Texas Hill Country Ranches

West of Austin and north/northwest of San Antonio lies the Texas Hill Country, true to its namesake with rolling hills and deep valleys. Settled in the 1800s, the Hill Country offers a diverse yet rural population who enjoy living the way things used to be. Many of the early settlers were liberal minded Germans who were fleeing after the Revolution of 1848 and with them they brought Old World tastes and traditions that one can enjoy by pulling into town. Towns like Fredericksburg offer beer gardens, markets and restaurants that celebrate this diverse populace. Their stalwart rock homes of the 1800s pepper the countryside and it's much en vogue in recent years to restore these old settlements. Many of the ranch owners can trace back to these settlers and can be seen working their fields and livestock during the day and enjoying the fine dining in the evenings, true of so many of the small towns that bustle with energy. This energy has supported the establishment of extensive wineries across the region known as the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, leading the New York Times to rank the Hill Country as the #1 travel destination and comparing it to Tuscany and the south of France. The Texas Hill Country has also been named the fastest growing wine destination by travel site away.com.

The richness in culture, heritage and Old World charm is unique in that it is only minutes from two of the largest cities in Texas: San Antonio and Austin. In fact, many CEOs and businessmen now call their ranches home and commute to their jobs in the city. Many of the area's most impressive architecture lies in the mansions and compounds built on Hill Country ranches. Local airports and landing strips make it possible for the who's who to live comfortably amongst the grand landscapes and clear, spring-fed rivers. This easy proximity to town is also the reason for the Hill Country and the ranches therein becoming fodder for recreation rather than actual ranching. Streams have been developed into large lakes for fishing and boating, exotics have been imported from Asia and Africa and hunting has become big business.

The region is exceptional for children and many children's camps have supplied the fantastic memories that feed the urge for many of these CEOs turned ranchers and city dwellers turned country-folk to have made the transition. Second only to Florida for retirees, Texas can thank the Hill Country for providing a safe-haven for everlasting youth, vigor and happiness that can only be found in the beautiful foothills and lush valleys of this spectacular region.

John Nisbet is a third generation ranch ranch broker with Nisbet Ranch Sales, LLC living in San Antonio, Texas and specializing in Texas Hill Country ranches.

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Kissimmee, Florida: Real Estate and a Little History

Kissimmee, Florida

The village of Kissimmee(pronounced "kiss- emmy) is linked to one of Florida's least-known tribes, the Jororo Tribe. Other names through the years were Atissimi, Jizimi and Tisimi. In 1752, a Spanish map called this area "Cacema" which eventually became known as "Kissimmee."

First founded in the mid-19th century as Allendale, it became "Kissimmee" when it was incorporated in 1883. A man by the name of Hamilton Disston started a two-million acre drainage operation. Mr. Disston contracted with the State of Florida to drain the southern lands of Florida. This deal made Disston the largest single landowner in the United States. The business progressed to develop a steamboat industry which transported people and goods along the newly developed waterways. At the same time, the South Florida Railroad came into being and extended travel from Sanford, Florida to Kissimmee making Kissimmee a transportation hub for Central Florida. On February 12, 1885, the Florida Legislature incorporated the "Kissimmee City Street Railway."

By 1950, Kissimmee had a population of 4,310. Citrus and ranching were the mainstay businesses. By 1971, Walt Disney World opened and created the current tourism industry and cattle ranching was replaced for the most part. In southern Osceola County, there are still a few ranches remaining, but tourism has become the #1 industry in the area.

Today, the City of Kissimmeehas a population of about 62,632. From its meager beginnings, the area has grown in leaps and bounds. There are two major hospitals in the area (Florida Hospital Kissimmee and Osceola Regional Medical Center) as well as two other major medical centers in Orlando, short drive north. Nearby and recently opened is the UCF Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona, a state-of-the-art complex for medical and biomedical education and research center. This medical community is building a strong partnership with the surrounding medical and local community. The developing life sciences community at Lake Nona will transform the Central Florida economy. By 2017, UCF is expected to create more than 30,000 jobs and have a projected annual economic impact of $7.6 billion.

Kissimmee is also the spring-training home of the Houston Astros where they practice at the Osceola County Stadium. Numerous amateur baseball teams play at the stadium as well as the Triple Crown Sports, World Baseball Federation and Promotion Sports. Since 1994, the Jim Evan's Academy of Professional Umpiring is also located in the stadium. There are 18 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 7 high schools in the Kissimmee area. One of the high schools offers the International Baccalaureate Program. There are 3 private schools. The Osceola Campus of Valencia State Collegeis located nearby as well as Florida Christian College.

Homes range from $103,981 to $210,446. The Atlantic Ocean (including Daytona Beach) is about 50 miles east of Kissimmee. Other attractions are the new Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic. Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World are also a short drive from Kissimmee. There is always something to do in Central Florida.

Looking for a safe, secure place to live that is near everything, visit Kissimmee Florida soon. There is something for everybody.

-Andy C Rivera-bjk

Note this is an original article that was posted on our website favoritebroker.com

Call us today at: 407- 252-5526. At Infinity Real Estate Group, we can help you with finding a Kissimme home or selling a Kissimmee home. When you call Infinity you get professional full service treatment from your search to your closing.

Our home site is: http://www.favoritebroker.com/

Kissimmee, Florida homes for sale: http://www.favoritebroker.com/results.aspx?keyword=kissimmee

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Why Moving To Toronto's Leaside Neighbourhood Is A Good Idea

This Toronto neighbourhood is named after the first family who arrived in the area. In 1819, the Lea family left Lancashire, England, and arrived in what is now known as Leaside. When John Lea Sr. passed away in 1854, his son William Lea built an octagonal home on the acreage, and he named it Leaside.

The Ontario and Quebec Railway purchased a few acres from William Lea for the line to Peterborough, and Ottawa. The junction that's now used today for the residents was originally built in 1894! The Ontario and Quebec Railway was later purchased by the Canadian Pacific, and this is when the neighbourhood became a name and location on the Toronto map. The Leaside Station was Toronto's busiest station for the next 75 years.

In 1927, the Leaside Viaduct (a high level bridge) was built across the Don Valley. After the bridge, an underpass was built below the Canadian Pacific Railway. Finally the construction of residential houses took place from 1930's and continued to the 1950's.

In 1967, the Leaside area first joined with the East York community, and became the Borough of East York. In 1997, this entire area joined the City of Toronto, allowing Toronto become the megacity it is today. This is when the Leaside neighbourhood officially received its name, while being a Toronto district.

Today, this neighbourhood is one of the most popular districts in Toronto. The average house here features:

beautiful wood trimhardwood floorsa warm fireplacea large lotprivate drivewaya garage

There's a nice variety of houses available in Leaside, these include: two-story detached homes, bungalows, semi-detached houses, and new custom designed homes.

The Leaside neighbourhood is in high demand for upper middle income families, whose ideal neighbourhood would help with goals, such as: raise children, enjoy quiet streets, offer a variety of education opportunities, has large shopping districts, and easy access to public transit.

In the 1990's, there was more construction in the neighbourhood. Many exclusive condominiums, and townhouse projects were built due to the high demand of people.

For local residence there's three main shopping areas:

Bayview Avenue - this district features: many different shops and restaurants, antique shops, specialty stores, and local pubs that attract customers from all over Toronto.
Eglinton Avenue - this district features: small Toronto shops, and all your local services.
The Leaside Centre - this building features: a collection of large national retailers all in one convenient area.

Depending on your needs, you may be able to check out all the above shopping areas before you know it!

For education opportunities, the residents have plenty to choose from. In the area, you can choose from four local public schools, two secondary schools, and two colleges. No matter what your current level is, you can find education opportunities for children, teens, and adults.

The neighbourhood has plenty of parkland in area. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will be able to spend a full day, taking a stroll and enjoying nature at any of the following parks: Serena Gundy Park, David A. Balfour Park, Moore Park Ravine, Flemingdon Park, and that's just to name a few of the local favorites. There's over eight parks within five minutes of Leaside!

The residents often do their recreation, and physical activies at the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, which is a multi-recreational complex that includes:

an indoor ice arenaan indoor swimming poola curling rinkan auditorium

You can also enjoy nature and fitness together, at one of the eight parks. In the area you can find: great picnic and hiking spots, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, exercise trails, an outdoor natural ice rink (only available during the winter), horseback riding (in the summer), and of course snack bars are available throughout certain parks to quench your thirst and hunger.

Public transit is available to ensure locals quick and easy access to anywhere in Toronto. The bus service winds through the heart of Leaside, and there are two subway stations available for public use. It takes approximately 10 minutes to get to downtown Toronto.

Aeriol Nicols is a Real Estate & Mortgage Broker in the Greater Toronto Area. She specializes in the sale of unique properties such as Lofts, Victorian and Georgian style homes. Aeriol also works with experienced real estate investors to build their income producing portfolio. Aeriol has helped hundreds of families over the years to invest in Toronto and York Region Real Estate. She can be contacted through her website at Toronto Real Estate and Mortgage or thru her office at 416-443-0300. Aeriol is with Royal Le Page Signature Realty Brokerage in the and also with DLC - Edge Financial Service. Her mortgage license is M08008390.

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Understanding The Process of Buying a Manufactured Home

Buying a manufactured home can be a great experience or it can be quite confusing, frustrating and expensive if you don't understand the unique nature of the home buying process. This article is designed to give consumers the important information they can use to make wise decisions when buying a factory built home.

When buying a manufactured home there are some basic things to understand about the industry that varies significantly from the site built home buying experience. Generally speaking, when you buy a site built home new, you work with the developer and/or builder of the home, they have a real estate agent on site and you are offered the opportunity to use their suggested lenders or to work with your own lender. Buying a new factory built home is quite different.

In the manufactured housing industry, most builders do not sell their homes direct to the public. More often than not, these home builders work with a network of dealers or authorized sellers. Your dealer will help you select a home and choose options that you are interested in. They will place an order with the builder for your home and coordinate with you on the installation process.

Another important difference between buying a site built home versus buying a manufactured home is that the person you interface with in a site built development is typically a real estate agent that works for the builder. Dealers do not work for manufactured home builders and their services vary.

Some dealers will help you select your new home and place an order for your home and then provide you with a referral to a competent and licensed installer, typically a general contractor. Other dealers may offer sales and installation under one roof. Others still may offer sales, financing and installation services. It's important to understand what your dealer offers you so you can weigh the pros and cons of working with one dealer over another.

While a manufacturer may believe that the home you ultimately buy is the most important piece of the puzzle in the purchasing game, in reality, consumers need to feel good about their dealer, have a good understanding of the buying and installation process and be well versed in exactly what services their dealer offers to make sure they are happy with their decision for the long haul. Visit multiple retailers before making your decision. You may like a specific manufactured home, but the cost to acquire from one retailer over another and the services they each provide can vary significantly.

Luca Brammer is the Director of Business Development for Hallmark-Southwest Corporation. Hallmark-Southwest is a builder of California manufactured homes specializing in energy efficient home design and Net-Zero energy efficiency.

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Land Surveyor: What He Can Do for You

People often overlook the importance of getting their real estate properties surveyed. Some of the good excuses are, they got the property from a mortgage/lender company, or it is a waste of time and is expensive. Well, let us discuss why you must have the property surveyed by a land surveyor if you plan to purchase.

Mortgage companies are wise enough to pass the responsibility to the buyer. They do not have the property surveyed before handing it to the buyer simply because they are aware of the significance of not including the survey matters in title insurance policies. Another reason is to refrain from claims of rights and possessions and encroachments, of course, this is to protect their interests and investments.

So the tendency is, once you purchased a property without a survey, problems such as claims of encroachments by a neighbor, or rights to easements by a service company likely arise at a later time after you have settled yourself and built your dream house on the property. This is a major headache! You will surely shell out big bucks even twice or three times the amount you would spend if only you consulted a land surveyor before anything else.

Here is a quick overview of what a land surveyor does for you to understand, in depth, why you must get one to survey your property. The most important part of their job description is to establish an official boundary of land, water or airspace. They do this by researching historical boundaries, and taking measurements. Since they establish boundaries, it is crucial that the measurements are accurate.

So you realize getting your property surveyed by a land surveyor will save you a fortune, after all having that peace of mind and peaceful living are priceless. In any cases that someone claims that your fence is encroached in a portion of their property, or a sewerage company claims rights to easements to access your property for a repair or maintenance, then you will have legal means to fight for your claim.

When your property is being surveyed by a professional land surveyor you will know the exact measurements and boundaries of your property area. You can do anything you want as long as you will don't go beyond your property's boundaries. So you will be confident enough to claim your rights to your property, after all a land surveyor does his job carefully and thoroughly.

So when you plan to purchase real estate property, make sure to consult a professional land surveyor. Here is another crucial thing, do not just hire someone who claims to be a land surveyor or you will get yourself enough problems! Look for a professional one, and someone who has a good reputation since you are dealing with something that can be disputed and legal, it would be best to be very careful with getting someone who will not get you into trouble.

It is surely worth the money you spend to be able to living peacefully with your neighbors and to be sure of the boundaries of the property you own.

Keith Maxwell is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor in Alabama. He is also a Certified Floodplain Manager and has consulted for over 25 years. His surveying and engineering firm completed residential and commercial surveys throughout Alabama and surrounding states. They have extensive experience with GPS Surveying and ALTA Land Title Surveys. Visit us today at Montgomery Land Surveying for more information on land surveying and engineering.

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Five Tips For Folks With Bad Credit Who Want Home Mortgage Loans

If you have bad credit, finding funds to finance your dream of home ownership will not be a walk in the park, but there are lenders out there who want to help you. Just be persistent and do not restrict yourself to one lender and then give up. Here are five tips when you start your quest for bad credit home mortgage loans.

Tip One: Find a Good Deal

Finding a property that already has some equity when you purchase could mean an easier path to financing with a bad credit home mortgage loan. Lenders may view it almost as favorably as a down payment. They may even consider the loan to value ratio of the property. Check with your broker to see if this might help you.

Tip Two: Be Creative

Creative financing could help your quest for a bad credit home mortgage loan. Maybe the seller would carry back a second mortgage on the property. For instance, you could set up a contract with the seller that would require you to make monthly payments of $150 on $10,000 of the price of the property as a second mortgage. Then make the agreement that the entire amount would be due within 10 years. That will allow you time to refinance and the seller will not feel permanently locked into a contract.

Tip Three: Down Payments

Even with bad credit, borrowers may qualify for 100% financing, but the interest rate could be considerably lower if you were able to put down between 3-5%. Save as much as possible for a down payment. Indeed, it may be advantageous to wait six months to get a home loan so you can build your down payment. Of course, if you cannot wait and do not have a down payment, you can aim for refinancing at a later date.

Tip Four: Shop Diligently

You may get a flat refusal from one broker and then turn around and get another broker who will end over backwards for you. Do not be led into the trap that if one broker cannot help you, no broker can. Indeed, brokers are different in the kind of deals they can execute. They may have a relationship with a flexible mortgage lender. Online brokers are a good venue for shopping by putting your need out there and waiting for the responses. This is good because your credit record only takes one hit for quotes from various lenders.

Tip Five: Credit Scores

Some really simple acts can improve your credit scores without a lot of extra effort. All three of the major credit bureau - Experian, Equifax, TransUnion - have websites where you can dispute incorrect items on your credit report. It is an easy and quick process. Of course, keep all current bills on time. Keep your credit inquiries to a minimum since too many queries can make you look desperate. While you are in the process of landing financing, do not open any new credit cards, auto loans, or any other credit transaction.

Home Mortgage Bottom Line

Do not let bad credit squelch your quest for home ownership. With the right moves, you should be able to land a bad credit home mortgage loan.

Mary Wise is a personal loan consultant who has been associated with Bad Credit Loans and has more than thirty years of experience in finances. She has helped a lot of people to obtain Fast Unsecured Loans, and many other products regardless of their credit situation. If you want to learn more about Personal Loans you can visit her at BadCreditLoanServices.com

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Kid-Friendly Staging

Preparing your Summit NJ real estate property for sale can be a challenging task. When you add children to the mix it can seem nearly impossible. Keeping a home clean, uncluttered and ready for a showing is definitely tougher with little ones but there are some tricks and tools that can make it a little easier.

Laundry Baskets

This simple dollar store item can help keep your floors toy free. Pick up several of the nylon pop-up type at a discount store. These can be folded up when not in use and stored in a drawer or another unobtrusive place. Keep at least one in each room. Make sure there is a clear spot in each room's closet that matches the size of the basket. When your Summit NJ realtor calls asking for a sudden showing, you can sweep any toys, diapers or even actual laundry into the basket and into the closet. It's an instantly clean floor.

Secret Storage

Storage items can hide a multitude of sins. However, when you are staging your Summit NJ real estate agent has probably advised moving your larger pieces out of the home in order to better show off the space. Much of your storage can be lost. Secret storage items can return some of the clutter-busting space you so desperately need.

Storage ottomans are a great example. You can tuck away story books and blankies inside a stylish and comfortable piece of furniture. An ottoman takes up far less room than a cabinet or an armoire. However it can still impede traffic flow so be sure to use sparingly. You can also seek our coffee tables and other pieces with secret storage compartments.

Art Boards

Your kids shouldn't feel like their accomplishments and art are less important when you put your home in the Summit NJ listings. Your fridge may not the family gallery any more but they should still have a place to show off what they've made and done. Make an art board that can be slid under a bed when it's time for the open house. All you need is a large piece of foam core board. You can make it as fancy as you like by covering it with fabric, framing it or painting it or just leave it white and let the art take center stage.

Foam core is extremely lightweight so it can be hung on the wall with little more than poster putty. It can be purchased at any craft store at a very small cost. This small step will help keep you kids feeling "at home" even when you're selling the home.

Put these kid-friendly staging tips to use before your next open house.

Mailing Address:

Kristin Balsley
Claremont Realty Group
535 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901
908-343-2122
http://www.kristinbalsley.com/

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The Differences Between Lenders And How They Affect Mortgage Rates

A first-time home-buyer can be confused by the loan process. With many types of loans and lenders who make commissions in differing ways, it can be daunting choosing the right provider for a home loan. Proper knowledge about mortgage rates is essential when researching where to go for a loan.

When an individual takes out a mortgage they use the house as collateral and the bank or lender provides the money (usually 80%). There a numerous different kinds of loans, many that should be avoided, and there are many kinds of lenders, who make commissions in many kinds of ways. Knowing how these lenders provide loans and make their money is an important thing to understand when shopping for a home loan.

Banks - By making a profit off a markup of the rates of loans sold to real estate investors, banks are the ultimate retail lender. Most banks will not negotiate over rates and fees with the average borrower. They simply do not have too. By making their money off of investors, the average consumer gets the standard treatment that is laid down in a procedures manual by the bank. The loan officer representing the bank either doesn't have the will or the authority to make any change to the rate other than raising it. Banks are not even required by law to disclose how they make their profits off of loans.

Mortgage Brokers - These providers offer many different wholesale loans to their clients. They do not provide the funds to back the loans. A mortgage broker is considered a retail lender because they make profits off of the markup of the national average mortgage rate that they sell to the borrower. The industry term for this is Yield Spread Premium. A YSP can easily be avoided if the borrower simply explains to any potential broker that they understand how YSP works and will not do business with a broker that practices that policy.

Many brokers have earned bad reputations by taking advantage of the YSP through unethical profit margins. By dealing with a UMB, or Upfront Mortgage Broker, a borrower can avoid any YSP traps. A UMB will specify a set fee for their services and that is all the borrower will pay.

Retail Lenders - There are many names for this type of lender including portfolio lenders, mortgage bankers and direct lenders. However, they all offer the same services and make commissions on markups of rates and extra processing fees. Many of the large companies have either individual lenders or entire divisions that sell loans and make money by marking up the average rate. Retail lenders do all the processing and underwriting and usually provide the funds to back-up the loan. The high overhead costs of operating this way, however, can lead to an increase in the mortgage rates of the loans sold.

Loan Officers - This type is simply a representative for a large lender or broker. Their employer usually has them track down potential borrowers. If the lead turns into a client for the broker or lender then the loan officer receives a commission on the sale.

With the proper research and information on mortgage loans, anyone can find a provider offering a low wholesale rate. By finding the right lender and knowing how they make their commissions, a potential borrower is prepared to negotiate reasonable mortgage rates. After tracking down the right lender, ask them for advice on the type of loan that best suits the situation.

Trying to find the best Toronto mortgage quote? Visit http://www.topcanadianmortgage.com/ where the mortgage specialists at Top Canadian Mortgage can help you with home loans, home refinancing and everything else you need to secure your mortgage.

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What Makes Mortgage Rates Rise and Fall?

The first place to start when trying to understand how mortgage rates rise and fall is where the money to fund mortgages comes from. Mortgage money comes from a variety of sources, including deposits at banks, but most of the funds come from investors through what is collectively known as "capital markets." Capital markets are where investors go to purchase securities like Treasury notes, corporate bonds, or Mortgage Backed Securities (a package of home loans bundled together into one asset).

Mortgage Backed Securities, the main funding source for home loans, compete against other long-term securities like bonds and treasury notes for the same investment dollars. Since Mortgage Backed Securities compete against these other securities, lenders will adjust homes loan rates to make the return on Mortgage Back Securities competitive relative to other securities. The gold standard of long-term investment securities is the US Treasury Note.

30 year mortgages are traditionally priced using the yield on 10 Treasury notes. The reason for this is simple. US Treasury notes are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States, so they are the benchmark for many securities, including Mortgage Backed Securities.

Since home loans are competing for investment dollars with Treasury notes, in most cases when the yield on Treasury notes increases, lenders must raise mortgage rates in order to keep Mortgage Backed Securities competitive with Treasury notes. The opposite happens when Treasury note yields fall; lenders lower mortgage rates.

So if mortgage rates typically go up when Treasury yields rise, and down when yields fall, what makes Treasury yields go up or down? This is where things get extremely complicated, and the easy answer is that there are a multitude of market factors that determine the movement of Treasury yields. But for the sake of this discussion, let's boil down those market factors and try to make sense of when and why mortgage rates move.

Because most investors don't hold bonds until they mature, the current market value of bonds affects the bond yield. As bond prices increase, the yield decreases. So as the bond market improves, and bond prices increase, the Treasury note yield goes down. Since 30 year loan rates are pegged to 10 year Treasury notes, when bond and Treasury yields go down, mortgage rates go down.

So what makes bond prices go up or down? One major factor affecting bond prices is inflation. As a general rule, when economic times are good and employment is high, inflation tends to rise. Inflation is the enemy of long-term bond holders. The reason for this is simple. Bond holders are paid yearly interest, but the true value of these interest payments is reduced by inflation.

Typically, as the economy improves bond prices goes down as investors begin pricing inflation into the value of bonds and treasuries. Remember that we learned earlier that bond prices and bond yields moves opposite of each other. When bond prices go down, yield prices go up. So if mortgage rates track the yield on US Treasuries, when bond prices go down, mortgage rates go up.

Other factors that affect mortgage rates are employment, homes sales, and consumer confidence. Mortgage rates are more susceptible to economic activity than treasuries, mainly because the average home buyer may lose their job or be unable to make their mortgage payment, while the US Treasuries are considered the safest investment in the market. For this reason, jobs reports, Consumer Price Index, Gross Domestic Product, Home Sales, Consumer Confidence, and other data on the economic calendar can move mortgage rates significantly.

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FHA 203k - 5 Tips to Make Your New Roof Last Longer

Whether it's home improvements or house repairs or full-on rehabilitation, the FHA 203k is a great option. The mortgage loan option covers new purchases OR refinancing. Let's take a quick look at what the FHA 203k is:

A home buyer can finance a house and many repairs, renovations or improvements right into the monthly payments, amortizing the work over the life of that home mortgage loan. The great thing is that with interest rates where they are right now, it will only add about $6 a month for every $1,000 in repairs or renovations you finance. That means a $10,000 roof will only add about $60 a month to the house payment. Then, when you decide to sell, that cost stays with the house.

Some of the work covered by the FHA 203k (Full or Streamline) includes these projects:

New roofNew deckWaterproofing the basementNew windowsNew kitchenInterior paint, wallpaper and flooringSeveral other projects

Let's get back the project of a roof. Whether it's simply replacing old shingles with new ones, or tearing apart the entire roof, wood and all, you'll want to make sure you get the most money out this new roof. After all, you wouldn't want to go through all the trouble again in 5 or 10 years. So here's a look at a few maintenance steps you can take every season to make that roof last longer after the FHA 203k work is done.

Keep the roof clean. Keep twigs, leaves and other debris off the roof. Be especially vigilant after a storm. Make sure no branches fell on the roof from surrounding trees. As these wither, they can damage the integrity of the shingles and wood underneath.
Clean your gutters. You can get out the ol' ladder in the spring and fall or find a gutter topping to keep stuff out. Either way, keeping those gutters clear and flowing will make sure no water gets backed up into your roof. Water in your gutters can make them heavy and rip them off your roof. It can also lead to leaks in your walls and water in the basement. I've even seen some houses with so much junk in the gutters, it looks like they're growing trees!
Speaking of trees... Trim them! This goes along with the previous tips. Keeping the trees trimmed will help keep the roof and gutters clean.
Get rid of the moss. Keep your roof dry and moss-free to help make sure the shingles and wood underneath stay good for a long time. A little bleach and water mixture usually helps get rid of the moss, or call a professional if it won't come clean
Where it snows - prevent ice dams. Preventing ice dams begins with keeping the gutters clean. When snow melts and has no where to go because your gutters are clogged, it build up, re-freezes and creates ice dams. So it goes back to keeping the gutters clean. Another way to help is to get a snow rake for the roof and keep the snow build-up to a minimum. You can also find snow melt cables that heat up and keep the snow and ice from building up (we do not endorse these products, because we're not part of the inspection team or safety crew that makes sure they won't catch anything on fire - but they sure look cool!).

Ready to learn more about the FHA 203k home improvement and repair mortgage option? Download the free eBook " Top 10 FHA 203k Topics " and see what the 203k covers.

As the Multimedia Marketing & Communications Specialist at AmeriFirst Home Mortgage, Dan is responsible for creating and editing the content in the http://blog.amerifirst.com/amerifirst-blog.

Concentrating on first time home buyers with several programs, and home improvement & renovation loans through the FHA 203k program, AmeriFirst Home Mortgage looks to bring the dream of home ownership to life in its communities.

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Houston Energy One Center: Redefining Building Classes

An office structure in the Houston area can be classified as Class A, B, or C. Tenants of these spaces benefit by knowing exactly what these classifications mean. The market, as well as the condition of Class-A buildings often determines where each space fits in this ranking system. Rankings make it easier to report market data because the information can be separated by building types. Second, they allow businesses to know the differences between structures. Classifications can be based on overall building condition, location, infrastructure, construction, nearby attractions, as well as many other factors. The Energy One Center is one of many highly ranked buildings in the Houston area.

Class-A spaces are considered to be the highest quality obtainable in a particular market or area. They are well kept, have great visual appeal, and are constructed with superior materials. Their infrastructure is also top notch when compared to lower class buildings. When a space has this rating, it is considered to be in a prime location. Most are easily accessible and managed by professional services. These factors affect the types of tenants occupying the building. Class-A commercial spaces typically have the most notable tenants. They also have a higher overall rental expense for any occupying business. The Houston Energy One Center is an example of this building class. It was constructed in 2008, spans 332,000 square feet, and currently houses the Foster Wheeler company.

Class-B commercial facilities are not as new as the above buildings. They tend to have exceptional management along with notable tenants. In some cases investors actually seek these structures over higher ranked ones. This is because a few simple changes can actually increase them back to a Class-A status. In order for a building to be classified under this category, it must not be obsolete in functionality and has to be cared for appropriately.

If an office space is classified under the C category, it has been given the lowest ranking possible in a particular market. They are typically over twenty years old and are located in less prosperous areas. Most need a hefty amount of renovation to be completely operational. In most cases, their architecture is unattractive and even shoddy. The company's technology, along with its infrastructure is usually outdated and needs to be upgraded. These factors cause buildings with C rankings to offer the smallest leasing rates. Many investors see Class-C buildings as a re-development project instead of a rental opportunity.

While Class-A buildings, such as the Houston Energy One Center, cost more to lease, they offer the exposure and visual ease most businesses need to appeal to various types of customers in an area. A prospective client is more likely to do business if the space is clean, comfortable, and portrays a sense of success for the company. When a client has to enter a run-down area of town, or notices that serious cosmetic work is needed for the building, the client might become reluctant about a business deal. Most customers want to feel like they are working with or providing their business to a classy and dependable company. If a business has a stunning and well-kept commercial space, it can leave quite an impression on a customer.

While researching building classes, I found useful information at http://www.boma.org/ and about Houston Commercial Properties at http://www.wellsreitii.com/, a Real Estate Investment Trust ( REIT ).

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Get Your Message Out With Real Estate Banners

Business is tough out there and real estate is no different. As a real estate agent you want to do what you can to stand out. The most important part of your job is promoting yourself, making yourself noticed more than the next person. There are many ways to do this and some are more effective than others. One of the most proven ways of advertising is with real estate banners. This will be one of the first things your potential customers will see and you want to make it stand out and represent who you are.

There are many different occasions to use a real estate banner. The main purpose is for exposure and to get your name out there. You can use one at an open house for a listing you have or at a recently completed project, etc. Potential customers pass by all the time and your name will be seen thousands of times a day. Make your banner catchy to get people's interest and market yourself. You can also place these banners when you have sold a home. People love success and if they see your banner and that you have sold another house, it will speak well for you. Use your creativity and let the banner work for you.

Nowadays, real estate banners can be made out of different materials. We have all seen the wood signs hammered into lawns. Custom vinyl banners are a more practical idea for many reasons. Vinyl is strong and durable, it will not rust, fade or chip. A vinyl sign is also weather resistant especially when compared to paper or cloth banners. If they get dirty they can just be wiped and look good as new. Then when you are done you can just roll it up for use next time.

A custom vinyl real estate banner is a great investment. Another important benefit of this type of banners is that you only need to have one or two customized for yourself. You don't require to keep purchasing new ones as you would with their paper or cloth counterparts. As a result, in the long run this form of self promotion is definitively less expensive and more effective.

There are many places where you can go to have one of these real estate banners made. Take some time to think about what you want to promote and how you would like your banner to be in terms of design and colors. Don't rush the process, this can be one of the best and more helpful expenses that you will make for your business.

Fabiola Delgado de la Flor is a Marketing professional working at CustomPromoBanners.com. We offer free artwork with your banner order, our experienced graphic designer will work with you to create the perfect design for your campaign. For additional advice on creating Real Estate Banners to promote yourself while increasing your exposure visit Custom Vinyl Banners.

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Cheap Moving Boxes - Where You Can Get Them

Moving out of a new house entails a variety of expenses and you would only want to find ways to minimize your total expenditures. One thing you would think of saving on when moving is the set of boxes you would need to pack your things in. You can look around the neighborhood for cheap moving boxes. You might even get some of them free of charge.

The first place where you would try to search for containers is at your friend's or neighbor's house. You might want to alert your friends and neighbors that you are looking for some boxes that you could use to pack your things in. There will most probably be at least one who has a box or boxes that he would like to dispose of. You should be getting them from your friends and neighbors without dishing out a single cent.

You can check your local postal service if they can give you moving boxes at cheap rates. The postal service usually has packaging materials that come in a range of sizes, which is exactly what you would need.

Establishments near your home or office might be able to help you. Go around and ask grocery stores, electronics shops, furniture displays and industrial supply companies for containers. They might even be able to offer you sturdy plastic containers, aside from cardboard ones. Try to talk to the proprietor or business owner himself so you will have a higher success rate, compared to talking to the cashier or shop clerk, since the latter is generally not empowered to give away or sell store properties. You should also drop by a few minutes before the shop closes. This is when you would probably chance upon the store sorting which boxes need to be thrown in the dump.

Warehouse or membership shopping clubs are also generous in giving out boxes. Ask if they do give out their boxes and containers. Liquor stores usually have boxes they need to dispose of every day. Liquor boxes, since they hold premium glass bottles, are often sturdy and good for packing purposes.

However, when getting used boxes, you have to check very well that they can, indeed, be reused still. If you will be transporting valuable or fragile items, you should check out your removalist company. Some removalists offer cheap moving boxes that can surely keep your valuable items safe and secure. You should also ask them the best way to pack your fragile or cherished belongings.

Looking for cheap moving boxes Brisbane? Visit our site for packaging materials including boxes in all sizes, mattress protectors, butcher paper and other moving necessities at very competitive prices.

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Why Your House Would Not Sell

There are several factors that control the selling process of your house. Some of these factors could be controlled by the homeowner and others are not. However there are 5 main Reasons that make a real estate do not sell in a timely fashion. These top five reasons are as following:

1- Price.
2- Condition.
3- Location.
4- Real Estate Agent.
5- Marketing Plan.

Price

It is a smart move to interview many agents, more than one before listing your house for sale. Even if the first or second agent makes you feel comfortable that you decide to list your hose immediately, it is always better to have multiple choices and compare each agent's advantages, disadvantages, marketing plans and their price recommendations. One of the main and important services that your agent is offering you is an accurate price of your property.

However, there is a valuable lesson you should know before a certain agent buy your house listing is if one agent quotes you a significantly higher price than the other agents, then that means that this specific agent is probably not the good and right one for you. The market does not lie, so each agent you deal with should arrive at a very close figure, it must not be the same price but when there is a difference of EGP 20.000, something is defiantly wrong in the price that your agent is offering. If you list your house higher than the market normal value then you need to rope your price later to be able to sell it.

But why do home sellers overprice their house? Often it is their agent's advice to do so as we have previously discussed. Another reason is that they will overprice the house based on the past value. For example, if you have priced your house five years ago and its cost was EGP 180.000, then you will assume that its price has increased now and add an annual rate of 3 or 5 percent to come up with EGP 200.000 or even more, which is totally not correct.

Your house is only worth what today's market is saying it does, regardless what the house was worth one, two, five and even ten years ago. Keep in mind that houses are just like stocks, sometimes they go up and some other times they go down. A property's value is determined by today's value not yesterday's plus an interest rate. Pricing is one of the important reasons that control the selling process and it can really delay the selling of any property if it is overprices.

House Condition

The second reason is the house condition. Buyers are looking for model-home conditions, they want to purchase a home, which is basically in a good condition and does not need major fix up work. The paint inside and out of the house should be near perfect. Everything should be kept perfectly straight and in order. Even if you have received an offer, the condition of the house would cause the buyer to offer less than market value. You need to make the house and pain it from inside and outside, cleaning everything, including the carpets, windows and light fixtures. Although it may be difficult, seller really has to walk through the house as if he is the buyer, being very critical and asking whether he can buy a house in this condition or not. You can then invite all three agents to visit the house again and make another market analysis. One of the most common things that you should take care of during your house show is pets, especially dogs. You need to make arrangements for your pets, let a friends keep them for a while or have some relatives take care of them during this important stage of selling your house. There is nothing worse than an offensive pet (or pet smell) to chill prospective homebuyers from quickly buying your home.

Location

Location is the third reason that affects your house and its selling process. There are so many factors that can mark a bad location, such as undesirable schools in the neighborhood, a high crime rate, messy neighbors or noise pollution. Location is the only thing that is out of your control. However, if your house is in a poor location, you can compensate this bad location factor with offering a lower listing price than what similar houses in better areas have sold for. You have to be more competitive than other home sellers and attract the buyers to overcome the poor location obstacle.

Real Estate Agent

Another reason that does not help in selling your house is the real estate agent itself. Your agent could cause huge problems if he or she is hard to get along with or difficult to work with. This is something you cannot really anticipate. Agents who are rude, arrogant and difficult to work with will not have a s many showing as an agent who is cooperative and enthusiastic. Just because an agent is top producer in your area does not guarantee that he or she has the respect of other agents in town. The only way to make sure you are hiring the right agents is to check out the reputation of this agent and get personal referrals. Forget the famous real estate brokerage names, which advertise heavily. What really matters most is the success record of the individual agent who gets your listing. Never sign a listing for longer than 90 days, unless the listing agent includes a written clause allowing you to cancel the listing after 90 days without specifying a reason to do so. A 90-day listing clause is the best way to assure you that your agent will work hard, smart and fast to get your property sold during that period.

Marketing Plan

So your house is priced right, in good condition, has a good location and your agent is easy to work with. Still your house does not sell. If this is case with you, the marketing plain is probably the problem. It is not enough to just put "for sale" sign in front of the house and wait for the offers to come in. The successful agent must have a strong and aggressive written and planned marketing plan. Your agent must make effective use of the latest technologies and must be attuned to the new information age. A good agent will be spending a good deal of money marketing their listings with all the possible means until it is actually sold. So you must make sure your agent has a definite marketing plan that is made as an addendum to your listing agreement.

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Painting Interiors

Fresh interior (and exterior - but we'll save that for another article) paint is very important when a house is on the market. Unfortunately many sellers think that means white walls - or something close to white. But white (even Linen White - a favorite of sellers) isn't usually the best choice for several reasons.

First, white rooms can feel very cold and stark, not warm and inviting, which is how you want homes on the market to feel. Second, dirt shows up against white (think of those white slacks), so sellers must be extremely careful. And finally, white can make rooms feel very plain and boring, rather than pretty and interesting. And while you don't want the wall colors to stand out, you do want to make certain they showcase the house. Which means bold or daring colors are not a good idea either. So what should sellers do?

Sellers should choose colors that go well with most furnishings as well as styles of homes - but that aren't too bold or too dramatic. Taupes and sages are often good choices, as are colors that have have yellow undertones (for warmth) in them. These colors are considered neutrals, which means not only will they go with most furnishings, they won't make a design statement on their own. And while you don't generally want to go with a dark shade, a medium shade will probably be just fine. Too much lighter than that and you get back to that boring off-white.

It also isn't necessary to paint all of the rooms of the house in one color. Depending on how the house flows, it may be a good idea to tick to the colors that are next to each other on a fan deck. This means the color variation is subtle (usually just a bit lighter or darker), which makes the entire house feel connected. Yet the variation helps the rooms of the house feel separate enough for the different activities that occur in each.

Trim colors should generally be white, unless the style of the house calls for stained woodwork or the trim isn't attractive. So if the house is a Victorian or a contemporary, stained woodwork is expected. Otherwise, it will make a house appear dated. Painting the trim the same color as the walls will make unattractive trim disappear, which is much easier and less expensive than replacing it. Just remember to paint the trim in a semi-gloss, which makes it much easier to keep clean.

Painting the house may seem like a lot of trouble (if you're doing it yourself) or expense (if someone else is doing it for you). But the results are profound because your house will look and feel clean, updated, and attractive.

Ann Anderson is the founder and Director of School of Interior Redesign (http://www.schoolofinteriorredesign.com/) and the co-creator of the Ready2Sellin30Days (http://www.ready2sellin30days.com/) system.

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The Three HMO Rules

Property investment is not difficult, I compare it to used car dealing except the figures are larger, the strategy is different and it is much easier. Property is less complicated than cars and the longer you keep property the more valuable it becomes unlike cars which usually depreciate. However, whilst you are waiting for your property to increase in value, you have to live and cash flow is essential especially when property prices are going nowhere, you need to cover your costs.

I believe that HMO's outperform the property market and so I have come up with the following unproven statistics acquired from observation of the HMO market. Take a building, for example, a large house, and turn it into a HMO with a minimum of five units, the HMO being developed over the years to maximise its full potential as a HMO then the following HMO Daddy rules apply:

1. Rule of twenty is that after twenty years the original purchase price of the property which is then converted into a HMO will equal or thereabouts the gross rent. For example, a house purchased in 1991 for ?30K will produce a rent of about ?30K per annum today as a HMO.

2. Rule of forty ten is that after forty years a house purchased and turned into a HMO then the gross rent per annum will be about ten times the purchase price. For example, a house purchased in 1971 for ?4K will produce a rent today of about ?40,000 per annum as a HMO.

3. Rule of three is that a HMO grosses about three times the income of the same property let as a single unit.

Note: You need to spend a considerable amount of money over the years improving and keeping your property up to standard to achieve these returns.

Be clear about why you are investing in property and remember why when things get tough, as they will. Most people want financial independence. How much money will give you financial independence? It is generally accepted that a million pounds would not be too far off the mark. So how do you get a million quid? Borrow the money to buy a million pounds of property today and apply the rules above and wait for the property value to increase and in the meantime get a good income from rental.. HMO's give a substantially greater income compared to single lets so you should easily be able to repay any mortgages or loans.

To find out more about running your own HMO, get your FREE copy of "Beginners Guide To HMO's And Multi-lets" now at http://www.hmodaddy.com/

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The Pros and Cons of Investing in Real Estate

In 2007, a lot of people were talking about purchasing houses cheaply in order to fix them up and sell them quickly. Shortly after that time in 2008, this became impossible to do; very few people were buying homes at that time. Even existing investors started to struggle between the responsibilities of paying the mortgages on their own homes coupled with the responsibility to cover the mortgages on their investment properties. In fact, many people fell into foreclosure. But luckily, this is a different time. Prices are low and bargains abound, but even with that real estate investing is not for everybody. The purpose of this article is to summarize some of the pros and cons of real estate investing in the current market.

Pros

Investing in rental properties can provide a monthly income: Real estate investors who want to obtain a little extra money every month will find that investing in rental properties can satisfy this goal. Many people were hit hard by the financial crisis, and as such there are many people who need housing who do not have the ability to obtain a mortgage.

A house offers people an appreciating asset: In the event it's true that the housing market is about to turn around, people who purchase a property now will be buying an appreciating asset that they will be able to sell for a greater amount in the future. Anyone who has the ability to wait until housing prices increase before selling has the potential to earn a large profit.

The real estate market is less risky than the stock market: People who have extra money to invest may be wary of putting it into the stock market because of the market's volatility in recent years. Placing money in real estate avoids the stress of the daily ups and downs that are inherent in the stock market. Thus, real estate is a more predicable investment asset.

Cons

The risk of default: The economy is expected to improve, but this doesn't necessarily have to be the case; it can also remain where it is or even get worse. If that were to happen and investors lose their ability to make a living, they may not be able to afford the mortgage on their rental properties.

Owning rental property increases the amount of work: People who own rental properties are called landlords and they have expectations that they have to meet. When things break down on the property, they will be expected to fix them. They will also have increased liability; accidents can happen on the property and the tenants or their guests may decide to sue. To protect against this actuality, rock-solid insurance is an absolute must.

The risk of not receiving the amount of rental income expected: People who seek to rent their properties may expect to be able to charge a particular amount of rent, but sometimes they might not be able to collect the amount expected. Anyone who is not willing to take this risk may not see real estate investing as a viable option.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that investing in real estate can provide a steady income, but it is not without risk. Therefore, careful planning is needed before making a decision one way or the other.

About free-rental-property-investing-info.com

Visit free-rental-property-investing-info.com for free landlord forms, tools, and no-hype educational info focusing solely on income property. Browse topics like landlord tenant laws, landlord insurance, buying a property, and more.

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Earning 18% At The District Of Columbia Tax Auction

One of the best things when you invest in tax liens in the District of Columbia is that the certificates earn 1.5% per month or 18% annually. They can include unpaid property taxes, water and sewer bills and special assessments that are delinquent from the previous year. However, there is a component of the sale which could lower your returns--DC has an overbid that does not earn interest.

What is an overbid?

In order to separate bidders competitively in an auction, jurisdictions such as Washington DC add an overbid component to their auctions. This overbid does not earn interest and lowers your overall yield. The amount is held by the district (think--interest free loan to DC) until the property redeems and the overbid is then returned to the tax lien holder along with his investment (and interest earned on that investment).

During the auction, the starting bid begins with the amount of the delinquent taxes. Bidders then raise the dollar bid until a the winner with the highest dollar bid is left. The difference between the initial bid and the final bid is your overbid.

Remember, this overbid does not earn interest! Back when the market was very competitive, the overbid could by 50%, 60% or more of the value of the underlying property. Thus, you may only earn a very nominal amount on your invested dollar.

Why Would Anyone Bid Over the Amount Due In Taxes?

Large overbids can and do get bid at the DC tax auction. This often happens because the investor now gets the right to buy subsequent taxes in the next few months and onward at a rate of 18%. Taxes in DC become due twice a year in March and September giving the tax lien investor more opportunities to add to their investment and this time at 18% fully.

Furthermore, if the property is not redeemed by the taxpayer or interested party, the amount of the overbid is used to pay any outstanding taxes, liens and assessments. This can be good and bad--good because you won't have many out-of-pocket costs after you get the deed and bad because you have no control of what municipal liens and fines are put on the property before it goes to deed.

How do I get a deed to a DC property by buying tax liens?

The District of Columbia is a strict foreclosure jurisdiction. This means that you need to take your tax lien through the courts just as you would a mortgage foreclosure.

The tax sale investor can start foreclosure six months from the day of the DC delinquent tax auction. You'll need to hire a DC tax lien attorney to help you. Although the DC tax attorney may charge you an upfront cost, his or her expenses must be paid by the taxpayer when they redeem the lien so long as the charges are within reason.

The only way you won't be paid is if your lien goes to judgment and you receive the deed. One caveat to this is that you won't be reimbursed for any legal expenses (including title work) within four months of the tax auction.

How long does it take to foreclose on my tax lien in D.C.?

The DC court system and its judges are in no rush to see their taxpayers lose their property to a tax lien investor. If you're lucky, no one will contest your case and there will be no bankruptcies, probate or other delays. In the perfect world, the entire process should only take nine months or less after you file. However, if anyone comes forward to contest the case or throw it into bankruptcy, it could take years.

Jon is an avid real estate investor and tax lien investing guru. You can find him on his expert website about Tax Lien Investing or find his best articles on his "best of" page about how to invest in tax liens.

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How Can You Sell Your House in "As Is" Condition?

There are a large number of house buying companies all across the country that advertise as wanting buy houses in "as is" condition, in addition to being able to pay cash for them and close much faster than a conventional buyer. So why would you want to contact one of these companies in your area if you have a challenging house to sell? Also isn't it true that those types of companies just want to try and rip you off? These are two very important questions that I'm sure you have asked yourself if you have a fixer type house to sell that may not be best suited for the retail market in its present condition. For the remainder of this article I am going to address these important questions and more in order to help you better understand why these "We Buy Houses" companies exist and how you may be able to utilize the services they provide in your area.

If you happen to be in a situation where you need to sell a house that is in dyer need of major updating and/or some renovation and repair you can be sure that the traditional way of selling a house will be a bumpy ride for you. When people have a "pretty house" to sell they generally call their local realtor, have them come up with a list price that is supported by comparable properties and they list the house for sale on the RMLS realtor network. The hope is that other realtors will see the property and have a buyer for it, then soon thereafter you will be presented with an acceptable offer for the property and you will be on your way to a hassle free closing. Although no real estate sale is that easy these days, that is the general process for houses that don't need and major updating or repair.

If you do happen to be selling a house that is in need of minor TLC and updating to major renovation and repair, you can pretty much expect a bumpy sales process if you plan on going the traditional route that was just described. The first reason is because most people will always contact a realtor or two in the beginning stages of trying to sell a property....and in this type of case that is where the first misstep can take place. The problem with houses that need major updating and repair (besides the obvious) is that realtors generally have no clue what they are really worth, so quite often they will throw out a number that sounds great in theory but will never come to fruition. I like to call this buying the listing and some realtors will do it intentionally to help secure a future paycheck while others will do it out of pure ignorance because they just don't know any better. The 2nd major stumbling block that you will hit going this route is that you run a large risk of having multiple sale fails. This is because your home will be on display for every inexperienced rehabber in your market to make an offer on, and after they have wasted 10-15 days of your time most of them will finally realize that they are paying too much for the house and back out of the deal. My house buying company buys a number of houses every year from unhappy sellers who have been highly irritated by the process of listing at one price, having multiple sale fails and ultimately selling at a much lower price. Now don't get me wrong, there are many houses that should be listed at higher prices and will eventually sell at close to that, but if you know your home is in need of some major renovation and repair you might want to think twice about listing the property with a realtor if you want to see it sell anytime in the near future.

So what is your alternative you ask? Well that is where the "We Buy Houses" companies come into play.....You see some of those companies are seasoned real estate rehabbers who have a very educated eye when it comes to buying houses that are in need of major renovation and repair. So now think about the process I described above and compare that to receiving a cash offer with a quick closing from an educated individual who will absolutely honor the contract and close the deal on time. Now you may not always like the cash price that some of these companies will offer if you have already spoken with a realtor, but you have to remember that the property is only worth what it will sell for and not what a realtor or Zillow thinks its worth. When people buy houses in need of major renovation and repair they are taking a risk by basically paying you to take on a major project. So in return for that risk and the work that goes along with it there must be a reward; otherwise nobody would ever buy houses that need repairs. To make it very simple to understand nobody is going to buy a house for $150,000 that needs $50,000 in repairs for it to then be worth $200,000. They may look to purchase the property for between $100,000-$120,000 but probably no more than that, and if they are looking to buy it for more you can be pretty sure that the sale will fall through at some point. This is a major reason why some people believe that the "We Buy Houses" companies are just trying to rip you off, when in actuality they are just trying to purchase your property at a price that will adequately compensate them for all of the risk and effort they will be putting into it.

So how do you know which "We Buy Houses" company to call to get the best deal? This is a great question and one that I'm sure you have asked yourself at some point. Make sure to do some research on the company ahead of time to see if they have a website, vanity phone number and anything else that makes them look like they are running a real organized business. Also make sure to ask if you can see pictures of some of there previous renovation projects, that way you know you are dealing with an actual rehabber and not just a real estate wholesaler who will be looking to sell the property to a rehabber for a profit. For my house buying company we actually built an entire website around showcasing all of our renovation projects, and I always share it with every seller that we meet with so that they can check it out in order to see what we are capable of. If you are able to find a quality "We Buy Houses" company in your area I would absolutely suggest selling your fixer property to them if you feel that the price they offer you is fair based on the amount of repairs that are needed. Just remember that there will need to be a profit in the deal for whoever buys your property, otherwise it will just sit on the market until you lower the price to a point where it makes sense to take the risk of purchasing it. I hope you enjoyed this article and found the information useful when it comes to selling a house in need of renovation and repair.

Tucker Merrihew is the owner of TTM Cash HouseBuyers, a real estate redevelopment company that specializes in buying property in need to minor TLC and updating to major renovation and repair in Portland oregon.

TTM Cash HouseBuyers was founded in 2008 in order to provide homeowners a fair and reliable way to sell challenging property even in a depressed real estate market. TTM Cash HouseBuyers is a licensed residential contractor in the State of Oregon that specializes in buying houses for cash in "as is" condition. We are a growing company looking to renovate houses and improve neighborhoods.

If you need to sell your house fast and in "as is" condition contact TTM Cash HouseBuyers today at http://www.ttmcash.com/ or 503.850.4233

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Taking Home Staging to the Next Level: Lifestyle Merchandising

Did you know that home staging is all about "lifestyle merchandising"? Yes, when you are selling your home, you are actually merchandising a lifestyle to potential buyers.

Recently I graduated from an advanced staging course given by Matthew Finlason, host of HGTV's "The Stagers". It was an intense, two-day course attended by only a handful of New York City area home stagers.

These are the principles that were taught during the course:

• Casting a "wide net" with staging in order to attract the broad range of buyers is a thing of the past.

• Crafting a "perfect lure" to attract the right buyer with staging represents a paradigm shift.

• While it's fine to neutralize a home of its occupant's personality, don't sterilize it.

• Home staging is now known as Target Staging. Target staging involves learning about who the specific buyer or buyers might be, and creating a design plan to appeal to that buyer or buyers.

• Before a home stager stages, it's important for her/him to first learn the demographics of the most likely potential buyer (age, income, gender, marital status, education, etc.).

• It's also important to focus on the psychographics of the buyer (the industry they're in, their leisure time activities and interests, their home style or aesthetic preferences, the profile of retailers in the area which will be an indicator of the profile of the residents,).

• One should stage this buyer's dream house with colors, shapes, textures, objects and artwork that will make them emotionally connect with the space. For example, if the profile of the buyer is a single male who works on Wall Street, then the space should be staged to reflect the lifestyle and interests of that buyer profile.

• One should stage in order to "tell stories" based upon the buyer's profile. For example, if the likely buyer is a female working in the fashion district, then set up a desk with books on fashion and sketches of clothing.

• Staging is "lifestyle merchandising" and "dialing in the buyer".

• One should stage to create a life that buyers can aspire to and relate to. Most people want to buy a home to up their lifestyle, so you need to create a lifestyle that these buyers want.

• One should stage so that your company aesthetic shines through but that not every staging looks like every other staging one does or other stagers do.

© Copyright 2011 Designed to Appeal, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Donna Dazzo is a home stager and interior redesigner serving New York City and the Hamptons. She founded Designed to Appeal ( http://designedtoappeal.com/ ) in 2007 after a successful career in the financial services industry. Her experience in project management and marketing, combined with her lifelong passion for interior decorating and design, makes her a unique professional to help both realtors and home sellers sell homes faster and for top dollar.

To contact Designed to Appeal, subscribe to its monthly newsletter or to request these three free checklists: Holding a Successful Open House, Organizing Closets and Moving, click on http://www.designedtoappeal.com/form.asp?i=1.

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Wealth Building With Real Estate

When it comes to saving for retirement, investment advisors generally recommend that one contribute regularly to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a company 401(k) plan. Steady growth can be achieved, they suggest, by diversifying one's portfolio with a mix of stocks and bonds. Rarely, however, do they recommend adding real estate to the investment portfolio. By neglecting to invest in real estate, one could be missing out on the many benefits afforded by this asset class.

Advisors and investors may shy away from this investment for many reasons. Advisors might avoid it possibility because they are not licensed to sell it. Thus, they have no incentive to decrease the amount of money that they have under management. Also, investors often avoid real property because often they don't understand it. Even if they do, they don't feel that they have enough capital to make an initial investment. But if they became better educated in the benefits of real estate, they would find that it offers some advantages not seen in other investments.

Often, advisors recommend utilizing investments such as mutual funds to achieve risk-adjusted, long-term appreciation when saving for retirement. By utilizing qualified retirement vehicles such as an IRA or 401(k) accounts, investors can often receive a tax deduction to offset income, reducing their current tax bill. They may also use Roth accounts to forego the upfront tax deduction enabling them to receive retirement account distributions tax free. Real estate may also provide long-term appreciation, as seen in stock and bond mutual funds. In addition to receiving up-front tax advantages just as qualified plans do, real estate investments may add other tax advantages when the property is liquidated.

Many might be surprised to learn that over the past ten years, despite the "real estate meltdown," real estate prices have outperformed the Standard and Poor's 500 stock market index by a wide margin. As of May 2011, data provided in the Standard and Poor's Case Shiller index (CS) showed that real estate prices, based on a 10-region composite, advanced 30.1% over the latest ten year period. During that same time the Standard and Poor's 500 (S&P500) stock market index advanced just 7.1%. This is despite the fact that over the past two years, stock prices nearly doubled off of their March 2009 lows. During this same period, bond and commodity prices have also moved dramatically higher, causing many to worry about future market corrections. Only real estate prices have not performed and remain 32% below than their peak. The S&P 500 was just 13% from its all-time high based on May data. This is a value that an investor might look upon as a good opportunity based on current prices.

Both qualified retirement plan contributions and real estate investments offer tax incentives. When one contributes to a qualified retirement plan, the investor can usually deduct the contribution from gross income, reducing the income tax liability. Real estate, even when purchased outside of a qualified plan, offers tax deductions, sometimes as great as a qualified plan contribution. Individuals who own their own home can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes paid if they itemize their tax deductions. If they don't itemize, they can still deduct their property taxes to receive some tax relief. Investors who purchase real estate investment property do even better. In addition to the mortgage and property tax deduction that home owners receive, real estate investors also receive deductions for property maintenance and depreciation. If this investor is not generating positive cash flow on the property and the investor has an income of less than $100,000, he or she can write off up to $25,000 for losses against their gross income.

A residential real estate also receives a special capital gains tax exemption not offered to other investments. If one had lived in the home as a primary residence for two of the previous five years, the individual is allowed a capital gains exemption of $250,000. This amounts to a $37,500 tax savings based on the current 15% Long Term Capital Gain tax rate. Not so with distributions taken from a qualified plan. These are taxed as ordinary income, at your highest tax rate. If the investor owned a primary residence along with a rental property, the investor could sell the primary residence at retirement, take the capital gain, and move into the rental. The tax-free distributions from the liquidation of the primary residence could be used to pay off any remaining mortgage on the rental property and provide extra funds for retirement expenses.

Real estate offers many positive benefits that may be important to a person planning for retirement. Like stocks and mutual funds, real estate has the potential to appreciate, preserving purchasing power. Adding real estate to one's holdings increases diversification and reduces overall portfolio risk helping to ensure a financially successful retirement. Residential and investment real estate often provide tax benefits not found in other retirement investments.

Gary Lewis, CFP® provides Guardian Angel Protection in your Financial Affairs through comprehensive financial planning and monthly follow-ups. Gary doesn't want to replace your current advisers, only make sure that they are working for you and not themselves. With Guardian Angel Protection, you can be assured of making informed choices in all of your investment decisions.

Learn more about Gary by visiting his blog at Asset Design Center.

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Acquire Government Seized Homes - An Easy Strategy to Make Money in Real Estate

Acquiring government seized homes is an extremely easy strategy for making quick profits through real estate investing. It is much easier than you think.

You can get an investment of your dreams at a price you can afford in a location you desire.Look no further because your dream investment property is now within your reach.

You may wonder why the government seized homes are called that and why the government seizes them in the first place. When people who've purchased these homes are unable to pay for them the government steps in and takes the house away from them to cover for the unpaid dues.Sometimes it is because some people have used these homes as collateral in purchasing different things or acquiring loans against their houses. When they fail to pay the collateral is repossessed. Then there are the criminals whose houses are taken away from them when they are apprehended.

No matter how the government comes by these homes they really are good buys all things considered. The government always prices these homes at a certain percentage less than its real market value. This is great because now even the buyer on a budget can get these government seized homes. The regular buyers of these homes buy them and work on them then resell them. This is called flipping and they do make money out of this.

To purchase government seized homes you have to know where to find them. This will depend upon who selling them. The seized homes can be sold by IRS, Federal Government or Local Government. You can either visit their offices for the information, go to their website or request a real estate agent who specializes in these types of properties for the information. These properties are listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).

When you see advertisements on your local dailies about auctions on government seized homes, make a point to note the date and location as those details will be important to you and your investment plans. The government mostly sells its houses by auctioning them. You are advised to be careful when bidding. But before you attend the auction, here are a few things to do prior.

If the homes are not being sold through an auction you must start with a very low price because at time the government is only interested in recovering a very small amount of back taxes owed on the property. This can result in buying hugely discounted properties.

Check out the homes in question. Most of these homes are normally run down and a bit derelict because they have been unoccupied for some time. When checking them out consider the amount of work you'll need to put in once you acquire them. This makes the difference between a good and a bad buy. Houses that will cost you less to fix are better and save your money.

The location of the house is also very important as it will determine whether you will spend a lot in other ways like commuting for long distances to get basic amenities, go to work, visit the bank or hospital. A centrally located home is easier to resale in the long run. It is also good even if you are buying to stay there.

The legalities that go along with auctions should be dispensed with by the time you get to the auction because once you acquire the home in this manner you need to have all the papers in place. You also need to confirm your mode of payment whether it is by cash, checks or installments. When you have done all these remember to bid with wisdom when at the auction. Government seized homes are of different types. These can be single family homes,apartments, mansions, villas and life style properties. With the varieties available you have a good chance to own the investment of your choice.

Investing in residential properties is the best strategy when starting out as a real estate investor. The biggest leverage you can have in the process of creation of wealth through real estate is knowledge.

To read quality articles, watch videos and learn from experts visit Power of Residential Property Investment

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Flash Funding and Social Media For Real Estate Investors

Flash funding and social media marketing have both emerged as incredibly powerful tools for real estate investors, but how should you be using them together to flip even more houses?

Flash funding, aka transactional funding is enabling real estate investors to flip houses incredibly quickly, minimize risks and turn around a much higher volume of properties each month. However, while transactional lending definitely enables a more efficient business model some investors seem to get stuck on generating a large pool of buyers or lining up end buyers before they lock up a property. Fortunately, social media makes this easy.

Using social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Foursquare you can create a large following and database of real estate investors and other home buyers who you can quickly alert to new deals you come across so that you can flip them right away. Compared to the old way of doing business where you find a property, tie up your money and incur holding costs until you can eventually find a buyer, social media and flash funding means lower risk, keeping your cash in your pocket and higher profit margins on every deal.

Some real estate investors get hung up on the fact that they believe they need inventory first. However, by finding buyers first you are effectively pre-selling your product. There are a number of ways to build a buyer base through social media fast. Besides just posting information and hoping people will find you, you can also create groups, use Facebook messaging to take a proactive approach and even hone in on the followers of your competitors with tools like TweetAdder for Twitter.

Going even further you can use your posts to position your properties and educate buyers ahead of time so that when you do have homes to sell your followers will be fighting over them. If you really feel that you must have some inventory to show off then if you have a real estate license you can normally market any property that is in the MLS or if not, you can team up with another wholesaler to promote their properties until you have more of your own.

As you start attracting and drawing people to your real estate investing company's social media pages you must have a plan in place for keeping them locked in and funneling them through the process. When it comes to Facebook this includes using iFrame software to lock your content until they like you and should mean capturing their email addresses as well. Then perhaps moving them to a one on one consultation, making a deposit to show they are serious (even if you don't have a specific property) or driving them to a webinar where you can create a higher level of motivation.

In order to offset your investment in social media you can also ask your flash funding lender about affiliate programs of referral arrangements so that you can refer other investors and get paid without even flipping houses.

Duane Ortega has been enabling real estate investors to increase their volume and make real profits from real estate in both good times and bad over the last 10 years with no hassle transactional funding through http://www.besttransactionfunding.com/.

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Selling the Dream

Have you ever flicked through those premier property pages and imagined yourself living the high life in the houses photographed in front of you? What would you say if you knew people could look at your home and think the same thing? Here's how to get your property appearing on the glossy pages and not languishing in the back of a filing cabinet when the time comes to put your property on the market. With property prices resuming on the ever upward trend, buyers' expectations are also on the increase. They are contemplating a commitment to paying off sums of money inconceivable in their parents' lifetime and your property has to convince them that they're happy to do it: you're in the business of selling a dream.

So dragging the Hoover around and putting on a pot of coffee won't do anymore, you have to sell them your lifestyle. Deep down we all know that real people don't live in permanently immaculate homes (well not without the help of a team of invisible servants, anyway) and that we don't always dine off the trendiest china or indeed eat the finest of foods, but buyers want to believe it and many vendors are turning to professional stylists for advice on how best to convince them. Vendors have been heard to say that they don't want to pretend and change the way they live for the estate agent's camera, that they believe in a homely, lived in look or that prospective buyers will be able to see through the mess. The Home Stager's logic asks would you go for a job interview or a first date wearing their tracksuit bottoms and a grubby t-shirt? No? But that's a homely, lived in look too, won't their personality shine through? It seems that pretending is exactly what the buyers want and they are willing accomplices in the illusion'.

When people move, it's usually up the property ladder. A new home, a new life - a chance to reinvent themselves, they don't want to be reminded of the clutter of everyday life that they are escaping from; they look for the make-believe world that the new property represents. So a clean, uncluttered room translates into an easy, uncomplicated life. Light airy rooms give them space to grow and breathe. They aspire to that trendy china, the modern accessories, those expensive toiletries on the bathroom shelf; it's all a part of the person they'll become. And the vendors have to live the dream for the viewings. Spring is traditionally a good time to sell; if you are thinking of putting your property on the market you should think styling. In fact, do it before you ring up the estate agent. It's important to get the photos on the property details right from the outset. Some agent photographers just click away at what's in front of them without paying heed to the wheelie bin beside the front door or the stack of newspapers next to the sofa. The rooms look dim because no one has thought to tell the vendors to put the lights on or remove heavy net curtains from the windows. These types of photos will do nothing to entice the buyer to book a viewing. Another telltale sign that may ward off the prospective buyer is when only the exterior shots of the property appear on the details. It screams that there's nothing inside worth taking a photograph of - again not worth making that appointment. Most vendors aren't aware that if they don't like the photos on their property's particulars they can insist that the agent re-takes the photographs - this is written within their contract but so few people exercise this right.

A few enlightened agents do give tips on how to make the property more appealing, but many don't go far enough for fear of offending the client and losing the instruction. So if a property is proving difficult to sell they suggest lowering the price. Consulting a professional stager is a way to help people to make the necessary changes to realise the potential in their homes. It might seem perverse to pay for my advice and the recommendations on a property you want to sell but if it means not spending months on the market, losing your dream home and facing the estate agent's pressure to another ?5k drop on the asking price.

If steps are taken to prepare the property before instructing an estate agent, you'd have better photos, a higher number of viewings, more offers and ultimately more money - doing nothing may well turn out to be a false economy.

Find Best selling price from the UK's leading Home Staging & House Doctor Furnishing company.

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Golfing Communities in Lakeland

Golf is the number one sport of choice for people of all ages in Florida, specifically in Lakeland Florida. Golf is the most popular sport most especially among retirees. In Lakeland Florida, it is very common to see a golf course almost everywhere, from private to semi-private, or public golf courses. Lakeland Florida has many golf communities within these golf courses such as:

In Florida and especially in Lakeland FL, golf is the number one sport for all ages, especially retirees. There are so many golf fields situated throughout Lakeland, you can practically see one in every corner. From private, semi-private or public golf with golfing communities and golf can be played by everyone. There are numerous golf fields that are also offer communities within, which are listed below:

Sandpiper Golf & Country Club

This golf community is located right in the heart of the golf course and is open to the public. Most of the residents here are retirees aged 55 and above who live active lifestyles. The community offers lots of amenities for its active residents such as swimming, tennis, walking trails, shuffle board, and many more.

Wedgewood Golf & Country Club

Located between Lake Gibson and Interstate 4 in North Lakeland, it is hard not to notice this beautiful golf field while driving along Carpenter's Way. The golf course boasts of rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers, beautiful waters, and vibrant Bermuda green. There are many subdivisions within the golf course composed of single family homes, town homes, villas, and luxury homes. Rated par 70, this golf course gives any type of golfer, whether beginner or pro, a challenging game.

Huntington Golf & Country Club Community

This gated community in North Lakeland has an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ron Carl in 1992. The golf course features a driving range and putting green, as well as a fabulous restaurant and lounge serving lunch and Dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. The community has 400 homes and offers amenities such as swimming, tennis, and private access to the lake for its residents.

Highland Fairways Golf Community

A private gated community home to retirees aged 55 and above who want a great lifestyle at an affordable price. The 18-ole golf course is rated par 56 has a short layout which provides a fun game for all ages while enjoying the beautiful views of the rolling hills and well-kept fairways Other amenities offered here are tennis, heated pool, shuffleboard, and a fitness center.

Cypress Lakes

Located amongst 2 golf courses over 1,000 acres of private land, this is a gated community in North Lakeland which is home to an active adult population of 55 years and above. This is a resort-style community with large cypress trees, lush landscaping, beautiful lakes and quality crafted manufactured homes. The golf course has a driving range and putting green located near the luxurious clubhouse. On-staff golf professionals are available for private and group lessons for beginners to pros.

Golf Club at BridgeWater

Located right next to BridgeWater Community, this golf field opened in September 2007 as a semi-private club. This 18-hole golf course sits on 180 acres of land and has challenging bunkers that are 12 feet deep. Rated par 71, it has 5 sets of tees for golfers of all levels. The community of BridgeWater also offers other amenities such as swimming, fishing, canoeing, tennis, basketball, fitness, and many more. With Highland Homes and William Ryan Homes adding more single family homes to the community, this is the perfect place to raise a family.

Grasslands Golf & Country Club

This community is located in the center of Oakbridge, which is the most in-demand address in Lakeland. The communities of Oakbridge and Grasslands have 14 neighborhoods with an assortment of homes, condos, town homes, villas, and executive homes, as well as custom-built luxury homes. There is definitely a home to match any type of lifestyle. The Scottish style PGA level golf field was designed by Jerry Pate and Cupp in 1990. Rated par 72, this 18-hole golf course was restored in 2008, with the greens converted into ultra-dwarf Bermuda grass and the tee boxes and bunkers were rebuilt.

The Club atEaglebrooke

This golf field is located inside a gated community in South Lakeland. Designed by Ron Carl, the Eaglebrooke golf course is rated with 4 ? stars and is considered one of the best places to play, with its shimmering lakes and multi-level greens and rolling fairways. The community of Eaglebrooke is one of the biggest gated communities in Lakeland and offers a variety of sizes of single family homes and custom build luxury single family homes made by famous custom builders.

My name is Petra and I like to think that I'm one of the most dedicated and committed real estate agents in Lakeland, Florida. Proficient knowledge in the handling and negotiation of Short Sales, Pre-Foreclosure and Bank-Owned real estate transaction in Lakeland, Bartow, Auburndale, Polk City, Mulberry, Lake Alfred, Winter Haven and other cities within Polk County, Florida. I am a member of the Florida Association of REALTORS®, the Lakeland Association of REALTORS® and I also serve as a State of Florida Notary Public. I am also bilingual, speaking, reading & writing fluent German. Visit http://lakelandfl-homesforsale.com/ or call me 863-619-6918.

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Things I Have Learned About Commercial Property Leasing Today

Every commercial property is unique; that means that every property leasing should be carefully handled by the real estate agent on behalf of the landlord. Tenants are selective today and shop around extensively to find the right premises at the best rent deal.

In this property market the things I have learned about tenants, landlords, and leasing commercial premises can be seen in the following points:

Tenants will take time to make a decision in this market. This is where the real estate agent has to work harder and bring excellent negotiation skills to the table.
Tenants will shop around the market with a number of agents to check out every possible vacant tenancy to lease. Whilst they will not usually tell you that they are doing this, expect that they are.
Incentives in this market have to be flexible and variable. Every tenant will have a different set of incentive criteria before they sign a lease.
The lease is not a commitment until it is completely and correctly signed by both parties with the rent payment, deposit payment, bank guarantees or bonds, disclosures served, and plans approved.
Never give the tenant occupancy or the keys to the premises until the lease matters have been fully satisfied.
Landlords that are pushing an unrealistic high rent are likely to suffer extensive vacancy periods. Ultimately they have to bring the rent down; it is just a matter of time.
Exclusive agency appointments are the best way to tap into the target market for the property at this time. Open listings that have been listed with many agencies do not get the market exposure and penetration that they deserve.
Solicitors that take too long to get a lease prepared for the landlord of a property should be avoided at all times. Timely response is critical to keeping lease negotiations on track for the landlord.
Not all real estate agents in this market have the full experience to target market a property comprehensively to the right tenants
The database that an agent has at this time should be maintained in an up to date form so that potential tenants can be sourced when the situation arises.
Leasing fees for agents should not be the primary reason for a landlord choosing that agent to lease the property. Time on market and target marketing methods are better reasons to make a choice of a particular agent to lease the property.

Real estate agents can bring considerable value to the landlord when leasing property. The right choice of agent by the landlord will fast track the property leasing.

John Highman is an expert real estate author, conference speaker, and coach. He helps Real Estate Agents to improve their market share, listings, and commissions. You can get a free ebook of real estate tips and tools right here at http://www.commercial-realestate-training.com/

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Apartment Sharing, Platonic-Style

Apartment sharing between roommates in a platonic relationship is something that has become a lot more popular in the new millennium. Not only are people more open-minded when it comes to friendships between men and women, it's also a pretty good solution if you want to save on your rent, particularly if you're living in a city where home prices and rents can be extremely high. This is also ideal for those who don't really want to live with friends of the same sex, especially if they're closer to friends of the opposite sex.

Still, even with a more open-minded outlook, you do get some people who think that platonic relationships between friends, let alone roommates of the opposite sex, aren't possible. There are those who will automatically assume that there is some underlying sexual tension or attraction between the two of you. If you are considering embarking on apartment sharing, platonic-style, you have to lay down the two basic ground rules.

Be clear that both of you are committed to a let's-be-friends approach, and that neither one of you are hoping to be in a relationship with the other person. This is advisable even if the two of you have been friends for a long time, just so none of you ever begin to blur the lines of friendship.Have separate bedrooms. This highlights that the two of you do have boundaries and that you're not planning on crossing them.

When you and your platonic friend have agreed to the rules and moved into your place, you can expect that there will be people who wouldn't approve of your lifestyle. While it's not an issue among your non-judgmental friends,there are those who will constantly question your choice. Here are some things that you may encounter.

Some people may assume that the two of you are sleeping together. No matter how much you explain that the two of you are just friends, it is somehow fixed in some people's minds that men and women can't have platonic relationships.You need to be open with the person you are dating that you are presently living with someone of the opposite sex. This builds trust in your burgeoning relationship. It is also a good idea to have your friend and the person you're dating meet one another, so you can make it much clearer that there is nothing going on between you and your roommate.

Male-female platonic relationships are definitely a good thing to have, and there shouldn't be a problem if you two are comfortable enough and trust one another to share your living space or have platonic sleepovers.Just make sure that you two are good enough friends and are capable of ignoring what other people say. Relationships between men and women are fraught with concerns and even if you are in a strictly platonic friendship, there are still rules to observe.

Get great tips today and learn how to build the right relationships.

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