If you’re considering investing in commercial real estate then it makes good sense getting to know your tenants before you sign on the dotted line. It’s rare for a seller to a warn a potential buyer about any negative aspects of tenants although poor rent histories should be evident if accounts are available for review. [...]
If you’re in the market looking to buy real estate then you should consider finding a real estate agent to represent you. There is no cost involved since the buyer’s real estate agent receives a share of the sales commission. Before taking on a buyer’s real estate agent, considering a few important factors. For example: [...]
Time is running out for first home buyers that are hoping to capitalize on the Federal home buyer tax credits. Claims can be made by all eligible home buyers but only if their sales contract is signed by Friday, April 30 – that’s this coming Friday. After that, home buyers are on their own. If [...]
There are many individuals who, for a variety or reasons, have specific needs when it comes to buying a home. It may be the need for a lift, perhaps within easy walking distance of public transport or a specific sized garage. If you’re in this situation then you can relax just a little – there [...]
Having the real estate economy classified as a buyers market really does make the life of an owner so much more difficult. Whether it’s a buyers market or not, if the perception is there then price becomes an important issue. Overprice your real estate and you could be pricing yourself out of a sale. Even [...]
Selling a home can be difficult, particularly if you are in a position where you have to move. I am not talking about ‘forced’ sales as such, but there are situations such as employment that can bring unexpected changes into our lives. For some people, rather than having a house sitting there empty, the temptation [...]
You may wonder what real estate agents and taxi drivers have in common. Not a lot except for one feature of some real estate agents. The ‘taxi driver syndrome’ refers to the habit of some real estate agents who prefer to taxi prospective buyers around to properties. The problem is, rather than viewing properties that [...]
Negotiating the purchase (or sale) of real estate can be a real dance at times and sometimes the best way to invite a seller onto the dance floor is by making a lowball offer. There are some dos and don’ts when it comes to making a lowball offer and if you really want to win [...]
If you lost your home during the recent economic nightmare then you may feel that everything is lost and that home ownership and mortgages are now out of the question. That may not be the case. FannieMae have recently announced that home loans for some victims of the financial fallout may still qualify for mortgages. [...]
Buying commercial real estate can be a lucrative way to invest your money, however, you need to be aware of what the current owner has done with the property. If the commercial property is currently under lease, you need to know what the terms are of that lease. Often, you can find a copy of [...]
Whether you are buying residential or commercial real estate there is one important consideration, knowing your limitations before you start to negotiate. All too often someone will start to negotiate on a home, for example, knowing full well that renovations and repairs will be required, some fairly soon, yet also knowing that they are at [...]
The real estate industry is no different than most other services – you will find poor real estate agents and you can find good real estate agents. The problem is, how do you find a good real estate agent? Perhaps these tips may help. Attend open houses and talk to the real estate agent present. [...]
Nothing is equal when it comes to buying real estate and the cost of transferring titles is a prime example. Not only does each state have its own tax regime, each country often does as well. Take buying real estate in Maryland as an example. There are large differences in transfer taxes between each county [...]
With the tax credit on home purchases about to end should home buyers stress if they look like missing the boat? If you are in contract negotiations then perhaps yes. If you are still ‘just looking’ then perhaps not. One of the most noticeable affects of the tax credit was the surge in interest in [...]
As property prices slowly start to rise, many buyers are looking for bargains that could and should almost immediate gain equity. This occurs when a buyer can find real estate that is selling for below its current market value. Where do you find those properties? In the foreclosure market. There are three areas that are [...]
When dealing with real estate, a ratified contract can mean different things to different people. For some people, it can be when both parties have signed off on the contract document while for others it may be when all contingencies have been removed. It really comes down to the sales contract itself and whether or [...]
Where are mortgage interest rates going? If we all had crystal balls we would probably be millionaires now. We’re not, so it’s all guess work. History tells us that as an economy improves, interest rates go up. If the economy improves too quickly then interest rates start to skyrocket. We are nowhere near that situation [...]
It’s not a part of the home buying process that many people would consider but it is slowly growing in popularity. What am I referring too? Social media, of course. How can it help you? Do you have a couple of hours? Social media, as the name suggests, is all about being social. Being social means [...]
Real estate appraisal is simply a process of determining what a property’s real worth is. The appraisal is generally undertaken by an appraiser who has been licensed by the state. They should be independent third parties who can provide unbiased valuations. That all sounds very formal and to an extent it is. Let’s take a [...]
Are you a little tired from searching the MLS? You know, buying a home is one of the hardest tasks you will ever perform. The home becomes a part of you and you become a part of it so you want your new home to be just right. That is why it can take a [...]
We really are moving into a technology phase in our society considering the recent news that e-signatures are now acceptable for real estate contracts. Inman News has the story and their opening paragraph really says it all: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that the Federal Housing Administration will accept e-signatures [...]
With many Americans now preferring (or forced) to rent homes rather than buy, the demand for rental stock is on the increase. To help those looking for rentals properties, home search specialist Trulia has now added a rentals tab to its real estate search portal. It is estimated that 30% of those in the market [...]
One area of home financing that can be a trap for the unwary is that of discount points. When financing your home you will most likely be using a finance provider and borrowing through a mortgage arrangement. Finance providers charge an annual interest rate on your mortgage with the interest and principle amortized over the [...]
That was a mouthful – but to clarify, they are all aspect of real estate and part of a new government program. As of Monday this week (April 5) the Federal Government’s HAFA program came into effect. It’s another attempt to relieve home owners of the threat of foreclosure and to allow them a reasonable [...]
If you are trying to sell your real estate, whether it is land, a home or a commercial property, you are competing against a lot of other sellers. You need to treat the process almost like running a business. Good businesses are always watching the competition in an effort to provide better products or services. [...]
For the uninitiated, real estate flipping is the process of buying a property that is undervalued, doing some fairly basic renovations and then reselling the property. The aim is to make as much profit as possible as quickly as possible. Is it a wise way to invest in real estate given the current state of [...]
We could be called brave, we could be called gullible but most of the time we are just plain ignorant when it comes to buying real estate. In fact, we are often not helped by the very people we rely on for help – the real estate agent. As a buyer, you have to be [...]
While house prices have come down quite considerably over the last couple of years, commercial prices have been a little slower to come down. If you are looking for commercial real estate in Maryland, should you buy or is leasing a better option? If your purchase is to use for your own business then you [...]
