| |
| |
|
Real Estate Information |
|
|
|
How to Research and Purchase a Good Investment Property
How much do you really know about investment property? Accurate research and professional expertise applied to the purchase of an investment property builds a solid foundation for financial success. You may want to work with a REALTOR who can help to identify the great opportunities in investment properties in the area of your choice. Or, you may choose to do the work on your own. A REALTOR can provide the inside line on properties with potential in the geographic area where you are looking for property. If you do choose to work with a REALTOR, you will save time, and you may have more choices and opportunities. Research the Property's Past and Present Some essential information must be obtained about the property's past. For example, do you know the history of the property, or even how old it is? What sort of upgrades have been made to the home? Is the roof waterproof, and is the plumbing and electrical in working order? What's the Neighborhood Like? Once the overall condition of the property has been assessed, tax assessment records must be examined to determine property value trends. A good REALTOR will be familiar with the neighborhood where the property is located and if he or she is not, the REALTOR should check the neighborhood at different times of the day and night and speak to some neighbors. If there is a homeowners association, check the guidelines, assess fees, and be certain they allow rental of properties. Assess the Bottom Line For what purposes are you, the investor, going to use the property? To rent? To house your business? Or, to rehabilitate the property and sell it at a profit? Once this is determined, you can assess the bottom line. Are you paying cash for your investment property? If not a mortgage will have to be paid. Have your REALTOR determine if rent and applicable fees will cover the mortgage, property management and maintenance. Consider property management if you do invest in property. Research fees and services provided by different property management companies, or ask your REALTOR if they provide this service, because many do. If you do not want to collect rents and contract repairs, find a property manager with the skills to negotiate, be your intermediary, and facilitate business in your absence. For investors who rehabilitate and sell buildings at a profit, a decent turnaround is 60-90 days from the time of purchase to the time the property is put back on the market. Three to four contractors should be researched and they should provide written bids with time estimates on their projects. Document Fund Availability with Your Offer Once you find that dream investment property, don't forget that offers need to be accompanied by your financial institution's statement of fund availability or a lender's approval letter. This will help make certain your offer will be accepted over other offers that may not come with appropriate paperwork. There are still plenty of great deals on investment properties in this real estate market, and there are some less than desirable properties as well. Do your research. Or, hire a professional who will do it correctly for you. With proper planning and decision making, your real estate investment should be a profitable and worthwhile endeavor. About The Author Elaine VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia, and she manages investment property as part of her business. Her husband Joe is a contractor who collaborates with her on rehabilitation of properties. She has helped numerous clients invest in and make money on property investments in Southeastern Virginia. Visit http://www.voncannonrealestate.com for listings; vonmor1@cox.net
MORE RESOURCES:
Real-Estate - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Is 100% Annual Return On Investments Possible With Low Risk Land Investments? In last week's article, we discussed how substantial profits could be made by investing where baby boomers may want to relocate or buy a second home. This seemed to confuse readers since they were thinking that our web site is about preconstruction and preconstruction to them means buying condos?? In this article, I hope to broaden your horizons considerably. Regarding Real Estate On Leased Land 1.Why are there so many properties on leased land?There are several situations here. Investment Real Estate -- A New Twist: Be the Bank, Not the Landlord, and Get Rich Without the Work! I was a landlord for a decade, and I believe I probably lost a year of life for each year I tried to maintain 26 properties. I learned the hard way that the most efficient way to make money in investment real estate is to create a mortgage note and be the bank - not the landlord. Real Estate Disputes And Partition What if two people pooled their resources and began investing in real estate. Like many partnerships things progress smoothly for a while and then a dispute arises. How to Make a Home for Sale Flyer Using Marketing Psychology Want to sell your home right away, for the highest profit to you? Discover how to improve on the Realtor's number two sales tool--right after the sign--your sales flyer.Most real estate agents use a sales flyer template which showcases their listings using out-of-date marketing strategies. Family Feud with an Auction Deadline - Adventures in Probate/ Estate Purchases One of our investor students told us of an interesting probate deal or "adventure" they're working on now and while it's a good story, it also illustrates lots of the ins and out of probate or estate issues and purchases.The Seller (we'll call him Scott) co-owned this house with his mom, and he co-signed on the loan with mom. Making a First Impression When Selling Your Home So you've decided to take advantage of the booming real estate market and put your house up for sale. As you know, buying a house is the most important purchase a consumer can make. Fraud in Real Estate, Are You Being Victimized? - Part II The phone range and Peter was on the other end of the line. "Willard, I have a friend of mine that has a real estate problem. Apartment Financing Explained So you're interested in entering the world of property management? Have you thought about how you're going to get into this potentially lucrative market? Let's face it; unless you've just inherited a large sum of money or are otherwise independently wealthy you're going to have to borrow. This is where apartment financing comes in. Reinventing Real Estate, Part 2: Online and Empowered Consumers Are Taking Charge and Paying Less Demanding consumers"Internet buyers tend to be better informed on market conditions and better prepared to act on the home they want when they start working with a realtor. Luckily for realtors, these changes don't necessarily hurt, as long as they are able to adjust to the new relationship and realize that the new-style buyers value speed and efficiency over guidance when finding a home. Bulgarian Property Market Insight GOLF GRABS BULGARIA!At the present time there are only three golf courses in the whole of Bulgaria: one at Elin Pelin, near the capital, Sofia, and two owned by Air Sofia. These are located at Ihtiman, opened in 2000, 40km from Sofia, and at Sliven, opened in 2004, 90km from the Black Sea. Investment Real Estate Done Right -- Your Quickest and Safest Path to Wealth In investment real estate the quickest way to wealth is through owner financing, or lease optioning. So, let's take a look at one model transaction, involving the purchase and sale of two properties on lease-option contracts so you an apply it to your own investment real estate system. Do You Want To Sell Your Rehabs Fast? That's an obvious question - we all do! So what is the trick? So much time and money is spent on systems updates, roofs, and structural issues, that many times there's nothing left for what really makes the sale: what your potential buyers see. And more importantly, what they fall in love with. Buying A Home - Zoning and Architectural Review Board Restrictions When you buy a home, you need to be aware of the various things that can limit your control over the property. This is as true for finished lots and single family homes as it is for townhouses, condos, and apartments. Practical Advice for Finding Irish Castles for Sale Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a castle?Have you ever dreamed of dancing in a grand ballroom that at one time was filled with princes and other nobility?If you find yourself dreaming of this lifestyle, you're not alone. Celtic castles, and all things medieval for that matter, have gotten very popular in recent years. Real Estate Investment Requires A Team I had a hard time at first with real estate investment. One of the reasons was that I tended to be a "lone wolf," trying to do too much myself. Seller Financing - Six Safety Tips Why offer seller financing when you sell? A higher price, a good return on your money, a faster sale and to sell a property that is otherwise difficult to sell. Some good reasons, but how do you do it safely?1. Personal Branding Techniques for Real Estate Agents and Brokers Branding can be done to any product, or any person. Before undertaking an exercise in personal branding, however, consider your distinctive strengths and abilities and what they offer the market place. Real Estate Investing - Basis Explained Our complex IRS code requires that your, as a real estate investor, accurately calculate your "basis" in investment property when reporting a gain or loss on a tax return.Your monetary gain or loss when you sell investment property is determined by comparing the sale price to the adjusted basis in the property. Why it is Important to Hire Just One Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home In our fast paced and frantic real estate market, buying a home takes quick action and strong representation. Some buyers decide to involve several agents in their search for a home, assuming that there is strength in numbers.
|
 Home  Contact
|
| Real Estate Information © 2006 |
