5 Hot Tips for Successful Real Estate Investment
by: Rhiannon Williamson
The last downturn of the global stock market saw millions of ‘every day’ investors having their fingers badly burned. Overnight life savings were eaten away, retirement funds went into decline and the economic forecast for all of us who had any money invested in stocks and shares was gloomy to say the very least.
As a direct result investors in their thousands turned their backs on the rollercoaster stock markets and sought alternative asset classes in which to invest their hard earned money. This has led to a global boom in real estate markets and property prices, and it has spawned a generation of budding real estate investors.
For those of you wondering whether it’s too late to venture into real estate investing or considering how best to make the most significant returns from property investment, here are 5 hot tips for successful real estate investment to set you on the path to potential profits!
1) Consider Investment Property Abroad
There are many relatively untapped property markets in countries around the world that offer the real estate investor greater return on investment in the form of rental yields or short to medium term capital growth.
While major markets in the USA, UK, Australia and Europe are slowing down, there are emerging property markets globally that are hungry for investment and are proving to be highly profitable.
For example, in 2007 a number of countries are already aligned for accession into the European Union and as a result property markets in these countries are likely to benefit from greater numbers of visitors, more trade, increased investment into infrastructure and more stable economies. The likes of Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey and even Northern Cyprus are just a few examples of overseas destinations with emerging real estate markets that may be worthy of your consideration.
2) Make Sure Your Plans Are Profitable
This sounds ridiculously simple right? Well, you’d be surprised how few people actually make sure their plans are actually sustainable and as profitable as they hope.
Examine any real estate market that you’re about to enter by firstly comparing property values across the city, state or region and making sure you know what your money will buy you. Then ensure that the rental yield you intend to obtain from your property is actually realistic or that the asking price you intend to set once you’ve renovated the property will be offered.
3) Never Assume Anything
This goes from assuming a house is structurally sound to accepting that tax laws won’t change – from believing your tenants when they tell you that they are house proud and honest to accepting the first builder’s quotation!
Do your due diligence on every single aspect of the process from ensuring the asking price for a property is fair to checking your tax returns before your accountant submits them for you. This is your investment, your future, your potential profit and therefore it is ultimately your responsibility.
4) Employ An Expert When In Doubt
Few people are a master of all trades therefore be prepared to acknowledge areas where you are far from being an expert and at least consider courting a second opinion. Again, this goes from checking out the structural soundness of a property to understanding the legal ramifications of letting out your property. If in doubt always double check – and if this means you have to call in an expert, make sure you call in an expert!
5) Set A Realistic Budget And Stick To It
Whether you’re purchasing property to let out or buying real estate to renovate you need to sit down and add up every single area of projected expenditure to enable you to set a realistic budget with which to work.
Make sure you add in everything from having searches and surveys conducted, legal fees, accountancy fees, insurance costs, likely interest payments on any finance required, taxation, connection of utilities, marketing for tenants or buyers, real estate agency fees, and of course don’t forget to add on the cost of the property and the price of any renovation and refurnishing and decorating work required.
Spend time considering every single area where a cost will be incurred and detail every likely payment that will have to be made and you will arm yourself with a bullet proof budget and do all you can to ensure you encounter no nasty surprises along the way.
About the author:
Rhiannon Williamson is an offshore investment, overseas living and international property expert and publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/
For investment property abroad news and property buying guides visit www.ShelterOffshore.com
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Buying a Timeshare Resale: Seven Tips For Success
Buying a Timeshare Resale: Seven Tips For Success
by: John McIver
Most people know that when buying a timeshare, great care should be taken. However, even more care and research should be used when buying a timeshare resale. Timeshare resales cost much less than buying directly from a resort developer, but you should still keep your best interests at heart. Being informed about your timeshare will lead to a positive experience.
1. It is a very good idea to actually see the timeshare you are buying. Some timeshare resellers may “talk up” their timeshare. If the reseller says that the timeshare is in a beautiful place, be sure to check it out. A timeshare, even a resold timeshare, is a great investment. It is important to make sure that you are buying what you want.
2. Timeshare resales often have very appealing prices. Sometimes, these prices can cause the buyer to overlook crucial questions. Be sure to ask about maintenance fees and property taxes. If these have not been paid up-to-date, then the timeshare will cost significantly more than the base price. It is very important to know the whole cost before you decide to buy a timeshare.
3. Some timeshares are affiliated with an exchange company. If the timeshare you are purchasing is affiliated with an exchange company, make sure to find out if this membership can be transferred. Doing this can help you to avoid unnecessary hassles in the future. If the timeshare you are purchasing is a point-system timeshare, find out if the points are transferable. Finally, if there are any additional bonuses with the timeshare, find out if they can be transferred.
4. The seller often pays to advertise the timeshare, while the buyer is stuck with the closing costs. Be informed and find out all of the charges that you will be responsible for upon the closing of the sale. This is important because some buyers do not know how much they are paying when they decide to buy the timeshare.
5. Visiting the timeshare can solve this problem, but it is important to be aware of it. Timeshares can sometimes be located in a facility that has only been partially remodeled. Other timeshares have not been touched at all. Paying an extremely high price for an old, worn-out timeshare is never a good idea.
6. Timeshares have different times that they can be used. Knowing when you can use your timeshare is very important. Some timeshares are odd-or even-year-use timeshares. If you buy one of these timeshares, it may be another year or two before you can actually use the timeshare you purchased. If there is a lease on the property, make sure to find out how much time is left on the lease.
7. Last, but certainly not least, find out why the timeshare is being sold. Too many buyers simply overlook this crucial information. Some resellers don’t want it anymore, but other resellers may have discovered a problem with the timeshare, or an inconvenience. It is important to know these issues so you can decide whether or not you yourself want to deal with them. If the reseller tells you the negative aspects concerning the timeshare, and you are still fully confident in its success, then it will be a good investment.
Timeshare resales can be complicated business. It is important to be as informed as possible when purchasing a timeshare because it is often a very large investment. The more investigating you do, the more informed you will be. Being informed is the best way to ensure that you have a positive timeshare resale experience.
About the author:
John McIver enjoys writing about timeshares and timeshare resales. Learn more at http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com.
by: John McIver
Most people know that when buying a timeshare, great care should be taken. However, even more care and research should be used when buying a timeshare resale. Timeshare resales cost much less than buying directly from a resort developer, but you should still keep your best interests at heart. Being informed about your timeshare will lead to a positive experience.
1. It is a very good idea to actually see the timeshare you are buying. Some timeshare resellers may “talk up” their timeshare. If the reseller says that the timeshare is in a beautiful place, be sure to check it out. A timeshare, even a resold timeshare, is a great investment. It is important to make sure that you are buying what you want.
2. Timeshare resales often have very appealing prices. Sometimes, these prices can cause the buyer to overlook crucial questions. Be sure to ask about maintenance fees and property taxes. If these have not been paid up-to-date, then the timeshare will cost significantly more than the base price. It is very important to know the whole cost before you decide to buy a timeshare.
3. Some timeshares are affiliated with an exchange company. If the timeshare you are purchasing is affiliated with an exchange company, make sure to find out if this membership can be transferred. Doing this can help you to avoid unnecessary hassles in the future. If the timeshare you are purchasing is a point-system timeshare, find out if the points are transferable. Finally, if there are any additional bonuses with the timeshare, find out if they can be transferred.
4. The seller often pays to advertise the timeshare, while the buyer is stuck with the closing costs. Be informed and find out all of the charges that you will be responsible for upon the closing of the sale. This is important because some buyers do not know how much they are paying when they decide to buy the timeshare.
5. Visiting the timeshare can solve this problem, but it is important to be aware of it. Timeshares can sometimes be located in a facility that has only been partially remodeled. Other timeshares have not been touched at all. Paying an extremely high price for an old, worn-out timeshare is never a good idea.
6. Timeshares have different times that they can be used. Knowing when you can use your timeshare is very important. Some timeshares are odd-or even-year-use timeshares. If you buy one of these timeshares, it may be another year or two before you can actually use the timeshare you purchased. If there is a lease on the property, make sure to find out how much time is left on the lease.
7. Last, but certainly not least, find out why the timeshare is being sold. Too many buyers simply overlook this crucial information. Some resellers don’t want it anymore, but other resellers may have discovered a problem with the timeshare, or an inconvenience. It is important to know these issues so you can decide whether or not you yourself want to deal with them. If the reseller tells you the negative aspects concerning the timeshare, and you are still fully confident in its success, then it will be a good investment.
Timeshare resales can be complicated business. It is important to be as informed as possible when purchasing a timeshare because it is often a very large investment. The more investigating you do, the more informed you will be. Being informed is the best way to ensure that you have a positive timeshare resale experience.
About the author:
John McIver enjoys writing about timeshares and timeshare resales. Learn more at http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com.
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