Investing in real estate funds
Real estate. Whether it comes in the form of dirt, shopping malls or apartment complexes, it's the stuff we love to own--and it's been known to reward some investors. If owning property outright isn't your thing, real estate funds just might be. Look down Lipper's roster of fund types, and real estate funds are one of the few offering their investors plus-side returns this year. At the end of the third quarter, the average performing fund in that category was up 3.03 percent--not too shabby considering the overall stock market. At the top of the real estate performance list is the Alpine Realty Income and Growth fund. Through October 1, the fund was up 13.41 percent; for the past three years, its average annual total return was 19.86 percen....

Rapid City Real Estate Agents
Located in Western South Dakota, Rapid City is a thriving community with many amenities to offers its residents. This city is nestled among the beautiful Black Hills, offering endless recreational activities for the outdoor enthusiast in the Black Hills National Forest. It is home to the spectacular Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and many state parks with wildlife roaming free. It is common to see fields of buffalo and large, open grazing lands for livestock. Rapid City real estate agents can direct you to open farmlands or family housing in the suburbs; the possibilities are endless. The weather in Rapid City, South Dakota is also a main attraction. With mild conditions year round, the temperatures rarely reach extremes. Summer months are warm and pleasant, around 70 degrees, while winters are mild with little snow. Rapid City was founded in 1876 near the banks of Rapid Creek. John Brennan started the city as a resting town for miners on the way to the gold fields. It is now affectionately named the “Shining Star of the West,” and is South Dakota’s second largest city. With a population of over 62,000 people, Rapid City continues to expand into the surrounding areas. Many suburban communities have started popping up, bringing the total area population to nearly 100,000 people. Rapid City real estate...

Donald Trump on Real Estate
I love what Trump says about the business of real estate. I am a big believer in setting up business systems for all my clients. So it is cool to hear from a master like Trump about the importance of systems! Sincerely, Tom Kish THE REAL ESTATE BUBBLE OF 2005? 'What Donald Trump has to say about the latest business opportunities found in Real Estate Investing.' By Phyllis N. Schwartz Staff Writer Have you ever wanted to become a millionaire? If so – and, if you live in the United States, there is now a very REAL chance for you to enjoy the same opportunities as Donald Trump. You don't need to invest in real estate to be wealthy. But, by and large it is the easiest, most leveraged way to build real, sustainable wealth. With mortgage rates at an all time low and tax laws favoring real estate holdings, now is an ideal time to profit from the greatest real estate gold rush in history. Marriage, job changes, divorce, new families, death -- the average American moves every five to six years. And with that constant stream of movement across the United States...

Boston Real Estate – Choosing the Right Boston Real Estate Agent
As a successful Boston real estate agent, it always puzzled me how and why some people choose particular Boston real estate agents to sell their homes. For most of us, a real estate purchase is the single largest investment we will ever make in our lives. Still, when it comes time to capitalize on this investment many home sellers are much too casual and have very low standards for the person they choose to handle the sale of their property. I can cite many examples of poor decision making when it comes to home-sellers choosing a real estate agent, but there is one example from my experience that really boggled my mind. I received a call from a woman about six months ago who asked me to do a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) of her Boston Condo. (I gladly obliged and confirmed a time to meet with her and to tour her property.) The CMA process typically entails an initial tour of the subject property, comprehensive market research to produce a report, and an in-depth, in-person listing presentation. After meeting the client, viewing the property, doing the necessary research and presenting my report, I was certain that this woman would list her property with me. She disclosed to me that she had interviewed five other Boston realtors and that she was “by far” most impressed with my presentation and me. She cited my track record selling Boston real estate and Boston condos, my knowledge of the Boston real estate market, and my professionalism as the reasons she viewed me as the most qualified real estate...

You Wanna Get High With Me?
Being a home inspector is great. It's fun, it's interesting, and I get to meet wonderful people. I know exactly what to do during a home inspection. But what should the homebuyer be doing during the home inspection? In my mind, the primary responsibility of the homebuyer during the home inspection is to observe and to listen. By watching the routine of the inspector, the homebuyer will gain a comfort with the home as well as the inspection process. The inspector has the opportunity to present to and discuss with the homebuyer all the many aspects of each component and system in the home. The goal is to have no issues looming after the inspection. That being said, active participation in the home inspection is always a good thing. I love participation! How much participation and by whom is an often debated question. Depending on an individual's role in the transaction - buyer, seller, agent, or other interested party - the intentions, interest, and involvement vary widely...

Purchase Your First Home with Confidence
If you are making the transition from renter to homeowner, you're not alone. In 2004, 40 percent of homebuyers were purchasing for the first time, according to "The 2004 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers." With interest rates at all-time lows and a booming real estate market, now's a good time to purchase real estate. However with the prospect of making one of the largest investments you'll ever make in your life, you can easily become overwhelmed. Some of the questions you may be asking are: Will I be able to afford the home of my dreams? Do I have enough money for a down payment? Will I make smart home buying decisions? If you go into the process prepared, your first purchase can be a good experience. Resources--Before starting out, educate yourself on the process. Check your library or local newspaper to find a homebuyer seminar that you can attend. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has an entire section on its website (www.hud.gov) devoted to homebuyers...

Real Estate Investing - Books,TV Infomercials, and Seminars
Real estate investing has become popularized today because of real estate investing TV infomercials and traveling seminar circuits. But real estate investing has not always been so popular. In the 1960s, William Nickerson wrote, "How I Turned $1000 into Three Million in Real Estate" and "How to Make a Fortune Today Starting from Scratch." It was one of the first real estate investing books to get national attention. A little later, Al Lowry authored "How You Can Become Financially Independent by Investing in Real Estate." Al Lowry might be called "the father of the modern-day real estate seminars," because he was the first to hold seminars as a result of his book sales. But it was Mark Haroldsen who carried the real estate investing book/seminar thrust to the next level. Haroldsen wrote, "How to Wake Up the Financial Genius Inside You." If you were tuned in to real estate investing at that time, you remember the newspaper and magazine advertising showing a picture of suave and bald-headed Mark leaning against the front hood of his Mercedes. The picture appeared everywhere in full page ads of major publications. And as Mark began selling his books, he began holding real estate investing seminars. I have had lunch with Mark and Al Lowry...

Practical Advice for Finding Irish Castles for Sale
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a castle? Have you ever dreamed of dancing in a grand ballroom that at one time was filled with princes and other nobility? If you find yourself dreaming of this lifestyle, you're not alone. Celtic castles, and all things medieval for that matter, have gotten very popular in recent years. While it's true that there aren't Irish castles for sale on every corner, you can still find them if you're willing to be diligent and patient. First, decide what region of Ireland you'd prefer to find castles for sale. If you want to buy a castle in Ireland, you must first decide whether you're interested in a particular region. If you are, then research that area first. The best way to do this is to use one of the online community guides to all 32 of Ireland's counties. Best ways to find castles for sale in Ireland: Unlike houses and commercial buildings, you...

Kings Bay Georgia Real Estate - Be Picky When You Choose your Realtor!
I have been a mortgage lender for many years and have seen a few transactions go sour. When problems arise after a contract is signed, it can be stressful for everyone involved. Here are some things that you will want to know before you choose your real estate agent. The Kings Bay Georgia real estate market has changed quite a bit over the last couple of years. The demand for homes is high and it is surely a sellers market. Interest rates have been at record lows for over three years and young couples are buying homes instead of renting. Local home contractors are building homes as fast as possible to meet the demand. Due to the increase in real estate sales, people from all walks of life are taking the real estate exam, passing it and then joining up with a real estate company and deeming theirself as a professional realtor/sales agent. Many real estate companies have training programs for new agents, as well as sales managers who guide the new agent and teach them the ropes. However, others give them business cards with their name on them and tell them to hit the pavement and sell some property!...

Calculate Rehab Profits
If you are investing in real estate you will face a variety of challenges. First you have to find the right property. Finding the right property is a combination of personal preferences and opportunities involved in a real estate deal. My most important real estate investment principle is; “You make money with real estate when you buy the property not when you sell it”. This means that I wouldn’t touch a rehab property where the purchase price is not below 65%-70% of the market value. Why do you need such a low price to make it work? This is quite simple. A common guideline among investors is that you must make at least $10,000 to make it worthwhile. Remember you’re an investor and not a handyman. Rehab projects last typically 4-6 months, sometimes even longer. You don’t want to end up making minimum wage as a handyman after the project is done. Quite frankly this is not uncommon for first time investors. Real estate investment is all about numbers. If the numbers are right you must make every mistake in the book to turn your project into a financial disaster. That’s why you must buy the property as cheap as possible...