7 Great Reasons for Australians to Buy US Property By Lisa Locke

Below are the top 7 reasons why investing in US property is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Australian Property Investors that they should take advantage of right now. It will not always be ideal to invest in US Property, there are a lot of factors to consider and for the reasons below the timing is right at the moment, which will only be the case for a relatively short time.

1) Our Strong Aussie Dollar
Recently the AUD has achieved its best exchange rate against the USD in history, at one point valued over US$1 and it's still holding strong with no expectation this will change any time soon, given the state of the Australian and American economies.

2) US Properties are on Sale 
The massive drop in house prices has occurred as a result of the following issues - the impact of the non-recourse loans on offer previously in the States, the 2008 banking crisis, increasing unemployment rates and the impacts of the GFC. The drop in prices is so high that Aussies can actually purchase already discounted houses in the US, in good areas, valued at 50-70% off their market value, which is less than the price of stamp duty on an average home in Australia!

3) Over 100 US banks have gone bankrupt since the GFC
Many US banks are now too scared to lend to local home buyers and they are burdened with debt, which has opened the doors for International Investors.

4) US Buyers aren't in the Market
Loans are too hard for most to get and others are concerned about rising unemployment and the overall state of their economy.

5) Poor Credit Ratings
FICO is the most common credit assessment model in the US. Due to the high number of people who have either lost employment, defaulted on bills or walked away from their mortgages, millions of people in the US now have a low FICO credit score.

6) Lenders want International Investors
Due to the weakness of the US economy, lenders are preferring international investors, which was not previously the case. According to the recently released "2011 Profile of International Home Buying Activity" from the National Association of Realtors, the value of international residential purchases in the US surged $16 billion from $66 billion to $82 billion in the year ending March 2011.

7) High Rental yields delivering Positive Cash flow
Even though property prices have dropped in the US, rents have largely remained the same, creating historically high gross rental yields, making it possible for Australians to affordably purchase high yield positive cash flow properties.

The Architect's Cape Cod Or One and One Half Story Design By Clay Bowling

Architecture's Advancements

Architecture has advanced over the years and the days of the drafting table are over and the computer with CAD software has taken it's place. The one and one half story house that is sometimes called the cape cod is essentially one story with a steeper roof which allows for expansion of the attic. Dormers are usually added to provide additional light and ventilation. This has two distinct advantages:economy in cost per unit of habitable living space, and built in expandability.

Floor Plans

Generally bedrooms and a bath are provided in the attic space. Since any space with less than five feet headroom is considered unusable the total square feet of space in the attic is about one half that of the first floor. Dormers, stairs, and a slightly steeper roof are the principal additional costs required to build the one and one half story. The one and one half story is quite versatile. It can begin as a two bedroom, one bath house with the upper area left unfinished. This minimum house will meet the needs of a newly married couple or a retired couple. As the family of the younger people expands, the expansion attic can be finished to provide more livable room.

Architectural Utilities

Heating costs are minimized due to the small outside wall area compared to the amount of interior space. Cooling may be accomplished through the use of interior space. Cooling may be accomplished through the use of louvered ventilators at each end of the structure and the generous use of insulation. Adequate ventilation and insulation is necessary since about one third of the ceiling area is directly under the roof. This area tends to be quite warm in the summer.

Care must be taken in designing the cape cod or one and one half story structure to best accommodate the number of persons it can ultimately house. The electrical and plumbing systems should be planned with expansion in mind. Failure to consider expansion at the outset will greatly reduce the efficiency of these vital systems. Other areas of the house, such as kitchen, dining, and living rooms should also be planned for the ultimate number of occupants. If you would like to learn more about architecture and architectural services the best resource's can be found online. Simply Google what you're trying to research and within seconds you'll be directed to your answer. Thanks!

Areas Covered By South West London Estate Agents By Martin Hofschroer

London is one of the biggest cities in the world but not all of its areas are frantic and fast-paced.

South west London is ideal for house hunters across every demographic who want all the benefits of luxurious living without the anxiety associated with residing in a capital city.

There are many beautiful South west London suburbs to choose from if you are looking to settle in the region with each one providing its own unique benefits to residents.

Popular areas include Richmond, Twickenham, Fulham and Chiswick and this article will explain a little about why living in these areas is so desirable whether it is through buying or letting a property.

Richmond is famous for its pleasant surroundings with numerous green parks and gardens on offer including The Royal Botanic Gardens and Richmond Park among many others.

Located around nine miles from the city centre on the southern side of the River Thames, Richmond is popular with commuters thanks to its wide range of attractive facilities and features.

Richmond enjoys a reputation for being one of the nicer places to live in the Greater London region so it is no surprise that estate agents in the region have plenty of people enquiring about properties in the area.

Another gloriously green suburb in the south west is Fulham which is sandwiched between Chelsea and Putney and is well known for its high-end shopping and boutiques.

With plenty of large Victorian houses on the market, Fulham is popular with families because of its safe environment, which is bolstered by great transport links to many of the capital's favourite attractions.

Other fine examples of Victorian architecture can be found in Twickenham which is across the Thames from Richmond and benefits from beautiful tree-lined streets and interesting, varied shops and cafes.

To the east of the central part of Twickenham is the is fashionable St. Margarets which has a reputation for playing host to the best restaurants in the south west of London.

Chiswick is also favoured for its restaurants and cafes on the main high road which creates a continental culture during the sunnier months when people flock to visit the various leisure destinations in the area.

The suburb also boasts some of the most vital historical gardens in Wales and England in locations such as Chiswick House which was designed by the Third Earl of Burlington.

The south west London property market is proving particularly resilient during the current troubled economic climate so it has been able to avoid problems experienced by other areas in the capital.

Featherstone Leigh have offices across the capital including south west London estate agents offices and Kingston estate agents offices. Click on the links to discover properties for rent and sale in your area.

Alamo Real Estate Sales Incline on the Higher End Market By Douglas Buenz

Alamo Real Estate sales reports have revealed an interestingly good amount of sales for high-end homes but lesser sales for the lower-cost ones. Pending sales of single family detached homes priced over $2 million have been constantly high in the past few months, while those of homes that cost below $2 million have experienced a sharp decline. This drop was accounted to have fallen for three consecutive months after peaking at 24 in June. Inventory, on the other hand was at its highest level this year in July with 108. Its levels stayed generally unchanged from July through September but dropped in the high-end or the homes priced over $2 million.

In general, September pending sales were down by 35% with 13 from 20 in July and 19 in August, which is a 32% decline. There were 95 homes available on the market towards the end of September, an amount a little lower that what months August and July had - 97. Inventory relative to pending sales rose from 4.9 months in July to 5.1 months in August and 7.3 months in September.

For the lower-end market, that is, for the homes priced under $2 million, there was an increase in inventory but a decline in sales in pending. For this market segment, 80 homes were on the market at the end of September, increasing 4% from 77 at the end of August and 5% from 76 at the end of July. In terms of sales in pending, there were a total of nine for this price range at the end of September, decreasing % from 16 during both July and August. Also, a sharp increase of inventory relative to pending sales was noted. The rise was from 4.8 months in both July and August to 8.9 months in September.

For the higher end market, that is, market for homes priced over $2 million, sales in pending have been constant over the past three months with four in September, three in August and four in July. The four in July was Alamo's greatest number since the year 2007, and that's why it is interesting that numbers remained that high. And as it is expected with high sales turn out, inventory decreased resulting to a declining trend starting from 21 at the end of July to 20 at the end of August and 15 at the end of September. September's inventory was 29% lower than July's. Moreover, inventory relative to pending sales in this market segment remained at 3.8 months in September, down from 6.7 months in August and 5.3 months in July.

The trend of pending sales would go separate ways and is usually dependent on whether a home is priced over or under $2 million, with sales declining in the lower end and remaining high in the upper end. It is indeed a varying trend which is dependent of mostly the market activity.

Doug Buenz is a top producing Alamo Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors. With over 20 years experience in Alamo real estate, Doug has built a solid reputation as a market leader. His web site http://www.680homes.com is a popular site for searching for Alamo homes for sale, as well as extensive information on the community, Alamo Schools, and the East Bay lifestyle. His personal blog The 680 Blog is a widely read source on Alamo market trends, real estate tips and advice, market insights, lifestyle information, and commentary.

Tax Tips for Selling Your Home By Carol P Zeitz

Selling a home can be a complicated process but if sell at a gain, it can feel great! However, there are IRS laws related to the sale of your home, especially if you have a gain. You need to know these rules as you go through the process, so that you have no surprises later. You might be eligible to exclude all or part of that gain from your income, but there are restrictions. Here are some tips from the IRS. Keep these things in mind when you begin the process of selling your home.

1. If you have owned and used your home as your primary residence for two out of the past five years prior to the sale, you are eligible to exclude the gain from your taxable income. If you have more than one home, your primary residence is the one you live in most of the time. You will have to pay tax on any gains from selling a second or vacation home.

2. You might be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain, or $500,000 if you file jointly with a spouse. Worksheets are included in IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home, to help you figure out the gain and how much you can exclude from income.

3. If you already excluded the gain from another home during the preceding two years, you can't do it again.

4. If you are eligible to exclude all of the gain, you don't have to report it on your tax return.

5. If your gain cannot be excluded, report it on Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses, with your Form 1040.

6. Unfortunately, you cannot deduct a loss!

7. When you move, don't forget to update your address with the U.S Postal Service and the IRS to ensure you receive refunds or correspondence. You can use Form 8822, Change of Address, with the IRS.

8. And an extra note: if you received the first-time homebuyer credit and within 36 months, you no longer use the home as your primary residence, you are required to repay the credit. You will need to use Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit, with that year's return. The full amount of the credit will show up as additional tax on your return.

For more information about selling your home, see IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home.

Carol Zeitz is a Real Estate Broker in Houston, TX. She owns and manages an independent brokerage in Fort Bend County and helps buyers and sellers with real estate transactions throughout the Houston metro area. If you are interested in Houston real estate, you can get a free Market Snapshot Report for your own home, or for a neighborhood of interest, anywhere in the Houston metro area.

Deeds From The Dead Often Leave Heirs In Need Of A Buyer By Dr. Tom Rhudy

I guess the first question we must answer is, "What is probate?"

Probate is simply a legal process that occurs after an individual dies. This process customarily includes the following:

- Proving in court that a deceased person's will is valid. This is customarily simply a matter of routine.

- It is necessary to identify and inventory the deceased person's property.

- It will also be necessary to have the property appraised.

- It will also be necessary to make a determination as to what debts continue to be owed on the property (e.g., taxes).

- It would then be necessary to distribute the remaining property in accordance with the provisions identified in the will. If no will is available, the assets are to be distributed in accordance at the state's direction.

It is true that most states allow a portion of an estate to pass without going to the process of probate. If that is a case, the property will simply pass through to the heirs identified in the will. (This presupposes that a will is extant.) Any remaining assets would be subject to the probate process.

So what do we do with the "deeds from the dead" if we are an heir to this estate? Well, if you want the property, then you don't have to do anything but assume ownership of that property. However, if you are just one of many heirs, you may be frustrated as to how the estate may be distributed. If that is the case, you may find it necessary to find an individual who is willing to buy the property from you at a reasonable price to enable you to have those proceeds distributed to the heirs to this particular property.

Fortunately, there are many investors who are willing to assist individuals who find themselves in the situation. Therefore, if you have one of these deeds and are in need of selling that house very quickly, you may be able to do so in a very quick and efficient manner. However, it's important for you to keep in mind that the individual will be looking for a win-win situation between both you and that investor. It is unlikely that the investor will be intent on keeping the property for himself/herself. It is very likely that the investor will attempt to sell it to another buyer with whom he is able to negotiate such a transaction.

As is often true, to consummate a very quick and efficient transaction, it may be necessary to sell that house at a price lower than the current market value. If you didn't do so, it would be unlikely that you could entice an investor to make such a quick purchase of the real estate.

Keep in mind, if you're one of these individuals who does receive a "deed from the dead," you may not be stuck with the horror of property ownership. Yes, if you're reasonable, you're very likely to find an investor who is willing to assist you in being able to avoid having to take possession of the property and also putting money in the pockets of those heirs.

Learn more about how quickly we can buy your house. Stop by our site where you can find out all about the benefits of letting us help you obtain mortgage relief and what that can do for you

Legal Papers Required When Selling A House By Shaun Greer

In order to successfully sell a house in the United States, one requires a number of legal documents. Although each of these legal documents serves a specific purpose, such as providing information regarding the house or the mortgage, the documents are generally meant to protect the buyer, the seller and the real estate agent.

Listing Agreement

Before the sale of a house can even begin, the seller and the real estate broker must enter into a binding agreement that authorizes the broker to sell the house on behalf of the seller. This means that one can't just walk into a real estate broker's office and say, " sell my house." They have to sign a listing agreement to that effect.

Purchase and Sales Agreement

Whenever a buyer wants to make an offer on a house, they must do so using a purchase and sales agreement. This agreement is without a doubt the important document in the sale of a house as it outlines the conditions for the sale and purchase of the home. The two parties involved in a purchase and sales agreement are the buyer and the seller.

In addition to the above agreement, there are other forms that are used to disclose information concerning the home that is on sale. For instance, if I wanted to sell my house which was built before 1978, the purchase and sales agreement would have to be accompanied by a lead paint and hazards disclosure. However, even if the home had been built after 1978, I would still required to inform the buyer of their rights and to allow the buyer to perform a lead based paint inspection of the home.

Title Documents

Documents such as property descriptions, information regarding the property's actual size and boundaries, tax map numbers of the section, block and lot where the property is located and restrictions and easements that are applicable to the buyers are all referred to as title documents. In addition, if the seller has sold any part of the original property, they should furnish the buyer with the details. The seller is also required to provide copies of the title insurance policy.

In order to be considered valid, the above named legal documents must be filled out correctly preferably with the help of legal professionals such as real estate attorneys, agents or paralegals. The professional helps the seller and the buyer to understand the technical requirements and regulations associated with the legal documents thereby enabling them to avoid pitfalls within the home selling process.

To sell your house fast I would suggest contacting a We Buy Houses company like ExpertHomeOffers.com. They will connect you with a local home buyer your your area at no cost!

Selecting The Best Realtor To Sell Your Home By Don Dowd

Real estate agents are a dime a dozen, and in a buyer's market like we have today, you need to do your due diligence to find one that will get you the results you're seeking. Though you can never know for sure if you are working with the right realtor, there are some questions you can ask to find out if the real estate agent you are talking to is likely to be worth your time. Here are 6 of them:

1. Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors?

Though being a member of this association does not necessarily guarantee you are working with a top real estate agent, not being a member is certainly one strike against them. Make sure the person you are considering has taken the basic step of becoming a member of the nation's largest real estate trade association.

2. How familiar are you with my local community?

Though a realtor can generally operate anywhere in their state, it is far better to seek the services of one that is based close enough to your neighborhood that he/she has extensive knowledge of your local market. If they are familiar with local trends, they will be better equipped to price your home appropriately.

How available are you?

This is one of the more important factors you need to consider when working with a realtor. Is it easy or difficult to get a hold of them? While it's understandable that real estate agents are sometimes unreachable while showing a house or in a closing, it's important that the agent you consider is considerate enough to be available to you as often as possible.

4. Are you well connected?

By this I mean does the realtor have a team of top professionals in other related industries that they can name off the top of their head as partners that they work closely with? These would include mortgage brokers, appraisers, home inspectors, stagers, and even real estate magazines.

5. What kind of marketing methods do you employ?

If you want to know how effective a realtor is, you can often tell by how much time and effort they spend marketing each home. In a buyer's real estate market with so much available inventory out there, sellers need to do everything they can to get as many potential buyers as possible going through their home. There is no shortcut to getting eyeballs on your home. It takes marketing-pounding the pavement. For this reason, it's important to work with a full time realtor that has several different marketing techniques at their disposal.

6. Are you a good negotiator?

When it comes time to negotiate the sale, you want to have a realtor on your side that will skillfully represent your interests. If not, you may not get the best possible price for your home. Ask the real estate agent you are considering what kind of commission split they have between them and their company. For most, the answer will be 50/50. This is the sign of an average realtor. But a select few will answer 70% or more for themselves. If they were able to negotiate a good deal for themselves, then it is far more likely they have the skills to negotiate a good deal for you too.

London Is The Prime Investment Location Amid the Slowdown By Jack Son Greenwood

Find out what's actually happening in the property market with our detailed but concise and easy to understand overview:

When trying to get a handle of what's happening in the London property market, the facts and figures in the press can be misleading, as they take an average of what's been happening in the markets throughout the UK. London however, still sets the pace and prime central London areas are actually doing exceptionally well.

• "Central London prices have risen 34% since their recent post-credit crunch low in March 2009" (Knight Frank).
• London is also the only part of the UK where house prices are now higher year on year. House prices have risen by 3.5% over the year to June (Chesterton Humberts Poll of Polls).
• Prime central London according to Savills indices has increased by 6.5% over the same period
• This compares to a fall of -1.5% for the UK overall over the same period.

Why is the London Property Market Booming?
• Stock is low. Owners are holding onto their properties for longer, allowing properties coming onto the market to ask for higher prices. Indeed, demand outstrips supply so much that even a significant increase in sellers coming to the market is unlikely to reduce prices.

"Demand is holding steady as new supply looks set to surge - prices will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace in the second half of 2011" (Knight Frank)

• When the financial markets came crashing down in 2008, there was a domino effect on markets globally, including the property market. However, the London property market was noticed to make an early and robust recovery, reinforcing the resilience of London property investments and thus appealing more as a secure investment.

• With the economic markets being as volatile as they are, London property is increasingly being seen as a safe investment and asset class, often to hold in a portfolio and pass down through the family. As such, the normal process of outgrowing and downsizing properties by individuals, which creates supply, is no longer as prevalent.

The five most expensive areas in London saw an average rise in price to June 2011 of 8.5%, and in general prices have risen 34% since their recent low in March 2009. In fact, as another report indicated "Prices are now at their record high, 2% higher than their previous peak in March 2008"

• Owing to political unrest in many countries, international wealth is being removed and invested in prime London areas. London has become the safe bet for those investors seeking both financial security and political safety. The big buyers are the Asians, Europeans, and Middle Easterners, but as reported recently "61 nationalities bought residential property in central London in the twelve months to the end of February 2011."

Also owing to the current exchange rates, now is a good time to be buying in dollars and Euros.

HOMES-ONE PROPERTY PULSE...

In the opinion of London Property agent Homes-One, prices are now considerably higher than the peak, far more than 2%. For good stock in the right areas we would be estimating that the market is now well over 10% above the earlier peak.

Quarterly Inspections Can Save a Landlord Thousands of Dollars By Chad Pierce

Your investment property is yours, no the tenants. To keep your tenants in line and show them that you are a diligent owner, you must make quarterly inspections.

You might say that you do not have time to run every 3 months and do it. If so, then that means you must have tons of time and money to spend on all the problems that your tenants neglected to tell you about.

These inspections will not take you hours to perform. I make my property appointments last about 15-20 minutes per house on a Saturday. I always start at 9:00 and I can be home by 3:00. For me, this is one of the best things an owner can do to protect his / her property and show the tenant that you are serious about being a landlord.

I set all my tenants expectations level about maintenance and the importance of quarterly inspections at the time of signing the original lease documents. I also explain our policy to keep the property clean and informing us of potential problems with the property. I let them know that excessive damage may be grounds for eviction and that we do not take these things lightly.

If for some reason they feel that they can not comply or agree with me doing the quarterly inspection, I tell them it would be better for them to find another place to live. I have a very firm but fair relationship with my tenants. I leave nothing to their interpretation.

About a week before the inspection, we call the tenant and arrange a time to inspect. I do it on Saturday. Do not let them control the time and day options.

When it is time to do your quarterly inspections, these are your must have items:

*Small notepad and pen

*Camera (most cell phone cameras take good pictures)

*Inspection Sheet - A copy is sent to the tenant after the inspection.

*Screwdriver - I use one that has multiple attachments.

*Crescent Wrench

*Teflon tape - If you find a leaky pipe that needs re-threaded.

*Flashlight

*Air filters - I keep a list of all sizes to buy 3 packs of cheapo ones at Lowes. Tenants rarely change them. To save you money on repairs to your HVAC, it is better to change them yourself.

As the owner, you need to be somewhat competent in basic house maintenance and know what to look for as you make your inspection. If you are a beginner and don't have much experience, you can save you thousands in repairs and learn a lot by paying a property inspector or contractor to go with you. Ask around, and I'm sure you can find a friend who knows a property inspector or contractor who will help you for a small fee. If they are a good business person, they will know that you are eventually going to need their service, and it could be a way to start this relationship. You will be able to get important information from these people and this will also make you a more informed owner.

Once I am ready to start the inspection, I'll start with the outer areas of the property and look from top to bottom. I start with the roof and gutters, and move down to the foundation. I take notes and take pictures of everything that can be considered damaged or may be an issue.

I then go inside the house and go from room to room. I always check smoke alarms by pushing the test button. You will be surprised how many tenants remove the batteries from smoke detectors. I check in all the cabinets to ensure that we do not have any leaking pipes. I end up in the basement, if any, and check the furnace filters, HVAC and hot water systems.

All this can be done quickly and allows you to see if your tenant is taking care of the property. It also shows the tenant that you are a landlord that cares about your property.

Efficiently Troubleshoot A Malfunctioning Wire Path for Maxicom Central Control Irrigation By David Layden

A common means by which the Cluster Control Unit (CCU) of a Maxicom Central Control Irrigation System communicates with irrigation controllers and sensors on-site is through a 2-wire path. This path goes to and from the CCU to all of the other Maxicom devices, underground. The total length of the wire run could be a few hundred feet in length to over a mile depending of how expansive the irrigation system is. The 2-wire path will likely have at least one, if not several, splices where two ends of the wire run are connected together since the wire itself is usually not long enough to cover the entire distance needed in one, unbroken run of wire. It is likely that over the lifetime of a Maxicom system, which should be well over a decade, that some part of the 2-wire path is compromised and the communication path is partially lost. In fact it is even possible that all of the communication to/from the CCU to the rest of the Maxicom devices is lost completely. Now a compromised communication path does not mean that the entire wire path is bad. Instead it is likely a single point on the 2-wire path is causing the problem.

One such point could be one of the splices. These wire splices are sealed in water proof gel since they will get wet from irrigation water and/or rainfall. If this water proof connection is somehow breached, then the 2-wire run may stop carrying the Maxicom signal. It is an all too common occurrence that such splices are done poorly and not to manufacturer's specification. Another possibility is the 2-wire path has been physically damaged. One way this could happen is if a new street sign is installed or if some kind of digging (for utilities or landscaping) takes place along the wire run. This kind of issue can ofter be found by a visual inspection on the site. If a visual inspection does not reveal the problem spot along the wire path, then it is possible to use a wire finder. This tool is made to track the path of a wire located underground using sound signals and consists of a base unit and a tracking unit. The base unit is attached to one end of the wire and sends an electronic signal along the wire run. Then the person tracking the wire run places a set of headphones on their ears and holds a wand-like device that is attached to the headphones. These parts constitute the tracking unit.

The user then points the wand along the suspected wire path and follows the actual path based on particular sounds in the headphones. These sounds could be beeps, buzzes or tones depending on the particular model. Eventually, the user follows the wire run until the sound received signals that the wire path loses its continuity altogether. Where this happens is where the likely break is located.

One other way the Maxicom 2-wire path can be compromised is from a piece of equipment in the Maxicom network. This commonly occurs in a Maxicom irrigation controller. Here there is a computer board into which the 2-wire path plugs into. Amazingly is not uncommon for slugs (yes, slugs) or other critters to be attracted to these boards and ZAP! - the board's electronics are shorted. This short will affect communication just with that irrigation controller. However, it may also impact the entire Maxicom 2-wire path.

Another place where the 2-wire path may be compromised in a Maxicom system is the CCU itself. The CCU is the heart and brains of a Maxicom system and the 2-wire path is the means by which the CCU controls the irrigation controllers on site and receives data about run times and flow readings. It is possible that a CCU malfunctions in such a manner that it no longer sends or receives commands and data, which affects the entire Maxicom system.

No matter the particular location or cause of a compromised 2-wire path in a Maxicom system, a savvy, knowledgable water manager is indispensible in troubleshooting these kinds of issues quickly and correctly.

Irrigation Management Systems (IMS) has saved water and money for its clients since the late 1980s, long before green was fashionable. Using the right combination of technology and management practices, IMS has long worked on keeping that delicate balance of saving water while keeping shrubs, turf and flowers sufficiently watered. Get to know us a little better at http://www.irrigationmanagementsystems.com/ and you can also get some free tips to saving water.

How to Find a Good Rental Property Management Company By Darin Garman

If you are looking for a good rental property management company, there are several things to consider to help make your search easier. Many apartment and commercial real estate investors realize that finding a good property manager can truly make the difference between a good investment and one that could be marginal, and even lose money.

OK, so "How do I find a good property management company?"

1. Research

Begin your search by doing a little bit of research on some potential property managers. Depending on the size of your market, you may have only a couple of companies to several to choose from.

You can do some research online - searching for comments on different companies and reviews from both tenants and owners. Keep in mind that most of the time you are going to find negative reviews when you search online. I know... shocking, right? Well of course the thing is that people that are happy with their service or happy with their apartments do not take the time to post positive comments. It's pretty much common knowledge, but just thought it was worth mentioning here -

Where is the best place to do your research?

#1. Commercial Real Estate Brokers
#2. Other Owners
#3. Your Local REIA or Landlord Association

Talking to these folks for just a few minutes is worth days searching online. You are going to get the "real world" answers and will likely narrow down your choices to just a few.

2. The Interview

From your "short list" that you've accumulated during your research, you will want to arrange an office visit. This is basically an interview of your prospective property manager. You can honestly do this either at their office, or even at your property that you would like them to tour. You will want to ask them for a list of properties that they manage and any references of owners they are managing for.

What are their management practices? Do they have written procedures for both employees and residents? How often will you receive reports and in what format? The list goes on, but you will want to get a good idea of their "best practices" that they are using to manage their properties.

3. Property Visits

Next, take this list of properties and drive them. Call them. Whatever it takes, and whatever you have time for. The main thing is to get a pulse on how their other properties are being managed and how they are running. Are they being maintained properly? Do the employees seem friendly and helpful? If you secret shop them, do they answer your questions and "sell" you on the benefits of the property.

4. Contracts

OK, next is decision time. Based on your research, office visit, property visits, and referrals, which one is best? What are their contract terms? What does their property management fee include? For example, does it include all accounting, rental turnovers, etc.?

5. Review and Regular Inspections

Once you have chosen a property management company, you will want to conduce regular inspections of your units. I recommend twice a year, if possible, but at a minimum, do a walk-through of your units *personally* every year. During this inspection, you will be able to monitor for any resident or property issues that need to be addressed. Do not just leave things up to your manager - you must stay involved as the asset manager.

By the way, if you liked this article, you will probably like my new report and video series, "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Investors Make When Buying Income Property."

What Should I Expect From a Good Property Management Company? By Darin Garman

What is the most important thing after you buy an apartment building? Property management.

Finding a good property manager can make the difference between 'make or break' in your investment, so it is not a decision to take lightly. In this article I would like to discuss what you should expect when looking for a good property management company.

Before we begin, remember this:

You are the owner. You are the "Asset Manager" and not the "Property Manager." If there is one sentence of advice I can give investors, it is this:

"Think like the CEO of your company."

Leave the day-to-day operations up to a good management company. Focus your efforts on increasing returns and improving property value. Focus on the big picture.

OK, let's move on. What should you expect from your property manager? What are they responsible for?

1. Marketing and Rental of Units

Of course our number one goal for your property manager is to rent units, and turn them as quickly as possible. You want to look for a company that does a good job keeping units full, and maintaining as close as possible to 100% occupancy. Be sure that they are using their advertising dollars wisely and monitoring market rents, so your rents will climb over time with the market.

2. Collecting Rents and Paying Bills

OK, once it's rented, someone has to collect the rents. A good property management company will be diligent here, enforcing late fees, and not letting residents get behind. Once a resident is behind, it becomes very difficult... then impossible to catch up.

Along with paying bills, I would look for a company with good reporting. Take a look at their reporting periods and how often they will be sending you a check. After all, that's the name of the game.

3. Property Maintenance

Next, you want to find a company that does a good job on maintenance. You will want to work with a company that does not sacrifice maintenance for profits. Keeping a property well-maintained while minimizing costs can be a challenge, but is not impossible. Again, the difference between a good and bad manager will show through - especially in this area. Attention to detail is an absolute requirement to be successful.

4. Enforcing Property and Resident Rules

Twp of the biggest mistakes I see are:

#1. Not having written resident and property rules.
#2. Not enforcing the rules that are provided.

A good property manager will not only have written procedural manuals, but also have written rules for residents to follow. Enforcement of these rules will make your investment run smoother, and keep your good (paying) residents happy.

By the way, if you liked this article, you will probably like my new report and video series, "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Investors Make When Buying Income Property."

Moving to Manassas (VA) - Hiring Reputable Plumbers By Sarah Saadoun

Manassas, Virginia, is a city of about 30,000 people located in the northern part of the state. It is famously remembered for being the location of the Battle of Manassas, or the Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the American Civil War. As such, it is a city loaded with history and a local, family feel. If you find yourself moving to Manassas, VA and need to set up your home, there are a lot of services that you may need to organize before moving in.

Manassas plumbers, electricians, builders, and other useful trades are listed both in the yellow pages and on the city's website. Still, there are several things you should check before simply hiring services to help you sort out your new home in Manassas. Plumbers' services are easy to find, but you should do a quick check before you blindly hire a company to come and fiddle with your pipes.

Licenses - In Manassas, plumbers are required to have trade licenses in order to carry out work on both small and large scales. Whether you are looking through the local phone book, browsing online, or asking friends and neighbors which plumber you should employ, you should to see the tradesman's license, both as a company, and as an individual. The state of Virginia operates a "License Lookup and Disciplinary Actions" website in which you can search for the name of the Manassas plumbers you are considering hiring for the job at hand. This way, you can be assured that the plumber you are about to hire is on the level and will do the excellent work locals expect.

Complaints - Another place you may want to check before hiring Manassas plumbers is the local complaints board where locals list the companies that have done them wrong and explain the issue in a message board-like setting. If you do have a bad experience, you can also go to the state of Virginia and file a complaint on DPOR's website (Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation). There is even a contractor's recovery fund to help people recover funds paid to contractors to complete work that was either not performed at all or performed poorly. These two resources allow you to get a better feel for the business and personal element of the Manassas plumbers you may like to hire for a job around your house.

Sarah Saadoun works for HMS Plumbing, a family-owned business in Northern Virginia. If you need Manassas plumbers, Herve and his dedicated employees at HMS are proud to be serving the needs of residents and businesses. For a Northern Virginia plumber HMS Plumbing is your first choice.

Radon: The Silent Killer Lurking in Your Home By Robert Moreschi

Carbon monoxide is widely recognized as the "Silent Killer" and for good reason. However, there is another silent danger that, up until recently, has managed to fly under the radar. While mostly everyone these days has a carbon monoxide detector mounted right next to their smoke detector, fewer people are aware of the cancer-causing radioactive gas called radon that is actually the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America behind smoking. In fact, almost 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused every year by radon, according to the U.S. Environmental Agency.

So what is this mystery gas and where does it come from? Well, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is both colorless and odorless. Much like carbon monoxide, it is impossible to smell or taste and can only be detected by testing for it. It is produced from the natural breakdown of uranium and can be found naturally in igneous rock and soil and even well water. The main point of human exposure to radon is through inhalation, although ingestion is also possible if radon has infiltrated the water supply.

Because radon is produced in rock and soil, the most common entry points into your home are places that are below ground. A basement or crawl space underneath the house are typical entry points for radon and may contain higher-than-normal levels of the gas. Also, walls made of brick or rock are especially susceptible to higher radon levels, as are slab joints and sump pumps.

The U.S. EPA has estimated that approximately 8 million homes in America have higher-than-acceptable levels of radon, and that as many as one in five homes have elevated levels. The EPA has placed the recommended level of radon at 4 pCi/L. It is estimated that a family being exposed to 4 pCi/L of radon in their home is being exposed to levels of radiation that are 35 times higher than normal. Scientists place the risk of death from exposure to radon at this level to be 1 in 100, about 1,000 higher than any other carcinogen.

If this is the first time you are hearing of radon, we'll admit that this information can sound pretty scary. Fortunately, it can take many years of constant exposure to witness any ill effects on your health caused by radon gas. This means that you should have plenty of time to have your home tested for radon and take the necessary steps to remedy it if your home is at higher-than-normal levels.

Congress highly recommends that everyone has their home tested for radon, and if you feel that you or your family is at risk due to the high exposure to the deadly radioactive gas, there are ways to greatly reduce the levels of radon in your home for relatively cheap.

Why Move to Nottingham? By Carolyn Clayton

Nottingham is a centrally located city in the heart of the East Midlands. It enjoys excellent links with major UK cities in Europe and is fast becoming recognised as an ideal place in which to live and do business. It is home to a number of internationally known companies and has a thriving small and medium-sized business sector. Due to its well-regarded universities and colleges, the workforce is skilled and adaptable, making it an attractive option for companies looking to locate, but the driving force which separates it from other major cities in the UK is its excellent quality of life.

With its prosperous residential areas, thriving economy and excellent local education system, the city is ideal for families. The standard of education is expected to improve even further as the government is currently investing more than £135 million in local schools. Avid shoppers don't have to travel far as Nottingham has two major shopping centres, the Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh, both of which contain all the top high Street names. Nottingham is home to fashion designer Paul Smith who has his flagship store in the city, and other well-known fashion names include Ted Baker, Diesel, Hugo Boss and Vivian Westwood. Art lovers will find a huge variety of art galleries and theatres, and while the Theatre Royal and the Royal concert Hall host large productions, the city also has a number of smaller independent theatres.

Foodies will be interested to know that Nottingham could be regarded as the U.K.'s culinary capital as it has more restaurants and eating places per square mile than anywhere else in the country. It's also home to Michelin starred chef Sat Bains, whom many will recognise from his appearances on the BBC's Great British Menu. His restaurant is just outside the city centre in Lenton, and was named Restaurant of the Year in 2006.

With the ready availability of so much excellent food, it's probably just as well that Nottingham has so many excellent sporting facilities. It is home to two of the world's oldest football clubs which are Nottingham Forest football club and Notts County football club, as well as Trent Bridge cricket ground which hosts many one-day internationals and test matches.

Housing in Nottingham

Given the high quality of life and thriving economy enjoyed by Nottingham residents, it might be surprising to learn that house prices compare very favourably with the rest of the country. Nottingham is not only a safe, friendly and enjoyable place in which to live, but is also very affordable. The average price of a semi-detached house in Nottingham is just £98,249, compared to £118,142 in Manchester, £134,501 in Birmingham and an eye watering £344,814 in London. The city offers a wide choice of residential homes ranging from traditional family homes in rural or suburban settings to new build homes.

Tips for Moving Overseas By Robert Moreschi

We've all been there before: taking a vacation to a far-away exotic place and becoming so enchanted with it that visions of moving there and beginning a new life begin to take over your thoughts. It's common to have those dreams of running off, leaving everything behind and starting over again in a strange place, learning a new language and soaking up the exotic culture of a new land.

Sometimes, these dreams even become reality. For whatever reason - work, school, family, or just plain boredom - many people dig up their roots from their home soil and cast their sails toward a foreign land. While it can be incredibly exciting to move overseas and experience a new country with new adventures awaiting you, it can also be scary and overwhelming if you're not fully prepared for it.

Just as with anything else that's new and strange in your life, adjusting to a new life in a foreign country can take some time to get used to. There is a period of time when the initial "honeymoon phase" of the move eventually wears off and you are left to fully accept the fact that you are now a citizen of a new country. To be able to cope with this period, you have to prepare yourself, to not only make sure you adjust to your new home properly, but to also prepare yourself for what might happen if the glamour has worn off and you want to return home.

If the above scenario does occur, and you're suddenly hit with the realization that what you really wanted was a long vacation and not an entirely new life in a new country, what do you do? If you purchased a home or apartment in your new country upon moving, things can get difficult. You have to deal with the added stress of putting your home back on the market and hoping that you get a buyer who is interested so you can return home. However, sometimes this is easier said than done.

So what is the best course of action to take to avoid this potential headache? Well, the most obvious solution would be to rent first, before buying. When you first arrive overseas, this initial excitement might cause you to make impulse decisions you might not normally make, such as buying a house. Instead, try renting for the first few months, at least until that initial "honeymoon" feeling wears off. Once you have been living in your new country for a few months and you have allowed yourself to become fully accustomed to the new way of life, only then should you consider purchasing a house. Once the initial feeling of culture-shock has worn off, you will be better equipped for handling decisions like buying a house.

Plus, if after a few months of renting you decide that this new country isn't for you and this new life isn't all you thought it would be, renting a place would allow you to move back home much more easily without having to worry about selling your home.

How to Refinance a Home Mortgage in the UK By Linda Merkins

If you live in the UK (United Kingdom), refinancing is called remortgaging. The process is longer than it is in the United States (US). But just like the US the remortgaging will help you lower your monthly mortgage payments is you qualify for a lower interest rate. The lower interest rates will result in a decrease in the monthly payments you make for your home. There are more reasons than lower interest to remortgage a home in the UK. You may want to shorten the length of time that you pay on your mortgage or you may want to change from an adjustable rate mortgage to one with a fixed rate. At any rate, the following steps outline the remortgaging process in the UK and you may find them moderately challenging. Let's begin with the first step.

Step 1: Read the documents you were given with your first mortgage. You will need to know the terms and conditions set forth in the terms of the mortgage that deal with changing your mortgage. You may have to pay a penalty if you change the terms prior to the passage of a set amount of time. If you have penalties for early payment they are called early repayment charges (ERC). Before you decide to remortgage you should be aware of the restrictions, if any, listed on your current mortgage contract.

Step 2: Ask your current mortgage provider to give you a redemption statement. A redemption statement is the payoff on your note. It is the amount that is due to the lender when you remortgage your note.

Step 3: Find out what the current market rates are for remortgaging. The lenders have a lot of different products to offer and you will need to choose the one that best fits your needs. There are tracker mortgages that track base rate. There are discounted rates, rates that have a cap, variable rates, and fixed rates for mortgage interest. You should make sure you look at the advantages and disadvantage of each of these products before deciding which you want to apply for.

Step 4: You will need to select the mortgage that offers you the best rates of interest and the best quote on fees that are associated with the refinance. You should always get quotes from more than one lender when in the market for any mortgage product. Interest rates and fees will be different depending on the lender's offer. If you have decided on a fixed rate or a capped rate you will need to know how long the rate will be in effect. After a specified period of time the rate will become the standard variable rate of the lender.

Step 5: You will have to make application for the refinance. Ask the lender that offers you the best quote to send you the application and let them know that you are ready to remortgage your property. The lender will ask for certain documentation to be included with your application. You will need to provide copies of all sources of income and all debt payments. You will need to provide proof of your identity. Get Form P60 from H M Revenue and Customs that details your income per year. You lender may have other information that he requires documentation for. Be sure to include everything with your application.

Step 6: Your lender will have to review the application and all the supporting documentation. This can involve some time so be patient. After the review process is completed the lender will send you paperwork that is called agreement in principle. Before your home qualifies as collateral for the loan the lender will have your home's current market value established by a surveyor. Although the lender calls the surveyor, you will pay for the service. If the surveyor information is acceptable to the lender you will receive an offer from the lender. You can either accept or deny the offer. If you accept then the lender will disburse the proceeds of the remortgage to the current mortgage holder. Your current mortgage holder will release you from the obligation of paying your current mortgage. You will be notified of the new payment schedule from your new lender who is handling your remortgage.

Learn more about mortgage, please visit the site of Linda Merkins: mortgage calculator with taxes and insurance and how does mortgage insurance work

Reverse Mortgage Information: Understanding the Different Types of Reverse Mortgages By Brittney Parks

Many consumers are under the impression that there is only one type of reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows consumers, ages 62 and older, to withdraw a portion of their equity. While all reverse mortgages work similarly, there are three different types of these loans: single-purpose, private, and government-funded.

Reverse Mortgage Information: Understanding HECMs

HECMs, or Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loans, make up 90% of all reverse mortgages. These loans are insured by the federal government, making them a safe choice for both lenders and borrowers. There are two main types of HECM loans: the HECM Standard and the HECM Saver.

Borrowers may also purchase a home using the HECM for Purchase program. This program allows borrowers to take a reverse mortgage and purchase a new home in one transaction. While these loans benefit certain situations, consumers seeking reverse mortgage information will usually be more interested in the Standard or the Saver.

HECM loans are given based on the age of the borrower(s) and the amount of equity in one's home. To qualify for these loans, borrowers must be at least 62 years of age, own a one to four unit home, and use the home as their primary residence. As these loans are given based on equity, borrowers are not required to meet specific income or credit requirements.

The difference between an HECM Standard and an HECM Saver is that the Standard option allows borrowers to tap into the most equity. These loans also require borrowers to pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 2%. HECM Savers have lower lending limits. To make these loans more affordable, the upfront mortgage insurance premium is reduced to 0.01%. This helps borrowers save money on fees, while only borrowing as much as they need to maintain their standard of living. While looking for information, these two loans are the ones that consumers will want to pay the most attention to.

Reverse Mortgage Information Regarding Single-Purpose and Private Loans

Due to recent regulation, single-purpose and private reverse mortgages make up a very small portion of the market. While consumers seeking information will still want to consider these loans, most borrowers find government-backed loans more beneficial.

A single-purpose type is a loan given by a government agency or nonprofit organization. These loans are typically offered to low or moderate income consumers. The benefit is that borrowers are not forced to pay expensive mortgage insurance premiums. The downside is that borrowers are typically limited in how much they may borrow. Another possible disadvantage is that borrowers may only use the loan for a single purpose. These loans are generally used to pay property taxes or make expensive home repairs. Consumers seeking reverse mortgage information to cover these expenses may benefit from this type of loan.

A private or proprietary mortgage is one given by a private bank. Like single-purpose loans, these loans are not federally insured, which means that borrowers are not forced to pay mortgage insurance premiums. While private lenders may be more accepting of special needs borrowers, interest rates are typically higher than what is offered on federally-insured loans.

While considering a loan, consumes will want to evaluate all pertinent reverse mortgage information. Currently, HECMs dominate the market. However, consumers with unique needs may need to consider other options before applying for and accepting a loan.

Benefits of Realizing the True Value of a Mortgage Broker By Linden Henry

This article will take you on a concise journey discussing the divergent aspects of a mortgage broker and how he can play a significant role in our lives.

We truly grasp the fact that when it comes to buying a new home, one can land in a hard situation for choosing a reliable mortgage broker. This probably is one of the crucial steps because of the fact that a dependable broker can get you the optimum rates and the most appropriate mortgage depending on your situation.

Who are "mortgage brokers?

As the term indicates, it is most frequently used to depict the service of supplying of financial arrangements for home holders. In return for their fees and commission, mortgage brokers get in touch with lending institutions in their network in order to search for the unsurpassed terms and finest interest rates for their clients so that their clients can come out of this perplexing situation.

In order to seek the greatest services of a mortgage broker, you can gladly contact friends and colleagues for recommendation so that they can advise you a trusted broker whose services you can count on. It would be recommended that you fix an appointment with trustworthy financial advisors and realtors as it is can also prove to be beneficial in finding a broker. Financial advisors and realtors will generally be acquainted with the local brokerage firms, and will possess certain knowledge about the reputation of the company. If you are unable to get a personal recommendation for a suitable company you feel that you can rely on their services, you can check with one of the national certificate companies such as the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, which is also known as NAMB. They are equipped with the lists of member brokers.

Nevertheless, there are countless other situations where the services of mortgage brokers are admired. One of the clients of such brokers is the businesses. Such brokers have contacts with numerous lenders who would be concerned with providing low-interest loans to businesses, specifically if you have a firm track record of profit in the past two or three years. Brokers will elucidate all the fees and charges that the loans will incur and getting the optimum interest rate.

Whether it is an individual borrowing for buying a house, or a business planning that needs an expansion, mortgage brokers are helpful in getting the finest loan at the optimum interest rate, with the slightest amount of fees and commissions.

Lending Experts is best Mortgage Vancouver that offer mortgage consultations including best rate mortgage solutions and advice to individuals looking for Mortgage Broker Vancouver services.

Picking Up Those Real Estate Flyers By Tori Junipelo

Coming into contact with something like an advertisement flyer is just an honest nuisance in one's day. It is the last interaction we want, to be force fed a bright highlighted piece of paper to dispose of, to take off our windshield blades. For that reason, we usually just crumple them up and toss them to the ground, or the backseat of our car. However, when was the last time you truly inspected one of these flyers? Or at least enough to realize that whoever was passing them out was passing out, specifically, real estate flyers. Our guess is you have had a real estate flyer in your hand recently and did not even know it.

Now, we understand why someone would not want to waste their time reading the flyer, or dealing with it, but we want to talk about why a quick glance could have a quick pay off.

However, have you ever really taken enough to think about why a realtor, or real estate company, or even a private seller may think about using a flyer? The truth is, it is an effective way of sneaking your business into someone else's possession. And in these economic conditions, no method can realistically get passed over.

Although, what we most likely didn't think about, was the fact that these real estate flyers could offer us a two way street, a two way street that we want to be on.

For instance, flyers are often filled with contact info, down to websites and fax numbers, and that is what makes them so valuable. They are like business cards that you can't lose right away. Maybe you'll get ride of it right away, but all in all you are likely to let it scatter about your house and your point of view for a little while before you do, and the person who passed you the flyer is just waiting for something to stick.

When it does stick, no doubt as it sometimes does, then that individual is waiting right by the phone with open arms to collect your business or your inquiry.

But wait, there's more!

Maybe the passer of the flyer was originally intending just to gauge a response from the flyers, and to see if anyone took the bait. Maybe they didn't at first, and so the realtor or what have you began to secretly offer an incentive to those who responded to the flyer, as a way of ensuring business and not having to eat the cost of putting flyers all around. If this happens, which it actually very often does, then you are all set.

Not only did you just establish a new relationship with someone in a specific and helpful line of work, but you just nabbed yourself a discount on the percentage of your closing costs! Don't believe us? Give it a try and tell us what happens. We know for a fact that this idea of incentivizing, specifically around real estate flyers, is big news right now. It speaks to a lot of what is going on in our broader economy, and it speaks to the friendliness and perseverance of conversational commerce. It is one of the few win win situations left.