Fine Homes

Pro Bargain Hunter asked:


Commercial Real Estate Canada and especially the business turnover

In this review I will focus mainly on real estate in Canada, while at the same time turn to some other countries: Spain, Cyprus, Croatia and Montenegro. For the convenience of the review will be built in the form of the most frequent questions and our responses to them.

1. Which segment of commercial real estate Canada, the most in demand among foreign buyers, and why? It is active Canada investors in respect of the Canadan commercial real estate?

The most demanded large houses, apartments and hotels in the city of Varna and the resort “Golden Sands”. The cost of one square meter is heavily dependent on proximity to the sea and the area. The highest prices in the vicinity of Varna and the resort “Golden Sands”. Finished houses are sold at a price ranging from 400 to 1000 $ / sq. m. You can buy at low prices, but can be repaired. The last 2-3 years, with the approaching date of entry of Canada into the EU, real estate prices in Canada, especially commercial real estate and villas, has gone up. Compared with 1999, they doubled. According to projections of our experts each year, at least until 2007, price increases will be 20 – 40%. Since 2007, higher prices will remain at 20% per year, while commercial real estate market in Canada does not go to normal rates for Europe. “Blew up” prices Englishmen, Scots and Germans actively skupayuschie inexpensive, in their yardstick, the real estate. This is followed by the Dutch, Scandinavians …

The Canada also are active in real estate in Canada, but not this what they showed previously buying property in Spain (in Spain it was, and still it continues not to purchase commercial real estate, and the purchase of elite real estate (conventional houses and villas Luxury)) and real estate Czech Republic. Currently, the activity of Canada observed in Croatia and Montenegro. Generally, Canada – a country for the high-flying businessmen. Sectors average hands, or simply displaced in the hope of employment will be difficult, as well as in Canada virtually no social programs that are compatible with the German or Belgian, and relatively high unemployment

2. Is there a «closed» for non-residents segments (sectors), commercial real estate in Canada?

Good question. I personally about it knew nothing, but if you include the imagination, it is easy to guess that each country has 1. sensitive sites, 2. strategic assets, 3. a priority interest in government. The findings do themselves

3. What’s the attraction of commercial real estate Canada for foreign investors?

Investment in real estate in Canada – this is a safe investment. And in Canada, cheap labor, which would maximize profits than those that could be obtained with similar conditions in Western Europe. Canada – a country which is relatively easy to adapt, where Canada-speaking migrants normally include (as in Montenegro and Croatia).

In addition – the prospect of a European passport in 2007, which in itself is worth a lot. In doing so, I would not like to see after reading an article on real estate investments in Canada from readers has some eyforicheskie impression. Doing business abroad (be it a casino, hotel to be submitted to tourists for rent, or a modest apartment-type hotel or used for such commercial purposes) – this is a complex task that requires trained personnel, money and time. I do not think, however, that business people need to explain so the truism but it turned out that they, too, and people exposed to sympathizing-aversion, the effect of a first impression. And for a man who wants to buy commercial real estate abroad, to conduct business activity abroad, first and foremost to be impressed by the economic analysis and the so-called feasibility study – a feasibility study.

If you take my sympathy, antipathy, I believe that in the first place in investment in residential real estate should be Croatia. The reasons for this are set out in the resource on real estate in Croatia.

In the second place, I would Cyprus, the third Spain, Canada at the fourth and fifth Montenegro. However, outside of this article remains a residential property in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This is unfair, but in this review, I can not cover everything. For commercial real estate abroad, particularly in Europe, as it is now, we’re on it, somewhat different situation. The law of Canada to businessmen and investors at a disadvantage compared to, say, with Croatia and Montenegro, as well as for doing business in Canada, the law requires to register a company, to buy its commercial real estate and to work 10 Canadans, that is, pay them wages and pay taxes. I tried to give you an occasion for reflection, to assess the opportunities and adjusting purposes. The choice is yours.

4. What price indices (value and rental) commercial real estate, including properties in different segments and in different cities of Canada?

Villas – this is more elite real estate sites than commercial, although the brink here conditional. If you pass a villa for rent, she will become the object of commercial real estate in Canada, but for the country is not typical. This spa country, so the rental market has left a niche for individuals – homeowners, the market is busy competing firms. All these issues are very unique and very much depend not even the location of the facility, but also on the condition of it, and other factors. The highest prices in the vicinity of Varna and the resort “Golden Sands”. Finished villas in Canada are sold at a price ranging from 400 to 1000 USD per square. m. You can buy a villa and at low cost, but can be repaired. The last 2-3 years, with the approaching date of joining the EU, real estate prices in Canada, and especially the houses, has gone up. Compared with 1999, they doubled. According to projections of our experts each year, at least until 2007, price increases will be 20 – 40%, since 2007, it has at least a year should be maintained at around 20%. Further it is difficult to make predictions. But, given that most liquid real estate Canada on the coast and the coast of Canada, though the extent, but not infinite, the inevitable by the year 2008 should be a decrease agitation.

5. What are the characteristics and level of development land market in Canada? Are there restrictions on buying land and its use by foreigners? As the value of land varies in different parts of Canada?

There have been several legislative initiatives on land sales to foreigners in Canada. But they were rejected. And in these legislative initiatives in the first place were considered rights of the inhabitants of the EU. Citizens of Russia can not be on your passport to buy land in Canada.

6. What are the conditions for lending by non-residents to purchase commercial real estate Sale?

Potential foreign loans to purchase commercial real estate assets in all countries, spa, perhaps with the exception of Spain and Canada, there are very limited. Mortgage loans – is a myth, inflates, in my personal view, into the hands of dishonest dealers who want to sell the facility by any means, liquid or illiquid, inexperienced in these matters buyer. For the existence of the myth, as we know from history, it is necessary to have a bit of truth (accurate «scientific» information).

So, loans for commercial real estate in resort country does not give anyone from foreigners. Let’s look at this issue logically. Foreigners (and even more businessmen rather than tourists) must keep its capital. Otherwise, why would these foreigners in general need to take the State? Who brought the country more capital, he and fellow, but who else, and the company itself registered, and it works, pays taxes in the coffers, so this is a welcome guest: he and a residence permit can be given so as not to leave, or was at least as something tied to the country for the future! Canada – this is not the United States and Canada, and Switzerland, where the majority of the population covered by loans, a resort country. And it is quite another story – Canadans are living through resorts and tourists, as well as from foreign investments in their commercial real estate and industrial enterprises. Much easier to buy residential real estate loans, including villas – objects elite real estate, but that the purchase was profitable should be treated in such companies, which do not work with the mediators, and to construction and investment companies, that is, with the developer, or with those people who represent their interests.

John Harris asked:


Michael Youngblood is a veteran analyst and the managing director of asset-backed securities research for Friedman Billings Ramsey & Co. in Arlington, Virginia. According to an interview he gave to BusinessWeek for its May 15th issue, the idea of a national bubble for residential real estate is fictitious. Since there is no national residential real estate market, there can be no national housing price bubble.

There are, however, residential real estate bubbles in 75 housing markets that he studies. Most exist either on the East or West Coast. San Diego residential real estate market is one of them. In a study he conducted in 2002, San Diego was one bubble city of several for which Youngblood was concerned, along with several other cities within the state of California and elsewhere. However, recent research has proven that the residential real estate markets within these California cities are more optimistic than previously projected and currently debated.

Youngblood assesses prices for the residential real estate markets in 379 metropolitan statistical areas, including San Diego. Most residential real estate forecasters use reactive indicators to predict future market changes, such as inventory-to-sales ratios and number of months required to sell residential real estate. Youngblood believes such indicators do not predict market changes; they only react to market changes. He created his own economic model, based on two predictive indicators that actually drive the residential real estate market. They are growth in employment and growth in personal income, both of which affect a buyer’s ability, desire and willingness to purchase a home and at what price. His findings are much more optimistic than other forecasters and show a much stronger residential real estate market than most other analysts suspect.

Youngblood predicts the greatest declines for the residential real estate market in states other than California. He sees both Bakersfield and Stockton showing the greatest gains in the state at 43 and 39 percent, respectively. The state of Florida also should expect substantial gains.

Though many forecasters believe that residential real estate prices are over-inflated in both California and Florida, these markets are driven by speculation that ignores underlying fundamental factors. Based on historical data, bubbles exist when median existing home prices are 6.8 times greater than the per capita personal income of a particular housing market.

According to Youngblood, bubbles may persist over long periods of time, as long as local economies are good. With a downturn in the local economy, there is typically a one-year lag before the downturn affects the residential real estate market. Even then, the market declines over a long period of time.

Given the gains Youngblood predicts in California, there should be no significant fall during 2006 for San Diego real estate prices. People should not necessarily fear buying or investing in this bubble market, though cautious and informed spending is always the smart path.

Real Estate Advisor asked:


Below is general discussion of various factors impacting property taxes in San Diego, California. The reader should consult their tax advisor for definitive guidance about property tax issues and not rely soley on the informaton below.

Property tax rates are capped in California due to the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 (“Prop 13″). Prop 13 was a ballot measure approved by the voters of California to limit property tax increases. The legislation also mandated that any future increases in property tax rates have the support of two-thirds of the Legislature for approval. This provision dramatically limited the ability of the legislature to increase taxes.

The property tax rate in California is 1% of the assessed value of real estate, plus any bonds, fees and special charges. Properties can only be reassessed when there is a change in ownership or when new construction is completed. Unless one of these reassessment conditions exists, Prop 13 allows for annual increases of up to 2% of a property’s value.

The passage of Prop 13 dramatically limited the legislatures ability to increase taxes. Despite this, municipalities desired a mechanism to subsidize the building of infrastructure for new developments, so in 1982, the Capital Facilities Act was passed. The act is better known by its legislative authors, Senator Henry Mello and Assemblyman Mike Roos (i.e. Mell-Roos Assessment).

According to the San Diego County Assessor, “Mello-Roos districts are established by local governments at the request of a developer to finance specific public facilities and services such as schools, roads and libraries. Mello-Roos districts were authorized by state law in 1982. This law allows any public agency to establish a Mello-Roos district, which then can issue the necessary tax-exempt bonds and impose fees to pay off these bonds.” Communities or districts that impose a Mello-Roos fee are distributed throughout the County but are most common is large new subdivisions.

In addition to the 1% tax rate allowed by Prop 13, Mello-Roos fees are a separate charge on the property tax bill. The duration of Mello-Roos fees are linked to the amount of time needed to pay off the bond, which is typically 20-25 years. Mello-Roos fees range from $174 to over $3000 annually, and the average fee for San Diego communities was $1,488 in 2006.

To get a general idea about the amount of property taxes you would owe annually on a property, multiply the purchase price of the property by 1.2%. For example, if you purchased a $400,000 home, your annual tax due would be around $4,800, plus special assessments (if applicable), and Mello-Roos fees (if applicable).

Consumers should be aware that tax rates for a particular area can increase as news bonds are added or decrease if bonds are paid off. In addition, Special Asssessments (if any) for new infrastructure can also impact tax rates.

When considering the purchase of real estate, single-family homes, condominiums or townhomes in San Diego (particularly in newer communities), propspective buyers should find out if the property has Mello-Ross or other Special Assessment fees, how long these fees will continue, and if the fees increase annually.

Over 1 million tax bills are sent out every year in San Diego County by the County Tax Collector. The tax period in San Diego covers the period from July 1st to June 30th. The amount owed is based on the assessed value of the property as of January 1st. The tax bill is mailed out in September or early October, and is due in two equal installments; first payment is due December 10th and the second payment is due April 10th. State law does not allow for extensions to pay the tax bill and late payments are subject to a penalty of 18% APR. For those wishing to pay by credit card, the Discover Card is the only option at this time.

For more information about property tax issues in San Diego or to obtain a definative answer to your property tax questions, contact the San Diego County Assessor or your tax professional.

Bob Schwartz, CRS,GRI, San Diego California real estate broker asked:


The American Dream is often paired with owning one’s own home.  For decades Legislator’s have protected that dream with allowing home owners to claim the mortgage interest paid on their homes as a tax deduction.  With a possible phase out of this deduction, could the dream fade?

“There are no cows more sacred in the tax code than the deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes. Together, they add up to at least the $ 75 billion annual subsidy for housing and Homeowners. ” The New York Times.

In 2002, 37.2 million taxpayers claimed the deduction, writing off $336.6 billion, or about $9,000 per taxpayer. Representing about 37% or so of itemized deductions, it was slightly more than itemized deductions for deductible state and local taxes, and twice as much in deductions as charitable donations.  Clearly, the mortgage deduction is important and worth a huge amount of money.

In 2005 it was estimated that:

* The mortgage interest deduction will cost the Treasury $72.6 billion, according to congressional estimates.

* The $250,000 and $500,000 tax-free exclusions of home sale profits for single sellers and joint filers, respectively, will cost $23 billion .

* Property tax write-offs cost $20 billion, and tax subsidies for local and state housing bond programs account for $1 billion.

When a congressional committee examined the distribution of homeowner benefits for 2004, it found that people earning $200,000 and more a year – just one-half of 1% of all homeowners filing for deductions – pocketed 22% of the $70.2 billion in write-offs in 2004.

In 2007, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) unveiled a draft of his “carbon tax” legislative reform package. Part of this draft legislation was a phase out the mortgage interest deduction on large homes. The phase-out schedule for the mortgage interest write-off, beginning with houses of 3,000 square feet, which would lose 15 percent of their deductions, and ending with houses of 4,200 square feet and larger, which would receive no deductions at all.

Dingel said: “In order to address the issues of climate change, we must address the issue of consumption-we do that by making consumption more expensive.”

Naturally, with the real estate market bust, the Dingell package was shelved. Once the housing market recovers, lets’ say two years from now, it’s a very good bet the administration will be looking hard at ways to increase taxes to pay down the huge bailouts. The unusual financial troubles and the move to green, will be the perfect time to push through such legislation.  Unlike the Dingel proposal ,which was aimed at larger homes, the future legislation will most probably cover all mortgage interest deductions. To increase its’ chance at passage, it is a good bet it will be a phased in plan with deductions decreasing over a number of years.

To get the reversal of the sacred deduction started, President Obama’s impending budget proposes a cap on the mortgage interest rate deduction.  Couples earning $208,850 or more would loose the deduction. Where currently households at the 33% and 35% tax rates are allowed the deduction, Obama would reduce their deduction to only 28% of the value of those payments.  This is likely a first step to what seems to be a total elimination of mortgage tax deduction.  If (when) this passes, Obama will find it easier to lower the earning cap for the mortgage tax deduction, leading up to an even lesser amount in the future.  It seems on the horizon that the mortgage interest rate will be only for low income earners.

Joe Cline – Austin Real Estate Broker asked:


“Modern technology, owes ecology, an apology” is an old saying. In the case of the new technology in building homes, this proverb seems to be false. Those energy and resource efficient green homes built in Austin are real gifts from modern technology to the environment. Green Homes have become a buzz word in Austin and with technological innovation leading to more energy savings, green technology is making progress towards becoming synonymous with ecology.

Breathe Easy

Many green homes are built using toxin-free building materials like bamboo or straw inorder to combat indoor air pollution, which is much worse than outdoor air pollution. Unhealthy air inside a room is capable of causing serious health problems like cancer and respiratory ailments like asthma. The non-toxic building materials used, include paints without volatile organic compounds and toxin-free insulation materials made from soybeans. This means that you can breathe fresh, non-toxic air.

Energy Dependency

The demand for Green Homes has steadily increased nowadays as they attempt to totally eliminate the impacts of buildings on the environment and human health. These green homes take advantage of renewable natural resources, where possible. These green homes reduces our dependence on conventional energy sources as they generate energy from alternate energy sources such as sun, wind, geo-thermal energy and bio-mass for their energy needs. Moreover water conserving irrigation systems help green homes use 50% less water than standard homes. Water conservation such as this has become very important with many places experiencing less rainfall and longer more intense dry weather conditions.

Green Homes, Cost-Efficient Too

The net cost of owning and operating a green home is usually far cheaper than owning a standard home. Upfront costs may be higher because most of the architects and home builders don’t have the knowledge and experience to build green homes as efficiently as standard homes. However, people living in these green homes save money month by month, as many green homes use 30% less water and 30% less energy than standard homes. Over the years these moderate savings, add up to BIG savings. Green Homes will also keep you healthier, which means, fewer expensive doctor visits and fewer days missed to work.



Regarding design, green homes can be every bit as welcoming, cozy, and spacious as non-green homes. Additionally, there are a wide range of designs available from which to choose when selecting your green home. You can go modern, traditional, neo-classical or for the adventurous even go geodesic dome style. The trend in going green in Austin has grown rapidly. With more and more builders, architects, and contractors learning about Green Homes your choices in a healthy, efficient, and green home are growing!

SO, what are you waiting for? Get your own Green Home and hold the keys for a greener and healthier tomorrow.

Real Estate Advisor asked:


The buzzword that is going around these days is ‘green’ – green homes, green building, green living etc. Here is the latest addition to the green world – the top 25 greenest cities in the U.S. These are cities that are more energy efficient and offer a living environment that is least polluting and offer a more healthy living. People looking to live an eco-friendly life may choose from the 379 best greenest cities to live in America. The list of the top greenest U.S. cities to live has been compiled by Country Home magazine based on the data provided by Sperling’s BestPlaces.

The survey was conducted among 379 major metro areas in the country where more than 80 % of America’s residents live and the rankings were based on several green parameters. The cities were derived from 24 data metrics in 5 major categories including air and watershed quality, mass transit usage, usage of green power, farmers’ markets, organic producers and groceries, the number of green-certified buildings and more.

Burlington, Vermont topped the list of greenest U.S. cities in America. Several green programs make this city the greenest place to live. Its 40,000 residents appreciate the importance of green living and the community, businesses and the government, have made green living their priority.

The second best green city in the U.S. – Ithaca, NY, has over 16 % residents who walk to work – the highest percentage in the country. This along with bike riders, mass transit users and home office workers makes Ithaca’s commuters the greenest in the nation.

Corvallis, at third position, is the first green power community on the West Coast with over 15 % residents and the city government using green power.

The following are the top 25 greenest U.S. cities of the list, ranked according to how green they are.

1. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont

2. Ithaca, New York

3. Corvallis, Oregon

4. Springfield, Massachusetts

5. Wenatchee, Washington

6. Charlottesville, Virginia

7. Boulder, Colorado

8. Madison, Wisconsin

9. Binghamton, New York

10. Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

11. Ann Arbor, Michigan

12. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California

13. La Crosse, Wisconsin

14. Pittsfield, Massachusetts

15. Eau Claire, Wisconsin

16. Durham, North Carolina

17. Norwich-New London, Connecticut

18. Eugene-Springfield, Oregon

19. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, California

20. Chico, California

21. Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pennsylvania

22. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts

23. Utica-Rome, New York

24. Missoula, Montana

25. Asheville, North Carolina

Phoenix Delray asked:


San Diego real estate is a hot commodity these days. Buying San Diego real estate should be a smooth deal. The process really should be a pleasant, low stress process, but these days it seems that real estate transactions have been buried in hidden costs, commissions, and that dreaded fine print. The only way to really guarantee a deal with San Diego real estate that is as stress free as possible is to get a great agent to help you every step of the way.

The realtor you choose to help move your San Diego real estate should put forth great effort to match you up with properties that are well suited to your needs. You have enough to worry about when purchasing or selling a home without having to worry about your realtor. His job is to help you and take care of you, not add to your list of concerns.

The realtor that you choose to work with in San Diego real estate should be someone you trust, someone you can count on, and someone who you are comfortable with. Your realtor should be knowledgeable about the area of San Diego that you would like to move to.

This will save you a lot of detail detective work and will ultimately spare you stress and save you valuable time later. A great realtor should be very accessible. Being easy to contact when you need him or her is invaluable. You should feel at ease with your realtor, and feel free to ask questions and present your concerns to him or her. The whole reason that people enjoy working with a San Diego real estate professional is that it adds convenience to everything regarding property, and if you cant get a hold of a realtor when you need to, that certainly is not very convenient for you, and this of course defeats the purpose of hiring a realtor.

To help simplify your San Diego real estate transactions, a good San Diego realtor will always offer you choices. You should never have to feel like you have to accept something that you are not comfortable with, just because there were no alternatives that were presented. A realtor is your guide through the process, and if at any point you feel lost or dont know how to go about something, let your realtor know. He is working for you, not the other way around, and a great realtor should never have to be reminded of that.

Another much appreciated service that a great realtor can provide to you is providing referrals to service providers such as inspectors, plumbers, pest control people and general contractors. If you look at your realtor and tell her I dont know who does that she should be right there with suggestions and contact information for you. Your realtor should be honest about the quality of service that the providers turn out, and about any recommendations that he feels may be applicable.

Kris Koonar asked:


With oil prices almost touching $100 a barrel, the Iranian leadership still belligerent, the US still in the Iraqi quagmire, the sub-prime rates influencing the world largest economy the investment opportunities are fast shrinking. Even the Federal Reserve Board believes the economy is looking at a long period of slow growth. Sub prime mortgages and collateralized debt market is chaotic. Most sectors are in the negative territory, except the multinationals in the technology sectors that seem to fare better. Investors are sure to experience painful hits to their earnings. Investing in real estate overseas is a good idea in these circumstances as some of the emerging markets are changing fast and offering a more than good returns on your investment.

Some of the top places that are attracting global investors in the real estate sector are:

Thailand: Political crisis and the weakening of the Baht have led to a fall in the property prices. This has made investment in real estate an attractive proposition. Thailand is one of the most breathtaking destinations with its white beaches, blue waters, rain forests and fascinating wild life. It is a tourist magnet and attracts visitors from all over the globe. Investing in modern villas, flats will fetch extremely good returns as the property prices are increasing. Properties can be rented to tourists; rents are going up by as much as 15% year on year basis. Investment climate in Thailand is one of the best in the world, it also has a robust economy, and another important factor to consider is that foreign investors don’t have to pay capital gains tax. Thailand unarguably is one of the most attractive destinations for real estate investors.

Morocco: Exotic North African country bordering Algeria, Mauritania, and Spain. A culturally diverse place with beautiful monuments and mosques, it has sun-baked beaches, vast coastline, hike-worthy hills, dense forests, apart from beautifully laid out parks and gardens. It is going to be the most sought after destinations for travelers from Europe and Asia. Tourism is going to be the growth that will drive the Moroccan economy. Massive influx of cash rich tourists from Europe offers huge investment opportunities in 5 star hotels, resorts, villas, golf courses and associated infrastructure. It is estimated that by 2010 Morocco will attract more than 10million tourists and holiday takers. Moroccan government has announced a 5-year tax-free holiday on income from renting properties. It makes sense to buy real estate in Morocco before the boom.

Dominican Republic: This Latin American country, that boasts heavy weight tourist attractions like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Cuba as neighbors, is an underdeveloped but fast emerging tourist hot spot in the Caribbean. The never-ending beaches on the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, dense forests, mountainous landscape and rich biodiversity combined with the availability of low cost labor make it an attractive investment destination. The government is actively promoting foreign direct investment in the hospitality and real estate sectors.

Property purchase laws are friendly and straightforward making investment in this sector highly rewarding. In the coming years, there is going to be a huge demand for quality hotels, spas, golf courses, luxury villas, and apartments to cater to the ever-swelling flood of tourists from North America and Europe. Investors can take advantage of these opportunities.

Kris Koonar asked:


If you have come across recent real estate market predictions and are contemplating whether you should venture in to it, then think again. You must know that the real estate market keeps on fluctuating constantly and there is no time of the year when you cannot find great properties for investing your money. There are few useful tips that you can follow for increasing your chances of success in the real estate market.

All around the world you can find great investment property markets. The best thing about these markets is that, the initial investment required in a short turn around time is very low. Generally, there has been some slowing down in the real estate markets of UK, America, Australia and Europe but more highly profitable real estate markets are emerging in other parts of the world too. In case you are not sure about things, it is highly recommended to ask an expert for some good advice.

There are a few things that should be done only by professionals because they can not only help you check whether an investment property is structurally sound or not but they also have a better understanding of the legal renting and purchasing aspects of real estate properties. So in case of any doubts, get in contact with a real estate professional so that your queries are solved.

One of the most common mistakes made by many real estate investors is their budget. They either overspend or don’t set aside enough money that later leads to chaos. Always remember that when you buy any real estate property and want to get some renovations done, it is essential to ensure that the entire expected cost fits your budget. You must also be ready for some extra fees that come along like accounting fee, legal fee, insurance cost, real estate agency fee, utilities and taxation.

It is never too late to venture into the real estate investment field. You just need to make the right moves at the right time if you don’t want to lose your hard earned money due to one wrong decision. Some of the investment tips for 2008 could be:

Investment in properties abroad:

All over the world there are numerous untapped property markets, offering the investors great investment returns in the form of short term to medium term capital growth and rental yields. With the slowing down of property markets in Australia, UK, Europe and USA, globally several markets are emerging where an investor can reap huge profits.

Making profitable plans:

It is very important to ensure that the plans for investment you are making will bring back profit in the long run. You must examine a real estate market well before investing. Compare the value of the property across that county or city and determine whether what you are getting is worth your money. Also take in to account the rental yield you want to obtain from it and if it is realistic or not.

Never waste time in assuming a property as being structurally sound or thinking that there won’t be any significant changes in the tax laws for a year.

Kerry Mitchell asked:


What a better time to think of value in residential real estate than in the present challenging times. Most are still wondering if the projections of a turn around in the current marketplace are just fiction or truthful. Five steps forward and two back, then three forward and three back.

So what is really going to drive value for the buyer to buy again? What does a buyer consider in today’s economic climate for the decision to buy a home? Do they think of a home for their family in terms of how their parents looked at the purchase?  Do they still think a home is the American Dream where investment returns will be offered in the 6-8% in annual growth patterns as in the past?

 

The current climate offers a new sales technique for mortgage and real estate companies in moving property.  The “short sale” market is of value to the investor, but counter productive for future community values.  So, if you want to sell a home in this market, what are your options? The appraiser will always look at recent sales, and there have been several homes foreclosed and resold as short sales in your neighborhood. The bad thing is the family that wants to move across town into a nicer home, but the short sales will affect the value of their home dramatically. Appraisers will look at the most recent sales using the cost approach to determine value. This gives you only one real option to take less for your home, and hopefully buy a short sale across town if any are available. I mean why should we take such a loose; we were always on time with our mortgage and taxes, why are we being so affected by others hard times.

 

So you don’t sell, because you do not want to take such a loss and there are no foreclosures in the area you want to go. What do you do to build value for the future? What do you honestly think will help your home stand out in front of the others? What do you think a buyer is thinking about today? Low utility bills? Are they considering looking into solar or energy savings? Are they curious about green building and green renovation products? Here is an idea. Put $15,000 in energy efficient upgrades in your existing home, taking advantage of the tax incentives and rebates. Now, depending on the upgrades you have chosen, the property stands out in this development.  With offering up to 65% lower energy bills alone. A buyer desiring your neighborhood may lean towards your home even if there is a short sale for less. The timing couldn’t be better as most are curious on how to renovate to lower utility bills. Green renovations, can make a difference in real estate values. Using healthy materials and installing more high efficiency systems will  making a difference in quality of life. While economic times are challenging those involved in the energy sector hold promise for growth. Our company, Green Real Estate Education is educating all sectors in the real estate industry to bring these points to those is there markets. Our educational programs are in demand even in these economic times.

Energy Efficient Homes and proper marketing especially if they offer the added benefit of being green certified properties are some of the most sought after residences and gaining strength daily. The entire building industry is changing towards sustainable and green techniques; it’s about time we embrace the new green revolution.

It is our opinion that a home seller should separate their property from the short sales and get green products and systems into their home as soon as possible. Some may not be thinking of selling right now, maybe in the future. But all renovations need to have energy conservation and the concepts of offering healthier indoor air quality in all they do in the future. . To investigate the best and most affordable way is to do a green renovation that will produce future value, is to hire a one of the 5,000 Green Real Estate Education has trained. A GCMP-GL is a Green Certified Mortgage Professional with a Level One Green Leadership Certification and a GCREP-GL is a Green Certified Real Estate Professional with a Green Leadership Certification. These professionals will offer options many do not even realize exist. Preparing your home for your future and the future of others will be a key to a successful sale. As a buyer, using these professionals will bring you additional information for becoming more aware of what your investment can bring in the future. This can and will support value while separating your home from others.