In's And Out's Of Bargain Property

By Doc Schmyz

Distressed real estate is the diamond in the rough that all RE investors are seeking. HOWEVER, without doing your research you may lose far more then you will gain.

Use a step by step mind set. "Go by the numbers" when reviewing all the areas of the investment that you want to focus on here are a few things to think about and add to your list.

Keep in mind...this isnt listed in any particular order. Its just things to keep in mind the target real estate should meet at least one of the criteria, but not be too heavy in any other areas.

I give you...THE LIST:

KNOW WHY ON PRICE

Most investors focus on price first.

We are all looking for below market value. Buy for a little, sell for a lot. But why are they selling so low? Is it to solve one of the "3 D's"? (Debt, Death, Divorce)

What problems does the property have if any? Old cracked and faulty plumbing? Bad electric? If its an older craftsman style home those problems are very common. Is the foundation in good order? Don't forget holding costs.

Holding costs are one of the biggest profit killers to investors. Taxes, mortgage, commissions to agents (both selling and buying) gas, and electric...all these things add up...and FAST.

Poor determination of true market value is another obstacle to the successful deal. Market value is essentially a subjective exercise where the true value is not known until someone buys the property.

Check out other property near the one youre looking at investing in. what prices are they pulling in? Are they the same size? Lot size close to the one youre looking at? Same style of structure?

TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAN HELP YOU

Price and location are important this is true. But dont forget about the financing.

In some cases a full price purchase can allow you to leverage the terms to mean a lower interest rate or smaller down payment.

STUDY THE LOCAL MARKET

Experienced real estate investors try to learn everything about the market they are shopping in. Sometimes its the small details that give the property you're looking at the best chance to appreciate. For example: How close is the nearest church? Is the area family friendly? What is the local crime rate... is it close to good school? Where is the closest Fire/police station? Does the neighborhood have a community watch program? Next factor in the local floor plans that surround your target property. Was the last owner primarily concerned with vacancy rates, so they keep prices low instead of upgrading the property? In contrast, your research shows that particular upgrades like air-conditioning, second bathrooms, or enhanced security allow for both lower vacancies and higher rental rates.

LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION.

Location is usually seen as the most critical component of finding a good deal next to price. In reality, this matters much more if youre looking in terms of finding a long-term residence than it does for a quick sale. It's more critical to focus on the potential profit margins than the area it's located in. If the ugly home by the dump is more profitable than the fashionable condo downtown, then it's a better deal, aesthetics aside.

FIX AND FLIP AND FORECLOSURES

A familiar area ripe for investment picking is distressed properties or fixer-uppers. Of course these are the houses that need repairs to some degree. And the investor's job is to discount the costs of these repairs enough so that the profit is still suitable.

Fixer properties are a treasure trove to a savvy investor. If you have a good eye for details and can spot maintance problems you can make a nice return on your investment. Things like a bad roof, poor plumbing or a bad foundation can be very costly to repair. Once you have an idea of what youre looking at for repair cost, do yourself a favor and add a little buffer say 5%...just to be safe.

Know what it is ZONED for.

Zoning provides an opportunity to put the property to a higher or better use and is an area many investors ignore. Higher and better use means that the owner is getting the most out of the land. For example, if a lot is zoned for three units but contains a single lot, then it is not getting its highest and best use. Or if a lot is zoned commercial, yet there's a three unit residential building sitting on it, it is not getting its best and highest use, like a business or a store.

Think of it this way, what could make you more money...a single small house on the land you just invested in...Or a duplex on the same land? One tenet or two? Zoning is a gift or a curse depending on your plans with the property...makes sure you know before you buy it.

Classic zoning "no-no's" are garages converted to bedrooms. Non-permitted granny flats and detached garages. - 23204

About the Author:

Doc has been a investor since the early 1990's. In 2006 he started a online real estate investing information website. His goal is to help other investors by offering them the information on real estate services that will help them

Gold Business For Maximum Profits.

By Ricardo Conti

Gold business in one of the most common business trends for smaller companies these days. Firms are continuously trying to find better ways to make profits with gold. For this, it is best to trade gold and particularly gold bullion. This way you can invest in the commodity.

Before dealing in gold, you need to have a good knowledge about the market value of gold. Next, buying gold bullion coins is an easy way for any company to invest in gold. Though gold coins are expensive, their value increases over time. The older the coins are the more is their value.

Gold maintains financial balance and preserves the wealth that you may use during sever economic crises. Business world is full of economic fluctuations, so one of the safest ways to ensure economic safety for companies is to trade gold and that too in different forms such as gold coins and bars.

Companies can even protect themselves from economic downfall by buying gold. However, it is good to know about the market value of gold before investing. Gold bullions will fetch high returns, as they have high demand.

The most suitable time to sell gold is when the market value is at its high. The huge demand of gold results in increased value and this is the right time to sell gold. Companies do not have to take any kind of loan from financial resources to trade gold. Next, selling gold is the easiest means to earn cash.

A company can retain profits by investing in gold and selling it during financial crunch. Some small companies invest money in gold to save themselves from market disequilibrium. Smaller companies that are looking to start new ventures or projects can make up money by selling gold in the form of gold bullion or any other related items that can fetch them enough money.

While uniting investments, gold is the best option because of the fixed market value. Companies today may deal in gold for huge profits. It offers big amount of returns and the right value of money. People who wish to secure their future in times of severe economic downfall may also invest in gold and reap the monetary profits.

When you consider consolidating investments, gold is the best, as it is very well known for the fixed market value. Many companies trade gold just for profit motive. It offers a big amount of financial return and the true value of money. It is also used by many companies due to the quality to survive the monetary falldown. - 23204

About the Author:

Before you consider to buy gold coins or gold bullion, check with the gold exchange market for where you can get more attractive returns by selling them.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates Before Buying Auto Insurance

By Guiscard Mathurin

Nothing can get more important than the auto insurance rates, when you think of buying auto insurance plans. And why not! As they are considered to influence how much you would end up paying. Thinking of auto insurance rate is thus considered to be the foremost thought people have.

One of the first thing people do is compare auto insurance rates. Doing so is not a tough activity at all, because all insurance companies have to furnish the auto insurance rates of their plans before hand. Declaring the auto insurance rate of an insurance plan thus gives the correct picture to people as far as their payments for the plan are considered.

You may have faced a situation where your friend could have got an auto insurance plan at A auto insurance rate, and you end up getting the same plan at a different auto insurance rate altogether. Dont be surprised because many underlying factors influence the pricing of an auto insurance plan. Remember, auto insurance rates hinge on how old you are, how good your driving history is and a lot of other factors.

So, what are the factors that influence insurance companies to present their auto insurance rates to people? For starters, your driving history will be taken into count before you get the auto insurance rate from the company. If your driving has been bad all this while, then chances are that you could end up paying a higher auto insurance rate.

Secondly, how old you are, and where you would be driving could also cause an impact on the auto insurance rates. If you are a senior citizen and would be driving on the rush hour roads of the city, the chances of you getting a low auto insurance rate is marginal. Quite surprisingly, you will find that women get insurance plans at a lower auto insurance rate. If you belong to the men folk, there are chances you may feel aggrieved, but you might just have to put up with this fact.

Fishing for auto insurance rates from insurance companies is not a tough ask. All you have to do is log in to the Internet, and within minutes, you will get quotes for auto insurance rates from auto insurance companies. The key though is for you to consider the factors mentioned above. - 23204

About the Author:

Save Money by comparing auto insurance online! Save HUGE by getting a lower auto insurance rate. Compare Auto Insurance Rates from local agents - when they compete you win. Get your Free Auto Insurance Quotes Today.

How To Deal With Bad Credit Reports As A Real Estate Investor

By Doc Schmyz

Creditors and bankers approve or disapprove loans based on your credit worthiness. In some cases it also will determine your credibility to certain employers or landlords.

A good credit rating allows you to be able to apply for loans and/or credit cards easily. It will also mean that you will have more chances of getting certain jobs that may require a background check. You will be able to pay your bills on time.

Having bad credit can reduce the opportunities of things. You may get approved for a loan or for a credit card but with a higher interest rate. You are considered a "at risk" customer because the creditors are not sure if you will pay your bills. If you are trying to apply for an apartment complex the landlords may take a look at your credit score to determine if you will be able to pay your rent. Not to mention that most look at the report and will use it to form an opinion about you character.

These are just some of the many reasons as to why having a good credit score is very important in today's world. However, what do you do if you happen to have a bad credit score? If you have bad credit it is important to fix the problem as soon as you can. Here are several ways to do just that.

First, you must stop your bad credit before it gets worse. So how do you do this? You pay your previous overdue debts as soon as possible.

Next, you can raise your credit score by opening a new savings or checking account. You should also apply for a secured credit card. This secured card will have a lower limit and a higher interest rate however,by paying the monthly credit card bills on time you will be able to see a significant rise in your credit history report.

Follow these steps you will eventually start to see a good credit rating. However, your past credit history will remain on the "books". This does not expire for 5 to 7 years. You must remember that it does take time to raise your credit rating. You must be patient and diligent to see a change. It is far easier to destroy your credit then to repair it.

That is why it is very important to make positive reports for your creditors. They then will pass those on to credit reporting agencies. Remember to pay your loans and credit cards on time in order to get a good credit rating. By doing so you will eventually end up with a good credit score and history. Never miss out on a future financial opportunity when they come your way. - 23204

About the Author:

Doc Schmyz has done real estate deals all over the US. He owns a free website that shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find Real estate investing information by state

Advantages of Mechanical Trading Systems

By Ahmad Hassam

Currency traders use different approaches in their trading. Majority of successful traders use self developed mechanical trading systems. There are always advantages and disadvantages of different trading systems. The majority of unsuccessful traders depend on discrete trading method.

Many traders use their own developed trading systems. There are many actively developed trading systems for sale as computer programs also known as Expert Advisors or Robots. Theses robots vary widely in prices. It can be from a few hundred dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars.

Sometimes these computer programs are developed for a certain bank or a corporation. The significant advantage of these programs is that they generate signals that can be used by the trader for trading.

The discrete trading method used by many traders is like an artist trying to adapt to different market conditions and using flexibility and tactics corresponding to the particular market condition.

In case of a discrete trading method, the traders mood and health can greatly affect the outcome of each trade. The main disadvantage of the discrete trading approach is due to the stress factor influencing the trader, the unstable trade results.

A mechanical trading system prevents the trader from quick adjustment of trade tactics and strategies under changing market conditions. However, it almost completely removes the influences of the stress factor. It also reduces the negative pressure on a trader which is obviously a big plus.

A mechanical trading system also doesnt allow the quick customization of the trading system in cases like the change of the account size. There are eight requirements that any ideal trading systems should fulfill. These conditions are:

1. A trading system should allow for the maximum adjustment to any traders psychological character and makeup.

2. The trading system should depend on trading methods that are universal and does not depend on a particular market condition at any moment of time.

3. It should be simple, logical and depend on understandable ready to use elements and units.

4. The trading system should provide specific price signals for the trader for entry and exit positions some time in advance.

5. The trading system must allow some room for the traders creativity. He/she should have the ability to tweak the system.

6. There should be some flexibility to modernize and adjust the trading system in accordance with the changing market conditions without violating its main principles and elements of the trading system.

7. The trading system should relieve the trader from emotional and psychological stress in trading.

8. It should be customizable. Different traders can use the same method with different account sizes and different risk/reward appetites.

No one trading system can fulfill all these requirements. Change of market conditions could lead to negative results from a previously effective trading system.

The only way of satisfying these conditions is through developing a diversified trading system consisting of a set of systems that can be used as the basis for specific trade tactics at any given moment. Trade systems based on these requirements could be complex and adjustable. - 23204

About the Author:

Mr. Ahmad Hassam has done Masters from Harvard University. He is interested in trading stocks and forex. Know These Forex Training Secrets. Learn Forex Trading.