A lot of people are not able to make use of this asset because that’s not the way they look at it. Before you buy a home, think of your home as an investment. As these questions;* What type schools are in the area?* Is the area attracting new businesses?* Is it close to a highway or freeway?* Is the area desirable for that new construction?

Think of your home as a place where you will be living for the next five to ten years and answer the above questions. Imagine if you were to buy a business, the most important aspect of it will be Location, Location, Location.The same goes for buying a house.Once you buy a home, if you maintain and take care of your property, your home probably will give you a handsome return.

When you pay taxes, you are investing in your neighborhood to have better schools. This in turn will have an effect on your home value as well. If you do not do repairs or not take care of your property, you will not be able to make money when it’s time to sell your house. You will be able to reap the benefits when it’s time to sell by taking care of your property and proper maintenance. Think of yourself as not only a home buyer but also an an investor.

1. Just as a real estate professional calls on experience and knowledge of an area to help buyers locate pre-owned homes in a community, he or she can also direct buyers interested in newly-built homes to developments and communities that match client specifications.

2. A sales professional can suggest builders with reputations for delivering a high-quality product, responding quickly to issues, and being financially sound.

3. A sales professional may be familiar with how a builder prices his products and where there may be room to negotiate price or upgrades.

4. Without representation, you are one buyer purchasing only one home. But a sales professional can significantly impact a builder’s bottom line by providing a steady supply of customers. This leverage may work in your favor at the negotiating table. [Note: The builder may require your sales professional to accompany you on your first visit to the site. Check with the builder.

5.The lender approval process may go smoother if a sales professional schedules visits, accompanies you to lenders, and helps expedite required documents.

6. What may seem like a simple transaction can grow legally complex and risky. A sales professional is familiar with those complexities and risks inherent in the home buying process. When such questions arise, we can steer you to the right advisers and services you may require.

7. When relocating to a new area, sales professionals can be particularly valuable resources. In addition to providing local area information regarding schools, day care or elder care services, public transportation, proposed development, and so on, once construction is under way, they can periodically stop by the work site, supply you with progress reports, and photograph or videotape phases of the construction.

8. A sales professional can assist you as you face hundreds of design choices and consider which upgrades could potentially add value to the home when it comes time to sell.9. A sales professional can accompany you at the site while you okay the plumbing and electrical locations prior to dry walling, as well as on the walk-through or builder orientation.

10. Lastly, most often the builder pays the sales professional’s commission. You enjoy individual attention and support at no cost to you.

Is the market on the cusp of a deluge of homes coming on the market from investors, speculators and realtors getting increasingly nervous that they may be missing the window of opportunity to offload properties? With a typical lag of 30 to 90 days between a house going under contract and the closing, how does the buyer determine what is really happening with prices? Even after the closing, it may be 30 or more days before the actual selling price is recorded in the public record. If the house has been listed under MLS (Multiple Listing Service) the selling price is generally available to any realtor being a member of the MLS system where the house was sold.

If the property was not listed in MLS then the actual selling price will not be available until recorded by the public entity responsible. Buyers with timing flexibility and who are working with a seasoned real estate professional are in the best position to be well informed on market conditions and local trends. However regardless of timing flexibility, here are 8 questions you should be asking your realtor!

1. What are pricing trends in percentage terms and actual increases/decreases in the general market area you are looking in and the purchase price range you are considering?

2. What is the inventory of homes currently within your market interests and how has it changed in the last 90 days?

3. What are the buyer incentives being offered by the builder (if new construction) or seller?

4. What are the realtor incentives being offered by the builder (if new construction) or the seller?

5. Is the property you are considering owner occupied and/or investor/realtor owned?

6. What is the listing history (if listed on MLS) of the property including changes in terms, price and broker?

7. For re-sales, what was the original purchase date and price paid by the seller?

8. For re-sales or new construction, what has the pricing trend been over the past 24 months for homes within the areas being considered? Being well informed can make a huge difference when preparing an offer to purchase a property.

But all is worth if results are satisfying. The right real estate professional can help you make good business decisions based on your personal circumstances.

• Your first step in this real estate deal is to investigate as this is the mistake most of the buyers do, they don’t investigate. So as now you know then don’t commit this mistake. Check for CC&R’s, Rules and Regulation and Association Fees.

• Don’t go too fast or too slow for property purchase. Don’t even jump to first home you see, at least see 5-8 properties before going for the final deal. With the help of your real estate agent you can see as many properties as you feel.

• The right team is a must to succeed in the property deal. So choose the right lender and agent.

• Don’t get influenced by the furnishings and the decorations of the property. Let the owner’s furniture left to him only. Think of a vacant property.

• Discuss frankly your income and living expenses with your real estate professional so that he judge your requirement and can help you better for that suitable purchase. Keep your future responsibilities in proper consideration including children, services and other expenses.

• Before you sigh the final deal check all the expenses and costs involved. Check for the insurance, taxes, other home owner dues.• Check for all the general utilities like electricity, security, water, gas.

• All the promises made by the owner in the dealing process should be in writing. Don’t go for verbal promises as they have no significance.

1. Get pre-approved for your home loan. This means, fill out a loan application and go through the process of securing financing. That way, when you’re ready to seriously evaluate real estate, you’ll know exactly how much home you can afford. And you can prove to a seller that your offer is sincere.

2. Explore creative financing options. During the home loan pre-approval process, ask about ways to get creative with your financing. Low down payment options, first and second mortgage combinations and first time buyer programs might help you afford more funding. Many lenders are now offering interest-only home mortgages; just make sure you thoroughly evaluate the terms for this type of home loan. Down payment grants are also available in some instances and might be worth investigating or discussing with your realtor.

3. Sell your existing home first. Although selling your existing home before finding new real estate to buy can be a little nerve wracking, any inconvenience will be offset by your ability to make an offer with cash in hand. Contingent purchases are not the best when negotiating to buy a home. Having your financing in order and your bags packed will give you the advantage in a competitive market.

4. Look for vacant real estate. Perhaps a seller’s job has transferred him out of the area. Or maybe a family purchased a new home before putting their existing one on the market. In any case, a vacant home could be just the deal for a savvy home buyer, so have your Realtor look for vacant property in your preferred neighborhoods. And keep in mind, the longer a house stays empty, the greater your negotiating power will be.

5. Consider cosmetic fixers. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, a tool set and gardening equipment, consider buying real estate in need of cosmetic fixing. Property that lacks curb appeal needs minor handiwork or the yard overhauled could end up being the home of your dreams for a price you can afford. You just need to look beyond the ho-hum to see the potential of a cosmetic fixer.

6. Buy a home that’s a major remodel project. If you want to live on Lake Washington, but can’t afford a $2M home mortgage, consider buying a dilapidated cottage on a fabulous lot with western exposure. In time you’ll need to gut the existing home and build from the ground up or contract significant home improvements. But in the end your property value will skyrocket. If your carpentry and other construction skills are well-developed, you can save even more and accrue “sweat equity” during your remodel by doing much of the work yourself.

7. Don’t discount bank foreclosures. One person’s loss could be your gain if you buy real estate in foreclosure. Although the search for a decent foreclosure may take a while, your realtor should be able help. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://www.hud.gov/) can be an excellent resource for foreclosed properties. Because HUD houses are sold at market value, your best bet will be homes that need cosmetic work or even major repair.

8. Land with a manufactured home. Sometimes, to buy a home on a budget, you need to look beyond convention. Even if your wish is to buy real estate, you may have to settle for a piece of property in an outlying area with a mobile or manufactured home. Discuss this option with your real estate agent and try to keep an open mind about this possibility.

9. An older, smaller home. Older homes are typically priced much less than newer construction and don’t tend to create buyer bidding wars. If you can enjoy life in an older and smaller home in a neighborhood or suburb off the beaten path, this could be your ticket to real estate ownership.

10. The cheapest house in the best neighborhood. You have your heart set on a specific – and expensive – neighborhood. Maybe it’s the schools that you’re interested in. Or perhaps it’s the close proximity to downtown or the waterfront. In any case, a budget-savvy buyer will look for the least expensive home for sale in the neighborhood. If you’re not in a hurry, you can even play the waiting game to see what properties come on the market. Your real estate agent can be a real asset in this case by investigating potential sellers.Buying real estate without breaking your budget will require research and compromise. On moving day, however, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your homework paid off!

Why so many people are choosing Spain as their prime location to buy property or a home abroad is purely because they want to.If you buy property abroad or intend on investing large amounts of money then do not expect an easy ride if you have not done your homework. Remember when buying property abroad whether it is Spain or anywhere else on the planet you need to remind your self – location location location.

How many times have we all heard this but it is a fact that is overlooked when looking for a prime location to buy Spanish property? To get the best deal- the best buy – the best location is to have the best knowledge. Do not make any rash decisions before consulting with an expert in this field.Laws in real estate differ but the number one rule to adhere to is not to close a deal right away after your first viewing. Do a little research behind the scenes of your chosen prime location. Take notes – photographs and an interpreter with you if dealing with the Spanish face to face?No matter how much you have your heart set on a property abroad do not rush into anything you may regret at a later date. Some unfortunate people have lost their life savings through dodgy deals.

Things to look out for when buying property in Spain is what facilities are available – like installing a phone line – is it close to shops. See if it has letting potential. Any thing that springs to mind be sure to ask.When viewing spanish property bring along your notes and fire all your questions at the estate agent don`t leave a stone unturned. An independent adviser is good to have with you when attending appointments. Chat with the locals who can provide you with any intimate details that you need to know of.If time is not an issue then double back and visit the area 2/3 times this can tell you a lot about the goings on at different times of the day or year. Winter months can isolate areas with solitude so you could be on your own in parts if you intend living in Spain all year round.

Spanish property investments with good letting potential are villas or apartments. Remember location location location applies for this type of deal also. No matter which part of Spain you choose – jot down travel times of local buses/trains to other destinations. Browse all estate agents to check on property prices. In doing this you will know if your budget is in the margin for most house sales.Take your time with any venture as big as this – view as many properties as you can this will help build up your knowledge of the present market values in the area. Do not cut corners as you may end up losing more than you bargained for.

All legal issues should be left in the hands of a good Solicitor. Before purchasing a property in Spain it is vital to be aware of the legal process and costs.If you have appointed a good a solicitor then all transactions will be dealt with by an experienced master in the field of legality. By doing this you now have a guarantee that Spanish legal needs are met. Other requirements your solicitor will see to is to make sure the property is registered solely in the vendor`s name and that no hidden clauses lurk like it is free of any mortgages, encumbrances, charges, debts or other liabilities.Do not finalize any agreements with any other; have necessary paperwork sent to your solicitor. Let them negotiate and discuss matters with the seller`s solicitor.Cutting corners to save the pennies is not the way, you could end up losing a fortune.

Emerging markets and the ready availability of cheap investments, can be you’re your pension plan and a source of regular income. The key is identifying the fastest appreciating areas with affordable property that will offer consistent growth and huge capital returns.Currently, in the European market, Bulgaria is the current hot spot with an average growth rate of 30% with the cheapest property prices in the EU. There are several other countries in the EU, which attract foreign investment for a variety of reasons. None, however, can rival the sheer number of factors, which makes Bulgaria an irresistible, safe and compelling location for your investment capital:

The cheapest cost of living in the EU
– 50p for a beer and less than £5 for a three course dinner are prime examples of why more and more holidaymakers and repeat visitors are flocking to the country.
The cheapest real estate in Europe
– you can buy a detached house in the country with land for less than £10,000!
Outstanding natural beauty
– where else can you find 220km of sandy beaches, 1700 hours of sunshine a year and the longest ski season in Europe?
Ease of Access
– Bulgaria is approximately three hours from the UK by plane with all the low cost airlines now scheduled to fly there.
Increasing exposure
– All the major tour operators now offer packages to Bulgaria at roughly 30-40% the cost of the Spanish or Portuguese equivalent.
Rapidly growing marketplace
– Visitor numbers and potential buyers are growing at over 20% per annum.
Sustained economic growth
– Bulgaria is experiencing one of the best GDP growth rates in Europe at 4.7% per annum.
Stable currency
– the Bulgarian Lev is pegged to the Euro.
Stable political and religious communities
– Bulgaria is a full member of NATO has no history of civil upheaval and no questions over land ownership.
Booming house prices
– 30% growth rates are the norm, your money would have appreciated by over 50% in key areas in the last year.
Full membership of the EU
– Bulgaria will become a full member of the EU in 2007.

This international acceptance will promote massive government investment and expansion, accelerate the growth of the country and ensure the highest capital growth and rental yields for your Bulgarian property. Property prices are continually rising and will surge with full membership of the European Union. You can invest now in either off-plan developments or existing resale properties at bargain prices that are approximately 25% of Spanish, French, Italian or Portuguese alternatives.

The next few years will increase the value of your property to fantastic heights.

Bulgaria has certainly bucked the trend, with property prices are for all of the above that are well within the reach of the average investor.Seduced by the fantastic climate, a laid-back lifestyle and fast appreciating prices, returning holidaymakers have fueled the price of property, in more traditional European resorts, for years. Unfortunately, the growth in prices has been so dramatic, as to push prices in favorites such as Spain and Portugal, to record highs that are way out of the reach of the average purchaser.Bulgaria is a refreshing change.

Likened to Spain, some 15 years ago, this Balkan jewel offers a variety of properties that will fit in see even the smallest budget. It boasts fantastic coastlines, the longest ski season in Europe, dynamic and vibrant cities and truly breathtaking countryside. Even better, the prices are 60 to 80% cheaper than any of its more fashionable equivalents.For those with a tiny budget, there are country cottages, with acres of land studded with fruit trees for less than £10,000. Slick city center apartments can be acquired, with fantastic all year round rental potential, for less than £20,000. The Black Sea has temperatures higher than that of the Mediterranean on the Spanish coast during the summer months.

There, studio apartments with fantastic sea views, can be bought for less than £30,000. The mountains offer miles and miles of un spoilt, tree-lined ski runs. Even with guaranteed rental of 15%, studio apartments can be found in the popular resort of Pamporovo for less than £25,000.Prices have risen steadily by 20 to 30% over the last several years. They will be catapulted even higher early in 2007 with full entry into the EU. To maximize their return, and to obtain the very best prices, the smart investors are putting their money into Bulgaria now. This country is set to be the European investment hot spot for the next several years, offering fantastic returns from the small-time investor and corporate purchaser alike.

We have a huge portfolio to trouble all the investment opportunities currently available in Bulgaria. We also currently have a full range of absurdly cheap investment properties in the countryside, with prices from under £10,000. Also on offer are ski apartments with guaranteed rental, the only coastal villas with full disabled access and even a ten- bedroom countryside mansion, with pool for just £70,000.

Occasionally a few sellers would accept his offers. He never had to look at the homes beforehand. Including an “inspection and approval” clause in the offer meant he could always back out of the deal later when he saw the house. Meanwhile, he efficiently found the truly motivated sellers. This true story demonstrates that with a good clause or two in the contract, you don’t have to worry about making an offer before you see a property. It’s true when you buy investment property or your next home. When it isn’t everything the seller says it is, you can reject the deal with little or no loss. So why wouldn’t you want to look at the property?

Buy Investment Property By Numbers- The main reason you might skip looking at a property before making an offer is time. This is certainly true if the property is far away. If you don’t get a price that makes sense, why spend your time traveling to look at real estate investments? A price and terms that make sense – this is what is important. Of course you’ll probably want to look at the actual property eventually, but looking at the numbers is how you invest. Investors value income property according to current cash flow (or should if they want safe and viable investments), so start by verifying income.

Get the actual income figures for the past 12 months. Always consider the potential income if rents are raised, vending machines are added, etc., but base your offer on the current income. Verify all expenses with investment properties. If any expenses listed by the seller seem unusually low, they most likely are. Just substitute your own best guess in place of any suspicious numbers. After you determine the net operating income, apply the appropriate capitalization rate to arrive at the value. If you’re not sure how to do this, get help. However, you really should understand the principle of how to figure a cap rate. This is a numbers game you’re playing. Calculate loan payments (talk to your banker), and see how much cash flow you’ll have. Then you can figure your cash-on-cash return based on how much of your own money you put into the deal. Just divide the cash flow by your investment. When the numbers work, you can safely make an offer.

Inspections will tell you if there are problems that will affect the cash flow. You can always renegotiate if there are such problems (assuming you made your approval of all inspections a contingency of the offer). Of course, you can even go take a look now that you are truly ready to buy that investment property.

Custom designed homes are rather difficult to resell at the price you paid to build it, so making sure that you are happy with every aspect of your home is an important key to getting your money’s worth out of the home. There are several things to look for in the perfect lot. Make sure it has the type of view you consider to be appropriate. If you want a view that overlooks the beach, don’t settle for one that overlooks the beach through a neighbor’s backyard. Moreover, if you don’t want neighbors too close to you, make sure that your home plans will work for a lot your size.

Once you have chosen the perfect lot for your Florida sun home, your next step is to choose a perfect builder. Choosing the right builder is probably as important an aspect as choosing the right lot. The builder will oversee every aspect of the construction on your home. As a result, it is essential to get the right person for the job. You need someone who can communicate with you as to which parts of your plans are feasible and which are not. For example, if you have chosen to have an open deck in your Florida sun home, how will that work with your lot? If there are going to be construction problems, it is important to have someone who can let you know those kinds of things in advance instead of leading you on with false promises.

There are a few things you can do to make sure you get the right builder for your Florida sun home. First, be sure that you check the builder’s references. Talk to other people who have worked with the builder. Find out if they had any problems. Another thing you can do is check with your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau. Make sure the builder you choose hasn’t had any recent complaints.Once you choose the right lot and builder, your Florida sun home is well on the way to complete. Do some extensive research to ensure both are to your liking and you will end up with your dream Florida sun home.