The fastest growing commodity in the United States is real estate. In 2005, it increased in value by 12% compared to other goods and services that increased by only 4.5%. With such a high return on their investment, many people are purchasing real estate instead of stocks and bonds.

Some investors choose to invest in run down properties. They buy for a low price and hope to sell for a higher price once the necessary improvements to the house and yard are made. Many investors choose to do the repairs themselves, saving on labor costs. Others hire contractors to do the work. Either way, it is expected that the cost of repairing the home will increase its value. The new value is anticipated to exceed the original cost plus the cost of repairs. If the owner can rapidly sell the property, he/she can recoup their investment, make a profit and move on to another real estate purchase.

Other investors purchase properties that are vacant and require little repair to make them marketable. These houses can be resold or rented out. Here the owner has made the decision that the investment will be reimbursed over time. The monthly rent on the property must exceed the owner’s monthly payment on the loan. In the case of property rentals, the owner assumes responsibility for maintaining the property. He/she will act as the landlord, collect the monthly rent, make any necessary repairs, and handle the paperwork for obtaining tenants. If the owner does not have the time to invest in being the landlord, he/she can pay another person or real estate agency to act on his/her behalf. This saves the owner time and aggravation but it costs money to pay the substitute landlord a salary. This has to be figured into the rental price. Thus the monthly rent should be the monthly cost of the loan plus the monthly cost of maintaining the property plus the cost of the landlord plus a profit for the owner.

Sometimes an investor may choose to buy an apartment building or condominium complex and rent the individual units out. Here the formula for determining the monthly rent should be the monthly cost of the loan divided by the number of units for rent plus the monthly cost of maintaining the property plus the cost of a landlord plus a profit for the owner. If any units are vacant, the owner must make up the difference in the loan payment owed that month. This can be quite expensive if the units remain vacant over time or the number of vacant units grows in number.

There are times when the housing market has slid. This is called the bubble effect. Prices go up until, at last, they burst like a bubble and begin to decline. This can be a serious problem if you have all your money tied up in real estate. If you were depending on your new property to earn enough equity to make you a profit and the value of the property fails to increase or decreases, you may be in financial trouble. Make sure in advance that you can make your monthly payments. You should not depend entirely on the equity to make your payments. Financial experts suggest that, if you don’t have to sell the property and you can make the payments, don’t sell. Wait it out and see if property values rise again.

Financial experts say that an informed consumer will know what is happening in the market place and be prepared for it. Instead of borrowing again to meet the downturn in real estate, they recommend that you cut back on your expenses where you can. Use the extra money to step up payments and reduce the amount of the loan.

Summer Fun for Kids in Cary
While driving home after a long day last week I turned the corner onto my street and suddenly had to come to a quick stop. There were at least twenty kids under the age of twelve playing in front of my house. It struck me how lucky a kid is to grow up in Cary IL . There is so much for them to do here in the summer. Cary is surrounded by nature and McHenry County has been smart enough to put aside a huge amount of preserved land. The park district here is incredible. They have so many activities for kids it is hard to decide what to pick. Horse back riding, swimming, drama, dancing, and soccer are just a few. Also, they have play groups for the younger kids and Mommy and me activities. If you are looking for a summer camp you can go to RRR Felpro conserved land where they have a camp with a pool that is surrounded by walking trails through the woods and a lake for fishing. The park district has a community pool located next to the Village Hall. It is a very popular spot as things heat up. I have even seen people water skiing on the Fox River. Cary and the surrounding areas have many playgrounds which most of them have been added recently with the boom of new construction. I think that it is safe to say that as we head into Summer there will be some happy kids in Cary.

If you are thinking about moving away from the hectic pace of a big city but still enjoy the relatively close proximity to Chicago and the airports, Cary is exactly what the doctor ordered. Home prices range from the $150s to the $400s making them extremely affordable for the area. The homes tend to be 10 to 15 years in age but there is also a surge of new construction going on. The schools are excellent with small class sizes and plenty of after-school programs. The Cary IL real estate market moves quickly but at a much more reasonable pace than the nearby market of Chicago.

To get started on your home search or just learn more about Cary, you need to start looking at the Illinois MLS. You can search for all types of real estate not just in Cary but for such markets as Arlington real estate or Schaumburg or even the greater Chicago area. Enjoy all that Cary Illinios has to offer – make your move to Cary today!

As the real estate market begins to calm down, many worry about making a profit on their homes. Here’s an example of the “follow the builder” profit strategy.

Follow That Builder

In many areas of the country, there are builders who build hundreds of houses each year within a fifty mile radius of each other. They build entire communities, or are one of three to five builders who build entire communities around big employment centers. This is important. Hang with me and you’ll find out why.

Serendipity

The first couple I met who worked the pattern I’m talking about did it the first time almost by accident. They bought one of the first houses built in a neighborhood that took about two years to build out. Toward the end of the two year period, they were out for a walk and, on impulse, went into a house under construction that represented a bit of a “move up” from their home. The same builder who had built their home was building it.

The couple went to the sales office of the builder and found out that the house they’d walked through was already under contract. They were shocked to find out the price was $150,000 more than they’d paid for their home! The house was a little larger, but not enough to account for the difference. In fact, they found out their home had increased $100,000 in value.

A Repeatable Pattern

Builders usually have bright, attractive, cheerful, enthusiastic people on their sales forces. These people often have a wealth of knowledge. They know (or can usually find out) which communities the builder has built in, is building in, and maybe even where they’re going from there. They know a lot about the pattern of price increases for various models. They have some idea of the speed of build out.

It’s also possible to take walks in a builder’s neighborhoods and ask people how that builder is to work with, if construction and “punch list” completion are done reasonably and well, and if they’d choose that same builder again under similar circumstances.

If all the information you develop is favorable, you can start to “follow that builder.” Builders usually sell the first few houses in a neighborhood for less money than any of the homes subsequently built. They’re contracted for before the streets and amenities are complete, and it takes a lot more imagination to see a charming, pleasant neighborhood where now there’s only mud and bulldozers.

Follow the builder is a strategy that has been used. If you like a particular builder, you can use the strategy to put serious money in your pocket.

Being an investor is a lot like owning your own business. You have money and people to manage, important financial decisions to make, and systems that represent your strategy. While these assets and operations result in successful and profitable deals, there are always problems arising, just like in a normal business, that can slow down productivity and progress of whatever activity is currently in motion.

A problem with many investors is that they do not view their process as a business. They do not have a company name or multiple teams working below them. They do not have business rules, regulations, checks and balances, or protocol for the people they work with. However, the truth is, commercial real estate investing, no matter how small, is a business all itself. In order to optimize this fact, one should follow proven business strategy that allows great companies to flourish with very little constraint or pain.

A very important theory that is used not only in business, but in science, politics, sports, and even everyday life is the Theory of Constraints. This theory literally transcends all boundaries as it is a scientific principle that can be applied to any relationship between two or more subjects. You have all heard of the expression, “You are only as strong as your weakest link.” This is in reference to the Theory of Constraints.

What is basically introduced is the concept that you can look at a process or relationship as a chain. One link to another, that chain is reliant on the strength of the relationship. If it is a process, and each link is a task, then each task must be working optimally so it does not weaken the chain. If one link becomes tired, lazy or behind, then the chain is all together weaker and ineffective at producing the result.

At any one time there can only be one constraint. You must tackle that constraint, and then another may appear. However, at that time, there is only one constraint to attend to. In order for a process or system to be working 100%, each link must be strong. If not, you suffer from inefficiencies; suboptimal performance and a complete slow down of the process.

Do you find areas in your business of commercial real estate investing that you are not pleased with? Are there areas you feel you and the people you work with and rely on could improve? Could wasted time be eliminated? What areas could you improve that would increase overall profitability of your commercial real estate strategies?

Within these questions you will uncover the areas where a streamlined process can greatly improve performance and decrease crisis and other problems. If your current strategy and processes are running at 100%- then there is no need to read this article. However, if you feel there could be considerable improvement, or even a small improvement that could increase your results exponentially, please read on!

Implementing processes and systems are the best way to optimize total performance. How this is done is you write down every single task within a certain boundary. For example, write down every task in creating the information packet to submit to a lender to get approval for a loan on a project. Write down every task for this specific process and then number them in how they follow in sequence.

Are there certain people involved who make this process happen? You may realize how you can cut out duplicated efforts, combine tasks into a single person who performs them, and completely streamline the process. What you do now is create a process map or flow chart showing the entire process from first step to last in the proper sequence. Identify who does what task and any time allotments or due dates if necessary. You know have a tangible, easy to learn, communicate and control process for submitting a proposal to a lender for a new project. Doing this alone will allow others to follow along with your process and have a clear understanding as to what is supposed to be done.

Do have protégés or other eager minds willing to help you in order to gain a valuable education from an experienced investor? Now you don’t have to worry about being the only one who “knows” the business. With a clear system and process map, you can now teach those around you the same, working, proven systems. With a process map individual tasks and relationships can be easily changed as continuous improvement is a benefit of process maps.

For most people, finding the right property is only half of the goal of a real estate purchase. It’s also very important to most buyers to find homes that offer a big potential for savings and valuable investment. These days, the market is so competitive that finding really good deals can be extremely hard, which is why many people are turning to foreclosed properties and other non-traditional forms of real estate to find huge savings on a wide variety of properties. Unlike most open market properties these days, foreclosed homes offer the buyer the chance to win incredible properties for way below market prices, so getting huge initial savings and maximizing the value of an investment becomes easy!

There are all kinds of these great foreclosure properties and bank owned properties for sale out there, and they are available from very unique sources. The entire process begins when a homeowner can no longer make the payments necessary on their home mortgage loan. When this happens the lender will still have to find a way to collect the remaining loan debt, which usually is accomplished through the repossessions of the home and the subsequent sale of it to the public. The lender then keeps the proceeds of the foreclosure property sale to settle the debt.

However, when property foreclosures and ban owned properties are sold, the lender usually only needs to collect an amount that is much less than the full loan value, and thus the value of the home itself. In many cases, bank foreclosure homes and other foreclosed property is undersold at auction with no loss to the bank or lender. But the buyer and investor stands to gain greatly from this kind of sale, since many bank foreclosure properties and other kinds of for sale properties often go for between 10 and 50% below their actual value!

With the help of Foreclosure Connections, you’ll be able to find deals on all kinds of bank owned property and more, all from the comfort of your own home! Use our searchable database to locate thousands of bank foreclosure property and all kinds of federal homes for sale in every state. You’ll find that each listing for bank foreclosure properties has lots of information designed to help you assess values and pick the properties with the best investment potential! Our friendly staff is always there to help you buy the best properties in foreclosure by providing advice on everything form finding single families homes to how to go about pursuing bank owned property for sale on you area! So come visit us today. Buying foreclosed properties for big savings has never been easier!

If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms.

“Plantation Shutters”

Refers to interior shutters with large, moveable louvers that can be used much like Venetian blinds. Often they’re used only on the bottom half of the window.

“Palladian Window”

A tall window that is rectangular except for an arched top and has wooden muntins separating the panes of glass. It is based on a revived classic style of architecture and the work of Andrea Palladio. Builders often use them as the window over the front door in homes with two story entrance foyers.

“Pocket Doors”

Doors that open by sliding into a slot in the wall much as a serving tray fits into a vertical slot built into a kitchen cabinet. It leaves wall space unaffected by opening and closing doors. I’ve seen them on bathrooms in modern houses. I’ve also seen them used in pairs that meet in the middle when closed as they were in older houses. Between a living room and dining room might be a good place. My grandmother had one between the front and back parlors in her home in Richmond, Virginia. Now that was a neat old house. It could always expand to accommodate one more family member or friend.

“Fireplace,” “Wood Stove,” “Wood Stove Insert”

A fireplace can burn wood, coal, or gas (natural or propane). If gas, it may or may not be vented to the outdoors. It is generally thought to be dangerous to have a non-vented gas fireplace in a bedroom and is against “code” in many areas. A wood stove burns wood, is free standing (on a non-flammable surface), and is vented to the outside. A wood stove insert is generally fitted into an existing fireplace designed to burn wood or coal. Preferences have to do with perceived beauty, convenience, heat production, and safety.

Well, those are some of the terms frequently seen in real estate listings and advertisements and their usual meanings at this writing. I hope you find it useful.

As you should already know, a home inspection is a key part of the real estate process. Of course, your home inspection is only as good as your home inspector.

Finding a Qualified Home Inspector

If you are considering buying a property, you absolutely must get a home inspection. What most people don’t realize, however, is it can also be valuable to retain one before you sell a property to identify any problems before your accept an offer. Fixing such problems before hand makes a lot more sense than panicking in the middle of escrow.

Regardless of your particular position in the real estate process, the home inspection is only as good as the inspector. Frankly, some inspectors are less than credible when it comes to qualifications and their background. To bypass these individuals, the following organizations should be used as a resource.

The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. Known as ASHI, it was founded in 1976 to create a resource and quality control atmosphere for home inspections. You can get referrals to ASHI inspectors in your area by contacting the Society at 800-743-ASHI. In doing so, you will avoid hacks calling themselves inspectors.

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors is another credible organization. Located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Association maintains both a code of ethics and strict standards of practice for its members. With over 9,000 members in North America, you can find an inspector in your area by calling 1-877 FIND-INS.

Another organization that stands out in the home inspection industry is the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the organization also requires members to abide by strict practice standards and a code of ethics, which should be comforting to you. You can contact it to find a home inspector in your area by calling 800-448-3942.

The old cliché is garbage in, garbage out. By using a credible home inspector, you can put this cliché out of your mind.

The design flexibility, cost efficiency, and ease of erection of steel have made steel buildings the structures of choice for retailers across America–especially those stores with multi-site operations. As a result, the increasing demand on steel buildings has created remarkable innovations in steel building technology. There are several factors to explain this phenomenon that are worth identifying.

For example, a number of building developers benefit from the speed and ease in which steel buildings can be constructed and the overall lower cost. A great number of owners are remodeling their current properties or framing new structures with steel. These companies know that the entire costs of building with steel are only a fraction of the price of conventional structures. Several design alternatives are possible–even with the strictest of project budgets. These savings can then be passed on to the patron.

You will appreciate a cheaper cost of labor. Much depends on local labor costs, but the overwhelming majority of steel buildings can be set up rapidly with the economy of a single work crew. Very often, a small amount of professional aide is necessary. As a matter of fact, when building smaller structures sometimes no professional help whatsoever is necessary.

Maintaining a steel building with a comfortable climate is possible thanks to the great improvements in insulation technology. Developers are generally selecting the steel building design thanks to the savings resulting from its ability to conserve energy. A completely insulated pre-fabricated steel building will out-perform traditional structures and warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Advances in steel building technology have also resulted in such amenities as ridge vents, skylights, louvers, as well as more common features as wind resistance and enhanced steel roofing systems. Regardless of the climate, you can know confidently that your personnel are all safe inside a pre-fabricated steel building. Because of its snug connections and reinforced metal alloy, steel buildings can withstand the weight from heavy snow and the potential leakage from heavy rains.

Almost any combination of structural, roofing, and facade applications are possible due to the current innovations in steel building technology. The clear-span frame, another popular option, can reach up to 300 ft. in width, have unlimited length capabilities, and require no walls or columns to allow your store all of the space it requires in an unobstructed environment. A variety of steel roofing styles are available, such as parapets and mansards. You can also select standing seam applications; and not to mention, having your roof painted in just about any color you desire. Steel buildings are the attractive choice for today’s retail store owners and the smarter choice for tomorrow’s requirements.

With the rising popularity of selling homes by owner, have risen some misconceptions that should be straightened out to clarify the process. The first thing that we should look at is how financing works in the FSBO world. One thing that occurs more often than it should is when buyers think that “for sale by owner” means that the owner is also offering financing. Most of the time this is not the case. This error is usually seen when people with little or damaged credit feel that it is in their best interest to avoid mortgage brokers & realtors. This is a huge mistake as individuals such as mortgage brokers are experienced and trained to deal with these individuals and to help them repair their credit and obtain a favorable mortgage.

Its a good idea to seek out a mortgage company that is experienced, even specializes in the financing of FSBO sales. These companies differ from most mortgage companies in that their services are more comprehensive than most. They have expanded their offerings to include many things not usually covered by traditional mortgage companies such as closing contracts, title issues and inspections. The closing of a home contract is one of the more confusing aspects of the purchase process and should be handled by a trained professional. Also take into account that most mortgage companies rely on realtors to bring them the bulk of their business, therefore they are ill-equipped to provide educated FSBO financing. This is why its good to find a FSBO specialist mortgage company when dealing with someone who is selling their home themselves.

Another misconception deals with the fact that the buyer is saving money by dealing with an FSBO situation. The truth is that usually the seller is the one trying to save money on agent commissions. If they have subtracted the price of the agent from their asking price, it is possible to save some cash.But this is hardly ever the case. Most FSBO sellers are listing their homes at market value as if an agent was selling the home. Then they attempt to do everything themselves and pocket the cash that would normally go to the agent.

Dubai real estate is witnessing a number of changes in the commercial sector.

One of the emerging trends in the commercial property market is the conversion of warehouse space to office premises. Companies that require large open plan spaces, such as advertising or marketing companies have been seen to lease warehouse space and easily transform it into efficient office space. This provides a cost effective solution for businesses that need to be near the business centre but may not wish to pay the premium rates of prime location office space. Warehouse rental rates suitable for office conversions fluctuate between 40-65AED per sq. ft (warehouse space rent exclusively used for storage purposes averages 28-35AED per sq. ft), whereas rents in the Central Business District (CBD) may be 225-250AED per sq. ft.

The property market in Dubai is tight and therefore the concept of Split Offices has come into being. Many professional services firms, faced with the prospect of particularly high rents in prime locations tend to lease a small space suitable for client meetings in the Central Business District so as to boast an address on a prestigious location such as e.g. Sheikh Zayed Road, and move their operations to a secondary location where rents may be more affordable e.g. Garhoud, thus effectively saving on huge overheads.

Thus, supply of the real estate market in Dubai is shaping up to meet the property demand.