunity. Use all your prospecting methods, but direct yourself to reaching the buyers. When you do reach them (or they reach you), only give energy to the ones who are highly motivated and have to move. Be sure to have a buyer’s agreement with you, so you'll be compensated for your hard work.

Tip 6: Be clear on what makes you unique

As you begin to market yourself to buyers, be sure to present reasons to them as to why they should work with you instead of another real estate agent.

When I present this idea to my clients, they often go blank. Does this ever happen to you? If so, then with the help of a mentor or a coach, have someone help you discover your strengths.

For example, one of my clients did not realize how much she had going for her. She was a great negotiator, very attentive to details and at the same time was very personable. She would bend over backwards to be sure that her clients felt comfortable. When she realized her uniqueness, her business grew, as she realized how much she had to give.

Las Vegas, Nevada is a growing area, not just for vacationers, but also for individuals and families that are moving there as well. A common misconception is that Las Vegas features only fancy hotels with grand casinos or resort areas for family travelers; however, many people move to Las Vegas to enjoy other benefits. Las Vegas offers educational opportunities, tax breaks, employment opportunities, and much more. So, finding Las Vegas Nevada real estate is getting easier as the city continues to grow.

Moving to Las Vegas from another state can seem overwhelming. Not only do you need to find Las Vegas real estate, but you also must become familiar with Nevada state regulations for moving to that area. You can do all the research yourself or hire a dependable Las Vegas real estate agent to assist you in your search. Whether searching for Las Vegas condos for sale or Las Vegas homes for sale, choosing the right Las Vegas real estate agent will save you from many headaches.

How to Choose a Las Vegas Real Estate Agent

Be sure the agent you choose is willing to go the extra mile for you. If you live far away from Las Vegas, you'll want an agent who can do the legwork for you in finding a new home. The last thing you need is to travel back and forth only to see new homes that do not match your criteria. The real estate agent might also be willing to help you find Henderson real estate if you want to live on the outskirts of Las Vegas.

Choose a Las Vegas real estate agent who will carefully research each new home to be sure it fits perfectly with what you want. Be sure they offer online services as well so you can view the possible homes online before taking a trip. This will save you much time and money.

Building a New Home in Las Vegas

Perhaps you'd rather build a new home in Las Vegas. If so, choose a real estate agent who can help you find affordable Las Vegas land in a good location. The agent might also be able to help you find a dependable builder in the area.

Other Helpful Services

Other services your agent might provide that can benefit you when buying Las Vegas real estate include providing connections with an affordable mortgage lender, experience in foreclosures, repossessions and estate homes, and experience in corporate relocation.

There are times when the Seller or Buyer to a real estate transaction may appoint someone to act on their respective behalf and even to sign agreements relating to the Contract of Purchase and Sale as their agents, thereby meeting the requirements at law that all dealings involving land or interests in land be in writing. However, it is always mandatory (in British Columbia) that the agent obtain specific instructions prior to signing any documents on behalf of the parties to a transaction. This is all the more true when a Realtor is authorized to sign on behalf of one of the parties.

The written authorization must set out the exact terms, conditions and scope under which the agent is authorized to sign. A telegram, letter or fax may be used for this purpose, but it must be received by the agent before he/she attempts to act on the Seller's or Buyer's behalf. Agents must avoid signing documents on behalf of anyone based on verbal, telephone or e-mail instructions. Furthermore, evidence of written authority granted by one party to a real estate transaction must be attached to any and all documents where the agent has signed on behalf of the party.

Powers Of Attorney

Where it is desirable or necessary to rely on a Power of Attorney, it is widely recommended that it be granted to someone in accordance with the advices of a lawyer. When a person who has been granted a Power of Attorney signs a contract involving land or an interest in land on behalf of the person granting the Power of Attorney, the correct way for the contract to be completed is as shown on the following example:

"Mary Smith grants a Power of Attorney to Ted Lee to enter into a contract for the sale of her property located at [address in full]".

Ted Lee, then, would sign both the Listing Agreement and the Contract of Purchase and Sale using the following statement:

"Mary Smith, by her attorney in fact" followed immediately by Ted Lee's signature.

Furthermore, a transfer of title executed under a Power of Attorney to be filed at the Land Title Office (in British Columbia) at the time of completion requires the Power of Attorney to be drafted in proper form. This is so, because different Power of Attorneys can be granted by one person to another. While the form of such authority may authorize a party to sign contracts and certain other documents for another party, it may not be sufficient for Land Title registration purposes. Therefore, whenever a Power of Attorney is contemplated or utilized in a trade involving real estate, the parties ought to seek the advices of legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure the form of the Power of Attorney being used is valid and is acceptable for registration. It should be also noted that the Power of Attorney may expire after a specific time or be invalid for other reasons. Therefore the advices of a legal practitioner specializing in real estate transactions are always the best venue.

Dealing With Legal Or Beneficial Owners

The person or legal entity shown as the registered owner of a real property on the Certificate of Title at the Land Title Office may not be the person or entity that signs the Contract of Purchase and Sale as Seller of that particular property. This is a relatively common occurrence in the real estate trade. For a variety of reasons one entity may appear as the registered owner, while another entity may sign the Contract of Purchase and Sale as the Seller. This may happen, for example, if the registered owner holds the subject property in trust for another entity. In this case the beneficial owner (the person for whom the property is being held in trust) may sign the contract.

If the contract is signed by the beneficial owner, there will usually be a recognition of the trust in the contract {for example, John Doe in trust for Mary Black). As well, there will be normally a covenant by the Buyer to accept a transfer from the registered owner and not the beneficial owner who signs the contract. This covenant acts as a waiver of section 6 of the Property Law Act (in British Columbia), which provides that the person who signs the contract as Seller is the person who must sign the transfer. There may be warranties or representations of the beneficial owner, of the registered owner, of both, or limited warranties and representations of each.

In other circumstances the registered owner may wish to structure the transaction as a sale of shares rather than a sale of real property. Such sale may involve the shares of the registered owner or the shares of the beneficial owner of the interest in land.

It is always advisable to deal with legal or beneficial owners after a thorough title search has been executed. For example, in a typical residential real estate transaction problems can arise when a Contract of Purchase and Sale is drafted with the Seller when, in fact, the property is legally owned by some other person or company. In this particular case the Seller may have to transfer the subject property into his or her own name to comply with section 6 of the Property Law Act (a costly transaction involving, among other things, payment of taxes), or face the possibility that the Buyer may legally refuse to complete the transaction if presented with a transfer from the Seller as shown on the contract, rather than the registered owner as shown on title.

More than half of homeowners responding to a new national survey said they expect their home values to appreciate five percent or more in the next year. Another 19% said they expect no change in the value of their homes in the next 12 months. Only 29% of homeowners said they expect home prices to fall five percent or more in the same period.

“Currently, we’re seeing a mostly balanced market between buyer demand and seller supply,” said Michael Bearden, president and CEO of HouseHunt, Inc. “There are exceptions, of course, but consumer expectations in our survey are more consistent with the actual marketplace than those in the media projecting a major downturn in home prices. Double-digit home value appreciation in many areas of the country in the past five years was simply not sustainable.”

Although the national median price of a single-family homes dipped to $219,880 in September, down just 2.5% over a year ago, the inventory of unsold homes fell for the second straight month. “The worst is behind us as far as a market correction,” noted David Lereah, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. “When consumers recognize that home sales are stabilizing, we’ll see the buyers who’ve been on the sidelines get back into the market."

The latest consumer confidence survey is also positive. The University of Michigan’s consumer confidence index for October recorded a gain for the eighth straight month as consumers looked more positively on the pace of economist growth. Substantial gains were driven by the expectation of an improved pace of economic growth, larger wage gains and a low unemployment rate during the year ahead.

You will always pay a price! Everyone should know that information comes at a price, whether it's time or money. When searching for information you’ll find an aggressive campaign to sell you something. That’s what pays for the online presence. Ever notice that they always seem to know something about you: gender, age, income level, and buying habits. The internet is constantly profiling your habits. This isn’t always bad if it saves you time when you're searching for something. Here are the questions everyone needs to ask: "Is this site or its representatives the source, or are they looking to broker information to you? Can they directly address your needs? And are they available to validate the legitimacy of the information?"

Here is a specific example:

You log onto a website looking for homes for sale, and you fill out and submit a form. Most websites disclose that you will be contacted by a licensed real estate agent who will pay a fee to receive your name and search information. Usually you will have to wait several hours, or sometimes never receive the information they promised. If you do receive information or a phone call, it’s unlikely you will even remember when or who you left this information with. Not very effective. And what's even worse is this is a website that was placed high on the search engine, therefore pushing down the pages of realtors that can actually help you in a timely manner. The moral of this story: Find a realtor who has the online experience to assist you, and the willingness to give you the information that you need to do the homework which you already decided to do.

Sequim-homes.info has Information you can use for Sequim, Washington real estate.

For the last 10 years I have been self-employed in the service industry in Sequim, Washington. In February of 2005 I received my real estate license. I have always had an interest in online marketing and business management. During my career change I have discovered that there are more questions than answers. As a result, I have determined to become a resource for all parties involved in the real estate industry.

Renovate Alerts is an online company that finds properties that range from needing cosmetic updating to a full scale renovation. Having found the properties Renovate Alerts email subscribers alerts which links the subscriber to the property details on the estate agents websites. So your friend would only get properties that require work and are ripe for their DIY enthusiasm. Alerts are sent out every few days and contain only properties that are new to the market.

The cost of this unusual present would be either £10 or £20 per month per region and each region covers a large area e.g. Wales, South, Scotland, Greater London, etc. So you could give an original, thoughtful present of £10 or £20 and start your friend on a new line of investigation and even a new career in property development!

The subscription is on an ongoing automatic monthly basis so if you want to give your friend just one month then do remember to email Renovate Alerts to cancel the subscription after the first month.

Here is some feedback that Renovate Alerts has recently received from satisfied customers:

"Your service is excellent, and I will recommend you to other people"

"Your website is amazing. I am in the process of purchasing 2 properties as a result. I have started a new business.."

It should at least give your friend something more to go on. A subscription to Renovate Alerts is surely more exciting than chocolates, pens or socks. In fact you might find it so intriguing you subscribe for yourself!

Last year 2005's round for banks repossessing real estate had turned down slowly. But banks started to regain their activity in repossessing real estates in the year 2006. In fact, a lender further said that this year may be another successful turn for real estate investors.

You must hire a professional real state agent or broker if you are planning to buy a bank repossessed real estate. However, do not loose hope if you are hearing bad rumors from the other agents about these bank repossessed real estates. They may tell you that it is not that easy and practical to invest on these types of real estates. Mind you, there are many brokers or real estate agents. Don't limit yourself to one agent.

On the other side, you might be thinking of spending few dollars to listing services. These listing services may send to you the list of bank repossessed real estates through mail. Don't be blinded by these services. It will just be a waste of money. The truth is, the real estates might have been sold the moment the mail listing arrives.

Also, you might see the schedules of various banks with specializations in bargaining real estates. Most banks bid their repossessed real estates at low prices. However, there are some policies, conditions and availabilities that you need to confirm. These have something to do with the reselling and financing of these banks' real estate owned (REO) properties.

Many banks repossess real estates just because they want to, while others lend them. Ask a favor to give you in-house terms to have good financing. Make a visit to your target bank and ask any bank authority for information on how they market their repossessed real estates.

Many of these banks will give their website where you can find the listing of their repossessed real estates. Also, establish rapport with your broker or real estate agent so he or she may inform you immediately whenever a new repossessed real estate is added on the listing.

Repossessed real estates are good opportunities for you if you are a first time real estate investor. But you or your broker must make the first move to get in touch with the bank to show that you are really interested to their real estate. Have your final decision before you contact the bank.

These days, brokers are using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to check the new and unsold real estates. So you or your broker must check the MLS regularly. You may call the listing agent if you or your broker found a new item on the list. But bear in mind that bargaining with the bank which owns the repossessed real estate may weaken if there's an involved listing agent.

However, you have to make practical moves to communicate directly to the foreclosing bank if there is no listing agent involve. Be aware that selling real estates is not the main business of banks. So you have to do your thing on how to find the department or authority in-charge to the repossessed real estates from the MLS. When you've found the right department, be patient enough until your transaction is successfully accomplished.

Bank repossessed real estates can be good sources and nice starting points of your investment. Investing on these can be your career, too.

Once you have purchased a home and are making monthly payments, you are in the process of building equity. The opportunity to use the equity you have built up in your home is one of the benefits of homeownership.

The equity you have built up can be used for many purposes on your advantage. Many people will use this equity to draw out cash by refinancing their house; the cash may be use to finance other major purchases such as second mortgage, making major improvement to your property or to fund their children educational expenses.

If you are in bad debt situation, your equity can be the hero in saving you from bankruptcy. You can pledge your equity to apply for a home equity loan which will allow you to borrow a relatively large amount of money to consolidate your debts. As compare to other personal or unsecured loan, a home equity loan is easier to get approve even you are in a bad debts situation; lenders may be more liberal because they view home equity loan as relatively safe. You can't disappear with your house or hide it if you default on your loan, so the lender has a good chance of collecting the collateral.

Besides using your equity for bad debt consolidation, you may use it for other high-interest rates debt consolidation. One of the advantages of home equity loans are they typically have lower interest. And you could you this advantage to consolidate all your high-interest monthly payments into a single loan which had a considerably lower interest rate.

Typically you are allowed to refinance up to 75%, (sometimes 80%), of the value of the property on conforming loans whereas on jumbo loans you are limited to 70% of the property's value. For example, if your home is now valued at $150,000 and your loan balance is $70,000, you might be able to get a new $150,000 x 75% = 112,500 mortgage. That would allow you to repay the existing $70,000 balance and use the $42,500 for your financial needs.

Another possibility to use the equity to your advantage is home equity lines. Many lenders offers home equity lines for homeowners and allow them to draw cash advances with their credit card or write checks up to certain credit limit.

Before using a home equity loan or home equity credit line for any purpose, you should be aware of the pitfalls of these loans. The main thing is that you can lose your home if you fail to meet the payment schedule required by the loan. Therefore you need to consider it carefully before do a cash-out with your equity.

There are many people out there who want to purchase real estate properties. The problem is, they just do not have enough money.

So, rather than enter into a binding contract to purchase a brand new house just to have it foreclosed because of failure to pay, why not purchase a foreclosed property right away?

Foreclosed houses are real estate properties that have been foreclosed by the lending companies or the government because of the failure of the owner to pay their loans or mortgages.

As such, whenever a banking institution or an agency end the long and complicated legal process with the foreclosure, they have to sell it off right away to get the proceeds and apply it to the terms of the contract.

This reality is actually one that most households face nowadays because of failure to properly manage finances and due to the difficulty in the economy.

Despite the sad picture of foreclosure, it should not keep you from purchasing these properties. Actually buying foreclosure houses is a good way to turn a sad thing into a wonderful opportunity. Make some good out of it.

Buying Foreclosure Houses

To secure a foreclosure house, it is best to utilize the various sources that will lead you to the perfect find.

Banks have listings of their foreclosures. There are also agents and brokers who can aid you in finding these properties. Government agencies also post announcements on their public auctions. The internet too is a good source of information.

These sources will lead you to venues and properties that can get you that foreclosure house. Do not hesitate to utilize these sources. You might just hit gold.

Some opt to survey for pre-foreclosure properties to purchase it directly from the owner. However, be cautious of doing this option. The case might be involved still in a long process.

To be sure, simply stick to the properties already foreclosed.

The good thing about buying foreclosure properties is that they can give you the best deals for houses that you can not ordinarily get at lower prices.

Most of the time, the foreclosed properties are sold at lower prices to be able to dispense with them more easily. On the average, they are sold only from 5 to 50 percent of their total fair market value.

Banks have to get the proceeds right away to apply it to the contract and put the money again into circulation.

Here are some tips to consider when buying bank foreclosure properties.

1. To Resell or to Keep?

When scouting for bank foreclosure properties, decide whether it is something you will resell or something you would like to keep.

This will aid you in picking the right find. Some houses can easily be repaired for reselling purposes because the next buyer can take care of the other details.

However, it may take considerable time and effort if the house is something you want to keep.

2. Repair and Resell

Foreclosed properties have previous owners who are in financial troubles, thus the upkeep is usually not maintained. This is one reason why they are also sold at lower prices.

Sometimes, this condition requires ordinary repairs and make over. Carefully consider this aspect in evaluating your purchase, whether it can give you enough room to earn.

3. Do a Little Research

Sometimes you cannot simply depend on the fact that foreclosed properties are sold at cheap prices. Do a little research to know if you can really make a good buy.

There are properties that sound inexpensively priced but they will not sell high as well despite the repairs because of their location or neighborhood.

Just take the extra mile to research. You can even seek help from an assessor to make sure that you have a good deal.

There has been a growth in inventory in the South Florida housing market. That is not to say that the market has turned cold. But in spite of the increasing number of homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service, sales price adjustments, and slightly longer market waiting times, South Florida housing market experts perceive that good times ahead still remain.

Buyer chariness combined with escalating inventory, peaked interest rates, and a general deceleration have some people saying that the South Florida housing market is transitioning into a buyers’ market. However, for those of you getting ready to sell your homes, you need not despair, if you take an action now.

If you're planning on listing your home for sale just keep in mind that the South Florida housing market is not anymore at multiple-offer market where buyers are pushed to the wall and forced to make a snap decision or risk losing the property—at least for now. Buyers now have the option of taking a little more time on their decisions. Therefore, the initial step that you should take now is getting a home inspection prior to listing your home for sale. If home repairs are necessary, it would be better to address them before any plans are carried out with the property.

It is amazing how even a minor furbishing up, which costs a mere couple of hundred dollars can delay a sale or even cause a several hundred-thousand dollar sale to not push through. Sellers need to know that when this happens, then almost certainly they have been erased from that buyer’s list, and deserve no further consideration.

Buyers look at things very critically. Ideally, when showing your home it should appear clean and free of clutter. This implies that if you do not have room and storage space to tuck away items, they need to be boxed up instead.

Remember, usually, you only get one chance to make a first impression on a buyer. When buyers walk out of the door of a home that was not as nice as the last one that the buyers saw, they are definitely not going to go back for a second look.

Paradoxically, even though most sellers have been buyers, they often do not remember how to look through a buyer’s lens when they are selling their home. So often sellers get scurry and are busy with other things that they do not keep the house up to maintain a presentable overall look. They mistakenly suppose that a buyer will be able to see the beauty beneath the mess.

Dirt is not just dirt. It also can establish an atmosphere that can be oppressive. Most people do not like untidy homes and often remark about them when they leave. So it is very important for people to exert that extra effort and maintain its cleanliness so that the house remains to be inviting. Another sure-fire way to clean up a home is to give it a fresh coat of paint and new carpet