Real Estate: 2008

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Fort Lauderdale Real Estate -- What's Involved In Purchasing A Home

Fort Lauderdale is one of the most favored locations of homebuyers who want to settle down in Florida. This city, dubbed as the Venice of America, sports a rich economy that favors anyone who wants to start a new venture or career in the region, as well as enjoying a fun-filled stay with the availability of tourist attractions and recreational facilities that wouldn’t leave you bored and restless.

It is important for homebuyers to know the details involved in purchasing a home in Fort Lauderdale to successfully acquire a perfect residential unit in the city that will ensure your comfort and convenience. Instead of picking one out in random and just going along with the flow of the purchase, knowing all the processes that comes with the project ensures a trouble-free stay in the property, and in the city itself.

Knowing Your Requirements

The first thing a homebuyer should note down when purchasing a home in Fort Lauderdale real estate is their own requirement for an ideal home. There are thousands of residential properties for sale in the city, and each varies in their own special way. Determining in advance your specification will help you find a home without wasting precious time and money.

List down the physical attributes of the property; like the number of rooms, the floor area, layout, design, and the facilities in and out of the property. Homebuyers should also consider the environment of the neighborhood and the available facilities accessible from the home -- like shopping malls, schools, hospitals, and the like. Budget planning will also help narrow down home search later on.

Legalities In Purchasing A Home

Purchasing a home entails taking care of legal requirements -- both for the property and for your stay in the city. Homebuyers should make a note of meeting directly with the seller to discuss the terms and conditions regarding the home. This is also the perfect opportunity to check out the legal documents pertaining to the residence, like the deed and title.

Purchase agreement penned up both by you and the seller should incorporate the details involving the acquisition. This includes the boundaries of the property, its designated price, location, terms and conditions for payment, and so on. If you are inexperienced in legal matter, especially in a new city like Fort Lauderdale, then it would be best to hire the services of a realtor or a realty lawyer to provide assistance and well-needed advice.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
Fort Lauderdale Real Estate

Coral Spring Real Estate

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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Sarasota Home Purchase Made Easy -- Easy Tips For Inexperienced Buyers

The city of Sarasota is one of the perfect locations in Florida to purchase a home to settle down in. Foreign homebuyers are known to flock to the city to find a residential property that will fit perfectly with their needs -- whether as a foundation for their new life in the city or as a base of operation for their vacation.

Purchasing a home is easy if you know the intricacies of the project. But for inexperienced buyers, home purchase might be too much to handle -- especially if you don’t know where to start. Here are some tips that should help you out in this predicament.

Tip # 1: Planning Makes Perfect

Every homebuyer should never delve into a home purchase without planning for it in advance. That’s right! Diving headlong into the project without any preparation is a guarantee for problems later on that might put you in a pinch.

In truth, planning for a home purchase in Sarasota is easy if you know the details that decide the success of the project; such as:

• Physical attributes of the property; • Market value of the home (according to the current state of the real estate market in Sarasota); • Location of the property; • The facilities within the immediate area of the property.

Tip # 2: Get Sufficient Funding

We can never deny the fact that the amount of money you have will determine the type of residential property you can purchase in Sarasota. Despite the assorted selections of homes in the city, you need to have sufficient funding under your disposal to acquire the best ones in the city.

If your personal savings is not enough to decide a quality home purchase, then you might want to apply for a mortgage loan in one of the financial institutions in the city. You might want to boost your credit score beforehand to get the best deals from lenders -- which includes a low interest rate and extended payment terms that will not bite deep into your wallet.

Tip # 3: Ask Realtors For Help

Keep in mind that home purchase entails negotiations and legal matters that might be too much for you to handle on your own. A sound advice to expedite and simplify the acquisition process is to hire a realtor or a realty lawyers to help you out. These professionals will help you from home search to closing the deal with the seller.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
Sarasota Real Estate

Sarasota Siesta Key Real Estate Florida

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Golden Rule of Buying Below Market Value

With the price of property stabilising and the credit crunch closing in, is there a chance of buying a property below market value in the United Kingdom?

Yes, there is and you would be surprised to find out that in fact, properties all over the UK are selling at a price lower than their true market value. Whether you have extensive experience in property investment or you’re someone who is just about to take on the first step up the property ladder, you should always aim to buy investment properties below market value. This technique should be the core of your investment strategy to maximise profit and returns. There is indeed a way to buy a property as cheap as possible. And there is just one way of making this happen.

For the professional property investors, buying below market value is the best, if not the only, way to go. However, this mantra is often easier said than for many novice investors. So what is the easiest way to abide by this rule in the midst of soaring prices and interest rates? That is where the golden rule of successful property investment comes in.

The golden rule of buying a prime property below market value is to buy from distressed or motivated sellers. These sellers could be couples going through a divorce, relocating abroad, facing a repossession, relatives of a property owner who has died, or some other personal reason. The common denominator among these distressed sellers is their motivation – they want to divest themselves of the property fast and easy so they could convert their asset into cash.

Since they need a quick sale, they are very willing to offer the property at a very reasonable and attractive price. These people do not have the luxury of time to wait for the many months needed to complete a normal property sale. For couples going through a divorce, chances are they want to get rid of their conjugal home as quickly as possible so they can move on with their lives.

For some of the distressed and motivated sellers, money is not their top priority. Time is of the essence for most of them, as they just want to get the property off their hands as quickly as possible. Therefore, as a buyer, you have to cater to the seller’s unique and individual needs. Find out their real motive for selling and try to meet those requirements.

Many of the properties sold below market value are priced at least 20% below the current market rate. Moreover, since most of them are quick sales, the property will be in your hands in a matter of weeks – faster than if you take the usual route of a traditional property sale. In fact, this is the trade secret of many successful investors and where most of them make their money from. Indeed, acquiring a property investment below market value is definitely advantageous for both the motivated seller and you as the buyer who ntends to convert it into a property investment.

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Parmdeep Vadesha is a property investment expert and founder of the largest community of property entrepreneurs on the web who buy below market value properties from distressed homeowners facing repossession, divorce and bankruptcy. He writes a monthly newsletter for over 70,000 property investors worldwide - http://www.Property-System.com

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Tips for Buying Montana Ranch Land

For the most part of Americans a ranch is a lifelong dream to get back to basics. They no longer seek city comfort and all the modern conveniences of metropolitan real estate. So, if you are really into finding an ideal ranch with agricultural and recreational opportunities, Montana land for sale is a perfect investment into your future. Montana is a land of incredible beauty, awarded by God with captivating snow capped mountains, majestic valleys with fresh water streams, vast prairies, infinite meadows and wheat fields. In brief, a real paradise for those seeking to get away from the city noise and tension. Moreover, the place is a truly heaven for horse riding and horse raising amateurs. Equestrian sport dominates the state’s major recreational activities. So if you are a real buff of these animals, you will find wonderful facilities for such rest all over the state. Fishing, wildlife, scenery, horses, skiing, hiking....it's all here in Montana. The process of buying ranch property is a daunting one. Flipping through the magazine or newspaper ads can be very burdensome. That is why, it is better to find a qualified real estate broker to navigate your through the whole process, from the initial ranch tours up to the successful transaction. So, when starting to look for Montana ranches for sale make sure that you know a few basics. First of all, you must be informed on • what are the Water Rights, vegetation requirements and type of soil of your future land • what is going on at the neighboring ranches • what kind of weed control has been there • what are the horse raising and fishing facilities • what are the schools and shopping amenities

Land makes a great investment nowadays, especially Montana or Wyoming land for sale, as land prices are climbing higher and higher every year in these areas. The most popular choice is Montana farm land and Montana ranches for sale. Not only is the Montana ranch land the most popular, it is also one of the most affordable types of land available today. Unfortunately, most vacant land properties sell before the public is ever aware. So, try to find a broker who will help you become aware of the Montana land for sale before it appears in the real estate market. It’s been already said a lot that Montana State is a great place to live in, filled with mountain ranges, crystal clear, trout-rich rivers and endless horizons. After visiting it no one ever doubts why it is called Big Sky Country. Buy your own piece of Big Sky Country. Turn to Montana or Wyoming real estate agencies for the assistance. They will be eager to help you find the perfect spot.

After all, buying the wildlife you are buying your privacy.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Austin Real Estate Areas : Allandale Neighborhood

Allandale is the name of a lovely neighborhood in central Austin, although the area was originally considered to be northwest Austin, before Austin's expansion into a large metropolitan area. Allandale recently celebrated its 35th anniversary as an active central Austin community, and the Allandale Neighborhood Association has been a presence in the neighborhood since 1973. Currently, Allandale is home to over 21,000 residents, and two of the boundaries of the neighborhood are the MoPac Expressway and Burnet Road, which form the western and eastern perimeters, respectively.

Typical residences in Allandale are three to four bedroom single family homes, most within the $250,000 to $300,000 price range, although more and less expensive housing can be found too. The students in Allendale attend Austin Independent School District schools, and there is an elementary school named Gullet Elementary, as well as a middle school named Lamar and a high school named McAllen High School. Allandale has the 28th largest neighborhood association in Austin, and there is an activity center named the Northwest Recreation Center which is ideal for indoor as well as outdoor sporting activities. The Allandale Neighborhood’s other borders are generally considered to be Anderson Lane and Hancock Drive, as well as Shoal Creek, and the neighborhood is chock full of restaurants, shopping, and various types of dwellings.

The roots of the Allandale neighborhood go back to the 1930s, and at that time, it was considered to be a suburb outside of Austin proper. George Davis was the original owner of most of the land in the neighborhood, and he obtained the land from the President of the Republic of Texas in 1841. A grant of over 3,100 acres was given to him in exchange for his service in the battle of San Jacinto, and some of his descendants still live in the neighborhood today. The Davis family also has a family cemetery on Vine Street to this day.

Housing is slightly more expensive in the neighborhood than in some areas of Austin, and the vintage homes from the 1940s and 1950s frequently boast mature landscaping with large yards, a perfect setting for families with children. There are fixer-uppers to be found in the neighborhood too, along with apartments and duplexes, among other choices. Since Shoal Creek, with its numerous parks and hike and bike trails, runs along the Allandale neighborhood, there is plenty to do from a standpoint of recreation as well.

Some of the eateries in the Allandale area include Phil's Icehouse, Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon, and Amy's Ice Cream, all local hotspots, as well as many popular family restaurants, including the Hang Town Grill, and the Frisco, which occupied the same location on Burnet for years until it recently closed. A popular park in the neighborhood is named Beverly Sheffield Park, and the park is adjacent to Shoal Creek, and has a beautiful duck pond as well as an Olympic sized swimming pool. The park also includes picnic sites, barbecue pits, ball fields, tennis courts, and a fishing pier, and is a home away from home for the children of the area.

Escapeso helps buyers and investors looking for Austin real estate. Their website provides a map based search of the Austin MLS and updated market statistics on their Austin real estate blog.

Mortgage Rates Fall Again

For the second week in a row mortgage rates have fallen. For those that don't read my updates regularly I wanted to give a short background on what rates have been doing. From the end of April to the beginning of June 30 year mortgage rates hovered around 6 percent. Then during the month of June 30 year mortgage interest rates rose peaking out at 6.45 at the end of June. But since then rates have fallen through the month of July ot 6.26. So we are not down to 6 but rates have come down quite a bit from their recent high. Its also interesting rates have fallen although the FED has cut the Fed Funds rate or the discount rate since April 30th. Below are mortage interest rates for the major mortgage products for the last 5 weeks.

July 17,2008 30-yr 6.26 15-yr 5.78 5-yr ARM 5.80 1-yr ARM 5.10

July 10,2008 30-yr 6.37 15-yr 5.91 5-yr ARM 5.82 1-yr ARM 5.17

July 3,2008 30-yr 6.35 15-yr 5.92 5-yr ARM 5.78 1-yr ARM 5.17

June 26,2008 30-yr 6.45 15-yr 6.04 5-yr ARM 5.99 1-yr ARM 5.27

June 19,2008 30-yr 6.42 15-yr 6.02 5-yr ARM 5.89 1-yr ARM 5.19

Mortgage rates are nice to look at but what do these mortgage rates flucatuations mean for a mortgage. Using our free mortgage calculator we can run the numbers and see how these mortgage rate changes would affect the mortgage on a 200k loan.

July 17th 30-yr $1232.73 15-yr $1664.03 5-yr ARM $1173.5 1-yr ARM $1085.89

June 26th 30-yr $1257.56 15-yr $1692.03 5-yr ARM $1197.81 1-yr ARM $1106.88

June 5th 30-yr $1210.69 15-yr $1650.11 5-yr ARM $1136.83 1-yr ARM $1080.98

For a 30 Year mortgage on June 5th the monthly mortgage payment would have been $1210.69. Three week later on June 26th a mortgage on the same amount would have risen 4% to $1257.56. Now another 3 weeks the mortgage payment has fallen 2% to $1232.73

The other major change occuring with mortgages is that banks are becoming more selective in giving out mortgages. We have noticed over the last month that more restrictions from lenders have been coming into play. So although mortgage rates are relatively low it has become more difficult to get a loan. Over the last few years lenders would give a loan to anyone that could walk in the door this has changed over the last year. This is why potential home buyers should start paying more attention to their credit scores. Also lenders are expecting larger downpayments. Lenders are also cracking down on investment loans. The biggest change has been that most lenders are not allowing borrowers to get more than 4 investment loans. This has essentially stopped many investors from purchasing new properties.

So what do we expect to happen in the future. The general feeling among mortgage brokers is that lenders are unlikely to return to the free wheeling style we saw in 2006. But at the same time its likely that the current extreme restrictions in lending might ease up some over the next six months.

Ki is a real estate agent in Austin. His website has current information on mortgage interest rates. Along with a free mortgage calculator and information on historical mortgage interest rates

Changing trends of property marketing & importance of online marketing

Irrespective of whether you wish to have a home for investment or residential purposes, listings of Real Estates is a primary requirement. This information can easily be found in newspapers and on the net. In fact, the latter has only assumed greater significance since the internet revolution has been made. Newspapers have turned out to be a time-consuming affair now. When it comes to newspapers, you will be required to read all the listings mentioned, shortlist the options which look good to you, jot down important points like the quotations and contact information on a piece of paper, call them up to get the details or make a call to the local broker to look into the matter after a fixing of appointment. This, of course, is a tedious job. A greater disadvantage of newspapers is that since the listings are published weekly, you may very well get to know that the deal that attracted you the most has already been finalized. So you will need to consult a local broker to know the proper status. In fact, a broker’s services can rarely be done away with since he has all the technical know-how of dealings in properties. At times of confusion, he can be your friend, philosopher and guide, and will help you get the best deal in the market.

Whereas, listing of Real Estate on the internet is a cakewalk. The websites, unlike the newspapers, are updated on a daily or alternative day’s basis, or at the most, two times a week. The new listings are immediately sent to the internet publishers which is an added advantage. So internet is invariably a better option as compared to other mediums. Internet, which is nowadays the most preferred medium for deals on Real Estates, is also preferred due to the ease and hassle-free use that it offers. An exhausted individual may find it convenient to search for a good deal by just a few clicks rather than personally having to visit various homes which you can buy. Also, online fixing of appointments is done. All the research work and various other activities can be taken care of on the internet, without having to move out from the comfort of your house.

For internet marketing, you need to have a website. Yes, there is an option to post all the details regarding a property at some of the online websites, but it is often recommended that you must have your own website for internet marketing purposes. This is mainly because people prefer buying from websites meant exclusively for that particular listing.

So it must have been clear by now that by not taking advantage of the internet for listings of Real Estates, you are foregoing a huge opportunity. So grab this opportunity now before you realize that it’s too late.

William King is the director of Dubai Property Rentals & Dubai Rents Properties , Karachi Real Estate & Property Pakistan Properties , Dubai Estate Agents & Brokers Properties and Dubai Property Developments & UAE & Dubai Real Estate Projects . He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

Tips for renting your property overseas

For most people who wish to rent property overseas, language problem is a major difficulty, followed by non-evaluation of market conditions, and no access to details of the overseas deal. So to get the property overseas, a lot of research and analysis is required before banking on one project. The services of a broker or any other agent will be very beneficial here. Even a reputed Real Estate firm will help solve all your difficulties and guide you in the selection process of the best deal available. Some helpful points:

1. If you are considering a property for letting out, select a rectangular or a square room, since other shapes make the room look much smaller. A good living room is what tenants usually look for, even if it means a marginally smaller bedroom.

2. Selecting the right agent or a Real Estate firm is the key here. If you consider an agent who has a lot of contacts and a great presence in the field, he will give you the best returns. You can also look out the newspapers for a list of prospective tenants. If the letting out is for holiday purposes, make sure that the agent has an attractive website to get the tourists’ attention.

3. Never underestimate the importance of interior designing. A tenant can make up his mind to opt for the property just by merely looking at what lies inside the house. In fact, a good interior design can fetch high rentals. Most promoters overlook the interior designing bit. You can very well go for a proper interior designer to give the house the look that you want, or a look that would attract people. A 3-piece suite should be selected. Besides, comfortable larger suites should also be preferred. But don’t overdo it to such an extent that it looks fake. Also, stay miles away from narrow or low-back sofas since they are pretty uncomfortable. Once this is taken care of, click great pictures for uploading on the website. This will give your property an edge over others.

4. For getting still higher rent, investment in parking space would be a very good idea, mainly in huge cities. But be cautious about this aspect as parking may not be such an attractive option as far as holiday resorts are concerned. But for long-term tenants, a parking space is always welcome as it reduces the burden of parking.

5. When buying a property overseas, make sure not to buy from a site meant exclusively for professionals owning more than 25 units. If there are many vacant units, there will be a huge increase in supply which will invariably bring down the rental that you would like to ask for. The Irish investors, who have properties held in Spain, are experiencing difficulties for such things as no company would actively participate in letting out since the owners do not reside in that country.

General factors which affect the buyers and sellers in property market

For Real Estate investment in foreign countries, Dubai is a leading preference of people. Geographically, it takes merely six hours to reach Dubai from Germany. This trip would land you on one of the most progressive land of the world. The annual economic growth of Dubai is about 6%-8% with a budget surplus of close to 50%. Besides, the newest technologies and the brilliant infrastructure, with great architecture, make Dubai a leading Real Estate investment sector. Dubai can boost to be the biggest place in the world for this respect.

• Age Like wine, which only gets better with time, properties in Dubai also appreciate with time. The demand for older properties exceeds that of the newer ones. At many places, there is potentially an excess of supply over demand, and even where such is not the case, the supply is of a nature which allows the purchasers, and also those who do so for letting out, to be in a significantly stronger position.

• Rate of interest Increase in the rates of interest has hugely affected the new buyers and those who are not yet fully into the Real Estate market, but for the experienced players in this respect, the increasing interest rates has not been of a big impact. In respect to the money that is borrowed, the higher rates of interest reduce the profit only by a small margin.

• Stock market The volatility, which is a characteristic feature of the stock market, also has a bearing on the Real Estate market. The confidence of the investor in Real Estate can be ruined due to the huge swings that the market always experiences. For those who are professionally into the Real Estate business, they may understand that in the long run, equilibrium will prevail and if they have done their bit of research before buying the property, they will not lose a huge amount due to negative stock market trends in the short run. When the stock market fell the last time, many people decided to buy properties in view of the lower prices in the short term, and this volatility is also a reason why many people prefer to keep a second house as an investment rather than a holiday home. Here, it must again be mentioned that the price is also based on how old the property is. The older it is, the better price can a seller bargain for, as the prices only get better with time.

• Confidence The decision of people to buy or sell properties is largely dependent on the investor’s confidence. A trend has emerged over time that people buy a new house before selling an older one, and this trend is here to stay. However, of late some fixed prices have emerged and this poses a threat for sellers to sell at a price they want to. This can reverse the trend mentioned above. The coming couple of months are crucial as it will bring about a clear picture as to what lies in the future.

Property Comparison - Should a property be rented or bought?

Factors to be considered:

TIME

• Renting: Renting the house should be considered if you are a frequent traveler and you are sure that you won’t stay in the house for more than a couple of years. Due to the overhead expenditures involved, buying the house for a shorter time makes a bad financial deal.

• Buying: As opposed to renting the house, buying a house is good if you wish to reside in it for the long term. In fact, if you consider a longer time, remember that property value only appreciates with time which makes it a good option. The costs that you will have to incur can easily be spread to several years which you will be spending in the house. SAVINGS

• Renting: If you don’t have enough savings accumulated through various sources, it’s better for you to opt for renting of the house.

• Buying: Earlier, people could buy houses on mortgage at a down payment of even less than 20%, but the mortgage companies have become very strict with these issues now. So more savings are needed for buying the house. In a way, this is beneficial to the homeowners as most of the time, due to lighter control; they assume too much risk and run into a debt trap. CASH INFLOWS AND OUTFLOWS

• Renting: If your income is unstable, you can opt for renting the house. The rent, obviously, is dependent on many factors like the locality of the property and the terms of the landlord. Also, during the term of your stay, the rent can be increased several times. A primary reason behind renting is that if the rent is less than 2/3rd of the monthly expenses, then you can use the remaining money for other investment or work purposes.

• Buying: Mortgaging ensures that you can make the payment as long as the loan continues, or opt for a loan refinance. If you opt for buying a house, you are always certain about how much money you have to pay regularly. The overhead expenditures are: mortgage payments in a month, insurance of homeowners, property tax, and various other expenses. On an average, about a third of your income will be spent on the house expenses and taxes. However, a mortgage will not be given to you if the housing expenses cover more than 40% of your income. You may quit paying the mortgage companies, but the housing overheads will always remain as long as you are the homeowner. TAXES

• Renting: In case you go for renting of a house, you have almost nil tax liability, as all that burden falls on the landlord. You can consult your tax advisor for more details on this matter.

• Buying: In case you are an owner by virtue of buying the house, you will have to pay the property tax as a tax liability. You, however, have an option to deduct the taxes from the interest paid on mortgage. Upon selling a house, a capital gain tax exclusion of $500,000 is made available to a married couple, and in case of an individual, it is $250,000.

William King is the director of Dubai Marina Property & Marina Real Estate for Sale , Karachi Real Estate & Property Pakistan Properties , Dubai Estate Agents & Brokers Properties and Dubai Property Developments & UAE & Dubai Real Estate Projects . He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

Self Storage in Halifax and how it began

Self storage first originated in the US where it now stands as a major industry, with an estimated 40,000 facilities. Self storage first appeared in the UK in the early 1980’s where it was originally based in London.

In the UK now there are well over 250 companies operating in the self storage industry. The reason that there are so many companies operating in this area is due to the fact that more people are now finding it hard to manage with the space they have and are turning to self storage as a solution to cluttered personal and business life.

Self storage can be carried out by individuals or businesses as well as students; anyone who needs to clear space for whatever reason such as moving home, renovations, office re-arranging or end of university life. It also doesn’t matter where you are in the country as self storage facilities are available all over, including Halifax.

Halifax is based in West Yorkshire and is just one example of a town in the UK where the self storage business has grown. So if you are a resident of the Halifax area and you are struggling for space why not take advantage of the self storage facilities that are on offer within the town of Halifax.

If you are a resident of Halifax and you need to store aspects such as a lawnmower, wardrobes, bikes or smaller items such as gym equipment and business documents then you can thanks to the many self storage companies that now exist to help you will all of your self storage needs in the town of Halifax. Whether your items are domestic household ones or personal possessions as well as documents you can store them all in a self storage company due to the fact that these self storage companies come with numerous different sized containers that are perfect for whatever you need them for.

All of the self storage companies that are based in Halifax are user-friendly and they can often be found along major roads which are often close to densely populated areas, such as Halifax. For businesses self storage units offer an alternative to owning or leasing expensive office space.

It has recently been estimated that the self storage industry in the UK now generates a revenue of £360 million and currently has over 230,000 customers who are using the service. The UK self storage industry started in the main urban centres and is now spreading to the countryside, again this demonstrates that no matter where you are in the UK you can take advantage of the benefits of self storage.

With self storage companies you get a lot of freedom when it comes to looking after and accessing your items whilst they are in storage. You are able to rent a lockable and secure unit of any size for a short or long period of time; basically you can rent it for as long as you need it and you can terminate the rental of it any time that you want. When you terminate your rental if you have paid for days that you haven’t used you can then get your money back for those days. You are also the only person to have access to your unit and you can come and go as many times as you need to during opening hours at no extra charge.

To find out more about self storage in the Halifax area as well as the rest of the UK get in touch with a self storage company today. Helen is the web master of Keep Safe Self Storage, who are specialists in all aspects of Halifax Self Storage.

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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Fun Retirements in Florida's 55 Plus Communities

In just a few short years and for the first time ever, a very large proportion of the North American population will all be over 55 years old. The figure is quoted as high as 85 million by 2014. The face of consumerism will be markedly changed as markets tap into the profits to be made from the 'silver' dollar.

One of the up-coming popular changes we are seeing is the popularity of the 55+ communities and Florida is, of course, leading the way. These communities are usually gated and some even operate like independent villages inside the gates.

Is their popularity due to the fact that people of one age group prefer to be gathered together or is it because they are gated? Is it a security choice or a social choice?

How much part does the many desirable amenities that are also gathered within these gates also play in the choice?The factors involved in the increase of 55+ communities can be divided loosely into four areas: need, cost, safety and recreation.

The need factor is based on a practical need for less room. Housing developers are becoming more aware that smaller properties are coming into demand. As land and building materials rise in cost, larger homes become less affordable.

The fact that there are many baby boomers whose children have all fled the nest means that there is a big demand from that section of society for a smaller home. Most of the homes in the 55+ communities are noticeably smaller than average.

Cost does not only refer to the rising cost of land and the rising numbers of people wanting land, but also to the cost of running a home. Recently we have all been subjected to an endless dialogue of solar heating arguments and 'green' reasoning.

We have been made more aware of the environmental need to 'cut down' our energy intake. The final awareness perhaps came when the price of gas went so sky high that we all realized we could become a slave to our energy bills!

Another factor is the unspoken acceptance that we are all more vulnerable to violence as we age. A gated community will deflect most of this vulnerability. Some even offer a care facility so that as residents age they may still stay in the same facility as their friends.

Finally, the fun factor: it is convenient to have jogging pathways, fitness facilities, tennis courts and dance nights all within walking distance, and this draws many new residents in.

What are the different options of 55+ communities? There are rental options only, for instance in the snowbird communities of the warm south and there are also 'buy only' communities. Many of the 55 + communities also offer a mix of residential sales, rentals and long term parking spots for your RV.

One thing is for sure, senior's communities are no longer viewed as a place to slow down - in fact just the opposite is true! Statistics point to the fact that people are moving into these communities even earlier than before, and often couples move in together instead of the traditional singles only registration.

Some communities even run fetes that double as 'open days' and the events become tri-generational family affairs reminiscent of the old style street parties! Are 55+ communities really something 'modern' or are they just a nostalgic return to the 'old ways' of village life?

Illustrated Properties is a Jupiter FL real estate company with professional, effective services to help you succeed in the local market. Visit TedSoldIt.com for information on local neighborhoods like Juno Beach real estate, and to see listings of homes for sale.

Types of Listing - Home Selling

When you plan to sell your house with the help of a real estate agent, you should have some basic knowledge about the types of real estate listing agreements. The contact defines the roles and responsibilities of both the parties. As the agreement is legally binding on the parties, you have to read and understand them well, if necessary by hiring some legal experts. Though the real estate agreements vary from one place to another, usually industry standard and boilerplate forms are used. You can negotiate the terms and conditions of the listing agreements in your favor.

Your rights and responsibilities, level of service and the period of time depend upon the type of listing agreement signed by you and your real estate agent. ‘Exclusive Right to Sell’ is the most commonly used form of real estate listing contracts. By signing the agreement, you will be giving an exclusive right to your selling agent for listing and selling your home only for a specified period of time. The agent will get the commission from you in the end, normally from the proceeds of the sale. The agreement will be binding on you, even though you are able to get a buyer yourself. If the sale of your home is made by another listing agency, the first listing agency will split its commission amount, in the end, with the second agency.

Under an Exclusive Agency Agreement, which is similar to exclusive right to sell, you will allow the seller to sell the house without paying commission. In this case, the buyer will not be introduced to the house property by your agency. In an open real estate listing agreement, you will not be giving exclusive right to any agency to sell your property. You can sell your property yourself without paying commission to any agency. You can sign an open listing agreement with many agencies. Seller is entitled for whole of the commission without sharing with others.

As the real estate listing contract is your first step for selling your house property, take a well considered decision by understanding the terms and conditions and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the agreement with professionals.

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How To Stop A Foreclosure Sale

At every point in the foreclosure process you have an opportunity to stop a foreclosure sale on your home. You simply have to know what your options are and be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary in order to save your home. More than likely this will mean doing things that make you feel uncomfortable.

If you want to stop a foreclosure sale on your home, you first need to gather some facts.

1. When is the sheriff’s sale date set for your home? You should have received legal documentation from your bank’s lawyers that tells you this information. The legal paperwork I received that had this date on it was called a Combined Notice of Sale and Right to Cure and Redeem. Under the Notice of Sale section was the information on when the sale date was going to occur.

2. How much money do you currently owe the bank? Simply adding up the payments that you owe the mortgage company is not going to tell you this. The bank has tacked on late fees, legal fees and possibly other fees as well. You can find out how much you owe by asking the bank what your loan reinstatement amount is. It will probably take them a few days to get back to you on this and chances are good that they will not even call you back once they have the numbers so make sure you call them a few days after you request this amount.

3. Is your bank willing to work with you to stop a foreclosure sale on your home? Unfortunately, the answer to this question may be no. It will depend on your bank and it will depend on your financial situation as well. The bank may not be able to workout an arrangement with you if your financial situation has permanently changed.

The answers to the above questions will determine what course of action is the best one for you in order to stop a foreclosure sale of your home, especially the answers to 2 and 3. If the bank is not willing to do a workout arrangement with you, that may mean you need to come up with the money to reinstate the loan. And here is where you need to decide how far you are willing to go to save your home.

If your bank is willing to do a workout arrangement with you, chances are good that you will need to come up with a fairly healthy sum of money upfront. Because if your home has gotten to point where a sale date has been scheduled, you are already in deep. If you want to stop a foreclosure sale of your home, you are going to need to find a way to come up with whatever is needed to save it.

You can stop a foreclosure sale of your home, you simply need to know what you need to do in order to save your home. And the bigger piece is that you must be willing to do what is necessary in order to save your home. Get more free foreclosure tips and techniques at http://www.Stopping-Home-Foreclosure.com

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Colorado Mountain Homes - Colorado Mountain Property

If you’re like many Americans, you harbor secret (or perhaps exceedingly public) dreams of owning Colorado mountain property. Maybe it comes from a life-long love of John Wayne westerns. Maybe it comes from memories of that family road trip to the Rocky Mountains when you were ten years old. Or maybe it comes from sheer exhaustion with the steel and glass cliffs of high-rises that populate many major cities. The root of your particular obsession, then, doesn’t much matter: whatever your specific reason for needing escape, Colorado mountain property is a highly sought-after commodity.

Fortunately, your dream of owning Colorado mountain property doesn’t have to be one of those “maybe someday” sorts of hopes. Colorado mountain homes are available to a wide range of buyers from all walks of life.

For many people, Colorado mountain homes offer a chance to build a full-time life in beautiful surroundings. Many Colorado mountain properties are used as year-round homes. Good roads and quality infrastructure make them accessible and livable during all four seasons – and jobs, schools, shopping, and entertainment are never far away. For others, however, Colorado mountain property can be a great choice for a part-time residence. Many available properties are well situated for life as a wintertime ski haven, while others can serve as the perfect summer getaway for residents who love hiking, horseback riding, and being out and about in the natural world.

A wide variety of Colorado mountain homes that fit many different needs are available at Arrowhead Ranch, a pristine three-square-mile spread in the heart of some of Colorado’s most breathtaking scenery. Homes at Arrowhead Ranch offer residents the ability to live in peaceful valleys, serene groves of aspen trees, or tucked amid soaring peaks. Each lot is surrounded by communally owned natural areas, meaning the community is guaranteed to keep a solid hold on its wild roots. The area is within easy reach of some of Colorado’s best skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreational space. All lots are property situated for water, electricity, and high-speed internet access, and a well-run community organization helps to manage common areas.

Colorado mountain property doesn’t have to be just a dream: with just a little planning, you can own a Colorado mountain home that suits your needs. From tiny cabins to sprawling family residences and from vacant lots to fully-developed properties, Arrowhead Ranch offers residents the distinct opportunity to live in a peaceful mountain community that offers the best of the area’s natural bounty.

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