For many years now, investment property has been on the rise as a popular means to attaining wealth by many people all over the world. The purchase of a home is of course one of the first major investments that many people make, with the purchase of a second piece of property being the next. In fact, this move is often undertaken before the purchase of shares and other assets are even considered.

Before we go into the various aspects of investment property, a definition of the term would be in order. Investment property is the term used to refer to a piece of property that is not meant to be occupied by the owner, and is instead purchased with the specific goal of generating profit by way of rental income and/or the gaining of capital.

While we mentioned earlier in the article that most people’s first real estate investment is usually their own home, this does not always have to be the case. In fact, buying a modestly sized house or apartment in an affordable area to rent out can be a good way to build up some funds in order to purchase your own home eventually, in the specific place where you want to reside. More and more people all over the world are going for this option nowadays by renting property in a more affordable area, and purchasing and renting out another piece of property in a more expensive area. Other people are even expanding their investments into non-residential properties by way of property trusts.

Investing in property sensibly actually has a number of other benefits, not the least of which is that property tends to be less prone to market fluctuations than shares (although this is not always the case), and they are generally regarded as safe options when other assets decrease in value. Property investments also have great potential to generate capital growth and increase the value of your assets, and there is of course the rental income to consider as well. In addition, there are certain tax benefits that you can realize from negative gearing.

Just like any other investment however, investment property does not come with any solid guarantees. The prices of property does go up and down from time to time, and it can be quite a challenge to find good renters who will pay their bills on time and take good care of the property.

Furthermore, there is a need for people who are going into investment property to be thoroughly aware of interest rates and how higher rates will impact on their expected returns. They also have to make sure that the return or yield from their investment property measures up favorably compared to the returns that they would have achieved if they had invested in shares, for instance.

Of course, this is not to say that everyone should be directly involved in investment property. You can for example, go into partnership with other real estate investors and combine your assets into managed funds that will focus on property

Did you know that you could make profits with no money down real estate investing? Visit us online for more information.

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 Now that you are an official Orange County home owner, the next step is to make sure that all of your belongings make the move to your new home with you safely. How do you do this. Pre planning and following the simple tips in this article.

First make copies or order copies of all marriage certificates, deeds, wills, insurance policies, and birth certificates and keep the originals with you during the move. You can pack the copies in with the rest of your belongings. Take your video camera or digital camera and record or photograph your most valuable possessions. Be sure to make notes of when they were purchased and how much they are worth. Written records alone work well if you do not have access to a video or still camera, but pictures and video can go a long way towards helping you recover your items in the event that they are lost, stolen, or damaged during the move.

Make sure that you have plenty of supplies. This means lots and lots of boxes, probably more than you think, and if you end up having extra boxes, you can always donate them to a friend. You should also have plenty of unprinted newsprint and bubble wrap to pack your delicate items, and a lot of strong packing tape to seal the boxes. Wardrobe boxes can be perfect for comforters and blankets, and clothes that should remain on hangers, but do not make the mistake of filling these tall boxes with heavy items, as they will impossible to lift and will more than likely break during some point in the move. Take all of the clothes out of your closets to get an estimate of exactly how many wardrobe boxes you will need.

When it comes to packing multiple boxes, it helps to color coordinate each room in the house and affix colored stickers to each box for easier identification. When you arrive at your new Orange County home, this will make it much easier to find and organize things. When packing, keep your books and bookends together, electrical cords wrapped together, picture hooks packed with pictures, and so on. You will be surprised at just how much time this will save you in the long run. These tips will help make the transition to your new Orange County home much smoother and less trouble free as well. The last, and final tip: start packing now, because as any seasoned mover will tell you, it always takes longer than you think.

If you are looking for southern california real estate, the author recommends First Team Real Estate

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Real Estate Success in a Downturned Market
By Janet Giacoma

 Today’s real estate professionals face challenges that the industry hasn’t seen in years, perhaps in the entire history of selling real estate. New housing starts are down as builders struggle with their own issues of rising costs, and a lack of interested or capable buyers. Homeowners, flush with cash from the sale of overpriced homes a few years back, bought houses that they really couldn’t afford using variable rate mortgages. These mortgages, of course, were issued when interest rates were low. As the rates began to rise, mortgage payments became untenable and these expensive homes were put on the market. As the law of supply and demand dictates, the glut of homes on the market drove prices down drastically, forcing homeowners to sell at less than what they paid, and in some cases, less than what they owed.

Compounding all of this of course is the meltdown of the sub-prime mortgage market. Greedy lenders, in their pursuit of massive financial gain, granted loans to people who really didn’t qualify for them. As these people began to default on their loans, the lending institutions were in turn forced to default on their own obligations. The result - today’s economic morass that is being called the worst global calamity since the Great Depression, if not in the entire history of mankind.

In short, it’s not a good time to be selling real estate. So what’s a real estate professional to do? How do you go about finding success in a downturned market? The short answer is easy - sell something else.

Increasingly, people who make their living selling real estate are seeking alternative careers. In some cases, they seek to supplement their declining incomes as they wait for the market to come back. Others, perhaps the more pragmatic, are moving on altogether. Real estate training notwithstanding, these people realize that they are in fact sales professionals, and that there has to be a better way. Earning an income in real estate is no longer a realistic profession.

As these professionals evaluate career alternatives, many are looking at internet based direct marketing opportunities for a number of reasons. Apart from the huge potential that the internet represents, a home-based direct marketing business can be started while still continuing with current employment. So someone who realizes that change is necessary but isn’t quite ready to make the leap can simply ease into it. However, once these individuals see the success that awaits them in their new endeavor, many simply give up real estate and become full time internet network marketers.

Changing any career is not easy. But if you are trying to eke out a living today in real estate, now might be the time to consider it.

Janet Giacoma is a business coach and marketer who assists serious entrepreneurs in building a profitable online business with multiple income streams. To contact Janet visit: http://www.TheAbundantAlliance.com and http://www.TheAbundantAllianceBlog.com

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 The name “Arkansas,” is derived from the French interpretation of a Quapaw word which means either, “land of the downriver people,” or, “people of the south wind.” Though the name’s French roots should make the pronunciation obvious, there was, believe it or not, intense debate about it between the state’s senators during the nineteenth century. One insisted it should be pronounced the same as Kansas; the other senator, considering the word’s French influence, claimed it should be AR-kan-saw. The latter won out, and in 1881, an act of the state legislature declared its official pronunciation.

In the days before European colonialism, Arkansas was home to a number of Native American nations, including the Quapaw, the Osage, and the Caddo nations. The first known Europeans to step onto the scene came in 1540: Hernando De Soto with a crew of fellow explorers. The Spanish seemed to have neglected or lost the land, however, as it was part of the huge swath of territory sold by Napoleon Bonaparte to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

The territory was officially organized in July of 1819, with most of its eastern border being naturally marked by the course of the Mississippi River, and the rest of its borders touching six states. But it didn’t enter the Union until almost two decades later; on June 15, 1836, Arkansas was admitted as the twenty-fifth state.

Because Arkansas shares its southwestern border with Texas, the state was able to play a pivotal role in the struggle for Texas’ independence from Mexico. Later, in the Mexican-American War of 1846, the border town of Washington became a key station for supplying and gathering troops. Arkansas’s governor even called upon the men of the state to volunteer to fight in order to create the first Regiment of Arkansas Calvary.

Over the course of the nineteenth century, Arkansas developed a “cotton culture,” like many of its neighbors who benefited from the close proximity to the Mississippi River. After the Civil War and Reconstruction Era, numerous immigrants–Italians, Chinese, Syrians, and so on–found opportunities to work the land. Many of them eventually dispersed from the farms into more urban centers, but in any case, this diversified the population of the state.

The introduction of the railroad made it more feasible to populate seemingly remote areas such as Eureka Springs in Carroll County in the Ozark Mountains. Because of the new ease of travel, it became a prime “tourist destination,” where tourism would not have been viable before. It is considered a very unique and eclectic town, home to artists and novelists, the devoutly religious, the old-fashioned, and the progressive.

Perhaps Eureka Springs serves as a microcosm of the state at large because no matter which way you pronounce it, Arkansas has abundant diversity: of opinions, of tribal history, of struggles, and of people.

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For the best in Arkansas real estate, visit Remax Arkansas (http://www.remax-arkansas.com/arkansas-real-estate.aspx) for your property needs. Whether it’s existing homes, new construction, commercial property, or land for sale, they are the leading professionals. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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Understanding the Sellers Listing Price Strategy
By Evan Sage

 The first and foremost important step in purchasing a Toronto home is preparing the offer, as the terms set out in the agreement will dictate your type of lifestyle for the coming years.

To ensure the success of this important aspect of the purchase be sure to set up a meeting with your Toronto real estate agent once you have found the right Toronto home.

It is with your agent that you can go over the specifics of the offer and have the document finalized. Take your time to ensure its accuracy as once you have signed it the document becomes binding and irrevocable.

Once this is complete the offer gets registered and made available to the listing agent, and thereafter the offer presentation appointment is set.

When purchasing in Toronto offer presentations usually take place on the same day, sometimes lasting all day long with back and forth negotiations.

Your Toronto real estate agent handles your side of the negotiation and also presents your offer to the vendor and listing agent.

As these talks can go late into the evening, be sure to make yourself readily available for any sign backs that you may need to consider and authorize.

This article will focus on your different pricing strategies. Keep in mind some work better than others in a weak economy.

OFFER AMOUNT

Pricing Guidelines:

Below are a few general guidelines for Toronto homes.

1. Poor properties that are under-priced generally sell for asking price, rarely more

2. Average properties that are well priced generally sell for asking price, occasionally more.

3. Excellent properties that are new to the market generally sell for asking price, frequently more.

4. Anything else generally gets sold for below the asking price.

OVERPRICED?

See if the house on which you are bidding is overpriced by comparing the various listing price strategies provided below. This exercise can help you determine a fair offering price.

Listing Price Strategy

#1 Below Fair Market Value

Priced below value, these properties frequently incite bidding wars and end up selling over asking price.

Reasons for listing below market value include the real estate agent suggesting too low a price, or sometimes the vendor simply wants to sell quickly.

#2 At Fair Market Value

Priced very competitive, these homes generally sell fast and very close (near, at or above) to the listing price.

#3 Slightly Overpriced

These properties are generally between five to ten percent overpriced.

Most homes listed for sale use this strategy as they either feel their home is truly worth the price, or they wish to leave some room for negotiation.

#4 Extremely Overpriced

Extremely overpriced properties are generally between ten to twenty five percent overpriced. Vendors may do this for a variety of reasons.

They may genuinely feel that their home is worth that price, but more often than not some real estate agents have grossly inflated the value of the home to get the listing.

Unfortunately there is a natural tendency to work with an agent who quotes them the highest price, putting the vendor in a disadvantageous position when the property remains unsold for quite some time.

The longer an overpriced property stays on the market, the more bargaining power the buyer will have.

Evan Sage is an award winning Toronto Real Estate Agent specializing in working with clients who are downsizing their homes in Rosedale, Lawrence Park, Lytton Park, Hoggs Hollow and North Toronto. Evan works hard to instill in his clients the confidence to make the right purchase or sale decision. He achieves this by demonstrating a superior knowledge of Toronto real estate and by by educating his clients through the entire process.

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 Learning about Real Estate requires dispelling the many myths. When you train with a responsible and competent mentor or coach these myths and others will disappear. Here are a few common myths that will help you during your learning curve:

Real estate investing is for the wealthy

This is perhaps the biggest myth out there. There are a wide range of deals to negotiate, from $0 down to thousands of dollars down, which means there are deals all sizes available. What you need to do is research and plan carefully.

Understand that many deals are done by people who work 9-5 jobs everyday. They may not take as great of a risk as someone wealthy, but there are still enough deals to spread around. Success in real estate investing is in your due diligence.

You need experience

You may be envious of the people you see on those infomercials making a fortune in the real estate market, and you probably think it could never happen to you. They must have years of experience. But the truth is that while those people may have been lucky, odds are they’re just savvy investors.

If you learn as much as you can about investing in real estate and plan your next move carefully, you could easily join their ranks. Your mentor or coach will also help you with your comfort level on making your first steps.

You need good credit

Good credit helps, but you don’t need it to make money in real estate. There are so many creative ways to invest in real estate without ever looking at your credit. Again, you must learn your options and do your research

One tip though, work on repairing your credit because it allows you even more options and more power when investing in real estate.

There is too much competition

There are more than enough deals to make everyone wealthy. At any given time there are hundreds of properties for sale in your market for each investor looking for them. Be aware, a majority of people who say they are investors are just sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right deal to fall in their lap. Real investors go out and make deals happen.

It will not work in your area

It works in EVERY area. True, it may work differently in some markets than in others, but there are investors making money in every city, every day of the week. You have to learn your market: the rents, the trends, the local customs, the bankers, the title companies, etc.

It is in your best interest to learn the techniques and adapt them for your market.

There are many myths that keep very capable people from venturing in the world of real estate investing. Myths can actually cost you thousands of dollars if you do not know the truth. Get help from an experienced mentor or coach and learn the real truth as you begin your journey to successful real estate investing.

Peter Vekselman has been successfully investing in real estate since 1996. He has completed over 1000 real estate deals, owned a construction company, been a private lender, and owned a property management

company. To learn more about Peter please visit

http://www.coachingbypeter.com.

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Real Estate Coach - Finding One Who Can Help You
By Peter Vekselman

 The success of your real estate investment venture depends on your preparation, education, and determination. You must be open-minded and willing to learn. Investing is only risky if you don’t know what you are doing. You must learn the fundamentals you need to leverage the power of real estate and become financially free for life. One of the most proven and effective ways to ensure success is by the direction of an experienced real estate coach.

Your real estate coach has a primary focus to help you understand and apply the fundamentals of real estate investing to help you acquire enough passive income, which will result in you achieving true financial freedom.

A competent real estate coach will assist you in areas such as:

1 identify your inner passions, motivations, and priorities

2 planning realistic investment goals by identifying investment techniques

3 focus on activities that bring the best results

4 tools that are vital to your success

5 key milestones of select markets

6 identify and benefit from trends in the various markets

7 conducting property analysis

8 preparing and negotiating offers

9 vehicles to achieve success in volatile markets

10 managing properties

11 converting earned income into passive income

or portfolio income

12 applying proven processes

13 and much more…

Real Estate coaching is designed to combine these techniques to maximize your success and convert your dreams into reality. It also teaches everyday people, real life changing principles on how to buy and sell property at a profit, in any economic condition. By having a personal coach, you can take these principles and quickly apply them in your life.

Hundreds of thousands of people have used a real estate coach to accomplish their spectacular real estate goals. Your investment strategy is key in achieving your financial independence. If you are determined to become financially free then it’s time to get a real estate coach.

Your real estate coach should be someone who has proven themselves in the field of real estate and can help you get started realizing your dream. They should be able to not only answer your questions, but help you stay motivated towards working towards your real estate investment goals. Once you have a good working relationship with your real estate coach, things will seem much clearer. You can pay this favor forward by becoming a real estate coach yourself someday, after you have attained success in real estate investing.

A successful real estate coach will help you realize your dreams of becoming a successful real estate investor and put you on the path to achieving your life goals.

Peter Vekselman has been successfully investing in real estate since 1996. He has completed over 1000 real estate deals, owned a construction company, been a private lender, and owned a property management

company. To learn more about Peter please visit

http://www.coachingbypeter.com.

Real Estate Consulting - Get The Team That Is Right For You
By Peter Vekselman

 In the vast world of the real estate industry, one must have an intelligence that is both widespread and accurate. One must be able to keep up to date with new laws, building prices, economical direction, taxes, market trends, energy, school systems, job opportunities, housing cycles, federal, state, local government, community development and a host of other details.

One must have a consulting team that can supply the answers as well as the questions that can make a difference. Your real estate consulting team can actually make or break your real estate investment business so choose a team that has vast knowledge in the field.

During this economical reconstruction, every moment counts. Day by day the climate can and will change. As the government implements its banking bail out, it is imperative to know how it will affect you, the areas which you have invested, and those areas you look to invest. The consequences of not knowing can make a seemingly profitable venture into a loser. There is a lot at stake when it comes to real estate investments, but quite a bit to gain as well. And knowledge is power.

Employment trends can change the economy of a city or state with just one meeting. People want to live where they can see opportunities to find adequate incomes and businesses that can enhance living. Job loss can create a ripple effect that can lower property value and hinder the growth of commercial industries. It is important that your real estate consulting team understands the area and trends in order for your real estate investments to pan out.

Today, housing cycles vary from one region to another and from zip code to zip code. Some areas have hit a plateau while others have fallen off the cliff. Which one is on the rise or forecast to rise in the near future?

A good real estate consultant or consulting team can answer that and all of the issues that may arise in your real estate venture. They can lead an investor away from trouble waters into an ocean of profit and prosperity. Real estate are a mighty tool, an auxiliary intelligence to enhance an investors vision.

If you are going to venture into real estate investing, if you are already an investor, or if you are looking for your first home, a real estate consultant or a real estate consulting team can wipe many of your troubles away. It is smart business, it is for long term planning, and it is an investment in yourself.

Peter Vekselman has been successfully investing in real estate since 1996. He has completed over 1000 real estate deals, owned a construction company, been a private lender, and owned a property management

company. To learn more about Peter please visit

http://www.coachingbypeter.com.

 After some consideration, I think Ill choose the Modern Home No. 146. The Saratoga has a lovely wide front porch and the redwood siding should endure for many decades.

This was, perhaps, the thinking of thousands of families who bought their homes from the Sears Roebuck Houses by Mail Catalog - a phenomenon of the early 20th century that delivered kit homes stacked onto rail cars to families across America. Between 1908 and 1940 about 100,000 families perused the architectural catalog, read concise descriptions of house styles and analyzed floor plans. Then, according to their family budget and needs, placed a stamp on an envelope and sent off for a complete kit to build their home from foundation to roof top.

Sometimes, the buyer would take on the task of building the home while others hired local contractors. Thousands of these homes still stand today, their owners perhaps unaware their bungalow, cottage, colonial house or other older home was assembled from a kit. The cost? A home kit could be purchased for a under $1,000 and up to about $2,700, depending upon the design and square footage. Today, many of those same homes sell for a half million dollars or more.

Although Sears Roebuck Company was the most successful retailer of home kits, it was not alone. A major competitor in the market was, not surprisingly, Montgomery Ward. But it was Sears that captured the majority of sales and left a lasting mark on real estate across America. Some analysts say it was the companys attention to detail and quality that kept it in front of its competitors. In 1918, a Sears marketing piece promised the customer must be satisfied for a lifetime for every house we sell is a standing advertisement for Sears Roebuck and Company.

Part of this satisfaction came with the efficient way the Sears kits were assembled and presented. In the early 1900s, carpenters and home builders did not have the advantage of todays power tools. Most people were not educated in reading architectural plans, nor experienced in construction. Sears pre-cut all the lumber for the homes and made instructions easy to follow. Since most buyers were intimately involved in the construction of their kit home, there was a special pride in hands-on ownership.

After the Great Depression, Sears offered an even more complete package to customers by including financing. By then, the company was deep into lumber mills and other industries that supported its housing venture. By 1940, the burden of manufacturing and financing - and the impact of WWII - saw the last of the Book of Modern Homes. Times changed and Sear Roebuck changed with them. The company never kept an inventory of the homes it sold so many people who own houses from the early decades of the 20th century may be unaware of their homes humble, mail order origin.

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Come visit us to learn more about the beautiful area known as Sonoma County at - http://www.sonomacountyrealestate.us

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 Many senior buyers and real estate agents have been waiting for HUD to issue the Mortgagee Letter which outlines the guidelines for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM or Heck-um) reverse mortgage program for purchase transactions.

The Bill that Congress passed and was signed by President Bush on July 30, 2008, H. R. 3221, among other things now allows this program to include purchase transactions for the first time (but could not be implemented until HUD announced the parameters of the program).

This is exciting news to Senior Americans who have wanted to purchase a new residence but could not pay for the home in full and did not qualify under conventional underwriting standards.

This includes those who wish to downsize, move closer to family and friends, move into senior communities for the activities or amenities they offer, or those who find that their current home simply does not meet their needs any longer such as those needing wider halls for wheel chair access and those needing single story homes that currently reside in multiple story properties.

HUD just issued their Mortgagee Letter (#2008-33) which outlines many features and explains how they intend to implement this feature. The purchase feature will not go into effect until January 1, 2009 and will contain many additional requirements.

While not all of the improvements we had hoped to see based on the Bill are included in the purchase program (specifically the inclusion of cooperative units), HUD did a very good job of getting this program out and did make it borrower friendly for bona fide senior purchasers.

In a nutshell, HUD put as many safeguards in place as they felt they needed to avoid fraud and abuses while allowing for as many different property types and transactions as they felt they could under the guidelines.

HUD has instituted some guidelines and some procedures to protect against property flipping, but aside from the cooperative units that will be offered sooner or later as a result of H.R. 3221 (and it is unclear if it will be for purchase and refinance or just refinance or under what guidelines at this point), it appears that the property requirements have not changed.

HUD only clarified that if the homes are new construction they must be completed and the Certificate of Occupancy must have been issued.

If an existing HECM holder refinances their HECM to a new HECM, then they do not need to pay the entire up-front mortgage insurance premium again, just the difference if any from the old lending limit to the new one if it has gone up.

This is not true on the purchase of a new property. It is then a new transaction and the up-front mortgage insurance premium is due.

Just like any HUD loan, all funds required to close the transaction must be verified. HUD will not allow any type of secondary financing to close the purchase of these loans.

Borrowers with existing properties with HECM loans who refinance those HECM loans do not have to pay the entire up-front mortgage insurance premium a second time, but rather on the difference (if any) between the old amount and the new amount if there has been an increase in the lending limit between the times of the two loans.

However, borrowers with existing HECM loans who sell their homes and purchase using a HECM loan will be required to pay the entire up-front mortgage insurance premium on the new purchase transaction.

HUD determines the amount of money the senior borrowers need to bring into the transaction based on the appraised value. This is a departure from the normal guideline of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less.

HUD has decided to allow borrowers who are purchasing a home at below market prices to be able to benefit from the higher appraised value and not have to bring in as much cash to close the transaction.

They must believe the safeguard against abuses with the anti-flipping rules have insulated them enough to allow this departure from normal valuation guidelines, but whatever their specific reasoning this allows seniors to gain access to homes with less money down under many circumstances.

A few things to remember are that the borrower has to have the funds required for down payment, they cannot come in part or entirely from a bridge loan, loans from credit cards or other secondary financing.

HUD does allow prospective HECM borrowers to look to other FHA allowable funding sources for a portion or all of the necessary down payments such as family, close friends and non-profit organizations (that are not seller financed).

Borrowers must be counseled with regard to the purchase program specifically including all the enhancements covered herein.

Before this, many senior borrowers who could not qualify for loans under conventional underwriting standards or who did not want to take all the equity from their existing dwelling and use it to purchase a new property, simply had to stay where they were.

This enhancement allows them to use the HECM program to purchase a property, not pay 100% cash for the home without having to qualify for and pay monthly mortgage payments, and gives them options they never had.

As of January 1, 2009, seniors who have the desire, now have the vehicle to purchase a home which might better suit their needs or their lifestyle, without qualification, without ever making a monthly mortgage payment and allowing them to hang on to some of the money they would otherwise have had to put down on the property sounds like a great start on the new year for seniors!

Michael G. Branson (CEO All Reverse Mortgage Company)is a Mortgage Broker who has over 31 years of mortgage banking experience. Toll Free (888) 801-2762

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The Charming Village of Salado
By Ki Gray

 The village of Salado, between Austin and Waco on Interstate 35, is a very historic community that emphasizes an interest in the arts, education, natural beauty and scenic attractions. The longest continually operating hotel in Texas, the Stagecoach Inn, and the hotel is known for its excellent restaurant and historic setting. Salado is also proud to have eighteen of its oldest buildings included on the National Register of Historical Places and twenty-three Texas Historical Markers.

Salado was not incorporated until the year 2003, and the town boasts a population of just under 5,000 residents. The town was founded in 1859 on the Old Military Road crossing of Salado Creek, and was originally an agricultural and industrial center.

Salado College operated in the community until 1895, and was considered a very prestigious school at the time. However, when the railroad built tracks to the east and north of the town after the decline of the cattle trade, which was a thriving industry in Salado since the Chisholm Trail ran directly through Salado, the population began to decline.

In the mid-1900s, a revitalization of the city began, when Salado Creek was designated the first recorded Texas Natural Landmark in 1966, and the city developed an interest in an arts community based on historic businesses and homes. Two of these businesses were the Central Texas Area Museum, constructed in 1959, and the Stagecoach Inn and its famous dining room, which had always retained a following of loyal customers.

Salado, which is currently known as the Best Art Town in Texas, began the incorporation process around the year 2000, when the residents of the town became concerned about annexation from nearby Belton. Incorporation of the city ended 120 years of local history with no official town government, during which time the town flourished by catering to the tourist trade and affiliated businesses, which included 2 hotels, 2 blacksmiths, 7 churches, and 14 stores, along with a Masonic Lodge, in 1884.

Today, the town has about 130 small businesses, many of which are art-related, and is also known for its UIL academics in the public schools, which are administered by the Salado Independent School District.

Salado is the home of the academic team named the Salado Eagles, which won a five year streak of academic titles, and is also proud of their excellent sports program which includes the Salado Baseball Team, which won the State Championship in 2008, as well as Salado High School’s 2008 victory in the Lone Star Cup.

Salado has been home to many notable residents over the years, including authors Liz Carpenter and A.C. Green, and Texas governors James Ferguson and Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, among others, including the infamous outlaw Sam Bass.

Today, Salado offers residents and visitors many choices for lodging, including hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and R.V. campgrounds, including the Stagecoach Inn, a Residence Inn by Marriott, a La Quinta Hotel and a Holiday Inn Express.

Some of the amenities of the historic Stagecoach Inn include 82 guest rooms and four town homes at Mill Creek Golf Course, and the award-winning restaurant, which specializes in prime rib and other delicacies. Other choices for diners in Salado include the Ambrosia Tea Room and Browning’s Courtyard Cafe, and the Range at Barton House, among many others.

With its unparallel historic pedigree and natural beauty, as well as its numerous amenities and opportunities for shopping or just strolling down Main Street, Salado is a sure-fire place to visit!

Escapeso Real Estate is a small realty company operating in central Austin. They provide a guide to the Austin real estate market through their site as well as a search of the Austin MLS and graph showing mortgage interest rates

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 Real estate, like just about anything in real life, is something that you can succeed in without studying it in school. It’s not like becoming a lawyer or engineer; your success depends on your own mettle.

Knowledge can be acquire d through experience and amplified through good, old-fashioned common sense. Many people have become very successful in real estate investment entirely on their own, with no help or advice whatsoever. You may be able to do that too.

However, one thing that is inevitable if you jump right in-you will make mistakes. Some of these mistakes will turn out to be quite costly in terms of both money and time. Chances are, many people have already made these mistakes. Wouldn’t you rather learn from other people’s expensive mistakes than have to make these mistakes for yourself?

The first kind of knowledge you need to acquire is a working knowledge of the basic concepts of the real estate business. You need to become aware of the various approaches to real estate investment strategy, and decide what approach and type of real estate investment strategy best suits you, yourself and your resources. For example, if you were to choose to invest by acquiring foreclosed properties, you’d have to learn about how foreclosure works, learn about real estate law, learn about zoning, learn about the market for the kind of properties you want to acquire, and more.

Much of this you can learn from books, public documents, and the Internet. However, one disadvantage of learning this way is that it isn’t very selective.

How will you know what you will and will not need to know until you actually succeed as a real estate investor? It’s kind of a catch 22-you won’t know something is useless until you learn it and don’t use it. This is one advantage of learning through

training-you work directly with successful real estate investors who are experienced in the local area you want to invest in, and the type of investing you want to do. They have already vetted what you do and do not need to know well in advance for you.

Training with real live people has many advantages over books, the Internet or learn-at-home courses. Real live human beings can give you feedback on the fly. They can apply their knowledge and experience directly to your own unique situation, and best of all, can give you objective, expert critiques. If you choose to go “all the way” with your real estate training and hire a coach or mentor, they can help you in many unique ways. For example, they can help you not only set clear, achievable goals but also they can keep you honest about working toward them. When you are working with a real estate coach, there is no wiggle room for passing the buck or making excuses.

They can also help you plan your business well into the future, and give you the benefit of their knowhow and experience to work toward your dreams.

Peter Vekselman has been successfully investing in real estate since 1996. He has completed over 1000 real estate deals, owned a construction company, been a private lender, and owned a property management

company. To learn more about Peter please visit

http://www.coachingbypeter.com.

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 Whether you’re a novice real estate investor or you’ve been at it for years, real estate investing is an endless series of challenges. First, you have to locate motivated sellers.

Then you have to buy it right, manage it even better, and still find a way to turn a profit. To top it off, you have to try to do all these things while simultaneously juggling the myriad other details of your life while laying the groundwork to become a full-time investor.

There just isn’t enough time in the day, is there?

Wouldn’t it be nice if profitable deals would almost magically come to you?

Well, they can.

By putting Bird Dogs to work for you there’s more time for you to concentrate your energies on more profitable activities: negotiating with sellers, putting together winning proposals, and moving on to the next deal.

In case you’re not familiar with what a bird dog is - or what a bird dog does - they are basically scouts that sniff out deals for you. Their sole job is to locate properties that have motivated sellers and lay the groundwork for you to move in and close the deal. This saves you time for the really profitable aspects of real estate investing.

While all bird dogs are not Realtors, Realtors have a huge advantage over non Realtor bird dogs, for obvious reasons: They have access to the local MLS, FLMS listings, they know the neighborhood, they know how long the homes are on the market, they know what buyers are looking for, they know what it will take to get it in resale condition, they have access to motivated buyers and sellers or can find them for you.

Without motivated sellers you can’t put together real estate deals. The problem you have is there are only so many hours in the day for you to do everything that needs to be done. If you still have a full-time job working for someone else you have even less time available for your marketing and prospecting efforts.

If you assume that marketing - of which locating motivated sellers is a critical part - takes 20%-25% of your time, you can easily see how little time that leaves for the other activities you need to be doing on an on-going basis to reach your goals.

By having a bird dog or bird dogs doing these things for you it allows you to better utilize the time resources you have at your disposal. A good bird dog isn’t born: they’re made. It’s going to take a little effort on your part to help your bird dogs help you.

The best way for you to do this is by clearly articulating to them what you need. Again, here is where Realtors can be invaluable, because you will spend less time bringing Realtors up to speed as they already have had extensive training.

The good news is that there are plenty of people willing to be bird dogs. They could be friends, family members, or others you come in contact with. You can also work with novice real estate investors through your local REIA to locate properties for you.

It’s also relatively easy to put together larger teams of bird dogs by utilizing message boards, Craig’s List, and other online resources. If all else fails you can run a newspaper ad of your own.

The main point here is that bird dogs will free up more of your time so you can do those things that have a greater probability of earning you money.

Bird dogs can be the path to your real estate investing goals. The finder’s fees you’ll pay your bird dogs for bringing deals to you are more than offset by the value - and the wealth - they’ll generate for you.

Take the time to learn how to work with bird dogs in reaching your investing dreams. As you get better at working with bird dogs you’ll find that you have more time and money for other pursuits - like deciding what to tell your boss when you quit your full-time job and take the plunge into full-time real estate investing.

Peter Vekselman has been successfully investing in real estate since 1996. He has completed over 1000 real estate deals, owned a construction company, been a private lender, and owned a property management

company. To learn more about Peter please visit

http://www.coachingbypeter.com.

Your Source For Real Estate Services

How to Choose a Santa Cruz Realtor
By Seb Frey

 Choosing a realtor is an important decision as you look to buy your next Santa Cruz home. Your realtor needs to be someone you can trust to look out for your interest and help you find a home that meets both your needs and wants. Take some time to carefully consider your partner in the home buying process.

Get Referrals

If you know someone who has recently purchased property in Santa Cruz, find out how he felt about his realtor. If you know business people in the Santa Cruz area, talk to them to learn if they have any realtors that they can recommend. A first-hand referral is one of the best ways to find someone with the right knowledge and dedication to be a good choice.

Read Real Estate Listings

If you have a particular type of property you are interested in, such as a beach front condo or a luxury estate, start browsing real estate listings to see if there are any realtors who specialize in that type of property. Choosing someone with expertise in the exact type of property you want will help the shopping process to go smoothly.

Do Some Interviews

Narrow down the field to three or four potentially promising realtors, and then schedule interviews with them. Tell them what type of home you want, how long you have before you are ready to move, and how much money you want to spend. Ask them how they could help you, and even ask to see some properties that they think might be a good match. These interviews will help you get a feel for whether or not you enjoy the personality of the realtor. Remember, you will be spending a decent amount of time with your realtor as you shop for a home, so make sure you feel comfortable conversing with the one you choose.

Choose Someone with Experience in the Market

Knowledge of real estate in general is not enough when you are shopping for property in Santa Cruz. You need a realtor who not only understands the real estate market as a whole, but also understands the Santa Cruz real estate market. You want to work with someone who knows the amenities in the various neighborhoods, can tell you which neighborhoods offer the best views or beach access, and will tell you which areas are best to avoid. If you can, find a realtor who has spent some time living in Santa Cruz. This is the best way to get to know the area.

Inquire About Commissions

Never choose a realtor who asks for payment upfront. All reputable realtors get paid a commission at the closing. However, the percent the realtor charges may vary from realtor to realtor. Do not be afraid to ask about the commissions the realtor charges. Do not assume, though, that the cheapest realtor is the best. There is something to be said for paying for quality when it comes to finding someone to help you buy your dream home.

Seb Frey is a Capitola, California Real Estate Broker specializing in Santa Cruz Real Estate. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys helping people find their piece of the American Dream in Santa Cruz. You can find Seb’s blog at SantaCruzHomeBroker.com/blog.

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 If you are unsure about real estate investing, what to invest in, when the best time to invest is and what type of real estate investments to avoid there is nothing better than actually talking to people who have made a success of real estate investing, themselves.

One of the best places to find such like- minded individuals with a proven track record is by joining real estate investment clubs. These clubs are often made up of members who are real estate investors or who have an interest in real estate investing.

By joining one of these clubs you can pick up all kinds of tips from people who have first- hand experience. You can also avoid the pitfalls by learning from someone else and the experiences that they have had especially if they have lost money because they made an unwise investment.

Basically this means that you are able to work with others with great amount of experience and knowledge.

Basically this means that you are able to work with others with great amount of experience and knowledge. You also may be in a position of networking that could prove useful to you.

To join a club there is usually a joining fee and additional subs but the benefits you receive far outweigh the minimal cost of membership or trying to go it alone, if you do not have much knowledge of the industry.

Real estate investment clubs also open up a great way for you to make connections or even to find a partner.

It is a great way to minimise the risk of real estate investing and can allow you to save money as sometimes club members wanting to sell property will offer it for sale directly to other club members. This means that you can by- pass the realtor and their fees, saving you money.

It provides a win, win situation for buying property but there are also other ways of investing in real estate that can provide you with an even greater win, win situation and also the peace of mind that you are looking for without also having to do all the work yourself.

There are a minefield of laws associated with real estate investing and the different ways that you can go about it. So if you want help, turn to one of the socially ethical investment companies that invest in affordable housing for those who need it this provides a great opportunity to see the kind of returns on your investment that you only dreamed of.

Some of these companies are so confident in how they invest they also give a guarantee to refund you the difference that your money should have made on your investments with them if they don’t. So in many ways they are much better than joining real estate investment clubs.

Karen is a professional writer who advocates socially conscious real estate investing through the use of retirement vehicles such as IRAs, 401Ks. For more information, or to get involved, please visit now.

With the Current Stock Market Malaise, Investment in Phoenix Real Estate Makes Even More Sense
By Roberto Garabell

 The Phoenix residential real estate market represents a great opportunity to individuals, families, and investors who are weary about the stock market and are realizing that their investment portfolios are too exposed to fluctuations in Wall Street. By now, the reality has sunk in with most people - the stock markets decline has hit 401K and other retirement investments hard. As a result, this is a critical time to for individuals, families, and investors to rethink diversification of their portfolios again. Portfolios need to be more highly diversified than ever before.

And its time to rethink real estate as one component of your diversification in the future in addition to stocks, bonds, commodities, international investment, and low-risk savings instruments, to name a few.

Wall Street, Main Street, and My Street, and Real Estate

There is no doubt that the goings-on in the real estate industry are intermingled with the market challenges that Wall Street is facing, which in turn impacts Main Street and My Street. But the issues with real estate largely emanated from the many corporations that make up Wall Street combined with lack of government oversight and inaction. Lack of personal discretion also contributed to the problem.

Having said that, here is why real estate should be a component in your investment portfolio once again, and why the Phoenix real estate market is an excellent choice for investment to help you diversify that portfolio.

First, due to the wave of foreclosure-related properties, prices have declined to 2004 and even 2003 pricing levels. This is pricing that is pre-run up. Though there is a risk that prices may drop further, the extent of a further decline may be limited in the short term while the long term outlook gradually gets stronger.

Second, real estate can prove to be a more reliable investment in a normal market environment. Prior to the run-up in home valuations in the second half of 2004 through 2005, annual home appreciation in the Phoenix residential real estate market averaged 5%-6% . Playing the long game as investors should, holding a property for 5-20 years could yield a solid return.

Long term is key here. The investor has to be committed to a lower but steady return on their investment when it comes to real estate. The Phoenix housing market will not likely experience a meteoric rise in valuations like it did again. Thats not to say that there wont be some opportunities to turn properties fast (whether through acquisition at a foreclosure auction or wholesale, or a flip), but this model will have the high risk that most investors will and should shy away from.

One note here. At least in the Phoenix area, investors have to weigh the merits of investments in homes and real estate by several components to get a true picture of the return on a property. These factors are growth in appreciation, rental income and offsets, tax benefits, and equity paydown and buildup.

Third, real estate is real. You can see it. You can touch it. You can check up on it (if you buy locally). And it will always hold some intrinsic value no matter what happens. If you have a home in Chandler, it is easy to get across the Phoenix area, to check up on an investment property in Glendale. Or, perhaps the investment property you choose is right next door to your home in Tempe.

Fourth, under certain circumstances, real estate taxation on capital gains growth can be minimal. The same cannot be said of many other investment vehicles.

Fifth, an investor has much more control in determining the value of the property. Smart improvements and renovations combined with effective property management can increase the value of the property substantially.

Sixth, the Phoenix area continues to grow. The Valley saw a 2.8% increase in the number of residents here last year. This trend will continue as Phoenix and surrounding areas are perceived as a stable, optimum climate to live and to work. With the decline in real estate prices, this perception will also be reinforced by a sense that Phoenix and surrounding areas are once again affordable.

Finally, real estate can serve a dual investment/personal objective. For instance, an investment in real estate can serve as a later gift for children. Or, it can be utilized as a sort of savings plan for childrens college tuition as a complement to 529s and Coverdell plans. The investment could be a retirement property for later in life. Real estate investments can also be used to create income streams to live off of (when rents and equity buildup eventually turn the property cash-flow positive).

There are numerous reasons to invest in real estate even beyond this list.

Real Estate Has A Role to Play in Your Investment Portfolio

The difficult truth about the stock market is that over the past eight years, the U.S. economy has seen two major disruptions or recessions that were severe enough to have rippling effects for all Americans as seen by the decline in 401K and other retirement savings values. As a result, further diversification of investment portfolios is needed across many different asset classes with a regional focus as well.

Real estate should be one of those classes.

Given real estate has seen real substantial pricing declines over the last three years to levels seen before the run-up period, one has to consider that there are real deals in the marketplace for real estate. Coupled with the right long-term outlook and commitment to investment fundamentals, real estate can have a more effectual, countervailing purpose in investment portfolios that can help Americans better weather substantial market disruptions in the future. For investors looking for specific markets that may be worthwhile to investigate, real estate in the Phoenix area is a compelling choice.

David Lorti is a professional Realtor for RE/MAX Elite in the Phoenix area and helps clients buy and sell homes. He holds a Master of International Management and Bachelor of Arts degrees and his insights have been quoted in several news outlets. He also holds a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) designation - one of only 1,600 Realtors nationwide. His website, www.LortiHomesArizona.com, and blog, www.LortiHomesBlog.com, offer market updates and other information pertinent to home buyers, home sellers, and investors. Visit With the Current Stock Market Malaise, Investment in Phoenix Real Estate Makes Even

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