Why You’re Not Rich

Published by julia | Filed under Miscellaneous, Shout Outs

Many people assume they aren’t rich because they don’t earn enough money. If I only earned a little more, I could save and invest better, they say.

The problem with that theory is they were probably making exactly the same argument before their last several raises. Becoming a millionaire has less to do with how much you make, it’s how you treat money in your daily life.

The list of reasons you may not be rich doesn’t end at 10. Caring what your neighbors think, not being patient, having bad habits, not having goals, not being prepared, trying to make a quick buck, relying on others to handle your money, investing in things you don’t understand, being financially afraid and ignoring your finances.
Here are 10 more possible reasons you aren’t rich:

You care what your car looks like: A car is a means of transportation to get from one place to another, but many people don’t view it that way. Instead, they consider it a reflection of themselves and spend money every two years or so to impress others instead of driving the car for its entire useful life and investing the money saved. Read the rest of this entry »

Entertainment and Your Kids

Published by julia | Filed under Miscellaneous, Shout Outs

Even without conducting scientific studies and surveys, we have all come to recognize the influence of media, particularly entertainment, on our lives. What’s more troubling is that extreme violence and overtly sexual content are quite prevalent in television and movies today and some have grown quite complacent about it. But make no mistake, kids are indeed more receptive to this influence, owing to their age and impressionability. But there are some ways for you and your family to combat the negative effects of entertainment and steer your young ones from unsuitable programs.

First option: censorship. The parental control feature in computers and televisions was installed for very good purpose—use it. There is no reason for you to exercise some parental will and prevent your children from seeing programs and websites that should be viewed by adults only. Charity is not the only value that begins at home, so does having the sense to know what is appropriate or not. The moment we let our kids take total control on what they see, we give them the message that we really don’t care what kind of programs they watch. And that’s the worse kind of message to give them. Read the rest of this entry »

Getting Pre-Approved

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

Financing a home can be a difficult process if you are not looking for the right loan for you. What you need to be concerned about is not getting the financing, but getting the right financing. You will want to look for the best terms at the lowest cost. If you want to review your financing options, you will need to meet with a lender who can explain al of the different types of loans that you will be able to afford as well as the program that will help you meet your goals. Once you determine with the lender how much you can afford, you will be able to narrow down your housing search to specific neighborhoods.

Once you meet with your loan officer and he has reviews your finances, the officer will let you know what type of mortgage and what the loan amount he thinks that you can qualify for. The lender will then provide a pre-approval letter that shows your borrowing power.

Your pre-approval letter is not a final commitment for the loan, but it is a necessary step in order to look at home’s with an agent. Some require, and some recommend it. It shows that you will have the ability to complete the purchase of a home. Otherwise, agents and sellers could think you are just wasting their time. Sellers do not want to get into the final hours before closing and find out that the buyer cannot get financing. Read the rest of this entry »

Economic Recovery Bill

Published by julia | Filed under Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Shout Outs

As most of you know the “Economic Recovery” bill passed today. Some are calling it “The Lobbyists’ Reward” bill because what started as a 3 page document ended up over 400 pages long! So, you can imagine how many moving parts there are to the puzzle.

Some commentators have said there are even parts about the price of imported Jamaican rum, as well as the degree of safety of children’s’ toy wooden arrows! The status of the “mark to market” rules and the up tick/ short selling rule is unsure at this point. Either way, at least it is a step toward stabilization, hopefully bringing normalcy to the market very soon. In the meantime, here are some great rates for the weekend!

Mortgage Rates: 10/03/08

Loans under $417,000
(With 10 Minute Approvals & 2 Week Settlements)

30 YEAR FIXED
5.875 % + 1 PT
6.00 % + 0 PT
Read the rest of this entry »

The Dow is Plunging, People are Losing Money and Real Estate is Dead

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Yes, the Dow is plunging lower and lower every day and yes people are losing money and investments left and right, but the real estate market is not dead. When it comes to buying and selling real estate, the lower the Dow falls the lower the home prices fall and the better deal a home buyer can find on the market.

While there may be a bit of trouble finding mortgage financing for home buyers with less than stellar credit scores, the mortgage market for buyers with above average credit ratings is fairly unchanged, aside from the huge price reductions that is. The home prices all over the United States are falling at a rate faster than ever before and those potential home buyers who were waiting for the perfect deal are primed to buy, buy, buy.

In order to make the sale and make it fast, the real estate agent needs to understand that the market is full right now of available homes. Never has the cliché phrase, “It s buyer’s market!” ever been so true.  So what do you need to do to sell a home when there are hundreds just like the ones you are showing within a small mileage radius, offer the buyer more! Read the rest of this entry »

How To Choose the Right Home Builder For Your New Home

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Not every person likes to buy an existing home when shopping for that dream spot on earth. For those who want to be the first one living in that new home, a home builder will pose the first obstacle in the home building project.

In order to choose just the right home builder for your project, you will first need to decide which type of home you will want to have constructed. There are two types of home builders. The production home builder and the custom home builder.

The Production Home Builder

The production home is one that is designed on a large scale and mass produced as a “model”. These models are often changed up a bit with available customizations and upgrades to the home. These upgrades are offered as part of a package added onto a base model home.

Production homes are often offered at a base price with additional costs being added to the final price for those last minute touches. When choosing a production home builder, it is best to buy the home as a package with all of the appliances and upgrades included. Adding these items individually can drive the price up higher than the market value may allow; leaving the owner with immediate negative equity in the home. Read the rest of this entry »

The Diversity of Miami Real Estate

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Cool Listings, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Miami, Florida, is one of the most eclectic and dynamic locations in the United States. This is due, in part, to the diverse ethnicities that can be found there. People from all over the Caribbean and the Americas have combined to create a truly unique, and culturally rich, area.

This area is not only an amazing location for a vacation home it is also well established as a business center. Because of its diversity and the tropical climate Miami has become home to businesses from around the world. One of the industries that flourish here is tourism. The nearby Miami Beach has been drawing crowds for decades. There are now well established and world famous restaurants, hotels, and resorts. For those who come and fall in love with the area there are also condominiums, and breathtaking waterfront homes.

This beautiful location became an ideal location to film television shows and movies. Reality shows such as After Dark, Miami Animal Police, Room Raiders, Bounty Girls, Beach Patrol Miami, and Real Miami Cops are all filmed in the Miami area. Latin television shows also take advantage of the location and ethnic diversity found in Miami. Some of the movies that have been filmed in the area are Goldfinger, Casino Royal, Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, Wild Things, and There’s Something About Mary.

With all of the movies that have been filmed Miami has become a favorite home location of many television and movie stars. This preference by the Hollywood elite has created a booming real estate market in Miami. Not only do the stars themselves want to invest in homes but their investment brings other interest to the market as well. Primary residences as well as luxurious vacation homes have been bought by a variety of actors and actresses.

With all of the celebrities that have settled in the area the options for having fun have also increased. Beaches such as Pearl Beach, Nikki Beach, and of course Miami Beach allow visitors and residents alike to enjoy sun bathing, water sports, and the increasingly popular sport of people watching. In addition to the beach attractions Miami also has a plethora of restaurants and night clubs to entertain and delight.

Miami has one of the hottest real estate markets in Florida. The near paradise like weather, beautiful beaches, attractive homes, nightlife, activities and entertainment venues makes this South Florida area ideal for those looking for a real estate investment, new home, or vacation home.

Tampa Bay area Real Estate by City:
Apollo Beach Homes | Belleair Beach | Brandon Homes | Channelside District | Clearwater Real Estate | Dunedin | Gibsonton | Holiday | Indian Rocks Beach | Indian Shores | Land O Lakes | Largo | Lithia | Lutz Real Estate | Madeira Beach | New Port Richey | New Tampa Homes | Odessa | Oldsmar Homes | Palm Harbor | Pasadena | Pinellas Park | Plant City | Port Richey | Riverview Homes | Ruskin | Safety Harbor | Seffner | Seminole | St. Petersburg | Sun City Center | Tarpon Springs | Thonotosassa | Treasure Island | Valrico Homes | Wesley Chapel Homes | Ybor City | Zephyrhills | Tampa Short Sale

 

The Nudist Homebuyer

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Cool Listings, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

When searching for options in real estate for the nudist, the home based community may be the last in a line of choices. Many communities shy away from a totally nude lifestyle for fear of placing children in an atmosphere that may be inappropriate for the youngest of residents. But, rest assured, there are real estate options out there for the nudist that can be undertaken on a part time basis and without the worries of children and onlookers.

Hotels

Across America, there are more and more nudist hotels popping up all the time. In Tampa, the Paradise Lakes hotel looks and feels just like any other top of the line hotel. But, the hotel reserves the option when it comes to clothing. Many people who choose to stay at the Paradise Lakes hotel choose so because they can leave their clothing in the room and walk right out the front door just as they were born, nude.

Cabins

When choosing a more outdoor vacation or trip, a cabin can provide the much needed seclusion for the nudist. These cabins are often placed right in the middle of nature and far enough away from the rest of the world to keep those onlookers at bay. And, a cabin tends to be much sturdier than a tent. Read the rest of this entry »

Tampa Real Estate and Why You Should Buy In Tampa, FL

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Tampa, a city in the southeastern part of Florida, is part of the urban municipal commonly called the ‘Tampa Bay Area’.

Real Estate in Tampa

Tampa is ranked as the largest seaport in the U.S.A. and consists of four counties namely Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Hernando County.  All types of housing units can be found in Tampa.  The cost of homes ranges from $100,000 to $2million depending on the type of home.  Research indicates that the cost of living and of property in Tampa was relatively low but increased in the recent past.  It is also generally felt that properties outside of the city are less costly, especially areas between Tampa and Sarasota.   Further research shows that in 2003, approximately 10,000 houses were sold.  This number increased toward the 2nd quarter of 2005 to roughly 20,000 homes.  The upward trend ceased in 2006 and has been dropping steadily.  In the early quarter of 2008, sales are approximately 4,000 to date. Read the rest of this entry »

Are Foreclosures Worth the Money?

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

Foreclosures often have this feel of dirt or ill-cared for homes. These homes are often and unfairly associated with those individuals who live in the darker corners of society. It is often felt that foreclosures are things that only criminals or the ill educated suffer from. This is not the case though, and with the recent numbers of predatory lending institutions coming about and the loss of jobs due to a poor economy, the number of foreclosures from honest people has risen dramatically.

Foreclosures occur when people can no longer afford to pay their mortgage. This can because of health problems, a job loss, improperly handled debts, or any other reason that causes the money to be either spent elsewhere or not brought into the house to be used towards the mortgage. Often times, the people of the house are doing all that they can to pay the mortgage and simply cannot handle the payments any longer. These people honestly wanted to own a home and enjoy the American dream of owning a home, but simply were unable to accomplish this.

With the increasing number of foreclosures on the market, home buyers are being inundated with potential homes that have been foreclosed. These homes are often considerably less expensive than the average home, but are often ignored because of potential problems from those who do not understand foreclosures. Read the rest of this entry »

Buying a Home in Florida

Published by julia | Filed under Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Florida borders Alabama in the northwest and Georgia in the northeast. It is a state with diverse weather changes including tropical and humid subtropical climates. Florida is the fourth most populated State in the US.

When buying a home in Florida, one has to take into account many considerations such as the type of home one intends to purchase, the amount of funds one has, the location of the home one intends to buy, neighborhood and how they will buy the home either by taking out a mortgage or by cash.

Mortgage systems in Florida

There are numerous mortgage companies in Florida, which are helpful in assisting one buy the home of their choice. There are agents for home financing who help with processing, locating, and submitting one’s home credit package to the lender. They also assist one in finding the lowest rates of interest and credit charges. The limitation with direct lenders is that they lack access to the offers of other lenders. Florida’s mortgage companies make work easier for the buyer by finding the best mortgage for ones situation.

Points to note

For first time homebuyers, it is an obligation to give the mortgage broker accurate information. The loan application form along with other documents should be filled accurately before the final signing. The vital point is to know the terms and conditions of the mortgage prior to signing it. Read the rest of this entry »

Marketing Real Estate for Nudists

Published by julia | Filed under Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

When people are looking for a new home the number of choices on the market can be almost overwhelming.  Advertisements for homes can be found in the newspaper, in realtor magazines, on billboards, on signs, and online.  Online exposure is perhaps the best way to advertise a home to a niche market such as the nudist or clothing optional community.  This community typically has difficulty locating properties that fit their lifestyles and because of this may have to look at homes all over the country.

It would not be cost effective for these buyers to travel to each individual location and look at the print advertisements or to drive around looking for signs.  Indeed, even calling local realtors for listings can be problematic because a location that sounds good over the phone may be lacking the qualities the buyers are looking for.  Instead of trusting a stranger for a description they will be looking for information on their new home online.  Sometimes realtors will email individual pictures of homes.  However, these emails usually will include more than one home and can become confusing to the buyer.

When marketing real estate to the nude and clothing optional niche realtors need to think outside the box.  A company that wants to provide the best service for this niche will need to make their listings comprehensive and user friendly.  One way to accomplish both of these tasks is to create a website that features a complete virtual tour of the properties and surrounding locations.  This can be done in a number of ways. Read the rest of this entry »

Real Estate Matchmaking – Finding the Perfect House

Published by julia | Filed under Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

For most people, looking for a house to either buy or rent is a nerve-wracking experience. Finding the house that you have been dreaming about needs a careful step by step plan.

The first step towards owning one’s own home is comparing the amount of money that one has to spend on the house with the kind of house that one wants. This prevents unplanned purchases from poor decision-making.

When buying a house one should search the market for what is available in direct contrast to one’s own needs and the money he or she has to spend. Some people want houses for renting purposes while others want to buy and retain permanent ownership. The potential buyer should also look to see if the available houses are in places that have schools hospitals, churches, libraries and other amenities that most people take for granted like stores. Going to the internet and also asking around may make one’s search easier. Read the rest of this entry »

Today is the Best Time to Invest in Rent to Own Properties

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

The global housing market has been slowing for quite some time. That is why the current times is deemed the best for investing in rent to own properties. Buyers are more than hesitant to enter the currently sluggish housing industry. They are almost always aiming to be sure about their investment moves.

There are two types of home buyers who resort to acquiring rent to own houses. First are the cash-strapped buyers who are more than willing to buy and own a house. These people will strategize and seize all available mortgage, loans and installment opportunities just so they can start paying for their own homes for a fixed period of time. Rent to own transactions are very practical because in relatively small monthly amortizations, investors are given the chance to fully own units for a definite and specified period.

The second usual types of buyers of rent to own assets are those who have much capital and cash reserve to purchase but are wary of spending one big time. They are allotting greater portion of their money in other investments or earning opportunities, but at the same time, they feel the necessity to start the process of buying and owning a home. Read the rest of this entry »

Retirement Property Investment in on the Rise

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Communities, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Investments in retirement properties are truly on the rise. Through the years, the ageing population has been actively seeking real estate and assets to acquire. There are in fact, specially designated and designed retirement villages to serve as centers and hubs where retirees can actually make their own community.

People inevitably and naturally age. Responsible employees and workers think of their retirement years while they are still young. Thus, most elderly enjoying retirement benefits are those who have actually patiently and religiously saved while they were still young. There are numerous pension and retirement plans available for such a purpose.

Investing in a retirement property is a must for people who are systematically planning their retirements. The real estate industry recognizes that retirement property is becoming an active and lucrative segment. Thus, it is not surprising that developers are swooning to put up their own retirement centers. In a city, there are usually about two to three retirement villages available. There are even condominiums that are specifically made and marketed for retirement purposes. Read the rest of this entry »