Kari Hoopes asked:

Buying a home can be a satisfying or frustrating experience depending how financially ready you are to own a home. Just the process of buying a home can be very expensive with the major expense of purchasing a home being the down payment. The purpose of a down payment is to pay the bank fees to get the mortgage setup and generate some equity in the home to hedge the risk the bank is taking. In years past, this down payment could be very small, but with the fall of the housing market in 2006, those days are long gone, making it prohibitively expensive to buy a home. When there are fewer buyers and less credit around, sellers begin to offer other ways to sell their home. The “Lease Option” is one such method. A Lease Option is technically a lease (rental) with the option to purchase. You are renting the home but have the right to purchase the home at anytime during the rental period at a pre-determined price.

A lease option can be a very favorable way to purchase a home because it provides the advantages of home ownership without the disadvantages of ownership. The main advantages include: (1) No mortgage fees (2) less for a down payment (3) limited risk if the value of the home falls but you profit as the home appreciates. When structured property, there really are no disadvantages to a lease option relative to purchasing the home with a mortgage. When compared with renting, the major disadvantages of a lease option include: (1) pay more money upfront than renting (2) you are responsible for repairs, not the landlord. Each advantage and disadvantage is discussed in greater detail below.

1. Advantage: No mortgage fees. Because a lease option is technically a rental, the agreement is between you and the seller. Because the bank is not involved, there are no bank fees, meaning that you don’t have to come up with the $5000 to $9000 that it costs to get a mortgage. However, eventually you will have to get a mortgage if you decide to stay in the home long term.

2. Advantage: Less for a down payment. Like the mortgage fees, because the agreement is between you and the seller, the money down is negotiable, and sometimes not required at all, though the amount down typically ranges between $5000 and $10000 dollars. This is still better than the bank will require.

3. Advantage: Limited risk and leveraged returns. A lease option is an option to purchase, not an obligation to purchase. This means that when the lease term expires, if the home has lost value, you can choose to walk away. You give up your down payment, but are not saddled with a home that cannot be sold. However, at the same time, if the home increases in value, because the purchase price is set, you can purchase the home for less than it is worth on the open market. This key element makes lease option homes potentially a great investment, because you can leverage your money with such little risk. For example. If you purchase a $300,000 home with a mortgage, you would need to bring about $20,000 at closing ($15,000 as a 5% down payment and $5000 to cover mortgage fees). If the home’s value increased 5% over two years, the home would be worth $315,000. Your $20,000 turned into $30,000 ($15,000 in equity to start + $15,000 in appreciation); a 50% return on your money over 2 years. However, if the home decreased 5% in value, the home would be worth $285,000, and your $20,000 investment turned into $0.00. However, if the same home was bought as a lease option, then $5000 down would turn into $20,000 ($5000 in equity to start + $15,000 in appreciation); a 400% return on your money over 2 years. If the home decreased 5% in value, the home would be worth $285,000 but you can walk away having only paid the upfront down payment of $5000. In this example, the lease option reduced potential profits by 75% and increased potential returns by 350%.

5. Disadvantage: Pay more money upfront. Typically a lease option requires a greater amount of money upfront than renting. This is not always the case and depends on how desperate the seller is the lease the home. Generally you can expect to pay twice what you normally would put as a deposit on a comparable rental.

6. Disadvantage: Responsible for repairs. One nice thing about renting is that the landlord is responsible for repairs. In a typical lease option, you are entirely responsible for maintenance of a home.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to buying a lease option. When compared with the buying the home with a mortgage, there is really no disadvantage and when compared with renting, a lease option is a relative low risk investment for little additional out of pocket expense. The key, however, is in the terms of the agreement between you and the landlord. The terms are negotiable, so make sure you do so. To summarize, a lease option can be a win/win situation for both buyer and seller. If you are looking for a home but don’t have enough for a regular down payment or are not sure if the market is going to get worse before better, consider a lease option and rest easy.

Cerro Fresco asked:


Costa Rica is a beautiful country, and the real estate in the area is some of the most sought after property in the world. With the warm breezes and the great views, it is definitely no stretch of the imagination to realize why. Of course the most popular type of real estate in the country is Costa Rica beachfront property. It is a great investment opportunity and is also an excellent choice for families who want the opportunity to own their own piece of paradise.

When it comes to Costa Rica beachfront property, nothing is more beautiful. The beaches are heavily, with lush mountains and jungles in the back drop as well as amazing ocean views right outside your window. Whether you are looking for a beautiful bungalow near the beach or even a high end home on the water, you are sure to find just what you want on the beaches of Costa Rica.

Of course if you purchase Costa Rica beachfront property, you’ll find more to do than to just gaze at the beach, which is wonderful enough in itself. There are many exciting activities that you can find to take part in as well in the area. You can explore the beautiful underwater world off the beach by going scuba diving, enjoy catching the waves on your surf board, or even spend some time just walking on the beach or laying out catching some warm rays of sun. There are also great places to explore in the area, including mountains to hike, and jungles to explore as well.

As you can see, investing in Costa Rica beachfront property is an excellent idea. You’ll have amazing beauty available to you and many exciting activities at your fingertips as well. So, get in contact with an agent who can help you find the perfect real estate in Costa Rica, such as a place in Cerro Fresco, right on the beach where you can enjoy the surf and sun.

Alan Butterworth asked:




R2,400,000

Beachfront Property For Sale on the Kwazulu Natal South Coast includes Apartments/Flats For Sale that will turn your head. This is one such case. Kwazulu Natal Property is fortunate to have a large selection of Beachfront Properties For Sale. Property South Africa to the rescue again.

This Luxury Beachfront Apartment in the Hibiscus Coast town of Uvongo consists of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a Double Lock Up Garage and is 166m2 in size.

Features include:

- Across the road from the beach



- Direct access onto the Uvongo Beach Promenade

- Spectacular seaviews

-Secure and Brand New ultra modern Complex

- Garage parking

- Easy stairs to the second floor

- Top quality tiles throughout

- Large open plan lounge, dining room and kitchen

- Granite kitchen with Solid beech wood cabinets

- Quality fans throughout on built in speed controls

- The lounge and en suite Master Bedroom have aluminum concertina doors that open up onto a huge covered patio with built in barbeque / braai facilities

- There are two full bathrooms (master en suite) Both are tiled to the roof, granite vanities and top quality sanware.

What a position – relax in this beachfront luxurious apartment and listen to the Indian Ocean

With Uvongo conveniently situated to the major Shopping Malls of Shelly Beach, world class Golf Courses, Bowls, Tennis, Safe Swimming Beaches, the entertainment of Margate, Protea Banks Diving Reef and all moderm amenities you have plenty to do.



Property For Sale in Kwazulu Natal

South African Property will leave you dazzled.For a selection of other South African Apartments/Flats For Sale on the Hibiscus Coast please see my site at http://south-africa-real-estate.blogspot.com

Property For Sale

on the South Coast have a lot to offer. Apartments and Flats For Sale in this area give you a wide choice and you really will be sploilt for choice. With the added bonus of Beachfront Property at reasonable prices you have a winner.

Nicco Rostano asked:


Beach real estate is appealing property, both in terms of economics and aesthetics. People naturally experience a sense of wonder and calm from the tranquility of all that water. As a potential property buyer, you might be open to spending a lot for this type of setting. Those who have had the chance to discover the ideal spot of California or Florida real estate can attest to that. The soothing nature of beachfront property just naturally makes people feel at ease.

There are some pros to living near or on the beach that make investing in beach property an attractive choice. If you’re looking for rental property, the beauty and desirability of the location will attract tenants easily. As a real estate investor, you could be in a position to own the land that successful businesses of the beach communities are built upon.

The sea offers inspiring scenery, yet with this scenic beauty comes an element of hazard. In terms of Florida real estate, hazard takes the shape of hurricanes. Along with the destruction produced by flying debris and toppled trees in a hurricane, damage from flooding is also a reality.

Anyone investing in beachfront real estate will have to keep in mind the seasonal attraction this type of location possesses. They ought to consider that a business situated on the coast will experience a slow down in the winter months. Those who are aware of real estate in California and Florida are familiar with the seasonal attraction of these regions.

All one needs to do to decide whether beach property is a good investment is to take a look at this part of the economy. Notice how many people find themselves on the beaches of America every year, and how many businesses profit from beachfront property. If it weren’t a money maker, pricey hotels on the beaches of California and Florida would not be abundant. Some research on your part will lead to the discovery that the potential rewards of owning beachfront property far surpass the difficulties.

David Jackson asked:


Forced appreciation has often been compared to printing money. In apartment investing, taking a few simple steps this will give you the ability to increase the commercial real estate rents.

Forced appreciation is often as simple as new landscaping for your investment, or adding amenities and services such as cable or wireless Internet service. They are simple steps that are not overly expensive, but that give you the ability to raise rents higher than the past owner was able to get for the property. You can also offer premium suites to discerning tenants. This may have an initial cost for refurbishing, but it will also allow you to rent them at a much increased price. These simple ways allow you to use your property management to create a better environment for your apartment investing, giving it an advantage and creating an increase in income.

You also have the option to impose and enforce late fees on any non-paid rents by tenants if they aren’t paid by the date specified when the lease was signed.

There are other income opportunities in apartment building investing or property management such as parking and garage rentals, laundry facilities, storage, vending machines with candy, soda, or soap powder; pay phones and video machines in the laundry facility. By adding amenities such as these, the property is more convenient for the tenant, and it also creates some extra income from the building. It may also make the building more attractive to potential tenants that come to see a unit.

In every apartment building there are pet lovers who are willing to pay extra for their pets. Allow pets at premium rents and charge pet fees for each pet. Adding cellular towers, billboards and gift shops to the property will also earn you extra income in your apartment investing.

Decreasing expenses is another way to get money out of your property. These expenses include property tax, utilities, maintenance, management efficiencies and insurance. These expanses can all be passed on to the tenants. It is always wise in commercial real estate to decrease what expenditures you are able, as this increases your income and makes the property management job easier.

Also, make every attempt to decrease vacancy. Less vacancies means more rental income, getting the best result with your commercial property management. Move-in specials are one way the property management can keep the rental units filled. Gross leases, tenant referrals and increasing advertising are just some of the ways to bring in more potential tenants and keep vacancies at bay. Just like any other business, apartment building investing requires needs proper advertising. But, it may be the extra amenities that entice potential tenants.

Alan Butterworth asked:


R4,900,000

 

Property in South Africa does not come much more spectacular than this. Property South Africa can shout proud with this one. This a small exclusive up-market luxury BOUTIQUE BEACH HOUSE, not only for golfers and gourmets, but for all who appreciate the subtle difference! A definite Hibiscus Coast winner. 

 

Located directly on a secluded sandy beach and named “Dabula’manzi”, (Zulu translation is “move across the water’) this property lies nestled among centuries-old Milkwood trees in a park like indigenous sub-tropical garden. Situated in the middle of the South African “Golf Coast”, between Shelly Beach and Oslo Beach on the KZN Hibiscus Coast, our luxury 5 star accredited and AA “Superior” rated BOUTIQUE BEACH HOUSE, has direct access to our quiet golden beach, washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Additionally, guests can relax next to our sparkling pool and terrace, located in a large Garden Court.

Four beautifully appointed double en-suite sea-facing air-conditioned bedrooms, each with private sundeck leading into the spacious lower garden with direct access to our serene beach. . Sparkling private pool and terrace. Dining Terrace and Lounge, as well as a seperate Chess and Reading Lounge with DVD, VHS and WiFi.

Sumptuous traditional “Rainbow” cooked breakfasts, as well as a selection from our Continental Buffet. Fully licensed to serve you an exotic sundowner, carefully selected fine South African wines to complement our optional gourmet dinners, or savor a warming Single Malt Scotch from our extensive selection.

The ideal private getaway, away from the holiday bustle, but only a few minutes drive from modern shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants, private hospitals and emergency services.

 

We are within a few minutes driving distance of the popular resort of Shelly Beach, with the modern Shelly Shopping Mall, restaurants and cinemas. The new South Coast Shopping Mall, as well as private hospitals and emergency services, are also only a few minutes away, yet we are still well away from the holiday hustle and bustle – in other words, tranquility! The old port town of Port Shepstone is 3.5 km away.

 

The buzzing holiday resort of Margate is only a short distance further, offering a glitzy nightlife for the young at heart.

 

Also only a short drive away one can marvel at the natural beauty of the spectacular Oribi Gorge, with its “Wild 5″ adrenalin teasers, the famous Leopard Rock and the not-to-miss Lake Eland Game Reserve, with its daunting suspension bridge.

 

So much to Do………….Bird Watching – Scuba Diving – Fishing – Golf – Bicycle Touring – Canoeing / Kayaking – Climbing – Traditional Fishing – Deep Sea Fishing – Fly Fishing – Freshwater Fishing – Saltwater – Health & Fitness- Horse Riding Paddling – Canoeing Paddling – Sea Kayaking Paddling – Whitewater-Rafting River -Rafting/Expedition -Riverboat trips -Surfing Walking -Whale and Dolphin Watching – Quad and 4×4 Trails

 

The owner is prepared to sell this property as a home only for R4,400,000.

 



Property in South Africa

Have a look at my site at http://south-africa-real-estate.blogspot.com for other Beachfront Kwazulu Natal South Coast Properties.

can be awesome. This one proves that. Property South Africa is up there with the best in the world. The Hibiscus Coast does it again.

 

 

Real Property Management asked:


In Southern California, especially Orange County property management is an important aspect of investing in real estate.

The profitability of your property is dependent on hiring a qualified helpful and professional property management company. Hiring the wrong management company can mean losing thousand of dollars, or more. Property owners who hire the right OC property management company however, can enjoy the benefits of a lucrative property investment. Some of the most common, and often, detrimental mistakes a property owner makes is not doing enough research. The more research you do, the more you can avoid hiring a bad management company.

Property management companies that also sell properties, often nation wide corporations like Century 21, etc. are often a bad idea. They usually are primarily real estate agents, who also do property management because they want to manage when you choose the sell the property. A property management company like this is not a good idea because they make more money selling than managing. You would benefit more from a smaller, specialized company that deals only with property management in your area and nothing else.

For example, if your property is in Huntington Beach, you should try to find a local expert Orange County property management company that has a much experience in the local area only. Make sure you check the references of your management company’s other clients. Don’t be afraid to make a few phone calls, and get a good track record. You shouldn’t sign anything before you have a good idea that the company you’re hiring is the best at property management in Orange County and one that you can trust. On the other hand, as an owner, you shouldn’t be too demanding of references either. A good property management company will not release all of their clients’ information to you,

because it is private and confidential information. The management company won’t be making an obscene amount of money managing your property, so they can always tell you to take your business elsewhere if you are being too much of a pain. You will do well with around 3 references to talk to, and get an idea of how they work with their clients. Some other things to keep in mind: Is the company licensed in the state of California? Is the company insured? Do they have a fidelity bond to protect you in case an employee mishandles your money? Will they provide you with reports? Will they market your property? How do they deal with late charges? How do they handle tenant complaints? And so on. These are some tips for making sure you hire a good property management company that will professionally and efficiently manage your property, helping you turn your home/apartment/condo/commercial property into a steady investment.

David Jackson asked:


When a person is involved in apartment building investing, there are several ways to increase their profits. Collecting rent from tenants is profitable, but there are many other ways to create a profit from a commercial real estate property.

There are common ways to increase income from your property, such as forced appreciation, increasing rent and creating other ways to raise the profit margin. This may entail adding laundry facilities to bring in extra profit as well as attracting potential tenants to the property.

Decreasing the vacancy rate always brings more profit, and it can often be accomplished easily through advertising. And, if advertising isn’t enough, an offer of a special move-in deal is certain to attract potential tenants. Increasing occupancy will of course bring in more profit as the more units that have a tenant, the more profitable rent funds there are coming in.

The commercial property management can decrease verifiable expense flow in several ways. Things as simple as using low wattage light bulbs, using electric timers for lights in common areas and using motion detectors on lights in hallways are all items that will not hamper the tenant in any way, but will save a substantial amount of money. There are also the options of using regulated thermostats and reducing the hot water temperature to increase profits. These options can make the investment more profitable, but should not impact a tenant’s life enough to dissuade them from renewing their lease. In some cases, lowering the hot water temperature is actually preferred by tenants who have small children or an elderly person in their rental unit.

There are also ways to increase cash by increasing rents and decreasing expenses using lower cost financing.

These are all simple, low or no cost ways of creating income from your commercial real estate. But, there are many other ways of generating income that are also low or no cost, such as adding soda machines. These are things that while they generate income also bring more advantages to the tenants. Buildings that are tenant friendly and well kept are ones that keep their rental units filled. Those buildings have tenants who feel their apartment is their home, complete with that make their lives easier.

Tom Budniak asked:


Buying beachfront property in Mexico for either vacation or retirement is a process that requires a fair amount of research and planning. Deciding on the perfect beachfront property is difficult as Mexico is littered with scads of beautiful beaches, any one of which would provide the perfect location for a dream home. A local professional Mexico real estate agent can provide you with a list of oceanfront property, vacation homes, condos and investment properties available for sale or rent.

The coast from Majahual to Xcalak is lined with miles and miles of powdery white sand. Majahual and Xcalak offer a relaxing alternative for vacationers and retirees who just want to get away from it all. Rustic bungalows and small hotels sprinkle the shoreline.

Majahual is located on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico just north of Belize and south of the Sian Kan Biosphere. Unspoiled rain forest, lagoons and ocean beaches abound in Majahual. The tiny fishing village is located on Mexico’s Southern Caribbean in the southern most part of the state of Quintana Roo. Majahual is at the geographic center of the coast.

The crystal clear waters of Majahual are always warm. Divers can discover countless beautiful coral formations and sponges, and enjoy swimming among sea turtles, dolphins, sea horses, manatees, and thousands of sport and reef fish.

Majahual is the Caribbean’s newest cruise ship destination and home to a new cruise ship dock and mall. To meet the increased demand, a new power station and water plant were recently completed and new roads and electrical lines are now being installed on the Costa Maya, both north and south of Majahual.

Residents and visitors enjoy delicious fresh seafood including lobster, conch and fresh fish. Life in Majahual is very relaxed and the pace is much slower than many foreign visitors are used to, but once you become accustomed to it, you won’t want to return to anything hectic. In fact, you may not want to return at all. A local Mexico realtor can help you find your dream home in paradise.

Vacationers, expatriates and foreign investors from all across the world have taken advantage of the region’s natural beauty, low cost of labor and resources, and significant investment incentives such as competitive access to international markets, a qualified and cost-effective labor force, and one of the highest economic growth rates in all of Latin America. Hurry before Mexico’s best kept secret is out.

Your beachfront property in Mexico is within your reach. Check out the listings of Playa del Carmen Real Estate, Puerto Vallarta Property and Cancun Real Estate for insight into this booming market.

Author: Tom Budniak

brett asked:


 

Looking for the perfect commercial property management software for your company? If you are looking for a 100 % online based, reliable, cutting edge, affordable property management software with fully loaded functionality, look no future.

 

Resort Pro is an affordable, state of the art property management software that reaches out to all types of property management companies. In this lucrative property management business, finding the right software to increase company productivity can be critical. Often times saving money means losing value. With Resort Pro, you can gain value and enhance returns. Not only does the commercial property management software enhance internal productivity, it allows the company to cast a wider net into the market, thus, bringing in more customers and more income. The system provides the company an opportunity reach out directly to travel agents, creating and sustaining quality relationships with important clients. Resort Pro also gives the company the ability to reach out directly into the market and bring in customers without the assistant of agents. Resort Pro is built to enable search engine optimization which will increase exposure of your website through Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.

 

Any commercial property management software can offer simple functionality, but meeting the intricate needs of a complex property management company is more of a challenge. Resort Pro offers basic functionality in a user-friendly manner while integrating many complexities for the power user for each unique scenario. Although Resort Pro has the ability to accommodate the power user, it also is plenty equipped to manage the simplest of companies, hotels, resorts and homes.