Real Estate Cost of Capital

For prospective real estate investors who feel tenants and building maintenance are ongoing headaches, buying undeveloped land may appear attractive. If you buy land in an area that's expected to experience expanding demand in the years ahead, you should be able to make a tidy return on your investment. This is called buying in the path of progress, but of course the trick is to buy before everybody realizes that new development is moving in your direction.

When you buy undeveloped land your investment may take longer to be paid back and therefore you need to be especially aware of your real estate cost of capital.

Real Estate Cost of Capital

Types of Rental Properties

If you've been in the market for a home, you know that in addition to single- family homes, you can choose from numerous types of attached or shared housing including apartment buildings, condominiums, townhomes, and co- operatives. In this section, we provide an overview of each of these properties and show how they may make an attractive real estate investment for you.

From an investment perspective, our top recommendations are apartment buildings and single-family homes. We generally don't recommend attached-housing units. If you can afford a smaller single-family home or apartment building rather than a shared-housing unit, buy the single-family home or apartments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6538706

Purchasing Rental Property with No Money Down

Purchasing Rental Property with No Money Down. If you’ve ever  had  insomnia and  turned on the  television in the  middle of the night,  you’ve likely seen the  late-night infomercial real estate gurus who claim to possess the  true secrets of buying real estate significantly below  market value  — and  they  don’t  even  use  their own money!  They  tell viewers that anyone can buy real estate tomorrow using  their no-money-down strategies. And it gets  even  better — they  tell you that you can actually receive money from the  seller to buy her  property.

SCAM - Buy Property With No Money Down Infomercial - SCAM

Buying Commercial Rental Property

Commercial real estate is a generic term that includes properties used for office, retail, and industrial purposes. You can also include self-storage and hospitality (hotels and motels) properties in this category. If you're a knowledgeable real estate investor and you like a challenge, you need to know two good reasons to invest in commercial real estate

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6538709

http://ezinearticles.com/?Buying-Commercial-Rental-Property&id=6538709

Trulia brings its real estate expertise to Android with tablet, rentals apps

Online real estate finder Trulia is launching a big play on Android this morning with two new apps: an Android tablet app, and an app made specifically for renters.

Both apps show the increasing importance of mobile for Trulia, which the company says accounts for 25 percent of its overall traffic. It’s also a sign that companies are finally beginning to take Android tablets seriously, after they failed to get much traction last year.

How to Buy Rental Properties in Foreclosure

Would you rather buy real estate at retail or at wholesale prices? Obviously the answer is "wholesale!" Just like in the stock market, the concept of buy low, sell high also applies to real estate.

One of the best ways to maximize your chances of earning a good return on your investment is to buy a property at foreclosure or as an REO. Such invest- ments are generally a better value than a conventional purchase (but not with- out some increased risk)!

And of course, other real estate investors are also scouring your local real estate market for great deals. Clearly, real estate investors flush with cash aren't going to miss this opportunity. As an individual looking to buy just one or two foreclosure homes in your local market, you may be surprised to find that you're competing with very large and sophisticated Wall Street venture funds with tens of millions of dollars that are buying pools of bad loans or foreclosed properties.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Buy-Rental-Properties-in-Foreclosure&id=6538723

Rentals on the move

The current housing market is suffering from too many homes available for sale and too few serious, qualified buyers.

So rather than try and sell, some sellers are opting to rent their homes in hopes the market will improve in a few years and they can sell.

“A lot of houses have come on the (rental) market recently,” said Cindy Hoppe with Bray Property Management.

Normally, a large supply tends to reduce the demand, but because people have lost homes due to foreclosure or been unable to purchase a home because of higher credit standards, the demand for rental property has kept up with the supply.

http://www.gjsentinel.com/special_sections/articles/for_rent_rentals_on_the_move/

Buy (REO) Real Estate Owned Properties

Because titles to the majority of foreclosed properties end up with the lender, you may find that your next opportunity to purchase the property is from the lender's real estate owned (REO) department that specializes in handling foreclosed properties. Some investors have found that this is one of the best times to buy a property because they're not dealing with an emotional or unreliable owner. Discovering the ins and outs of the lenders' policies and procedures of disposing of these foreclosed properties can be invaluable to your goal of buying real estate at below market prices.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Buy-%28REO%29-Real-Estate-Owned-Properties&id=6539290

Is It Time to Buy Rental Property in Culver City?

In 2007 the average price for an investment property—two to four units—was approximately $952,000 ($443.00 per square foot); today the average sold price is $781,000 ($272.00 per square foot). This represents an 18 percent drop in price since 2007, but a 39 percent drop in price per square foot. In other words, investment property buyers are buying much more living/rental space for their money today than they were in 2007.

http://culvercity.patch.com/articles/is-it-time-to-buy-rental-property-in-culver-city

Tenants in Common Agreement

Be aware that tenants in common sponsors often provide attractive teaser rates of return that are guaranteed only for the first couple of years. For example, a review of the private placement offering may indicate that investors will receive a 7 percent cash distribution per year for the first two years only. This rate may potentially entice investors who have built up significant equity in their real estate holdings but haven't seen their cash flow increase as fast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6539448

Depreciation Can Let You Pocket Tax-Free Cash

Foreclosures are up, mortgage approvals are down. Since the housing market tanked, home ownership is giving way to home renting.

The number of renters swelled by 3.9 million from 2004 to 2010, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. About 38 million households are now renters.

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/586594/201109301732/Tax-Benefits-Of-Rental-Property.htm

How To Be A Landlord

Reminding ourselves on how to be a landlord is like asking a fish on how to swim. Becoming a landlordis an easy task, what keeps is hard is how landlords improperly use their authority to their tenants. Before you became a landlord here are the things you need to know:

How To Be A Landlord - The Basics

Have something that the people will rent. A landlord won't become a landlord if he/she is not in control of something. Buying a property and renting it to someone is the start of your landlord career. Buy a property that has a high market rate, strategically located near offices, schools, or town centers, and has a lowest selling price.  This technique will help you afford your monthly mortgage payment, cover costs for maintenance, renovation or repair, and earn profit.

Get your property an insurance and fortify your lease. Consult a professional about the necessary insurance for your property. The landlord must have insurance for the property in case a fire, flood, or natural disaster hit the property.

Strengthen the right of  the price of your lease by seeking advise from a lawyer. While you're at it impose rules and regulations in your rented space and have it fortified by the lawyer too.

Attract Tenants and Select The Best One. Advertise your property, let them know of your price, additional offers, and the features of the property you are going to rent. Once you've gained their attention, screen these tenants and look for a fit candidate who has the right to stay in your place. As a landlord, you should be looking for a tenant that has the capability to pay, can pay on time, and is neighbor friendly.

When you have chosen the proper candidate, carefully remind your tenant about your property's rules and regulations, the lease and how the payments should be made. If the tenant agrees have him/her sign your contract. Give her his copy and file yours along with his monthly paying record.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ghOBzPraZwY

How to be a landlord that is adored by many?

A common misconception of being a landlord is that you are obnoxious, greedy, very annoying, and fat(well..usually). Let's try to be a good landlord by following these steps:

1.      Greet your tenants when you see them. Do not just ignore them if they pass by you. This gives you an impression that you are approachable and kind.

2.      Kindly ask for the monthly rent. Reminding the tenants of their monthly rent a day or a week before may look rude. You are like telling to them that they cannot pay on time. Ask for it on the exact day first thing in the morning. Accept apologies if they can't pay on time then ask for a specific date that they will pay. Impose a 2-3 day grace period then charge a fine to those that exceeds the grace period. A reasonable fine is 5% of the tenant's rent.

3.      Do not forget to smile always. It keeps a happy heart and a gentle atmosphere to you as a landlord.

http://www.buyingrentalproperty.org/how-to-be-a-landlord/

Tips to Buy a Short Sale

Many real estate investors find that buying foreclosures or REO properties can be challenging. With foreclosures, the public sale is published and readily known to all interested real estate investors, but there is limited information and rarely an adequate opportunity to conduct proper due diligence. Foreclosure properties can be full of surprises!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Buying-a-Short-Sale---Tips&id=6539307

Execute Your Rental Property Strategies

Real estate investment is one investment opportunity for investors. Real estates can either be rented or profitably sold. If you plan to purchase real estate with the purpose of leasing it, good rental property strategies should be well executed. Rental property investing has a lot of benefits since it usually appreciates over time.

Here are some ways on how to invest in rental real estate.

http://waynelambert16.articlealley.com/execute-your-rental-property-strategies-2356238.html

House price whirlwind is spinning out of control

THE bond on a Moranbah house could buy you a brand new car.

With skyrocketing rents throughout the Bowen Basin in the midst of the resource boom, housing prices are spiralling out of control.

http://www.cqnews.com.au/story/2011/09/28/house-price-whirlwind-is-spinning-out-of-control/

Rental Property Insurance for Mold and Asbestos

One rental property insurance coverage that’s becoming much more difficult to obtain is a type of environmental insurance that specifically covers mold, fungus, and related issues. The number and magnitude of mold claims by tenants of both residential and commercial type properties have become a real challenge to the insurance industry, with some highly publicized lawsuits claiming huge property damage and severe  personal injury claims. Although certain insurance companies still offer limited coverage for mold and related causes, specifically inquire as to the exact protection included in your policy. Some policies don’t cover actual damages for property and personal injury but do offer a legal defense.

The best  way to avoid claims of property damage and personal injury from mold is to properly maintain your property and only turn over possession  to the rental unit or suite in good condition that’s documented in writing. The challenge with most mold claims is that water intrusion and the subsequent  concerns about mold typically occur within the tenant’s space in areas where the owner has no access or control. Or the tenant can even be the cause of the source of moisture through negligence or inadequate cleaning.

Thus, the rental property owner must rely on the tenant to minimize the likelihood of mold as well as report any concerns immediately. Many owners now use a lease addendum advising tenants  of their responsibilities in this area. Rental property owners should respond to all tenant concerns  promptly and professionally while routinely inspecting accessible areas.

Buy Rental Property With No Money Down

The popularity of buying rental property with no money down peaked in the early-1980s when most real estate loans were  assumable  — the buyer of the property essentially took over or assumed the payments on the current loan from the seller. Properties weren’t appreciating that quickly in that time frame, so many owners didn’t have significant equity in their homes and were willing to take small down payments or carry seller financing as part of the transaction. The advent of the due on sale clause in many mortgages virtually eliminated the  ability of buyers  to assume the sellers current loan.

http://www.buyingrentalproperty.org/buy-rental-property-with-no-money-down/