Real Estate Recession and Military Base Closures - The BRAC

By M Siddique 

Gudrun and Tcat have discussed the market cycles and in quite a few of our pieces, how down trends in the real estate market are spotty, and not uniform. We found what for some is a real crystal ball! It is called The BRAC. This rather large tome may help you figure out is your market experiencing or about to experience a real estate recession? It turns out many builders look at The BRAC to figure out where to build new construction.

Certainly, are quite a number of factors to consider before even coming up with a probably yes or probably no real estate recession in your market. There are no definitive this or that methods of prediction. It's not a matter of just "reading the tea leaves" either. If you happen to be in an area containing one of the thousands of military bases, "The BRAC" can be a major clue to real estate boom or real estate recession. In this short article we'll take a look at what's that means.

The BRAC is actually an acronym from the United States government. BRAC is short for "Base Realignment and Closure". This is a fancy term coming from the Department of Defense (DoD) which tells you in a high likelihood, what side of the coin you are going to be on. Let's give an example.

We have mentioned to you on several occasions that an area that is doing well is Huntsville, Alabama. So unless you're a student of history, have business in that area or live in that area, you probably have little to no idea where Huntsville is or why is it hopping?

Huntsville is in the middle of Alabama, featuring one of the older mountain ranges in the United States. Now granted. Gudrun knows more about the geography of Germany than I do. When we were touring Huntsville. I mention to her. My understanding is that Godard had picked hear to live and work, because it reminded him of the Black Forest in Europe.

She agreed that the rocky limestone mountains and vegetation in the forest was quite similar. Sidebar, for those of you who don't know Got hard. He was literally, a rocket scientist snapped up by the USA at the end of the second world war to work on missiles and space exploration. So what does all this have to do with The BRAC? Well it turns out, just about everything.

NASA has a complex it runs in Huntsville. Makes sense. They use rockets too. Redstone Arsenal for the United States Army, is there as well. So what does this all have to do with the BRAC, You may be repeating.

As the world and technology has changed, so has military requirements. The bottom-line is, the Department of Defense is consolidating bases. If you're not familiar in the reading of management speak (sometimes called Sanskrit) --- consolidating bases means were closing up a bunch of bases. As in: kaput, gone, closed, good-bye.

As many military families live off base, along with 100% of the civilian support personnel and contractors, a base closure is highly likely to cause a real estate recession in your area. So what's up with Huntsville? Well it turns out that the remaining duties from the bases and installations that are closed still have to have something happen somewhere.

In this case it means: Huntsville wins! So of course, finding even empty land to develop on in Huntsville is a daunting challenge to say the least. Naturally of course than existing housing prices are on a solid upswing. However. Before the entire state of Alabama begins to cheer, we would like to point out the other side of the coin for Alabama.

Page 35 of the 2005 BRAC, updated in April 2007. The first listing for Army, State of Alabama. Abbott USARC in Tuskegee, Alabama. It says: "estimated completion date for all closure or realignment actions: May 1 2010".

Think that might cause a bit of a downturn in housing prices for Tuskegee? Of course, this is not the only closure happening. However, some are a little bit luckier than others. Looking at page 40 of the BRAC we see:

Faith Wing USARC Anniston, AL is about to suffer the same fate however, careful study of this BRAC entry reveals that while the closure will be complete. 1 July 2011, FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency - Department of Homeland Security will be stepping in with a "Anticipated Transfer Date" of 1 September 2011. So a recession hitting this city is far less likely.

All in all, the BRAC weighs in at 1835 pages.

Perhaps now you can see how many factors can go into a real estate boom or bust in United States. We want to thank, J.C. Newark, California for writing in and asking why can be so difficult to figure out why some markets are sinking, while others are swimming.

Come on! It's dark, stuffy and hot inside this little box of electronics. Not only that, we cannot hear you when you talk to us. Follow J.C.'s lead and send either of us an e-mail to tell us what topics you would like to hear about.

Siddique is real estate investor for over 22 years and President of http://www.butterflylister.com - Download Free How to sell your Home for Full Price in any market. feedback@ButterflyLister.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Siddique

What Real Estate Really Needs Right Now Is Some Certainty

By Carl Johnson

What we really need right now is some certainty. There are just too many question marks in the minds of buyers today. The housing market is down and no one is sure where the turnaround is, the stock market is lacking direction, interest rates are uncertain and people are worried about fuel prices. Unfortunately, the media does a very good job of highlighting bad news and reinforcing uncertainty.

Anyone who has read my report for a while knows that I am not one to spin the data. But I would like to take this month's report to look at the positive facts.

So lets look at what we know.

Unemployment in the state for the first quarter was at 3.7% and only slightly worse than last year (3.5%). Much better than our neighbor to the south, Massachusetts, at 5%. Employment has been fairly consistent over the past couple of years. Although the figures are nice to look at, I think at times it is better to consider how people feel about their job situation. Based on the people with whom I have spoken, I would say that not many are worried about their job. That's pretty positive.

To illustrate the strange effect we are seeing in this market where job security is high, we can look at what is happening with prices. The average price per square foot of a home sold was down 4% from last year yet the average selling price was down only 1% from a year ago. So it seems that as the prices of homes come down, people are buying more house. Perhaps it is a slightly larger home (The average size of a home sold in Q2 was 2,333 sf, the highest of any quarter since 2001!) or it has more features. The fact is, buyers are able to afford homes and show a willingness to spend the money to get what they want. Again, this would not happen in a poor economy!

We also know that the time that a sold home was on the market came down this month (128 days) and sold closer to its asking price (within 2.5%). Sellers seem to have adjusted to the real estate situation and have lowered their asking price. The homes that are well priced are selling.

I find it hard to look at this market and be pessimistic. True, we are clearly in a buyers market with a 9.6 month supply of homes. (a 6 month supply is considered balanced) But we had a very hot market up until late 2005. Though it was a lot of fun while it lasted we are only just getting back to a more realistic and, hopefully, sustainable market. Now if we could only get the news media to report more realistically I think we would be in much better shape.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Market Notables:

• Single family home sales in July were down 19% from July 2006.






• Single family home sales YTD through July of 2007 are down 8.6% from 2006.






• The number of homes placed under contract in July were up 10% from last month (unusual for the time of year) and up 12% from July 2006.






• The number of single family homes on the market was up 3.3% in June 2007 versus 2006. This further increases seller competition.






• The average price of homes sold in July was nearly unchanged (-1%) from a year ago at ~$388,000.






• The average price per square foot of a home sold in July is $169/sf . Down ~4% from a year ago.






• The number of days it took to sell a home that sold in July was 128 days. Unchanged from July 2006.

For complete reports delivered to you each month go to Homes and Land in NH with all the information you need to buy or sell you home. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Johnson

Why Agents Need a Viable Website!

By Mack Perry

While many agents are finding times to be more stressful and earning a living in real estate has become more difficult, there are ways to succeed in today's marketplace. The most prominent way to succeed in today's environment is through a visible website. In the past, agents would have a website for the primary purpose of being able to state to a prospective client that they had one. The other agent's had a site, so in order to compete on a level playing field you had to have one also. Those days are gone.

Not only do you have to have a website but it had better be visible and be found on the search engines like Google, MSN, and Yahoo. The days of "my son knows how to build a site, so I'm going to let him do it" are also gone. To compete in today's marketplace, a viable real estate website must be optimized for the search engines. In doing this the key phrases that generate traffic to the site can be found. This is what generates the leads required to produce income so that agents can survive.

Search engine traffic to your site is "Type-In Traffic". What is meant by that? Simply stated, a visitor to your site typed a phrase into the search query of one of the search engines and the results page leads them to your site. There are a few important benefits to this kind of traffic. First off the visitor came to you. Should they elect to contact you, they contacted you! Remember the do-not-call list? If they contact you and you in turn follow up with them you have not violated the do-not-call list. Another benefit of the prospect contacting you would be that when you do your follow up it will not be considered spam. Heaven only knows how we have all come to despise spam. The final benefit that will be mentioned here deals with ROI. We are all business people that must be concerned with our return on investment. That's right, return on investment. By having a well optimized site, we as REALTORS can realize a decent return on our investment which in turn will reduce some of the stress associated with the environment we are doing business in.

This article was written by Mack Perry, an Atlanta, GA REALTOR. His website can be viewed at http://www.mackperryhomes.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mack_Perry

A New Year In The Real Estate Market

By Joe El Sheikh

As median home prices for middle America fall again and the holidays approach to stress us out even more, home sellers have to start looking for other options for the New Year. Tons of people are stuck in their depreciating homes that they thought would once be a good investment. Everyday we seem to feel the pain of the housing market and hear words like recession. So what can we do as the new year is about to begin? How about planning the future of your home?

There are a couple things that I mean by planning the future of your home. First would be to try and put as much time and effort in it in order to get it sold for a price your willing to accept. A lot of people don't really try to fix up their homes. They put more effort in showing their home then actually taking a step back and making it look nice for the interested buyers out there. There isn't much to do about the real estate market anymore. I hate to be the glass is half full type but real estate goes through trends and most of these trends take a while to happen. So the best idea would be to prepare for when things actually turn around in the future and not settle by selling your home at a lower price and losing money on your investment.

As time rolls on and your house looks better and better, the next step would be making your home visible in the market. Try not to lower your home to other prices in the same neighborhood. You have to remember how much nicer your home is compared to every other especially with all the work you put into it. You are not just selling a roof with walls, you are selling the comfort and beauty of a new house to someone. The look and features you have upgraded in your home will play a huge role in getting it sold.

After you are satisfied with the renovations, you can get your home listed in other ways than just through a realtor and get much needed additional exposure. The more exposure you give your home, the more potential buyers are going to walk in. The idea would be to make your home better than all the rest. It is now a buyers' market but in the future, the market will turn and become more of a sellers' market. So when it picks up again, try to be the first one out of the gate and show home buyers that your house is better than all the rest.

Postzillo.com is a nationwide post for free classifieds. Add listings for your car, home, business, jobs, and more, all for free! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_El_Sheikh

Tis The Season For Real Estate

By Karim El Sheikh

As we get ready for all the holidays to come and plan a much needed vacation to spend with our families, let us not forget about real estate in the New Year. As the market completely collapsed this year, we look for the light at the end of the tunnel in real estate. Whether you are trying to sell your home and reach some financial stability or are eager to buy into a new property, the beginning of 2008 will bring some of the light you have been waiting for. So for those of you looking for some gift ideas, I thought I might shed some light of my own on what your gift to yourself and your family could really be.

As you are searching the Net, bumping into people at the malls, and turning through pages of catalogs for an idea for someone that is in the market for a change in their home, why not buy something that has to do with their sprucing up their home. Not just anything for their home, such as pots and pans or a new pepper grinder, but maybe something that can help put a sparkle on their existing homestead and could interest those buyers to come in the future.

Curb appeal is probably the number #1 seller when it comes to homes. Everyone needs that immediate first impression to get their mind set rolling on the idea of owning that property. So why not give the gift of some curb appeal or any kind of appeal for that matter. There are tons of gifts that might help the look of a home whether inside or out, such as a fountain, outdoor furniture, plants, or even some indoor decor, or better yet a gift card from a home improvement store, these types of things will really help that person out when the holiday season ends and they are back to selling their home again.

By getting gifts for someone's home you can help in getting them off on the right foot just in time for the New Year and the real estate buying season. Before you know it, the holidays will be over and everyone will be back to the grind but with that idea of a new beginning in their heads. For most, that new beginning will be real estate and buying or selling their property. So start someone off on the right foot by giving gifts that could really give them a push in the New Year in hopes of selling their home before everyone else.

Stay on top of the For Sale By Owner market by checking out some FSBO Real Estate Education. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karim_El_Sheikh

Why Choose A Realtor?

By Jason Siscilli 

While many people prefer to sell their homes themselves, and avoid giving a Realtor® commission fees, the truth is, selling a home is a challenging thing to do, and a professional Realtor® has a lot of benefits.

For starters, certified agents have a huge network of resources at their disposal to help them sell homes. They may already have clients already looking for a home. They will definitely have access to online and other networking markets, making it easy for them to promote, even internationally, a home that goes up for sale. Frequently, agents also have a network of other agents with whom they share resources. So choosing a professional agent isn't like getting just anyone to try to sell your home. It's a specialized profession for a reason.

Due to their experience in the field, a Realtor® might have some extremely valuable advice that will help sell a home faster, or for more money, than a lay-person may have been able to do on their own. For example, many agents know a lot of tricks about home staging, a technique proven to frequently create higher and quicker sales.

Not only that, they can recommend people to help with any renovations or fix-ups a home may need. When a service-person gets referred by a Realtor® again and again, they are highly likely to give a good rate to those using their services as a result. Plus, the Realtor's experience with them proves that they are the best-otherwise someone whose reputation and livelihood was on the line (an agent) wouldn't be using them in the homes they are selling.

Finally, some sales just don't go smoothly. Depending on the property for sale and the people involved, clauses and loopholes can create confusion. There are a number of legal requirements that must be met in a home sale. There is also a lot of paperwork. A Realtor® knows what they are and can easily guide one through the process.

Also, remember that when a home is up for sale, lots of people might inquire about it, and even want to see it, whether they are serious about buying or not. A Realtor® can take responsibility for not only showing your home, but also weeding out the pre-qualified buyers from those that are just browsing. This can save a seller lots of time.

So while it may be painful to imagine giving a percentage of your precious equity away to a Realtor®, remember that it is an important service that is being provided. Most agents charge fair rates for the amount of time and effort they put into selling your home. And remember, an agent may be able to get you a higher sale anyway, in which case there's more in your pocket in the long run anyway.

Jason Sisilli and the Marin County real estate team. Visit their MarinDreamHouse site for help finding a Marin County Realtor. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Siscilli

Not All Realtors Are Created Equally

By Marie Delci 

It's true, not all Realtors are the same. Not only does personality influence our decision of which agent to choose, so do some more practical matters, such as their commission rate, level of experience and area of specialty. Since the Realtor / client relationship is so important, it pays to take your time and choose the best one.

Most Realtors specialize in a local area, and many also specialize in a type of housing market. Be it condos or equestrian property, it is likely you will find a Realtor in your area of interest that knows all about one specific part of the market, but less about another part of it. If you can determine ahead of time what their specialty is, you'll be able to find the agent that best suits your needs.

Further, while only a fully licensed agent can technically call themselves a Realtor, some are more motivated than others to update their education on a regular basis. Many agents post their resume or education history on their website. If you look it over, you will be able to tell if they have taken any upgrading courses lately. With new technologies developing in marketing and other aspects of real estate on a regular basis, a good Realtor will take a class every year or so to keep them up to date with the times. You really don't want anything less in a Realtor.

Finally, there can be quite a bit of variance in what percentage of a sale that a Realtor takes for their commission. Of course, whether you are buying or selling, you want as little of the price to go to a Realtor. But don't let this be your bottom line. It is more important to find someone highly skilled, knowledgeable in the area you want to buy or sell in, and whose personality you enjoy, rather than just find the cheapest agent. That said, some of the lower commission Realtors are excellent, and choose to charge less commission because they strive for fairness in the industry, and those are noble qualities.

The key to finding a good real estate agent is to do your research.

Electronic Appraiser, the online home appraisal company. Visit them for help assessing home values, and also to find and compare Realtors®, free. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marie_Delci

Scope of Cyber Cities and Cyber Parks in Haryana

By Vinay Choubey 

In the present era of Science and Technology, the working techniques of all fields of the economy are changing very fastly. Advancement in computer technology, automation through remote control system, expansion in the science of communication and software development have brought revolution in modernizing every sphere of the economy.

In town planning profession, this revolution has given birth to colonies of Cyber Cities and Cyber Parks to accommodate the working spaces of highly specialized professionals who requires a special pollution free air-conditioned environment associated with high-level physical and communication infrastructure. The colonies of cyber cities, cyber parks and Information Technology Parks are developed to provide floor spaces to companies engaged in software development activities and Information Technology enabled services.

The software development and information technology enabled services are carried out in virus and dust free air conditioned environment through sophisticated computers of high precision wherein scientific data is processed and analyzed through high speed processors and servers having hyperlinks of signals communicated through global satellites and Radar Net work system. In order to create special environment for the sustaining of working atmosphere of highly specialized professionals, a high quality infrastructure associated with well-landscaped and attractive surroundings is developed around all buildings of cyber cities and cyber parks.

Data processing and analyzing through high speed computers attached with global satellites and Radar Net Work and settling the scientific issues through video conferencings and personal meetings among professionals is a continuous process of all units of cyber cities and cyber parks. The Haryana State has a special privilege of being located very close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Foreign Embassies located at New Delhi due to which the professionals of Cyber Cities and cyber Parks are being facilitated to have their frequent meetings with their counter parts with other countries of the world.

The pollution free environment conceived in Gurgaon Development Plan cupped with availability of high level infrastructure is the main reason for the polarization of international level Cyber Parks and Cyber cities at Gurgaon. Today, Gurgaon has become the main choice of all Multi National Companies for the aforesaid purposes. The other towns of Haryana state particularly the towns located within National Capital Region and District Headquarters Towns located on National Highways and Railway Tracks are equally potential for the development of Cyber Cities and Cyber Parks.

In order to have planned development of Cyber Cities and Cyber Parks, the Haryana Govt. has formulated town planning norms and has also laid down the procedures for obtaining licenses for such Cities and Parks under the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975, the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963 and Development Plans published under the said Act. For obtaining complete knowledge relating to all issues of selection of sites, documents required for licensing, planning parameters, licensing procedure, licensing fee and development charges etc. study of "Haryana Town Planning Guide" and "Development Plans of related towns" which are available at this site is recommended.

Vinay Choubey SEO Manager For more details on Cyber Citeis and Cyber Parks in Haryana visit www.townplanning.in Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vinay_Choubey

Property Development For Profit

By Chris Rowlands 

Buying a house in order to sell for a profit has become quite popular thanks to the plethora of property shows on British TV. Is it really as easy as they make it seem?

If you're lucky you can make a profit on almost any property if you are willing to sit it out and wait for the market to rise around you. However if you're after a quicker profit you need to be a little more cunning.

Buying a property to sell for a profit is quite achievable if you're willing to put some time and effort into it. Firstly you will need to buy a property that sits at a price far below the average for the surrounding area. This will usually be a home in need of modernisation and this can vary from property that needs major structural repair to homes that simply need bringing up to date with new décor, fixtures and fittings. You should avoid the former if you intend to make a profit as this type of property can consume a budget surprisingly quickly.

You may find making use of a home improvements company cost effective on large scale projects, especially if you intend to manage the project whilst maintaining a full time job.

To make the process a little easier I've split it into 4 sections which will target the key areas of renovating a property for profit.

1. Finding a property to develop

Firstly you will need to find the property, you should pick a target area in which to search for property or you can simply look in the area surrounding your own home. If you can spot an area on the up in terms of popularity you may be able to take advantage of the ensuing rise in property prices.

A good way to pick up a bargain is to purchase the property at auction. You should be careful to at least view the property from the outside if possible before bidding to ensure you are not buying a major renovation project.

The best type of property to pick up is one that is simply in need of some modernisation and it can be quite easy to find homes that have been left with their original 60's or 70's décor (beware the dreaded artex plaster that can seemingly adorn every surface of these properties). You will usually need to replace the bathroom and kitchen fittings and bring the décor up to a more modern standard. You may find the layout slightly unusually in properties of this age and a small amount of rearranging may be required to increase functionality.

2. Planning

Once you have found and purchased the property you will need to put into place a plan of action before you start anything. If the project is a little more large scale you should employ an architect as you will usually find this service more than pays for itself.

You should always set aside a contingency fund as you never know what unexpected costs may arise. You should set a budget for all areas of the renovation including; building works and materials, kitchen and bathrooms, decoration, carpets and flooring (an area many forget), garden (if applicable) and mortgage and solicitors costs.

Before deciding this you should work out how much you can sell the property for once completed and factor this into your estimations. How much profit you make depends on how much work you are willing to put into the property yourself.

Remember if you can add an extra bedroom or bathroom to a property you will usually increase the value of the property quite significantly. It is best to look at similar property in the area with these additions to see how much extra they are selling for before you make a decision. Adding a loft conversion can add up to 30% but can be almost as costly in some cases.

You may wish to enlist an advanced property solutions company to achieve a high quality of workmanship in key areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. Paying a little extra in the beginning may be quite cost effective in the long run if it helps to achieve that all important sale.

3. Keeping it simple

A key element of property developing is to keep it simple, you should never apply your own taste in décor to the property and it is important to remember not to get too emotionally attached to the property. This has been the downfall of many a new property developer. Remember, you want the property to appeal to a wide market so the décor should remain neutral but smart to allow the viewer to mentally place their own stamp upon it.

Decorating a room in a colour or style that you are fond of is certainly the wrong way to go. You may like it but will everyone else? It is best to keep reminding yourself that this is not your home. Be careful not to get carried away buying gadgets that you've always wanted like that multi-room sound system, you might think it's brilliant but will it really add that much onto the properties price tag? The answer is usually no. You need to think of your potential purchaser, is the property ideal for a first time buyer, would it suit a young professional person or is it a large family property? You should tailor your décor and fittings to the correct market. What use will a 3 bedroom house with only a shower be to a family with three children? You need to keep your potential buyer in mind at all times.

4. Kitchens and bathrooms

The kitchen and bathrooms are a key selling point in any property, you can have the best finish possible but if you add a poorly fitted kitchen you will lose your potential buyer as soon as they've walked into the room.

The kitchen is the hub of most family homes; you should seek a professional finish with practicality being of the utmost importance. You don't have to spend a lot of money to achieve a good finish, as long as your kitchen units and work surface are modern and neutral you should be fine.

You may find it more cost effective to bring in kitchen fitters to achieve the professional look. In the long run it can work out to your advantage and they will able to help you make the best use of the space you have.

This is also true of the bathroom; this room can make or break a sale if the buyer does not like the style or fittings. You should always try to keep the bathrooms in a property modern and neutral; any way of creating a sense of more space is always a good thing. An addition such as a separate shower unit can give the room that extra usability and appeal without compromising on too much space but should only be installed if the bathroom can easily accommodate it.

As a good rule of thumb you should have at least one bathroom for every three bedrooms in a property. If you can add an on-suite or cloaks room this will increase the price you can ask for the property but should not cause any rooms to become small and impractical.

If you follow the above advice you should find the process of renovating a property a little easier. Above all remember to keep things simple and maintain a neutral and modern décor to appeal to a wider range of buyers.

Using a home improvements company can help achieve a professional finish to a property. An advanced property solutions company can usually offer much in the way of home improvement and can serve as kitchen fitters or install a new bathroom to name but a few of their varied services. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Rowlands

Real Estate 101 - What to Tell Your Realtor

By Eric Bramlett 

"Making the decision to finally purchase a home is one of the most exciting moments in your life. At the same time, it can be quite confusing and even overwhelming as you try to make the best decisions for your financial future. One way to make the process go much smoother and to alleviate your fears is to hire a real estate agent that is on the same page as you and that knows what you are looking for.

In order to make sure you are on the same page as your real estate agent, communication is key. After all, you cannot expect the real estate agent to simply know what type of home you are looking for or to understand your needs. Therefore, before you enter into any agreements or begin the house hunting process, there are several things you should tell your real estate agent.

Consider Your Long Term Plans

When making your home purchase, you should have some kind of idea of your long term plans. Of course, life doesn't always happen the way we expect and these plans might change, but you still want to make a real estate purchase that is in line with your current goals. For example, if you will only be living in the home for five years and are hoping to sell it for a substantial profit when you are ready to move, you might want to look at different real estate than what you would look at if you are planning to live in the home until after your young children have graduated from high school.

Express Your Needs

When discussing your ideal home with your real estate agent, you need to take care to thoroughly express your needs. For example, if you currently have kids or are planning to have children in the near future, you will likely want to purchase a home that is in a good school district. On the other hand, if you are a retired couple that enjoys taking walks in the park, you should communicate this to your real estate agent so he or she can look for homes that are near to community parks.

The more you communicate about your family, your lifestyle, and your hobbies, the better your real estate agent will be capable of finding a home that is well suited to you. Although your real estate agent is not a mind reader, many are quite good at understanding the needs of their clients based on this type of information. In fact, your real estate agent may be able to make some suggestions that you hadn't even considered while dreaming of your future home.

The more you communicate to your real estate agent, the better he or she will be able to pick out properties that will be suited to your needs. At the same time, if you notice that your agent is selecting homes that are nothing like what you are looking for, be sure to communicate this to your agent as well. Similarly, as you walk through homes with the agent, be certain to point out the features that you like and do not like. These little "hints" will help the agent get better in tune with what you are looking for in your dream home."

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time...he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric's Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company's website. Downtown Austin Condos & Lofts Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Bramlett

The Bubble is Not in Second Home Real Estate

By Bob Waun 

The Bubble?

Some recent media would lead readers to believe that the housing market may never recover. That people will stop desiring to own real estate in America. Prices will fall, and fall, and fall some more - intrinsic value is Zero. The end is here, now.

Media has dramatized the entire U.S. real estate market as 'overheated', 'a bubble bursting' and in a free fall. No seasoned industry participants believed that housing prices could rise at double-digit rates forever, but is it a bubble bursting and destroying home equity as we know it?

Even conservative economists point out that there are only pockets of 'froth', people still want and need housing. Our population is growing, and more people will need more homes. In rare-air vacation markets, where appreciation has skyrocketed, the supply is restrained by environment and demand numbers keep growing, and not just from U.S. demand. Foreign buyers with strong and presently appreciating currencies are buying our vacation properties too, adding to the boom in these markets. A boom that has been hardly affected by the greater domestic housing market slow down.

Real estate is above all a local market, and speaking of it in broad strokes will always lead to mis-calculations and missed opportunities. Real estate appreciation has not been red-hot all across America. In fact, many mature U.S. real estate markets are soft, measured in real (inflation adjusted) terms they may even have been declining in value over the last 8 years. But media has a hard time making a 0.3% home appreciation rate in the industrial Midwest news. The 28% gains in once rural or underdeveloped areas of Arizona or Florida is exciting headline news, just as the subsequent double digit declines in sales figures will make exciting news stories.

These figures mean very little to the true value of real estate. If sales volumes drop, values may or may not fall, but the news will be the same sour song, a down market. Property is a long-term investment and should not be measured by short-term headline grabbing events.

Consider the long-term macro-economic forces that have begun affecting our country's real estate markets. Midwestern populations are migrating to sunny, Southern and Western States at increasing rates, by purchasing future primary residences. The trend is evident, but quiet, because many Northerners are maintaining two residences for the time being. But will there be a mass exodus when the bulk of boomers retire? Is the real story not the over heated markets of the south and resort/second home areas but rather the future potential implosion of values in the heart land? Is the bubble actually in the markets with low appreciation rates? Or will more people decide to stay put and never make the full-time move to the Sunbelt?

What is an appreciation rate, and who is measuring these stats? The National Association of Realtors, The Federal Home Loan Bank, Fannie Mae, and The Federal Reserve all have a role in compiling the statistics. The statistics are sound, but the interpretation of their meaning can be spun so easily. It is disturbing is the lack of economic reason that seems to enter the public debate after the official statistics are released to the media. Sales volumes may slow, but this does not mean that housing is on the decline in America, it simply means that less homes were sold compared to last quarter or last year (record years).

The media announces that a home in the Southeast rose by 14% in value, Northeast by 9%, Midwest by 4% and in the West by 13%. This would lead a $100,000 homeowner in Utah to believe he gained $13,000 while the San Franciscan gained the same amount? There is no discussion of inflation adjustments, or renovation investments, or regional job or emigrant growth, all factors that might have affected the real gain. How does such a useless statistic as 'appreciation rate' even find it's way to page 12, let alone the headlines?

From a new book called: "Besting - Better Nesting" www.betternesting.com

Bob Waun is the author of a new book on this trend called: Besting http://www.betternesting.com . He is CEO of Vacation Finance, America's First Second-Home Lender http://www.vacation-finance.com and a leader in the resort and second home industries. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Waun

Real Estate 101 - The Difference Between an Agent & Broker

By Eric Bramlett 

"Many people mistakenly believe that a real estate agent and a real estate broker are the same, but this is actually untrue. While both a real estate agent and a real estate broker must undergo schooling and must pass a state real estate exam, there are some very significant differences between the two.

Considering Licensing

From a technical standpoint, the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker is the fact that they hold different licenses. In order to obtain the different licensing, a real estate broker must actually complete additional coursework beyond what a real estate agent must complete.

Although many people use the terms real estate agent and real estate broker interchangeably, a broker actually has more schooling and bears more responsibilities throughout the transaction.

Since a broker has more education and experience, real estate agents actually work beneath the broker. Therefore, a person that works as an independent realtor must be a broker as well. A real estate agency with multiple employees, however, may have only one licensed broker and several agents. While the agents will perform many of the same functions as the broker, the broker is the one that is ultimately responsible for ensuring the transaction is completed properly. In exchange for taking on this added responsibility, the broker receives a percentage of the commission the agent earns when selling a home.

The Personal Touch

When it comes to working with a real estate broker versus a real estate agent, you will probably notice little difference if you notice a difference at all. This is because agents are licensed and capable of performing the basic tasks that most buyers and sellers are interested in having completed for them. For example, if you are looking for a home, an agent can easily take you to see a variety of homes and can help you reach a deal with the seller. Similarly, if you are selling a home, a real estate agent will have access to all of the same connections as the broker he or she works for.

If you are working with an agent rather than directly with the broker, you should expect to receive the same level of service you would receive from the broker. If you are unhappy with the agent's service, however, you can contact the broker and request that another agent be assigned to you. Similarly, if you have any questions or concerns that your agent cannot seem to address, you should contact the broker in order to make sure you are on the right track with the selling or purchase of your home.

The fact that every real estate agent is backed up by a broker is somewhat of a safety net for you as a consumer. In fact, if a crisis situation arises, the success of your transaction may come down to the abilities of the broker. Therefore, when hiring an agent, be sure you are comfortable with both the agent and the broker if they are not the same person. That way, you will be guaranteed the best experience possible."

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time...he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric's Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company's website. Downtown Austin Condos & Lofts Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Bramlett

Real Estate 101 - Firing a Bad Agent

By Eric Bramlett 

"A mistake that many people make when working with a real estate agent is the belief that they need to stick with the agent once they have contacted them. While it can be more difficult to get out of a contract with a real estate agent that is helping you sell your home, you are under no obligation to work with just one real estate agent when you are looking for a home to purchase. In fact, unless you have hired a buyer's agent to help you find your home, you are perfectly within your rights to contact multiple real estate agents in order to find one that suits your needs and that you feel comfortable with.

If you have hired the agent to help you sell your home or if you have entered into a buyer's agreement, getting out of your agreement can be a bit trickier. Nonetheless, it is possible.

Signs that You Should Part Ways With Your Real Estate Agent

Sometimes, you simply won't see eye to eye with your real estate agent. If this is the case, you might need to part ways. Aside from small differences in views, you might find that you and the real estate agent simply cannot get on the same page at all. This can be a very frustrating and time-consuming experience - and it is completely unnecessary. More than likely, there is a real estate agent out there that will understand your needs and that will be more than happy to help you find what you are looking for.

If you find that you are raising your voice when talking to your real estate agent, you are probably in a bad situation. If you find yourself calling your agent bad names when you refer to him or her or if you are experiencing negative thoughts about your agent, it is time to start looking for a new agent. Similarly, if you find yourself avoiding your agent's calls or if your agent is not calling you back, you likely have a bad relationship and it would be better for both of you to part ways.

Getting Out of Your Agreements

If you have entered into a contract with your real estate agent, you should try to end the contract based on mutual consent. If the agent refuses to bow out gracefully, you might need to request the help of a lawyer. Ideally, before you ever signed the contract, you should have checked on the agent's policies for canceling the contract. Most reputable real estate agents will allow you to end the contract if you are unhappy with their services.

If you have entered into a listing agreement, you can ask the real estate agent to cancel the listing. If he or she refuses, contact the grocer and request a cancellation. If the broker will not cancel the listing, you can at least ask for a different agent. In most cases, however, the broker will allow you to get out of the listing because refusal to do so can scar his or her reputation. If the broker continues to refuse, let him or her know that you will be contacting a real estate lawyer for termination assistance. In many cases, just the threat of a lawyer is enough to get the broker to back down. "

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time...he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric's Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company's website. Downtown Austin Condos & Lofts Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Bramlett

Real Estate 101 - Choosing The Right Agent to Meet Your Needs

By Eric Bramlett 

"If you hope to have a smooth experience that results in the real estate purchase you are looking for, it is important to take the time to select the best real estate agent for your needs. Although all real estate agents are capable of helping you complete your real estate purchase, there are certain agents that are better suited for certain types of purchases. Similarly, there are a few signs to watch for that will indicate whether or not you have a quality real estate agent at your side.

Consider Your Purpose

When selecting the real estate agent for you, it is important to consider the type of real estate you intend to purchase. For example, if you are interested in purchasing an apartment complex as an investment purchase, it is generally better to work with a real estate agent that specializes in selling these types of properties. Of course, you can use a real estate agent that deals mostly with selling homes, but one that specializes in the type of property you are looking for is more likely to have the types of connections you need to purchase the type of property you are looking for.

Consider Qualifications

While it is fine to work with a real estate agent, you should look for someone that is a real estate broker or a licensed realtor. An agent that is a member of the National Association of Realtors will have a displayed REALTORS® logo that will let you know that he or she has achieved this licensure. It is important to look for someone that is certified by the National Association of Realtors because this means the agent has pledged to follow a Code of Ethics that holds them to a higher standard than what is required by law.

Consider Referrals

Of course, it doesn't matter how many great qualifications the real estate agent has if he or she does not work hard for clients. Therefore, it is always a good idea to listen to referrals from other people. If someone you know had a good experience with a particular real estate agent, the chances are pretty good that you will have a good experience with that agent as well. Remember, good real estate agents stay in business because they have satisfied clients - give your business to someone with a proven track record.

Do Your Research

If you don't know someone that can refer a great real estate agent to you, you are going to have to do a bit of research. A good place to start your research is on the Internet. Visit the web sites of various real estate agents and get an idea of the types of services they provide. Look up the profiles of the real estate agents in order to get a better idea of their qualifications and experience. A site that contains customer testimonials is a good start as well - read the testimonials in order to get an idea of what other people are saying about the agent before making your final decision."

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time...he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric's Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company's website. Downtown Austin Condos & Lofts Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Bramlett

Tips for Selecting a Great Real Estate Contractor

By Eric Bramlett 

"When you decide to build a home rather than to buy a home or when you make the decision to remodel the home that you already have, you most likely intend to get the job done with the help of contractor. Unfortunately, contractors have earned a somewhat bad reputation as some have failed to live up to their contracts or provide the quality of work homeowners expect when they buy their services. In order to keep yourself from being disappointed by your contractor, it is important that you follow these simple tips.

Tip #1: Ask Your Friends and Family

The single best way to select a contractor is to ask around. If your friends or family members have worked with a contractor that did a good job for them, you should put that contractor high on your list. The more recently the friend or family member hired a contract to work on their real estate the better. After all, if a contractor just did a great job a few months ago, he or she is likely to still be able to provide the same level of service.

Tip #2: Check References

Of course, you may not know anyone that has recently purchased real estate or that did any remodeling to their homes. If this is the case, you won't have much of a starting point when choosing a contractor. Therefore, it is essential that you check the references provided by the contractor. Ideally, you should check into references for jobs that are completed as well as for jobs that are in progress. This way, you can check out the real estate in varying levels of completion in order to determine the quality of the work.

Before you buy the services of a contractor, you should also talk with some of the references. Ask the references important questions, such as:

• How well did the contractor stay on schedule?
• How happy were you with your real estate when the job was completed?
• Did you feel as if the contractor listened to you when you ran into a problem?
• Were your concerns easily resolved?

Talking with past clients is an excellent way to get an idea of the type of work the contractor does as well as his level of commitment to customer satisfaction.

Tip #3: Check the Contractor's License

If you are going to buy the services of a contractor, you certainly want someone that is properly educated in the craft. Before you sign a contract and buy the materials for the job, check with your Contractors State License Board in your state. By checking with the board, you can confirm that the contractor is licensed and you can also find out the areas of specialty in which the contractor is licensed.

When checking on licensing, ask the contractor for his or her pocket license as well as another form of identification. Then, check the license against the other form of identification in order to make sure the names match up. Since it is illegal for a contractor to use another contractor's license, a reputable contractor will have matching identification.

Tip #4: Make Sure the Contractor is Insured

As the buyer, you shouldn't be expected to buy insurance to cover the job. Rather, the contractor should have insurance in place. Check to make sure the contractor is insured against property damage, worker's compensation, and personal liability. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance to verify coverage as this will protect you if something goes wrong while on the job.

Deciding to buy real estate in order to build your own home or to remodel your current home is an exciting time in your life. Make sure you do your homework before selecting a contractor in order to prevent your dream from turning into a nightmare."

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time...he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric's Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company's website. Downtown Austin Condos & Lofts Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Bramlett

The Best Real Estate Purchase in a lifetime of Great Decisions

By Bob Waun 

Harvey and I met on a ski lift last January in Aspen. It was my 5-day ski trip, as I was basking in the sunlight and snowfall, I asked him "where do you live?" He said Aspen was his home. I explained how much I loved his town, and that I could not believe how expense the housing was (last season they crested $2,000 per square in values, one of the most expensive markets in the USA).

Harvey explained to me he had owned and ran a successful business, that he had done well for himself and his family, but he made one financial decision in his life that far out reached all his other decisions. "In 1970 I inherited a little money, and borrowed as much as I could and bought a $300,000 home in Aspen, I saw it as an investment in my family's enjoyment. Never really thought about the money, other than the expense." He went on to explain that today this home was worth over $5 million, and he had long since paid off the original mortgage. That he was financially secure because of this single decision.

I asked why wouldn't he sell it, and move to a lesser home down the road, pocket the cash - invest it? He explained for the remainder of the ride up Ajax Mountain that he was tempted many times to do just that, but then "he wouldn't get to do this everyday."

This is an expert from a new book: 'Besting - Better Nesting' www.betternesting.com that shares similar stories of boomers who have invested in second homes and new forms of vacation ownership like condo hotel, fractional, private residence clubs and are benefiting from the experience.

Bob Waun is the author of a new book on this trend called: Besting http://www.betternesting.com . He is CEO of Vacation Finance, America's First Second-Home Lender and a leader in the resort and second home industries. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Waun

What Your Real Estate Agent Knows That You Don't

By Eric Bramlett 

"When you make the decision to sell your home, you are under no obligation to hire a real estate agent or broker to help you with the sale. Nonetheless, most people prefer to hire a real estate agent in order to better protect themselves and in order to put themselves in a better position to successfully sell the home in a short amount of time.

When you hire a real estate agent, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge that will help keep you out of trouble and will help provide for a smooth transaction. Here are just a few things that your real estate agent knows that you probably do not.

The Federal Fair Housing Act

According to the Federal Fair Housing Act, you cannot discriminate against someone when selling a home. The act defines seven different classes that are protected against discrimination, these include:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Sex
• Religion
• Handicap
• Familial status

If you do not enlist in the help of a real estate agent, you put yourself at risk of violating this act if you refuse to sell your home to an interested buyer. In addition, you might even accidentally violate these laws without realizing it. For example, there are certain words that cannot be included in your advertisements for your home because they are in violation of the Fair Housing Laws. Some of these words include:

• Bachelor apartment
• Children welcome
• Couples
• Gentleman's Farm
• Golden Agers
• Handicapped
• Integrated
• Married
• Mature
• Mother-in-Law quarters
• Professional
• Section 8
• Seniors
• Singles only
• Sports-minded

As you can see, some of these terms seem perfectly innocent. Therefore, it is a good idea to get the help of a real estate agent so you can tap into his or her knowledge and experience in order to stay out of trouble.

State Real Estate Laws

Although there are similarities in real estate laws from one state to the next, each state has its own set of rules that must be followed. If you do not understand these laws or are unaware of these laws, you can inadvertently break the law when selling your home. In addition, by not being fully aware of your seller's rights, you might actually lose out on money during the transaction.

Taking Advantage of Connections

Aside from legal matters, a real estate agent simply has a vast number of connections that makes it possible to sell a home more quickly and for a higher asking price. Similarly, since people come to real estate agents when searching for homes, you are able to tap into a much larger market of interested buyers when you get the help of a real estate agent.

Since a real estate agent has experience with selling homes, he or she can also provide you with tips to help increase the market value of your home and to make the process go by more quickly. For example, small things such as painting a room a different color can go a long way when it comes to increasing the appeal of the home. By taking advantage of the realtor's expertise, you just might have a much more profitable selling experience."

Eric Bramlett is the Broker and co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin Texas. He has seen considerable success in real estate, and looks forward to many more years in the business. Eric currently invests, renovates, and develops real estate in the Greater Austin Texas Market. He spends his time working with select clients, helps his new agents get started in their real estate careers, helps his experienced agents progress their careers to the next level, & when he has time...he takes his dogs to the lake. Visit Eric's Austin Texas Real Estate Guide & visit his Austin Texas Real Estate company's website. Downtown Austin Condos & Lofts. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Bramlett

Common Mistakes of Commercial Real Estate Investors

By Anthony Seruga and Yolly Bishop 

Are you considering getting involved in commercial real estate investing as a career? If so, then there are some things that you are going to want to learn how to avoid. You'll want to try to avoid the common mistakes and you'll also want to be sure that you know the important things to do when you are involved in commercial real estate investing. Sure, more than likely you still may make a few mistakes along the way, but the more you learn about investing, the more likely you will be to avoid all of those common mistakes.

Things to Do
When you are involved in commercial real estate investing, there are some things that you will need to remember to do all the time. The following are a few of the things you need to remember to do when you start investing in commercial real estate.

Always Investigate the Deal - Before you close a commercial real estate deal, it is important that you take the time to investigate the deal. This will mean that you have to take the time to do due diligence on any piece of property that you consider investing in. Never think that you can get by without doing your due diligence, or you may end up on the wrong end of a bad deal.

Learn From the Mistakes of Others - No doubt you want to avoid making mistakes yourself when you are involved in commercial real estate investing, so be sure that you learn from the mistakes of other people. When you see another investor do something wrong, remember it and learn from it so you avoid making the same mistake.

Learn from Bad Experiences - If you do make a mistake, which is very possible when you first get started, make sure that you learn from your bad experience so that the experience was not in vain.

Know How Long You Can Wait for a Payout - You will also need to be sure that you know how long you are going to be able to wait before you actually get a payout on the investment you make. Make sure you have a realistic estimate on how long you can really wait, or you may end up having problems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid
Of course while there are many things that you need to remember to do when you get involved in commercial real estate investing, there are also some common mistakes that you will want to learn about so you can avoid them. The following are some of the most common mistakes that commercial real estate investors make. Learn them well so you can avoid making them yourself.

Mistake #1 - Ignoring Market Conditions in Your Area - One of the biggest mistakes that can be made in commercial real estate investing in ignoring the local market conditions. Even if you invest in a great property, if you do it in a bad market, then you can really lose money. However, on the other hand, even a bad property in the right market can really make you money as well.

Mistake #2 - Not Doing Proper Due Diligence - Another common mistake that some people make when they are involved in commercial real estate investing, is not taking the time to do proper due diligence. Usually it is best to hire professionals to help you with this job, since it can end up being more expensive if you try to do it on your own and you do it the wrong way.

Mistake #3 - Borrowing Too Much - If you really want to end up in a disaster, borrowing too much money is a mistake that will definitely lead you right there. You should never borrow too much money unless you are sure you will have the capital to pay it off. Remember that when you invest, you at least need to break even, or you'll lose money. Of course the goal is to be sure that you actually make money on the investment.

Mistake #4 - Not Having Good Exit Strategies - Too many people have found out the hard way that you must have good exit strategies when involved in commercial real estate investing. Be sure that you have strategies for exiting in a variety of different situations. Without multiple exit strategies, you may end up stuck in a deal that you don't really want.

Mistake #5 - Dealing with Bad Partners - While in many cases the deal or the property can be the problem, in other cases, a bad partner can actually be the problem. If you get involved with a bad partner, it can mean disaster for your commercial real estate deal. In some cases you may just want to get out of the partnership as soon as possible.

Mistake #6 - Taking Risks that are Too High - It is actually possible to take a risk that is too high, which is called overreaching. Going for the big deals too soon can also be a huge mistake. Sure, at some point the big deals will probably come to you, be sure that you don't overreach towards them and end up in trouble.

Mistake #7 - Having More Land Than Cash - Many investors have found themselves making the mistake of having more land than they have cash to actually cover. If you have many properties at one time and you're trying to use the gains you get for one to cover what you are losing on another, then you may never get out of this cycle. Get rid of problem properties immediately, even it if seems difficult to do. Then, take your time and focus on the properties that will allow you to make the maximum amount of profit.

All of these mistakes are very common. Hopefully you can learn from them so you avoid making them yourself. However, it is important that you remember that even if you accidentally make a mistake and get involved in a bad investment, there will be ways that you can bounce back and learn from those mistakes in the future.

Anthony Seruga and Yolly Bishop of Maverick Real Estate Investments, Inc. work with builders, developers and other players in the commercial real estate industry to acquire and develop properties. They use progressive investment strategies that have proved extremely profitable. In addition to their own deals, they teach both seasoned and inexperienced investors how to be big players in the game. Visit the website for more info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Seruga

Use, Location And Market Timing

By Luigi Frascati 

At minimum, a Realtor always must ensure that the Client has an understanding of whatever interest he/she wants in a real estate asset and the character that particular interest might include in the wide range of real estate asset types. Real estate transactions range from simple purchases of single-family dwellings to more elaborate types of transactions, such as leasing of office, retail or warehousing space to acquisition of real estate assets in liquidation.

The value any talented real estate agent can add goes well beyond the standard of care Clients are entitled to expect, which is the knowledge or competency element of such transactions. Real "value add" derives from the structural elements that flow from experience and counselling. A good agent does not simply warn a client on what he cannot do; the key is how to deal with problems and still fulfill the Client's objectives. Take negotiating an offer, for instance: only rarely are problems insurmountable, especially in a world like real estate where flexibility almost always provides more than one approach.

A good beginning in a Realtor-Client relationship, once the issue of agency has been defined and explained, is always to ask questions and listen to the answers carefully. All experienced Realtors realize that Clients may not frame a deal in particular terms, may not reveal immediately - whether unwillingly or otherwise - exactly what is that they are looking for, may not even know, in fact, what is that they want. Therefore sorting out the various elements such as prices, rent, type of real property asset, selling, leasing, financing and many similar details may not be provided in any particular sequence, or at all. Many good agents are quite talented at the "extraction" of information early on in a clear and useful manner.

One major determination is the purpose of the Client's representation. For instance, it is very different to act on behalf of a corporation seeking to lease space in an office building as compared to a developer with a vision for building value, and how to realize it in a fairly short time horizon. But no matter what, the three old elements of value in real estate - use, location and market timing - apply to almost every transaction.

To appreciate the importance of these three elements one must first realize that real estate is the single most fundamental asset of value worldwide, and it has always been. Land and its potential uses as a resource - for agriculture, grazing, actual occupancy, access to minerals for extraction, access to water, transportation and so forth - has been fought over since Biblical times.

The real value tied up in land is inherent to its use, location and market timing, not merely its existence.

Economics is very concerned with real immovable property and rules like the one regarding its valuation and disposition, and obligations accrueing to its owners. In economic terms, real property consists of some natural capital (land per se) and infrastructural capital (buildings and improvements). Land use and land management practices have a major impact on natural resources including water, soil, nutrients, plants and animals. Land use information can be used to develop solutions for natural resource management issues such as salinity and water quality. For instance, water bodies in a region that has been deforested or having erosion will have different water quality than those in areas that are forested.

According to a report by FAO, land degradation has been exacerbated where there has been an absence of any land use planning, or of its orderly execution, or the existence of financial or legal incentives that have led to the wrong land use decisions, or one-sided central planning leading to over-utilization of the land resources - for instance for immediate production at all costs. As a consequence the result has often been misery for large segments of the local population and destruction of valuable ecosystems.

Such narrow approaches should be replaced by a technique for the planning and management of land resources that is integrated and holistic and where land users are central. This will ensure the long-term quality of the land for human use, the prevention or resolution of social conflicts related to land use, and the conservation of ecosystems of high biodiversity value.

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC. Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luigi_Frascati

Alpharetta Real Estate - The Premiere Atlanta Suburb

By R. Ward 

The City of Alpharetta, which is located about 20 miles to the north of Downtown Atlanta continues be the premiere suburb for Atlanta real estate. Alpharetta has long been favored for the fantastic public schools and conscientious use of public space for parks and beautification projects. Now Alpharetta has broken the mold of the typical suburb again with projects in the works that will make it feel like its own cultural and shopping center destinations, continuing its independence from Atlanta. Part of the success and popularity realized also lies in its ability to maintain a small town charm and combining it with the sophistication of larger metropolitan areas. Alpharetta real estate benefits from these projects as well as the excellent schools, low crime and numerous parks.

The exciting new projects include a revitalized downtown district with a new mixed use development known as The Alpharetta City Center. This development will combine retail stores and condominium living, embracing the same lifestyle found in another area of Atlanta at Atlantic Station. From a cultural perspective, Alpharetta is in the process of developing Encore Park, an outdoor amphitheater similar to the one located at Chastain Park which will be run by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and will play host to a summer pop concert series as well as events performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Finally, Milton Park, another mixed use development, will combine single family homes, condos and townhomes with the high end Stanbury Residences along with numerous high end shops rivaling anything offered in other areas of Atlanta's shopping districts. Parks and recreation have always been very high on the list of priorities for homeowners and Alpharetta does not fail its residents here. Alpharetta is recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City and parks such as the Big Park Greenway and Wills park, which is complete with an equestrian center and city pool, along with new park projects and numerous smaller parks offer residents something to do all year around.

These new developments, along with the parks and recreation department will make Alpharetta real estate the premiere suburb of Atlanta for years to come. Combined with a responsive city government with a AAA bond rating, nationally recognized emergency service which allow for lower homeowners insurance, conscientious and liberal use of public space as parks and excellent public education and you have all of the ingredients that make Alpharetta a great place to call home.

Ryan Ward of the Ryan Ward Real Estate Team is a member of the national, state and local REALTOR associations, and resident of Alpharetta, Georgia who specializes in listing and selling real estate in Atlanta. For more information about Ryan Ward and Alpharetta homes, visit his Alpharetta Real Estate website or call 404-630-3187. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Ward

Real Estate Transactions Without All The Paperwork

By Christian Jacobsen 

Going paperless is a dream for many busy real estate agents, but until recently it was an intimidating prospect. However, new digital laws and creative real estate technology companies are helping make the switch less intimidating, and Realtors who've been ready for years can now leave paper behind, affordable. Without stacks of documents to move from place to place, real estate transactions are much faster and more economical. Many agents and investors working without paper can close more deals simply because they have more time - that kind of progress bodes well for the industry as a whole.

The road to a paperless real estate industry in the U.S. began in 2000, with the legalization of electronic signatures. While most real estate agencies, government branches, and investors lacked the technology to sign things digitally at that point, it was important legal hurdle that enabled many industries to look at paperless transaction methods. By the end of 2005, more than 60 counties (the primary storage point for real estate records) across the nation had developed electronic records management systems and that number has continued to increase steadily. Other government steps toward paperless real estate have included the Uniform Real Property Electronic Act, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

Mortgage companies have also played a role in the switch to paperless real estate. In recent years the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization has implemented many standards for electronic mortgages, which have been followed by lenders across the nation

With those two cornerstones in place the paperless real estate industry has been able to grow freely. Real estate title companies that have existed for decades are now offering paperless transaction closing services attracting thousands of new clients each year. All a Realtor has to do to get a paperless transaction started is fax or scan an original document and send it to the paperless transaction company. Once the paper has been digitized (usually to a secure website), paperless management companies enable both agents and investors to access the document and make changes as the closing draws near.

It may be easier than you think to liberate yourself from paper, and free up more time for your real estate business.

Utahpropertyfinder.com has a variety of resources to help you buy and sell Salt Lake City Utah homes for sale. The site includes area information, details on buying and selling services, a custom property search, so you can compare prices on Salt Lake City real estate. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Jacobsen