America's Top 5 Golf Communities

As the popularity of golf continues to grow, so has the popularity of golf communities. Golf communities are planned neighborhoods which are focused around golf courses but have many more amenities. The obvious advantage is the closeness and exclusiveness of living right next to a golf course. But many golf communities also offer perks such as chefs, nature trails, stables and in the most exclusive, access to private jets. Generally, these neighborhoods are also gated communities which adds an extra sense of security.

Golf communities continue to be built at a rapid rate. Today, 3 out of 5 golf courses that are built are part of a larger golf community. Golf communities are sometimes criticized because they seem to cater to the very wealthy at the exclusion of everyone else.

What are the top five golf communities in the United States?

Coming in at number five is the Mayacama community. It is located in the heart of wine country in California. Twenty-nine members are involved in the wine business and special access to wine is given the remaining residents. It sits on 675 acres and it is known for its excellent caddie program.

Kiawah Island comes in at number four. It is located in South Carolina and contains five golf courses. There are many mansions and large homes done in an old Charleston flair. Members can use two private courses. There are also two restaurants and a spa.

Number three on the list of top golf communities is Isleworth. It is located in Orlando, Florida and Tiger Woods can often be seen playing there. Isleworth is known for its list of amenities that make it family friendly. They have dances for the kids and even special Thanksgiving dinners. However, it is probably the men's lounge that attracts the most attention. It is 7,000 square feet and contains a putting green, a golf simulator, and a basketball court.

The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida is a strong example of golf's gated communities. There are only 96 houses in the entire community and each one is worth approximately six million dollars. There is a concierge and also an acclaimed chef on staff here. The Bear's Club is considered the number two golf community in America.

Topping out the list is Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, California. Santa Lucia Preserve is made up of over 20,000 acres, but 18,000 of that has been made into a wildlife conservatory. The remaining 2,000 acres is home to 300 families. There is a great golf course, as well as a excellent dining and a sports complex. One of its high points is its equestrian program.

If you are looking for uncompromising quality, check out one of the top five golf communities in America. However, be prepared, as these are the best of the best and are priced accordingly. If living in a golf community is one of your dreams, don't despair. New private communities are popping up everyday. As the popularity of golf communities increases, so will the chances of being able to afford to live in one. Golf communities offer so much more than golf and the luxury behind these top five gated communities is unmatched.

Natalie Aranda writes on home and family. As the popularity of golf continues to grow, so has the popularity of golf communities. Golf communities are planned neighborhoods which are focused around golf courses but have many more amenities. The obvious advantage is the closeness and exclusiveness of living right next to a golf course. But many golf communities also offer perks such as chefs, nature trails, stables and in the most exclusive, access to private jets. Generally, these neighborhoods are also gated communities which adds an extra sense of security.

Housing Bubble Cool Not Popped

Has the housing bubble finally burst? Or has it cooled down?

According to DataQuick Information Systems ?A total of 27,286 new and resale homes were sold in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties last month. That was up 10.3 percent from 24,748 for the month before, and down 11.7 percent from 30,886 for May a year ago.? Statistics like these may support that the real estate market?s bubble hasn?t necessarily popped, but has slowed down.

Other facts that DataQuick published, the move-up category of home sales, when homeowners literally move up from a 2 bedroom home to a 3 bedroom home, have slowed down. But the entry-level homes and mid-range home sales have not slowed down and those prices are still rising, but at a slower pace.

Foreclosures are showing a moderate increase in numbers which means this market could be easily tapped by home buyers and investors. There are a number of sites on the Internet which make it easy to access information on foreclosure properties, including PoliceAuctions.com , a site that allows it?s subscribing members to access over 2653 government auctions in its database which include residential and commercial properties. The site will also allow its members to access listings for thousands of foreclosure properties.

Trends culled from DataQuick support the idea that the real estate bubble hasn?t popped, but has cooled down. This cooling trend maybe more apparent in some areas, but otherwise the real estate market overall is still healthy.

Realtors Never Die

If anyone thought that the present sluggishness in many housing markets in North America was going to hurt Realtors the most is better off to think again. It seems that the slowdown in both the new construction and the resale markets and the consequential drop in pricing levels is having reverberations none other than in ... Europe. This is so because we have reached such a high level of economic integration, that it can be safely stated that when we screw up in North America our European friends end up footing the bill.

Globalization is the term commonly used to refer to the growing economic interdependence of countries worldwide through increasing volume and variety of cross-border transactions in goods and services, free international capital flows, and more rapid and widespread diffusion of technology. Clearly the economic interdependence between the United States and Canada on one side, and many members of the Eurozone - especially those belonging originally to the former Western Europe - on the other side has never been more remarked than now. Not only there is a vigorous flow of capitals going both ways, but also the trade of goods is at its apex. And this appears to be the problem.

The European Union has released economic data as to the end of the second quarter, showing a GDP growth of 3.7 percent annualized, its fastest in six years. So fast, in fact, that for the first time ever the Zone has outrun America, Britain and Japan. The engine that has spurred such record-breaking growth, however, was the ever-increasing consumerism mostly on the part of Americans. In essence, Europe has cashed in on the spending power of Americans, which has increased hand-in-hand with the credit that lenders in North America have extended to consumers, secured by their over-valued and over-appreciated real estate equity.

Consumers in North America have had more financial flexibility these past few years than ever before, and for good or bad they have taken full advantage of it. This flexibility has allowed them to choose to carry debt when in the past they may not have had this option. Additionally, it is certainly true that low interest rates have encouraged more borrowing, which in turn has spurred more spending. All the Porsches, BMWs, Volvos and Mercedes that we see on the streets are proof of it.

Now, however, the tide is changing and the American economic powerhouse is slowing down. This fact alone is causing a series of short-term changes that will make life harder for the Euro economies. North-American consumers seem to be more and more reluctant to snap up German cars, French perfumes and Italian vino. The United States, with an annualized GDP growth of 2.5 percent as at June 30 lead the way, and there is a high degree of scepticism among analysts that European consumers alone will be able to fill the 1.2 percent GDP gap so as to keep the Euro GDP high and steady.

Furthermore all this comes at a time when some Euro area countries, most notably Germany and Italy, are due to tighten their budgets. Their public finances need repairing, and they need to act fast. In Germany, the government wants to raise the value-added tax by three percentage points next January. Italy's newly elected government, based on a very frail one percent majority of a coalition of center and leftist parties, is not openly talking about any such drastic moves but, nonetheless, has initiated already a series of public spending cuts which are sure to make the Fall labour market exceeding Italy's sweltering mid-August heat by a few degrees. It would appear that the new economic theory of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of lowering taxes and raising pensions was more palatable to Italians than Romano Prodi's neoclassical approach of everybody out. Some unions are calling already for a psychiatric evaluation of the new Prime Minister.

Finally, the European Central Bank (ECB) has begun raising interest rates last December and is expected to keep doing so at least until the end of this year. One may wonder why is the ECB poised to increase interest rates at a time when exports are slowing down. The reason lies not with demand but with supply, as unsold inventories are beginning to accumulate, mostly for political reasons. In fact no one dares to lay off workers now, after the civic commotion caused by the recent French rioting.

It turns out, therefore, that real estate agents in North America are not the casualties of the markets taking a breather, at least not the only ones - Europeans stand to lose a lot more.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle at http://wwwrealestatechronicle.blogspot.com where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Some Tips To Help You Understand Real Estate Buyer Agreements

There are few things that are as stressful as buying a home, especially for the first time. There are so many things to consider, such as the size of the home, the location it is in and whether it has a good school district. Many purchasers opt to have a real estate brokerage represent them in the sale. The responsibility of a person licensed to practice real estate is to act as a liaison between the selling and purchasing parties to the transaction. An agreement must be signed by the agency and the purchaser in order for the licensee to represent them during the course of the transaction.

The written agreement between an agent and a client must be clearly detailed, prior to any transaction taking place. This includes the names and addresses of both the purchaser and the company agreeing to represent them. It may also detail such things as the estimated price range of the purchaser as well as any contingencies they may have. For example, one contingency may be that they are already considering a certain home from a person without any agency representation, such as a friend or relative. The agreement would state that if they decide to buy that house or any house that was previously looked at prior to the agency agreement, the agency would not be entitled to any form of compensation.

This can also include the homes that the purchaser has looked at, that had a seller who was represented by an agency, but the purchaser did not have representation at the time of the viewing. This is why it is so important for a buyer to be clear when detailing to a prospective broker or agent, any type of contingencies that they may have. Brokers usually have pre written agency agreements and there are usually several kinds that the buyer can choose from.

The exclusive Right to Represent Buyer/Broker Agency agreement is the one that is typically used to detail the agreement between the buyer and the agent. In this agreement, the purchaser consents to allow the agent to represent them on an exclusive level. It also details the amount of commission the purchaser agrees to pay for the service, as well as the length of time the agent is given to represent them.

The Non Exclusive/Not for Compensation agreement also details what is expected of the agent. In this agreement there is no specification of the amount of commission to be paid and the purchaser retains the right to use more than one agent.

The Non Exclusive Right to Represent agreement also details the requisite obligations of the agent but also includes an agreed upon commission to be paid. The purchaser still retains the right to use other agencies.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as commercial real estate loans at www.commercial-loans-now.com

Developing Your Strategy in a Changing Real Estate Market

Just about every area in the United States has experienced what most would consider a down market. As a real estate professional, it is important to evaluate your business on an on-going basis, specifically, when the market begins to slow down. In the Northeast, we are beginning to see signs of what we would consider a buyer's market. This is unusual for the area, which is an adjustment for sellers, and quite frankly, some of the newer real estate agents that have not been accustomed to taking a consultative approach with their business. There are a few key elements to developing and continuing a steady stream of clients.

Client relationships-Quality real estate agents consistently discover that their business is closely tied to the relationships they have built over many years. Building and nurturing those client relationship results in trusting relationships and referral business. Focusing on client service, with a long-term view of those client relationships, creates value.

Clear, written plan-Successful agents develop a detailed business plan including how many closings they are targeting for the year, the activities tied to reaching their closing goal, and the amount of personal promotion money that they will allocate to build their business. These goals should be visible to the agent, and not just developed at the end of the year (for the next year) and stuffed into a file. Having a focus on your goals on a daily, monthly, quarterly basis will increase your odds of consistent, viable business.

Market Knowledge-As the market begins to turn, it's not only important to have the statistics for your buyers and sellers, but also have the in-depth understanding of the impact. Being able to articulate the changes in each neighborhood, price range, and overall market will add to your credibility as a sales professional.

Communication with your clients-Changing markets do strange things to both buyers and sellers. Anxiety is created with change. The most effective way to help your clients through the change is keeping them apprised of all of the news, whether good or bad. Clear, consistent, and thorough communication also develops long-term client relationships.

Melissa Riley is an Office Leader with Prudential Connecticut Realty. She is a 24-year veteran of real estate and relocation. Visit her website at http://prudentialctcareers.com/

Selling Your Home

Whether you decided it is time to move to another area, or to a different house, the main issue remains that you are interested in selling your current residence. But in order for this to take place and you to receive the largest possible bid, you have to do some work beforehand so as to attract prospective bidders attention and walk out with a big smile on your face.

The first thing you have to do before putting your house on the market is to make it as presentable as possible. Real estate agents support that the way you will present your property to the prospective buyers can make al the difference in the world. But there is no need to panic that while being short on money you will have to invest in expensive and time-consuming renovations and redecorations. With some simple steps, it is possible for you to show your house to its very best advantage and gain the deal you want during the time period you wish.

If your house in not part of an apartment building, but a single house in a nice neighborhood, then it is extremely important to pay attention to the curb in front of the house. A clean driveway can give an excellent first impression to the prospective buyers when they drive up towards your garage. In case the outside area is not appealing, then they might not be interested in seeing the inside, or they will be negatively influenced from the beginning and will not be willing to bid as high as you hope or bid in general. In addition, lawns have to be mowed, bushes and trees to be trimmed and windows to be cleaned. Perhaps it would be a good idea to plant a few flowers and add some color to your yard, making it more inviting and friendly. In general, remember to fertilize and water your lawn and plants for two to three weeks before putting your property on the market. Of course garbage has to be thrown away and if your house has a swimming pool that has to be clean. If you wish to get rid of some stuff, then it is best if you schedule your yard-sale before beginning showing your house to interested buyers.

If your house's exterior needs to be repainted, but no available budget exists, it will cost you less to wash off any extra dirt and then paint only the trim, which will update the entire surface. Some people select to repaint the area that faces the street, while others do not spend as much taking care of the outside space, as much as having the interior of the house in perfect shape. In particular for the interior part of your house, consider hiring a professional to do the job and be sure that this cost will bring you a higher sales price. Painting the walls on a light color paint and take care of the doors and the locks making sure that they are able to open and close as they are supposed to. Of course replace the light bulbs if they are burned and steam clean the carpets to renew them. Finally, remember to replace any missing or damaged tiles and have your bathrooms sparkle as well as your kitchen. This is because buyers are particularly interested in examining bathrooms and kitchens, and finally closets. Thus, it is better if you concentrate your efforts there.

Concluding, check the competition in your neighborhood by visiting other open houses and compare your deal both in pricing and condition. This will give you a head start against other houses that are sold in the vicinity.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Real Estate, Business, and Finance.

An Introduction To Real Estate Investment Software

A number of people choose to buy property with the intention of selling it at a later date. Buyers hold on to the property until the price increases. It is then sold at a substantial profit. This profitability makes the property a type of investment that can be cashed or maintained. This type of venture is commonly termed real estate investment. However, there are no guidelines that can positively determine if the investment is a good or bad one. To simplify this procedure, a number of people prefer to use real estate investment software.

Real estate investment software helps capitalize on returns from property investment. This software can be used to evaluate residential and commercial income properties. Real estate investment software is easy to use, and can generate quick response reports on potential property purchases.

Investors can key in valuable inputs about purchased or yet-to-be-purchased property. The software analyzes details and can efficiently calculate return-on-investment, cash flow and the future sales price of an investment property.

Most individual and commercial investors use real estate investment software to help them study future prospects. These applications are capable of outlining all probable future risks. It is also designed to calculate all expenses, expenditures and detailed tax payments.

When people invest in real estate, at times sentiments interfere with decisions. It is important not to concentrate only on the beauty of the place but also to evaluate its profitability. Real estate investment software proposes investment on the basis of estimated future developments.

Real estate investment software must be capable of not only handling federal taxes, but should also allow the user to apply a state income tax rate and a state capital gains rate. Investing in real estate can either be a highly profitable or costly business. Therefore, it is essential to rely on powerful analytical software to evaluate the property prior to investing.

Real Estate Software provides detailed information on Real Estate Software, Real Estate Development Software, Real Estate Investment Software, Real Estate Property Management Software and more. Real Estate Software is affiliated with Mortgage Banking Software.

Triple Net Lease: Own A Property? Get The Maximum Out Of It

A triple net lease designates the tenant or lessee as being solely responsible for bearing all the costs related to the asset being leased. The landlord and the tenant come to an agreement where the tenant agrees to pay all taxes, insurance and miscellaneous expenses on the property in addition to any normal fees that are expected under the agreement. The concept of Triple Net Lease has been very popular in commercial building leasing because it reduces the owner's need to worry about spending time and money for monitoring property conditions and providing maintenance.

The basic idea of a net-net-net lease is for the lessee to assume responsibility for all property's expenses, both fixed and operating. The concept is well accepted and employed in all traditional sale-leaseback transactions for long-term lease of larger properties. Both the owner and the lessee agree upon a lease document stipulating that the tenant bears the operating responsibility for the property. In recent years the triple net lease has become increasingly popular for leases of smaller properties. While there are many versions, triple net typically includes Taxes, Insurance, and Maintenance (TIM).

In a triple net lease, the rental component is separately identifiable in the lease, making the actual net investment return clear for property owners and investors. Unfortunately there are several pitfalls for the smaller property owner in regards to leaving the insurance of their building to the tenant. The tenant may willfully damage the property in order to claim insurance while experiencing financial troubles. In such a situation the owner will lose all claim to the insurance and has no fall back to claim losses against the tenant.

Most triple net leases require the lessee or tenant to cover costs to maintain the roofing, heating, etc.- practically anything related to the building that can wear out or be damaged during the lease period. If you are in a triple net lease agreement you will be excused of all property taxes and property insurance liabilities. You will be responsible for paying your utilities directly. You can budget your personnel expenses and costs for routine maintenance and secure a quote for a maintenance contract.

There are a number of important issues to be considered before entering into a triple net lease agreement, including cost of capital, future operating performance and relationship with the building. All parties in a triple net lease arrangement need protection against surprise expenses that can occur as the facility ages and components wear, requiring maintenance and eventual replacement. Some owners reduce their risk by establishing a reserve fund into which each tenant makes regular payments. The owner then covers property maintenance costs as needed from this fund. As tenants come and go, the maintenance fund is constantly replenished?with no surprise burdens for a single tenant or for the owner.

A triple-net lease via a 1031 exchange allows the investor to get even higher returns by deferring his/her taxes and thus increasing the overall internal rate of return. Various companies provide you with a quality selection of triple-net leased properties that are ideal for 1031 like-kind exchange investments. It is believed all interests are best served by regular inspections performed by independent professionals with extensive experience and expertise in evaluating and reporting on building conditions.

Christine is an expert Internet marketing professional with years of experience in various industries such as: Business, Finance, Real Estate, Web-Design and many more.
1031 exchange resources

Top 10 Critical Mistakes Homebuyers Make and How to Avoid Them (Part two)

6.Waiting for the ?bubble? to burst. Hot markets come and go. Cold markets come and go. Markets become over-priced, then over-time become under-valued. If you are waiting for a severe correction in real estate prices, pull up a seat, because you might be waiting a long time.

Homes, unlike other investments (the stock market for example) are valuable in two ways: 1) Psychological value - homes have value because everyone thinks they should, and 2) ?real? value (people, homeowners and renters, need shelter).

Because homes are valuable in both respects, home values historically will usually only level out after a hot market. Sometimes homes will lose some value but not very much. St. George homes lost about 5% of their value after the last hot market in 1995?sort of like a balloon deflating because it took several years for this to happen.

If I were looking to buy a home I would be more concerned with interest rates and less concerned with playing with bubbles.

7.Not choosing a real estate agent carefully. In our town about 75% of real estate agents have been in the business one year or less. I suspect that this is true nationwide. The hot market of 2005 caused everybody and their brother to want to get their real estate license. When you contact a local agent, you probably have a 3 out of 4 chance of getting an agent who is severely under-qualified to represent you in the purchase of $250,000+ investment?your home.

You?ll want to contact at least four agents to make sure you are getting the best one you can find. Ask questions and then trust your instincts as to which agent is the best one for you.

8.Not having a home inspection done by a Professional Home Inspector. A good, experienced Home Inspector will catch problems in a home that most homebuyers would miss.

I have seen all of these items missed by a potential homebuyer, but caught by a home inspector:
a.A dryer vent, venting into the attic
b.A ground fault interrupt breaker not working (this can kill you!).
c.Evidence of termites
d.Aluminum wiring
e.A roof leaking into the attic, but not into the main part of the home (yet!).

Several years ago I became aware of a transaction in our real estate office where the buyers decided not to have a professional inspection on an almost new home they were buying. They ?inspected it themselves? to save the $300. Too bad they didn?t catch the fact that some of the basement windows leaked badly when it rained. The water stains were clearly visible had they known to look. That turned out to be a huge mess involving lawyers, threats and grief. This could have been avoided by paying the $300 to have a Professional Home Inspection.

9.Not receiving a home warranty at closing. It?s 3:00 AM. You wake up hearing water running in your newly purchased home. It keeps running. And running. You get up to check it out and find your basement floor covered with water from the broken water heater. Luckily the damage from the water is minimal. You go to look for the Home Warranty confirmation in the documents you received when you bought your home the previous month. You know that the home warranty company will replace your broken water heater for only $55. Suddenly, you slap your hand to your forehead and make the Homer Simpson ?Douhhh? sound as you realize that you didn?t get a home warranty because the seller wouldn?t pay for it and you certainly didn?t want to pay for it.

Lesson learned, always get a home warranty you buy a new home, even if you have to pay for it. It is money well spent. I would never buy a home without purchasing a home warranty. I never sell my own properties without a warranty for the buyer. It just makes good sense.

10.Not meeting the neighbors before you make an offer. Don?t you really hate it when your neighbors suck? Don?t you think it would be a good idea to do a little door knocking before you buy your new home? How about going online to look at your state?s website for registered sex offenders?

I did a little door knocking before I bought a foreclosed home in St. George. I was buying the home for my personal use and as part of the ?due-diligence? I decide to meet the neighbors. I asked which house was the ?bad house? on the street. I came to find out it was the home I was buying because the previous owners were noisy, rude, dirty, and didn?t care for their home. I changed that by buying the home and moving into it.

There you go; 10 simple steps to keep yourself, as a homebuyer, out of hot water. Violate any of these steps and you may end up losing a little or a lot of your hard earned money. Now go out and find the home of your dreams!

About Me:
I have lived in beautiful St. George, Utah since 1998. I have been a real estate agent here (Washington County, Utah) since 1999. I have survived terrible housing markets and thrived in amazing markets (38% home appreciation in St. George in 2005). For more interesting articles, or to sign up for receiving my weekly St. George foreclosures email please visit my website: DonGlasgow.net. I also provide homebuyers with instant access to the Washington County MLS. I have gotten tons of compliments on my website, so make sure and check it out!

Indianapolis Real Estate

Many cities in the Midwest struggled with weak economies in 2005, however the city of Indianapolis, true to its car racing spirit, zoomed ahead of the competition with the fastest economic growth in the region. According to the Property & Portfolio Research, a real-estate analysis firm in Boston, the demand for commercial real estate in Indianopolis is growing and job vacances are down in most sectors.

A central location served by by five interstate highways and low costs have helped Indianapolis become a national distribution hub. Commercial property prices in Indianapolis are lower than the national average and the cost of doing business is lower compared to the nearby cities, including Chicago and Cleveland. Plenty of land is available since there are no mountains or hilly regions nearby. Several real estate firms predict that the commercial and residential real estate markets will continue to do well due to these reasons.

According to a report released by C.B.Richard Ellis, a leading real estate firm, a large number of Indianapolis-based small and medium-sized businesses that relocated to larger spaces and the suburbs grew last year. The report forecasts a drop in vacancies in the suburban office market, fresh investments in office buildings, and continued popularity of open-air shopping centers.

The growth trend in the office buildings sector in 2005 is expected to continue further, boosting occupancy rates. Suburban office buildings were highly popular, with 25 percent of them trading hands in ownership or occupancy in 2005. The CB Rihard Ellis report suggests that these trends might result in a modest increase in rents, but not everybody agrees.

For the fifth consecutive year, residential real estate sales also continued to grow in Indianapolis. This was possible because of the low mortgage rates. In its 2006 forecast, CB Richard Ellis forecasts that Indianapolis will continue to see the growth of tenants-in-common investors in multi-family housing units. The company also anticipates a slowdown in single-family home sales, as prices gradually continue to increase.

Indianapolis real estate information and trends can be obtained from local newspapers such as the Indianapolis Star, Marion Country, Daily Journal, Herald Bulletin, Reporter-Times, and Shelbyville News. Online versions of some of these newspapers are also available.

Indianapolis provides detailed information on Indianapolis, Indianapolis Real Estate, Indianapolis Hotels, Indianapolis Directory and more. Indianapolis is affiliated with Cleveland Golf.

Real Estate Investors: Change Strategies as Market Cools

Depending upon where you live, it may be time for you to rethink your investment strategy if you're a real estate investor, because many areas of the country appear to be on the verge of a price downturn. The indicators are there, beginning with the fact that it's taking significantly longer to market homes when compared to last year. When coupled with rising interest rates, it's likely that the recent real estate boom may be coming to an end.

One of the most startling statistics can be found in Los Angeles, where the median home currently sells for ten times the area's median income. That trend can't continue, regardless of interest rates or the kinds of creative financing options banks come up with.

LA's trend isn't unique, however, and home prices will probably continue to fall as 2006 progresses, and will decrease even more dramatically in 2007, especially if interest rates continue to rise. That trend will be more pronounced in areas of the country that have seen dramatic price increases in recent years. Some economists even predict double-digit declines in Miami and Las Vegas, two of America's hotspots during the recent real estate boom.

However, those sorts of declines aren't expected to be countrywide. Some areas of the country may actually see real estate values continue to grow, but at more modest rates, including most of the Midwest, parts of Texas, and even some larger cities like Atlanta.

As an investor, you'll need to be aware of the trend in your area and invest accordingly. For example, if you're a builder, the combination of higher home prices, higher interest rates, and higher gas prices will make it harder to sell high-end homes that are built some distance away from major cities.

Homes are also getting smaller, after increasing in size for the past thirty years (peaking at 2,430 square feet) and the things people want to see in their homes are changing. For example, luxury kitchens and deluxe bathrooms have gained in popularity while the demand for formal dining rooms has decreased.

If you're an investor who depends on flipping houses, your profit margins may be shrinking and your flipping time may be increasing. Therefore, you may want to begin thinking in terms of income and not capital gains. Although being a landlord isn't for everyone, if real estate values continue to decline and on-market times continue to increase, you may want to think about renting your homes as you wait for the market to improve.

You may also want to look at properties closer to downtown areas, since many renters are attracted by easy proximity to their jobs and to the amenities offered by cities. Rental units near office complexes or near several main highways can be especially attractive investments in a market that is showing signs of slowing down. If you're really not cut out to be a landlord, you can always turn the details over to a property management company, assuming you make enough on the rental to cover their 5-10 percent fee.

Regardless of your previous real estate investment strategy, you may want to begin rethinking your options as the real estate boom begins to slow down in most areas of the country.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

No matter what the real estate market does, you can always make money investing in real estate if you follow proven strategies. Author Jeanette Fisher offers FREE real estate investing teleseminars and ebook reports at http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com

Thinking of Buying a Condo Hotel? Here Are 20 Things You Need to Know!

1. What is a condo hotel or condotel?
Think of a condo hotel (also sometimes called a condotel or hotel condo) as buying a condominium, although one that is part of a four-star caliber hotel. Therefore, as an owner, when you are on vacation, you?ll get the benefit of more four-star services and amenities than you'd get in a typical condominium.

2. What types of services and amenities are found in condo hotels?
If you can imagine the niceties you?d find in an upscale hotel, then you can picture a condo hotel. Among the features are often resort-style pools, full-service spas, state-of-the-art fitness centers, fine dining restaurants, concierge services and room service.

In some locations, like Las Vegas, you?ll find condo hotels with their own casinos, retail areas, and entertainment venues. In places like Orlando, you?ll find condo hotels with their own water parks and convention facilities.

3. What is the difference between a condo hotel and a traditional condominium?
The big difference between a hotel and a condo hotel is that a hotel typically has one owner, either individual or corporate, but a condo hotel is sold off unit by unit. Therefore, a 300-room condo hotel could have as many as 300 unit owners.

4. Is it evident to hotel guests whether they?re staying in a condo hotel or a traditional hotel?
A hotel guest will likely never know that the hotel has multiple owners because the property is operated just like a traditional hotel and often under the management of a well-known hotel company like Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, Trump or W. Also, each of the individual condo hotel units will look identical in design and d?cor to every other, just as they would in a traditional hotel.

5. Who typically buys condo hotels?
They?re primarily sold to people who want a vacation home but do not want to deal with the hassles typically associated with second home ownership such as maintaining the property or finding renters in the off season.

6. What is the demographic of the typical condo hotel buyer?
The spectrum of condo hotel buyers is pretty broad. There are families that want a second home in a vacation destination. There are baby boomers who are at or nearing retirement and want somewhere they can ?winter.? There are also plenty of investors who purchase a condo hotel unit with little intention of ever using it; they?re in it for the potential appreciation of the real estate.

7. Can you live in a condo hotel?
Condo hotels are not typically offered as primary residences. In fact, many of them limit the unit owner's usage of the condo hotel unit (typically 30-60 days per year) because the unit is expected and needed in the hotel's nightly rental program where it can be offered to guests and generate revenue.

8. Who gets the money when your condo hotel is rented out?
The hotel management company splits the rental revenue with the individual condo hotel owner. While the exact percentages vary from property to property, the typical rental split is in the 50%-50% range.

9. Who finds hotel guests and then cleans and maintains the condo hotel units?
The hotel management company markets the property and books hotel guests. It also maintains the unit and ensures the smooth operation of all of the hotel?s services and amenities.

10. What are the advantages / disadvantages of purchasing a condotel over purchasing typical rental properties?
Advantages include:
? Hassle-free ownership; no landlord issues
? Rental revenue to offset some or maybe all ownership expenses
? A fantastic vacation home available for use whenever you want
? A real estate investment at a time when other investments may seem less attractive
? Strong likelihood of appreciation
? Pride of ownership --I own a piece of a Trump

Disadvantages include:
? Annual cash flow could be equal to or less than annual ownership costs
? Pets are usually not welcome.
? An owner?s condo hotel unit may be rented when the owner wants to it, so advance reservations are required to guarantee availability.
? The condo hotel unit is subject to the same dips in the market that affect all hotels in the competitive market set: hurricanes, terrorist threats, warm winters up north, price of gas, etc., all of which can affect a unit's occupancy rate and the amount of revenue it generates.

11. Are condo hotel units difficult to finance?
Not at all, but they do take 20% down typically, whereas condos can be purchased with less cash down. It's also important to make sure you use a mortgage broker who has had success in getting condo hotel financing deals done. Many banks still do not do them, but more and more are getting involved as condo hotels become more widely available.

12. How long have condo hotels been around and where are they located?
Condo hotels have been around for several decades, but the huge surge of four-star and five-star condo hotels that have been making their way across the country, started around year 2000 in the Miami area. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area still has the most condo hotels, but areas like Orlando and Las Vegas are developing condo hotel properties at an even faster rate and will likely surpass South Florida soon. Other up-and-coming areas are places like the Bahamas, Panama, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada and Dubai.

13. How much do condo hotel units cost?
That?s like asking how much a car costs. There are different quality condo hotels. Some require greater amounts of money than others, obviously.

There are inexpensive condo hotels out there for as little as $100,000. These are typically found in properties that have converted their use from an existing hotel. They are hotel room-sized, lack kitchen facilities, luxury franchises, and other first-class amenities.

Then there are the four-star or greater properties that may start in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, but can go all the way up to $800,000 just for a studio unit. One- and two-bedroom units cost substantially more than a studio. Of course, the studios do come fully furnished and finished, and will be significantly larger in size than a typical hotel room, and may attract guests because of its name like St. Regis, Ritz or W.

14. What are typical maintenance costs?
On average about $1.00 to $1.50 per sq. ft., but the range can exceed $2.00 sq. ft. in the most luxurious properties.

15. Do you buy condo hotel units after they have been built, or can you purchase condo hotels in pre-construction?
Unless you are in a hurry to get started vacationing or you need to complete a 1031 exchange, it's best to buy condo hotels in pre-construction as early as possible. That?s when prices are lowest and unit selection is greatest. You will likely wait two years or longer before closing on and taking possession of your condo hotel unit, but you will have locked in the price and will get the benefit of maximum appreciation.

16. Is there anything else investors should want to know about condotels?
There is more to buying this type of real estate than the old phrase, location, location, location. While most condo hotels are located in desirable resort and business area locations, what is most important is a good franchise with a strong reservation system.

Also, do not be fooled by an aggressive rental split. One way or the other, the developer of the property will have to staff, maintain and operate the hotel and its services like the restaurants, bars, spas and pools from his share of the proceeds. If he's giving you a very favorable share of the rental, he's also more likely to be charging you a higher monthly maintenance fee. Of course, this goes both ways. If the maintenance split that is offered is closer to 50-50, then your maintenance should be more reasonable too.

17. Any suggestions to investors in choosing which condo hotel to buy?
Get good advice. That means you don?t want to rely only on the pitch provided by an onsite salesperson at a condo hotel. You want to talk with a broker who specializes in condo hotels and who knows and understands the entire condo hotel market, not just the facts pertaining to a single property. He or she will listen to your wants and needs and then offer recommendations as to which properties best match your requirements. You?ll have an opportunity to comparison shop and consider the pros and cons of each available property.

A good broker can be the difference between your buying a condo hotel that will be problematic and not live up to your expectations or one that will provide you with years of great vacations, good annual revenue and a substantial profit when you sell.

18. Does it cost more to use a real estate broker to purchase a condo hotel than buying a unit on one?s own?
No. With new condo hotel properties, the prices are always set by the developer and are exactly the same whether you buy directly from an onsite salesperson at the property or using a broker.

The broker?s commission is always paid by the developer and is already built into the price regardless of whether an outside broker participates in the sale or not. Since a broker?s representation is free to buyers, it does make sense to enlist their aid and get the benefit of their advice before making a purchase.

19. How can prospective buyers find a good condo hotel broker?
Ask friends for broker recommendations or search online for ?condo hotel broker.? Visit condo hotel broker websites and see if the information they provide seems comprehensive and unbiased. If their website seems to focus on selling homes or office space, and the condo hotel information appears to be an afterthought, steer clear. Your best bet is to work with a condo hotel broker who specializes.

20. How can buyers learn about new condo hotel properties coming on the market?
Condo hotel brokers can be good information sources as they often learn about properties prior to their release to the general public. Another option is for them to subscribe to a condo hotel newsletter such as the one we publish called Condo Hotel Property Alert. We offer it for free on our website www.CondoHotelCenter.com and it features a different condo hotel property coming on the market each edition.

Joel Greene is president of Condo Hotel Center which specializes in the sale of condo hotels around the U.S. and the world. His detailed website contains condo hotel property listings, photos and detailed information. Visit http://www.CondoHotelCenter.com and http://www.CondoHotelsDubai.com. Be sure to sign up for his Condo Hotel Property Alert newsletter to be notified when new condo hotels come on the market.

Home Owner

Becoming the owner of a house can be a proud moment, but one should understand that it brings with it a lot of responsibilities. The most important things are maintenance, capital or finances, bills, and the process of increasing the home?s value so that it also becomes a good capital investment in the long run.

People generally use a mortgage loan for funding their home purchase. Most lending companies require the mortgage customers to buy homeowner?s insurance. They give certain mandatory levels of coverage, but these need not be necessarily adhered to, as they just cover the house, and not the belongings inside the house. There are several kinds of homeowner insurance policies, the most basic ones being HO-1, HO-2, HO-3, HO-4, H0-5, HO-6, HO-8, HO-A, HO-B and HO-C. Each of these policies is different and caters to different homes and individuals. An agent would be able to help you decide on the right kind of policy.

Taking out a homeowner?s insurance policy requires the declaration of some information, such as occupation and employment history, credit history, marital status, date of birth, social security number, and previous address. Analyze your home and your possessions, and try to give a value to everything in it. Insurance companies consider several factors such as the age of the home, size of the home, condition of the home, number of people residing, location with respect to the fire station and fire hydrant, materials used to build the home, the number of rooms, and so on. You can save significantly on the insurance premium if you have certain safety equipment installed in the house. Understand the difference between replacement costs and actual cost value. Keep updating the policy when you enhance the value of your property in any way. You can also take additional insurance that provides coverage for floods or earthquake-related losses.

Home Owner provides detailed information on Home Owner, Home Owner Insurance, Home Owner Insurance Rates, Home Owner Insurance Companies and more. Home Owner is affiliated with First Time Home Buyer Programs.

How Debra's Renovations Were all Nearly Done for Free

Unit investment strategy to get your renovations done for free!

I want to share with you a very creative way a friend of mine is using to get all her renovations done on a new investment property for little or no cost. What Debra is doing is very creative and will only need to be monitored by her with everyone else doing all the work and paying for the costs.

Debra has bought a block of units in a capital city that are in need of major renovations. In all there are ten units. Debra has secured the units on a long settlement with the vendor happy to allow her to start renovating them immediately. What she has planned to do is call this project the Pot of Gold event.

She has approached local charities to see if they would be interested in taking over the renovation of one unit each. They will co ordinate and do all the work. Meanwhile Debra has approached local television stations to see if they would be interested in televising the whole project from start to finish. The television will be used to promote the sponsors who donate the materials to be used in each unit and also to promote open days where the public is invited in to view the progress.

When people visit the unit site they are asked to donate a gold coin as an admission charge. This gold coin donation goes into the pot of gold. It is planned to have five open days. Each open day will be the focus of a particular stage of the renovation. The open days will be for the whole week end, to give people a chance to get there if they work on the saturday. So in a a capital city you can imagine there will be a lot of people attending. The pot of gold will be worth a lot of money by the time the project is finished.

The charity that is judged to have done the best make over on their unit will win the pot of gold. The public will be asked to judge who is the winner. They will be able to view the progress of the units renovation at the open days and also on the television. All round every one will be a winner. The charities will have the chance to win the money, the material suppliers will get valuable TV and press exposure, the TV station will get better ratings, Debra will get her renovations done for little or no money and Debra plans to use the units for a safe house for recently divorced women who have an income, but need a safe place to settle in and get back on their feet. The rents on the units will be a a reduced rate under the local median average. This will be Debra's way of helping out people in need.

At time of writing this article Debra had eight charities interested and a TV station ready to come on board. Debra also plans to approach the local minister of housing to apply for a reduced rate on the governmant stamp duty. I think the chances of this happening will be good as Debra plans to outline how she will be helping to house women who are going through a difficult time and what Debra is doing here is assist the government with short term housing. Any assistance from the government will be looked upon favourably by every one. All in all this will be a win/win situation for everyone.

Debra will be able to renovate the units while the investment property is settling, then there will be women waiting to rent the units because of the TV exposure. The amount of interest this will create will have real estate agents calling Debra and wanting her to do the same on other real estate investment properties they have on their books. Debra will be real estate investing for profit and using little of her own money. I feel this strategy leverages your time and resources. It is a quick way to achieve capital growth.

To your investing success Leo Love

PS If your family or friends are interested please pass this on to them

www.therealestateinvester.com

http://www.therealestateinvester.com

I am an experienced and passionate investor. I buy typical mum and dad type houses that give me cash flow and capital growth. My website offers helpful tips and ideas for any type of investor to help you with your wealth creation. Using my site will help to prevent you falling into the traps the inexperienced investors do.

Home Seller Secrets: A "Staged" Home Will Always Sell Faster And For More Money!

One of the best kept secrets among top selling real estate agents, and the most successful home builders in the country, is that staged homes sell faster and for more money.

So what is a staged home? A staged home is one where the interior elements of the home, such as furniture, paint and accessories, are well considered, and arranged or postitioned in a manner to highlight the best features of the home, while offering the most desirable look and feel that buyers want.

Just as you would ?set the stage? to create a mood for a scene in a play, you?ll ?set the stage? at home to create the look and feel your audience, potential buyers, are looking for.

Staging a lived in home versus a newly built home usually involves removing many items from the home. Moving, or even taking furniture out altogether for the sake of appearance and flow are typical when staging a home.

Most of us move to a new home because we want and need more space. One thing that can make a room seem smaller than it actually is, is clutter. Removing clutter is a must. To make the most of the space you have, you must de-clutter.

Too many personal items, such as collectibles and multiple family photos, can be a distraction to a buyer. You want potential buyers to concentrate more on the features of the house itself, not what?s in the house. Buyers need to be able to visualize themselves in the home.

De-personalize: A house full of your personal pictures and your favorite gone with the wind collectibles might make a you feel warm and fuzzy all over, but odds are pretty good that they're merely a distraction to a potential buyer. When you're selling a home, your home needs to appeal to the greatest number of buyers possible and that's hard to do if your home is over personalized.

Moving or removing furniture: Sometimes all it takes is just ?angling? a sofa a little differently to really open up a room, make it look larger, and give it a better ?flow?. Also consider removing some furniture if that?s what it takes to make a room look and feel more comfortable.

Highlight the positive aspects of each individual room. Give each room a purpose and focal point. In the living room for example, draw the eye to the fireplace or mantle by angling furniture toward the fireplace. Place only three or five items on the mantle. Group smaller items, such as candles, together in odd numbers to look best.

In a bedroom, you might have a chair in a corner with an afghan draped over the back, a reading light behind it, and a book on the seat cushion.

A great kitchen can literally ?seal the deal? for many buyers. Buyers love to see lots of clean, clutter free counter space. Give them what they want. Remove all but necessary items. The fewer items you have on a counter, the more spacious it appears. Do the same in the cabinets and pantry. The kitchen should be clean, uncluttered, organized, and well lit.

In bathrooms, it?s much the same. Buyers are impressed with clean, uncluttered, organized rooms. Get rid of the messy soap dishes and all the bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Hang a new shower curtain along with a few new towels. Maybe even put a couple of candles out by the bathtub.

In the dining room, set the stage as you would for an elegant dinner party. Put out your best place settings, a bottle of wine, a couple of nice wine glasses ... and of course, a couple of candles. Make it romantic and memorable.

Fresh cut flowers, or a bowl of fresh fruit will help add color and fragrance in the kitchen or dining room.

And just before your ?Open House?, go ahead and put a batch of pre-made cookies or brownies in the oven. It's easy and memorable to buyers. Do you remember wonderful brownies and cookies smell right out of the oven?

What's the best way to get some ?staging? inspiration? Visit a few of the decorated model homes near where you live. The designers and decorators that ?stage? model homes are paid to know ?what?s hot and what?s not?. Use their expertise to help you ?set the stage? at your home!

Michael Hart is a former real estate agent, a private real estate investor, author of numerous articles and reports on the subject of real estate, including ?Top 10 Tips To Sell Your Home By Owner?. He is also a Senior Mortgage Consultant with Anderson Lending Group, inc. based in Peachtree City, GA. He can be contacted at 678-318-3542 or on the net at http://www.InternetLoanCenter.com

Real Estate Agents

When one uses the words ?real estate ?it brings to mind a person whose business is selling land or property. To go a step further, it includes buying, selling or leasing of residential homes, apartments and houses, or office premises, retail outlets?. the list goes on. He finds buyers for sellers and vice versa and in order to conduct this line of business must be in possession of the necessary license or licenses. Once he gains the required experience, he can go on to being a real estate broker or a full service agent. A real estate agent must, as a matter of routine, be one who is presentable in attire, attitude and knowledge of his profession.

When a person decides to sell his property through a particular broker, he gets himself listed with them. A contract is then signed under which the broker represents the listed party, though that does not necessarily mean that he gets the power of attorney. The broker?s job is then to effectively advertise for the said property, ensure that people are aware that such a place is up for sale, and show the prospective buyers around. Many times one broker can represent both buyer and seller. The broker must have sound negotiation and financing skills to ensure that everyone concerned is satisfied with the deal.

Most agents earn a commission on their deals and they can make anywhere from

$10,000 and above depending on the size, location and the selling price of the property. Most real estate agents double up as insurance, securities, commodities, financial and travel agents to boost their income.

A good broker would be one who has a keen eye for securing deals, a valid license holder and one who evokes a feeling of trust in the person interested in contracting him for the job.

Real Estate Agents provides detailed information on Real Estate Agents, Find A Real Estate Agent, Las Vegas Real Estate Agents, Commercial Real Estate Agents and more. Real Estate Agents is affiliated with How To Get A Real Estate License.

How to Find a Los Angeles Low Commission Realtor

Are you interested in selling your Los Angeles home? There comes a point in a homeowner?s life when they either need to relocate or they just want a change. If you have reached that point in your life, you have a number of different options.

A large number of Los Angeles residents make the decision to sell their own homes. These homes are often referred to as for sale by owner homes. Unfortunately, a large number of homeowners realize too late that it is often difficult to sell their own home. If given the opportunity to sell their home again, many homeowners would seek assistance from a professional real estate agent.

You may be wondering why an individual who wishes that they had used a real estate agent didn?t in the first place. There are many individuals who mistakenly believe that real estate agents are a waste of money. These individuals are often concerned with the fees associated with using a real estate agent or company to sell their home. If you are considering selling your home, you are encouraged not to make the same mistake.

It is true that selling your home could get expensive, but that is only if you obtain the services of a high costing real estate agent. With a little bit of research, it is possible to find a Los Angeles low commission realtor. A Los Angeles low commission realtor is an individual who offers assistance to homeowners at a discounted price. This discounted price will vary from realtor to realtor.

What you considered a discounted price, another homeowner may not consider discounted. That is why it is important to contact a number of realtors and compare their commission percentages. Once you have collected a number of quotes from multiple realtors, you should be able to decide on the perfect Los Angeles low commission realtor.

Comparing commission percentages is one of the best ways to find a Los Angeles low commission realtor. If you do not have the time to contact multiple realtors and then compare prices, you can search for one percent realtors. One percent realtors are realtors who charge a commission of only one percent. One percent is the lowest that most realtors are able to go. In fact, most realtors charge around five or six percent commission.

If you are able to come across a one percent realtor, you may want to request additional information. This information can often be obtained through the mail, over the phone, or online. If you are unsatisfied with the services offered by a one percent realtor, you can keep on searching. You should be able to find a Los Angeles low commission realtor, whether it be a one percent realtor or not.

Obtaining the services of a low commission realtor has an unlimited number of benefits. Perhaps, the most important benefit is the amount of money that you will pocket. The less money that you have to pay your real estate agent, the more money you can retain for your family.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great Los Angeles Low Commission Realtor

Real Estate Note Listings

The number of people on the lookout for real estate notes are increasing day by day, as the profit involved in the business is great. Lots of websites provide real estate note listings. Business, commercial and residential notes are the major categories of real estate note listings. Real estate note listings are ideal for both buyers and sellers. They are also used by real estate note brokers to improve their business.

Real estate note listings provide buyers a wide range of selection. Through these listings they can purchase real estate notes at a higher profit margin. Location is another great advantage with this type of listings. You can purchase real estate notes from your locality or any other locality you prefer. Another advantage is the variety of listings available. If you are interested in commercial real estate notes, you find them in a separate category and you don't have to search all real estate note listings. The greatest advantage you get from real estate listings is that your real estate note would be displayed to different types of investors. Prices offered by different types of investors vary. Sometimes you could enter into a deal beyond your expectations with the help of these listings.

Real estate note listings are also ideal for people who need immediate cash. With the help of real estate note listings, you can quickly find a buyer who would be ready to release cash immediately for a good discount. Real estate note listings allow you to easily sell a part of the note or the whole thing. Real estate note listings have much flexibility, and they can be used by both sellers and buyers. Blindly believing real estate note listings can be dangerous. It is better to take each single note in the listing and see whether it matches your selling or buying criteria.

Sell Real Estate Notes provides detailed information on Find Real Estate Notes, Real Estate Note Brokers, Real Estate Note Buyers, Real Estate Note Listings and more. Sell Real Estate Notes is affiliated with Sell House By Owner.

Steel Building FAQs

Some of the common types of steel buildings found are agricultural buildings, aircraft-hangars, churches, schools, retail buildings, gymnasiums, commercial buildings, institutional buildings, sports centers, riding arenas, self storage units and warehouses.

1. Is erecting steel buildings a cost effective option?

Yes, a steel building is a cost effective solution when compared with traditional building methods. Customers can save considerable time by erecting steel buildings.

2. What are steel buildings made from?

Steel buildings are constructed with heavy gauge steel for additional strength. Some are made in red-iron and solid I-beam commercial grade steel.

3. What are the benefits of using steel buildings?

Steel buildings require less maintenance. They are durable and inexpensive than most construction materials. Steel buildings are light weight and fire retardant. They can also withstand unfavorable weather conditions such as heavy snow, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. These buildings prevent rusting and rotting.

4. Are color options available in steel buildings?

A wide range of color options and panel of shades are offered. Customers can choose colors according to their taste.

5. What are the components supplied?

Ceiling lights, windows, doors, vents, porticos, skylights, breeze ways and wall lights are some of the components provided for steel buildings.

6. Who will help to erect a steel building?

Some people erect their steel buildings themselves. Most of the suppliers provide an easy to follow instruction manual along with the components and parts of the steel building. By following the instructions, the steel building can be easily erected. Companies also provide professional contractors to erect the steel building.

7. Are steel buildings insulated?

Different types of insulation solutions with a range of R-values are available in the market.

8. Does the manufacturer offer warranty for the buildings?

Most of the steel building companies come attached with some kind of warranty programs on their buildings. Some suppliers offer warranty on the different components and parts.

http://www.a1steelbuildings.com/commonquestions.html

http://www.afjconstruction.com/faq/faq.htm

http://www.alliedbuildings.com/faqs.htm

http://steelwise.com/swfaq.asp

http://www.crownsteelbuildings.com/steelbuildingsFAQ.htm

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

Take Advantage of Top Producer to Manage Buyer and Seller Leads

The National Association of Realtors recently conducted a study that found that most people select the first Realtor who follows up with them to be their buyer's or listing agent. So many Realtors fail to follow up with potential leads that it creates an opening for the few who do. Why do so few Realtors follow up with their leads when it clearly leads to success?

The problem is that simply keeping track of potential leads can be a full-time job in itself. Luckily, modern Realtors now have access to inexpensive software that can do this work for you - many programs even automatically follow up with your leads!

Taking Advantage of Top Producer

Top Producer is the leading software program for Realtors. It has a great system that uses email to keep in contact with your clients. Most buyers and sellers enjoy email because it allows them to see that you're taking care of and remembering them, but it's unobtrusive. Many buyers take up to a year to make a decision on a home, and it can be easy to forget to call. If you set up an automatic email system through Top Producer, that buyer will receive frequent messages from you, even if you've forgotten that they're still looking! What an easy way to make sure that when they do find that perfect house, they will call your number.

Top Producer Works For Low-Tech Clients As Well

For clients who don't use email or who prefer a more personal touch, you can still use technology on your end. Set up reminders in Top Producer to tell yourself to call them. Top Producer can network with your handheld device, too, and be programmed to set off an alarm when you get an alert! Use this feature and you'll never forget to stay in contact again.

Also set up reminders to send out your direct mailings. It can be tempting to put them off, but when it automatically appears on your to-do list, you'll be reminded to keep up that contact. Make sure that you don't lose a client when it can be so easy to keep everyone happy!

Brett Miller is the founder of HoopJumper.com and has created the best lead generating real estate websites in the industry and helped hundreds of real estate professionals make the most of their Internet presence. Call 888-Hoop-Jumper for a complimentary web analysis today or visit http://www.HoopJumper.com to see how HoopJumper can help you grow your business.

Buying a Home in Glendale Arizona: On the Road to Success

If you are looking to buy your first home in the Phoenix metropolitan area, you may want to consider Glendale. It is located west of Phoenix and offers easy access to the city, as well as to the many businesses.

Glendale is one of the most affordable home communities throughout the Valley. For first time buyers, this community gives you options of getting more home for your money. Of course, buying your first home is a big first step, and you can take some steps to avoid those mistakes of home buying.

Not Being Prepared

Most first time buyers think the first step is going out and looking for a home. Actually, the first step is working with a mortgage agent. A big part of your home purchase is getting a mortgage, and your mortgage agent is best qualified to help you through the process. A good agent can show you where you may experience potential problems, take a good look at your credit, and give you some suggestions of the price range for your potential home.

Focusing on the Long Term

When you look for a home in Glendale, be careful not to focus too far in the future. It's hard to predict where you'll be or what you'll be doing ten or fifteen years from now. If you are focused too far in the future, you may buy a larger home than you really need. Focus on your needs for the next five to seven years, how close do you need to be to work, how many bedrooms are ideal, how big of a home do you want.

Chances are you'll be looking for a new home in five to seven years, and you'll revise your home search based on your needs at that time.

Waiting Too Long to Buy

Taking that first step to buy a home is a huge decision, and at times it can be a little frightening. Maybe you've heard rumors of a real estate bubble, and you think if you wait it out that bubble will collapse and you'll find a house at a better price. Actually, most experts have already said that the real estate collapse is not going to happen. You aren't going to see home prices fall in the near future. In fact, most likely home prices will continue to increase, just at a slightly less pronounced rate than the last couple of years.

If you decide to wait too long, you may find that you can't afford the increased prices. And, the longer you stay in your rental property, the more money you give to your landlord that you could be investing that money in yourself.

Looking for Perfection

First time buyers see themselves living in a home for years, and want to find the home that is perfect for them. Unfortunately, there is no such house. All homes will have a few problems, some that are easier to fix than others, some that you just have to learn to live with. When you look for a home in Glendale, be prepared to walk in with an open mind. You'll find that you have a lot more options when you do.

Do a little preparation in advance and you'll find the perfect Glendale home for you. You home is an important investment in your future, the right home will let you begin upon the path of accumulating wealth, it's a good road to be on.

Reg Gustin is a senior loan officer with Sun American Mortgage and specializes in helping families and their financial lending needs.

Get a FREE mortgage rate quote from a reputable Arizona mortgage company at http://www.arizona-homes-store.com/arizona-mortgages.htm

Search the Arizona MLS at http://www.arizona-homes-store.com/arizona-mls.html

Click here: http://www.arizona-homes-store.com/arizona-real-estate-appreciation-report.htmland get a FREE copy of The Greater Phoenix Area Housing Appreciation Report, as compiled by Arizona State University with your free subscription to his monthly ezine, MARKET NEWS.

Currency Exchange: How This May Affect Your Spanish Property Purchase

Currency market update 27th April 2006

Sterling hit a 3-week low against a strong euro and held steady against the dollar after data showed British house prices barely budged in April following a jump in March.

The Nationwide Building Society said prices were up only 0.1 percent in April, after a 1.1 percent rise the month before, taking the average price of a British home to 163,573 pounds in seasonally adjusted terms.

The annual rate dropped back to 4.8 percent in April from a 10-month high of 5.3 percent in March.

The data was a bit below expectations but I think the uptrend in UK housing prices is still there, said Kris Bernie, market economist at National Australia Bank.

The Nationwide predicted property price growth would probably slow further over the rest of 2006.

By 0729 GMT, sterling was steady against the dollar at $1.7850. The pound hit a three week low against the euro at 69.81 pence before recovering slightly to 69.73 pence.

The euro has been riding high this week, hitting a 7-month peak against the dollar.

Interbank rates

GBP/EURO ? 1.4350

EUR/GBP ? 1.4410

EUR/USD - 1.2401

GBP/USD ? 1.7950

USD/GBP - 1.7898

GBP/AUD - 2.3752

GBP/NZD - 2.8400

GBP/CAD - 2.0130

GBP/CYP - 0.821

GBP/AED ? 6.540

GBP/ZAR ? 10.95

GBP/CHF ? 2.2610

GBP/PLN ? 5.5790

GBP/CZK ? 40.767

GBP/THB ? 67.17

Toby is a senior FX manager who writes daily articles concerning the Euro Pound currency exchange markets and how this affects the Spanish property market.

Wanna Share A Room?

In some parts of the world, renting a house or an apartment; and then subsequently having the rooms rented out to other individuals, is a common occurrence. This practice, which goes by the terms subletting or flatting, is a form of living arrangement that is popular among young adults. Not only do they have a semblance of privacy and independence, since the maintenance and utility costs are shared, it also becomes quite economical for those involved.

If you plan to sublet the house you?re renting or plan to be a tenant of a tenant, make sure that the owner of the house is aware of this planned living arrangement. Check the contract or lease agreement and make sure that there are no specific clauses prohibiting you (or the main tenant) from conducting subletting procedures. Once you have verified that subletting is allowed, you are then free to either move in (if you?re the lessee) or look for flatmates.

If you will be the landlord, it would be wise to draft a contract between yourself and your lessee. In your contract, make sure that all the stipulations and conditions indicated in your agreement with the main landlord, most especially those that involve what are or are not allowed in the premises, remain the same. Remember that in case your tenant does serious damage to the property, you will be responsible for it. So don?t take any chances.

If you will be the tenant, it is still advisable to sign a contract with your ?landlord?. Have a copy of this document on file so you can easily revert to it in case disputes or problems arise.

If both of you will abide by the agreed upon rules and regulations and get along well even on a personal level, then sharing a room, or a house would not be a problem. Not only is it financially viable, it is also a great way for you to meet and make good friends.

This is article is brought to you by Gloria Smith at LegalHomeForms.com. Created by a former, licensed Real Estate Agent, LegalHomeForms.com was designed to offer instant access to the most sought after type of real estate forms. For the cost of what others charge for one real estate contract, you can have instant access to over 60 downloadable real estate forms.

Kentucky Home Buying

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Kentucky, or perhaps you?re relocating to Kentucky from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Kentucky home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Kentucky:

The price of homes in Kentucky varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Louisville, Kentucky, the median price of a home in 2005 was $225,000; however, in Lexington, Kentucky, the median price of a home was $156,000. In 2004, the median home cost was for the entire state of Kentucky was $179,000. Additionally, in the last few years, average interest rates on home loans in Kentucky have been higher than the national average.

The rate of job growth in Kentucky is lower than the national rate, and the number of bankruptcies and foreclosures is higher than the national average. The rate of home appreciation in Kentucky is also lower than that of the nation. Homes in Kentucky appreciate at less than half of the rate of average national appreciation.

Kentucky is one of the many states that have enacted laws in order to counteract the rate of predatory lending. Kentucky?s high-cost home loan law subjects loans that are considered high-cost to certain regulations. High-cost loans include mortgages in which the total points and fees required to be paid by the borrower at closing exceed eight percent of the total loan amount and residential mortgages in which the APR exceeds the Treasuries securities rate by eight percent on first mortgages and ten percent on second mortgages.

Kentucky high-cost loan laws apply to purchase, refinancing, and second mortgages. Lenders may make high-cost home loans, but they must abide by certain restrictions. For example, lenders may not collect repayment penalties after the borrower has owned the home for three years, they may not create a repayment schedule that results in an increase in the principal amount owed, and they must reasonably believe that a borrower will be able to make the payments on their mortgage.

Because Kentucky officials are attempting to counteract predatory lending practices, the penalties of not abiding by Kentucky high-cost home loan laws are very strict.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Kentucky Mortgage Rates and Loans.

Costa Rica Property: Americans Are Buying In Record Numbers Why?

More Americans than ever are buying Costa Rica property - holiday homes, investment property and retirement homes and more will follow.

Why? Because they can get great capital growth and a lifestyle and costs are up to 70% less than at home and Costa Rica is just a 3 hour flight away!

There are numerous advantages lets look at them.

1. Cost & Return on Property

Costa Rica Property costs up to 70% less than in the US and with the bonus capital growth potential of 100% or more in just a few years.

This market is established and the weight of investment and number of migrants coming, means that there will be great gains to be had in the future.

In addition, the rental income market is booming allowing income and capital growth on Costa Rica property.

2. Cost of living

Is 70% less than in the US and you can live comfortably on just $2,000 a month ? you get more for your money in one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

3. Living and retiring in Costa Rica

Baby boomers are waking up to the fact that they can?t maintain their standard of living at home. Soaring medical costs less state support and inflation mean that they can?t maintain their standard of living in the US.

So their travelling to Costa Rica and getting medical costs that far are cheaper, a standard of living that is cheaper and no tax on social security cheques.

Here money goes a lot further. By buying Costa Rica real estate you simply live better on less.

4. All the comforts of home

Of course, you could go to Vietnam or other far of destinations and live in a different environment but in Costa Rica you can mix with the locals who are friendly, or you can stay within the large expat community.

Because the expat community is so large all the entertainment shops and services you get at home are available to and you?re still just a 3 hour flight from home.

5. Buying Property or Living is easy

Buying Costa Rica property is easy, you get the same rights as residents and living is also easy to arrange. Costa Rica wants migrants and investment, so they make it simple and straightforward.

If you are investing or wanting to set up a business, tax advantages are also generous.

6. Small diverse and something for everyone

Costa Rica is safe, stable and serious crime is almost non existent.

The pace of life is simply more relaxed. You also get variety from pristine beaches to volcanoes, rolling hills, rainforest and the Pacific and Caribbean, in one of the top ten adventure tourism spots on earth.

Add up the advantages and there just 3 hours away!

Buying Costa Rica property enables you to make huge gains on your investment as well as fantastic rental income and if you live or retire here you get a lifestyle that is second to none at a cheaper cost.

Buying Costa Rica real estate and you are buying a slice of paradise which is affordable with something for everyone in terms of lifestyle, at a cost you can afford and for investment purposes it delivers stunning gains with low risk!

Costa Rica property is just 3 hours away discover it and you will be glad you did.

For a free guide to invest in property and how to make profits and gain a fantastic lifestyle at low cost visit

http://www.costaricalandlots.com

Atlanta Real Estate Trends

It is believed that the greatest boom in the Atlanta real estate is yet to happen. An increased growth in population and rate of employment in Atlanta has caused the value of the real estate market to escalate continuously. The real estate prices are comparatively reasonable in Atlanta as compared to other large metropolitan areas. For example, a two-bedroom condominium in New York will cost you more than one million dollars, while Atlanta offers the same type of property for $250k to $300k.

The rapid pace of development of Atlanta has made it a center of many industries. This has led to an oversupply of commercial buildings, thereby decreasing the value of commercial properties. Assessment based on the supply and current vacancies has shown that Atlanta markets are more vulnerable to overbuilding. Atlanta has comparatively low mortgage interest rates. Federal environmental regulation or the tax reforms put forward by the state or the nation can also influence the Atlanta real estate trend.

Timely analysis conducted by credible industrial experts on different aspects of Atlanta real estate will help you to foresee changes in the market. Many experienced real estate professionals who know the Atlanta market are there at your service. They can represent your interests with integrity, character, and honesty. It is highly recommended that you get the property inspected before buying. If something turns up during the inspection, you have the right to negotiate a repair or remedy.

Atlanta posted one of Southeast's highest office sale prices recently when an investment management company paid $168 million ($330 per square foot), for an office building. The standing record in Atlanta is $343 a square foot for a building, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Atlanta Real Estate provides detailed information on Atlanta Real Estate, Atlanta Real Estate Agents, Atlanta Commercial Real Estate, Atlanta Real Estate Listings and more. Atlanta Real Estate is affiliated with Chicago Suburb Real Estate.

Commercial Real Estate Newsletters

Commercial real estate newsletters are an excellent way to keep in touch with clients or people who share a similar interest. In today's world of the Internet, commercial real estate business houses are converting their newsletters into electronic format, more popularly known as e-newsletters.

A commercial real estate newsletter can supply a huge mass of information to your readers, which is not available through the mainstream press. Before producing a commercial real estate newsletter, you have to decide on the format of the newsletter, how to write articles, matters related to printing and distribution and the like. There are many desktop publishing packages available that can assist you in developing or creating commercial real estate newsletters.

Firstly, you have to consider and answer the question, what is the purpose of the newsletter? A commercial real state newsletter cannot be made appealing to the readers without well-written content. Besides, the layout and appearance also contribute to the popularity of the newsletter.

Content writing, proof reading and editing are important steps because if the content is unreadable or grammatically incorrect, then it will be a major turn-off for your readers.

Commercial real estate newsletters provide information on topics including buying and selling of commercial space, commercial real estate mortgages, and credit. These newsletters could appeal to lenders, realtors, companies etc. Such newsletters generally contain quick-reading articles, which presents relevant information in a short, concise format that is appealing to customers with busy schedules.

Commercial real estate newsletters can also deal with topics related to issues that can affect your business, monthly listing of legislative advocacy on pertinent commercial issues, commercial real estate and investment headlines from newspapers or magazines, tips to build your commercial real estate business, etc. Current economic trends, local business news, recent commercial sales, vacancy statistics, new investment property listing highlights, or general business tips and information are all topics that could be included in commercial real estate newsletters.

Newsletters can be sent weekly, monthly or on a quarterly basis, but ensure that it is done regularly and consistently.

Commercial Mortgages provides detailed information on Commercial Mortgages, Commercial Second Mortgages, Commercial Mortgage Lenders, Commercial Mortgage Brokers and more. Commercial Mortgages is affiliated with Commercial Mortgage Brokers Online.

Downturn in Home Ownership Can Be a Windfall to Savvy Investors

With the housing market beginning to cool and interest rates on the rise, this may be an excellent time for investors to buy rental properties. The combination of those two market factors, along with an increase in the number of folks looking for new housing, could spell big profits for savvy real estate investors.

In the second quarter of 2006, home ownership actually rose somewhat, to 68.7 percent (although it was up less than a half percentage point), but that figure is down more than a percentage point from the high point, which occurred in the second quarter of 2004 (69.2 percent). Although that rise may be good for real estate sellers, recent interest rates, coupled with a large increase in property values during the housing boom many areas of the country experienced over the last several years, have made it much more difficult for buyers to get into homes of their own.

What does that mean to investors? It means that even at during the peak of home ownership in 2004, more than 3 out of every 10 Americans still rented the houses in which they lived, and it appears as if that figure may increase. In the last week of July 2006, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that applications for home loans had reached a four-year low. As an investor, those figures should spark your interest, because they indicate that more people are being forced to rent, whether they want to or not, until market factors adjust to make home ownership more feasible.

That fact was borne out in a recent survey by the National Multi Housing Council, which discovered that some 75 percent of apartment executives reported lower vacancy rates, higher rents, or both. In fact, the survey found that the Market Tightness Index, which is used to measure rental market conditions, increased to 85 in the second quarter of 2006, which was the highest number on record. Any number above 50 on that scale indicates improving market conditions for landlords, and it's been above 50 for 12 consecutive quarters. (The last time it was below 50 was July 2003.)

All of these factors offer a clear indication that owning rental properties makes more sense than it has in a long time, and that trend appears set to continue for some time to come. That conclusion was verified when a study by Harvard University identified a number of demographic forces that are combining to strengthen the rental housing market, especially echo boomers and second-generation Americans. The fact that investors are having to pay higher interest rates to buy rental properties has also translated into increased rents over the past few years.

With home buyers having more difficulty financing their dream homes, it appears as if the rental market will continue to strengthen for some time, at least until a market correction brings down home prices, which have been spiraling significantly over the past few years. As more and more people begin to look at renting as an option while they wait for that correction, savvy investors may be able to experience increased profits by adding more rentals to their inventory.

Copyright ? 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher teaches beginning real estate investors four ways to make money in any real estate market. Free Real Estate Investing Business Plan and free ebook, The Truth about Making Money Flipping Houses at http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com

First Time Home Buyer Tips

Buying your first home can be a frightening and daunting experience, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, it can actually be enjoyable, if you take the necessary steps to make sure you're ready to go through with the transaction. Here are some ideas on how to make your first home buying experience more enjoyable and less traumatic.

First, it's important to know just how much home you can afford. That will help you avoid the heartache of finding a home you love, only to discover that it's beyond your means. Find out what price range you need to be shopping in BEFORE you start looking!

One of the best ways to do that is to call or visit your local lenders and find out what types of loans are available and how much you can qualify for. There are many different types of loans available, and if this will be your first home, you'll have even more choices, because there are a number of programs specially designed to help people make their first home purchase. Talking with loan officers will also give you a chance to find out what other fees are involved in getting a loan. That way, you won't receive any unpleasant surprises when it comes to finalizing your mortgage transaction.

Find a real estate agent you're comfortable with, but also make sure they're knowledgeable about financing, real estate prices, and sales procedures in your area. They should also be able to demonstrate some success in negotiating sales. That's not to say there aren't good people in the field who are also brand new, but you'll want someone who can hold your hand throughout the process.

Don't sign an agreement to work with just one agent. If you agree to pay a commission to an agent, it obligates you to do that, even if you find a house yourself that's being sold by an owner. Keep your options open!

Create a checklist of the things you want most in your new home. It will help you stay focused on the things that are important to you and will serve as a reminder to look for those things in every home you visit. That way, you won't get overwhelmed by seeing many homes or get swept away by a home that's dramatic but doesn't contain the elements you're looking for.

Once you've found a home you like well enough to make an offer on, have a home inspection done by a reliable person. Especially if you're looking at a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) home, you may not want to agree to use the home inspector they suggest. Ask around and find one of your own.

Finally, don't let anyone pressure you into signing either the purchase papers or the loan documents without examining them closely. You have the right to read and to understand what you're signing, so take all the time you need. If you feel as if you need legal advice, ask to be able to show the papers to your attorney.

Buying a home doesn't have to be an exercise in frustration and terror. If you pay attention to details, gather the necessary information, and stay focused, it can be one of the most exciting things you'll ever do.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Free ebook: Credit Tips for Mortgage Financing at http://worryfreecredit.com

Jeanette Fisher teaches six steps to buying your first home. Free First Home Buyer Info

What Should My First Burnaby Acquisition Be?

When most people are thinking of buying their first Burnaby home, the decision is out of immediate need. The fact that this decision was the right one is of no importance at this point. Keep In mind that your first acquisition should be a property that helps you move closer to your goal. Understand that I?m not telling you to be side tracked in your investment path. You should accept the fact that the direction you need to take is to follow your goals. Why you ask? Galas are what dictate the life around you and what you should buy. Most people do not set proper goals in their life. This is all the more reason for you to understand that without proper goals, your efforts towards reaching any dream can be a series of disappointments and frustrations. To acquire a property simply for the sake of owning something may be a boost to your social standing and your ego. However, this will do little or possibly nothing to move you closer to your dream. The wrong property can and most likely will move you further away from your goal.

Are you currently renting your home? The first aspect of real estate ownership should be to consider buying your own place to live. While this concept may not be ideal for everyone, if you are settled in an area and expect to be there for 3-5 years, then in the absence of any other goal at all, this should be of a top priority. So what to buy? Well you have the choice of an apartment, home, an apartment building? Each has it?s advantages and disadvantages and your ability to deal with the complexities of these properties will help you make a sound decision.

A person who holds the ability to fix up both the inside and the outside of a property might consider a small apartment building that needs a bit of?. ?more then tender love and care?. This covers both your goals of owning your own property and having an income producing property. Having a place to live holds added income to cover your debt service ratio. This is the way to go!

Our rental network helps to find quality homes, apartments or vacation rentals in Canada's Fraser Valley area. Visit the website RentBurnaby.com for more information on Fraser Valley Homes and Apartments for Sale or Rent.

Loan Officer Marketing Creating Expectations

A loan officer marketing to generate loans doesn?t need to be difficult. Sometimes it?s simply knowing where and how to start. Your best starting point is to create expectations. Loan officer marketing that focuses on building expectations captures easy opportunities and makes your job easier.

For example, remember the experiments of Pavlov and his dog? Pavlov trained his dogs to receive a treat each time a bell was rung. Eventually he removed the reward and simply rang the bell. The dog responded by salivating every time the bell was rung, expecting a treat.

Pavlov created an expectation for the reward and his dog quickly learned the drill. We aren?t all that different from the dogs. People frequently have a perception about an experience, and our perception creates an expectation about our experiences.

Let?s say you?ve read a newspaper rave review about a restaurant. When you walk into the lobby of the restaurant you are impressed by the elegance and luxury, you?re sure you?ll get a great meal. Because you?ve built your expectations to believe that you?ll get a great meal, the food and service is remarkable.

There are many examples of how our expectations shape our perceptions, but it?s more important to consider how you can use perceptions of service to your benefit. Keep reading to learn how you can you shape expectations about your business.

Improve Your Materials

Take a look at your marketing materials. Do they give the impression or create an expectation of a trusted and highly skilled loan officer? Is there anything about the materials that make you look smart, competent, and experienced?

Your materials create the first impression with your prospects. They establish the expectation for your service. Do you need to improve your materials?

There are two important elements in your materials: brevity and image. Your window of opportunity is narrow. For instance, a loan officer marketing to Realtors only has an agent?s attention for a brief amount of time. This isn?t a good time to expound on your services. It?s a ?just the facts? moment. Images can sometimes covey powerful emotions. Consider using pictures to communicate part of your message.

A Website Shapes Expectations

Your website may be your most powerful loan officer marketing tool. Your prospects will often first look at your website to see if you look like a competent professional.

Does your website look like it was developed by a professional? Is it easy to navigate? Does it present information clearly? Does it appeal to both Realtors and consumers?

One way to evaluate your website is to compare it to other mortgage professionals. Your site should be an educational source. And it should distinguish you from the competition.

To get the attention of Realtors and establish an expectation of excellent service, your site has to address their needs. Just like with your other materials, the use of images can pack far more powerful punch than mere words.

Use Touchpoints For Emphasis

The expectation delivered with loan officer marketing materials is reinforced by those occasions of contact between you and the prospect. This contact is referred to as ?touchpoints?, and can refer to human, product or system touchpoints.

For instance, when a client calls your office and the call is answered by your friendly and courteous receptionist, this is a human touchpoint.

When you send Realtors an invitation to meet and discuss opportunities, you set an expectation with the quality of your letter and materials. This touchpoint is a product touchpoint.

When a Realtor calls your office and receives your voicemail with a professional greeting, that is considered a system touchpoint.

Each touchpoint is an opportunity to establish an expectation for your service. Think about every possible contact as an encounter and make those encounters a clear expectation of your professionalism and competence. Your loan officer marketing will seem exceptional, and just what the prospect is looking for.

Jeff Nelson helps loan officers increase loan originations by attracting quality relationships with real estate agents from the development of customized relationship-building strategies.

Click here to get a free copy of the Marketing Planning Guide, a 20-page workbook designed to help you outline a strategy to become an Agent Magnet.

Visit us at http://www.loan-officer-marketing.com