Jan 20

Understanding Water Rights

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Grand Canyon at the Tapeats Creek & Colorado River confluence looking eastWater rights are a big business and many real estate investors are not aware of how much money can be made with them. This article covers some of the important points you need to know to start investing in water rights.

Riparian Rights and Land Surveying

By Charles Iner

Riparian rights, also known as littoral rights or riparian water rights, is a system of allocating water when multiple landowners possess land around the source of the water. With origins in English common law, Riparian rights exist in many countries, including Canada and Australia, as well as many states within the United States, particularly in the eastern half of the country.

The general principle of riparian water rights holds that all landowners with property adjacent to a body of water (such as a lake or river) have the right to make reasonable use of this water. This not only includes water up to the boundaries of a submerged property line, but also additional rights to water beyond the property line. If the amount of water is not enough to satisfy all landowners, allotments of the water are usually made in proportion to the amount of land directly abutting the water’s source, or the shoreline. In general, those owning land adjacent to the waterway are also assumed to own the land up to the center point of the waterway, unless land deeds state otherwise. This, however, may not be true if the waterway is navigable by boat. In this case, the average low water mark is the line used to determine land ownership. In many states, land below this mark belongs to the state government.

Riparian rights may include such activities as swimming, boating, and fishing, the right to build a wharf out to a point of aquatic navigability, the right to erect docks and piers and the right to use the water for household needs. The rights to this water cannot be sold or transferred, unless the adjoining land is also transferred. The water cannot be transported outside of the immediate area.

Although those living adjacent to a waterway have the right to protect property from both flooding and erosion, these activities are often subject to approval by various environmental agencies. Those with property next to a waterway also have the duty to allow the water to pass freely from one property to another, without pollution or diversion affecting the rights of other landholders. Landowners also have the responsibility to maintain the bed and banks of the watercourse, including keeping the area clear of debris or obstructions.

Due to small frontage, some lots receive a very small portion of water allocation, perhaps not enough to make use of the water without conflict with adjoining property owners. The configuration of the shoreline can affect riparian rights. In some cases, the entire waterway is apportioned, while in others, only the water near the shore is apportioned. The method use depends on the size of the lake or width of the waterway, among other factors.

An owner’s riparian rights, along with title to land along the river or lake, is dependent upon accurate knowledge of the property. Because water flows can affect the course of the shoreline over time, land surveys are often required to determine the exact property boundaries. In Public Land Survey System areas, a Meander Corner Monument or MC was set at each point where a section line intersected a river or lake. However, a survey of the coastline or shoreline area may show that there is more or less exposed land than seen on a previous map or survey. Natural phenomena such as storms, particularly hurricanes, can drastically change these boundaries, affecting the applicable riparian rights and often requiring a new survey.

We at Point to Point Land Surveyors pride ourselves on accuracy, customer service and quality work delivered on time, guaranteed. Residential land surveys are a specialty.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Iner
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Jan 19

Importance of Real Estate Photography

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back2We all know how important presentation is in regards to selling real estate.  The property must look appealing to potential buyers.  There also must be pictures online.  I can’t tell you how many times I have looked through home listings on line and find homes that do not have pictures. At the very least there must be one picture of the home, but to better show off the home there should be a picture home tour.

Real Estate Photography- Grow Business Earnings

Author: real estate

The photography which is done on Real Estate Development Company is known as real estate photography. The concept is very much popular in European and western countries/ companies. Because according to the real estate photography the market has to be established! Real estate photography is done in different ways such as in close-ups. The real estate which is to be marketed has to be identified first. The product is then suited by professional photographer from different angles from which the product is most likely to be a sellable hotcake. Since the real estate is govern by the products which are only shown in hypothetical manner, the real estate has to be marketed accordingly. Since, the real estate is depends upon the projected outcomes, is covered by the photography part. So, a photographer must be an analyzer in nature!

The photographer must know what the product will be after its completion of project. So, the photograph and actual product should match. Real estate photography makes a difference that good photos can make in the process of house for sale.

Importance of real estate photography

Digital presentation of real estate photographs is the key to good seller in the property market. In the present property marketplace, real estate photography became the essential tool of property firms! Digital photos are becoming popular and can be readily available in the market. Digital photos make real estate photography more natural and practical. If you want to search real estate photography for your property business, then you can find many online real estate photography professional websites online. By just surfing the internet you can gather some real estate photography tips and hints. For a professional real estate agent, it is must to take well-composed and exposed real estate photographs. By trying true methods of real estate photography you can produce real estate photos without the need of buying expensive tools.

Good online companies offer stunning real estate photography for both interactive and print use as well as three hundred sixty degree Panoramic virtual tour images, video production, multimedia presentations and image management. It is an important for you those great photographic images for marketing your position. Blur photos of real estates are never acceptable. To take better images of your real estates you should choose real estate photography. Over the past few years there are dramatic changes happened with introduction of digital camera has brought to the Real Estate photography industry. With such latest technology, a real estate photography transfer images to a web page on the internet, and flyers printed all within minutes. Nowadays, listings are quickly available to other real estate firms and purchasers worldwide who have access to a computer.

About the Author:

Sydney Real Estate Photography offers servics like Real Estate Photography, property photography, architectural photography, interior design photography and landscape photography. For more detail about Real Estate Photography visit: www.sydneyrealestatephotography.com.au and also visit: seo services

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Real Estate Photography- Grow Business Earnings

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Jan 14

Lease Option To Buy Tips

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PINK kitchen of my dreams in #2Lease option to buy is one of the best creative real estate strategies. The reason it is so good, is that it is beneficial for both parties involved. The real estate investor likes it because the property is occupied by a potential owner and the buyer likes it because they don’t have to qualify for a loan right away.

A Guide to Smart Real Estate Investing – Lease Option to Buy

By John D. Edwards

For many people, Investing in real estate can sometimes become a gamble, as there’s no way of telling what the future may bring. The real estate field can also be considered as a competitive environment to be in and this is probably why investors who get rich in this arena are usually the most cunning of the lot. Want to expand your knowledge and learn more on how you can invest in real estate? Then read on to find out more on what lease option to buy is all about.

First, what does it mean? If you haven’t heard of the term lease option before, here’s a brief summary of what you can expect. A lease purchase option to buy is basically an agreement that allows a prospective buyer to get a feel of a house by leasing it for a stipulated period of time. After that leasing period, the buyer can then decide whether to buy the property or let it go. Take note that it’s the buyer’s privilege to make a decision, as a lease purchase option should in no way be considered as an obligation. The terms and conditions of the lease option contract can be negotiated by parties and should state the exact price that the property is being sold and the time period of the lease. This is a great way for many first time investors to get into the real estate scene, as there is no need for a huge amount of capital to get ahead with this endeavor.

But before you delve into the world of lease purchase options, make sure that you are adequately armed with all the knowledge that you need. Conduct your own research about your target market as well as the strategies that you will need to put into action so that your demographic takes notice of you. Also keep updated with the true market value of the properties around the area so that you have an idea on how you can haggle for a lower asking price. If you ever encounter any pressing issues, make sure to talk it over with your real estate lawyer.

Since this is solely an agreement between you and the seller, you should review the contract and other pertinent documents carefully to see how it’s structured. And because this is an investment opportunity that can be considered as time sensitive, you should also learn to think ahead and assess whether the property will turn out to be a good investment in the future. Look out for any fine print on the contract because if you’re not careful, you might end up paying more than you expect. It’s up to the buyer and the seller to agree on the terms and conditions that are suitable for both parties.

Now that you know a little bit more on what a lease option to buy is all about, look up other tips and reminders that will be able to help you break into the world of real estate investing through lease option contracts.

Creative Real Estate Services offers home buyers with little cash and poor credit the opportunity for home ownership. Go to http://www.rtocalgary.com

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Jan 06

Real Estate Investing Tips For A Bad Economy

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Castle for saleThe economy is often an excuse for not getting involved in real estate investing.  The truth is, more money is made in a bad economy than in a good economy.  Get started today and reap the benefits of this economy.

Real Estate Investing Tips & Techniques

A number of things likely come to mind when you think of virtual real estate investing. Depending on how familiar you are with real estate investing already, you might think of real estate portfolios and real estate retirement plans, or you might focus on short sales, bulk reo investing and virtual real estate investing. You may also consider what roles these things play in your life as a real estate investor in different economies.

You can learn a lot about real estate investing. To get the most out of real estate investing education, be familiar with basic information ahead of time. No matter whether you are interested in short sales, bulk reo sales, virtual real estate or just enhancing your knowledge as a real estate investor, knowing some real estate investing basics will help you succeed. Review these three real estate investing basics that even some experts don’t yet know:

1. You will always get a positive yield with real estate investing education. Every good real estate deal represents thousands of dollars in potential wealth. The knowledge of how to get that wealth is the key to your success. When you know about real estate your odds of success increase with each real estate deal. Small investments yield big results when you invest in learning and then implement what you learn.

2. You have the ability to succeed in real estate investing in any economy. Many people think that you can only succeed in real estate when the economy is booming. You should remember that a bad economic situation is not usually bad for real estate investors. You can often buy properties at deep discounts. Also, you might find deals that simply could not exist in a booming economy. Real estate investing often is what turns the tide for poor economies. When the economy is not thriving, short sales, bulk reo sales and virtual real estate can all thrive. You can save yourself and others from major financial woes if you know how to do these deals.    –more

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Dec 31

Invest In Real Estate Without Buying Property

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Pune Properties - Real Estate India - Vilas Palash

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Do you want to invest in real estate, but don’t want the headache of renting, flipping, or maintenance?  Consider Real Estate ETFs instead.  You can often get several undred shares for less than a down payment on a piece of property.

Historically Real Estate ETFs have been a trusted way to invest in real estate without the worry of maintaining the property and they usually do not coincide with the fall of the stock market.  After the real estate crash many investors pulled out of ETFs, but now they are doing much better and could be an excellent place to put your money.

Real Estate ETFs to Consider if the Recovery Continues in 2010

The year 2009 brought a stellar rebound to US equity markets, with all the major sectors gaining ground. The most impressive returns happened in areas hardest hit during the late-2008 meltdown: Materials and Consumer Discretionary. However, the biggest sector winner by far was Technology with (as of December 24) a nearly 50% bounce from the end of 2008.

Another sector that jumped, especially since March, was Real Estate. Many investors still view real estate cautiously. Just a year ago real estate-related derivatives nearly collapsed financial markets around the world. Disaster was delayed only with massive purchases of mortgage-backed securities by governments and central banks.

Real estate values vary greatly by region. While Detroit will probably not recover for many years, Texas real estate has been relatively steady even during the recession. According to the US Census, Texas is still the fastest growing state in the country. However, the strongest region is the Midwest, where the National Association of Realtors reported a seasonally-adjusted 53.5% year-to-date increase in existing home sales. In addition, the Midwest reported the lowest decline in sales price compared to the other major regions this year. Existing home sales in November across the country were up 44.1% since the same month last year. Granted, NAR numbers are industry-biased, but they do report a trend that is hard to deny.

Both commercial and residential real estate have been emerging from a slump this year. If the recovery continues, we expect real estate to do well in 2010. We have highlighted three ETFs to consider if that happens. Bear in mind, these ETFs are heavily weighted in commercial real estate. If you’re looking to go long in the residential real estate market, you might want to call a Realtor.    –more

The Definitive Guide To Real Estate ETFs: Real Estate ETF Investing 101

Once considered a vital “return enhancer” in almost every portfolio, real estate as an asset class has fallen out of favor with investors following its spectacular collapse during (and role in causing) the recent global economic downturn. Real estate was historically embraced because of its potential for delivering excess returns in bull property markets and low correlation with traditional stock and bond investments. But as default rates skyrocketed, values plummeted, and correlations went to 1.0, asset managers have sold off real property and reallocated investor portfolios to equities and fixed income.

Despite its fall from grace, real estate is beginning to creep back into portfolios, as investors regain their appetite for risky assets (we include a small allocation to real estate in several of our All-ETF Model Portfolios ). Real estate ETFs have seen cash inflows of more than $3 billion year-to-date, reflecting perhaps a preference for achieving diversified exposure within this asset class instead of concentrating assets in a few REITs. For investors looking to make a play on real estate through ETFs, there are several options offering different levels of risk, current income, and exposure to sectors of the market.

Overview Of Real Estate ETFs

Real estate ETFs generally invest in real estate investment trusts (”REITs”), a tax designation for companies investing in real estate that may provide desirable tax benefits. REITs must distribute at least 90% of their income to investors, and offer an efficient way for investors to gain indirect exposure to real estate prices (as opposed to direct exposure gained through ownership of a residential property).    –more

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Dec 24

Interest Rate Hikes Are Coming

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You thought this year was tough for the real estate market, prepare for 2010.  Saying positive things will only go so far in helping the real estate sector.  Reality will soon set in and with that will come even more opportunities for real estate investors.

Interest rates will most likely start to creep back up as the article below describes.  With higher interest rates come more buyers looking for creative financing.  Prepare now for what is coming and you will be in a position to build a real estate empire.

Why Interest Rates Will Rise In 2010

Interest rates, artifically suppressed by the Federal Reserve and China, are about to start rising, and will continue rising for a generation.

On Christmas Eve 2009, I wish I could parrot the “happy-happy” Party Line that interest rates and mortgage rates will stay low for essentially ever, but that would require lying. The truth is the drivers of super-low interest rates are diminishing, and the forces of higher rates can no longer be restrained.

There have two primary drivers of super-low interest rates: The Federal Reserve and the Chinese buying Treasury bonds.

The Fed has created massive artificial demand for more U.S. debt in two ways; by direct purchase of bonds being auctioned (During the first 2 months of the new fiscal year, the Federal Reserve grew its balance sheet by about $65 billion, in effect purchasing about 22% of the federal government’s new debt) and by secretly buying Treasury bonds from “primary dealers” (banks) a few days after the auction.

This way, it appears for propaganda purposes that some private parties are actually buying T-bills to hold, when in fact they are only temporary proxies for cloaked Fed purchases.

The entire “package” of Fed buying of Treasury debt to keep interest rates low runs in the hundreds of billions–The Fed’s balance sheet ballooned to $2.24 trillion in assets as of last week, up 142 percent from the beginning of 2008. The Fed purchased outright $300 billion of longer-term Treasury securities, $1.2 trillion toxic-garbage mortgage backed securities no sane investor would touch, and hundreds of billions more in Treasury debt via proxy buyers.    –more

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Dec 23

2010 Real Estate Predictions

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Real estate investors pay attention to this.  The top 25 real estate markets for 2010 have just been released.  The top four spots are all in Ohio. Prices have been so low that experts say the only way to go is up.

Housing Predictor Releases 2010 Best 25 Market Forecast

As the nation’s real estate markets move closer to stabilization, more housing markets are forecast to experience appreciation in 2010, according to Destin, Florida-based Housing Predictor’s Best 25 Market Forecast in 2010.

In the New Year, housing markets in a dozen states are projected to appreciate, demonstrating the development of an improving trend in many markets across the nation. Despite the weak economy, the report said home sales are increasing in the majority of the country and are projected to improve over the first half of 2010, boosted by the federal government’s expansion of the homebuyer’s tax credit.

Propelled by bargain prices, four Ohio markets topped the list of the best 25. According to the report, home prices dropped to such low levels in many areas of Ohio, buyers were forced off the fence into new homes. Now that prices have gotten so low, the report predicts they have only one way to go, and that is up.

Markets are also expected to appreciate in cities in Nebraska, Texas, West Virginia, South Dakota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, North Dakota, Delaware, Alaska, and Virginia. The report said the 12 states represented on the top 25 list include many Midwest and Northern-tier states, which have been less severely impacted by the housing crisis. In all, 44 markets are currently forecast to experience housing inflation in 2010.    –more

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Dec 22

Home Sales Are Up

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The tax credit seems to have help home sales last month.  This still isn’t the end of the housing crisis and will probably be more a blurp rather than a change in the trend.

This is still a good market for investors.  The tax credit gave some people that extra push needed to buy a home, but those that can buy a home will take advantage of the tax credit.  Once that expires, home sales will drop back down.

There is still a market for creative financing like lease backs and seller financing.  Many families are in need of a place to live and can’t afford to buy a home through conventional methods because of lost jobs or other problems.

Creative financing can also be an excellent way for home sellers to compete against the short sales and foreclosures.  People trying to sell their home that isn’t distressed either use creating financing or will have to lose a lot of equity that they have built up over the years.

Existing Home Sales up Sharply in November

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.54 million units in November from 6.09 million in October, and are 44.1 percent higher than the 4.54 million-unit pace in November 2008. Current sales remain at the highest level since February 2007 when they hit 6.55 million.
…
Total housing inventory at the end of November declined 1.3 percent to 3.52 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 6.5-month supply at the current sales pace, down from an 7.0-month supply in October.    –more

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Dec 16

Top 10 Mistakes Made By Real Estate Investors

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Avoid Top 10 Mistakes Made By Real Estate Investors

Author: Real Estate Advisor

Real estate investment is perhaps one of the most lucrative forms of investment today. But it is also equally risk bound especially when one is not well versed with the trends and nuances of the real estate market. So if you are contemplating on investing in real estate, it is best to avoid costly mistakes in real estate investment especially when you invest your hard earned money into it. Knowing the most common mistakes made by real estate investors helps one steer away from making such mistakes in the future and ensures good return on investment.

Here are the top ten mistakes made by real estate investors, according to bankrate.com. Bankrate has put together the top ten mistakes after speaking to established, full-time real estate investors and other professionals involved in real estate investment such as bankers. Read on to know them and avoid them.

1. Not planning up ahead. Lack of a proper plan is the biggest mistake made by novice investors. Finding a house after forming a proper investment strategy is the right way instead of looking for a house to fit the plan. Many make the mistake of buying a house because it seems to be a good deal and then trying to see how they can fit it into their plan. Instead of buying a house and thinking one can plan in due course, investors should rather concentrate on the numbers and try to make offers on multiple properties. This will ensure a good property that not only matches their investment model but also works out well with the numbers they had planned for.

2. To believe you can make money quickly. The second major mistake that real estate investors make is to think it is very easy to get rich in real estate. This is only a myth and the reality is that investing in real estate is a long term project.

3. Doing it single-handedly. For becoming a successful real estate investor one needs to build a team of professionals who would assist the investor in his deals. This would ideally include a real estate agent, an appraiser, a home inspector, a closing attorney and a lender.

4. Making excess payment. One another reason that investors in real estate goof up in their investment is by paying too much for the properties they buy. Paying too much and locking up all the funds in the erred property deal will leave you with no money to redeem yourself.

5. Leaving out the groundwork. Not doing your homework could be a costly mistake if you were a real estate investor. Every field of business needs sufficient amount of homework to be done, and real estate investment is no exception. Learn the fundamentals and then venture into investing in properties.

6. Throwing caution to the winds. Investors have to exercise a certain degree of caution and take earnest efforts while making a deal. New investors often fail in this regard and sign a deal without doing adequate research on the property.

7. Miscalculating money flow. Investors whose strategy is to buy, hold and rent out properties need to ensure sufficient cash flow for maintenance. Property managers could be expensive and the owner has to incur more expenses such as mortgage, taxes, insurance, advertising costs etc. Investors have to allocate their budget such that all these expenses are taken care of, or end up having their asset turn into a liability.

8. Lowering the volume. A larger volume of deals or transactions helps in increasing the profits by reducing the impacts of marginal deals.

9. Getting trapped in your own deal. Having more number of options at hand for the property you buy is a wise strategy. This helps one to be prepared for fluctuations in the real estate market. Plans to rent out the house could go awry when the rental market slumps. Having alternative plans helps you cut down losses and tackle unexpected situations.

10. Making incorrect estimates. People who plan to rehab their house need to check if they will still reap the benefits at double the time that they had estimated. This ensures they do not miscalculate and lose money on the deal.

About the Author:
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Avoid Top 10 Mistakes Made By Real Estate Investors

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Dec 12

Real Estate Investing Strategies For Current Conditions

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Times are always changing and the savvy real estate investor needs to stay on top of current real estate investing strategies.  Here are a couple articles I found to help you make sure you are aware of the best investing practices available today.

Real Estate Investing Strategies For Today’s Market

A number of things likely come to mind when you think of real estate investing. You might immediately leap to real estate investing being real estate portfolios and real estate retirement plans or you may think instead of short sales, bulk reo investing and virtual real estate investing. Likely you also wonder how these things will factor into your life as a real estate investor in the current economy.

There is a lot of information out there on real estate investing. To get the most out of real estate investing education, be familiar with basic information ahead of time. Whether your target is short sales, bulk reo sales, virtual real estate or improving real estate investor abilities, you need to know some real estate investing basics. Check out these three real estate investing tenets that many experts do not fully know:   –more

Real Estate: Become an Owner With the Help of Government Grants

Home ownership has been part of the American dream for many years. The government wants its citizens to be a part of this dream and so has provided multiple programs and grants to help men and women do just that. There are many opportunities out there and to find out about them is free. The Housing and Urban Development’s (commonly referred to as HUD) website is a good place to look for discounted loan programs and reduced down payments.

The first thing that a potential home buyer should do is to search via the internet for grants that would be appropriate to their individual situation. Go to the government based website for grants and do a search of the site in order to discover the ones that will work for you. The next step would be to apply for the grant you have found.   –more

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