Real Estate Network

Posts Tagged ‘Investing’

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) November 17, 2011

The Creating Wealth Show offers listeners a sneak peek into the Creating Wealth Home Study Course during its free one hour segment included in episode 216 of the popular podcast. In this segment, host Jason Hartman discusses his ten commandments of successful investing and offers professional insight regarding how to make wise real estate investment choices.

Successful income property investing can be taught in these ten commandments:

1.

Venice. California (PRWEB) November 15, 2011

The images of sun, miles of beaches and access to the outdoors, fashion trends, a cosmopolitan metropolis, and a unique lifestyle all come to mind with the mention of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Throughout the decades people have consistently been making the move to Venice California homes because of the fantastic neighborhoods, employment options, and the standard of living the area enjoys. With so much to offer, the Santa Monica area continues to appeal to families, couples, creative souls, and professionals. Inviting potential home buyers to take a look at the locale’s 2011 real estate market, Broker Tami Pardee shares why now would be a good time to move to Santa Monica and Venice.

Whether you want to live in Mar Vista homes or Venice Beach, one of the timeless selling points of properties in the area is location, shares Tami Pardee. And with the impeccable location of these communities comes unparalleled access to the business district, shopping centers, and lifestyle sections of downtown Los Angeles and beyond. This is one thing that is never going to change any time in the near future. As these locales also enjoy a remarkable school system and close proximity to the beach and the mountains, they are perfect for families as well as anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle.

Ask any of the Santa Monica Realtors and they will tell you that the real estate market here has stabilized and bounced back quite well. One of the reasons why property sales in the area are returning to normal is right pricing as well as a mix of short sales and foreclosures in the market, says Tami Pardee, there are more options for homebuyers and looking at the trend, prices are now higher than they were at the beginning of the year and if that is any indication of the area’s real estate market, it would be advisable to buy property before the year ends and home prices continue on their way up.

Find out more about the current real estate market trends in the area as well as the most attractive property options in Venice and Santa Monica by visiting http://www.pardeeproperties.com.

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Article by Duncan Wierman

As real estate investors are looking for new entry opportunities and ways to make bigger profit in the current economy, much of the typical and conventional “wisdom” that may work for some may not work for all.

A prime example is the so-called Commercial Gold Rush Foreclosure “Opportunity” This example of over-hyped real estate information from marketing gurus, is all about the “huge” profits to be made with commercial foreclosures. There are quite a few new expensive real estate courses being sold by these self-proclaimed gurus who seem to know everything about marketing and sales in the industry. But do they?

Thousands of new investors have been essentially taken in with these products. They have been enticed with the promise of quick profits and real estate success. The sales pitch about the opportunity involves snatching up distressed real commercial property and then quickly selling it for a profit. Their idea revolves around the assumption that building owners just want to walk away from their troubles by giving the property back to the bank. Since many banks do not want the bad debt, it goes to the assumption there are some good profit-making opportunities.

Typically, these courses purport to include information on where to look for foreclosure opportunities or how to legally “steal from banks”. These commercial real estate courses also teach methods for “capitalizing” on property owners in distress. The sales pitch is that all the new investor has to do is simply put new management in place, get the building rented out, then turn around and sell the property for “massive” profits. Since this is the “valuable” information they taut that give investors the inside track on how to get a hold of these so-called “goldmine” opportunities, it’s no surprise that new real estate investors have been buying (into) these types of products in droves!

The Flaw with Commercial Foreclosure Opportunity Products

On the surface, especially for newbies, the opportunity that could have them making huge amounts of profit is tempting and seems rather legitimate. However, these real estate courses are definitely not for everyone and frequently teach the process in much simpler detail than what it really takes to succeed in Commercial Foreclosures.

What DOES work in today’s real estate market is getting back to the basics of real estate investing and learning from the ground up! Though money may not come as quickly, the building of relationships builds credibility! This is KEY as a real estate investor, whether new or experienced. It is fundamentally VITAL to your success. In these economic times it can be difficult for anyone but especially for the “newbies” just coming on to the scene.

TRUE success in the real estate investment field involves market research, figuring out which commercial foreclosures represent good opportunities, and finding buyers for those properties. Finding buyers, especially in this rough economy is tough, it takes practice, it takes experience to know how to be a success in this business.

Like the California Gold Rush of its day, this “Commercial Gold Rush” will have both winners and losers, too. If you remember your history your will recall there were far few winners… True, some experienced investors and some new real estate investors can profit from these opportunities that are created by commercial foreclosures, BUT the many inexperienced individuals who have been falling for these fly-by night, expensive real estate courses promising RICHES are only doomed for failure. I highly recommend not becoming one of those “Sheeple”, following the crowd over the cliff… and Investing in Commercial Real Estate the tried and true way!

Article by Bruce Swedal

When most people think of real estate investment, they think of rental homes and apartments. However, current economic conditions make rental real estate riskier than ever. Even good honest tenants are subject to losing their jobs and being unable to pay rent. Furthermore, declining property values and rising taxes and insurance negatively impact profit potential.

Commercial real estate investment offers an attractive alternative to residential real estate. Leases are long-term and the checks are less likely to bounce. There are two basic types of commercial real estate investments: direct and indirect.

In direct commercial real estate investment, you purchase one or more business buildings. This option requires a large amount of capital and offers little liquidity. As the owner, you will be responsible for management and maintenance issues. Office buildings and manufacturing facilities usually provide long-term tenants and greater stability than retail establishments. But if you need your money, you have to find a buyer for the building. And again, you will have tax and insurance issues.

Novice investors have been burned by hidden environmental problems or zoning issues, so make sure to seek the advice of an attorney knowledgeable in commercial real estate issues.

Indirect real estate investments allow the smaller investor to enjoy the benefits of commercial real estate with fewer disadvantages. Funds from many investors are pooled and used for commercial investments. The fund’s directors hire managers and address maintenance issues. Furthermore, shares in the fund can be sold at will, improving investors’ liquidity.

There are many options in indirect real estate investments. You can consider the pros and cons of various investment types. For example, you may decide that America’s aging population makes medical building investments a “sure thing”. On the other hand, concerns about national health insurance issues leading to restrictive regulations in the medical industry may lead you to look elsewhere for investment opportunities.

The global marketplace makes it possible to invest in real estate anywhere in the world. However, differing regulations and politics may increase risk. On the other hand, rapid growth and profit potential may make the risks worth taking.

Like most investments, the costs of real estate investment shares have dropped considerably. However, the returns are still excellent compared to other investments.

And the real estate investors’ mantra “They’re not making any more land” is as true as ever.

You can go online to research major real estate investment funds. Maybe you can find the perfect commercial real estate investment to meet your financial goals.

It does not matter how many commercial real estate deals an investor goes through, they always have an established process that they utilize every single time to assure they cover all their bases and increase the likelihood of a great investment. Synergy has a lot of meaning in the commercial real estate market. By utilizing synergy of process and assets one can realize huge results and profits by making minor adjustments to strategy. Those minor adjustments can often mean the difference between success and failure.

With Recovery Underway, Is It Time To Buy in South Florida? (Telephone Interview with Ross Milroy)

Here are some comments about the South Florida market:

- the market’s terrible.
- stay away ’cause there’s blood in the streets.
- nobody’s buying.
- prices are still dropping.
- Oy (actually, that’s not a South Florida comment, that’s what my Mom says to her friends when they ask about me)

These comments were certainly justified in 2008 and 2009, and maybe even in 2010. But what about now, in Feb. 2011? Is the market around Miami still too toxic? Or is it time to think about buying that retirement condo for and renting it out until you’re ready to live in sunny happiness?

I don’t have a crystal ball (although as many of you know, I do carry with me a Magic Eight Ball at all times), but consider this:

Homes sales in 49 states rebounded during the 4Q of 2010, and 4Q existing home and condo sales increased 15% to 4.8 million homes from 4.16 million the previous quarter, per the National Realtors Association. Even though sales were down 19% as compared to 4Q 2009, this is probably due to the homebuyer tax credit program being in effect at that time. Even jobless claims are starting to abate. Because of this, many economists believe real estate is finally starting to see the beginnings of a real recovery.

All good news but, of course, what happens on a national level doesn’t necessarily translate to the S. Florida market. To get some real answers, I decided to take my investigation right into the lion’s den.

I contacted Ross Milroy, a residential and commercial consultant in S. Florida, and owner of Miami Angel Properties, LLC, a full service Real Estate Brokerage that represents many buyers in the Miami area, including those from Europe and Latin America.

Ross was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule and give us answers to the following questions:

- Can you describe the investment buying atmosphere right now in S. FLA?

- What are the hot investment areas in S. FLA?

- Where have prices been in the past 12 months and where do you see them going short term, mid-term and long term?

- Is this the best time to buy an investment property in S. FLA? Why?

- Are condos the best investment right now? If so, why? If not, what else would you recommend our readers look at?

- What are your buyers doing about insolvent HOA’s?

This interview is full of great information about the market. You’ll learn why the Miami market is considered the “Little Hong Kong,” and why insolvent HOA’s are not as big a deal as you may have thought.

You’ll even get Ross’ top tips for buying investment real estate in South Florida!

So if you have some cash or credit available, have thought about getting prime real estate at the bottom of the market, and want to hear a really cool South African accent, check out this interview.

visit http://www.hmbcribs.com for the interview

Real estate investing clubs in Austin, TX provide one of the most competent and competitive sources through their individual but often interconnected real estate investing forums, real estate group updates, real estate blogs, community-based bulletins and announcements, and recent releases of articles and available archives. The real estate investors in Austin, TX also have online accessibility advantages by regularly posting updated and accurate property listings, real estate stores and offices, and other related resources.

These clubs in Austin, TX provide relevantly recommended and highly required credit reports and FICO, house values and comparison tables, location map and mapping services, and mortgage services centers and links. Another advantage is that they engage in straightforward and honest real estate interviews, design and establish property analysis software, and give out real estate abbreviations, glossary, and discussions.

For interested visitors and online guests on real estate investing in Austin, TX, there are responsible chat rooms available for guests or for subscribers and members only. Other real estate clubs in Austin, TX post their comprehensive list of investment services as well as related fees and charges, if there are any.

To keep people well-informed and to make people develop a good judgment about these real estate investing clubs in Austin, they can search through club’s legal and historical records as well as study more about related laws and regulations. Both guests and members can easily browse through certain forms and contracts as well as the mortgage calculator.

For those who are in need of immediate help and support on some property problems such as foreclosure, they can check Austin, TX real estate investing clubs on how to go through the foreclosure process and state foreclosure laws. For those who would like to invest in foreclosure fortunes, they can look around in these clubs’ listing of foreclosures and foreclosed properties and Bank REO listings,

There are also regular posts on tools and resources for both current and future landlords and tenants. There are archives and recent releases on fair market rents and policies as well as fair landlording practices. Management practices are also available and accessible such as online property management, list of real estate management companies, rent recovery service, tenant screening procedure and guidelines, and Section 8 resources and explanations, and online rent payment provided by selected members of Real estate investing clubs in Austin, TX.

There are also rehabbing resources and strategies on dealing with hard money lenders. Further, these real estate clubs in Austin, TX are active in specialized property management, operation, and other practices. Some of the specialize in commercial real estate, farm and rural land development and site listings, and interesting land and property auctions. More importantly, they also provide access to 1031 exchanges, country records offices, real estate investment clubs listing, and CashFlow101/202 clubs and services.

Most active real estate investors provide a reliable contact person as their club representative. They have active contact numbers and online offices. They also have a regular meeting in a fixed regular schedule and meeting location. Membership with their club is absolutely free with no hassles. All that is required from them is a competent eagerness to engage with them in real estate investing, provide support to any member, and help improve real estate investing in Austin, TX.

Using Hard Money to Fund a Construction Project

You are ready to start construction, but the loan process is slowing you down. You should consider obtaining a hard money loan to get going on your project today. Hard money loans can be obtained quickly and with little upfront cost to you. What are hard money loans and how can I obtain one?

Hard money loans are a type of real estate loan that is provided by private investors, through brokers. The collateral for this type of loan is the value of the property. In the case of a construction loan it is the improved value of the property. In order to provide security to the lender, the hard money loan will have higher interest rates than a conventional loan, and will be limited to around 65% of the improved value of the property. The lender will also only lend from the first position, so that in the event of a foreclosure, they are the first party to recover their investment.

Hard money loans are short term loans, so you need to have an exit strategy before obtaining one of these loans, such as a plan to sell the property when completed or to refinance the property through traditional institutions.

Although the loan is limited to 65% of the improved value of the property, construction loans will generally cover all of the costs of construction, assuming that costs for construction are less than the value of the property upon completion.

If you have a business that is growing at a rapid pace and you are ready to expand by constructing a new building or updating your current building. Obtaining enough capital to obtain traditional financing for this construction can take a while. In this case, it would be worthwhile to pay a higher interest rate for a hard money loan, and be able to start construction within days.

Hard money lenders are available all over the country; a web search will turn up many lenders available in your area. Several websites will give you access to multiple lenders. Before approaching a lender, have your plan in place. Have complete details on all of the costs associated with the construction project, an appraisal of the completed property, as well as details on your exit strategy. Provide this information to the lender(s), and you should receive approval within a day or two, and be able to close on the deal within a week.

HMBCribs.com
Hard Money Bankers, LLC
Your Hard Money Lender

Avoiding committing mistakes is the key to successful real estate investing. You need to be aware of the things you need to prevent and avoid in order to have a success with your investment. So without further ado, let’s discuss some of the common things you need to know so you can avoid doing or applying wrong methods or strategies.

Number one thing is to be sure that you have enough finances. Finances is crucial so that you do the investing that you want. Having insufficient funds will make you lose deals or even miss opportunities that may have been your break. Opportunities like good deals come once in awhile and you need to have the right finances to be able to invest in these.

Secondly, you must be wise enough to pick the right person whom you can work with. If you are the investor then you must have a good realtor or seller. You have to make sure the person or a group of people you are going to deal with is trustworthy, an expert in different strategies and has professional work etiquette.

It is important that you also do your research about the different properties that are being presented to you. Knowing how to research and figure out the information will enable you to decide correctly. This research information will sometimes be the big difference in making a profit and losing money.

Lastly, you need to have the determination and passion to invest in properties. Investing in real estate isn’t as easy as it sounds. There is work involved and by being passionate about it, you will be a success. If you lack zeal and enthusiasm for your job then you will not be successful in it.

These are the things you must remember you must do so you can avoid committing mistakes upon investing real estate. Just heed the tips given and you will surely have a successful career in real estate.

Article by Tom Dunn

If you’re interested in finding the best real estate investing sites, and you’d like to save yourself some time and aggravation, this article will give you some guidelines on how to do just that!

Never before has so much information been available to you, on just about any subject imaginable, and real estate investing is no different. Whatever information you’re looking for is available online, and the good news is… most of it is free or very low cost on the best real estate investing sites. You just need to know where and how to search.

Want to know a secret? I’ve already done much of the hard work for you. I’ve been investing for several years, and I started searching for the best real estate investing sites a long time ago. I’ll be happy to share the fruits of my labor with you, and I’m not going to charge you anything at all.

You see, there are just a few sites that really stand out from the rest, and that’s why I call them the best real estate investing sites. They are the sites that give you the best combination of information and expertise, and they give it to you for free or very low cost.

Far too many sites give you nothing in the way of content or information. They’ll never be among the best real estate investing sites because they’re just sales pages or link farms. They’re full of hype and promise, but you’ll recognize them right away because there’s nothing of substance there.

The best real estate investing sites are loaded with useful free content such as articles, reports, user forums and discussion groups, and more! They will also recommend books, courses, videos, and coaching programs that will help you on your way to real estate investing success.

Yes, even the best real estate investing sites will ask you to pay for certain courses and content. After all, everybody’s got to make a living, right? But you also need to know that you can find out most of what you want to learn without paying much money at all. At least you can do all the upfront research first, without cost, and then purchase products after you know what direction you want to head in.

So what’s the secret to getting the most out of the best real estate investing sites? In a nutshell, simply visit often, read all the free articles and reports you can, participate in the forums and discussion groups, build relationships with the site owners and other participants, and generally make a nuisance of yourself!

Of course, I’m kidding, but you get the idea. Ask tons of questions, take lots of notes, and build your knowledge base. As the Bible says, “Seek and ye shall find.” The best real estate investing sites have everything you need to figure out this game called real estate investing.

If you would like to benefit from the thousands of hours I’ve spent online, I’ll be happy to tell you where to find the very best real estate investing sites.

Now, go make more offers!

Until recently, real estate investing was so unrestricted that real estate investors could do most types of transactions with no restrictions. Things have changed with the real estate bubble forcing real estate investors to re-discover themselves to succeed.

Here are a few things that affect real estate investing business.

1)    Taking over mortgage payments

This is one of the most profitable real estate investing business models.   Deals with lease options, rent to own, owner financing, form a big part of most real estate investors income.

 Lots of states are now requiring that you disclose and get permission to the lender before you can take over payments.

They also require you to disclose to the buyer.  Some states force you to less than 180 days for lease options.   You must therefore be ready to do a lot of paperwork.

2)    No stated income loans
Gone are the days when self employed people could easily get loans.   Previously you just needed to provide proof of assets like bank statements and you could get funded for a mortgage.

You can no longer do this, so if you are self employed you have to re-think how to acquire your properties.

3)    Hard money credit based?
This comes as a surprise that some hard money lenders need you to fully disclose your income and lend based on your credit.

 They have more relaxed rules, but you still have to shop for hard money lenders who lend based only on property.

4)    Limit on number of properties you can finance
Currently you can finance up to 10 properties if your  income is fully documented and have a credit score of 720 or more.

 You must also show cash reserves of at least 6 months your monthly payment for each property.

 Of course if you are self employed you cannot document your income!

5)    Seasoning rules
 You cannot refinance a property to cash out until you keep it for 12 months even if you bought it with cash. This means you cannot just move on to your next deal when you want!

If you buy rental properties, you have to take this into account.

 If you are self employed, can you refinance if you cannot document your income?

6)    No refinancing properties held in an LLC
This means you have to hold properties in your personal name if you want to refinance.   If they are held in an LLC, you must transfer them to your personal name for 6 months before you can refinance.

So what do these new limitations mean? Is it the end of real estate investing as we knew it?

The answer is no. Real estate investors know how to re-discover themselves and are flexible enough to adapt to changing market forces.

As a successful real estate investor, you must close as many deals as possible spending little money, effort and time to increase profits. Learn how an automated real estate investing website can simplify your work and increase your profits.

Article by Real Estate Belize

Timing is everything. And when it comes to investing on a Belize Real Estate home, now is the most intelligent time to invest on that property you’ve always wanted.

The global economy may be a bit weak recently, but the economy of Belize is rather stable with its currency pegged to the US dollars on a ratio of 2:1. Also, properties in Belize come in astonishingly affordable prices and even have the highest appreciation rate in Central America. You’re sure to get the best value for your money here.

They say that planning ahead and preparing for the future is the best thing one can do to himself, and the same is true here. You can enjoy your vacation home now once you have purchased it, and have the convenience of visiting the country whenever you want to. No more calling hotels to make reservations, and there’s no need to worry about the extra cost if you feel like taking grandma and grandpa for the holidays. Having a vacation home here means you don’t have to worry about food—you can always cook your own meals, making it less costly than eating out.

Belize is not called a tax haven for no reason. Capital gains tax and inheritance tax are non-existent in this country, which is very good news for investors in the country. Better yet, the transaction process and system here is very fast and effective since they have adapted the way the British do their things. Being colonized by the British nation obviously has something to do with it. You can easily own a piece of property without limitations or pre-qualifications, and since English is the main language used in the country, you won’t have any problems communicating around.

Investing on real estate now means you can avoid the sudden surge of prices in the future. It also means you can enjoy your vacation home as soon as you purchase it.

Vacation homes vary, and with so many options to choose from like waterfront mansions, a ranch home in the fields, a home overlooking the ocean or somewhere near the mountain, it may be a tad bit difficult to decide where you want your home located. The real estate sales in the country have increased in the past few years since expatriates and retirees have chosen Belize Real Estate to be their new home.

The homes that you should really look at are located in the Stann Creek District where the community of Sanctuary Belize is found. The homes are simply the best you can find in the country and is worth every penny. Built by the best developers across the land and also renowned worldwide, the homes you will find here are something you would be happy to own. Developers make sure the homes they will construct match your taste and needs and also have it located to where you want it to—near the beach or mountain or in the midst of the forest.

Investing on a home here now also means having your home built sooner. Go ahead and check out your options now!

If you have an interest in real estate investing, one of the first things that you are going to need is real estate investing information.

There are plenty of ways to find this:

All it takes is a little research on your part and you can find out all the information you need to be successful in real estate investing.

One of the best and easiest ways to get real estate investing information is through other people who have experience in real estate investing. Naturally, your next question should be “Where do I find these people?”

It’s a very good question. The answer is “A real estate investing club”. By being a member of a real estate investing club, you have access to every member of their club along with their knowledge and experience in real estate. There is a wealth of real estate investing information available through a real estate investing club.

If you do not know of a real estate investing club in your area, you can use the National Real Estate Investing Association, NREIA, to find one. Their website, http://www.nationalreia.com, has listings for real estate clubs and associations in each of the states.

Books on the subject are also good sources of real estate investing information. You can take a trip to the local bookstore and browse through the business section for books pertaining to real estate investing information. There are several books on the market that have been written by some of the most successful people in real estate investing.

Through these books you can find out most of the basic real estate investing information as well as some tips and tricks for being successful. It is often a good practice to read a real estate book prior to talking with an experienced investor. This way you won’t waste the investor’s time by asking basic questions that could be found anywhere.

Believe it or not the internet is full of real estate investing information. Just as there have been books published on the subject of real estate investing, there are also websites filled with information. You can easily find these websites by using a search engine.

Peruse through the websites to start building a knowledge base of real estate investing information. While you are reading the websites, you might find a piece of information that leads you to search on a related subject. By doing this, you are able to capture a great deal of real estate investing information.

It’s not at all difficult to find real estate investing information. Most of the resources are available right at your fingertips. All you have to do is make use of what’s been provided to you already, then use this information to gather more.

You can download your own free real estate investing ebook by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

For many people this is a procedure that is not always realized, while for others, the procedure of finding for the one that is well suitable for all their requirements and wishes perfect is very difficult to do.

The skill to own a home is the crucial destination for several people around the world. For many people this is a procedure that is not always realized, while for others, the procedure of finding for the one that is well suitable for all their requirements and wishes perfect is very difficult to do. 

The Cayman Islands are among the few worldwide islands which continually pick up awards for their outstanding beaches, hotels, diving and investment safety. Cayman Islands

consist of these three islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, each of which has a different ambience and unique attractions.

The increasing upturn in buying property abroad has shown no signs of abating. Overseas property has become a popular choice for two main reasons: Budget Flights and Holiday Home Investment, and Emerging Markets. An exclusive beachside development investment opportunity has arisen in one of the most desirable areas of Little Cayman.

An exclusive beachside development investment opportunity has arisen in one of the most desirable areas of Little Cayman. Only limited plots are available. This beach-side exclusive development enjoys tropical sea views with pure white sandy beaches.

Benefits of Cayman Property:

The Caymans have no property taxes and investing in land in the Cayman Islands is advantageous from the tax perspective also. Cayman Island land investments are also secure real estate investments because the territory is politically stable, has sound regulations operating under British Common Law and good infrastructure. Interest free finance extending over five years is also available.

Property for Sale in the Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands is British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean and meets all the requirements for an excellent investment. You will be investing abroad under British law as British common law is applicable in the territory. Foreigners are legally allowed to invest in land and get a freehold title.

We are one of the leading and well-respected Cayman Island real estate providers that offer a collection of tailored Cayman property for lease or rent according to your needs. I am having over 65 years of combined real estate experience both in the Cayman Islands and overseas in Cayman property for rent and Cayman property for sale.

When most people think of real estate investment, they think of rental homes and apartments. However, current economic conditions make rental real estate riskier than ever. Even good honest tenants are subject to losing their jobs and being unable to pay rent. Furthermore, declining property values and rising taxes and insurance negatively impact profit potential.

Commercial real estate investment offers an attractive alternative to residential real estate. Leases are long-term and the checks are less likely to bounce. There are two basic types of commercial real estate investments: direct and indirect.

In direct commercial real estate investment, you purchase one or more business buildings. This option requires a large amount of capital and offers little liquidity. As the owner, you will be responsible for management and maintenance issues.

Office buildings and manufacturing facilities usually provide long-term tenants and greater stability than retail establishments. But if you need your money, you have to find a buyer for the building. And again, you will have tax and insurance issues.

Novice investors have been burned by hidden environmental problems or zoning issues, so make sure to seek the advice of an attorney knowledgeable in commercial real estate issues.

Indirect real estate investments allow the smaller investor to enjoy the benefits of commercial real estate with fewer disadvantages. Funds from many investors are pooled and used for commercial investments. The fund’s directors hire managers and address maintenance issues. Furthermore, shares in the fund can be sold at will, improving investors’ liquidity.

There are many options in indirect real estate investments.

You can consider the pros and cons of various investment types. For example, you may decide that America’s aging population makes medical building investments a “sure thing”. On the other hand, concerns about national health insurance issues leading to restrictive regulations in the medical industry may lead you to look elsewhere for investment opportunities.

The global marketplace makes it possible to invest in real estate anywhere in the world. However, differing regulations and politics may increase risk. On the other hand, rapid growth and profit potential may make the risks worth taking.

Like most investments, the costs of real estate investment shares have dropped considerably. However, the returns are still excellent compared to other investments. 
And the real estate investors’ mantra “They’re not making any more land” is as true as ever.

You can go online to research major real estate investment funds. Maybe you can find the perfect commercial real estate investment to meet your financial goals.

It does not matter how many commercial real estate deals an investor goes through, they always have an established process that they utilize every single time to assure they cover all their bases and increase the likelihood of a great investment. Synergy has a lot of meaning in the commercial real estate market. By utilizing synergy of process and assets one can realize huge results and profits by making minor adjustments to strategy. Those minor adjustments can often mean the difference between success and failure.

Article by Brad Law

The current global economic crisis has sent investors packing their bags, full of runaway cash, running away from traditional “safe investments.” Plunging real estate and stock investments and the fear of becoming a victim of another Hedge Fund scam like that of Bernard Madoff has sent a lot of investors looking for something more.

The film industry in general has become considered a relatively safe investment. According to The New York Times: “Wall Street, real estate, the art market — all of those other supposedly stable investment areas — are now such a mess that Hollywood is one of the safer places you can park money.

Billionaire investors are backing Hollywood films and some are even bringing home the Gold, as in “Oscar.” From all around the globe billionaires are investing in blockbuster and mega hit movies. Ultra high net worth investors like Anil Ambani, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, Paul Allen Of Microsoft, Steven Rales, Fred Smith of Federal Express, Norman Waitt, of Gateway Computers, Jeff Skoll of Ebay, Marc Turtletaub of The Money Store, Roger Marino of EMC Corp, Sidney Kimmel of Jones Apparel Group, Bill Pohlad Minnesota Twins owner; Real Estate Developers Tom Rosenberg and Bob Yari, and, financiers Sheikh Waleed Al Ibrahim, Philip Anschutz and Michel Litvak.

Bad economic times now and in past depressions have always proven to make Hollywood richer.

An investor can take advantage of the American Jobs Creations or take a 100% Federal deduction under Section 181. Many states incentives are attracting movie production business with tax advantages to get filmmakers to shoot in their state.

“Movie investments are fun, interesting and a business that we here at Mega Hit Films are passionate about!… Red hot movie going has sent U.S. and Canadian box office receipts to a whopping $ 8.34 billion this year in spite of the gloomy economy!”-Richard Wallace, CEO- Mega Hit Films, Inc.

Despite Hollywood’s credit woes, caused by the global credit crunch, the management team of Mega Hit Films still believes that the motion picture business is better than any investment. Its low capital entry requirements combined with the unlimited potential for investment returns makes it better than most of the traditional investment options in the marketplace.

As a result, the company continues to work with emerging and established film makers and producers, big budget films, and low budget films, helping to continue the magic of the big screen.Mega Hit Films represents ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWI). Many of these (UHNWI) have made money earlier in life, and a lot of these (UHNWI) want to do something other than pure philanthropy. Some have a mission and want to make a “statement” through film with movie stories; from culture to politics and everything in between. Mega Hit Films has a long-term financial commitment with (UHNWI). This marriage between ultra-high net worth individuals and Mega Hit Films enables the filmmakers to focus their energies on finding and creating great film projects while helping the actors, producers and directors they work with to do what they do best: create compelling and innovative films.

Ultra-high net worth individuals have found a fun, “expensive” but profitable business in the movie business and wow, they get to hang out with the stars!

Mega Hit Films Inc. a privately financed independent production and film investment company is an alternative specialist provider of financial solutions to the entertainment industry with satellite offices opening in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver, and London.

First let us understand what real estate investment seminar mean. The real estate seminars are generally organized by real estate investment companies. And all existing and potential real estate investors will be invited either publicly through an ad in a newspaper or magazine, or individually by a phone call, an email or orally.

The speakers at these seminars are usually a highly successful real estate investor who has amassed millions and he will speak to motivate you to achieve similar success. He will offer a variety of tips and relate his personal success story. There may also be certain other professional motivation speakers. An investment expert is also invited to deliver a special address to explain the investment methods and market scenario.

The fact is some of these seminars are truly helpful and members can immensely benefit by getting buying and selling advice. But several seminars are organized with ulterior motive to entice you into making some high risk investments. Some of these real estate investment companies exploit the members by asking them to pay seminar attendance fees, selling some costly printed literature or books and deploying high pressure sales tactics to browbeat the participants.

During real estate seminars, the successful investors conduct discussions to share their experiences with the participants. The seminars are also organized to help beginners pursue their dreams. The strategies suggested in these seminars often help the aspirants to get rid of their diffidence and get started. You have to however exercise caution while choosing to attend the real estate seminars.

Ascertain who the speakers will be and what their credentials really are. The term “expert” is grossly misused in real estate circles. Do not be carried away by pep talk and do not succumb to pressure tactics when making decisions about real estate investments. Before deciding to attend a real estate seminar, conduct your own pre-study.

Read the flier to determine if the speaker will present comprehensive information on real estate investments, financial implications and tax benefits. All good speakers, with professional integrity, will help you understand the various aspects of real estate investment. Find out if environmental and economic issues will be dealt with in the seminar.

You will immensely benefit listening to details about Green Building tax credits and higher returns from sustainable developments. As these factors are of great importance in any long-term real estate investment, it is worthwhile learning about them in greater depth. Find out if the real estate investment seminar will have a question and answer session. If so, make sure to ask questions pertaining to areas the speaker did not adequately cover or was ambiguous about.

Real estate investment companies conducting the seminars usually recommend high-risk investment strategies and borrowing huge sums of money that can imperil the investor’s financial position. If you have been approached about a seminar or real estate investment which appears suspicious, or if you have been misled into investing money on some wrong deal, you can lodge a complaint on the ASC and RECA websites.

To succeed in real estate business which is rather complex, it is important that you periodically seek some independent professional advice. It is in this context that real estate seminars become relevant and useful. A real estate seminar will provide some critical information on real estate investments and other related issues. Therefore it might be a good idea to attend a real estate seminar provided one is cautious about the organizer’s motives and high pressure selling techniques.

As a result I’m sure that you feel ready to throw your hat into the ring and begin your own real estate portfolio. There is certainly nothing wrong with this as an investment strategy though there are many wrong ways in which an investor can go about the process.

Flipping properties is my field of experience and a good deal of what will be discussed here will relate to flipping properties though some of the information can be crossed over into rental properties and other types of real estate investment. Even personal property can be a real estate investment. 

Real estate is one of the few forms of investment in today’s society in which you can actually see the changes as they are occurring. 

It is truly amazing to watch a property that was once neglected and in a state of disrepair suddenly spark back to life right before your very eyes. There is a lot of work involved in this process though and this is often overlooked. Much like labor in light of birth. The pains are quickly forgotten when looking into the face of the outcome. 

Keep these things in mind for your first time and you should be well on your way to future success. You should also realize that the first few investments are learning experiences more than anything else. If you do not achieve the success you were hoping for (or success to a lesser degree than hoped) you should not give up on the dream all together simply learn from the mistakes you will make along the way as well as the mistakes that others have made.

Real estate investing is not an exact science. There is no formula in this business that guarantees success. Even seasoned professionals will find the occasional bump in the road even on a property for which they had high expectations. Stuff happens along the way that cost money, delay the project, or set the project back. 

These things are stumbling blocks no doubt but should not be allowed to derail the entire project. When these things happens go back to your original plan, reassess the situation and create a new plan with the necessary adjustments in mind. The key is in sticking to a plan the entire time and never throwing the plan out the window and flying by the seat of your pants.

Your plan will be your lifeline throughout the project. You need to have a plan and a budget in writing. One great rule of thumb is that you set aside double the amount of money you plan for in your budget. This gives you a bit of a safety net for the inevitable things that will go wrong. Things will go wrong on almost every flip you encounter. Even the seasoned professionals that have television shows about their flipping efforts encounter problems in almost every single flip, rehab, or renovation.

For your first few investment purchases it is recommended that you purchase properties that need little more than minor cosmetic repair rather than complete rehabs or renovations. This allows you to get your feet wet without the incredible risk of going off the deep end mentally, emotionally, and financially. 

These properties represent lower profits but also lower risk. They also allow you to gain valuable experience and raise a little capital in which to invest in properties requiring more extensive work in the future.

Keep your eye on the carrot at the end of the project. Far too many would be property investors give up just before they reach the point of true profitability. The goal is the profit at the end of the project.

Taking your real estate investment business to the next level means going into territory you haven’t gone before to reap rewards you haven’t yet obtained.  I know a lot of people who do the same types of deals they did when they first started in real estate investing.  Now there’s nothing wrong with doing that if you’re content with what you’ve got.  But if you’re looking for something more, you’ve got to take on greater investment opportunities.  Here’s how to do just that.

I got into real estate investing because I wanted to make some serious cash.  I was sick and tired of struggling financially and I hated coming home tired every night.  Well, I found real estate.  I started doing some single family deals but after awhile, I found that I was still as broke as I was when I first started.  I needed cash flow and I needed it fast.  Go after bigger fish.  Commercial property investment deals offer some of the greatest cash flow and returns for an investment dollar.  The number of units and the size of the properties brought the largest returns for the amount of time and money I had invested in any deal.

To get to the next level in your real estate career, you must continually educate yourself.  Education enables you to find solutions to any challenges that may come up when you’re doing deals.  Education also helps to eliminate unnecessary risk.  Unfortunately, many investors believe that their lack of knowledge prevents them from doing the tougher types of deals like commercial properties.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth.  You must continually educate yourself.  Read books.  Attend seminars and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

A good mentor helps you gain practical experience much quicker and more easily compared to books and courses.  Mentors help you navigate deals and overcome any show stopping challenges that may arise.  Mentors are your safety net in areas where you don’t know where you’re headed.  If you’re serious about taking your real estate investments to the next level, a mentor will help you get there quicker and with much less risk than if you were to do it alone.

There are many people who shun the idea of new investors taking on the risk of large, complicated projects like commercial real estate investments.  They’re right.  Commercial property investing is not for inexperienced investors or for do-it-yourselfers, but here’s the idea – let the experts be experts.  Your team of experts works to eliminate the risk of your inexperience and lack of knowledge.  You can get to the next level in your real estate investment career when you have the expertise of people who already know how to navigate their way through a deal.

Any business will fail unless it’s marketed.  Taking your real estate business to the next level means you must develop your marketing skills by putting them into action.  For example, I started marketing my business using direct mail.  At the time, I believed that it was the only thing I could do.  As I started to get responses, I started networking myself at places like local real estate investment clubs and with bankers.  Basically, I took one marketing strategy, learned it, and honed it until it produced a reward for me.  Then I started working other forms of marketing.  Your business is going to go to the next level when you start learning about and working more marketing strategies.

Attitude makes all the difference.  A person who thinks that they can’t do a deal that will take their business to the next level has already shot himself in the foot.  Without even trying, he’s already doomed to failure.  Conversely, a person who is hungry enough for success will attain it simply because he hasn’t given up.

No matter where you are in your real estate career, these tips will help you get to the next level.  Commercial real estate is the right vehicle that provides some of the greatest cash flows in the industry.  When you combine education, expertise, marketing, and the right attitude, you’ve got the makings for attaining greater investments and receiving better cash flow deals.  The next step is to take action.

Article by Lisa Merritt

By now, we have all seen the commercials shouting that you are a fool for not taking advantage of the government grants available for everything from starting your own business to investing in real estate. Does it sound too good to be true?

That depends. Certainly, some people have received a grant for investing in real estate. A very few have received a large grant for investing in real estate. And even though these grants exist, the requirements can be quite stringent, the competition very tough, and the amounts small.

However, there are some circumstances where it is possible to start or improve a real estate investing career by seeking and obtaining grants. Most often, local municipalities fund affordable housing initiatives. These may range from offering individuals grants to assist in a first-time-homeowner down payment, to grants to non-profit developers to build multi-unit affordable housing developments.

For example, currently in Miami, Florida, housing assistance grants are available (http://www.miamidade.gov/housing/library/hag_eng_span.pdf) for low-income individuals who meet needs criteria. This type of grant can be found by contacting the housing department of the municipality where you are looking to invest.

Other programs exist on a municipal or regional basis for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons with AIDS. If you fall into one of these categories and wish to purchase real estate, again the best place to start looking is your municipal housing authority or agency.

Another class of programs encourages “Sweat Equity,” or seeks to provide housing opportunities for people who are willing and able to provide some of the labor of building the home. One of the best known organizations in this category is Habitat for Humanity, although similar organizations exist on local levels.

Individuals may also qualify for downpayment assistance. This information from the website http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/grants-catalog-housing.html#020 illustrates a typical example of this type of grant:

AHP Homeownership Set-Aside Program of the FHLBank SystemFederal Housing Finance Board An FHLBank may set aside up to the greater of $ 4.5 million or 35 percent of its AHP funds each year for a homebuyer program for low- and moderate-income households. Member lenders provide the set-aside funds as grants to eligible customers generally on a first-come, first-served basis. Set-aside funds may be used for down-payments, closing costs, rehabilitation, or homeownership counseling costs. Each FHLBank may set its own maximum grant amount, which may not exceed $ 15,000 per household. To qualify for a grant, households must meet several criteria. Please contact your nearest FHLBank Community Investment Officer to learn more. Contact: To find your nearest Community Investment Officer, visit http://www.fhfb.gov/FHLB/FHLBP_officers.htm.

It is also possible to obtain grants to make property improvements to a property that you own. These are most available in Community Redevelopment Areas and can be found through the municipality you are interested in. These types of grants are often available for commercial and residential properties, and may cover anything from disaster preparedness to exterior paint and landscaping to safety items. Rural areas may benefit from irrigation grants and other incentives from the US Department of Agriculture.

For non-profit organizations that seek to obtain grants to build affordable housing initiatives, the Federal government offers several types of grants for real estate investing. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers community development block grants that usually funnel through a competitive awards process to a municipality that in turn awards contracts to businesses to build houses for the low-income and underserved members of the community.

Contrary to popular belief, the Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start new small businesses, so if you have to invest your own funds to start a non-profit organization, you have to decide whether developing affordable housing will be a career that you will follow regardless of whether you obtain grants and contracts.

Other grants for real estate investing can be found for rural and farming assistance projects, tribal projects, and other miscellaneous specific projects.

If you do fall into one of the covered categories, a grant for investing in real estate may help start you on the road to owning property. You will still have to do the work of researching properties for purchase, making improvements on the property, reselling for a profit to convert extra cash into additional investments, and working up into bigger and more profitable deals. Seeking and obtaining a grant for real estate investing may help a hard working, motivated investor gain the leg up necessary to profit in real estate.

Multiple books exist that state they can supply information on available grants and how to obtain them. Internet searches also are quite useful in finding different types of funding opportunities. Municipal housing agencies are also a wealth of information for finding out about grant opportunities. For more information, try http://www.grants.gov or your local housing agency.

Most real estate investors waste time and effort chasing deals in all market area and losing focus in a target market.  some people think you can buy and sell houses nationwide without ever seeing those properties.

 this article allows you to focus on what works best for maximum profits.

When I started investing, my very first deal was almost one and a half hours away.   In my inexperience, I just sent out letters without regard to geographical location.   The Dallas Fort Worth metroplex is big so I figured that was a good target market.

 I had to physically show the house to other real estate investors who wanted to buy it as a wholesale deal.  It was not vacated yet, so I could not give them the lockbox code.

 I spent about 40 hours on the road or at the house, sometimes more than once a day.   Yes, I was relieved when it was over!

 You will always find good deals right where you live.  Competition is never a problem; there are enough to go around.

 You will be surprised how many deal you can find around you if you target a particular market.
 I rarely drive more than 20 minutes away unless the deal is too good.

 Choose  an area where you have little stress in travelling and where you can comfortably manage a deal from start to finish.  It does not matter what your exit strategy is.

Just target a specific farm area that you are comfortable with and stick to it.   Once you are used to it and all your systems are in place, you can expand further.

What about virtual real estate investing?
Sometimes you may think it’s possible and even convenient to buy properties you have not seen.   Especially so if you work with other real estate investors and buy nationwide.

Personally I do not buy properties I have not seen and would not recommend this to anyone.  Stick with the simple deals you can handle and grow with the times as you gain more experience in real estate investing.

 Also important is to focus on the types of properties you buy – wholesale deals, rentals, lease to own, subject-tos,  etc.  This helps you decide the price range and the best neighborhoods that have your kind of properties.

 Your marketing method needs to be well targeted both on the internet and direct mail such as letters, post cards, etc.  Whichever method you use, it is important to have a real estate investing website that tells your story and runs your business.

 This way, your real estate investing business will succeed more by spending less time money and effort to close more deals.

In order to run a success real estate investing business, it is necessary to automate most aspects of your business, increase efficiency so you spend less time, money and effort while closing more deals. A lot of real estate investors have achieved this with database driven real estate investing web sites that also automate most tasks of real estate investing.

Whether you buy or sell houses, your real estate investing business must be driven by marketing that generates leads.

This article focuses on marketing properties that you have for sale and how to reach out to potential buyers and sell your houses fast.

Of course, the main assumption when you are marketing is that you have prepared the house for sale.   Preparing your property could involve staging, clean-up and making sure potential buyers are attracted to the property.

You need to get a few things in place:

1)    Get a real estate investing  web site
You must have a stage for presenting your properties.   This purpose is served by a good real estate investing website.

 You can describe your house, present pictures and  documents, all from your website.  You can also present video virtual tours if you have any.

 The staging platform for your properties is real estate investing website.

 A good real estate investing website is recommended at the end of this article.

2)    Build a buyers list
 A buyers list comprises people in your local area who are looking to buy the houses you sell. Again, a good real estate investor website is necessary – it acts as the place to manage your buyers list and send out email messages to potential buyers.

3)    Target your market
 It is necessary to target your marketing to a geographical region. Most likely you will want to target the immediate neighborhood more aggressively than places farther away.

4)     Put a human aspect in your message
Do not describe your house like a thing. Describe its unique features and how they appeal to the needs of the buyer.

 Show a buyer how these features will help them. Instead of saying located near a school or park, say something like “your kids can walk to the nearby elementary school or play in the nearby park”.

You must appeal to the emotional psychology of potential buyers by highlighting benefits rather than features.

5)    Target all marketing media
 Target both old fashioned newspaper readers and people who search the internet for properties.

 You must start by sending out the property to your buyers list.   These people buy properties in your local market. You can easily get your buyers from this list.

Make sure you post your property in all marketing websites you know, including places like Craigslist, Kijiji, etc.

Make sure not to forget social networking media like Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Target your local newspapers, signs in front of your property, leaflets in your community bulletin boards, bandit signs if your city allows it.

And always make sure you send them to your website to view full property details.   From your website, they can join your buyers list.

6)    Review your marketing
Always have a way to determine the success or failure of your marketing and to change at a moment’s notice.

Remember marketing is a numbers game. Good luck selling your properties!

No matter what your real estate investing business model is, your real estate investing business can be more efficient so you spend less time, money and effort closing more deals. Learn how you can manage all aspects of real estate investing and automate your business from a real estate investor website that runs real estate investing.

By:

QMS Financial

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Some of you may be wondering what the Infinite Banking System is, while on the other hand, others may wondering how to leverage it with their real estate career. As a real estate investor or broker, you are likely aware about how hard it is in the current economy to help clients obtain financing as well as, see it all the way through to closing. The idea behind the Infinite Banking Concept is to be able to leverage your own money to finance your own purchases while not losing the ability to earn interest on that borrowed money.  As an added benefit, you enjoy the luxury of paying yourself back the principal and interest that you would have otherwise paid to a lending institution and, more importantly, you still have ownership of your newly acquired property. Just think of what your financial situation would look if you could have the principal, interest, AND the property of all your real estate acquisitions.  Yes, many of you may be thinking, well if I had the money I would consider that strategy, but finding this capital to begin with is often the challenge at hand.

One source of capital for you to consider is money that has been stocked away dormant, waiting to be used. For example, some of us may have a personal, Self-Directed IRA, or some other retirement account. Ideally, as a real estate investor you would like to leverage the property yourself and eliminate the burden of time and paperwork the banks place on you.  In today’s market, quick timing is of the essence and in order to get the deal done it is crucial to have your own cash readily available for your real estate acquisitions.

You hear many people say that today is the greatest time to be investing in real estate.  While I cannot disagree completely, I would do so on some level. Real Estate itself is not necessarily seasonal.  Though it does fluctuate with the market conditions, anytime is a great time to invest in real estate given the proper timing for the right property! So get out there and start investing! Throughout the remaining portion of this article, we will explain why the Infinite Banking System is a great tool to be used as a way to finance your own real estate purchases. We will also look at how both can be used conjunctively to accomplish your real estate goals.

As a precursor to writing this article it is important to briefly explain how the economy affects real estate investors. Most of us know that the real estate market, like all types of investment markets, operates in cycles. We know this. We also know that the issuance of sub-prime loans in the past has caused mortgage lenders and brokers alike to become stricter on their loaning practices. During the sub-prime mortgage crisis we noticed a lot of individuals who over-leveraged themselves. The simple effects of supply and demand were the roots of this lending crisis. When lenders became more lenient on lending practices (i.e. sub-prime mortgage lending), financing could be taken, and in some instances, with 110% LTV (loan-to-value). This opened the door for many people, who were not necessarily experienced, or financially qualified, to come rushing in blindly and purchase homes way above their means. As we now know, this created an influx of demand, which caused prices to skyrocket, sometimes above their assessed value. As time went on individuals realized that they could not afford these investments (maybe due to some sort of balloon payment, or simply because their income could not afford the extra burden). Either way, individuals started selling or walking away from their homes because they were unable to afford the payment on their mortgages This increase in the supply of real estate inventory started a time period where there was a great opportunity for investors looking to get property to start buying it up. Due to this excess of bank-owned and foreclosed properties, prices of homes were pushed down to extreme lows where soon thereafter, a “Buyers Market” emerged.

So as the mortgage industry started to become a lot stricter, many investors became unable to qualify for financing even though their track record might prove otherwise. So now I will get to the bottom of this article. Using the Infinite Banking System you can become your own bank. No lenders, no pre-approvals, no underwriters, nothing! You simply get to agree to the terms that are fit for you and let the Infinite Banking System do the rest. You will have to have a similar interest rate that a conventional bank would charge you, but just remember, you are paying yourself back so the higher the interest the better. You can structure to pay yourself off when you close and take your money and principle back at closing, or you could pay yourself back in monthly installments. Using this concept the terms are decided by you, not the bank.  As you pay yourself back, you now begin to realize the profits the banks normally make in addition to your return on the real estate investment!

So at this point you might be asking yourself, “Well where am I going to get this money from?” There are many different places to get your money from and we will explain the 401(k) plan in a little more in detail to help you better understand the benefits of the Infinite Banking System. We will also list a few other sources as well.

(1) – Most, if not all, of us have some sort of retirement savings plan. It has been drilled into our mind that if we want to not work our whole life, then we should start investing in a 401(k) retirement plan. As you might already know, there is a penalty for taking money out of your retirement account before the age of 59 ½ years old. One benefit of the Infinite Banking System is that you have absolute freedom to utilize your account for whatever purposes you want with no withdraw fees. For example, lets say that you find house for sale for $ 55,000.

You could either take a loan out against your 401(k) or just pull the money out and pay the penalties the taxes.  If you decide to take a loan out, you are limited to the lesser of 50% or $ 50,000.  You also lose the opportunity to earn interest and gains on that money within the 401(k) and may not be able to make further contributions to your 401(k) until that money is paid back.

If you decide to just pull the money out of your 401(k) and pay the penalty and taxes, you will need to pull more than the $ 55,000 out to compensate for the immediate loss and, like in the first example, you give up the right to share in the interest and gains that could be realized if that money were left in the 401(k).

Now, lets say you use your own bank instead through the Infinite Banking Concept.  You withdraw about $ 75,000 (sufficient amount to cover closing costs, repairs, etc.). Lets say you charge yourself 12% with a payback in 30 years for loaning yourself the money. If you were to make monthly payments, you would be looking at around a $ 880 payment, but for this example lets say you are a creative real estate investor and you plan on flipping the house in 6-9 months with the plan of paying yourself back at closing. Six and a half months go by and finally you have sold the property for $ 95,000 dollars! What would be your cash back to you as an investor? So after you look into it, you calculate that 12% return on the initial  $ 75,000 would be $ 84,000 (1.12 *$ 75,000).  That whole $ 84,000 goes back into your own bank now, not the 401k, and can be used again, and again, and again, The capital gains on the house minus the payment of principle and interest to your Infinite Bank account would be $ 11,000. Your total cash out is $ 95,000! Minus the taxes on capital gains and the cost to take money out of your 401(k) you are looking at coming out with a good chunk of cash with additional money to re-invest. Now how good would that feel to recapture all your money back like that! Now you are free to start the investing back up and start building that Infinite Bank Account. Remember, that the Infinite Banking account is like your 401(k) plans in that you are going to be making payments into it monthly, and at your terms. This is just one option to consider. Other investment vehicles can be used to generate money from to help rocket your real estate career to the next level!

(2) Personal Trust Fund

(3) Re-finance your mortgage on your house

(4) Insurance Policy

(5) Self-Directed IRA

(6) And More!

The real reason why the Infinite Banking Concept is so great is that it gives you full control of your money and allows you the ease of setting your own terms as your own bank. For real estate investing purposes it can be a great way to ease the burden of the banks off of your back and let you be the bank! So understanding that the economy is going to change is something that we should all be aware of but, like we said, there will always be great deals out there. The financing you need though, will not always be there at the drop of a hat, so utilizing the Infinite Banking System to help leverage your real estate career might just be the best move you make. And like the game of chess, move yourself into a position to checkmate anything that stands in your way.

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For more info on the Infinite banking Concept please visit www.qmsfinancial.com or send an email to Justin.howard08@hotmail.com. Start your real estate career at the next level today!

Thank you for your time and may greatness be on the road ahead of you in your journey to success!

In a world wide property market where investors are cautious, Brazil has been a stand out success story. This has been due to several factors including a strong natural economy that is not over reliant on tourism. Brazil has an abundance of natural resources, including oil, which gives the economy stability that investors look for. Brazil also has a huge population (just under 200 million) and is well pegged to become a future super economy. Plus great climate, beaches and a vast wealth of different landscapes. Favorable currency conversion for westerners, (1.00 GBP = 2.67 BRL/ 1.00 USD = 1.69 BRL & 1.00 EUR = 2.33 BRL)* and of course great property at great prices.

Over the last 5 years, government reformation has enabled Brazil to make significant improvements in social sectors. Average earnings have been on the rise, as has employment possibilities for a country looking to better itself. This has brought about more disposable cash flow and in turn, better interest rates and a greater desire for Brazilians themselves to purchase their own properties. Presently Brazil is the largest economy in South America, with increased incomes and a thriving economy driven internally and internationally. Thankfully Brazil has not tightened the belt on foreign nationals purchasing within their borders. President of ADIT (Association for Real Estate and Tourism Development in the North East of Brazil), Felipe Cavalcante, has let it be known that any worry over new legislation concerning Brazil’s natural resources will only affect agricultural land and will have no bearing whatsoever on investments made into real estate.

Where a purchase is made with the right foresight on up and coming areas, such as Natal in the North East, which has been an unbridled success story in the international property world. A mixture of the right location, with good access to road, airports and local facilities can prove an essential mix for a profitable investment, as these are the properties that are in demand for vacation rentals.

It has not been unusual for buyers over the last 5 years to have experienced 100% growth on initial investment and now with a current interest rate of 9.5% and having recently made mortgages available to foreign buyers, further boom in Brazilian real estate is expected. Brazil is a genuine opportunity.

A pledge has been made by Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to meet the demands of the flourishing market, his government will spend up to $ 18bn USD on a million new homes in the country by end of 2011.

With the world cup around the corner in 2014 and having arguably the greatest football team ever, playing in their home country, also hosting the 2016 Olympic games, all eyes will be on Brazil as they finally step out from the shadow of a developing nation and show the world they are now one of the finest, most progressive places to be in the world. With property prices still currently at a fraction of those in more developed nations, now would be a wise time to invest indeed.

How to buy a property in Brazil:
• Foreign ownership of land and property is permitted. Investment in property may be made from abroad as direct ownership or via a vehicle such as a resident company, partnership or investment fund. Possible restrictions may apply to purchase of rural land regarding desired size of area for purchase.
• You will need a tax registration number known as a Catastro de Pessao Fisica (CPF). This can be obtained from any foreign Brazilian embassy or in Brazil via a lawyer.
• The amount of your Brazilian property purchase must be wired into the country to the Banco Central do Brasil, as this bank allows the Government to record all overseas investment.
• After finding the property you want to buy, you need a Certidao de Onus Reais. These certificates are to be applied for, however, they are not needed for purchase of off plan properties.
• If buying off plan, be sure to undertake all due diligence, ensuring land is properly registered, building licenses are in place and a ‘copia da escritura publica’ certificate has been issued from the notary.
• Deposits are usually paid at this point from buyer to vendor and are non refundable.
• Drawn up at this stage is the sales contract, detailing full conditions of sale and acting as receipt for deposit funds paid.
• Final stage is the drawing up of the property sales deed of completion (‘escritura’). This will usually be carried out at the notary. Once in possession of this deed, take it to the Real Estate Registry Office to effect registry.

Eight Tips for Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

Introduction

This article is just the basics for getting started in real estate investing. This is not a how to article but an article that gives you some information about things to do to get started. Everything in this article is tools that can be applied to helping anyone get started in real estate investing. I am going to give you my eight keys to getting started. Nothing is right or wrong but reflects the point of view of the author. Laws and legal practices vary from state to state, and laws can change over time. The author does not vouch for the legality of his opinions, nor is there any intent to supply legal advice. The author strongly encourages the reader to consult with professionals and an attorney prior to entering in any real estate transaction or contract. The author is not a writer but he is a real estate investor. There will be grammar mistakes and errors, so don’t be too critical of the grammar but focus your energy on what is being said. With that said prepare yourself to think a little differently and expand your mind. Let’s get started on an amazing adventure.

The Eight Tips are as follows

1. Desire
2. Goal Setting
3. Learning What To Do
4. Attending a Real Estate Investing Seminar
5. The Billings Montana Market
6. Finding a Mentor
7. Your Real Estate Team
8. Just Do IT

1. Desire

Before we get in to the bolts and nails of real estate investing in I want to talk to you about desire. If you are going to be successful at anything in life including real estate investing you have to have the desire to do it. Desire is defined as longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment. Desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. In real estate investing if you don’t have a desire to learn and grow as a human being and really get satisfaction out of it, then real estate investing is going to be hard to do. When I go out and look at a property it brings me a lot of enjoyment. Every aspect brings me joy from talking to home owners, figuring out how I can make a deal work, to buying the house and to finding a good homeowner or tenant for the house. Real estate investing may not be for everyone but real estate investing can offer anyone the financial freedom we all crave for. If you do not have the desire for real estate investing that is ok, it can still help you to live your dreams and help you to get where you want to go in the future.

Why is real estate investing an amazing avenue for anyone to live out all of their dreams? Let me ask you a few questions. Do you have enough money to do anything you want? Do you have everything you want? No debt? A nice house? Great Marriage? The freedom to do anything regardless of how much it costs and the time it takes? If you have all of these things then you are one of the few people in America who does. Most people may be working fifty hours a week and making just enough to pay their bills. In today’s day and age most people are living pay check to pay check never really knowing if they will make enough to pay the bills that just keep piling up. If you cannot keep up with your monthly bills how are you going to plan for retirement or send your kids to college or have time to enjoy life. The answer to all of these questions is becoming financially free. Now it’s not going to be easy everyone will have to get off the couch and out of their comfort zone. Real estate is proven to be one of the fastest ways to get your out of the rat race of the nine to five and begin living the life you deserve to live. Everyone wants something different out of their life. Some dream of traveling the world, spending more time with family, volunteering, golfing, laying on a beach, giving back to the community, or anything that will make them happy. There are thousands of things that make people happy.

Making it in real estate takes a person who has a strong desire to change their lives for the better and think big. Anyone can become a great real estate investor. It is going to take a lot of work and can be a struggle at times but in the end it will be the most amazing feeling ever. The people that make it in real estate investing all have a few things in common. First they run their real estate investing business like any other business out there. Second they get out there and network with anyone and everyone. Some people might be like me and have a hard time talking to other people. If you are that is ok, anyone can learn how to become a people person, it just takes hard daily work. You have to push yourself past your comfort zone. The third thing is that you cannot be afraid to fail. Everyone has failed at something but the most successful people out their learn from their failures. The fourth thing is that you have to put a good team together. I will go into putting a team together in a later chapter. The concept of putting a team together is so that when you don’t know something you have team members that know what to do and can help you with questions. The can also make sure that you are not working yourself to death. You do not want to be the person doing everything in your business. Doing everything is a receipt for failure. You have to put together good people who you can trust and rely on. The fifth thing is that you need a mentor. Sixth and final is the desire to do it. No one can become successful at something if they don’t want to do it and don’t get satisfaction out of what they are doing.

2. Setting Goals

Having goals is one of the most important aspects of achieving what you want in life. You don’t want to just have your goals up in your head you want to write them down and past what you have wrote on the wall somewhere or in the bathroom mirror. You want to review your goals daily and read them out loud to yourself. This way you remind yourself everyday why you are building your business.

How should you start to write down you goals? First off you should think big, and by big I mean HUGE. If your goals are too small you will easily achieve them and have nothing else to look forward too. You should start off by asking yourself the question if I had all the money and time in the world what would I do, what would I buy, how would I spend my time, and how would I spend my energy. Are you starting to write these down? Well you should be. Think about what you want, spending time with family, traveling the world, the best cars, a castle, owning a small country, running for president, having the biggest real estate investing business in your area or in the country. Whatever your dreams and what you want out of your life, write it down. Some of my goals are becoming free, traveling the world, having a Ferrari, having 10 vacation homes all over the world. Right now I am just trying to get you out of your comfort zone of thinking and let your imagination run.

There are several ways to set goals. I have learned a lot of ways you can set you goals and there is no right or wrong way. The best ways that I have found to set your goals is to break them up into two categories. First your short term goals. This should be goals from a month out to around a year. The second is your long term goals these goals are you think big goals and what you see for your future.

For year one I like to first make a list of what I want to achieve this year and I will give you an example of how to do that. For year one you want to be very specific first you want to list what you want your income to be at the end of the year, next how much cash in the bank you want (this is money in your checking account, not assets). Next you want to list how much you are going to give. Giving is a very important, this can be giving to charity, giving of gifts to friends and family, giving to your school or anything you can dream of. As long as what you give brings joy to others who need it more than you. Next list what bad habits you have that you want to eliminate. Weather is be quitting smoking, spending too much on junk, drinking too much, working too much, not spending enough time with family, too much TV, not exercising and many more. We all have bad habits that need to be changed in order for use to grow as human beings. Under each of these bad habits list out some steps that you can take in order to quit them. If you bad habit is being lazy and not exercising enough what can you do to change that. Well you can get a gym membership or a home work out program. Commit yourself you following through with a plan to work out 3-5 days a week. For you to change these bad habits you have to be totally committed and follow through with a detailed plan you set for yourself. After you have your plans in place you should start listing several things you want to achieve or do in the next year. This can be start a successful business, spend time with family, travel to 2-5 places and so on. Now under each of these you should also write a detailed plan on what you need and what you need to do in order to achieve these goals. Finally you should take all of this information you have a write on page on what you see your life being over the next year. Doing this is a great exercise to really see what you want out of life.

Goals Year One

This is what I am going To Do This Year
Income: $ 500,000
Cash: $ 100,000
Give: $ 20,000

Bad Habits that will be changes:

Over Sleeping 1. Go to bed at 11 p.m. 2. Use a timer and set it for 8 hours 3. Set the timer on the other side of the room

Buying things that you don’t need: 1. Going out shopping less 2. If you have the urge to buy something think to yourself is thing item going to help me to achieve my goals of becoming financially free? 3. Tell friends what you are doing, so they can help to stop you.

What I want to Achieve:

Start a successful Real Estate Investing Business: (you should write a detailed step by step plan of everything you need in order to achieve your goal)

Travel: Where do I want to visit? 1. Gators football game (what I need to do it, money, etc)

And last your own page about what you want to achieve using words like I will and only positive words.

For long term goals you don’t need to be as specific right now, but you should list them and under them list a few steps or smaller goals that need to be achieved before you are able to achieve them. With the long term goals always think big. Another good exercise for long term goals is to make a collage of you goals. Put pictures of the house you want on it, places you want to travel, a picture of your family, a number of what income you want in or anything you can think of.

Article by Janis Lebron

Within the United states, lots of economists merely say the economy with this nation isn’t stable. These people only say these things on account of the raising cases on oil selling price hikes and the ever-changing position of your authorities and politics as well; though these details are accurate and undeniable, they may arrive tricky for some traders.

Regardless of each of the above-mentioned realities, global serious estates are still sizzling specially on the subject of investing with them. The reality is the fact several are even now in the verge of getting, advertising, and remodeling in order to get part within the booming enterprise of international genuine estates. With these all of these details to be viewed active all over us these days, would it be correct to say that investing in worldwide actual estates is an efficient plan?

Permit us place the picture this way: if an actual estate company is good at your property entrance, would it be sensible to believe that it can be as beneficial because it is with the global degree? The reality is the fact that many investors are gaining a lot and lots of funds within the U.s. and lots of of them are attempting to figure out tactics regarding how to hard cash in on the specific action.

For those who assume that you are interested on international real estate property small business then this may sound being a beneficial idea in your case, really don’t you’re thinking that?

However , you should realize that this kind of company just isn’t that easy; you’ll need to travel to distant spots, obtain qualities, and perform deals with various people with the worldwide scene. If you’d like traveling overseas, generating potential customers, and handling unique folks then this may be a great resource of salary for you. Like a matter of simple fact, most investors just appreciate traveling close to and this type of organization basically fits many. If it is likely to be your preference then you should get ready all by yourself while using the different projects like scouting and spotting attributes through online processes, conducting phone calls, and of course the on-site inspection.

Now, should you wish to do the job remotely as part of your global real-estate small business then you definitely should ensure that that you really should be functioning with crews or simply a staff. These people today will those to work to suit your needs and attend the locations in your case. You may need to get people today whom it is possible to rely on simply given that they have a very wonderful sensation of thinking and choice generating mainly inside the enhancement on the house, factors to be accomplished, and completion of your acquiring transaction.

Now for those who want to perform with only one individual you then need to ensure that that unique human being ought to have all of the above-mentioned characteristics- qualities that should make you are feeling at ease that your business is carrying out well even whenever you are far far from the web page.

As an investor in the world of international serious estates, it is not important to be bodily current inside the web-site every one of the time or get actively linked to the renovation together with other aspects of the home business; just believe in any one so you will probably be fine.