Real Estate Blog

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  • Buying Oakland Investment Property

    Saturday 27 October 2007
    author:

    When considering whether or not to buy Oakland investment property, there are several factors that make Oakland a perfect choice for the right investor. Everyone has heard the term "location, location, location" and the Bay Area has always been considered a great location to be in. There are several characteristics Oakland has that make it a truly unique city. Being the eighth largest city in California, Oakland has a population of just over 400,000. It's the only city in California with the "big three" sports teams: the Oakland A's, Oakland Raiders, and the Golden State Warriors. The Port of Oakland is the fourth largest container port in the US and among the top 25 in the world, and Newsweek ranked Oakland among the top ten technology cities in the country.

    In addition to these qualities, Oakland's geography offers a central location to several of California's vibrant hubs. San Francisco is 15 minutes away, Silicon Valley is 45 minutes, and the world famous UC Berkeley campus lies just a few miles to the north. The climate in Oakland is ranked #1 in the US according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration local climatalogical data.

    Oakland's "Just Cause" Eviction Ordinance (Measure EE) and Rent Control

    Perhaps the biggest downside to being a landlord in Oakland is Measure EE, better known as the "Just Cause" eviction ordinance. This ordinance makes it a little tricky when it comes to evicting tenants. One of the most controversial sections of the ordinance makes it unlawful to evict a tenant solely for the purpose of selling the property. The proponents of the ordinance claimed that because of housing market pressures in the Bay Area, tenants need some sort of protection from being evicted without good reason. Oakland is also under a Rent Control Ordinance that limits the amount that rent can be increased every year to 3%. Of course any prospective Oakland real estate investor needs to be aware of these regulations. For more information on Measure EE and rent control visit the Rental Housing Association of Northern Alameda County.

    APOD and NOI

    In terms of residential income property (2-4 units), one does not only consider the purchase price alone. The price an investor will pay for income producing real estate is set by a property evaluation analysis of data based on several different appraisal techniques, one of which is the "Income Approach". The Annual Property Operating Data or (APOD) is a simple spreadsheet program designed to provide information about the properties net operating income or (NOI). NOI is basically a representation of the properties income and it's expenses. In other words, the NOI is a representation of the annual return the property delivers to the owner.

    So since the NOI represents the investor's annual returns, the information and data entered in an APOD are the fundamentals upon which an investment property is judged for value. The APOD may or may not have been prepared by the listing agent of the property in question, and it should include information about the NOI, the spendable income from the property, and the income tax consequences the prospective buyer will likely have during the first year of ownership.

    When looking at investment property, it's obviously a good idea to own property in an area where people want to be. As long as there is a demand for housing in an area, you can be assured that you won't have too hard of a time keeping your property occupied. If you already own Oakland investment property, you have enjoyed appreciation of over 100 percent in the last five years, which is remarkable by any standard. While appreciation is no longer as strong as it has been in the previous several years, Oakland real estate will always be a good investment for those who have a solid strategy for long term success. The key is to make an informed decision by knowing all the issues involved.


  • Outsourcing Property Insurance

    Wednesday 24 October 2007
    author:

    This article hopes to give you the knowledge you need, to feel that you have a firm grasp on the subject.

    The next clause presents the very hottest information on Outsourcing acreage indemnity. If you have a particular appeal in Outsourcing acreage indemnity, then this informative clause is requisite sense.

    indemnity companies are extremely traditional in conducting their matter. In all their matter transactions, they employ the same conservative viewpoint and tradition-leap whilets. Their conservatism and traditional outlooks touch the way they invest the premiums they get from policyholders. This reality is quite ironic when you think about the character of their jobs.

    indemnity companies are the key aspects in an trade where quantifying risks is considered part of the job. It is their operate to submit as greatly fiscal wellbeing as they could to their clients. How come then that outsourcing property insurance is considered too risky?

    To understand the next part of this article, you need to have a clear grasp of the material that has already been presented to you.

    Many insurance agencies defend themselves by proverb that it is a time-pleased tradition to keep matter processes to themselves and outsourcing property insurance does not necessarily decrease into that sort. This is not to say however that outsourcing property insurance does not get a bit of allocate in the competitive advertise.

    while a relatively new belief, outsourcing property insurance is start to increasingly increase popularity among insurance companies. These companies who accept the idea of outsourcing property insurance have grappled the reality that matter forever involves risks. So why not enroll the outsourcing property insurance advertise?

    certainly, outsourcing property insurance is not lacking its repayment. trade insiders are predicting fold-figure increases for 2003 due to the increasing popularity of outsourcing property insurance. With the measure of competition in todays advertises, companies are disposed to squeeze in something into their operations if it means increasing their efficiency in delivering cargo. Outsourcing property insurance is the way to go if it is a quiz of survival.

    Outsourcing acreage indemnity Transcending Traditions

    It's certainly a good idea to survey a little deeper into the specialty of Outsourcing acreage indemnity. What you learn may give you the confidence you should to venture into new areas.

    Based in McHendry Illinois, organ indemnity charity submits insurance harvest and army for their clients in the hardware and structure relevant trade. Wayne destroy, head and CEO of organ indemnity, states that it had full some time for their group to lastly accept the idea of outsourcing property insurance. upstart can do this better than we can is the kind of traditional opinion that keeps large companies like organ indemnity from accepting the idea of outsourcing property insurance.

    lastly while, by 2000, organ indemnity transferred their client help to an outsourcing property insurance group. According to destroy, outsourcing property insurance is a form of specialization. Just because youre good at underwriting and youre good at promotion, it doesnt mean youre good at burden the paperwork, destroy says by way of explaining why they opted for outsourcing property insurance.

    And for most insurance companies who have adopted outsourcing property insurance, the trend is relaxed. Outsourcing property insurance has become a by-creation of the competition in the advertise.

    The advertise is now open to outsourcing property insurance

    More and more insurers are looking at outsourcing property insurance with a clearer image. A study secure in Stamford, Connecticut, Gartner, Inc. found out in October and November of 2001 the boundary of outsourcing property insurance in U.S. insurance carriers. According to their study, which worn 114 U.S. insurance carriers as footing, 51 per cent of life and vigor insurers are outsourcing property insurance. In addition, outsourcing property insurance is done in 48 per cent of property and fatality insurers.

    trade insiders think that the dynamic coerce of outsourcing property insurance is the Internet. The number of insurance companies promotion Web-based harvest has located greatly force on their groups IT departments. The emulsion? Outsourcing property insurance.

    As your wisdom about Outsourcing acreage indemnity continues to grow, you will commence to see how Outsourcing acreage indemnity hysterics into the total ruse of effects. aware how something relates to the breather of the world is important too.

    If you need help with this subject, or do not know how to begin, there are several free resources on related websites to give you a boost.


  • Thinking About Relocating - Costa Rica is Hiring

    Sunday 07 October 2007
    author:

    If you are sitting at work thinking how wonderful it would be to live in a beautiful place with a moderate climate, but cannot afford to leave your job, then you should definitely at least be searching for a job in that location. Before dismissing the idea, consider the following: It has become a recent trend to go job hunting in a foreign country via the internet, especially in a tropical paradise such as Costa Rica for example.

    Moving to a warm climate for a job in a country such as Costa Rica would be one of the happiest moments in the lives of many people. However, before you start packing your bags, it is ideal to first research the job market availability.

    Finding a job in another country is usually not that easy, and it is very dependant on the unemployment rate therein. It is possible to make the task easier by looking for a job in the industry sector you are currently in or may previously have worked in. By researching Costa Rica information on jobs available, it will help narrow your focus and concentrate your attention on your job search. An example of this would be, a banker looking for a job in the Costa Rican banking industry, or a real estate agent applying to a Cost Rica real estate company for any job vacancies. By starting your search in your current industry sector, the task of finding a job is made easier.

    However, if looking for job opportunities in Costa Rica has convinced you to start fresh in a new industry sector, then Costa Rica is also the place for you. With an active hotel and tourism industry, jobs opportunities in tourism are usually the most plentiful. These jobs can include being a tour guide for one of many tour companies, or serving as a front desk attendant at a luxury hotel. Other than the tourism and hotel industry, one of this country?s needs that remains constant is the job market for English teachers.

    With the lower cost of living, it is possible to live more affordably in Costa Rica as long as you can budget your money, because, of course, the wages you will receive are also considerably less then you are accustomed to. When deciding to move to Costa Rica permanently, one of the greatest benefits of relocation is the ability to own Costa Rica land as a foreign resident. If you decide to purchase Costa Rica property while working there, you are able to benefit because you will possess the same property ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens.

    However, you will find that before being hired, the company must sponsor you for a work permit, or you can elect to apply for residency in Costa Rica. Most foreigners are granted an annual work permit that must be renewed every year they are employed in Costa Rica.

    There are a large number of job sites that post job opportunities available in many Latin American countries. But with the economy on the upswing and tourism constantly increasing, Costa Rica remains the destination of choice for many wanting to rediscover themselves in a foreign land.

    by David Lovendahl


  • Real Estate Housing Bubble Bursts

    Friday 28 September 2007
    author:

    Shanghai?s housing market into double digit decline!

    The LA Times ran a story on March 4th. on the bust of the Shanghai, China, real estate market.

    In one of the world?s hottest housing markets, the last three years saw a doubling of prices. Things are now so bad now that thousands of real estate offices have closed, many homeowners have loan amounts that are greater than their properties resale value, recent buyers are fighting with developers to rescind their purchases, and banks are awaiting a wave of mortgage defaults.

    Morgan Stanley's chief Asia economist said ?Shanghai's housing slump is only going to worsen and imperil a significant part of the Chinese economy?. About the property now under construction, this same economist said "They'll remain empty for years!?

    The similarities to our hot US bubble markets, makes me believe this is preview of what we are already starting to experience (though at a much slower pace).

    The first signs of trouble in our real estate markets were very subtle and only picked up, or acknowledged, by very few real estate (http://www.brokerforyou.com/blogger/index.html ) professionals. Since mid 2005 the red flags have been quite obvious to even the layperson. Yet, the forever optimistic ?it?s always a good time to buy? industry line is embraced by the mass media (they certainly do not want to lose their immense source of real estate advertising revenue) and the naive general public.

    In San Diego in particular and most other major metropolitan real estate markets, it?s quite acceptable to acknowledge and embrace the double digit real estate appreciation of the past. Yet, even the thought of depreciation of real estate is looked on with the same disbelief and distain as if a child molester moved in next door.

    There is a proven saying in our stock market: ?You can never go broke taking a profit.? In many US markets, seasoned investors can still turn a profit. However, if Shanghai?s real estate market is any indication of what awaits the hot US markets?..the window of opportunity is closing very fast!

    Copyright 2006 Promotions Unlimited http://www.websitetrafficbuilders.com. All rights reserved. any additions/modifications/hyperlinks added to this article will be considered a copyright violation & subject to immediate legal action without further notice.


  • Free Advice On French Lease Back Property

    Sunday 23 September 2007
    author:

    French leaseback property, also known as LMNP, for lou? meubl? non-professionel, was introduced in the early 1980?s by the French government to increase the quantity of holiday accommodation available.

    French leaseback investment property

    French leaseback property is principally bought for investment purposes and is a relatively low-risk, hassle-free, long-term, steady rental income investment that receives substantial tax benefits. Put simply, it is a guaranteed rental income scheme.

    Leaseback property, which is freehold, is ?leased back? to a pre-selected property management company for a fixed term, usually between nine and 11 years, but which can extend to 18 years from inception. The management company furnishes and lets the property, providing a guaranteed rental income. The guaranteed rental income tends to range between 2.5% and 6% per year depending on the property, its location and whether or not you will be taking holidays in it. Different management companies offer different rental incomes.

    Buying property in France

    When buying French leaseback property it is important to check the contract to ascertain the amount of personal usage allowable per year, as this can vary.

    At the end of the initial fixed term and depending on the contract, you can either: exit the lease or renew it with the management company. At this point you should be able to negotiate your rents upwards. It is very important that you check the terms of the contract and the reputation of the management company.

    Whilst capital appreciation can occur, leaseback should principally be viewed as a means for receiving a guaranteed rental income (yield).

    French leaseback property tax advantages

    French leaseback property attracts significant tax advantages. Under the terms of the scheme, leaseback property qualifies for a 19.6% VAT rebate, for example, if the price of your leaseback property is ?100,000, the VAT saving means that you only pay ?83,612. Additionally you can benefit from not having to pay any capital gains tax if you keep your property for 15 years.

    Another major benefit for investors who do not take any personal usage is the possibility of it being placed within a SIPP (Self Invested Personal Pension). Whilst it is dependent on the SIPP manager whether or not they will accept the property, placing property within a SIPP attracts major tax advantages. See our SIPP property section for a further explanation of the associated tax benefits.


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