How Are Real Estate Agents Paid

In Illinois, all real estate agents must be licensed under a sponsoring broker. That sponsoring broker, either an individual or a company, is the only entity that can directly receive income, whether fees or commissions, from the public for conducting real estate transactions. Agents are compensated for income producing activities by their broker.

While an agent may be an employee of the broker, most agents in Illinois work as independent contractors and are paid by commission. This requires, by License Law, an independent contractor agreement between the agent and broker specifying what each will provide to the other and under what terms. Such an agreement provides some tax benefits to both, although probably more to the broker, and allows somewhat more freedom to the agent than would an employment agreement. As an independent contractor the agent is responsible for his/her own taxes and social security liability and nothing is withheld from the commission payments.

There are several models for broker/agent compensation plans, but the most common is some sort of commission split schedule. In some plans, the agent may have a monthly fee payable (desk fee) to the office in return for a set commission split on all agent generated business. Most of the franchise companies (Prudential, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, etc.) use graduated commission schedules where the agent's split is based on the agent's level of production, although some may also offer desk fee arrangements.

The majority of brokers are members of a Multiple Listing Service through which they offer to share earned commission with other broker members who cooperate in the sale. Most transactions have two sides with a listing broker and selling broker, as well as agents working under each. If an agent is on the listing side (on a 50/50 split agreement) and another agent brings in an acceptable offer, the earned commission would be split four ways:

Sale: $300,000

Agreed Commission: 5%

Amount: $15,000

50% to Selling Broker: $7,500. (split with Selling Agent)

Amount to Listing Broker: $7,500.

50/50 Split: $3,750 to Listing Agent

Typically, as the agent production increases, perhaps on an annual basis, his/her split will advance. While it is common to see productive agents on 70% or more splits, it's important to remember that the sponsoring company needs operating capital and some profit to continue in business. On a commission split program the sponsoring broker will usually bear the cost of rent, secretaries, phones and utilities, company advertising, maintenance, and office equipment to allow the agent to do business with only minimal out of pocket expense. Agent expenses will include things like Realtor® Association fees, local board dues, MLS fees, automobile expense, insurance (usually including a professional liability policy: Errors and Omissions), and individual business promotion expenses.

http://www.prudentcareers.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Cromie

How a Small Mistake Can Cost You a Fortune As a Real Estate Investor

Admit it: One of the main reasons you pulled the trigger on a Real Estate investing career is because of the potential you saw to pull cash in hand over fist over the next year or two as the market works its way through the pile of foreclosed properties. There's nothing wrong with wanting to secure your future and give notice to your boss that he or she will have to learn to get by without you. If you're going to do that, though, you'll have to get an education in real estate investing - and avoid some of the little mistakes that can cost you a fortune.

Some of the gurus like to stand up on the stage and go on and on about how they made mistakes on their way to overwhelming success, and there's no doubt that they're right. Where some of them go wrong is by wasting time giving a long-winded explanation about some huge, complicated mistake that nearly cost them the shirts off their backs.

Big mistakes are bad.

But it's little mistakes that can kill you.

For instance, assuming that all you need to succeed as a Real Estate investor is the little real estate investment course you bought after watching a guru's infomercial late one night when you were too lazy to stand up and walk the three feet to where you left the remote control. Admit it: They talked a good game and they got you - hook, line, and sinker.

The opportunity they told you about is real.

But a little bit of information and a lot of happy crappy isn't enough to make you rich. That little mistake could cost you more than you realize. It might just cause you to lose faith in your dream of real estate riches.

If you want good vibrations, drink Sunkist. If you want explosive Real Estate investing profits, get a real education. Learn more than just a brief overview or outline of real estate investing techniques, because the ability to make big money in real estate centers around how much you know, what you can do, and how you can do it. It doesn't hurt to be motivated to get started, but without a fully loaded arsenal of practical real estate investing knowledge, your options are as limited as your chances of true success.

If at least part of your education in real estate investing doesn't include learning how to actually do a subject to transaction or other common real estate investing techniques, you may as well be marching off to war with some cream cheese icing and an electric mixer instead of a weapon. My point is that when you're trying to invest in real estate you have to know how to do these simple transactions.

little mistake that could cost you a bundle in lost time and current, as well as future, profits, is the thought that a good mentor won't bring enough to the table to be worth the investment.

Not a good thought.

A good mentor can tell you a lot. Like some of the ways he or she managed to lose money in real estate investing. There are hundreds of ways you can structure real estate transactions that could have you whistling all the way to the bank. Unfortunately, there are thousands of ways to lose money in real estate. A mentor can fill you in on some of the gory details that could cost you an arm and a leg.

There are also little tips and tricks you could learn from a mentor that might take you years to learn on your own. Like knowing when to shut up when negotiating with a distressed property owner. In certain situations, your natural inclination will be to fill an uncomfortable silence with small talk or idle chatter.

Did you know that if you would just lean back in your chair and shut your mouth the seller might just concede your point, accept your offer, and you could strut out of their house with a signed agreement in your hand - an agreement that could put tens of thousands of dollars into your pocket?

Little mistakes like these can be reminders that knowledge and experience are critical to your success as a real estate investor. And lacking knowledge and the good judgment that could be passed on to you by a good - or even great - mentor are key ingredients in investing failure.

I know it's only money, but wouldn't you rather it be all the little things you do right that adds thousands to your bottom line rather than a bunch of little mistakes that wind up costing you a deal - or your dreams?

Go ahead, start your investing career. But whatever you do, aim for huge success.

Because little mistakes really stink.

About the Author Sean Flanagan went from dead broke, living off Ramen Noodles and selling used pallets from the roadside for $20 a day, to a self made real estate multimillionaire in under 2 years time. He now shares his secrets with thousands of students across the country. He has a FREE audio course titled 7 Secrets to Making Big Bucks in a Slow Real Estate Market which you can get right now by quickly visiting http://www.yuckyhouseleads.com He also gives away a coaching program for new real estate investors where he offers a risk free trial to prove to new real estate investors how much money they can make with his program at http://www.yuckyhousesystems.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_P._Flanagan

Real Estate License

I should point out that in real life, buyers hardly enter into signed agreements with real estate agents.

Most buyers and sellers use the Internet at some point to accomplish real estate research. He same expertise that your clients seek out when they want to plan a savings account for their child"s education, formulate a retirement plan, or protect the value of their estate.

Estate protect

Many home buyers are not abundantly educated about the coverage needed to protect a home or real estate investment. Estate planning consists of assorted actions, with almost all having three primary and oh-so-important purposes: to protect your privacy, to reduce taxes, and to make probate simple for your heirs. When you invest in real estate it is essential that you understand the types of insurance coverage that will best protect your property. We need to brief ourselves in order to protect our clients and our industry against the persistent attacks and ever-changing tactics of real estate con artists.

Estate taxes

If your parents have an estate great enough to be concerned with estate taxes, then they probably won't want to give up that annual exclusion because it would ask for that they use up that much more of their unified credit against estate and gift taxes. The client may also need to do some additional estate planning to meet other important objectives: "Avoiding probate" Reducing or eliminating estate shrinkage" Providing sufficient liquidity to cover estate settlement costs" Minimizing federal estate taxes and state death taxes" Providing for the orderly disposition of a business or professional practice"

Maintaining the family"s lifestyle and meeting other financial security objectives,To avert making mistakes, people need professional advice from a qualified attorney, trust officer, accountant or other financial advisors. Estate planning consists of many actions, with almost all having three primary and oh-so-important purposes: to protect your privacy, to reduce taxes, and to make probate simple for your heirs.

Estate planning consists of many actions, with almost all having three primary and oh-so-important purposes: to protect your privacy, to reduce taxes, and to make probate simple for your heirs. Over a period of time, your house will be transferred entirely to your son without any gift or estate taxes.

It is no secret that estate taxes can claim up to 55% of an estate that is taxable, which is no mystery why so many businesses fall into debt, become bankrupt, or are sold due to the death of the owner or partner.

Estate sales

Being an astounding sales person and entering the real estate market does not guarantee similar sales success. The second level of virtual real estate investing is buying up networks of content sites and focusing the traffic on profitable product lines, affiliate product sales, services of all kinds, and for advertising commissions. It is also important to the real estate and mortgage industries, as each sale earned could generate thousands of dollars in sales commissions.

Christopher Jackson- World Trade Marketing wtmsecured@mail2world.com USA Find real estate listings, realtors, mortgage rates, home loans, condos, town homes, home buying, find commercial property.

http://www.wtm-income.net/real-estate/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Jackson

The Truth of Real Estate Cliches

By L Eskildsen 

Ever landed on a cliché expression and wondered is there any truth to this statement? Some familiar slogan written on the bathroom walls begins to haunt you... You've heard something so many times it sounds like gibberish but for a moment, you stop to examine its origin... its potential veracity. In real estate there are many such expressions, and it's important to explore them to know what sort of truth, if any, is written on the bathroom walls... and plastered all over the internet, for that matter.

Let's begin with the most reported and repeated phrase in real estate, "Location, location, location". This is the notion that the number one selling point for any property is its location- not the house itself, but the value in the location it sits on. Now, as much as this is the most nauseatingly repeated slogan in the business, much of it stands strong and true. If a market plummets, better locations will never suffer as hard of a hit as other less desirable areas. But, it's important to qualify that along with the truth of this statement, is a contradiction. Sometimes it's better to invest "just next door" to the prime "location, location, location." Many prime neighborhoods become priced out for the average buyer, in which case what is "hot" begins to spread and the "it" location starts to take in other near-by areas.

"Price to sell", is another golden phrase you may have had to choke down in your real estate transactions. This one is certainly true. It seems obvious that you'd want to price anything at the right price in order to move it. But what is not really explored in this hiccup of a phrase, is, what is "the right price"? There are a couple situations that many sellers assume to be "the right way" to price their home. One is to price low, with the desired intent to spark a bidding war. The other idea is to price a house as high as possible- in competition with the highest home on the block.

Both these approaches hold a particular set of problems. A low priced home can have the desired effect of brewing up a feisty bidding war and garnering a winningly high sale price- but only if the market is hot, the home is in pristine condition and located in an incredibly desirable neighborhood. Oftentimes in such a situation the seller is simply stuck with a serious of low ball offers that undermine his or her expectations.

If a seller prices too high, they run the risk of the property sitting for a long time and then eventually having to cut the price down the line. None of this bodes well for the reputation of the home in the eyes of buyers agents. An overpriced home can be an instant turn-off to clients and eventually agents won't bother showing it. In the eyes of sellers, a home that has been "just reduced" begs the questions, " why reduced?.. "what's wrong with it?"

So, with pricing it's a matter of consulting an expert to get that "right price." Have your home appraised by numerous realtors and get a detailed history of what other properties in your neighborhood have sold for in the past while. From here, you can really assess how your home stacks up and what is going to be "the right price" to sell your home as quickly as possible, and for a price your happy with.

How about, "But the worst house on the best street". So again, there is a whole lot of truth buried in this repeated catch phrase. When you buy the best house on the best street, there's not a whole lot you can do to quickly leverage your investment. It's already the best house on the best street. If, however you're lucky enough to score the worst house on the best street, then your sweat equity and improvements should pay off. There is already a high constant value in the home's, "location, location, location." All you have to do is improve the property itself.

But to play devils advocate, this may not ring true if you are categorically against putting any improvement time and money into the house in question. The worst house on the street is not going to do much for you if you just sit there and do nothing. This truism, is only as true as the work you put into making lemons into lemonade- and transforming that worst house on the street into, at the very least, " no-longer the worst house on the street."

Let Leslie Eskildsen, REALTOR for Coldwell Banker Previews, help you with your Orange County real estate needs. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L_Eskildsen

Philadelphia Real Estate - Buy Or Sell

By Noah Ostroff

What is the current state of the Philadelphia Real Estate Market? Is it time to buy or time to sell? In the first quarter of 2008, employment declined by 20,385 jobs in January and February. The job losses brought about an increase in the average monthly unemployment rate from 5.8% in the first quarter to 7% for the first two months of the second quarter. Despite the job losses, the job situation still remains strong in Philadelphia County. Combined with historically low mortgage rates, home sales should continue at a strong pace. (trendmls)

According to the economic data report from trend mls, the average price for a home in Philadelphia went up to $188,000 from $184,200 in the previous quarter. Their are currently 10,194 homes on the market, with 2791 homes sold in the 1st quarter of 2008. There were also 44 new homes built, which was down a bit from last quarter where their were 87 new homes built. It is also taking a bit longer to sell a home these days, with buys having more to choose from, they are shopping around for the best deal now. The average days on the market from the time a home was listed to the time it has sold went up to 74 days from 65 days the previous quarter.

Philadelphia has not been hit as hard as some of the other major cities in the US. The Philadelphia real estate market is actually a great market right now for buyers. On a scale from 1-5 with 1 being a buyers market, and 5 being a sellers market, the Philadelphia market is ranked at a 2, which means it is a good buyers market right now. There are alot of really great deals out there and with sellers pushing their prices down to be competitive, homes are selling much faster than a year ago.

If you would like to find out more information about specific zip codes and the detailed statistics at each of the zip codes, please send an email to nostroff@cbpref.com or click here Noah Ostroff Coldwell Banker Preferred Licensed PA Realtor http://www.cbpref.com Coldwell Banker Preferred is a real estate agency specializing in residential and commercial sales for buyers and sellers in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Noah Ostroff nostroff@cbpref.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noah_Ostroff

Prudential Carolina Changes to Carolina One Real Estate

By Lee Keadle 

Prudential Carolina Real Estate, the largest real estate company in Charleston, recently changed its name to Carolina One Real Estate. The company opted not to renew its 10 year franchise agreement with Prudential which was coming up this year. The name change officially took place May 1. A month after this transition, Carolina One is still the top real estate company in Charleston and has received overwhelming support from its agents as well as its clients.

The company's 16 offices and almost 900 agents will still operate primarily the same way as before the transition. However, the company will now have more flexibility to incorporate new ideas into the local real estate market. It will also have more national and international networking opportunities, which is important since Charleston's real estate market has gained more of a global presence in the past five or so years. Getting more exposure should encourage more growth in Charleston's real estate market, which is already considered one of the top markets in the country.

Carolina One Real Estate will be affiliated with the Chicago-based Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. This network recruits real estate companies that are established and that already have a good market share within their areas. Carolina One's new network boasts 700 successful real estate companies and approximately 145,000 agents which make up 5,000 offices in 38 countries.

In a business that thrives on independence and local connections, Carolina One has made a name for itself in the Charleston real estate market by having the most closed sales of any company for the past 11 years. Carolina One has gained this position through hard work and a strong focus on customer service. Carolina One will use the good reputation it has earned along with its new affiliation to give its customers the best service possible.

Visit our Carolina One website to learn about Charleston and South Carolina real estate in general. We have all 18 of Charleston's areas, including the most popular, the Mt. Pleasant real estate market! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Keadle

Why Phoenix Real Estate is a Good Choice

By Wayne Hemrick 

For those who are relocating to Phoenix, Arizona or current residents who may be looking for a new home, the best choice is to use a reputable Phoenix real estate agency to help you find one of the Phoenix homes for sale. Attempting to locate Phoenix homes for sale without using a Phoenix real estate agency can be a frustrating and lengthy process because of all the Phoenix homes that are available on the market at any given time. One of the best reasons to contract with a Phoenix real estate agency is to make it easy for buyers to find Phoenix AZ real estate and for sellers to connect with buyers who are looking for real estate in Phoenix, Arizona.

Although it is possible to find some properties that are available directly from the sellers, most Phoenix real estate is listed with an agency in order to make the process flow smoother and to allow buyers to have access to a larger network of Phoenix homes for sale. Working with a Phoenix, Arizona real estate agent can help a seller with presenting his home to the largest community of buyers. Although newspaper advertising may work for some things a person sells, it is much more practical to sell your home through a realtor.

For the seller utilizing the services of a Phoenix, Arizona real estate agency means he does not have to do any advertising, be responsible for showing the home, or negotiating the price of the home. In fact, most real estate agencies prefer the seller to leave the home when they are selling in order to prevent the seller from providing any negative feedback to the potential buyer. Leaving everything up to a Phoenix real estate agency takes the responsibility of presenting the property from the seller to the real estate agent who is more experienced in how to secure the sale of Phoenix homes.

One of the most important things is for a buyer to work with his own Phoenix real estate instead of using the services of the listing agent. This protects the buyer because the listing agent is working in the best interest of the seller rather than the buyer. It is essential for the buyer to have someone who does not have a vested interest in the seller and therefore will work with a buyer to help him or her find the property they want. Realtors work from both the seller's and the buyer's angle which is why it is essential for a buyer to secure his own real estate agent and settlement attorney. Buying a home is the biggest investment you will make, and you want to be sure the transaction proceeds smoothly and there are no problems that may develop after the sale is closed.

Wayne Hemrick provides an intriguing look into the world of Phoenix real estate investment. For Real Estate Investors in AZ considering one of the many Phoenix homes for sale, this is a worthwhile read. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick

Real Estate Opportunities in Milwaukee, WI

By Hunter Craig 

With affordable housing and acting as home to some of America's largest companies, real estate in Milwaukee, WI may not be booming, but it is surviving.

This Lake Michigan metropolis boasts a low cost of living, great school system, numerous post-secondary institutions and magnificent cultural attractions like the Milwaukee Art Museum. If you're considering purchasing Milwaukee real estate, keep reading for more information on housing prices, demographic breakdowns, and surrounding communities.

Housing Prices in Milwaukee

Real estate in Milwaukee, WI is definitely affordable. According to MLS, the median price for homes in early 2008 hovered around $150,000 and despite the national housing market downturn, home prices may not be appreciating, but they are holding steady.

The city also boasts a cost-of-living index of 87, meaning it costs about 13% less to live in Milwaukee when compared to the national average.

Milwaukee Demographics

The population of Milwaukee is just over 600,000. However, the entire metropolitan area encompasses approximately 1.79 million residents. The median income is about $36,000 and the median age is average at 32 years old.

Milwaukee is also known for its well educated populace, particularly when compared to the national average. The workforce is highly educated, with almost 85% of residents holding a high school diploma and close to 30% holding a bachelor's degree.

The city is also home to a number of established universities and colleges like McGill University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Unfortunately, Milwaukee is a highly segregated city. According to the 2000 census, 39.5% of respondents from Milwaukee indicated African-American ancestry. In turn, the city has the second highest black male unemployment rate in the United States at 43%. The city is continuing to attempt to reduce racial tensions and decrease pronounced segregation.

Communities in the Milwaukee Area

Real estate in Milwaukee, WI goes beyond the city proper and includes such areas, towns and communities as Brookfield, Elm Grove, New Berlin, Shorewood, Waukesha and Menomonee Falls.

Commercial Real Estate Values in Milwaukee

Rated as fifth in the country for the number of Fortune 500 companies who have their headquarters in the city, Milwaukee is a surprising powerhouse of economic and commercial opportunity.

Lease rates for Milwaukee commercial real estate hovers between $15 and $16 per square foot, with sales sitting at between $150 and $200 per square foot, depending on the area. Thanks to its prevalence as a manufacturing town, the warehouse and factory space market is particularly strong, while office space can typically be found for much cheaper than the national average.

For information on exciting real estate locations, please visit realestatelocale.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning home purchase ideas, such as real estate in Milwaukee WI, Shorewood real estate, and many more! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hunter_Craig

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More Celebrity Real Estate

By Julia Vakulenko 

The Brentwood are of Los Angeles seems to be hopping these days with real estate buyers and sellers. In the last few months, several homes have been placed on the market in the Brentwood area and many of those homes have sold. Why is the Brentwood area so popular and who calls Brentwood home?

Besides being names one of the 100 best communities for young people, the Brentwood area of Los Angeles is located in one of the most comfortable year round climates in the United States. The area is filled with diversity, culture and lies in close proximity to San Francisco, Pacific Palisades and the Santa Monica Mountains. The area offers some of the best schools and despite the high ratio of celebrities to every day people, still offers fruit and veggie stands on the sides of the roads.

With all of these fantastic qualities, it is no wonder that some of the most famous people in the world call the Brentwood area home. Some of the stars who live in or near Brentwood include, Justin Timberlake, Arnold Swartzenegger, Jessica Biel, Alanis Morissette, Cindy Crawford, Helen Hunt, Ving Rhames, Britney Spears, Vanna White and even Monica Lewinsky's father.

Brentwood is not just a new phenomenon. More than 50 years ago some of the biggest stars called the Brentwood area home. Nat King Cole, Clark Gable and Joan Crawford are just three of the hundreds that have lived in this quiet, yet star studded community.

Brentwood is an exclusive area that offers a wealth of buying and selling real estate clout. But, rest assured, you will need a lot of money to move in with the stars. Properties in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles are rarely, if ever, priced under the $750,000 mark. Most of the celebrity homes are being purchased anywhere from $5 million to $15 million.

The stars come out at night in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. The top of the top, the best of the best, Brentwood has something to offer everyone famous.

Julia Vakulenko is a licensed broker associate with Tampa4U.com Realty. She has one of the hardest working Tampa Real Estate team in Florida specializing in Westchase Real Estate and also in2Va Team for Northern Virginia Real Estate. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Vakulenko

How to Generate Real Estate Leads at a Home Show

By Cole Stevens 

Local home shows are a great way to meet face-to-face with potential home buyers and current homeowners. However, you can meet, greet and hand out business cards until you're blue in the face and still not get a real, solid lead.

To learn some tips, tricks and simple methods you can use to obtain effective real estate leads at a home show, keep reading.

Don't Just Focus on Homeowners

Home shows are packed with homeowners, but they're also full of contractors, carpet cleaners, painters, mortgage brokers and other potentially useful contacts.

By building a contacts network that includes other professionals in the business, you can set yourself up for referrals, lead trade agreements and other mutually beneficial business arrangements. So, take an hour at the beginning or end of the trade show day and walk around to the other booths to introduce yourself.

Get on Speaker's Panels

One of the best ways to build leads, attract attention and set yourself up as an expert is to get yourself onto the seminars and speaker's panels that are hosted at most home trade shows.

These events tend to be popular, often filled to capacity, and they afford you a great opportunity to speak directly to an interested, captive audience. Make sure all attendees are given a copy of your business card or marketing materials, and try to take some time after the event to be available for questions and answers and one-on-one discussion.

Be an Attraction

Setting up a generic booth at a home show and sitting there is not going to attract visitors. To make your booth stand out, you need to become an attraction.

To become more of an attraction, you could hire a staging company to set up a small light setup and multimedia presentation. Additionally, you could give away free products like a USB memory key with your website on it or other inexpensive gifts to make your booth more attractive.

Generate Leads

Be sure potential clients leave your booth with something more than your business card in the hand. Make an impression on them and get their information so you can follow up afterward.

For example, you could offer free home value evaluations. This simple exercise may attract homeowners to your booth and net you their full contact information, real estate details and the comforting knowledge that you've already built a real lead who could generate business.

For valuable information on real estate agents & brokers, please visit http://www.realtorsbrokers.com, a popular site providing helpful home recommendations including, New York mortgage brokers, Milwaukee real estate agents, and many more! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cole_Stevens

Real Estate Development - Why You Shouldn't Search For Great Property Development Sites

By Adrian Zenere and Amber Zenere

We have seen so many beginning property developers go badly wrong at the very first step.

Before scouring the real estate listings to find large blocks of land for sale, there is a crucial first step. If you jump into buying a site without taking this crucial first step, you are taking a huge risk.

You see, there is no way that you can be an expert in every part of your city or state. Yet, to be truly successful as a real estate developer, you must become an expert in the area in which you develop.

Each local council is different. Each area has different public transport provision, traffic bottlenecks, noise pollution issues, local resident action groups, and any one of a dozen other differences - and all these differences are vital factors in your development site viability calculation.

We advise that you don't begin by searching for sites - but rather begin by selecting one or two area's in which you will specialize.

When we're looking for an area, we're after "a desirable location with consistently good growth". In other words, we're after an area that historically has had a minimum annual average growth of at least 10%.

The growth of an area is normally associated with supply and demand more commonly known as the "scarcity" factor. But that's by no means the end of the story. We have identified over 30 'Factors That Can Influence Real Estate Capital Growth' - here are just some that we consider:

- consistent median house price increases

- positive population growth

- high socio-economic suburbs

- high percentage of homeowners

- low unemployment

- good transport links

Once we've identified an area we undertake a detailed market analysis of the neighbourhood using our 'RED Local Market Feasibility Checklist'. Here are just some of the things we assess:

- demographics: Who is our market and what do they want?

- facilities: Are there schools, transport, shopping centres, hospitals, etc?

- gentrification: Is the suburb in transition, are people moving into the area, are people renovating, is there a café society, is it a beach suburb etc?

- infrastructure: Are there plans for new infrastructure like bypasses, new roads, new bridges, shopping centers or is council undertaking beautification?

Finally, we identify what the town planning regulations allow. Possibly even speaking to the local council planners directly - in our experience most council staff are very willing to help.

Never overlook the importance of proper research because it helps you to determine what type of dwelling is in high demand in a particular area, for example if you should be concentrating on townhouses or boutique apartment developments.

Once you have selected two or three locations which look good on paper, get familiar with the areas by driving around the suburbs, checking out what other developers are building, and then talking to a few Real Estate Agents and Property Managers. If possible, you should also attend property auctions. You want to get a feeling for what's possible, and the demand in the area.

Only when you are completely satisfied that an area stacks up, in the statistics, the ease of doing business, and in the general atmosphere, should you start the process of looking at individual development sites to purchase.

Don't get distracted by the "Bright Shiny Object" - the apparently brilliant bargain buy in an area you haven't researched. You have no idea what problems you may be buying into! Stick with the area you know, and know well, and you will have a lower-risk real estate development experience.

Adrian Zenere is a Registered Architect and Licensed Builder with over 25 years experience in the design and construction industry along with his wife Amber they have built a multi-million dollar property portfolio through Real Estate Development. Together they run their own architectural practice http://www.archizen.com.au specialising in Holistic Architecture combining eco sustainable development with feng shui principles and creating harmonious living that is respectful of our environment. Their projects are regularly featured in the Australian Property Investor, Luxury Home Design, Lifestyle Magazine, Home at Yellow and several newspapers. They are also co-founders of the Real Estate Development Club where they use their knowledge and experience to help real estate investors become successful real estate developers. To have a closer look at Adrian and Amber's entire Real Estate Development process and download your FREE REPORT visit: http://www.RealEstateDevelopmentClub.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Zenere

5 Ways for a Realtor to Avoid Buyer Burnout

By Marc Rasmussen 

1. Avoid working with buyers. You can make a lot of money if you are a good listing agent. Remember the old saying that you have to "list to last". I do not completely agree with that since most of my income the last 5 years have come from buyers. However, if you look in any market the largest producers are usually the big listing agents.

2. Qualify. Qualify. Qualify. I see way too many agents just hop in the car to go show property without really qualifying the prospect. Ask as many questions as you can get away with. Here are a few examples:

a. Are you working with an agent yet?

b. When are you looking to buy?

c. Are you paying cash or have you arranged financing yet?

d. Do you need to sell a home prior to buying?

e. How large of home do you need?

f. Do you prefer newer or older homes?

g. Have you been to (city) before? If so, what areas do you prefer?

h. Do you follow the real estate market? Do you feel we have hit bottom yet? If not, are you ok with buying at these market levels?

i. Is this an exploratory trip or will you buy if you see a home that suits your needs?

j. How long have been looking to buy a home?

You do not want to make it an interrogation so be tactful in how you ask some of these questions. I have always found that a conversation works well or ask them questions in an email with an emphasis on how these will help save them (and you) time.

Some of these questions can save you a bunch of time by finding out exactly who your client is and work them accordingly.

3. Say No. Learn to say no to people who you know are a waste of time. You are running a business and have to be efficient about your time. I would not be so strict that you can't spare 30 minutes to go show an old client a home even though you know he will not buy it. The old client may never use your services down the road.

I get requests all the time from vacationers who want to go see a few a beach front condos. After I ask them a bunch of qualifying questions it is apparent that they are not serious. Sometimes, after my questions they realize they are wasting my time and decide not to look at them. This can be a tough one sometimes because every now and then you are surprised who does buy and does not buy.

4. Show the best properties. It is not about the quantity of properties but the quality. I explain to buyers that I plan to show them the best properties and will eliminate the ones that are waste of time. Obviously, to do this you need to good market knowledge. It is hard to pick the properties that best suit your client if you do not know the market very well. Some of the buyers of my largest transactions only saw 4 or 5 properties. I sold a home in Sarasota last week with a list price of $1.695 million. They viewed 3 homes. Every personality is a little different. Some buyers need to see 30 homes before they feel comfortable pulling the trigger.

5. Educate. Educate your buyers on the market. Buyers have to be well informed before they pull the trigger. The amounf of information is different for each buyer. Be careful not to overload your buyers with too much information. They might suffer from paralysis of analysis. This goes back to learning who your client is through a number of questions. Some buyers need all of the information to buy while other only need an executive summary of the market. Figure them out and work accordingly.

At some point in the process I mention some market statistics. For example, "last month all of the properties that sold did so for about 93% of list price." This sets their expectations of the market. I weed out a lot of lookers this way because they hear all of the horrible news about Florida real estate and expect a 40%-50% from the list price.

Marc Rasmussen Realtor in Sarasota, Florida http://www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Rasmussen

Sarasota Real Estate - The Market Sees A Slight Reduction In New Home Closings

By Vanessa A. Doctor 

The residential real estate market in the Sarasota-Bradenton region, according to market analysts, began to overheat in late 2004 and 2005, and still continues to struggle because of the upsurge of speculative inventory created during that time frame. However, many say the positive news is that the market steadily reduced the level of finished vacant inventory during 2007.

The Sarasota market has seen a slight decrease in new home closings than other housing markets in the state, dropping only 14% since the peak that occurred in the second quarter of 2006, while the Tampa Bay market reported a 41% drop in closings from its first-quarter 2006. Two important demographics - retirees and foreign buyers, help to reduce the impact created by the lack of job creation, and helps to establish a more predictable level of demand.

Evaluating The Single-Family Home Closing For The Past Two Years

For the Sarasota-Bradenton area, the quarterly closings for single-family homes during the fourth quarter of 2007 tallied to 1,212 units, and represents a drop of 38.6% as compared to the 1,975 units closed during the fourth quarter of 2006. The annual closing rate was 6,492 units for the 12 months ending in December 2007, which analysts view is 13.6% less than the annual closing rate of 7,516 units tallied at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006.

Single-family home inventory, which is made up of homes undergoing construction, finished vacant units and model homes, totaled 3,890 units at the end of the fourth quarter of 2007, and represents a 7.2-month supply. The area's total housing inventory also fell by to 46.6%, as compared to the same period in 2006. The number of new homes under construction also dropped, from 2,382 units from the end of the fourth quarter of 2006 to only around 1,202 units at the end of 2007.

A Look At Lot Development Figures In This Area

Housing analysts note that the region's finished vacant inventory lessened by 31%, from 3,375 units at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006 to 2,329 units at the end of 2007. Vacant inventory also included second homes and investor homes that have not been occupied yet. A total of 684 lots were delivered to the Sarasota-Bradenton market during the forth quarter of 2007, as compared to the 2,960 lots delivered in the same period in 2006.

The inventory levels for vacant developed lots was placed at 36,967 units, which represents a drop of 3.6%, as compared to the 38,348 lots reported at the end of the same period in 2006. Housing market observers say that the inventory of vacant developed lots represents a 143.1-month supply, which is an increase of 75 months compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. While lot development in the region has slowed down considerably, lot delivery was still a bit higher than housing starts during the fourth quarter.

In light of the updated levels in both single-home closings and vacant lot inventory, the Sarasota-Bradenton region could be nearing the bottom of the market, however it will still continue to reduce inventory this year. Many regional housing analysts say that new housing starts would probably rise during the first or second quarter of the year, but will remain below new home closing levels.

Most agree that the Sarasota-Bradenton area is still a less expensive retirement haven as compared to areas like Naples, as retiring baby boomers will continue to increase demand, and whose numbers will continue to rise during the next five years.

http://siestakeyrealestate.com - Sarasota Real Estate

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor

Deciding Whether to Rent or Buy a House

By Jerry Warner 

Choosing whether you want to rent or buy a house can be a major decision, after all, there will be an expense over the years either way you go but you'll end up with vastly different circumstances depending upon which option you choose. In order to help you to make the decision, below you'll find some of the advantages and disadvantages of both renting and buying a house. Just keep in mind that this is a major decision, and that you should consider all of your options carefully before choosing the one that's best for you and your situation.

Advantages of Renting

When deciding whether you should rent or buy a house, you should consider the following advantages of rental property. In addition to being easier to find and negotiate than property that is for sale, rental property requires a much lower initial investment. There is no loan binding you to the property, and though you may have a lease for a certain period of time there is nothing else that will make you stay there after the lease has expired if you decide that you want to move. Additionally, you don't have to worry about many of the additional costs such as property taxes that are associated with property ownership.

Disadvantages of Renting

Of course, if you decide to rent instead of buy a house there will be some disadvantages that you'll encounter as well. One of the main disadvantages is the fact that while you live on the property you have no rights of ownership. Any modifications must be approved by someone else, and the property owner can often make any modifications that they wish so long as they fall within what is allowed by rental law. The money that you pay towards rent doesn't go toward a purpose such as paying off a mortgage; it's simply money that you're paying to someone else in order to stay in your home for another month.

Advantages of Buying

Obviously, if you want to rent or buy a house you should consider some of the advantages of owning the property that you'll be living on. Home ownership allows you to make all of the decisions within the law pertaining to what is and isn't allowed on your property. Additionally, you will be able to build up equity and establish your home's value should you need to take out a major loan in the future.

Disadvantages of Buying

Just like renting, buying a house has its disadvantages. While it's true that you'll be the owner of the property that you buy, you may be limited by the mortgage lender in regards to exactly what improvements or additions you make to the house until the mortgage has been repaid. You may also find that the added cost of property taxes and other home maintenance expenses is more than you were planning on; being overwhelmed by these costs can be dangerous, as it can also cause you to fall behind on your mortgage payments.

Jerry Warner writes general finance and loan articles for the Bad Credit Loans Online website at http://www.badcreditloansonline.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Warner

Why Is The Government Destroying The Housing Market?

By Kevin Morley

The Government in general and Gordon Brown in particular have done well out of the housing boom over the past decade. Stealth taxation via stamp duty and inheritance tax have enabled them to increase public spending faster than the economy has grown, while lax controls in the credit market have powered equity release to feed consumption growth in the 'spend not save' culture they have encouraged.

They readily blame the sub-prime problems in the USA for the current state of the UK housing market but we believe the real rot is much closer to home!

Northern Rock has little to do with the sub-prime debacle but everything to do with a business model the Government tells us was flawed, but which was regulated and controlled by the FSA and the Bank of England? Indeed the flawed business model they criticized Northern "Wreck's" management for, is precisely the same model they are now wrestling with. They can drop base rates but the real world is running off LIBOR, which is priced against toxic debt not political whim.

At the same time the uncontrolled inflation of house prices has encouraged off-plan investors and buy-to-lets while producing an impenetrable barrier for first time buyers. The Government has of course enjoyed dramatically higher Stamp Duty - £6.4 billion in 2006/7 - to squander on ever increasing Government (out of control) spending. When will they be made to measure the benefits achieved from their expenditure honestly and consider the costs to the economy?

Meanwhile the total lack of understanding of the new-build planning process means we are still building too few dwellings and those we are building are of the wrong type - 50 per cent flats compared with 15 per cent in 1996. Following this, new built flats are now selling at auction 26 per cent below their original selling prices while instead of building more housing starts are actually falling. As if this is not enough, their dogmatic insistence on introducing HIPS, in the face of the best advice from all stakeholders, has added insult to injury in a market already suffering from economic mismanagement over the last 10 years.

I leave you to debate whether all this is incompetence or a deliberate (but failed) attempt to micro manage one of the key drivers of the economy for political aims. Either way if the Government was a public company the senior management would be gone by now!

Quick Move Now Quick Move Now are one of the leading house buying companies in the UK. They specialize in providing a quick house sale and will buy my house. They will buy your house for 90% of its value and can turn around in 7 days. Quick Move Now Quick Move Properties Unit 15, Interface Business Park Bincknoll Lane Wootton Bassett Wiltshire SN4 8SY 0800 068 3366 http://www.quickmovenow.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Morley

The Changing Face of Indian Property Market

By Wain Roy 

With more than fifty years of independence, India is rapidly emerging with a completely new outlook. Thanks to the growing real estate industry, the impact of urban development is not only being felt in the metros but also in the satellite towns. Renowned developers are making huge investments to bring about a complete revolution in the infrastructure of major towns and cities. Shopping malls, business centers, multiplexes are cropping up in large numbers thus contributing to this trend of emerging urbanization.

Reasons for this sudden boom in the property sector can be ascribed to the return of the non-resident Indians (NRIs), who find an avenue in this sector to invest their funds. Multinational companies are also setting up their bases across the country with cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Noida, and Mumbai in the lead. Consequently, real estate in these cities has become a spectator of some drastic changes.

Gone are the days when the Indian property market used to be unorganized. With major industrial big shots investing, the property market in India is setting up new examples for itself. The support of the Government has also been highly appreciable, with introduction of new policies championing the cause of home buyers and developers. The Tata, Wadia, and Godrej group apart, the Hiranandanis have made it big in the overseas market too. This positive trend would certainly be of great help to Indian builders for bagging international projects.

Construction activities across the country certainly match international standards. However, developers are on constant lookout for introducing additional or unique features in their projects. Six screen multiplexes, shopping malls, lifestyle homes; environmental-friendly e-malls are some of the instances to name. The stress on environmental-friendly lifestyle is growing day by day, where the chief aim lies in creating a green and natural ambience. The Mumbai-based builders like Raheja and Hiranandani are responsible for some mega township projects. On the other hand, Delhi Bangalore, Gurgaon, and Vizag have shown how a sudden property boom can be brought about. Kolkata and Pune are also not lagging behind. The Avani Group, Bengal Ambuja, and the South City builders have made outstanding progress in this industry. Gera Developments and Nyati Group are some of the renowned builders of Pune.

As the Indian property sector hots up throughout the country, more and more industries would find themselves investing in the sector. Plots are available either for sale or are leased out for long periods. Property owners are having a gala time if they own a plot in a prime zone in any of the metros. For instance, one can lease property in Kolkata or set up a plot for sale in Pune with almost equal benefit. It's time now for all the traditional buildings of the colonial rule to be dismantled... new infrastructure is ready to take over!

Wain Roy is an internet marketing professional expert in various industries like real estate, web design, finance, medical tourism, pharmacy drug and plot for sale in Pune Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wain_Roy

Getting Closer To the Indian Real Estate Scenario

By Wain Roy 

The real estate market in India is experiencing its golden phase; thanks to the growing demand for infrastructure in the country. With healthy economic trends, both in the commercial and residential sectors, real estate has been successful to emerge as one of the hot favorite investment options across the country!

The commercial real estate demand in India is chiefly led by the growing services sector in the country. The Information Technology (IT) sector alone is believed to account for 150 million sq.ft. of space to conduct its operations throughout the country by the end of 2010. Another major factor contributing to the growth of commercial real estate is retailing. This industry is expected to grow beyond 25% in the coming years. With more than 50 shopping malls cropping up at the NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Ahmadabad, real estate developers are looking forward to a phenomenal growth.

The scenario in residential real estate is equally appeasing. As the Indian middle class continues to expand, the demand residential unit grows by folds. Rise of income apart, the common people are benefited by the numerous home loan schemes offered by financial institutions like SBI, ICICI, HSBC, HDFC, etc. This is indeed good news for real estate developers, who will have no dearth of customers purchase to buy new homes.

The real estate industry has evolved itself to adopt corporate style of management. The developers are also approaching capital markets to raise capital for financing their big shot projects. For instance, DLF, Ansals, Parsvnath and Omaxe introduced their Initial Public Offering (IPO) with similar projects in the pipeline.

The support of the Indian Government has been encouraging- it has allowed 100% FDI in real estate projects. Besides, big foreign companies are also investing capital to operate their projects in India. A real estate consultancy reports that around USD 10 billion of investment in likely to be conducted in the real estate industry within the next two years. In fact, buying and selling properties in the metros have become a lot easier with real estate boom across the country. You can buy property in NCR, sell property in Bangalore, or even rent property in Chennai with equal ease. The coming years awaits even more unexpected upsurge in the real estate sector across the country.

Wain Roy is an internet marketing professional expert in various industries like real estate, web design, finance, medical tourism, pharmacy drug and sell property in Bangalore Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wain_Roy

In This Home Buyer's Market Sellers and Buyers Can Win

By Keith Donald

The problems with selling homes in a home buyer's market are in the news everyday. While the politicians may think it is up to them to legislate the solutions, given a chance the market has a unique way of solving its own problems. Instead of looking to the government, mortgage lenders, or banks for help perhaps it is time to look to one another for some very simple, creative, and effective mortgage funding solutions.

This buyer's market is severely impacted by a tremendous credit crunch. One of the results is the crisis suffered by the investment bank Bear Stearns. You have probably heard by now about the buy-out of Bear Stearns by JP Morgan Chase at an astounding $2 per share. Bear Stearns' stock fell from a 2007 high of $158.39 to about $30 last Friday. The sale at $2 per share is not zero, but it is too close for comfort.

The dominoes continue to fall in what began as the sub prime mortgage crisis. Credit for everyone is much more difficult to get regardless of credit score. Underwriting guidelines typically require a 20% down payment, much lower debt to equity ratios, and six months of capital reserves. What is even more disturbing is the fact so many lenders don't have money to lend as a result of the credit crisis.

This high profile credit problem has the attention of both the private and the public financial sectors. Don't be surprised if we end up financing the recovery of the problems created by outrageous behavior by selfish and greedy individuals and businesses.

Let's quickly define the problem and a solution. Home sellers need home buyers. That is pretty simple right? When a property is for sale the normal question a buyer will ask a property seller is, "how much do you want for your property?"

In a home buyer's market like this one that is not the right question to ask. The question you must ask is, "how much is the property worth to me?" You see in a home buyer's market inventory exceeds the demand for property. In some markets the estimates are fifteen sellers for every potential home buyer.

According to the National Association Of Realtors there is enough inventory in the market right now to last ten months in the best circumstances. As you know these are not the best circumstances.

The most difficult reality to overcome for the current home sellers is the fact most properties are not as valuable as they may have thought. In truth a property value is determined by market demand, not by how much you owe. While it may be true that a property is not likely to have zero value, if it doesn't sell within an acceptable time frame, is there much difference? If you can't cash in when you need to, the value may as well be zero.

Home sellers need home buyers. In a market like this one there is tremendous emotional turmoil when a house or property gets no traffic, no interest, and no offers to buy. When a prospective home buyer makes an offer to purchase your property, that is a very good thing. At least you have a starting point towards the sale of your property.

It is extremely important for the seller to understand there are many ways to sell your property. In most cases it will be either a cash sale or a terms sale. If you expect a "cash" sale, be prepared to discount your sale price. How much of a discount depends on your situation. Consider the location, condition, and price of your property.

If you need debt relief and a full price sale, you can expect to structure some sort of "terms" sale. This arrangement will get you closer to top dollar for your property, but it will take a little more time to cash out.

A clear understanding of what your particular circumstances are will make it much easier for you to effectively negotiate for the sale of your property. It is not as simple as running comps, establishing a value, and adding on to the sale price to cover ancillary costs.

Lots of properties are over financed, or worth less than the mortgage balance. That is a major reason why Bear Stearns was sold for $2 per share. Too many mortgage backed securities have inflated property values. By contrast, too many foreclosures are deflating property values.

The property seller must have a clear understanding of what your objectives are relative to the sale. This will help you determine whether a "cash" or "terms" sale provides the best solution for your situation.

The property buyer must make sure your financial home work has been done effectively. This is a great time to determine how much you can afford to invest in home ownership. Work the numbers, and be sure to make arrangements for savings and investment funds in your cash flow projections. If you don't how will you be able to handle unexpected emergencies?

If you have resources that allow you to offer both a "cash" solution and a "terms" solution, that would be ideal. If not, simply make a well researched and constructed offer to purchase the property.

If you are a potential home buyer, this is the perfect time for you to find the property you really want, to organize your resources, to make an offer that is almost impossible to refuse. Every offer needs to be considered by the property seller. The lenders are intimately familiar with the problems in the housing market. Taking more properties back in foreclosure will not solve their problems. Getting properties sold will solve the problems of everyone involved. Home buyers this is your time. Take advantage of it.

Copyright © | 2008 | TDO Properties, LLC | All Rights Reserved

Keith Donald is a professional in private real estate financing. He will consult individuals and small businesses in structuring private paper transactions and turning private paper assets into cash. Mr. Donald is available to assist you with the creation, purchase, and sale of real estate notes. He can be contacted at: E-mail: http://www.Cash-Now-Seller-Financing.com/contactus.html Web Site: http://www.Cash-Now-Seller-Financing.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Donald

SEO and Real Estate Companies Helping Each Other in Progress

By Jron C. Magcale 

Real Estate marketing has gone from papers to cyberspace, as the internet gives the real estate market a significant boost to its surroundings. It is a rather common thing that the internet becomes a tool on marketing, given the power that it offers to the market, internet reaches everywhere, not just locally but worldwide. It serves as a great source of information for anything that goes around the web, real estate like everyone else relies on the internet as well. Believe it or not it is the best source nowadays. Right now real estate websites have point their guns to the internet market. As they try everything from blogging to advertising and now the growing popularity of SEO or Search Engine Optimization have draw some real estate market attention.

SEO now has become a reliable partner for real estate marketing that is making an entrance in the internet marketing craze. As they try to be a big help to gain search engine visibility and website popularity. The basic thought of a search engine optimization company is that they exchange links from other website to gain traffic and gain a spot at the top page of search engines such as Google and Yahoo! This paves way to the advertising and marketing front of real estate that is now become a popular and in-demand trend. The SEO techniques are now being utilized to be some kind of a useful tool for internet marketing.

A number of big time real estate companies have teamed up with SEO companies to gain the advantage in the real estate market. They are gaining the edge that the technology is offering us. Now, the demand to it has been big and the people who invest in the market prove otherwise. The SEO companies give a strong impression on giving the real estate companies the added plus for internet marketing, thus giving them an overall edge on their market. A great deal of help in information has been the root on this tandem as they both help each other in their line of business. With the growing trend of internet marketing it is a more of a demand than anything else because it provides big help.

The big dogs of real estate and SEO have been trying to create a bigger trend that in time will be more productive and useful for both markets. The reason behind its success is the related help that it gives and contributes to their respective economies, Real Estate for its market and SEO for its business, they both need each other to succeed in the tech biz because they are both gunning for the consumer's attraction.

Jron Magcale

http://jump2top.com

Jron c. Magcale from Jump2Top - SEO Company Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jron_C._Magcale

Blogging for Real Estate Marketing Brings Out Great Ideas

By Jron C. Magcale 

Common knowledge dictates that technology offers so much to our daily lives that it gives us the given advantage that helps us in many different ways, be it on our home, school, work etc. Technology is equals to innovations, and innovations give us advantage and advantage gives us edge. For more than a decade now the internet has been a huge tool for our lives works, everything is in the internet, even the slightest of information can be found there. Everything can be found in the internet nowadays. Pictures, movies, articles, tips and everything that involves information, it has been a valuable tool and now even in Real Estate marketing it plays a big part and gives the experts the edge on giving the home buyers seeking for much needed information options.

Real estate marketing using blogging, has been the latest trend among real estate experts. For those who are guarding the real estate progress now opts on making blogs about the market which have done wonders for it. Now, information about your local market is visible in blogs. So how does blogs help the marketing for real estate anyway? Well, if you are an internet enthusiast you'll know what role blogs play in the World Wide Web, you'll be surprised how much information goes into blogs. Everything now is being blogged, different topics in assortment of ways; blogs have been an important part of getting information nowadays. There are so many blog sites that have surfaced to cater the needs of bloggers.

In real estate marketing, the help that blogs gives to investors and realtors is significant, because blogs gives away everything when it comes to information, tips, numbers, stats, news, personal comments, overviews, reviews, everything name it. What makes it so great is that the fact that it came from a personal point of view, it comes to personal comments so you know there is no sugar coating. What makes it better is that there no restrictions so people who blogs about the market tells what they really feel with full honesty. It marketing it gives the home buyers important information regarding their needs, which makes it a bonus for people if they can get tips and some helpful facts.

Real estate marketing using blogging plays very significant role on realtors and investors, so more and more people blog about the business because they know that if they blog it will reach out to many people and if many people knows they will be aware of it and it will stem to reach more people to get a taste of the information that is laid out in blogs. Right now blogging acts as advertisement as well, it is now the base of internet-based marketing and it's still growing. It is just nice to have such innovation that helps the market and the people as well.

Jron Magcale

http://realestatepr.org

Jron c. Magcale from Jump2Top - SEO Company Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jron_C._Magcale

Real Estate Appraisals 101 - A Simple Guide for Everyone

By John Marsden

Even though this seems obvious, a definition is a good place to start with such an important topic.

A real estate appraisal is a process to determine the value of a home or other property for pretty much one of three reasons:

1. A potential borrower wants to borrow money against the value of a property.






2. A person wants to buy or sell a house or other property.






3. Someone is involved in a family situation (such as executing a will) and they need to determine a property value.

The person who actually makes the valuation of the property is an appraiser, state licensed and regulated, trained, and experienced in real estate in the area where the property is located.

There is a big difference in appraisers, based on their training, experience, and attention to detail. The opinion of value in an appraisal report is an estimated fair market value. In other words this is the price a normal buyer would expect to pay a normal seller for the home if it were for sale. The appraiser uses local market information to arrive at this opinion of value.

Real estate appraisals are conducted for commercial, residential, and industrial properties, including leased agricultural trust lands, but for most people, what they really need is a valuation for a home. they want to be able to buy one or sell one or borrow against one.

Real estate appraisals are used for buying and selling while an insurance value appraisal is for determining insurance coverage amounts. And while there is often a degree of mystery in how they are conducted, real estate appraisals are a necessary step in the property buying process. There is a lot of confusion out there regarding the truth about appraisals.

Real estate appraisals are the next best thing to having your own private real estate assistant and when you are looking for one, reputation is everything. Without using an appraiser with a great reputation, you always run the risk of having your property over or under valued. While this might seem like a great deal at the time, when it comes to your property and your finances, you really only want the truth.

A real estate appraisal gives you a professional view of how much someone will offer or ask for a property in your area. With true professional appraisers, you will not only learn about the valuation methods used in your appraisal, but also understand what that value means in the specific situation for which you need the valuation.

Reputable appraisers will share all the information they have obtained with you and will go out of their way to watch out for the best interests of all the parties involved in the transaction. Reputable appraisers will not take sides in any negotiations because the truth is their reputation rests upon yours and the real estate agents referrals. In my personal experience, a professional reputable appraiser is worth usually double or triple the fee they receive, making their service one of the best bargains in the real estate world.

And the best of the best will answer any question you have, honestly, truthfully and in language you can understand.

John Marsden is an internet real estate writer and investor who lives in the Palm Springs area. Whenever he needs the services of a Certified Real Estate Appraiser he always calls on Gregory Carver, the best of the best who has conducted many a Coachella Valley Appraisal and is ready to show you the same great service John has enjoyed. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Marsden