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3 Reasons to Own Rental Properties in College Communities – Part 2

Feb 4

Posted by admin in Real Estate

Having personally experienced the pleasure of owning rental properties in a college (university) town, there is a wealth of reasons to locate one’s properties in a community that houses a center of higher education. Listed below are just three of the myriad reasons a rental property owner should add college-town rental properties to their portfolio.

* This article is part two of a two-part series

4.) Good Tenants - Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but most college-town tenants are excellent tenants. They pay their rent (and utilities if required) on time, take care of the property, and are often very courteous to the property owner. From personal experience, pharmacy, legal, and engineering students are often the best tenants because they are constantly bogged-down with complicated homework; leaving them little time or want to party (they are also the most driven to succeed which also indicates a lack of partying).

5.) High Tenant Turnover - Is this author kidding? Since when is high tenant turnover a good thing? Welcome to the world of rental property management in a college town. In this atmosphere, high turnover is a key to one’s rental success. First, every year there is a plentiful supply of new tenants, making it relatively easy to re-rent a property. Having tenants leave every one to three years gives the property manager the opportune time to slightly raise the rent, thus increasing the property’s income. Often, the new tenant doesn’t even realize the rent has been raised.

6.) Inflated Property Values - This benefit is a double-edged sword. Property values in college and university towns are almost always higher the surrounding areas because of the increased demand for property within the town. This is good once one owns the property and begins experiencing the power of equity, but it is before one owns the property that it can be very dangerous. DO NOT over pay for a rental property in a college town. Run some numbers (often a net income evaluation) and make sure that the property will produce income at the given purchase price. If one over pays for a property, they have already destroyed their cash flow potential, so be careful.

College towns are great towns for rental properties, but a few precautions should be taken before jumping in. First, investigate the town to make sure that there are enough tenants to go around and that the school is growing; not shrinking. Secondly, colleges and universities that have excellent graduate programs are more preferable, because they get older students that almost always live OFF campus. After satisfying the above two precautions, one is ready to enter the lucrative niche that this article’s title describes.

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The Most Exciting Property Market in Europe

Feb 1

Posted by admin in Real Estate

Montenegro, poised on the brink of EU accession acceptance, is undoubtedly the most exciting country in Europe for property investors today.

The wealth of potential in the market stems from the fact that real estate in Montenegro is massively undervalued, it is growing in demand from those seeking an affordable holiday home in the sun, Montenegro is growing in popularity as a holiday destination, the country is aligned for EU acceptance and the local economic reforms entered into by the government of Montenegro are resulting in strong and sustainable levels of foreign direct investment.

The climate in the property market in Montenegro right now is therefore incredibly ripe and it is attracting real estate investors from around the world.

Immediate gains can be realised from the rental of suitable coastal properties to the fledgling but burgeoning tourism market, with longer term rental income likely from well appointed and located apartments in the main towns in this tiny gem of a European country.

Medium to long term the property market in Montenegro is likely to reward a patient investor with substantial capital growth because as the local economy is boosted by inward foreign direct investment, so the numbers of companies relocating to Montenegro increases and so the demand for properties to purchase goes up. Furthermore as the local economy is strengthened and the local people become wealthier in real terms, they will present an investor with a second tier to the market to target over the medium to longer term.

Montenegro was once a country frequented by the European glitterati, the famous, the beautiful, the royals and the rich, but many years of strife resulted in the oppression and depression of a nation and its people. Thankfully gone are the days when Montenegro suffered at the hands of the war hungry and Montenegro and its neighbouring countries have settled down so much that they are all either fully fledged members of the European Union or poised on the brink of entry. The years during which the country suffered are over and the unrivalled wealth of stunning architectural and geographical beauty that Montenegro is home to is once again drawing the crowds from across Europe.

Montenegro is truly a beautiful gem of a nation and one that is beginning to shine and sparkle once again making it the perfect place for property investors seeking substantial potential for profits and gains.

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Costa Rica Property for Sale – Prices up 300% in 10 Years, and more to come

Jan 26

Posted by admin in Real Estate

If you’re looking to buy property as an investment, then the property for sale in Costa Rica offers you the chance to make substantial gains in the coming years – with low risk.

Buying Costa Rican property is inexpensive and easy – and prices are on the move.

Here we look at Costa Rica property for sale, and the importance of location – which will help you make even bigger capital gains on your investment.

So, when you’re looking at the Costa Rican property that’s for sale, what do you need to consider for making the big capital gains?

The Last 10 years have Shown 300% Growth

The biggest change in the Costa Rica property for sale during the past decade is that prices have doubled, or tripled in many locations ? and the good news is – it’s still cheap!

Costa Rican property prices range considerably:

. 1/4-acre beachfront home sites ranges from $50,000 to upwards of $200,000.

. Beachfront homes range from $165,000 upwards.

. Seaside condominiums range from $55,000 to $250,000 – depending on size and geographical location.

. Just inland – maybe a 10-minute walk to the beach, two-bedroom, two-bathroom, homes start at $40,000 – and single-family building lots start at $6,500

. Less expensive deals can be found in more remote areas – such as the northern Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica’s southern region.

Popular Places

Most realtors agree that the best turnover, and fastest-selling properties are generally located in the Central Valley, and along the Pacific coast – and it’s here that you can get the best capital gain on your investment.

Although the Central Valley covers just five percent of Costa Rica, it contains the vast majority of the country’s population. Therefore, property prices around the greater metropolitan area (including San Jos?, Alajuela, Heredia and Escaz?) – where many of the country’s businesses and services are located, tend to be among the highest in Costa Rica.

Generally, the farther away from town you go, the lower the prices of property for sale will be. The exception to this rule is the central and northern Pacific coast – where a number of major developments are underway.

Property for Sale in Costa Rica – the Secret of Big Returns

Here you need to get out your map of Costa Rica, and look at areas set to increase in value – simply watch for changes in the infrastructure that will boost property prices.

Buying property that’s for sale in Costa Rica can give you great returns – but if you build in advance of important building projects that will enhance local amenities – and the quality of life, will make you even more money.

So, what sort of changes in the infrastructure are we referring to? Let’s look at three projects currently underway that look set to increase property prices in adjacent areas:

New Freeway: Scheduled to be completed shortly. The freeway will link the largest cities to the Pacific Coast – generating an increased flow of traffic and buying interest in areas with easy access to the freeway.

New Marina: The largest marina in Costa Rica will be completed shortly in Quepos.

New Airport: A new international airport is coming to the town of Orotina in the near future.

When buying property for sale in Costa Rica, being in ahead of the crowd – before an important part of the infrastructure is completed, will enable you to take advantage of the increased demand for real estate in the areas that these changes will benefit.

Buying Property that’s for Sale in Costa Rica is Straightforward

The government encourages investors ? they place no restrictions on foreigners. In fact, foreigners are entitled to the same ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens. When you factor in low costs, and no capital gains tax, overseas buyers will continue to buy the property that’s available in Costa Rica.

Property for sale in Costa Rica as an investment

Buying property currently for sale in Costa Rica can be a rewarding experience. The future looks bright – as the big fluctuations in property prices that you see in the United States, doesn’t happen in Costa Rica.

Based on past history, prices either go up by at least 10 percent per year – or at worst, stay the same. When the real estate market is in a downturn, properties don’t tend to go down in value – they stay static – making this a low risk way to invest.

Currently, the chances of a downturn in the market now look slim ? due to the rising number of investment property buyers.

If you want to double or triple your money in the next few years, think about the Costa Rican real estate market – and buy some building lots or property.

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Foreclosure Help: Your Best Friend in Tough Times

Jan 15

Posted by admin in Real Estate

Finding yourself lost worrying debtors knocking at your door is certainly not the most favorable position to be in! Every year thousands of people and homeowners fall into this trap where they hide behind closed doors hoping that the debt collectors would just go away. The truth is you can indeed make them go away- but only if you take decisive action as early as possible.

In fact, it’s a tremendous travesty that all too many individuals in the end foreclose on their homes which could have been prevented if they took action up to the situation and kept up through with some basic actions. Many of them simply sit on their hands and hope for a miracle. Although that might work in some cases, you still ought to give it a good ol college try- because at this point you’ve got nothing to lose for trying.

The first steps that anyone facing this difficult situation should do is contact their loaning bank or credit union to see what can be done. Here’s a big secret for you, your debtors actually want to help you! They have a lot of things keeping them at bay with their work as it is and it’s a huge bother for them if you go into foreclosure- they’d much rather get you out of it. It’s simply good business sense.

In many cases, especially if you catch onto the early stages of this process, your credit union spokesperson will offer help so that you can nullify foreclosure- by a long shot. Until this first step is done, do not work with private individuals claiming to be investors who want to get the home off your hands. Not all of these guys are preying on your emotions, but if you do decide to work on selling off your home or negotiate a deal with a third party, it’s advisable to have a knowledgeable real estate attorney with you during your talks.

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Home Inspection

Jan 7

Posted by admin in Real Estate

Is there any good reason to do your own home inspection? How about to get a better deal. Every flaw you can find is a negotiating point. You don’t have to learn building codes, and you probably should use a professional inspector in any case. The point of learning what to look for is to protect yourself and get a better deal.

Home Inspection – Use A Checklist

A good home inspection checklist, keeps you from forgetting things. I have more than a hundred items on my own list. Think you could keep all these items in mind as you walk through a property? For tht matter, did you remember to look for water stains on the basement walls the last time you looked at a house? Bring a list!

Good lists are organized by area of the house, usually starting outside. Walk around and then through the home, checking each item on the list. Take notes. If a gutter is coming loose on the side of the house, write it down, along with notes about rotting wood or anything else you notice.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the difference between 12-gauge and 14-gauge wiring. You don’t have to become an expert on all the building trades, as useful as this would be. You just have to use what you do know. Make a note if something looks “odd” or “smells funny.” Afterwards, you can have a professional inspector take a closer look.

Home Inspection As A Negotiating Tool

many buyers make an offer on a home with an inspection contingency clause. After an inspector goes in, the buyer can re-negotiate the price based on his findings, or at least know that nothing is wrong. This isn’t a bad way to go, but lowering your offer too much can often offend a seller, and blow the deal. How would you feel if somebody dropped their offer by $10,000 after they already put it in writing?

A better way is to find as many problems with the property as you can, BEFORE making the offer. A list of these problems presented with an offer is a good impersonal (therefore non-offensive) way to present a low first offer. It’s a good idea to keep the inspection contingency in the offer, but you probably won’t have to lower your offer this way.

There is no need to be a carpenter to note that a railing is loose. Most of us can see if a home needs new paint. Home inspection can start with simple things like these, and end with a better price for you.

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3 Truths About Tax Lien Certificate Investing

Jan 5

Posted by admin in Real Estate, Taxes

Truth #1 ? It is going to take some work on your part to succeed.

If you have done some research into tax lien certificates and tax deeds you may have heard some so called ?gurus? bragging about how easy it is to make a fortune. While it is easier and safer than many investments, it doesn’t come without some work on your part. You need to learn about the business and you need to inest some of your time to succeed. The good news is that with less work than most traditional investments you can get substantially higher returns while exposing yourself to less risk.

Truth #2 ? There are hidden treasures for those that are persistent. You’ve heard the stories I’m sure. An investor buys a tax lien certificate at auction, the owner doesn’t redeem, and the investor ends up with 25 acres of land for the low price of 68 dollars.

First let me say that these sorts of things do happen and more often than you think. I personally know the gentlemen who bought the previous piece of land for 68 dollars. But you can be sure that it did not happen the first time at the auction. With some persistence and a little bit of experience you can get better at finding the jackpots.

Truth #3 ? Most properties at auction do have real value. There are a lot of reasons that a property can end up at auction. The common misconception is that most of the properties do not have any real value. True ? there are properties on the auction that seem worthless, and to many, they are ? but to the creative investor they are literal gold mines.

Think outside the box. Put your mind to work and you’ll discover that there are a lot of things you can do with the property that no one else wants. By being creative you give yourself an advantage over 99% of the people at the auction. Now cash in on it!

Invest some time and money into the business and you will discover that there are huge returns waiting.

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Wells Branch Neighborhood

Dec 31

Posted by admin in Real Estate

Located in the northern extremes of Austin, the Wells Branch neighborhood is a vibrant community established in 1982. The residential area is quiet and serene, while being in close proximity to the crown jewel of North Austin – the new Domain shopping center. Wells Branch Parkway is one of the main arteries connecting IH 35 and Mopac, making this neighborhood accessible to the employers and schools of Round Rock and the northern areas, as well as to downtown Austin. Their vigorous neighborhood association sponsors many activities, including parades, clubs, dance and exercise lessons and holiday celebrations, creating a true community.

The boundaries of the Wells Branch neighborhood are IH 35 to the east, Mopac to the west, Grand Avenue Parkway to the north and Wells Branch Parkway to the south. In addition to the Domain, major shopping areas are easy to get to, including La Frontera, Gateway and the Arboretum. With a planned stop on Capital Metro’s new light rail service coming to Wells Branch, this area is one of the most accessible in the greater Austin region. The initial line of the light rail is slated to have a station in the Howard Lane area just West of Mopac.

Although this community is extremely accessible, it is one of the rare gems in Austin that has a wealth of amenities within, and specifically for, the community. The Wells Branch Municipal Utility District provides more than just trash and recycling services – it acts as a true community hub. The MUD offers summer camps, youth programs such as fishing clinics and swimming lessons, and annual family oriented events including a Pioneer Day celebration and their Memorial Day Fun and Casino Night. Throughout the summer, they present an early evening concert series, held in the park.

The heart of the neighborhood is Katherine Fleisher Park. Featuring a playscape, sports courts and a pool, this park has a unique feature – an 1850s-era cabin complex available for tours and festivals in the community, called the Homestead. A second pool is available in Wells Branch – the Willow Bend pool, and North Mills Park is the second park in the community. Wells Branch Recreation Center features a full-size basketball court, a workout room with exercise machines and free weights, and multi-purpose rooms for fitness classes and meetings.

One of the most unique and engaging offerings of the neighborhood is the Wells Branch Community Garden. Members share a piece of land dedicated to the organic cultivations of vegetables, flowers, and other plants, tending their assigned patch while maintaining social bonds with other community members. Their goal is to work together to grow better vegetables, find good organic cures for all challenges, including insects, fertilization, weathering, and to connect on a social level with their neighbors.

With a multitude of amenities within the community, unparalleled accessibility to all areas of the greater Austin region, and an established neighborhood dating back over a quarter of a century, Wells Branch embraces modern conveniences while still providing a solid foundation.

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