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Showing posts from 2012

Buying a Home on Contract

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The most obvious reason for buyers to buy a home on contract is because they are unable or unwilling to obtain financing through traditional means such as a bank or mortgage broker. If you have poor credit, or a debt to income ratio which the bank feels is too high, buying on contract may be a viable option for you. If you can find a seller willing to sell on contract, you have secured a place to live and your money will not be paying the landlords mortgage. You have just found a way to build equity despite your less than ideal financial situation. Another great advantage to buying on contract is that there are very few closing costs. You'll still want to get a title opinion to make sure you have a clear title, and surely the seller will want a sizeable down payment. But there wont be any loan origination fees, etc. And because there is no underwriting process, you could easily close in 1-2 weeks. Because most sellers will charge you a higher interest rate than a bank would (alth

Places for you to Visit

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Labor day weekend is in the past, and there aren't many vacation days coming up until the holiday season. That doesn't mean it isn't a good time to start planning your vacation getaway to a few prime destinations around the world. Here are a few of the hottest places to go, that will be worth the cost. Thailand Certainly an up and coming spot for travelers and sightseers. The Thailand industry has seen some growth within the past 15 years, making it much more friendly for travelers from around the world. The location is beautiful  and it is a lesser known tourist destination, so you will certainly get your money's worth. One of the places I particularly want to visit is the northern part of Thailand. Paradise Holiday Rentals Chiang Mai-Thailand has gotten good reviews as a nice place to visit in that area. Costa Rica If you're feeling like traveling to Latin America, then Costa Rica should be at the top of your list. Beautiful rain forests, friendly people

Selling Your Home the Right Way

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If you expect to sell a home in the near future, there are many things you can do before you put your home on the market to help get you the offers you want more quickly. From fixing up trouble spots to hiring a professional, you can get a better price by making your home more attractive to buyers. The first step to make your home more appealing is to make it look bigger and more attractive. Buyers are always in the "would I live here" mindset, and no one wants to live in a dirty, cluttered or old looking house. Unless it's a cool looking old house . The easiest way to make you home look bigger is to clean up the messes and general "stuff". Cleaner houses appear to be bigger for some reason. Also, having proper lighting always makes rooms appear larger, more attractive and more inviting. Apply a fresh coat of paint or get carpets professionally cleaned before an open house, so buyers can see the house in the best condition possible. Increase curb appeal

Real Estate Condos: Beware

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condominium (Photo credit: OiMax ) Canaries were often used by miners to detect dangerous gases because, being so small, the gases would overcome them quickly enough for alert miners to get out before they themselves were overcome. So it is with savvy real estate market watchers and condominiums. Condos are typically the first units affected in a real estate market because there is so much speculative activity - from both buyers and sellers - that they tend to move in larger swings and more quickly than the overall market. Takes a look at condos in representative markets across the nation to find if all is well or not. It is quite difficult as markets are widely different from one another. For example, real estate in Syracuse continues to do quite well. However, neighboring areas struggle, making the area as a whole struggle. Keeping in mind that most of the people interviewed are the professional optimists, the underlying theme here is that speculators are getting scared ou

Apartment Hunting Tips

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Troy, Ohio, IMG_2007 (Photo credit: OZinOH ) I've done my fair share of hunting for apartments, and I have a few recommendations for any of those looking to settle down in a dream apartment complex. Listen to your friends The people you know first hand can tell you more about an apartment complex that any website or Google review could tell you. Even if they have heresy knowledge about an apartment complex, it's always good to pay attention, especially if they have had avoidable problems with the place. Live With Others Like You No not your roommates, althoguh I'm hoping you're already planning on doing that. Make sure your neighbors are somewhat similar to your demographic. The best example is if you're a college student, you wouldn't want to live in a family dominated complex or retirement home. If that could somehow happen. Although apartment management is not supposed to release that kind of information, you can get a sense just by hanging out i

Real Estate News for June

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English: Change of the Case-Shiller Home Price Index relative to its peak values in 1989 and 2006. Series starting in 1989 is in blue. Series starting in 2006 is in red. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Quite a bit has happened in the real estate industry since the start of the year. Many more people are searching for homes to buy, which is a great sign that home prices will continue to increase in the coming summer months. The expected jump in home prices is not all that substantial, estimated between 0-1%, which is both good and bad. The good news is that a small increase like this one is a safe increase, and a huge decline is much less like than if prices were expected to rise by say 5%. The bad news is that the prices may not be enough to keep some real estate businesses afloat, and the increase is certainly not uniform throughout the country and even within miles of certain communities, home prices can range in the millions.

Property Condition Assessments can save your business money

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(Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Many home owners and business owners live and work in buildings and homes that are outdated. Although this problem mostly affects the real estate values of home owners, it can pose a serious problem for business owners. Not only does it make the property holder liable for a lawsuit if an accident were to happen, but a simple problem can lead to expensive repairs and costs that could bankrupt a business within a few years. One way to avoid this and catch problems before they occur is to get a property condition assessment . Typical services include looking at a property before someone makes a big purchase on it, and assessing damages occurred to a property that has existed for extended periods of time. Typically what is searched meticulously for are structural flaws that can lead to expensive repairs, and life threatening issues that puts occupants at risk. Running a business demands a great deal of attention, and worrying if the building is structural

Team Cooper

Today's guest post comes from Team Cooper, the opinions and views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Real Estate Guide Tommy and Connie Cooper make up the dynamic team of expert Southern Delaware Realtors known as “Team Cooper”.   We are experienced, connected and proactive.   We build relationships based on trust and integrity.   We offer our clients individual marketing plans for every listing.   Our marketing includes cutting-edge technology for the new millennium, and we provide unparalleled caring service and communication.   YOUR goal is OUR goal; WE LISTEN! Licensed in 1972, Tommy has personally settled in excess of $500 million in Real Estate Transactions in Southern Delaware . He established Cooper Realty Associates in 1984, after serving as Executive Vice President and C.O.O. of one of the largest publicly traded real estate firms on the East Coast. A former Chairman of the Delaware State Real Estate Commission, h

Things to do in the Dominican Republic

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Planning out a trip to the Caribbean can be a fun and exciting process, but knowing where to begin can slow things down right from the start. That's why we've provided a list of some of the top tourist activities to partake in in our favorite place in the Caribbean; the Dominican Republic. 1. Catamaran Cruise: There are plenty of boats around the port cities in the Dominican Republic, and almost all of them have small businesses that offer tours on sailboats and catamarans. Typically you can rent out the boat for a few hours and pay one lump sum. It's much cheaper if you can get a bunch of friends to join so you can all split the bill at a low rate for everyone. 2. Zipline: Getting off the coast, there are plenty of higher elevations that are perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure. At a fairly cheap price, you can zipline through the tree tops and don't worry it's perfectly safe. 3. Buggy Adventure: If you want to take a real look at the area, hop

Mexico's Yucatan Mayan Beach

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Costa Maya Bacalar and Yucatan beachfront. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I'm dreaming of beaches today in far away places, so why not write about the beautiful Yucatan peninsula . Known for their beautiful white sandy beaches, gorgeous sunrises, and bright sunny skies, it's hard not to call the region paradise. One of the more popular regions on the peninsula is the Costa Maya area, which is relatively close to the border of Belize. The area is quite open to tourism and has great amenities, while also providing the seclusion and natural feel desired by anyone looking for a place to get away for a while. Things can get a little crazy if a cruise ship is in town, and the area can be overrun for a day with tourists looking to buy local souvenirs and tan out in the sun for a few hours before heading back for the boat. If you're looking for a place to rent out for your vacation down there, there are plenty of rentals available. Mayan Beach vacation rentals  has both homes

California City Real Estate

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Paradise Valley in Kings Canyon National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) It's a cold one up here in Oregon today, and on days like today I wonder why I'm spending my spring in a place so chilly. Today's featured location is a place a bit warmer in the great state of California. California is home to many of the top tourism attractions in the world, and is home to great beaches, warm sunny weather and lots and lots of people. If you want to live near all those great things minus the crowds, then take a look at California City. Located northeast of Los Angelos, California City is the largest city in a fairly rural area. The city is surrounded by national parks, with Kings Canyon and Death Valley to the North, and Los Padros and Angeles to the South. The open expanses and natural terrain of the area make it a great place to watch any sunrise or sunset. Because it is a fairly dry area, days can be hot and nights can be cold, but braving through both is well worth the n

Trapani, Sicily

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Trapani seen from Erice. The islands of Favignana (left) and Levanzo (right) can be seen in the background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The Mediterranean is known to be dotted with some of the most beautiful beaches, gorgeous sunrises and colorful towns in the entire world. One place that seems to stick out in particular in my mind is the Sicily and the surrounding area. If you ever get the chance to tour Italy, make sure you make it all the way down to the island. The weather in the area is beautiful all year round, the people in the area are extremely friendly, and there are many activities all tourists can partake in. The locals understand the value of the area, and although many homes are offered for extremely high prices, they refuse to sell. This is because many families have lived in the same homes for many generations. One of the more popular islands in the area is the Trapani island, which is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The small size of the i

Southern California Real Estate Markets

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This map, created by the Regional Plan Association, illustrates the Southern California megaregion (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Certainly one of the most beautiful locations in the world, and filled with all the amenities and attractions anyone could ask for, the real estate market in Southern California is about to sizzle this summer. According to a report released by the Los Angeles Times today, home sales in Southern California have climbed by 2.8% year over year. The prices of many of these homes is still on the decline, and it appears to continue that way, however they are not in the free fall mode that they were at the start of the real estate market scare in 2007. Foreclosures have begun to plateau and real estate demands continue to be high in the area, as they always have been in the past. If you're looking to live in the area, now is one of the greatest times to look. All you need is a Southern California realtor  and a way to look up regional properties. If you're loo

Log Siding Cabins, My Dream Home

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Log Cabin - Camp Petosega (Photo credit: Odalaigh ) This coming winter I want to get away for a weekend of skiing and snowshoeing, and as I was looking through various places to stay, I started noticing a strong trend. All the lodges and houses that were available to stay in are log cabins. I was curious about why this is the way it is, so I did some research and found a little bit more about log cabins. Log siding cabins have been built for thousands of years all throughout Europe. That became a common style throughout the United States, as European settlers brought over their methods of building homes with the only material that was readily available to them; trees. When built correctly, log cabins can be very warm and comfortable throughout the winter, and can include windows, fireplaces and stoves. Today, log cabins are still very popular, as they blend in very well with their surrounding environment and offer a great look both inside and outside. I hope to enjoy my winter tri

Backyard Waterfall and other Centerpieces

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The Great Ceremonial House features a large "tropical rainforest" in its atrium with waterfalls. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) If you live in a warm climate year round, or are just looking for a new way to spruce up your backyard, a backyard fountain, waterfall or water garden might make a nice addition. These can be easily bought online or in a large department store. When you're there, make sure you talk with a sales representative who knows a decent amount about installing the system. Getting the right information to put everything together will set a part a fun and exciting afternoon into a terrible and disorganized one. Many fountains and waterfalls come fully equipped with little work or assembly required. If you need to put your own set together, you need to make sure you have everything you need. One of the most common but essential parts that are forgotten are valves. You can get Valtorc flow control valves online that are quite reliable and at a nice price. One

Getting away to Koh Phangan

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Something that I have noticed over the past ten years is how much tourism has increased in Southeast Asia, and how it's referred to as the new Caribbean. The area has always been beautiful and natural, but there were no hotels, places to stay or activities for tourists. That has since changed as the region continues to develop new hotels, villas and transportation methods. One Island that I looked closely at was the Koh Phangan island, which has done tremendous development to accommodate tourism, while still maintaining beautiful beaches and a natural pristine environment. If you are searching for Ko Phangan houses and rental villas , there are many available and on the market. Because the area is so young to tourism, the prices ares still quite low.

Top 10 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Buying a house can be intimidating. But it doesn't have to be! We’ve compiled the Top 10 Tips for first time home buyers. They are presented in chronological order. If you have any questions, please contact us and we’ll certainly get back to you. 1. Should I Even Buy? There is nothing wrong with renting and in many cases it’s the smart move. A critical factor to consider is how long you expect to live in the house. Some experts believe that you’ll need to stay for at least 36 months. Of course, that will depend on the price you pay for the home, it’s current value and rate of appreciation. It is good to note that in today’s “easy” credit environment, lenders are increasingly willing to loan large sums of money to purchase a house with a very small down payment. So, just because you don’t have a lot of money available for a down payment, it doesn’t mean you can’t buy a house. While creditors are still out looking for new customers, the days of loaning money to anyone with a hear

The Art Of Hanging Art from a Professional

By Dana J. Smithers This article originally appeared here:  http://www.presstaging.com/resources/articles/the_art_of_hanging_art.php Have you ever walked into someone's home and had to really control yourself not to walk over to a piece of art and rehang it. I have, and anyone in the business of decorating, redesigning or staging spends hours doing behind the scenes work that our clients will never know we have done. Since I teach courses in Redesign and Home Staging I always tell my students that even though the client's don't know what we do, I can sleep soundly at night because I know I hung the art professionally. Art is really part of the 'icing on the cake' along with accessories (that's a whole other topic) and is one of the key steps in creating a professional look in your home. There is an abundance of different styles and price ranges of art available to all of us. The important thing in choosing your art is to ensure that is coordinates wit

Traveling the Swiss Alps

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Image via Wikipedia Whether you are an avid skiier looking for the a new thrill or a summertime hiker looking for natural beauty, the Swiss Alps are on of the top destinations to visit. Here are a few top destinations within the Swiss Alps region so you can start planning your next visit. Hang Gliding There are very few locations that are suitable for hang gliding and the Swiss Alps are one of them. It doesn't matter if you are a pro or have no experience. It's an activity suitable for anyone, assuming you don't have an intense fear of heights! Visit Dufourspitze   The highest peak in the Swiss Alps is also one of the iconic images of the country. Visible from many locations and countries, this is certainly a sight worth seeing. Guided Tours Sometimes its best to let someone else do all the work for you. There are many guided tours available that make stops at all the big attractions around Switzerland, and there are many that are specific for skiing or hiking. I

Box Springs Mountain

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Image via Wikipedia Box Springs Mountain is the highest peak in the Box Springs Mountains range, and is one of the defining and scenic images of the area. The mountain is known for its great hiking trails and animal inhabitants of lizards, snakes, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, deer and burros. The mountain has some other defining features. The mountain got its name when travelers would stop to water their horses in a natural spring, which was surrounded by a box to maintain its water. Today the mountain is known for a letter C, known as the "Big C", that is embedded in the side of the mountain and is visible from quite a distance. This was built in the 1950s by UC Riverside students. However, that is not the only letter on the mountain. The letter M was embedded on the side of the mountain facing the Moreno Valley. In 2009, the letter M was lit up as a celebration of the 25th anniversary. If you are looking to live in the area to take advantage of this great

Orlando Florida Real Estate

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Image via Wikipedia Now that it is spring break season, one of the things that is on my mind is Florida and all the great times I had there as a kid. One of my favorite places to visit was the Orlando area, and not just because of Disney World (Although that was a top reason). Although the Florida real estate market has seen some tough times over the years, the area is booming and there are a good selection of  Orlando homes for sale  to meet the increased demands. Here are a few reasons why: Despite rising gas prices, students from all over the world flock to Florida and Orlando during the spring break season giving the state an annual economic boost, and this year is no different. Among other factors, that is thanks to airlines lowering their airline costs this season and making it easier for price sensitive students to travel the distance. After a rough economic stretch, housing prices stabilized at the beginning of last year, and have since gradually increased at a healthy rate

Tucson Arizona - The Real Southwest

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  Mission San Xavier del Bac Located in Southern Arizona, Tucson is one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in North America.  Hohokam Indians lived and, surprisingly, farmed the area for over 4,000 years before Spanish missionaries and soldiers arrived in the late 1600s. The “newcomers” arrived from Spain in the 1700s and founded the Mission San Xavier del Bac and Presido San Agustin del Tucson.  These two structures have become the most historically significant in the area.  The Tucson Presidio was surrounded by an adobe wall and became know as “The Old Pueblo” and still is the nickname for the City of Tucson today. Although once part of Mexico, Tucson became part of the United States in 1854.  Today, Tucson, the second largest city in Arizona is a vibrant city that has become not only a resort destination, but the home for almost a million people.  Tucson is the County seat of Pima County which includes The towns of Marana , Oro Valley , Green Valley , Sahuarita and

A House Is A Tool To Live The Life You Want

You don't buy a vacuum cleaner because you want a vacuum cleaner. You buy a vacuum cleaner because you want clean carpets. The difference is subtle but important. It's the same with money. You don't want a million dollars because you want a million dollars. You want a million dollars, because with a million dollar you could... [insert whatever it is you would do or feel with a million dollars]. It's the same with houses. A house is simply a tool to live the life you want. Sometimes what you really want isn't in the price range you are looking for, or in the town you are looking in, or it's bigger or smaller than the houses you are looking at. Or it's a condo when you've been looking at single family homes, or the other way round. The house you buy will influence your life for years to come. It's worth asking yourself "what sort of lifestyle do I want?" before blindly seeing houses just hoping something jumps out at you. Do you want to

Languedoc Southern France

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Image via Wikipedia I have a friend that recently returned from a tour of Europe, and one of her favorite places she visited was the Langedoc region of Southern France. I had heard of the region before, and if I ever have the opportunity to travel Europe it is a top place on my list to see. The area is best known for two things, wine and coast. The region's topography is incredibly unique and the area produces a third of France's wine. The coastline along the Mediterranean Sea is gorgeous and in many areas is completely undeveloped. The area has high international demand, and is considered one of the most luxurious locations to live in all of the world. If you are adventurous and are looking for an estate agent in the Languedoc Southern France region, then you certainly will want to locate the right agent who can speak your language. Luckily, Google is quite good at translating languages on websites so you can at least find where the contact information is on the website.

Vacationing Out West

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Image via Wikipedia With the longer days and increasingly warmer weather we are getting out in Oregon, it is hard to ignore that the summer season is right around the corner. Every couple, family or individual deserves to take some time off and enjoy the nice weather, so why not make a vacation out of it out west! Here are some fun vacation ideas and recommendations to help start your planning. Take a Hike! Hiking is a great way to discover the most beautiful places in the world, with the freedom to choose when are where you want to go. If you are in the learning mood, you can take a walking tour of a national park or landmark location. Quite often they are free or at a low cost, and they make you appreciate your surroundings even more. Climb Every Mountain! There are no shortages of mountains out west. The Rockies run from Mexico to Canada, and have a great deal of variety to meet your novice or advanced mountaineering needs. It is usually best to refer to a local guide book or

Texas Economy

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(Photo credit: jmtimages ) I hear it pretty often. "I'm moving to Texas, the economy is great down there, lots of jobs, great cities, etc.." The real estate industry seems to support my suspicions. The Texas real estate industry is one of the few that is seeing a rise in home prices, especially in the hot San Antonio region, so if you are looking for some San Antonio TX real estate , you better snatch those properties up fast! I thought I would look into Texas a little more into the Texas economy, and see if all the hype matched the stats. Here is what I found: Employment: Texas is indeed one of the largest employers in the country. Not only that, but over the past several years the rate of employment has expanded at a moderate pace, about 2% according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Industry: As in correlation with job growth, businesses and industries have seen positive and consistent growthover the past several years. Retail sales have substantially increa

Sunset Beach North Carolina

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Image via Wikipedia How can you not like a place called Sunset Beach? This beach town sits a mile away from the border of South Carolina, and is known as a popular spot for travelers looking to spend a day on the beach, but want to get away from the Myrtle Beach crowd. If you're ever visiting the Sunset Beach North Carolina , here are a few things to consider partaking in: Bird Island State Reserve : Bordering Sunset Beach, this state park is perfect for bird watchers and those who want to get away from the crowds. If you wake up early enough, this is a great place to go shell hunting. Gift Shops: Just a quick walk from the beach, there is a great collection of gift shops in the town. One includes the Ocean Isle Fishing Center, which has all sorts of fishing supply needs as well as experts who love to talk to visitors about how to be a better fishermen. Restaurants: A beach town would not be complete without some great restaurants and Sunset Beach doesn't disappoint. Magn

What is the biggest real estate market according to Google?

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Image via CrunchBase Want to know real estate markets that have the biggest potential for growth? How about looking at state-by-state search volumes in Google! The  Google Adwords Keywords Tool  gives semi-accurate search volumes for any keyword you wish to know more about. In this situation I used [<insert state> real estate] as my keywords. I've listed the real estate search volumes by each 50 state in comparison to other metrics like population and size. The results are rather surprising. State United States Search Volume Population Land area (sq. miles) Pop. Density (sq. miles) Florida 27,100 18,900,773 53,927 339.87 Utah 22,200 2,770,765 82,144 33.31 Maine 14,800 1,333,074 30,862 42.66 Hawaii 12,100 1,366,862 6,423 200.56 Colorado 8,100 4,939,456 103,718 47.62 Alaska