Thursday, August 21, 2008

Competition Grows In Bangkok S Serviced Apartment Sector

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

CB Richard Ellis reported that according to the latest figures from the Alien occupational Control Division, Department of Employment there were 65, 337 expatriates based in Bangkok with work permits as at August 200This represents a 19% increase on the total in August 200 The growth in expatriates has increased demand for residential rental accommodation in Bangkok both for apartments and condominiums. Some expatriates whose place of work is outside of Bangkok for example on an industrial estate will live in Bangkok and commute to their place of work.



The work permit figures exclude diplomatic and United Nations staff and the 52, 045 expatriates with work permits for locations outside of Bangkok. Japanese nationals account for 22% of work permits in Bangkok followed by Indians( 12% ) Chinese( 9% ), and British( 8% ). There are13, 347 condominium units under construction and CB Richard Ellis estimates that 40- 50% of these new condominium units could be available for rent. CB Richard Ellis forecasts that there will be limited new apartment supply in the Central Business Districts with only about 870 units under construction. Much of the existing supply of apartments and condominiums is now more than ten years old and CB Richard Ellis classifies many of these as being grade B in terms of quality. Theerathorn Prapunpong, Associate Director and head of Residential Leasing Services at CB Richard Ellis. Rents for grade A or luxury condominiums and apartments have been rising at a faster rate than grade B developments. "We see the gap between grade A and grade B rentals increasing, " said Mr.


CB Richard Ellis is seeing strong demand for well designed new projects especially mid size three bedroom units of between 150- 220 square metres which are achieving rentals of 70, 000- 85, 000 baht per month. Much of the demand for this development has come from Japanese tenants who have been paying average rents of between 60, 000- 80, 000 baht per month for 2 and 3 bedroom units of 91- 150 square metres. Queens Park View Residence a 36 unit new development recently completed on Sukhumvit Soi 24 is already 83% occupied. CB Richard Ellis expects that demand from tenants will continue to be strong for well located, well designed apartment and condominium developments in Bangkok s prime locations. The total supply of serviced apartment units in Bangkok grew by 11% on an annual basis and occupancy rates dropped by 8% , according to CB Richard Ellis. Competition grows in Bangkok s Serviced Apartment Sector.


Owners were able to increase rental rates for grade A serviced apartments but at a slower rate. The total supply of serviced apartments increased to 8, 744 units a further 3, 500 units are under construction and more projects are at the planning stage. Future supply will continue to increase which could put downward pressure on both occupancy and achieved room rates. Most of the new supply will be grade A in terms of quality. Average rents increased by 2- 3% for grade A developments on a year on year basis the growth rate in rentals has slowed due to the increase in supply. Occupancy increased slightly quarter on quarter but fell year on year from 88% to 81% .


CB Richard Ellis believes that based on the forecast increase in supply competition will increase. The Sathorn area appears to be the most competitive location at the present time rental rates have fallen by about 7% year on year and occupancy by about 18% year on year. Much of the new supply is grade A in terms of quality and will be managed by international operators and this will put pressure on older developments.

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There are many situations that you may find yourself in where you need cash and quickly.

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The popular towns of Mazarr�n and Puerto de Mazarr�n on the Costa Calida should become even more attractive with several schemes to improve facilities, transport links and landscaping. Mayor of Mazarr�n Francisco Blaya Blaya, explained that this corridor would be substantially upgraded in the future.

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Gone are the days when South Florida is considered the home of retirees. The Flamingo Condominium sits in the heart of South Miami Beach and it embodies this lifestyle that South Beach has become so famous for.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Augustine Condo At The Abacos At Salt Run

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

It s hard to deny that the environment is changing.



If you are looking for a St. As a result, more and more people have begun to seek out ways of lowering the impact that they have on the world around them. Augustine condo that will offer you the opportunity to live with a lower impact on your environment, a St. Augustine waterfront community at the Abacos at Salt Run is the perfect solution. Augustine condo that will allow you to live in a location that is convenient to everything, a home in the St. In the Abacos at Salt Run, you will find that you have access to everything: If you love the arts, you ll love the ability to walk to nearby galleries and museums; If history is your passion, you ll love the rich history of St.


Walk to historic locations like the Gonzalez- Alvarez house or the Castillo de San Marcos, participate in group tours and feel like a tourist in your own hometown or take the time to visit one of the city s museums; If you enjoy shopping, you ll find that you have access to pedestrian shopping areas as well as a number of boutiques. Augustine- the oldest city in the United States. And. Augustine condo that offers low impact living, you ll love all of the activities that allow you to get outside in St. If your love of the outdoors is the motivation for choosing a St. Augustine: walking golf courses, time relaxing on the beach and listening to the surf roll in, fishing or sailing. Augustine condo at the Abacos at Salt Run, doesn, however t mean that you will have to give up style.


Low impact living in a St. Each coastal home at the Abacos at Salt Run offers an open floor plan in a building designed with West Indies- style architecture and exquisite detailing. In order to further lower your impact on your environment, you will be able to ensure that you choose energy efficient appliances. Inside, you ll find granite countertops, natural stone floors and other elements that provide a subtle, natural character to your home. You will be able to take the time to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle- walking to nearby restaurants rather than taking the car, spending less time rushing from one place to another. Augustine condo at the Abacos at Salt Run- whether as your primary residence or as a vacation home- you ll find that you have made a wise investment. When you purchase a St.


You ll find yourself slowing down, leading a less hectic life. Live a rich life. Convenient to everything, you will find that you are able to enjoy a simple, earth- friendly life without sacrificing style. Take advantage of the history of nation s oldest city. Be a part of a community that s not only rich in the past but that is also in line with the future- enjoy a low impact lifestyle with a St. Take advantage of shopping, dining and the arts.


Augustine condo at the Abacos at Salt Run.

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If you re in the market to build a home, you should consider buying a prefabricated home package. What are Prefabricated Home Packages?

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For most people, the purchase of their home is the best possible and most important investment they will make.

When In Spain, Do What The Spaniards Do - Tammy Brailsford about Finance and Real Estate:

It has become a trend for foreigners to buy properties in Spain.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Don T Think That Obtaining A Credit Report Is Enough

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Identity theft is growing exponentially! The truth is, identity theft protection goes both ways- - and as a landlord, you must protect yourself as well.



There are plenty of websites and information devoted to stopping someone from stealing your identity- - but how do you know if the person you are talking to is who they say they are? Do you check for identity theft when you do your background check? There are about 10 million identity theft victims in U. According to the U. Federal Trade Commission, it takes approximately 12 months for an individual to even figure out they are a victim. Chances are, one of these thieves may apply to rent a room from you! I talk about different identity theft protection strategies in my ebook" Room 4 Rent: Turn Your Extra Room Into Extra Money! " such as resources for spotting a fake driver s license or state ID.


How do you know your potential roommate is telling the truth about who they say they are? Don t think that obtaining a credit report is enough! Ask A Lot Of Questions( But Don t Interrogate) When you rent rooms, the best thing you can do to spot identity theft is to ask detailed questions on your roommate application. There are other things you should do when performing a tenant screening or background check. Once you do that, perform an interview and ask them these questions again. Do they pause too long for a basic question?


Alternatively, you can fill out the application yourself and ask the questions, paying attention to how they answer them. If they can t answer a specific question, then why? There are a variety of resources you can use to check your roommate s background. Do A Background Check/ Tenant Screening. If you are charging a tenant screening fee( and you should! ) use that fee to check references- - by paying to obtain a credit report or background check. The more comprehensive the report, the more expensive it is.


There are plenty of places that charge for that information. Do your research before figuring out an application fee. I talk about how to establish yourself as a legitimate business in my book. Keep in mind that most companies will want you to be an established business. Some questions you will definitely want to ask in an application may seem silly or strange, but help spot the liars. What city and state were you born?


For example: Who is your utility provider? Where did you go to high school? My Public Info. These types of questions are not easily obtained by a basic public record search, but are hard questions for someone committing identity theft. The easiest, but most expensive, quickest way to detect an identity theft to ask them to obtain a report from My Public Info. Go online and have your potential roommate get this report in your presence.


This is an online company that provides a personalized report which includes a public record search and credit report. At last check, this report is about$ 8If you cannot prove your identity, you won t be charged for the report( I do NOT have any financial interests in this company, by the way. In order to get this report, an individual must give their basic information( name, social security number, address( ssn) ). No stock, nor am I, affiliate program an employee) . This is information an identity thief would possess. This information is obtained from a credit report and other public records. After they pass Phase 1, they will be asked additional identifying questions that only an individual would know( such as, "where did you live in 1986? " or" what is the amount of your car payment? ").


The questions are random and the answers are much harder for an identity thief to obtain. If the applicant does not want to do this, or share information with you, then you don t want them as your roommate. You can be pretty sure that if an application can obtain their own report, they are who they say they are. Simple as that. Their report also gives them access to other goodies that My Public Info provides. Allow that person to keep their own report, and agree not to make copies.


In fact, EVERYONE should get this background check report to see if they are have become a victim of identity theft or if their information is just plain incorrect. Social Security Number Validator- - Look up" social security number validators" on the Web. It s more comprehensive than a credit report, so it s to their benefit. These validators can verify that the social security number( SSN) used is valid and was not assigned to someone currently deceased. For example, most people get their social security number( SSN) at the place they were born( foreign- born people have a special number as well) . There is also a reference which breaks down the social security number code and you can also verify that person is telling the truth about the basics of their background.


Professional License Validation- - Most, if not all states have an online license check. If your applicant states they have a professional license, then check. You can validate that a doctor, or electrician for, real estate agent example, holds a valid license to practice in that state. Public Record Search- - Many states have an online search for a variety of court records( for free) . If you don t have the funds( and you should, since you are charging an application fee) , this is an alternative. Of course, this is a needle- in- a- haystack kind of search if you go state- by- state, but there are companies who will do a comprehensive search for a fee. While yes, you want to supplement your income by renting a room, remember that safety and security for you, your family and your roomates are of primary concern.


While your requests may seem initially intrusive, the upside is you will know exactly who is living with you. However, be prepared to meet some resistance from applicants. And your roommates will know that you are a practical and fair landlord. Also, your potential roommates will now have valuable knowledge and information about identify theft which will enable them to protect themselves. Assure your applicants that you have asked these questions of EVERY potential roommate, that the questions are not biased and you would expect to be asked the same questions( if not more) if you were attempting to rent a room yourself. Is that good or good?

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In common language, it s the opposite of a traditional mortgage.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Hardest Part Is Finding A Property That Has Any Equity In It

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

When folks find out that I buy houses from distressed homeowners during the preforeclosure stage, they always ask the same question: "How do you find them? " My simplest answer is: "At the courthouse. " Distressed properties are always easiest to find when a mortgage lender begins the foreclosure process. (The process is triggered when the borrower fails to make a mortgage payment. ) Technically speaking this is the" preforeclosure" stage. Depending on which state you live in, the lender either records a Notice of Default( NOD) or files a judicial foreclosure lawsuit against the borrower.



The borrower/ homeowner has missed one or more payments, the sheriff s sale or public auction is looming on the horizon, and the homeowner realizes he may soon lose his home. As soon as the foreclosure is public information, it s relatively easy to find. The hardest part is finding a property that has any equity in it. So, depending on which property I m interested in, I either do a search at the county courthouse or I get the information from a legal newspaper that has done the searching for me. What I m looking for is a Loan To Value( LTV) of 80% or less. Why? For example, if a property has a market value of$ 100, the homeowner can, 000 t owe more than$ 75, 000- $80, 000 on the property.


Because I can t spend more than$ 75, 000- $80, 000 for the property and still make a decent profit. I have been known to pass on a great deal, simply because it was November and I wasn t convinced that the property would sell before summer. That includes what I pay for the property( principle, taxes, interest, and insurance) , my repair costs, and my holding costs. I always factor in having to pay the holding costs on a property for at least six months while I remodel or market the house. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of research to find a property that I can make a profit on, but the rewards are worth it. If the numbers don t work, I walk away.


Now, before you call me a mercenary just because I look for distressed properties to profit on, let me say this: Somebody profits from every foreclosure- and it might as well be you or me. But I disagree. Some people think it is unethical to benefit from another person s misfortune of losing their home or investment property by buying it from them in the preforeclosure stage. I look at buying preforeclosures as opportunities to help the distressed owners save their credit. Foreclosures and other property distress are caused by divorce, death, unemployment, medical emergency, and any number, economic downturn of personal problems. When I buy their property, their debt is paid off and they are free to move on with their lives.


Recently, many homeowners bought expensive homes or refinanced to take equity out of their homes when the interest rates dropped. Many of those houses are now coming on the market as foreclosures because their owners haven t been able to sell them. Those that later lost their jobs or had a medical emergency suddenly lost their ability to make mortgage payments. They think of me as their guardian angel when I am able to buy their property prior to the sheriff s sale, and pay off, save their credit their debt. If the homeowners are" upside down" in their house( meaning, they owe more than the property is worth) , and there is no equity in the property, then it is very unlikely that they will be able to sell quickly- - to me or anyone else- - and get out from under their debt. For the most part, homeowners understand that a real estate investor needs to make a profit to stay in business.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Is The Property In A Good Neighborhood

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

If you re thinking of buying a property, in Spain, it s advisable to research extensively every aspect of the purchasing procedure.



It can be a good idea to book into the local hotel, for a few nights, and get to know the pros and cons of the area. Make sure you re happy with all aspects and amenities of the location you choose. In most parts of Spain you ll find English speaking residents in the local bars and restaurants, invite them to share a drink, and they ll be only to happy to fill you in on what s what. It is important to keep in mind that a property in a resort area tough lively and with plenty to do in the summer months can become a ghost town in the winter. It s very easy to rush in and buy the first attractive property you see at the right price, only to realize later that the location isn t quite what you thought it was. Likewise a home in a rural location, is beautiful in the hot summer months but during winter, could be dreary and isolated. Take notes and photographs of the properties that appeal to you so they ll refresh your memory and stop all your viewings blurring into one.


You could feel a little cut off, it is the, so yes location that s the most important factor. View the properties as many times as you wish to make sure you re totally satisfied with all aspects of the property and keep in mind the following ten questions: Am I 100% happy with the property? Is the area too built up or isolated? Do I like the location? Are the pubs and clubs too near or too far? Are there English speaking neighbors close by. Is the property in a good neighborhood?


Are there shops, restaurants etc, hotels. nearby? How far am I from airports and train stations? 1Am I getting good value for money? Are there any problems with telephone and broadband connection? Over a short space of time you ll view an extensive amount of properties. Always keep your original budget and type of property you want and stick with it. You can be very easily tempted to extend your price bit by bit( for that extra room, bigger garden or second balcony) and before you realize it you re 10, 000 euro to 20, or more, 000 euro, above your budget. Hopefully before long you will have selected a property which suits your needs and budget.


Next it s the job of the solicitor to carry out a detailed investigation of the property. Before you sign any document hire an English speaking solicitor, give them the details and address of the property. There will be a full check that the property, ie. correct planning permission, that there are no outstanding debts on the property( if there are, you could end up responsible for them) and that everything is legal and above board. This contract will describe in detail the type of property, amount of rooms, dimensions and the fittings and fixtures being left in the property. When you finally select the property you wish to purchase, the first stage of the buying process is to sign a Reservation Agreement and you pay 1- 2% of the purchase price, the vendor will then withdraw the property from the market. when your solicitor has completed his searches and informs you that all s well you then pay a further 10% deposit on signing the Sale and Purchase contract, which you and the vendor sign. On completion day, the vendor and, you both solicitors sign the final contracts in the local Notary s office and the remainder of the purchase price and title deeds are exchanged. I hope the above tips will help you in your search for your dream home, just remember to keep your feet firmly on the ground and not to be waylaid into buying something that could become a" Pain in Spain! " Happy house hunting!


The legal fees can cost you about 10% of the purchase price, on a property, for example costing 100, 000 euro expect to pay the following extra fees: 7000 euro Purchase Tax. 300 euro Land Registry. 500 euro Notary s Fee. 1000 euro solicitor s fee.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Another Way To Find A Loan Officer Is To Talk To Your Current Bank

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

One of the important steps in buying Florida Real Estate is finding a loan officer. A Loan Officer will be with you from the moment you pre- qualify or apply for a loan, all the way up until closing on your Florida Real Estate, so it would be beneficial to you to choose a Loan Officer who will be working to help you sincerely.



Besides having to know where to look for one, other than perhaps in the telephone directory or in the yellow pages, comes the heavy responsibility of choosing one who will help you find the right kind of loan to fit your Florida Real Estate buying needs. After all, this person will not only have your personal information, like how much money you make and your credit score, but will also be evaluating your credit habits during the typical couple of months during the loan process. Let's start by looking at some of the criteria you might want in a Loan Officer to help you finance your Florida Real Estate. Shouldn' t you have one whom you can trust? Honest. An honest Loan Officer is one who will be up- front with you regarding your debt to income ratios, credit score, your interest rate, mortgage payment, and even how much your down payment should be. No one likes being told one thing, then a completely different thing later.


Even more than just simple honesty, you even should consider a Loan Officer who will tell you how it is. Helpful. For example, if you have too many credit cards with too many open limits on them, then a Loan Officer should make you aware of the risk that carries when trying to get the lowest possible interest rate available from the mortgage company's underwriter. A Loan Officer should not only be honest, but should be sincerely helpful, too. Your Loan Officer should even help you think of areas that may help your ability to get a loan that you may have not even considered, like figuring into your income the once per year bonus you get. Your Loan Officer should be able to suggest ways you can increase your chances of getting a loan or lowering your interest rate, and point out areas of strengths in your financial profile you can capitalize on. Simplify.


A good Loan Officer should provide you with a checklist of everything you' ll need to fill out the loan application, any documentation you will need to provide to them, or a list of things you will need at closing. Getting your Florida Real Estate financed is hard enough without you having to worry about whether you have everything you need, or if there will be some last minute paperwork you' ll have to scramble around to fill out. They will also have some tips for you on how to make the entire process easier. A Loan Officer should be available to you should you have any questions regarding your mortgage application or details you need to know. Available. It is extremely stressful to get a mortgage, especially if it's your first time.


The stress only becomes amplified if the Loan Officer is not available to help you with your concerns or questions. But even veteran applicants get stressed. So how do you start the process? Because your Florida Real Estate Agent has your best interest in mind by wanting to make sure you' re a satisfied customer, you can be sure that your Florida Real Estate Agent isn' t going to steer you in the wrong direction. If you already are interested in a home from Affordable Florida Homes, then your Florida Real Estate Agent can suggest a few loan officers they have worked with in the past. Besides, who better than you Florida Real Estate Agent to know your financing needs other than yourself?


Chances are very good that your bank either handles mortgages, or can certainly point you in the right direction. Another way to find a Loan Officer is to talk to your current bank. Many banks give its customers incentives to keep their money all in one place, so you could easily check with your bank and see what they have to offer. Many times, they either currently have or have dealt with a Loan Officer in the past that they trust, and can recommend one to you. Talk to your friends and family. They can give you details regarding what they liked or didn' t like.


There is usually no better information that word of mouth, and your friends and family will be happy to tell you about their experiences. Ways that the Loan Officer made their mortgage application painless or how scary it was. Whether you' re looking to finance your first piece of Florida Real Estate or your tenth, you need a good, trustworthy Loan Officer.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Take Your Time To Have The Vacation Villa Carefully Inspected By A Professional

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Investing in a vacation villa is a very exciting way to ensure you can come back to the charming place you like to hang out whenever you want. However, it is very important that you take your time to purchase the right vacation villa for your needs.



You will never have to deal with not finding the right accommodations when you want to go on vacation because you will own yours. Don' t be pressured into it by a fast talker that is telling you he has three other people ready to buy it if you don' t. You will have to pay for the inspection out of your own pocket but it will be well worth it. Take your time to have the vacation villa carefully inspected by a professional. If you don' t get the opportunity to see the vacation villa before you buy it you aren' t going to be sure of what you are getting. You really need to be able to get into the villa and check it out before you spend money in it. You may have seen pictures of it but remember that they likely show the very best angles of the villa.


If this isn' t possible then send someone to take detailed pictures of it for you. If you are a private person you may not be happy with a vacation villa that is in the middle of ongoing activities. The location of your vacation villa is important, not only physically but the environment. If you love the beach though you may not be happy with one that doesn' t offer you a wonderful view of it while you are on vacation. You will be surprised how often there are hidden fees in there for brokers or other items that you weren' t aware of. Once you have decided on the vacation villa of your choice, carefully read all the information.


They don' t have to verbally disclose all this information to you as long as it is written in the contract. Investing in a vacation villa offers you the chance to stop throwing your money away when you travel to your favorite destination. It is a good idea to have a legal adviser look it over for you as well before you sign it. You will be able to see your investment continue to grow as the property increases in value. The internet is a great place to find out about the various vacation villas for sale in the location you are interested in.