All posts tagged United States

The Florida Panhandle A Terrific Place To Invest In Real Estate

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We have vacationed in Northwest Florida, Walton County in particular, for twenty years – and love it! The best, uncrowded beaches in the country – reasonable cost – great restaurants – terrific beach properties to lease! So we are very enthusiastic about the area – but what about the economic realities of investing in Florida — at this time?

Northwest Florida has a vibrant and steady tourist business, with low unemployment. The brand new Panama City International Airport, projected to open in January 2010, will make the area quickly accessible from virtually anywhere in the United States and Europe. It is expected to provide a major boost to the areas economy, and should increase demand for real estate.

We believe the Florida panhandle is a solid place to buy real estate, and that real estate values, though flat right now (January 2008) are likely to move sharply upward, especially for oceanfront and Gulf view properties. But thats our view! Here are some other folks opinions on the area.

CNN Money.com (Feb. 12, 2007) highlighted Panama City, Florida as the #1 place to buy real estate in the United States.

American Express says that the Florida panhandle is one of its Top Ten tourist destinations in the United States. The Florida panhandle is second only to the Orlando area in Florida tourism. Northwest Florida beaches are among the best in the world, attracting over seven million visitors annually – more than any other East Coast beach area.

Real estate professionals in Walton County say that prices are less than during the peak year of 2005. But they are expecting closings to increase, as more deals become available. Many residences are priced below the cost to build. “If you are looking for a property to hold on to for the next five years, the time to purchase is now. We are still very undervalued compared to other regions of Florida.”

The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE), whose corporate headquarters are in Jacksonville, FL, is the largest landowner in the Florida panhandle, owning some 718,000 acres of development land – half of it less than ten miles of the coast. St. Joe has been a big player in the area for a long time, beginning as a timber company but realizing in recent decades that the value of its holdings was far greater as investment property. So now theyre in the vacation home development business, with a great deal of activity centered on Walton County.

According to St. Joe’s Investor Relations Department the long term outlook for Florida panhandle real estate is particularly upbeat.

Long-term economic and population trends continue to favor Florida, whose economy is fundamentally solid and diversified. The state’s population is forecasted to increase by three-fourths (to 28.6 million) by 2030. Its demographic growth rate regularly outperforms that of the rest of the United States: since 1970, the State’s yearly rate of growth has outpaced the national average by 100%. By 2010 Florida will pass New York to take its place as the nation’s third most populous state.

Florida’s solid, diversified economy regularly outperforms the U.S. mean, with a burgeoning tourism industry, plenty of high-tech jobs and a strong high-tech manufacturing sector. A large military presence with a number of active and expanding bases provides stability to the region’s economy. Within the Florida panhandle, Walton County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Florida and the U.S.

Florida is the commercial center of the Americas. Geographic location, as well as economic and political stability, places Florida at the heart of trade and business throughout the region. Vacation property sales to retirees remain robust, and Florida is a favorite spot for retirement relocation.

Northwest Floridas beaches are the states second favorite tourist destination, behind only Orlando. They draw over seven million visitors each year, more than any other stretch of beach in the eastern United States.

Beaches in the Florida panhandle rate as some of the most beautiful in the country and the world. Beaches in Walton, Bay and Gulf Counties have been selected for the number one ranking by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, an authority on beach quality and author of America’s Best Beaches.

Northwest Florida enjoys a very favorable climate, with mild winters, lots of sunshine and clear days. Northwest Florida is located in U.S. Climate Zone 8, the same climate zone as renowned vacation areas such as Hilton Head (SC), Amelia Island (FL), Kiawah Island (SC) and St. Simons and Sea Island (GA). Floridas beauty and variety of landscape is well-known. The Emerald Coast has a distinct geography, culture and cuisine that is very different from Miami or Orlando.

Northwest Florida entertains approximately seven million visitors annually. According to Visit Florida, the states tourism and visitor agency, 33 percent of these visitors are from households with incomes over $75,000 and 16 percent are from households with incomes over $100,000.

The number of private resort developments in the Florida panhandle is increasing. At communities like Seaside, Rosemary Beach, WaterColor and WaterSound Beach, oceanfront lots have sold for $40,000 per linear beachfront foot to prosperous families who have chosen Northwest Florida.

The new Panama City airport now under construction is expected to be in operation by February 2010. It will be a major international airport, thus opening the Emerald Coast to easy access from both coasts, the Midwest, Canada and Europe. Previously, access to the area by air was limited to regional airports.

Economists expect that the new airport will become a strong economic development engine for the area. Throughout history airports have a powerful track record for increasing economic development activity.

The new Panama City airport will be the first major airport built in the United States in almost fifteen years. As a large-scale greenfield airport location, it offers unique opportunities and unmatched flexibility for companies dependent on air transport and logistics infrastructure.
Examples of how airport construction stimulates local economies may be seen in Huntsville, AL, Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Fort Myers, FL and Northwest Arkansas. All of these airports have stimulated significant adjacent development.

The State of Florida projects that over its first decade, the new airport is likely to create 8,000 new jobs and at completion a total of 13,000 jobs. An important comparison is the construction of the new Southwest Regional Airport in the Ft. Myers/Naples area in 1983, which had a tremendous impact on real estate values. Since the airport opened in 1983, total residential real estate values in the region have increased an average of 11 percent annually.

Fortune Magazine (October 14, 2007) highlighted the St. Joe Company as one of the Ten Best stocks for 2008, citing the long-term potential of the company and its development business situated in the Florida panhandle. The article says: “When Florida real estate does rebound, investors will be kicking themselves for not recognizing today’s $28 stock price for St. Joe Co (JOE) — Florida’s largest private landowner — as a rare opportunity.”

In the quickly shifting economic climate, it is important to research and ask questions before making any investment choice. Yet the truth is that the Florida panhandle is a rarity, with a delightful climate and stunningly beautiful, mostly empty beaches. As you sit on the pristine, white sand with your feet in the emerald clear Gulf water, with pelicans and gulls flying overhead and dolphins cruising by you can see that there are some very important intangibles here. Northwest Florida is a very special place – and they’re not creating any more beach property!

Trustworthiness Means A Lot In The Real Estate Business

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Success of a real estate broker lies in his trustworthiness to the customers; without gaining the trust of common people, it is pretty difficult for any person to get success in the real estate business. The house transaction deals involve thousands of dollars, as a result of which people generally do not get the confidence to hire just any real estate broker. There are several chances of getting fixed up by any rogue and loosing the entire money or spending a huge amount of unnecessary money for an inappropriate house. Such unfortunate incidents are often seen in many places. Hiring a well known and experienced real estate broker is the best way to prevent such incidents and carry on with a successful house transaction. People of Colorado are lucky in this case as they have got one of the best real estate brokers of United States, Andre Mazur, operating at that region. This Lafayette realtor has gained enormous popularity among the inhabitants of that region because of the extraordinary services that he provides.

Among several other qualities, the trust that this Lafayette Colorado realtor provides is unimaginable. This is the most important quality that most common people want in a real estate broker. However, it is impossible to find out whether a realtor is trustworthy or not; the best way to find it out is to discuss with that realtors previous customers and by studying about that real estate broker. When any person comes to Andre Mazur for any type of house transaction deals, he may not worry about his trustworthiness. This Lafayette realtor has been in the real estate business for 13 long years; this easily mentions his trustworthiness to the clients. He has been able to work for such a long time because people trust him and seek his help in any type of house transaction deals. The excellent service that he has provided continuously for this long period of time has earned him huge popularity and success.

This Lafayette Colorado realtor operates only in Colorado; outsiders cannot get the facilities of this real estate broker. People from other parts of United States have to hire any other real estate broker company for dealing with their house transactions. They should search a lot and gather adequate information about the real estate broker they are going to hire. All the real estate brokers that one sees are not like Andre Mazur, they may not provide the facilities that this Lafayette realtor provides. But, there is nothing that can be done; a real estate broker must be hired for the house transaction deals otherwise people may lose a lot of money behind an inappropriate house or may not get the right amount of money for a house when they sell one. Nowadays, no one gets involved in buying or selling houses without involving a good and efficient real estate broker. Everyone knows that such ignorance to the real estate brokers can cost them a lot of money. So people spend lot of time to find the best real estate broker of the region to make their house transaction deals successful.

Estates is a Real Estate Company that Deals in Properties in San Diego

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When one pictures his dream home, he would naturally think of a house have every bit of comfort and peace and surrounded by an environment that meets his requirements. You can barely define what a typical home can be like, but it should at least be a place where your mind and body can relax itself. It should make you say ‘Home Sweet Home’. Be it large or medium or even small, the atmosphere inside your house should help you calm yourself. At present, you can find innumerable real-estate companies. Most of them promise world class services. But reliability is a strong factor that makes the choice of a company difficult.

San Diego, one of the most important commercial centres of the world, is a place known for its economical viabilities. It is also the second biggest city in the State of California in the United States of America. Moreover the climate is very refreshing and comforting. Thus San Diego homes for sale are obviously in demand. 7 estates is a real-estate company that provides you San Diego homes that are for sale and houses rent San Diego County. The locations of these homes are very aesthetic. The natural beauty surrounding these homes can grab anyone’s attention. The houses are studded with high quality and luxurious comforts. All these features bring to mind a price that is beyond the reach of most. However the actual price is astonishingly lower.

San Diego is rapidly growing into a well-developed city. Highly developed infrastructure and a location craved by many over the world, San Diego homes for sale and sale houses San Diego have a really high demand. Thus it is necessary in every respect to find a genuine property that does not come with a jaw dropping price. Search San Diego MLS listings is the method of selecting your desirable property, purchasing it, or selling it. The web-site classifies the properties as Basic, Advanced or map on the basis of floor area, no. and size of bedrooms, bathrooms etc.

Both the buyer and the seller are provided with all the necessary information by Houses rent San Diego County, with a small price that is required during the transaction. They also employ short sale specialists who guide and advice owners in matters of short sale of properties and against any kind of foreclosure. This kind of a situation usually occurs when the lender is of little help when the owner’s property has been undervalued. 7 estates keep in mind the needs and demands of each and every of its clients individually. 7 estates employ hardcore negotiators who make the situation of San Diego foreclosure homes for sale simpler and less complicated. The entire process remains confidential. 7 estates also manage San Diego Investment properties for sale and Townhomes and condos for sale. The site is also very helpful to clients who wish to relocate to San Diego. The site provides very detailed San Diego County relocation information. So if you want that dream home in San Diego, you know whom to rely upon.

How a Foreign National Can Buy Real Estate in America

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Opportunities for real estate investment for foreigners is wide
and varied in the United States. It doesn’t matter where you’re from and
what currency you’d be using to purchase a property, you have a
property waiting for you.

There are generally three kinds of real
estate investment available to foreigners. These investments include the
commercial estate investment and residential property investment.
Residential properties are further classified into single family
properties, apartments or condominiums and recreational properties.
Regardless of what kind of real estate you are interested in, there are
all sorts of tax ramifications, financing options and legal requirements
that you have to deal with.

Why Should You Invest in the U.S. Real Estate Market?

You’ve
probably heard of the increasing number of foreign real estate
investments in the United States. This is not surprising. With the
troubles that the real estate investment market is facing in the United
States, greater opportunities in real estate investment were opened to
foreign investors.

With the dollar’s value in its all time low,
foreign investors are finding real estate bargains all over the United
States. There are no shortages of deals in this market. More and more
distressed properties are being sold everywhere and foreigners are
pouring in millions buying these foreclosed or distressed properties.
The United States real estate has become a fairly attractive long-term
investment for foreign investors.

In November of 2006, the
National Association of Realtors released a report entitled “Foreign
Investments in U.S Real Estate: Current Trends and Historical
Perspective”. The report showed that there has been a steady increase in
foreign real estate investment in the United States. This is especially
after the euro and the loonie became stronger in the face of the
continuous devaluation of the US dollar. Prime bargains were opened to
foreigners. Many foreigners have now looked into the possibility of
retiring or settling in the United States.

If you’re a foreigner,
you would find a lot of reasons why you should invest in the United
States real estate market. Aside from the fact that the floating
exchange rate has given you a lot of leverage over the bargaining table,
the financial market is a pretty good reason why you should invest in
the US real estate.

The financial market in the United States in
relation to the real estate market is quite liberal and the restrictions
against foreign investors are pretty reasonable. This is ideal for
foreign companies that are seeking to invest in the real estate market
in the United States in order to avoid tariff restrictions and are
considering setting up an office or a company in the United States.

Furthermore,
despite the devaluation of the US dollar and the wide foreclosures of a
lot of property, the real estate market remains to be stable, though
slightly shaky, due to foreign investors’ capital appreciation. Domestic
real estate buyers may not necessarily share the same opinion, but the
market has remained to be strong for foreign real estate buyers. This
may be largely credited to the fact that there is minimal risk for them.

Why are Foreign Real Estate Investments Safe and Profitable?

There
are a lot of investments you can make, but the safest you can make
right now is investing your money in real properties. This is another
good reason aside from the fact that you can make a pretty nifty profit,
if you like, particularly now with the widespread property foreclosures
and seemingly continuous US dollar devaluation. This is especially true
if you are going to use the euro or the loonie when making your
investment.

But why is US real estate investment safe for foreigners?

It
is undeniable that stock investments are not a safe avenue at this
point. The recession has not only affected the US economy; the same
recession has greatly affected worldwide stock investments. Stocks
values are dropping. It is also a fact that even without the current
economic situation, stock values fluctuates.

On the other hand,
real estate investments are pretty stable if you would compare it to
stock investments – or even bond or mutual fund investments. With real
estate investment, you’d be putting your money in an investment that
would grow in value as years go by.

What are the Benefits of Foreign Real Estate Investment?

US
state government supports foreign investments and along this line has
formulated various tax breaks to encourage foreign investment on real
estate. Many of these tax breaks are not available in many countries. In
fact, most countries would frown at foreigners owning real properties
within their territory.

Foreign real estate investment in the
United States is open to everyone. As long as you can afford to buy the
property or at least comply with the mortgage requirements and
payments, you can secure for yourself a pretty good property in the
United States. Again, with the current economic situation of the United
States, this is the perfect chance for you to make an investment.

Another
great benefit that you can take advantage of is the availability of
mortgage financing. Lenders have opened their doors to foreign investors
who are looking into purchasing a property. So, you don’t have to
actually deplete your bank account. You can actually secure a mortgage
loan and gradually pay it off.

I’m Canadian, What Are My Financing Options?

There
is a steady increasing rate of Canadian real estate investors in the
United States; and accordingly, the government has made certain that
they have attractive financing options available to them.

If
you’re Canadian – or if you’re a foreigner – you’d find a lot of reasons
why you should buy a piece of real property in the United States. For
Canadians, the parity of the currencies or the apparent devaluation of
the US dollar is a pretty good reason itself. But how do you finance
your purchase?

There are various financing options available to
you depending on which state you are in. In Arizona, for instance, you’d
get favorable financing terms if you are purchasing a property for
recreational purposes, that is, you do not derive any income or benefit
from your purchase or ownership. You will be required, however, to sign
up a disclosure agreement and give a 30% down payment for your loan. To
qualify though for a loan, you may be required to show availability of
liquid reserves for a period of three to six months. You may also be
required to present a minimum of 3-month bank statement.

If you
are purchasing a property for investment, you’d probably meet stricter
terms. Requirements may be more stringent. For instance, you could be
required to give a down payment of more than 30% and you may be required
to show one year worth of liquidity reserves.

Regardless of your reasons, if you feel like you can
fulfill the requirements of a financing loan, you can then proceed to
actually applying for a mortgage loan. Also, keeping yourself updated
with the financing terms flux may be a wise idea.

Understanding the Tax Ramifications of Real Estate Investment

The
first foreigner to have ever bought a real estate property in the
United States was Peter Minuit. This opened the doors to foreign real
estate investors. After a couple of centuries later, foreign real estate
investment has grown into huge proportions, accounting for
billion-of-dollar worth of industry.

The low risk attached to US
real estate market, the availability of countless properties, and the
steady market liquidity attract foreign investors in droves. The initial
snag, however, is the process of understanding the legal ramifications
of foreign real estate investment.

What you have to understand is
that foreign investment in the United States can take a lot of forms. A
foreigner has various options. He can acquire direct interest. He can
acquire an interest in the real estate through a partnership, a
corporation, or a limited liability company. The latter is the typical
structure used by foreign investors.

Limited partnership or
Limited Liability Company offers financial protection or indirect asset
protection, especially in cases of bankruptcy, law suits and taxes.
Foreign investors are generally taxed on the property as if they hold
the property in direct interest.

Ideally, you should secure the
services of a real estate accountant to help you out with the tax
ramifications, but it would help if you, at least, know the basics
before you actually talk to an accountant.

There are tax
consequences that you have to deal with when you buy a real estate in
the United States. You would need an Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number which you will use with all your tax transactions.
Your investment in real estates can be treated as a portfolio
investment and will be accounted for as an investment income which can
either be fixed or a periodic income. This is typically taxed at 30% on
gross revenues. This tax though does not apply though to all foreign
investors. Tax rates would vary depending on the tax personality the
foreign investor opted for. For instance, a corporation would be taxed
differently.

Other things that you should take note of are
availability and requirements of tax refunds and state tax laws on real
estate properties as they may differ from federal laws, among other
things.

By knowing all these things, you may save yourself from a
lot of hassles when you finally approach a real estate accountant. You'd
be in same wavelength when you finally get down to talking business. It
is, however, very important that you secure the services of an
accountant. You'd have an easier time dealing with the taxes
ramifications. You'd also have assistance ensuring that you comply with
all the accounting aspect of your investment. This is especially true if
you are purchasing a real property for investment purposes.

Do You Need to Secure the Service of a Real Estate Lawyer?

If
you are considering buying a property in the United States, you need
to secure the services of a real estate attorney - someone who could
help you with the legal issues concerning your purchase. It is tempting
to forego securing the service of a lawyer to save money, but this could
cost you a lot of money in the long run. Make sure that you have an
experienced and trustworthy lawyer to help you out. Make sure that you
have thoroughly checked out his credentials, profile, history of
successful cases handled by him, and other factors that would influence
your decision. You could check online and look for a lawyer working
within the state where you are considering purchasing a property.

Functions of a Real Estate Lawyer

There
is no actual distinctive function for a lawyer in a real estate case.
However, you would really need the assistance of a lawyer for various
tasks. A real estate lawyer would review the sales contract for you. He
would also check on the title and other documents relating to the
property. A lawyer would also review your mortgage contract and make the
necessary adjustments or corrections. You could also get him to review
with you the legal and tax issues concerning the purchase. A real estate
attorney could also make the necessary adjustments relating to various
expenses and costs involved in the purchase. He would assess your
eligibility for tax refunds and draft the documents and statements
relating to this.

Putting it simply, a real estate lawyer will be
your watchdog. He would guide you through the whole process of
purchasing a real estate in the United States in order to make sure that
you will be legally protected. You will have a capable and trustworthy
liaison to help you out with the contract. He will also face legal
disputes if any arise.

Tips on How to Invest in Real Estate Successfully

Now,
if you've fully bought into the idea of real estate investing in the
United States, you might just want to know how to go about investing in
real estate successfully. If you want to be successful in this venture,
the first thing that you have to avoid is overanalyzing. Of course, it
is a good idea to carefully think through your actions but it is a bad
idea to overanalyze your investment to nonexistence. You might lose a
great opportunity.

Before you purchase the property though, it
might be wise to check the property value. If it sits well with you and
you can reasonably afford the property, go ahead and make the purchase.

If
you are considering the property for a quick flip, make sure that the
property is in perfect condition and in good area. This is to ensure
that you could double or actually triple your return of investment. If
you can inspect the property yourself, do so. If not, a good and
trustworthy agent can help you with this task.

Another important
thing to remember when you're buying real estate is good financing. You
should take your time to carefully consider all your financing options.
Foreign investors can email in their queries to various lending
institutions. It is a good idea to make sure that you've had their terms
and rates on paper because they tend to change these terms and charge
you with a lot of junk. Your real estate agent can help you with
reviewing the escrow charges.

The bottom line, however, is that it
is very important that you do your homework before you actually buy a
real property. Investing in real properties in the United States can be
profitable especially during these times. In fact, it may be the wisest
and most perfect investment you can make right now.

Rent To Own Real Estate – Positive Or Negative

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Banks may not be lending but rent to own homes are booming! Rent to own homes are becoming pretty commonplace, owner financing also known as seller financing is a real estate financing technique where the buyer borrows from the seller as opposed to, or in addition to a bank.

Rent to own homes are becoming a typical way to sell a property due to the fact that it is problematic to sell properties in this economic crisis. Most of these rent to own homes are fsbo, for sale by owner. Frequently, finding a real estate agent who is willing to work with rent to own homes can be difficult for buyers and sellers. Occasionally, finding rent to own homes can be kind of hard to do.

There are various ways in which rent to own homes can come about. Generally, rent to own homes are seller financed by landlords or investors that seek to enhance their financial return by offering purchase choices to their tenants in exchange for a reasonable deposit and a rental rate premium. The majority of sellers of rent to own homes are considerably reasonable when it comes to the down payment. Sellers of rent to own homes will expect you to have bumpy credit and will know how to help. Usually, these owners with rent to own homes can compete and make the best home and terms available for you. Frequently, rent to own homes are in marvelous condition, most homes are less than 5-10 years old and at bare minimum have just been renovated. Any way you look at it, rent to own homes are an immediate answer and an intelligent alternative to traditional loans.

Due to the significant initial down payment and lease payment premium that are unique to lease option contracts, rent to own homes can be considerably risky. Common lease periods for this arrangement are three years long, though longer or shorter leases for rent to own homes are not altogether unheard of. Really, rent to own homes will allow you to finally begin earning equity in a home now. Again, if you are interested in a rent to own program then you can expect to put 5-10% of the loan amount down or if are interested in buying residential real estate properties that are selling below market value then leasing or doing rent to own with tenant buyers then rent to own is for you.

Rent to own homes can be a wonderful way to buy or sell a house in the current economic environment. Rent to own homes are a certain way to increase the financial stability of a person, and help him repair his credit. Rent to own homes are long-term rental agreement that can allow a person to buy a home with minimal financial stress. Rent to own homes are a great way for people to give home ownership a shot without actually having to get a loan. The negotiation routine of rent to own homes will be different from normal home bargaining.

Rent to own homes can potentially be a great or poor deal, depending on the contract obtained at the very beginning of the agreement. Rent to own homes can help the seller still acquire some income from the home when otherwise it may be a constant drain on the seller’s finances. Rent to own homes are a trial run for the tenant as they learn the responsibilities that come with the house. Individuals living in the rent to own homes will be expected to take care of the lawn as if it is their own and pay utilities. Rent to own homes are also a good way for you to build equity before you even own the home.

Rent to own homes can be found advertised online, in newspapers, or on street signs. Besides that, rent to own homes are available in almost any neighborhood or subdivision across the United States, but there could be a hidden risk to your arrangement, and the money you put up for a down payment. Commonly, rent to own homes can also be the perfect solution for those who have gone through bankruptcy, divorce or any other types of financial hardships that may prohibit them from meeting stringent requirements put fourth by banks and other lenders. Rent to own homes can essentially help you get into a house without having to go through all the hassles that are regularly involved.