Monday, June 30, 2008

Renting Over Leasing


The hard times are evident and while having a home is practically everyone’s dream, you cannot help but consider the fact that renting is perhaps the cheaper alternative than the usual monthly mortgage these days.

We see mortgage rates practically double the typical rent expense we get today. The difference however is that when you lease, you are leasing to own. Renting is paying a monthly fee for shelter. But the real debate is can you handle the leasing cost over the rental cost.

Without a doubt, it would be better to lease. But consider the expenses you have to account for. Would you have enough in your pockets in the end? Such is a dilemma that people have to consider. Perhaps renting is a good alternative for the meantime that we are in crisis. It all depends on your personal budgeting and financing.

Source

Thursday, June 19, 2008

How to Invest in the Right Real Estate Properties

Real estate is something that many people will definitely invest a lot in. However, the proper analysis, timing and considerations for property investments are a definite need.

Real estate investments are indeed something hard on the pocket and normally, people would be wise to think twice on using loans to help finance their desired investment venture.

Property and real estate investing is indeed a good recourse. However, it also needs sanity and maturity as far as investing in tempting properties is concerned.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Watch out for the Real Estate Scams



With a crisis-ridden world today, you are bound to encounter some con artists who will try to con you out of your money. Much of them prey the real estate business and mislead you. Not all people have settled the premiums of their homes and for sure, expect some scam brokers to come knocking on your door and give you options. Options for them to earn and steal away from you of course.

That is just the thing these days. You can no longer tell who are genuine and who are not. Mortgages and loans especially in the real estate sector has had its share of these scammers. So whether you trust you broker or not, be careful. You may end up losing more than just getting rid of back debts in mortgage bills for your home.

The most basic involves pushing on homeowners' phony documents that appear to be a new mortgage application. These are known as rescue loans which, if correctly represented, give a homeowner the cash to stave off a foreclosure. Instead, these false documents turn over the title.

A more sophisticated version of this scam involves a rent-to-buy provision. Here, a mediator matches a distressed homeowner with a management company that takes over the property while giving the homeowner the ability to become a long-term renter, with his rent paying down the mortgage.


(Source) Yahoo Real Estate

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

High Cost Real Estate Markets Today


Hard times are here and apparently much has hit the real estate binge. People are apprehensive of buying property these days and much of it is because they cannot afford it.

There will be of course loan options where you can borrow a certain percentage of the whole price of the property and pay in installments. But if you are the wise pencil pushing person today, you also have to manage your finances. One non-payment will incur penalties which in turn will become additional expenses unsolicited.

You will be surprised though that some countries like London, Monaco, France, and Hong Kong could care less about the crisis besetting us today. For them it is business as usual and while the turnover of these properties may not be that fast, they are willing to wait. They believe in their work and apparently someone will come along and buy these properties. Well…hopefully that is.

Despite global economic concerns, the credit squeeze, and rising commodity prices, properties in the world's most expensive neighborhoods are still commanding ferocious premiums. While $1.5 million in Cleveland or Tampa would probably purchase a substantial house, with four bedrooms, a multicar garage, and maybe even such amenities as a swimming pool and media room, in London's Belgravia or on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, it would buy you little more than a glorified shoebox.


(Source) Yahoo Finance