There are different ways to structure real estate transactions that involve seller financing to benefit all parties.  Of course the seller has concerns of protecting their property and the need for regular repayment.  The following scenario explores this option in detail. You know that your local market has many rental properties in the inventory and you have found one that meets your needs.  You will be purchasing from a seller who is greatly motivated because the property has been on the... Read Full Story

The so-called days of the mortgage boom are over causing a certain amount if disbelief among industry professionals.  Like a bad hangover from Saturday night wild party, those who gained from historic low interest rates and flexible lending products that spawned the real estate boom at the turn of the millennium, are now slowly waking to reality.  The once profitable sub-prime market is now close to extinction as many institutions known as great powerhouses are no longer in the business to... Read Full Story

As part of the new housing bill recently passed in Congress, a new trust fund aimed at renters with little income will now have more access to affordable housing. A trust fund endowed to the tune of $550 million is the first of its kind since the creation of Section 8 housing, known colloquially as the "projects", was created in 1974. This most recent incarnation of Section 8 is specifically aimed at a group of our society that has een neglected in the past, carrying on in the spirit of... Read Full Story

To further compound the economic woes we have been facing in this country, they are being exacerbated by the stock prices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac taking a devastating tumble into the abyss.  The mortgage giants, created by the Federal government to finance the country's home owners, carry much clout in the credit market.  Large pockets of mortgage loans are bought up by Fannie and Freddie from lending institutions like banks.  In buying this type of debt, both place a guarantee that... Read Full Story

News flash for all real estate investors looking for the ultimate bargain!  Fannie Mae, the nation's largest home mortgage lender, is making it easier to take advantage of "short sales" on houses in risk of foreclosure or already in the proceedings of foreclosure.  For those not familiar with "short sales", let me just say it has nothing to do with a drop in business.  "Short" actually refers to the dollar amount at which a property is for sale is less than, or short of the actual value of... Read Full Story

The new law or Hope for Homeowners Act of 2008, signed by President Bush is aimed at attempting to save 400,000 struggling homeowners from foreclosure and possibly losing their homes. The following expands upon exactly what the law entails and who will benefit the most from such legislation. There are many concerns that arise out of the current situation and the actions trying to remedy the problem. The paragraphs below aim to discuss these issues for the American public. Many are... Read Full Story

Understanding the fundamentals of finance known as the time value of money is key in real estate investment.  Such causes as inflation make the real value of a dollar less in the future than it is worth now.  Because of this principle, buying property outright in cash does have its drawbacks, financially speaking, because another use of that cash may actually benefit the investor in the future more than it would if it was expended in an immediate purchase.When an investment is made using... Read Full Story

Perhaps foreign buyers can at least bring to the U.S. market what it's been lacking and may provide a psychological support of confidence. It is no surprise that with the weak dollar, foreigners are seeking more than just a holiday on American soil. There seems to be a trend growing especially in resort states like Florida. In fact the National Association of Realtors has found that 65 percent of Florida Realtors have a client base of at least one international customer. Furthermore, it... Read Full Story

Blogging is everywhere. It seems everyone has a blog or is blogging about something at any given time. It is the new e-mail, even better than texting because your words are alive in cyberspace. The corporate world has turned to blogging as a means of creating online marketing tactics; artists use it as a form of self-promotion and retailers use blogging as means to influence branding of products. It is all about presentation and audience participation. With all this in mind, it is an... Read Full Story

All investors including ones new to the playground know that the "golden grail" to succeeding in the real estate business is location. Location is the alpha and the omega of the real estate world. The common mistake is many assume that high-end prime location property is the be-all to end-all but that is simply not the case. Although those locations are often sought after they are not always the most favorable for an investor. When evaluating a property, the investor needs factor in the... Read Full Story