For those who think buying a holiday home, to rent, is an easy way to make a profit on your investment you should be aware that it isn’t as easy as it sounds. To start with, there are over 500,000 holiday home owners in the UK - and most of them rent out their property. You can expect high out goings, management commission and fees, insurance bills, and the usual household bills.
For anyone considering buying a holiday home, to rent, these six pieces of advice will be invaluable.
Location
Choosing a good location is vital,not only because you want a location which is popular with holidaymakers, but also one which is not overly competitive. Destinations like Florida and Spain have, over the years, become highly competitive with thousands of holiday villas available for rent. It is important that you look for facilities close to the home - restaurants, bars or shops, particularly since holidaymakers will be catering for themselves.
Type of accommodation
Think about your target customers. If you are targeting families, then buy a two or three bedroom holiday villa, near popular family attractions. If it is couples or small groups you are hoping to attract then look at buying a two bedroom apartment near shops, bars and restaurants, beaches, and golf courses. For smaller groups, or groups of adults “space” will be less of an issue.
Buying a one bedroom apartment will restrict you to couples, or two adults only. Huge five bedroom houses may sound good, but for short haul destinations like Spain, a three bedroom holiday home will suit most holidaymakers, and large houses may put people off renting your home.
Property Management
Employ a management company or be prepared for hard work. Managing a holiday home involves home repairs, passing keys to holidaymakers, changing linen when the holidaymaker departs, garden up-keep, plus dealing with emergencies such as visitors locked out. Bear in mind that most property management companies charge commission for getting holidaymakers to book your home, instead take the responsibility of promoting your holiday home on yourself.
Property features
Keep the property up to date. DVD’s and CD players are no longer luxuries. Competitiveness is a big issue for owners nowadays.. no matter where your holiday home is located, be it Portugal or Cyprus, you have to offer something a little unique from other owners, perhaps discounted tours, free car hire. These extras may cost you in the short term, but over the year it may raise the percentage of bookings that your bring in.
Insurance & Fire certificates
More importantly, fire regulations mean that extinguishers and flame-resistant furniture are a must. Contact local town halls to research if you need any fire certification or complete any legal procedures, before renting out your holiday home. You must get the right insurance cover and property management companies often insist on public liability insurance of £1m plus, costing between £200 and £500 a year.
Finances
Don’t listen to anyone who says they can guarantee you 52 weeks of bookings for your holiday home. Before you buy a holiday home you must look at how many weeks bookings you require to make ends meet. This is especially important if you want to make a profit from your initial investment. Keep your accounts and finances in order. Much of your costs will be spent on management fees, holiday home insurance, property repairsArticle Submission, decoration and essential travel to and from the house - some of these can be set against tax and offset against non-property tax bills.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
32 yr old, Darren Cronian has worked in the Holiday industry for the past four years, and has gained valuable experience and knowledge from listening to experts within the travel industry. During this time he has slowly built up his online business 'Worldwide Holiday Homes' from a hobby website to a growing UK business based in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Real Estate 101: Consider This Before Buying Your New Home
More and more, people are deciding to buy land on which they will build their dream home. In this way, they are guaranteed that the home they buy meets all of their needs and wants as the home is built to their specifications.
More and more, people are deciding to buy land on which they will build their dream home. In this way, they are guaranteed that the home they buy meets all of their needs and wants as the home is built to their specifications.When looking to buy real estate on which you will build a home, however, there are still many things to consider. Similarly, it is still beneficial to enlist in the help of a real estate agent. With the help of a realtor, you can look at several different pieces of real estate in order to find the piece that is best for you. In addition to considering the way the land looks and how nicely your dream home will fit on this piece of real estate, there are other factors you should take into consideration as well. These include:• Checking on utilities• Looking into easements• Finding your boundaries• Considering road maintenance• Utilizing contingenciesIt is easy to fall in love with a piece of real estate and to want to buy it right away. In order to make sure you are making a wise investment, however, it is essential to consider each of these factors first.Checking on UtilitiesDepending on the location of the piece of real estate, certain utilities may be unavailable. Or, you might have to pay some very high fees in order to get the utilities ran to your new home. Before you buy the piece of real estate, make sure you are aware of its limitations and what you will need to do in order to get the utilities in place.Looking into EasementsAn easement is when someone has the right to use the land for some other purpose. This may be a private individual or a company. For example, if power lines are located next to the real estate you are looking to buy, the power company may have the right to access your land in order to maintain the power lines. Find out about any easements before you make an offer to buy a piece of real estate or insist that you be able to approve easements before you finalize the sale.Finding Your BoundariesMany banks will require that you have a boundary survey conducted before they will loan you the money to buy your land. If the bank does not require a survey to b conducted, it is a good idea for you to request one anyway. When you make an offer to buy a piece of land, it is usually a good idea to quote a certain price per acre as determined by the survey that is to be taken. Considering Road MaintenanceIf you are looking to buy real estate that is on a private road, you will need to consider how your road will be maintained. In many cases, the bank will require you to show a recorded agreement showing that you and any other property owners on the road will assist with the upkeep of the road. Utilizing ContingenciesThere are a number of factors that can cause the land to be unusable for you. For example, if the land does not have a sewer hookup, your decision to buy the real estate will be contingent upon whether or not you can get a permit for a septic system. Similarly, your house design will need to be approved by an architectural review committee. Therefore, whether or not you buy the real estate will also be contingent upon the design getting approval. By taking all of these factors into consideration and planning aheadComputer Technology Articles, you will be sure to get the home you have always dreamed of!
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/real-estate-101-consider-this-before-buying-your-new-home.html
More and more, people are deciding to buy land on which they will build their dream home. In this way, they are guaranteed that the home they buy meets all of their needs and wants as the home is built to their specifications.When looking to buy real estate on which you will build a home, however, there are still many things to consider. Similarly, it is still beneficial to enlist in the help of a real estate agent. With the help of a realtor, you can look at several different pieces of real estate in order to find the piece that is best for you. In addition to considering the way the land looks and how nicely your dream home will fit on this piece of real estate, there are other factors you should take into consideration as well. These include:• Checking on utilities• Looking into easements• Finding your boundaries• Considering road maintenance• Utilizing contingenciesIt is easy to fall in love with a piece of real estate and to want to buy it right away. In order to make sure you are making a wise investment, however, it is essential to consider each of these factors first.Checking on UtilitiesDepending on the location of the piece of real estate, certain utilities may be unavailable. Or, you might have to pay some very high fees in order to get the utilities ran to your new home. Before you buy the piece of real estate, make sure you are aware of its limitations and what you will need to do in order to get the utilities in place.Looking into EasementsAn easement is when someone has the right to use the land for some other purpose. This may be a private individual or a company. For example, if power lines are located next to the real estate you are looking to buy, the power company may have the right to access your land in order to maintain the power lines. Find out about any easements before you make an offer to buy a piece of real estate or insist that you be able to approve easements before you finalize the sale.Finding Your BoundariesMany banks will require that you have a boundary survey conducted before they will loan you the money to buy your land. If the bank does not require a survey to b conducted, it is a good idea for you to request one anyway. When you make an offer to buy a piece of land, it is usually a good idea to quote a certain price per acre as determined by the survey that is to be taken. Considering Road MaintenanceIf you are looking to buy real estate that is on a private road, you will need to consider how your road will be maintained. In many cases, the bank will require you to show a recorded agreement showing that you and any other property owners on the road will assist with the upkeep of the road. Utilizing ContingenciesThere are a number of factors that can cause the land to be unusable for you. For example, if the land does not have a sewer hookup, your decision to buy the real estate will be contingent upon whether or not you can get a permit for a septic system. Similarly, your house design will need to be approved by an architectural review committee. Therefore, whether or not you buy the real estate will also be contingent upon the design getting approval. By taking all of these factors into consideration and planning aheadComputer Technology Articles, you will be sure to get the home you have always dreamed of!
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/real-estate-101-consider-this-before-buying-your-new-home.html
Friday, October 12, 2007
Will The Real Home Buying Guide...Please Stand Up?
Use Google right now and do a search on, “Home Buying Guide”. Take a few minutes to check and see what's out there and then come right back...
Now, try "Home Buyer Guide" and check to see what's out there for that.
Overwhelming, isn’t it?
And that’s exactly the problem facing today’s prospective homebuyers; not knowing how to sort through all of the information that is offered to them when buying a home.
Do you know what the other problem is?
Ironic as it may sound, just as prospective homebuyers have too much information on topics such as: how to find a real estate agent, how to find a mortgage, how to fix your credit or how to get the lowest possible insurance, and on and on...they are faced with just the complete opposite when it comes to having information on the main focus of their quest - specific information on the house they want to buy.
In a survey conducted by Key Findings, it was found that "Prospective home buyers say they are unhappy with the information available to them. Some don’t think they are seeing all the homes available in their price rangeand complain about how difficult it is to find detailed information about the homes they are interested in buying."
If you're thinking about buying a home right now do you feel you're as informed as you could be about the house you may be interested in buying? If not, would you even know where to go to even begin to get it?
Do not despair because there is hope!
You would be surprised to learn that you can get alot of answers and information simply by observing and asking the right questions - and many of them. You also need to be sure you're asking the right person, to get the right answer.
A couple of sources of information include your local municipal Offices or County Courthouse, neighbors and yes, even the actual seller(s).
You also need to spend time investigating the neighborhood and, once you actually decide on a home you're interested in, spend as much time there as possible. Doing so will allow you to get the feel for the property and view things you may normally miss if you're just simply herded through the home.
Here is a brief list of some of the things you should be able to uncover with a little poking around:
* What work has been done to the home?
* What work needs to be done to the home?
* Is it a good neighborhood?
* How can you tell if it's a good neighborhood?
* Who can tell you the truth about the neighborhood?
* Is the house you're looking to purchase built on a former dump site?
* Is something going to be happening with all that vacant land next door?
* How long have the current owners owned the home?
* How much did they pay for the home when they bought it?
* Why are they selling now?
* Is the price they are asking for the home too high?
The key is: Don't be afraid to ask the questions you have and, for the questions you do have, make sure you're asking the right person and make sure they getanswered to your satisfaction BEFORE you make your purchase.
Become a real estate insider and don't be at the mercy of unreliable real estateagents or untruthful sellers. Discover just how easy it is to get all the informationyou need on the home you want to buy and not get stuck having to deal with those post-purchase nightmaresFeature Articles, as most uninformed homebuyers do.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/advice/will-the-real-home-buying-guideplease-stand-up.html
Now, try "Home Buyer Guide" and check to see what's out there for that.
Overwhelming, isn’t it?
And that’s exactly the problem facing today’s prospective homebuyers; not knowing how to sort through all of the information that is offered to them when buying a home.
Do you know what the other problem is?
Ironic as it may sound, just as prospective homebuyers have too much information on topics such as: how to find a real estate agent, how to find a mortgage, how to fix your credit or how to get the lowest possible insurance, and on and on...they are faced with just the complete opposite when it comes to having information on the main focus of their quest - specific information on the house they want to buy.
In a survey conducted by Key Findings, it was found that "Prospective home buyers say they are unhappy with the information available to them. Some don’t think they are seeing all the homes available in their price rangeand complain about how difficult it is to find detailed information about the homes they are interested in buying."
If you're thinking about buying a home right now do you feel you're as informed as you could be about the house you may be interested in buying? If not, would you even know where to go to even begin to get it?
Do not despair because there is hope!
You would be surprised to learn that you can get alot of answers and information simply by observing and asking the right questions - and many of them. You also need to be sure you're asking the right person, to get the right answer.
A couple of sources of information include your local municipal Offices or County Courthouse, neighbors and yes, even the actual seller(s).
You also need to spend time investigating the neighborhood and, once you actually decide on a home you're interested in, spend as much time there as possible. Doing so will allow you to get the feel for the property and view things you may normally miss if you're just simply herded through the home.
Here is a brief list of some of the things you should be able to uncover with a little poking around:
* What work has been done to the home?
* What work needs to be done to the home?
* Is it a good neighborhood?
* How can you tell if it's a good neighborhood?
* Who can tell you the truth about the neighborhood?
* Is the house you're looking to purchase built on a former dump site?
* Is something going to be happening with all that vacant land next door?
* How long have the current owners owned the home?
* How much did they pay for the home when they bought it?
* Why are they selling now?
* Is the price they are asking for the home too high?
The key is: Don't be afraid to ask the questions you have and, for the questions you do have, make sure you're asking the right person and make sure they getanswered to your satisfaction BEFORE you make your purchase.
Become a real estate insider and don't be at the mercy of unreliable real estateagents or untruthful sellers. Discover just how easy it is to get all the informationyou need on the home you want to buy and not get stuck having to deal with those post-purchase nightmaresFeature Articles, as most uninformed homebuyers do.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/advice/will-the-real-home-buying-guideplease-stand-up.html
Buying a home? Follow these 5 tips for a happy ending
Buying a home is one of the largest and most important decisions anyone will make during their lifetime. It can also be one of the most stressful. But it doesn't need to be that way. Read these 5 tips and walk into your dream home smiling.
1. If you aren’t finding what you like, consider expanding your search criteria. That may include expanding the geographical location, or simply having less requirements (ex/ don’t specify that it must have a pantry and a built-in vacuum). Another possible expansion is on the rooms that you want. Maybe you would like a 4 bedroom home - consider searching for 3 bedroom homes then look through to see if they have a den, office, unfinished basement, or bonus space that could satisfy your space requirements.
2. Ask what the average utility bills are. This is particularly important if you are moving to a new area or if you are significantly increasing the size of your home. Don’t just assume that your utility bills will be around the same amount - they could be quite different.
3. Take pictures and notes when you go to listings. Chances are you will see at least 5-10 listings before you decide on one. However, those 5-10 can seem quite similar, particularly if you are looking within a certain subdivision or looking at new construction. So take some notes and bring along your camera too. The best way to do this is to have your agent print out the MLS reports for the houses that you are going to see - then you can just make extra notes right on there along with the rest of the info.
So what should you document? Certainly not everything!!!! But if you see a fireplace, or a desk nook or a kitchen island that you particularly like, take a picture of it (and make a note on your MLS printout that you took the picture and what it was of so that you can tell later on). This way, when you go home that night, you can review all the houses you looked out in order to narrow down your decision.
4. Consider what the property taxes will be. Sometimes there can be a large difference from one city/town to the next in property tax rates. Also, if you live out of city limits in the county, consider what they will be there.
Also, ask your agent when the home was last assessed. This is particularly relevant in areas that have seen home prices rise in the past several years. The annual tax amount on the MLS printout may be based upon an older value assessment and if that home is due to be assessed again soon, that number could increase substantially.
5. When looking at homes, consider what your daily commute will be. While this applies more in major urban areas than in small towns and cities, it is still worth considering. You are not just looking at commute, but what you can get for your money. If by commuting an extra 5 minutes each way to work you could get a newer, bigger house for your money than what you could buy closer to work, would you do it? For some people the answer is an overwhelming yes, while for others, they would say no. It’s a personal choice and it depends on what you are looking for in a home and what you value.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/buying-a-home-follow-these-5-tips-for-a-happy-ending.html
1. If you aren’t finding what you like, consider expanding your search criteria. That may include expanding the geographical location, or simply having less requirements (ex/ don’t specify that it must have a pantry and a built-in vacuum). Another possible expansion is on the rooms that you want. Maybe you would like a 4 bedroom home - consider searching for 3 bedroom homes then look through to see if they have a den, office, unfinished basement, or bonus space that could satisfy your space requirements.
2. Ask what the average utility bills are. This is particularly important if you are moving to a new area or if you are significantly increasing the size of your home. Don’t just assume that your utility bills will be around the same amount - they could be quite different.
3. Take pictures and notes when you go to listings. Chances are you will see at least 5-10 listings before you decide on one. However, those 5-10 can seem quite similar, particularly if you are looking within a certain subdivision or looking at new construction. So take some notes and bring along your camera too. The best way to do this is to have your agent print out the MLS reports for the houses that you are going to see - then you can just make extra notes right on there along with the rest of the info.
So what should you document? Certainly not everything!!!! But if you see a fireplace, or a desk nook or a kitchen island that you particularly like, take a picture of it (and make a note on your MLS printout that you took the picture and what it was of so that you can tell later on). This way, when you go home that night, you can review all the houses you looked out in order to narrow down your decision.
4. Consider what the property taxes will be. Sometimes there can be a large difference from one city/town to the next in property tax rates. Also, if you live out of city limits in the county, consider what they will be there.
Also, ask your agent when the home was last assessed. This is particularly relevant in areas that have seen home prices rise in the past several years. The annual tax amount on the MLS printout may be based upon an older value assessment and if that home is due to be assessed again soon, that number could increase substantially.
5. When looking at homes, consider what your daily commute will be. While this applies more in major urban areas than in small towns and cities, it is still worth considering. You are not just looking at commute, but what you can get for your money. If by commuting an extra 5 minutes each way to work you could get a newer, bigger house for your money than what you could buy closer to work, would you do it? For some people the answer is an overwhelming yes, while for others, they would say no. It’s a personal choice and it depends on what you are looking for in a home and what you value.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/business/buying-a-home-follow-these-5-tips-for-a-happy-ending.html
Home Buying - 3 Money Saving Secrets
Home buying is about getting the right home for you, but it can't hurt to save a few thousand too. Do you know the basic ways to do that?
Home buying is about finding the right house, and this includes getting the right price. There are five basic ways to buy a home for less. Here are three of them.
Home Buying Secret - Buy In Inexpensive Towns
Yes, there are still inexpensive towns that you might actually want to live in. In fact, there are still towns in this country where you can see a good movie, put the kids in a good school, go shopping, enjoy nearby natural beauty, and buy homes for under fifty thousand dollars. My wife and I bought a beautiful little home with hardwood floors, a full carpeted basement, and a garage, in a pretty mountain town, for $17,500, in 2002. You can still get homes for under $35,000 there.
What you can't find easily there, is a good job. These towns with the cheapest homes usually have a bad job situation. They are great places to retire to, or to move to if you have a business or profession that isn't location-dependent. Writers and internet entrepreneurs are beginning to discover them.
This may not work for you, of course. If you already have determined where you will be living, or if you need a town with high-paying jobs, try the following ways to save money.
Home Buying Secret - Buy Inexpensive Houses
One way to save when buying a home is to find a less expensive alternative that still fits your needs. This can mean buying in the inexpensive parts of town, or buying the inexpensive types of homes. Don't set your mind on one type of home or one neighborhood before you know what all the alternatives are.
This isn't about buying a cheap dump to save money, or buying in a dangerous part of town. It is more about a philosophy of defining your true needs so you can find the least expensive way to meet them. You may be surprised at what is available for less.
Home Buying Secret - Negotiate A Lower Price
No matter what you buy, you can save a lot if you know a few basic negotiating techniques. You'll find easy-to-learn techniques in any good book on negotiating. Is it worth a few minutes reading and an hour or two of practice to save thousands of dollars?
There are simple negotiating techniques that are used by the masters of negotiation. They are used in all areas of business and real estate. You don't need to become a master, though, to knock a couple thousand off the price of that next house. In factScience Articles, a little knowledge goes a long way in home buying.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/home-buying-3-money-saving-secrets.html
Home buying is about finding the right house, and this includes getting the right price. There are five basic ways to buy a home for less. Here are three of them.
Home Buying Secret - Buy In Inexpensive Towns
Yes, there are still inexpensive towns that you might actually want to live in. In fact, there are still towns in this country where you can see a good movie, put the kids in a good school, go shopping, enjoy nearby natural beauty, and buy homes for under fifty thousand dollars. My wife and I bought a beautiful little home with hardwood floors, a full carpeted basement, and a garage, in a pretty mountain town, for $17,500, in 2002. You can still get homes for under $35,000 there.
What you can't find easily there, is a good job. These towns with the cheapest homes usually have a bad job situation. They are great places to retire to, or to move to if you have a business or profession that isn't location-dependent. Writers and internet entrepreneurs are beginning to discover them.
This may not work for you, of course. If you already have determined where you will be living, or if you need a town with high-paying jobs, try the following ways to save money.
Home Buying Secret - Buy Inexpensive Houses
One way to save when buying a home is to find a less expensive alternative that still fits your needs. This can mean buying in the inexpensive parts of town, or buying the inexpensive types of homes. Don't set your mind on one type of home or one neighborhood before you know what all the alternatives are.
This isn't about buying a cheap dump to save money, or buying in a dangerous part of town. It is more about a philosophy of defining your true needs so you can find the least expensive way to meet them. You may be surprised at what is available for less.
Home Buying Secret - Negotiate A Lower Price
No matter what you buy, you can save a lot if you know a few basic negotiating techniques. You'll find easy-to-learn techniques in any good book on negotiating. Is it worth a few minutes reading and an hour or two of practice to save thousands of dollars?
There are simple negotiating techniques that are used by the masters of negotiation. They are used in all areas of business and real estate. You don't need to become a master, though, to knock a couple thousand off the price of that next house. In factScience Articles, a little knowledge goes a long way in home buying.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/home-buying-3-money-saving-secrets.html
Home Buying - How to avoid paying too much
Learn how to find the right home for the right price. Taking the emotion out makes great financial sense. Take the smart approach to home buying.
Home Buying - How to avoid paying too much
Whether you’re a first time buyer or a veteran of the real estate game, buyinga home can be a mammoth process. It’s an emotional time often accompanied withdifficult choices. Those same difficult choices are tied directly to costs and your ultimate return and happiness.
Finding the right home for your family’s needs is hard, but managing to avoid paying too much is a another mastery of skills entirely. The following will show you not only how to make sure you’ve found the right house, but also how to negotiate the right price.
Know what you’re shopping for before you start
This first step is understanding what you are seeking. Your family has certain needs which must be fulfilled. Also there are many desires which may or may not ultimately be fulfilled. Take an unemotional look into those needs and desires.
Do you choose a three-bedroom home with room for your family to grow or the one with a large back yard, perfect for entertaining? Is having a large kitchen more important than having an extra room?
Two lists should be created - a wish list (your desires) and a reality list (your needs). The reality list consists of those items which your family really needs. They are “non-negotiables”. On the other hand, the wish list contains those items which would be nice to have. Prioritize the lists and the goal is clear - your next home needs to have most, if not all, of your reality list items and hopefully a few of the top wish list items. These lists will keep your efforts channeling in the proper direction.
Shop for a mortgage before you shop for a home
Getting a loan pre-approval is the smart way to shop for a home. It tells the sellers that you’re a serious prospect and you’ll know in advance the maximum mortgage you can afford. Make sure you get a commitment in writing.
It’s easier than ever to qualify for a home loan. Lenders have modified qualification rules and created programs designed to help people even if they have problems in their credit and employment histories. Many programs dramatically reduce down payments, so if money’s tight now you can still make that purchase.
First-time home buyers can benefit from the many lender programs that now exist. Reduced down payment is an example of such programs.
Pick the right real estate professional
From finding the right home to selecting a lender to meet your financial needs to getting proper property inspections to negotiating the best deal, it can be taxing for even the hardiest of souls. You need the right Realtor on your side.
The right real estate professional must have the high level of care, skill and due diligence to ensure your best interests are at heart. They also have a team of other professionals to put at your disposal - lenders, lawyers, home inspectors, movers, etc.
Most sellers you encounter will have a team in their corner. Having a professional on your team is the best way to make sure you get the best deal possible.
Make sure your agent knows what you are looking for
Once you have a clear understanding of your reality and wish lists make sure your agent has those same lists. This communication is critical. Otherwise you’ll both waste your time looking at home you’re really not interested in and you could possibly miss out on the one that truly meets your needs and desires. Your shared goal is to find a place that meets your needs: your agent will then try to satisfy as many of your desires as possible.
A good agent will ask you many questions about what you’re looking for and what you can afford. And then they’ll listen carefully to your answers.
Yes, that too... location, location, location
The desirability and resale of your home-to-be depend on location more than any other single factor. The simple truth is - the value of your home is affected by the homes that surround it.
Assuming you’ve already considered the items that make up a desirable home and community - character, quality of schools, access to work and services, recreational facilities, entertainment, etc. - there are several elements that combine to make a good location.
Your first consideration is the neighborhood. Every neighborhood has its own unique character; you need to make sure you’d be comfortable in the one you’re thinking of living in. Take a long walk and observe carefully. Do people take care of their yards and homes? Are the yards fenced? Do children play in the streets? Talk to the neighbors and ask questions that give you a better feel for the area. Be careful not to appear judgmental - you might be talking to a future neighbor.
If the neighborhood is to your satisfaction, look at homes on the market in the area. Extremely large homes surrounding smaller ones tend to appreciate less than a large home among other large homes. Conversely, the smallest home in a neighborhood tends to be “pulled up” by the other homes on the block. However, it might take longer to sell that smaller home when the time comes because many people are unwilling to pay extra for the neighborhood.
The outer edge of a neighborhood is usually not good for resale value. There are noticeable dividing lines between unlike neighborhood. It could be a difference in architectural styles, home size, property use or something else. Look at a home in the middle of a community of similar homes; it will hold its value better.
An exception to this rule is a home on the edge of a neighborhood bounded by woods, park land, a golf course or other open space. Natural boundaries appeal to most buyers and these “edge” homes can actually command a higher price. The exception is when there’s an unpleasant use planned for the open space. An open field with a babbling brook is nice; a new freeway, strip mall, or warehouse is not.
Other things that can negatively affect property values are traffic, sounds, smells, etc. Be sure to give the neighborhood a long, hard look. Preview the area at various hours of the day. The home you’re interested in may be perfect, but if the neighborhood has problems, your investment won’t be worth as much when the time comes to sell.
Use your real estate professional to narrow the prospect list -
A good agent brings to the table an in-depth knowledge of the current housing inventory in the area and continually updates that knowledge by touring homes as they are placed on the market. This is to your advantage. Trying to personally see every available home that might fit your needs would be an overwhelming process . If you are thoroughly communicating your needs and desires to your agent, then your agent can help you narrow down the list of prospective homes to those that best suit your family. This will save you much time and energy.
When the time comes to settle on one home, you can do it with the confidence that you’ve made a well-informed choice.
Show a little interest in everything you see
As you tour the homes on your short list, find something to admire in each one. If you don’t show any interest until you’ve finally fallen in love with a home, then you’ve put yourself at a competitive disadvantage. Never let anyone know how badly you want a home - it will cost you money!
Shop with your head, not your heart
Don’t forget the purpose of your reality and wish lists. Shopping for a home is an emotional process. Your heart will cost you money; using your head will save it.
Don’t ignore red flags when evaluating a home’s pluses and minuses
When evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of a particular property, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems.
Some issues - peeling paint, worn carpeting, ugly wallpaper - are cosmetic and can easily be remedied. In fact, you can use these “problems” during negotiations to lower the asking price; after all, you’ll need to spend money to bring the house up to date. Make note of what you see that can be used to your advantage. Although hold back from nit-picking. If taken to extremes, you could end up alienating the seller and creating a hostile atmosphere.
Other problems may be warnings to walk away. Major foundation cracks, evidence of previous water damage, signs of serious dry rot or termite damage, antiquated electrical systems or plumbing - any one of these may cause to reconsider your interest.
Don’t let a house’s positive attributes blind you to very real problems. If you do, the chances are good that you’ll end up spending much more than you ever expected down the line.
Hire a professional home inspector
Failing to do so, made the biggest home buying mistakes list.
Spending a few hundred dollars for a professional home inspection may be the best investment you’ll ever make. A professional inspector brings experience in examining a great many homes, good evaluation standards and an unbiased perspective. And a written report can be an excellent negotiating tool.
A Typical Inspection Looks at:
* Foundation (slab, crawlspace, basement, etc)
* Electrical, heating and plumbing systems
* Floors, walls and ceilings
* Attic
* Roof
* Siding and trim
* Porches, patios and decks
* Garage
* Property drainage
Make sure you accompany your inspector on the tour. You’ll learn a lot about the home you’re thinking of buying.
Once you have your evaluation, the decision to proceed is yours. A home inspector only gives you a professional opinion of the home’s condition, not advice as to whether or not you should buy.
Not all fixer-uppers are good buys
You may be the type who looks at a home in need of significant work as a challenge and an opportunity to make money. Many people have bought fixer-uppers at below market rates, invested a little sweat equity or a little more money on renovations, then eventually put it back on the market at a profit.
But if it isn’t priced low enough, you won’t recoup your investment of time, trouble and expense. Before you proceed , do a careful evaluation of what you’ll have to invest and consult you real estate professional to learn what you can reasonably expect to make when you put the home back on the market. And be sure to include the unexpected. There’s no such thing as a “sure thing”.
Choose a home with an eye toward future needs
Buying a home is a large investment. If you can stretch a little today to buy a home that you can grow in - whether it’s having a child, running a home-based business, or having room to build an addition - do it. In the long run, it will probably be less expensive than moving up to a marginally larger home when the need does arise.
Clarify who your agent is
Make sure you know who the agent you’re talking to represents. All agents have the responsibility to be open and honest with you and to let you know who they represent - the buyer, seller or both. On-site agents of new communities most often represent the seller (new home builder), not you.
Ask for a written comparative analysis
One way to ensure that you don’t offer too much for a home is to ask your agent to prepare a written comparative market analysis. A CMA will show you the sale prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood. It also lists the asking prices of other homes in the area currently on the market.
You may find that the asking price is above what comparable homes in the neighborhood are actually asking for. Or you might even find another home in the area that’s a better choice. When you make an offer, you can use the CMA as evidence to show the seller why you believe your offer is reasonable.
Learn as much as you can about the seller
It’s true what they say... Knowledge is power. The reason behind a sale can often be used to your competitive advantage during negotiations. For example, a seller whose company has transferred him to another city is probably more motivated to sell than someone who is still looking for a new home.
Other signs of a motivated seller include a vacant house, or a house that’s been on the market for several months with several reductions in the asking price.
Keep your own situation to yourself
Information can be used against you as well. How much you’re willing to spend, the size of mortgage you can afford, your move-in deadlines - it all can be used to extract more money out of your pocket. Be sure to tell your agent everything they need to know to be effective on your behalf, such as, how much you have for a down payment, the size of the mortgage you can afford, etc. However, keep your personal circumstances and timeline to yourself.
Use time to your advantage
Just as you have a time frame in which you wish to buy, seller almost certainly has a deadline of his own. If you can learn the seller’s deadline, it’s another piece of information that can be used to negotiate a better deal.
Check your emotions at the door during negotiations
One of the costliest mistakes you can make is letting the sellers know how much you love their home. Once you’ve let it slip, you can forget about negotiating the price; the other side knows how motivated you are. In fact, a seller may see it as an opportunity to squeeze a little more money out of you even when you’ve made a good offer to start.
No matter how wonderful a home is, no matter how much you want it, keep it to yourself.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
You may be the type who prefers a hard-and-fast price tag on everything. “I don’t like to haggle” is your approach. But negotiation is the key to getting a good deal. If your goal is to get the best home possible for the least amount of money, then you had better be prepared to play the negotiating game.
Stay out of bidding wars
Sometimes the seller’s agent will try to scare a hesitant buyer with the threat of another serious potential buyer. Don’t fall into this trap, it will only cost you money.
If there is another buyer, then the seller’s agent will try to get a bidding war going. In these situations, whoever wins also loses because the buyer ends up overpaying.
If there isn’t another buyer, there’s a good chance that the seller’s agent will come back with “the other deal” fell through. Be sure to let the other side know that you might be interested if that happens before you walk away.
Know your hidden costs
There’s more to buying a home than the mortgage. Don’t forget to factor in mortgage insurance, appraisal fees, inspection fees, title insurance and every other dollar you’ll have to spend in order to know what you’re really paying for your home. With the help of a good agentFree Web Content, you should identify all of the costs.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/home-buying-how-to-avoid-paying-too-much.html
Home Buying - How to avoid paying too much
Whether you’re a first time buyer or a veteran of the real estate game, buyinga home can be a mammoth process. It’s an emotional time often accompanied withdifficult choices. Those same difficult choices are tied directly to costs and your ultimate return and happiness.
Finding the right home for your family’s needs is hard, but managing to avoid paying too much is a another mastery of skills entirely. The following will show you not only how to make sure you’ve found the right house, but also how to negotiate the right price.
Know what you’re shopping for before you start
This first step is understanding what you are seeking. Your family has certain needs which must be fulfilled. Also there are many desires which may or may not ultimately be fulfilled. Take an unemotional look into those needs and desires.
Do you choose a three-bedroom home with room for your family to grow or the one with a large back yard, perfect for entertaining? Is having a large kitchen more important than having an extra room?
Two lists should be created - a wish list (your desires) and a reality list (your needs). The reality list consists of those items which your family really needs. They are “non-negotiables”. On the other hand, the wish list contains those items which would be nice to have. Prioritize the lists and the goal is clear - your next home needs to have most, if not all, of your reality list items and hopefully a few of the top wish list items. These lists will keep your efforts channeling in the proper direction.
Shop for a mortgage before you shop for a home
Getting a loan pre-approval is the smart way to shop for a home. It tells the sellers that you’re a serious prospect and you’ll know in advance the maximum mortgage you can afford. Make sure you get a commitment in writing.
It’s easier than ever to qualify for a home loan. Lenders have modified qualification rules and created programs designed to help people even if they have problems in their credit and employment histories. Many programs dramatically reduce down payments, so if money’s tight now you can still make that purchase.
First-time home buyers can benefit from the many lender programs that now exist. Reduced down payment is an example of such programs.
Pick the right real estate professional
From finding the right home to selecting a lender to meet your financial needs to getting proper property inspections to negotiating the best deal, it can be taxing for even the hardiest of souls. You need the right Realtor on your side.
The right real estate professional must have the high level of care, skill and due diligence to ensure your best interests are at heart. They also have a team of other professionals to put at your disposal - lenders, lawyers, home inspectors, movers, etc.
Most sellers you encounter will have a team in their corner. Having a professional on your team is the best way to make sure you get the best deal possible.
Make sure your agent knows what you are looking for
Once you have a clear understanding of your reality and wish lists make sure your agent has those same lists. This communication is critical. Otherwise you’ll both waste your time looking at home you’re really not interested in and you could possibly miss out on the one that truly meets your needs and desires. Your shared goal is to find a place that meets your needs: your agent will then try to satisfy as many of your desires as possible.
A good agent will ask you many questions about what you’re looking for and what you can afford. And then they’ll listen carefully to your answers.
Yes, that too... location, location, location
The desirability and resale of your home-to-be depend on location more than any other single factor. The simple truth is - the value of your home is affected by the homes that surround it.
Assuming you’ve already considered the items that make up a desirable home and community - character, quality of schools, access to work and services, recreational facilities, entertainment, etc. - there are several elements that combine to make a good location.
Your first consideration is the neighborhood. Every neighborhood has its own unique character; you need to make sure you’d be comfortable in the one you’re thinking of living in. Take a long walk and observe carefully. Do people take care of their yards and homes? Are the yards fenced? Do children play in the streets? Talk to the neighbors and ask questions that give you a better feel for the area. Be careful not to appear judgmental - you might be talking to a future neighbor.
If the neighborhood is to your satisfaction, look at homes on the market in the area. Extremely large homes surrounding smaller ones tend to appreciate less than a large home among other large homes. Conversely, the smallest home in a neighborhood tends to be “pulled up” by the other homes on the block. However, it might take longer to sell that smaller home when the time comes because many people are unwilling to pay extra for the neighborhood.
The outer edge of a neighborhood is usually not good for resale value. There are noticeable dividing lines between unlike neighborhood. It could be a difference in architectural styles, home size, property use or something else. Look at a home in the middle of a community of similar homes; it will hold its value better.
An exception to this rule is a home on the edge of a neighborhood bounded by woods, park land, a golf course or other open space. Natural boundaries appeal to most buyers and these “edge” homes can actually command a higher price. The exception is when there’s an unpleasant use planned for the open space. An open field with a babbling brook is nice; a new freeway, strip mall, or warehouse is not.
Other things that can negatively affect property values are traffic, sounds, smells, etc. Be sure to give the neighborhood a long, hard look. Preview the area at various hours of the day. The home you’re interested in may be perfect, but if the neighborhood has problems, your investment won’t be worth as much when the time comes to sell.
Use your real estate professional to narrow the prospect list -
A good agent brings to the table an in-depth knowledge of the current housing inventory in the area and continually updates that knowledge by touring homes as they are placed on the market. This is to your advantage. Trying to personally see every available home that might fit your needs would be an overwhelming process . If you are thoroughly communicating your needs and desires to your agent, then your agent can help you narrow down the list of prospective homes to those that best suit your family. This will save you much time and energy.
When the time comes to settle on one home, you can do it with the confidence that you’ve made a well-informed choice.
Show a little interest in everything you see
As you tour the homes on your short list, find something to admire in each one. If you don’t show any interest until you’ve finally fallen in love with a home, then you’ve put yourself at a competitive disadvantage. Never let anyone know how badly you want a home - it will cost you money!
Shop with your head, not your heart
Don’t forget the purpose of your reality and wish lists. Shopping for a home is an emotional process. Your heart will cost you money; using your head will save it.
Don’t ignore red flags when evaluating a home’s pluses and minuses
When evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of a particular property, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems.
Some issues - peeling paint, worn carpeting, ugly wallpaper - are cosmetic and can easily be remedied. In fact, you can use these “problems” during negotiations to lower the asking price; after all, you’ll need to spend money to bring the house up to date. Make note of what you see that can be used to your advantage. Although hold back from nit-picking. If taken to extremes, you could end up alienating the seller and creating a hostile atmosphere.
Other problems may be warnings to walk away. Major foundation cracks, evidence of previous water damage, signs of serious dry rot or termite damage, antiquated electrical systems or plumbing - any one of these may cause to reconsider your interest.
Don’t let a house’s positive attributes blind you to very real problems. If you do, the chances are good that you’ll end up spending much more than you ever expected down the line.
Hire a professional home inspector
Failing to do so, made the biggest home buying mistakes list.
Spending a few hundred dollars for a professional home inspection may be the best investment you’ll ever make. A professional inspector brings experience in examining a great many homes, good evaluation standards and an unbiased perspective. And a written report can be an excellent negotiating tool.
A Typical Inspection Looks at:
* Foundation (slab, crawlspace, basement, etc)
* Electrical, heating and plumbing systems
* Floors, walls and ceilings
* Attic
* Roof
* Siding and trim
* Porches, patios and decks
* Garage
* Property drainage
Make sure you accompany your inspector on the tour. You’ll learn a lot about the home you’re thinking of buying.
Once you have your evaluation, the decision to proceed is yours. A home inspector only gives you a professional opinion of the home’s condition, not advice as to whether or not you should buy.
Not all fixer-uppers are good buys
You may be the type who looks at a home in need of significant work as a challenge and an opportunity to make money. Many people have bought fixer-uppers at below market rates, invested a little sweat equity or a little more money on renovations, then eventually put it back on the market at a profit.
But if it isn’t priced low enough, you won’t recoup your investment of time, trouble and expense. Before you proceed , do a careful evaluation of what you’ll have to invest and consult you real estate professional to learn what you can reasonably expect to make when you put the home back on the market. And be sure to include the unexpected. There’s no such thing as a “sure thing”.
Choose a home with an eye toward future needs
Buying a home is a large investment. If you can stretch a little today to buy a home that you can grow in - whether it’s having a child, running a home-based business, or having room to build an addition - do it. In the long run, it will probably be less expensive than moving up to a marginally larger home when the need does arise.
Clarify who your agent is
Make sure you know who the agent you’re talking to represents. All agents have the responsibility to be open and honest with you and to let you know who they represent - the buyer, seller or both. On-site agents of new communities most often represent the seller (new home builder), not you.
Ask for a written comparative analysis
One way to ensure that you don’t offer too much for a home is to ask your agent to prepare a written comparative market analysis. A CMA will show you the sale prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood. It also lists the asking prices of other homes in the area currently on the market.
You may find that the asking price is above what comparable homes in the neighborhood are actually asking for. Or you might even find another home in the area that’s a better choice. When you make an offer, you can use the CMA as evidence to show the seller why you believe your offer is reasonable.
Learn as much as you can about the seller
It’s true what they say... Knowledge is power. The reason behind a sale can often be used to your competitive advantage during negotiations. For example, a seller whose company has transferred him to another city is probably more motivated to sell than someone who is still looking for a new home.
Other signs of a motivated seller include a vacant house, or a house that’s been on the market for several months with several reductions in the asking price.
Keep your own situation to yourself
Information can be used against you as well. How much you’re willing to spend, the size of mortgage you can afford, your move-in deadlines - it all can be used to extract more money out of your pocket. Be sure to tell your agent everything they need to know to be effective on your behalf, such as, how much you have for a down payment, the size of the mortgage you can afford, etc. However, keep your personal circumstances and timeline to yourself.
Use time to your advantage
Just as you have a time frame in which you wish to buy, seller almost certainly has a deadline of his own. If you can learn the seller’s deadline, it’s another piece of information that can be used to negotiate a better deal.
Check your emotions at the door during negotiations
One of the costliest mistakes you can make is letting the sellers know how much you love their home. Once you’ve let it slip, you can forget about negotiating the price; the other side knows how motivated you are. In fact, a seller may see it as an opportunity to squeeze a little more money out of you even when you’ve made a good offer to start.
No matter how wonderful a home is, no matter how much you want it, keep it to yourself.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
You may be the type who prefers a hard-and-fast price tag on everything. “I don’t like to haggle” is your approach. But negotiation is the key to getting a good deal. If your goal is to get the best home possible for the least amount of money, then you had better be prepared to play the negotiating game.
Stay out of bidding wars
Sometimes the seller’s agent will try to scare a hesitant buyer with the threat of another serious potential buyer. Don’t fall into this trap, it will only cost you money.
If there is another buyer, then the seller’s agent will try to get a bidding war going. In these situations, whoever wins also loses because the buyer ends up overpaying.
If there isn’t another buyer, there’s a good chance that the seller’s agent will come back with “the other deal” fell through. Be sure to let the other side know that you might be interested if that happens before you walk away.
Know your hidden costs
There’s more to buying a home than the mortgage. Don’t forget to factor in mortgage insurance, appraisal fees, inspection fees, title insurance and every other dollar you’ll have to spend in order to know what you’re really paying for your home. With the help of a good agentFree Web Content, you should identify all of the costs.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/home-buying-how-to-avoid-paying-too-much.html
Buying A Home In Winchester
Winchester in Hampshire was recently described as the best place to live in the UK, following a survey carried out as part of a Channel Four television programme. What should you look out for when buying a home in Winchester?
It's no surprise that Winchester is popular with buyers. The city has a rich history and is ideally located for business and leisure. Only an hour away from London by train, with a station on the mainline route to London Waterloo, the city has become particularly popular with individuals looking to commute to the capital.
Given that the local schools here are excellent and that Winchester enjoys close proximity to the surrounding countryside and the New Forest, the city is also popular with families who like to be close to outdoor pursuits.
Winchester is a city by virtue of its large Norman cathedral and yet it is a place that still feels like a large provincial town. Much of the historic centre remains, drawing tourists from all over the UK and Europe.
House prices here have risen rapidly over the past decade, as has been the case with much of the country. The proximity to London has ensured that the city has continued to have a high demand for housing.
Buyers often look for character properties and there are plenty of them in and around the city centre. Much of the city centre housing is Victorian, with typical high ceilings in many of the houses.
Newer properties have been built, notably in Weeke, Harestock and Badger Farm. Modern flats and apartments have also been springing up in central locations.
The key to buying a home here is to get to know the various areas of the city. Since Winchester is a relatively compact place to liveFree Web Content, you'll find that many properties will be within walking distance of the centre and the railway station.
Take the time to find out what Winchester's all about - you're likely to fall in love with the city.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/buying-a-home-in-winchester.html
It's no surprise that Winchester is popular with buyers. The city has a rich history and is ideally located for business and leisure. Only an hour away from London by train, with a station on the mainline route to London Waterloo, the city has become particularly popular with individuals looking to commute to the capital.
Given that the local schools here are excellent and that Winchester enjoys close proximity to the surrounding countryside and the New Forest, the city is also popular with families who like to be close to outdoor pursuits.
Winchester is a city by virtue of its large Norman cathedral and yet it is a place that still feels like a large provincial town. Much of the historic centre remains, drawing tourists from all over the UK and Europe.
House prices here have risen rapidly over the past decade, as has been the case with much of the country. The proximity to London has ensured that the city has continued to have a high demand for housing.
Buyers often look for character properties and there are plenty of them in and around the city centre. Much of the city centre housing is Victorian, with typical high ceilings in many of the houses.
Newer properties have been built, notably in Weeke, Harestock and Badger Farm. Modern flats and apartments have also been springing up in central locations.
The key to buying a home here is to get to know the various areas of the city. Since Winchester is a relatively compact place to liveFree Web Content, you'll find that many properties will be within walking distance of the centre and the railway station.
Take the time to find out what Winchester's all about - you're likely to fall in love with the city.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/finance/buying-a-home-in-winchester.html
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