Seller Responsibilities

In the event of selling a home for the first time, many sellers may not know entirely what their responsibilities are in terms of the things that need to be done. Much of what goes on, goes on behind the scenes and is conducted between the agents or realtor’s that are representing the involved parties. The sellers responsibilities begin and end with what is happening inside the home itself. Let’s get started here, are there any fixes or renovations that the realtor has recommended? If so then this is the best place to start. Hopefully we are not talking large-scale renovations here, ideally there would be little that needs to be done aside from perhaps a few cosmetic upgrades. If this is not the case then you may want to reconsider the time line for the home sale.

It is the sellers primary responsibility to ensure that everything that is in the house works, and works well. Buyers don’t like to see fixtures that don’t work, like leaky faucets, light switches that don’t work and so on. Also try to think about what needs to be replaced. If there is anything that looks as though it was installed in the 70’s then that may be a good place to start. Old light fixtures should be replaced with nice looking new ones that suit the style of the home. This same practice is important for many aspects of the home that may seem a bit out-of-date. These things can quickly drag down the offers that you will receive.

It is also the responsibility of the seller to maintain the home in spotless condition so that the realtor can do their job and get as many qualified buyers through the home as possible. Homes really need to be in top condition to garner the kind of interest necessary for a quick sale. The realtor can always give some pointers as to what could help the home sell better but it is the choice of the seller as to whether or not they take that advice. Remember that the real estate market is a fast moving and sometimes tricky game. Your home is competing with many others and it is up to you to distinguish it from the others. Do you have a game plan of what to do to make this happen? If you stay focused on making your home as appealing as possible then you realtor can concentrate on their job, the selling of the home.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Virginia Wherland

Want to Be a Top Real Estate Agent? Start With a Business Plan!

Crafting a business plan is one of the first steps that any smart entrepreneur takes when they first decide to go into business for themselves. While real estate agents fall into the entrepreneur category, there are many agents out there that don’t take the time to formulate a solid business plan. It is a time consuming process, and one that requires difficult decision making and goal setting. It can seem tedious to an agent who would rather be out in the field, generating leads.

In the real estate industry, changes occur all the time, with a bustling housing market one year and a slump the next. What is the point of having a business plan in such an unpredictable industry like real estate?

Planning is the key to any good business, and real estate is no exception. You need to figure out what you want to achieve and then formulate a plan to get there.

To start, experts recommend coming up with a wish list for your business. How much would you like to make over the next few years? Be realistic, yet optimistic. You don’t want to set your sights too high and feel like a failure, or set them too low and not realize your full potential.

Once you have your income goals and a time line set, you need to decide which tasks you will undertake to achieve those goals. Where will you place your energies and resources? Generating internet leads, or meeting people locally? Figure out how many clients you will need to have during an average year to meet your meet your needs. Then you need to your calculate all of your fixed and variable expenses, which is hard for many agents to do. Be very specific, and budget carefully. Vaguely described expenses are almost always higher than anticipated. Once you have your expenses figured out, you may have to readjust your revenue goals appropriately.

It is also a good idea to do a market analysis, and to always be on top of developments in the industry. You need to consider the potential rising and falling of local markets so you have the ability to ride out a slow period.

Making a business plan is different from simply outlining your goals. While it is good to have an overview of what you want to accomplish with your real estate business, it is vital that you sit down and map out the details. These details are what make up the business plan. It is action oriented and offers specific measures that you need to take, and in what time frame in order to accomplish your goals. Plan now, and a bright real estate future will be yours.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Bob Nachman

How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent To Sell Your Home

Selling your home is a frustrating time. Most people are moving into a new home, on top of getting the old house ready for a new family, this makes for a very difficult time to say the least. When most people are selling their home, they use a real estate office to make the process a bit easier. Many people choose to sell their own home, which is a much more risky move and may take longer to sell. Those who do choose to go with a real estate office often wonder which real estate office to go with.

There are many things to do to ensure that you have a real estate agent that is the best possible match for you. For starters, find out who sold the last few homes in your neighborhood. Chances are these houses are very similar to yours, thus you know the office and agent have previous experience with the type you are selling. Ask family and friends what they have heard through the grapevine about agents in the area who have sold homes. These are great ways to find out about the agents, before you meet them.

If you find an office that is of interest call and set up an appointment to meet with an agent who specializes in your type of home. If you have a specific name that was given to you, request that person to meet with. Once you meet with the agent you need to clearly define your expectations. If you want a certain price and will do no negotiations, the agent needs to know this. It is also a good idea to explain some of the features of the homes that are appealing, but not seen. For example, if there is an underground sprinkler system for the yard. Anything that could add to the appeal of the house needs to be included.

During the meeting the agent should also take a look around to get a feel for the house. During this inspection, the seller may want to point out special details. For example, the hardwood floors are new, or the bathroom has just been remodeled. Basically, tell the agent everything they could use to sell your home.

The most important thing about a real estate agent and the sellers relationship is that they are open to communication freely and have that trust between them. Without a trusting relationship, the process is doomed from the beginning. The seller needs to find an agent that they feel comfortable with and confident that the agent will be able to work for them and sell the home quickly.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Luis Pezzini

How to Sell Your Home – Finding Real Estate Investors

Financial worries can have you racking your brain over how to sell your home fast. Difficulty making monthly mortgage payments can make the situation even more dire. If you list your home for sale on the real estate market in today’s sagging economy, there is no way of knowing how quickly it will sell. Financial experts say it can take up to a year for the average home in good condition to be sold. A real estate investment company can help you decide how to sell your home fast. Investors can move quickly from negotiating a sale price to closing on your property, and even offering you a cash payment for the full sale amount.

Making the right decision

How do you know if contacting a real estate investment company is the best choice? You have a couple of different choices available when you are deciding about how to sell your home. You can list it on the market or through a real estate agent, then wait for it to sell. Or your can contact a real estate investment company and get an immediate sale within days. If you are facing foreclosure, a real estate investment company makes the most sense. They have the ability to move quickly since they work with private funds to close on your home before going into foreclosure.

I reputable investment company will walk you through the steps so you understand how to sell your home for a fast payment. The company may even work with your mortgage lender directly to put a halt to any collection calls you have been receiving which can lift an emotional and financial burden almost immediately.

Don’t delay

Things move pretty quickly once a homeowner is in the foreclosure process. This means you can’t afford to wait too long to make a decision. Waiting to long will leave you with very few options. When you are researching how to sell your home fast, you will quickly learn that time is money. The longer you wait, the more late fees and other costs grow.

Should you consider bankruptcy?

Some homeowners struggling with mortgage and other bills will automatically consider bankruptcy as a way to end the overwhelming feelings financial troubles can create. They think they can just claim bankruptcy on all outstanding debts, including the house to wipe away their current troubles and then just start over. Both a foreclosure and a bankruptcy will have a very negative effect on your credit. What’s more, it you are not careful you can have both a foreclosure and a bankruptcy on your credit report. The best thing to do if you are dealing with financial troubles and believe you may become a victim of foreclosure is to talk to an investor to discuss how to sell your home fast.

Contact a professional home buying service

Knowing where to find a professional real estate investment company can work to your advantage when you need to know how to sell your home before you lose it to foreclosure. Knowing how to sell your home fast before foreclosure allows you to pay off your mortgage and eliminate the stress.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Dustin Griffin

Finance for Beginners – The Best Way to Become a Professional

Financing is described as a method of getting the resources to buy an item, then repaying the credit in a set period of time for an established monthly or weekly charge. Generally, individuals turn to financing when purchasing a house, a boat, or even a car, but there’re occasions when financing may be required to buy other necessities. For instance, furniture shops may possibly offer financing plans to individuals who want to buy whole room sets, and yes, there’re business that offer computers and equipment with very similar plans.

You might be wondering now, why don’t you purchase a pc on a credit card? While a practical way for some, it’s not for everybody. With interest prices as they’re, the cost of a bought item on credit will certainly vary as the price on the credit card raises – a person will certainly finish up paying a lot more than what the product is worth. Additionally, think about the fact that not everyone will qualify for specific credit cards and charges. You will receive several mailings proclaiming that you’re prequalified for this or that credit card, but it’s still probable to be rejected for credit, and missed obligations on existing cards will appear in your credit score. So when you try to purchase a property or a boat and alarms ring whenever your history of credit is mentioned, you know you are in trouble!

So exactly how then, you wonder, can one be eligible for a financing with a smaller company? Small enterprises take numerous elements into account, obviously, as you apply for a bank loan through them. Most significantly, they look at employment position – do you produce a normal income in order to make monthly payments? If you’re in the army, you might find it simpler to apply to credit based on your work. That you’re taking in a stable income from the federal government tells a business proprietor that you’re good for the money you will have to pay back, and after that a reasonable payment plan may be made so you can appreciate your computer now and pay after a while. With many businesses, your pays may be the ticket to having a nice pc.

If you’re thinking about studying finance, living on a budget, and various news of interest to military services, you’ll find a wealth of info on the Internet to that respect. This kind of companies can be good for military and private personnel who require to budget their payments.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Roberto Esartuan

German Trams – Simple and Sustainable Transportation

German trams, or Statbahn, are urban, electrical powered mass transportation systems are available in most cities. As the world becomes more sensitive to the environment, German trams are: simple to use; sustainable; and cost effective.

As Germany was rebuilding after World War II, there were options to either rebuild the light rail system or go underground with subways, or a U-Bahn. After understanding the costs, many chose to rebuild the trams. Some cities, like Munich, offer both. Hamburg is the largest German city without a tram.

German trams use articulated cars, or Kurzgelenkwagen, a multi-car set-up with flexible seams that sway with turns. These vehicles are low to the ground for minimal passenger steps. Power comes from an overhead electrical grid.

Many Germans and tourist purchase travel cards for tram fare. Tickets are available from kiosks at each stop, or passengers pay individual fares to the driver. Trams tour through a city on a loop with specific stops. Urban Statbahn are not to be confused with S-Bahn, similar-looking railways that transport passengers to suburbs.

German boulevards tend to be wide and the trams share lanes with other vehicles. While there is potential for chaos, the German culture is built on following rules. The system runs smoothly and stays punctual, a major cultural rule.

In Heidelberg I jumped on trams in wet weather to get to the company headquarters, or to carry my luggage and I from the train station to the hotel. While slower than a subway, trams are open to sunlight and they allow you to enjoy city views. Unlike many other European cities, German air is not filled with diesel fumes.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Mark F Weber

Travel Tips for Austria and Germany

AUSTRIA

The world’s best music festivals. The world’s biggest and most famous music festival is the Salzburg Festival. Other important Austrian melomaniac delights include the Haydn Festival in Vienna and the International Chamber Music Festival. Tickets to the festivals are cheapest if you buy them in Austria. „Tickets for Events in Austria“ is an information sheet which is available from Austrian National Tourist Office, tel. (212)944-6880; website: http://www.austria-tourism.at.

The world’s best horsemanship. The 400-year-old Spanish Riding School, located in the Hofburg, trains the noble white stallions that descend from the Spanish horses imported to Austria by Emperor Maximilian II in the 16th century. The horses dance to Viennese music, guided by expert riders wearing the traditional gold-buttoned brown uniform and gold-braided black hat. Performances are held at the school most Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. and occasional Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. from March to June and September to December. It’s difficult to get tickets; write six months in advance to the Spanische Reitschule, Hofburg, A-1010 Vienna, Austria; tel. (43)1-533-9031.

The most romantic hotel. Less than an hour from Vienna, the Schloss Durnstein, tel. (43)2-711-212, presides over a wide curve of the Danube River. Located deep in the wine district of Wachsu, this magnificent castle is surrounded by distinctive vine-clad hills, age-old ruins and timeless picturesque villages with one-lane streets. According to the legend, it was here that the imprisoned King Richard the Lionhearted was reunited with his faithful minstrel, who had sung his way across Europe searching for his master. Also intriguing is the wine cellar (which can accommodate 8,000 „buckets“ of wine), the arch-crossed cobbled courtyard and the 33 rooms all with chandeliers fronting the Danube.

GERMANY

Heidelberg, the most romantic town. Heidelberg is the hub of German Romanticism. Schumann began his career as a Romantic composer in this pretty town and Goethe fell in love here. Heidelberg is also the oldest university town in Germany and the site of scenes from the movie and opera The Student Prince. The best place to ramble in Heidelberg is the Haupstrasse, which is lined with coffeehouses and little shops. Have a drink in one of the cafes beneath the rathaus. Or meander along Philosopher’s Walk, where Goethe and Hegel wandered. From the path you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the city and Heidelberg Castle. Don’t leave town without visiting the Electoral Palatinate Museum, where the 500,000-year-old jawbone of Heidelberg Man is kept.

Germany’s best fish market. The best fish market in Germany is held on Sunday mornings in Hamburg. This raucous but fun affair is located by the docks in Altona and begins at 5 a.m.

Worms: the strangest history. The city of Worms has a strange name and an even stranger history. It was named for a legendary giant worm with fangs and webbed feet that lived in the Rhine and demanded human sacrifices. Worms was the fifth-century capital of the legendary Nibelungs. The tribe left the area, according to legend, after the wicked Hagen slew their hero, Siegfried and threw their treasure into the river. A huge statue of Hagen commemorates the story. The town was destroyed in A.D. 436 by Attila the Hun. In the center of the town’s old section is the tall, spired Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, built in the 11th and 12th centuries. Worms has a huge statue of Martin Luther; the oldest synagogue in Germany, built in the 11th century and restored in 1961; and the oldest and largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. Tombstones date from the 11th century.

Hitler’s favorite hideout. The Kehlsteinhouse (also known as Eagle’s Nest), perched on a rocky crag above the town of Berchtesgaden, was Hitler’s favorite hideout. No wonder-the view from the hideaway-turned-restaurant is exhilarating. Anyone could develop delusions of grandeur here. Alpine peaks rise above cottony clouds at this level. The snow at their summits glistens in the sun. Below, a thick carpet of dark green pines stretches toward the valley. The road to Eagle’s Nest is so steep and dangerous that cars are not allowed to use it; you must take a special bus from the Obersalzberg-Hintereck parking lot. You can dine in the restaurant from mid-May through mid-October.

The world’s best passion play. Every 10 years, the world’s most moving passion play is performed in the shadows of the Alps in the little artisan town of Oberammergau. From May through September in years ending in zero, local amateur actors put aside their daily professions and devote themselves entirely to the play. Written in the 17th century, it enacts Christ’s suffering between the Last Supper and his death. Villagers have performed the play every 10 years since the 17th century, when they vowed they would perform the passion if the black plague ceased. It did and they have. The picturesque Passionsspielhaus (Passion play Theater) can be visited any time of the year. The immense open-air stage holds 700 actors and the theater’s wooden benches hold 5,200 people. You can see the elaborate costumes used during the passion play when you visit. Performances begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 6 p.m., with a two-hour break for lunch. The best hotel Oberammergau is the Alois Lang. This quiet place has rooms with private bathrooms and three good dining rooms.

The world’s best asparagus. Every spring, Germans go stalk-raving mad, gorging themselves on the country’s Weisser Spargel, or white asparagus. The German asparagus, introduced 2,000 years ago by the Romans, is plump and ivory white with delicate purple tips. It is prized among epicures, who come from around the world every April, May and June to the world’s asparagus mecca. Asparagus is especially big business in Finthen, near Mainz, where all 5,000 inhabitants are engaged in the cultivation of the white vegetable; in Lampertheim, between Worms and Mannheim, where every housewife grows the prized vegetable in her back yard; in Schrobenhausen, the center of the only area in southern Bavaria where asparagus is grown; and in Tettnang and Schwetzingen, known together as the asparagus capital of Germany.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Michael Russell

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Germany

Once a strong empire and one of the world’s most fearsome governments, Germany today is an economic force with a remarkable wealth of culture and attractions – magnificent old churches, world-class museums and a breathtaking countryside dotted with charming medieval villages and fairy-tale castles. If you’re still not convinced, here are the top five reasons for you to visit Germany.

1. World War II Landmarks and Memorials

Many countries in the world have their share of World War II landmarks and memorials. None, however, has as many as those of Germany. Indeed, when you visit Germany, you will notice that many towns and villages have a memorial to honor their dead. The most poignant memorials, though, are the memorials in honor of the millions of Jews who died during World War II, such as the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin and the memorials in the German concentration camps, like Buchenwald and Dachau. The Jewish Museum, showcasing the history of the Jews in Germany since the Middle Ages, is also a memorial in itself.

Aside from these Jewish memorials, you can also visit other World War II landmarks during your holidays in Germany, such as the Nazi party rally grounds and the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg where the war trials were held, and the Eagle’s Nest in the German Alps, near which you can find an information centre about Hitler’s regime. You can also visit the Military Museum in Dresden, the most heavily bombed city during the war, to learn more about the German army.

2. Beer

Beer is the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world, and though it did not originate in Germany, it is closely associated with the Germans. In fact, beer is the national drink of Germany, with over 1,300 breweries scattered all over the country, particularly in the northern regions. There are over 5000 brands and many varieties of German beer, too, though all are made exclusively from water, barley, hops, yeast, and sometimes, sugar according to the Purity Law, which ensures their high quality.

Therefore, you should spend your holidays in Germany and try to sample as many types of beer as you can, or simply drop by during the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, the largest beer festival in the world and one of the most famous events in Germany. During this time, you can go from one tent to another and drink as much beer as you like, although you’ll want to hold your liquor unless you want to get arrested for causing trouble or wake up with a bad headache in the medical tent.

3. Christmas Markets

Christmas is a magical season all over the world, but it is especially festive and enchanting in Germany. After all, Germany is where the Tannenbaum or Christmas Tree originated, as well as the less popular but equally significant Advent Wreath. You will see these, along with other German yuletide symbols like the Nativity Scene, gingerbread cookies and carved nutcrackers, in the Christmas Markets held in many parts of the country, with the largest ones held in Stuttgart, Dresden, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Erfurt, so visit Germany in December and fall under the spell of the season.

4. Car Country

For auto enthusiasts, it is a dream come true to visit Germany, where the automobile originated and where the headquarters of top car manufacturers are located. Stuttgart, in particular, is where Gottlieb Daimler invented the first four-wheel automobile with Karl Benz, which is why it is where you will find the Gottlieb Daimler Museum, as well as the Mercedez Benz Museum. If you want to take a closer look at how cars are made, you can tour the factories of BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche in different cities. You can also drive a Trabi along the streets of Dresden or stop by Germany’s most famous race track at Nurburgring.

5. Classical Music

Aside from being the birthplace of the automobile and the Christmas Tree, Germany is the birthplace of many classical composers such as Bach, Wagner, Beethoven and Handel. You can hear their compositions at many opera houses, such as those of Frankfurt and Berlin, and even some churches when you visit Germany, as well as in their own individual festivals, like the Beethoven Festival in Bonn or the Bach Festival in Leipzig. If you want to hear all of their best pieces, you should come to the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the largest in Germany, or the Heidelberg Festival.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Isabella Olsen

Real Estate 101 – What to Fix When Selling?

Selling your home is a big moment in your life. After all, you are likely selling your home because you have decided to move to a new town or state. Or, perhaps you need to move into a larger home in order to accommodate your family or into a smaller home because the kids have left the nest. Regardless of your reasoning, you want to make sure you get the best price possible while also selling the home as quickly as possible. In order to make this happen, it is a good idea to follow these simple, quick, Realtor-recommended improvement tips that will help get your home sold.

Realtor Recommended Tip #1: Paint – Both Inside and Out

You would be amazed by the improvement that can be made with a simple paint job. By applying a fresh layer of coat to the outside and the inside of the home, the property will look much cleaner, newer, and more attractive. In addition, if you have unusual colors in or out of your home, applying a more neutral color will help to make the property more appealing to a broader market of buyers. Loud colors or colors that are selected to meet a very particular taste can make a home a tough sale.

Realtor Recommended Tip #2: Plant Flowers

Any Realtor can tell you that attractive landscaping is a major draw to potential buyers. In addition, adding just a few simple flowers here and there can be accomplished at a low cost while making the home appear more inviting and lively. In fact, you don’t have to permanently plant flowers on the property. Simply hanging a few flower baskets can do the trick and you can take them with you when you move.

Realtor Recommended Tip #3: Remove Clutter and Personal Effects

If you are still living in the home as you try to sell it, make sure it is clutter free as it is being shown to potential buyers. Nothing can make a sale more difficult on a Realtor than trying to walk past a mess or trying to help a buyer visualize living in a home that is highly personalized to the buyer.

Remember, your main goal is to help the potential buyer see him or herself living in the home. If your home is filled with personal memorabilia, such as family photos or collectibles, it becomes more difficult for the buyer to envision what he or she can do with the home. The less clutter and personal items left in the home the easier it will be for the Realtor to make this happen.

Realtor Recommended Tip #4: Maintain the Lawn

If you aren’t living in the home anymore, you might find it difficult to maintain the lawn properly. Remember, the first impression the buyer has of the home will go a long way toward determining whether or not a sale will be made. Therefore, if you cannot tend to the lawn yourself, look into hiring someone to take care of it for you. It will be an investment that is well worth the cost.

By following these four Realtor recommended home improvement tips, you will be able to sell your home for a fair price while also allowing you to move on and enjoy your new home rather than worrying about your old one.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Eric Bramlett

How a Foreign National Can Buy Real Estate in America

Opportunities for real estate investment for foreigners is wide and varied in the United States. It doesn’t matter where you’re from and what currency you’d be using to purchase a property, you have a property waiting for you.

There are generally three kinds of real estate investment available to foreigners. These investments include the commercial estate investment and residential property investment. Residential properties are further classified into single family properties, apartments or condominiums and recreational properties. Regardless of what kind of real estate you are interested in, there are all sorts of tax ramifications, financing options and legal requirements that you have to deal with.

Why Should You Invest in the U.S. Real Estate Market?

You’ve probably heard of the increasing number of foreign real estate investments in the United States. This is not surprising. With the troubles that the real estate investment market is facing in the United States, greater opportunities in real estate investment were opened to foreign investors.

With the dollar’s value in its all time low, foreign investors are finding real estate bargains all over the United States. There are no shortages of deals in this market. More and more distressed properties are being sold everywhere and foreigners are pouring in millions buying these foreclosed or distressed properties. The United States real estate has become a fairly attractive long-term investment for foreign investors.

In November of 2006, the National Association of Realtors released a report entitled „Foreign Investments in U.S Real Estate: Current Trends and Historical Perspective“. The report showed that there has been a steady increase in foreign real estate investment in the United States. This is especially after the euro and the loonie became stronger in the face of the continuous devaluation of the US dollar. Prime bargains were opened to foreigners. Many foreigners have now looked into the possibility of retiring or settling in the United States.

If you’re a foreigner, you would find a lot of reasons why you should invest in the United States real estate market. Aside from the fact that the floating exchange rate has given you a lot of leverage over the bargaining table, the financial market is a pretty good reason why you should invest in the US real estate.

The financial market in the United States in relation to the real estate market is quite liberal and the restrictions against foreign investors are pretty reasonable. This is ideal for foreign companies that are seeking to invest in the real estate market in the United States in order to avoid tariff restrictions and are considering setting up an office or a company in the United States.

Furthermore, despite the devaluation of the US dollar and the wide foreclosures of a lot of property, the real estate market remains to be stable, though slightly shaky, due to foreign investors‘ capital appreciation. Domestic real estate buyers may not necessarily share the same opinion, but the market has remained to be strong for foreign real estate buyers. This may be largely credited to the fact that there is minimal risk for them.

Why are Foreign Real Estate Investments Safe and Profitable?

There are a lot of investments you can make, but the safest you can make right now is investing your money in real properties. This is another good reason aside from the fact that you can make a pretty nifty profit, if you like, particularly now with the widespread property foreclosures and seemingly continuous US dollar devaluation. This is especially true if you are going to use the euro or the loonie when making your investment.

But why is US real estate investment safe for foreigners?

It is undeniable that stock investments are not a safe avenue at this point. The recession has not only affected the US economy; the same recession has greatly affected worldwide stock investments. Stocks values are dropping. It is also a fact that even without the current economic situation, stock values fluctuates.

On the other hand, real estate investments are pretty stable if you would compare it to stock investments – or even bond or mutual fund investments. With real estate investment, you’d be putting your money in an investment that would grow in value as years go by.

What are the Benefits of Foreign Real Estate Investment?

US state government supports foreign investments and along this line has formulated various tax breaks to encourage foreign investment on real estate. Many of these tax breaks are not available in many countries. In fact, most countries would frown at foreigners owning real properties within their territory.

Foreign real estate investment in the United States is open to everyone. As long as you can afford to buy the property or at least comply with the mortgage requirements and payments, you can secure for yourself a pretty good property in the United States. Again, with the current economic situation of the United States, this is the perfect chance for you to make an investment.

Another great benefit that you can take advantage of is the availability of mortgage financing. Lenders have opened their doors to foreign investors who are looking into purchasing a property. So, you don’t have to actually deplete your bank account. You can actually secure a mortgage loan and gradually pay it off.

I’m Canadian, What Are My Financing Options?

There is a steady increasing rate of Canadian real estate investors in the United States; and accordingly, the government has made certain that they have attractive financing options available to them.

If you’re Canadian – or if you’re a foreigner – you’d find a lot of reasons why you should buy a piece of real property in the United States. For Canadians, the parity of the currencies or the apparent devaluation of the US dollar is a pretty good reason itself. But how do you finance your purchase?

There are various financing options available to you depending on which state you are in. In Arizona, for instance, you’d get favorable financing terms if you are purchasing a property for recreational purposes, that is, you do not derive any income or benefit from your purchase or ownership. You will be required, however, to sign up a disclosure agreement and give a 30% down payment for your loan. To qualify though for a loan, you may be required to show availability of liquid reserves for a period of three to six months. You may also be required to present a minimum of 3-month bank statement.

If you are purchasing a property for investment, you’d probably meet stricter terms. Requirements may be more stringent. For instance, you could be required to give a down payment of more than 30% and you may be required to show one year worth of liquidity reserves.

Regardless of your reasons, if you feel like you can fulfill the requirements of a financing loan, you can then proceed to actually applying for a mortgage loan. Also, keeping yourself updated with the financing terms flux may be a wise idea.

Understanding the Tax Ramifications of Real Estate Investment

The first foreigner to have ever bought a real estate property in the United States was Peter Minuit. This opened the doors to foreign real estate investors. After a couple of centuries later, foreign real estate investment has grown into huge proportions, accounting for billion-of-dollar worth of industry.

The low risk attached to US real estate market, the availability of countless properties, and the steady market liquidity attract foreign investors in droves. The initial snag, however, is the process of understanding the legal ramifications of foreign real estate investment.

What you have to understand is that foreign investment in the United States can take a lot of forms. A foreigner has various options. He can acquire direct interest. He can acquire an interest in the real estate through a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company. The latter is the typical structure used by foreign investors.

Limited partnership or Limited Liability Company offers financial protection or indirect asset protection, especially in cases of bankruptcy, law suits and taxes. Foreign investors are generally taxed on the property as if they hold the property in direct interest.

Ideally, you should secure the services of a real estate accountant to help you out with the tax ramifications, but it would help if you, at least, know the basics before you actually talk to an accountant.

There are tax consequences that you have to deal with when you buy a real estate in the United States. You would need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number which you will use with all your tax transactions. Your investment in real estates can be treated as a portfolio investment and will be accounted for as an investment income which can either be fixed or a periodic income. This is typically taxed at 30% on gross revenues. This tax though does not apply though to all foreign investors. Tax rates would vary depending on the tax personality the foreign investor opted for. For instance, a corporation would be taxed differently.

Other things that you should take note of are availability and requirements of tax refunds and state tax laws on real estate properties as they may differ from federal laws, among other things.

By knowing all these things, you may save yourself from a lot of hassles when you finally approach a real estate accountant. You’d be in same wavelength when you finally get down to talking business. It is, however, very important that you secure the services of an accountant. You’d have an easier time dealing with the taxes ramifications. You’d also have assistance ensuring that you comply with all the accounting aspect of your investment. This is especially true if you are purchasing a real property for investment purposes.

Do You Need to Secure the Service of a Real Estate Lawyer?

If you are considering buying a property in the United States, you need to secure the services of a real estate attorney – someone who could help you with the legal issues concerning your purchase. It is tempting to forego securing the service of a lawyer to save money, but this could cost you a lot of money in the long run. Make sure that you have an experienced and trustworthy lawyer to help you out. Make sure that you have thoroughly checked out his credentials, profile, history of successful cases handled by him, and other factors that would influence your decision. You could check online and look for a lawyer working within the state where you are considering purchasing a property.

Functions of a Real Estate Lawyer

There is no actual distinctive function for a lawyer in a real estate case. However, you would really need the assistance of a lawyer for various tasks. A real estate lawyer would review the sales contract for you. He would also check on the title and other documents relating to the property. A lawyer would also review your mortgage contract and make the necessary adjustments or corrections. You could also get him to review with you the legal and tax issues concerning the purchase. A real estate attorney could also make the necessary adjustments relating to various expenses and costs involved in the purchase. He would assess your eligibility for tax refunds and draft the documents and statements relating to this.

Putting it simply, a real estate lawyer will be your watchdog. He would guide you through the whole process of purchasing a real estate in the United States in order to make sure that you will be legally protected. You will have a capable and trustworthy liaison to help you out with the contract. He will also face legal disputes if any arise.

Tips on How to Invest in Real Estate Successfully

Now, if you’ve fully bought into the idea of real estate investing in the United States, you might just want to know how to go about investing in real estate successfully. If you want to be successful in this venture, the first thing that you have to avoid is overanalyzing. Of course, it is a good idea to carefully think through your actions but it is a bad idea to overanalyze your investment to nonexistence. You might lose a great opportunity.

Before you purchase the property though, it might be wise to check the property value. If it sits well with you and you can reasonably afford the property, go ahead and make the purchase.

If you are considering the property for a quick flip, make sure that the property is in perfect condition and in good area. This is to ensure that you could double or actually triple your return of investment. If you can inspect the property yourself, do so. If not, a good and trustworthy agent can help you with this task.

Another important thing to remember when you’re buying real estate is good financing. You should take your time to carefully consider all your financing options. Foreign investors can email in their queries to various lending institutions. It is a good idea to make sure that you’ve had their terms and rates on paper because they tend to change these terms and charge you with a lot of junk. Your real estate agent can help you with reviewing the escrow charges.

The bottom line, however, is that it is very important that you do your homework before you actually buy a real property. Investing in real properties in the United States can be profitable especially during these times. In fact, it may be the wisest and most perfect investment you can make right now.

Immobilienmakler Heidelberg

Makler Heidelberg



Source by Maria Gudelis

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