Finding construction loans for homes is not as easy as finding a regular home loan. This is because you are borrowing money for something that doesn’t exist yet. To find the right loan program you will need to shop around, and ask many potential lenders a lot of questions about loan terms, rates, and requirements.

After you find a lender that offers construction loans for homes it is a good idea to start the pre-approval process. This process is a short handed version of what you will need to go through to get officially approved for a construction loan. This process will usually involve the lender asking you questions about your credit history, your FICO score, what type of collateral you have, and what type of property you plan on building. The lender will then use this information to determine if you qualify for any of their loan programs. If you are pre-approved for a construction loan then the lender will give you a dollar range of what you are qualified to borrow for your project. They will also tell you what interest rates and terms are attached to the loan programs that you qualify for. You can then use this information to find a property, architect, and contractor. However, to actually get the money from a construction loan the information that you provided to the lender will need to be verified. This is the qualification process.

If you are interested in construction loans for homes for a commercial project then you will need to look for a lender that offers real estate development loans. These loans are specially designed for providing real estate developers with the capital needed to complete their real estate projects. The benefits of these loan types are that they offer flexible terms and rates. The drawbacks of these loan types are that they are difficult to find, they can take a long time to put together, and they may require a large amount of collateral to qualify for one.

Home lighting is probably the most important element in home interior decorating, because it is instrumental in setting the mood of any room. It can affect performance, mood, morale, safety and security. When deciding what lighting to use in your new home it’s important to consider how each room will be used, what fixtures are appropriate, energy efficiency and cost. To ensure that you will achieve the desired effect for your rooms, you first need to understand the four basic types of home lighting.

Ambient or general lighting illuminates the whole room. It is a good idea to install a dimmer with your track and recessed lights so that you have the flexibility to adjust the brightness. Examples of ambient lighting are recessed downlights, cove lighting, soffit lighting, valance lighting, wall washers, sconces, surface-mounted lights, pendant lights, track lights, chandeliers, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.

Task lighting provides sufficient light to help you perform the task at hand, for example reading, cooking, shaving, etc. Task lighting should be glare free and it should make things easy to see without tiring or straining your eyes. Examples of task lighting are valance lighting, pendant lights, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.

Accent lighting is focused lighting that is used to illuminate an object in your home like a sculpture, piece of art, or architectural element. Accent lighting is about three times as bright as ambient lighting. Example of accent lighting are wall washers, sconces, track lights and under-cabinet lights.

Natural lighting comes through windows, doors, and skylights and depending on the time of day, season, or weather, it can vary in brightness and intensity.

Types of Lighting Fixtures

Once you've considered what types of activities will be taking place in a room and what type of lighting is needed, you’ll need to decide what fixture will work best in each room in your new home and don’t be afraid to use multiple types of interior lighting. In fact, mixing and matching different light fixtures can help create a dramatic look and aesthetically pleasing room. The type of lighting you choose can also help make a room look larger or smaller.

Be prepared: Walking into any light fixture store can be overwhelming, so be sure to have a list of the types of fixtures your considering and how many you will need in each room. Before purchasing any fixtures, make sure you ask your builder if there are any restrictions on the types of fixtures that can be used in any specific room, because sometimes things such as ductwork, insulation or ceiling height can affect whether or not a fixture can be installed properly in a room.

Tip: Your local American Lighting Association (ALA) showroom is the best place to view the many different styles, sizes and shapes of lighting fixtures that are available to deliver the ambient/general, task, and accent light you need. Below is a list of the different types of lighting fixtures.

Hall/Foyer Fixtures can create a harmonious atmosphere, while providing you with the general lighting you need to greet guests and move safely from room to room. Use ceiling, chain-hung, or close-to-ceiling fixtures in hallways, stairways, and entranceways.

At some point we've all played the “wouldn't it be nice to live there” game, where we press our noses up to the estate agents window like hungry children eyeing up the cakes in a bakery, wishing we could afford the homes that are way too expensive for us. We all have aspirations far beyond our wallets from time to time, but more and more first time buyers are finding that they simply cannot afford to buy anywhere as property prices in the UK have rocketed to such levels that the first step onto the ladder has begun to look more like an impossible leap.

Now a new breed of buyer has begun to emerge, or maybe I should say ‘evolve’, because that’s what happens when nature finds a way around a problem, who have decided to tackle the issue of affordability head on, they are the co-buyers. If you’ve not been near your TV, radio or favorite newspaper recently you’d be excused for not having heard of this home buying movement. Put simply, co-buying is where two or more people buy a property together to join funds, divide of all the costs, and afford to buy years sooner than they could have done alone. Nothing new there, as friends and family have been doing that for an age now, what is new is the rise in the popularity of searching for your ideal mortgage mate on the internet.

Richard Cohn, Founding Director of Shared Spaces Limited, introduced us to the concept of co-buying with www.sharedspaces.co.uk, launched in December 2005. He explains, “I flat shared for years before buying, and made some great friends along the way, and it was during this time that I came to the conclusion that was to lead to the creation of SharedSpaces. If you can flat-share with complete strangers with great success, why can’t people take it to the next level and buy together?”

Of course there is more to it than just that because buying is a far bigger financial commitment than renting, but Cohn suggests that with the correct legal framework (a document called a ‘Deed of Trust’ that costs only a few hundred pounds from any solicitor that protects your legal rights and provides a roadmap for the relationship), mortgage payment protection insurance (to protect you and your co-owners from hardship should you loose your jobs or are unable to work due to illness), and time (as much time as you need to get to know your potential co-buyer well enough to call them a friend or a business partner in the process), there is no reason why you cannot have a successful co-buying experience.

SharedSpaces.co.uk has over 2,500 registered members across the UK looking for someone else to buy a property with, joined by a common goal, to fight the affordability gap. Whether you are a key worker or a city high flyer if you’re looking for a mortgage mate, a property pal or a future friend to buy your first home with there seems to be plenty of people to choose from. I don’t know whether co-buying solves the long term problem of property prices rising faster than salaries, but it sure does seem to offer an option for those who have been left behind.

Every single year, the moving industry charges into action (usually during the summer months) as millions of people move from one place to another.

There are always war stories shared by those that have lived through a move, usually detailing experiences that could have been avoided.

Here we investigate the process of actually performing the move, and doing it safely and successfully. Afterall, so many take real care in the financial aspects of buying or selling a home. Why then, is there so much less concern with moving your home from one place to another? Aren't the things inside your home as important as the home itself?

Step 1: Take inventory of the items in your home!

Very often, there is little to no time to actually determine what items are really worth taking to the new home. Therefore, the typical approach is to PACK EVERYTHING! This is a safety mechanism that can add serious dollars to your cost of moving. To move those items you no longer want or need may require a larger vehicle, or more moving supplies.

Some items you may offer to the buyer to help increase the sale price. Other items you may be able to sell on eBay or at a garage sale. Did you ever consider that the money made from a garage sale could actually pay for your move?

Step 2: Organize and Pack your valuables wisely!

The most organized person I have ever met was my sister, who sorted all items into boxes by room, even if it was the attic or garage for storage. She had separated everything based on which room they were going into, not where they came from, packed them into boxes and used marker to write the contents and designated room.

Step 3: Buy the right moving supplies!

The one thing everyone needs, but no one wants to buy are moving boxes, moving supplies and packing materials. Consider how much your valuables are worth, and then consider whether or not it is worth spending some money to ensure that your valuables are kept safe during the move. Whether you have your big buddy helping you or a professional moving company, you are still much safer if your valuables are packed securely. DON'T use your friend's recycled boxes as they may no longer be sturdy.

You can find moving boxes, moving supplies and packing materials you need online at wholesalers like www.promovingboxes.com. Sites like these are all over and offer fast free shipping. Imagine, that old bike or furniture set you sold on eBay may even pay for your order!

Step 4: Hire a Moving Company!

Bluto the large may be a close personal friend, but very often should not be relied on to supplant a professional moving company. For one thing, favors are always repaid with other favors, which involve some manner of costs. Also, either your stuff, or worse your friends could get hurt in the process. Professional movers are insured, and so are your valuables. If a mover drops grandma's china set that was given to you as an heirloom, you may remember it forever, but you'll probably never see that person again. Your friend may not be so lucky. They could wind up with a permanent black mark when all they were trying to do was help you out.

Step 5: Take time Off before and after!

Don't leave a deadline of a weekend to move your home. It is never long enough. True, that most people take vacation to simply go on vacation. But here, you have 1 opportunity to get it all right! From start to finish, you have the opportunity to do everything right! Ever hear of someone who wanted to paint their new home first but couldn't because they had to get their stuff out of the moving truck?

Leave yourself plenty of time to perform all of the steps in your move. You will feel much better for it in the end. Those who take off often find that they have accomplished so much more. Either by organizing their new home, or cleaning their things as they unpack them. Most importantly though, those who take off can take time to enjoy their new home, and begin to plan for their future there.

We wish you the best on your move, and hope that you learn from the experiences of the many who have gone through it already

How to calculate cost basis can be a confusing concept to those who contemplate selling their real estate. Along with fair market value and holding period, cost basis represents one the three key components in identifying the amount of potential tax that may be due on the sale of the property.

Unfortunately, how to calculate cost basis is not a common concept ingrained in us through our normal day-to-day educational experience. However, it very quickly becomes very real as we explore various real estate exit and transition strategies.

A good place to start in developing an understanding how to calculate cost basis is by defining capital gain. What are capital gains and how do they apply to real estate? In simplest terms, a capital gain is the appreciation between the original cost and current sale price. The federal government and most state governments tax this "gain" if the asset is sold.

The sales proceeds less any associated selling costs represent the "value" of the property being sold. It does not matter if the property is encumbered by debt or not in this calculation. And, it does not matter if all proceeds are received at the time of sale or not. The net result is still the value of the property at the time of sale - the top number in our simple mathematical equation to determine the amount of "gain" in the property.

In contrast, cost basis is the bottom number that is subtracted from value to give us the answer to our gain question. Simply stated, cost basis is the original cost of the property, plus any improvements made by the owner. Improvements can be items such as:

* Installing utilities on a building lot (electrical pole, well, septic system, etc)
* New roof or deck
* Remodeling the interior of the home
* Numerous other improvements performed by the owner

When selling property, it is imperative to define the cost basis of the investment. Accurately define any improvements made on the property and compare it to the current value. The difference is the capital gain and subsequent amount that could be taxed by the government during the sale. By having developed an accurate cost basis, you will be better prepared to take advantage of the various capital gain tax planning options.

Garages are functional extensions of our homes. Aside from the space they offer, they also provide security and the privacy of our activities such as our hobbies. They enhance living spaces by adding extra storage spaces, provide a parking area for our vehicles.

Garages can be used as a toolshed. For woodwork, motorbike, and carpentry hobbyist, garages are the ideal place to work on their hobbies. Aside from the privacy of a garage, given the right ventilation and proper ergonomically-planned work area, garages are very conducive to working and moving about in your hobby.

Aside from the functionality it offers, garages offer a comfortable level of security for your possessions. Building your own garage can reduce the risk of car vandalism, car theft and other car crimes. Keeping vehicles safely tucked inside our garages instead of leaving outside on driveways or our house street prevents our vehicles from being vandalized and stolen, thus giving you the peace of mind knowing that your property is secured behind locked garage doors and strong and sturdy garage roofs.

Garages keep your vehicles safe from bad weathers conditions. Come winter season, a car garage owner can simply sit beside a warm fire instead of spending a whole day outside, cleaning off the ice from his car window and windscreen. Furthermore, your car can be kept safe from the depreciation caused by extreme heat during the summer season.

Building your own garage can also increase the market value of your property should you decide to sell your home when the kids have gone to college.

Garages don’t have to be big and expensively accessorized. They just have to serve the purposes for which you build it for.

Buying cheap property for sale and selling it quickly and making huge gains is the aim of most property speculators, however buying cheap property for sale often leads to disaster for many property investors.

They simply don’t understand one fundamental fact:

Cheap property for sale is cheap for a reason!

No one wants it.

Now, some cheap property for sale will become expensive but most will not and it is here you need to balance the risk to reward carefully and keep these two points in mind:

1. Don’t buy markets that have not turned up

If you are buying an area of your home country or are buying cheap property for sale in the booming overseas markets don’t buy a market that may take off for reasons you believe in, look for the facts to point to it has taken off and that means rising prices.

Of course, we all want to buy the bottom of a market but the risk is high.

If you want to be a pioneer go ahead, but keep in mind some made huge rewards and most got the arrows and its the same in property investment.

Property trends last for decades, so what if you miss the absolute bottom? If you can still buy cheap property for sale and make triple digit gains who cares?

2. Buy only locations where the infrastructure points to higher prices

This means buying the cheapest property for sale with lowest risk to highest reward.

Normally, this means buying near new infrastructure.

New roads, airports, marina’s etc are great locations. When their built, the herd comes in and property values soar.

Don’t buy a property in the middle of nowhere and think that it may increase in value!

You may be waiting a long time to see grow, if at all.

Cheap property for sale a great market

A fantastic market offering affordable property is Costa Rica.

With beach view property up to 70% less than in the USA and a rising number of retirees and second home buyers coming in from abroad and you could be piling up some huge gains with the right location.

At present the central Pacific coast near Jaco offers great returns with low risk and is rising in popularity.

Buy cheap property for sale here and you could be looking forward to some fantastic capital growth potential

Are you one of those people who come to Las Vegas for investment opportunities? If you are, you should always think twice before putting in your money in certain personal properties. It is important to get advices from experts in the field. A little Knowledge in real estate will help you save big money. There are many things that you can do wrong. You will end up paying big money for little mistakes. So when you want to invest, expert’s advices will help you avoiding these mistakes. For example, you may invest your money into certain personal properties, and you may later find out better offers in the market.

Where do you get your advices? Getting good advices on Las Vegas investing is easy. There are so many good agents, brokers, and investment consultants in Las Vegas. They can help you make smart investment choices. How do you find these good people? There are many ways. Ask for referrals from your friends and family. If your friends just recently sell or buy their houses, they probably can recommend someone to you. You can also surf the internet to look for reputable organizations of brokers. The internet is a great resource for real estate knowledge. Many realtors’ sites offer free and powerful buying tips. Internet resources will help you know the odds in real estate industry better.

Investing in real estate business sounds like some guaranteed formula for consistent cash flow. This notion, no doubt, has been prevalent over the time. But aspiring agents often overlook the fact that there cannot be any gain without bearing some amount of pain. Investment in real estate business requires some serious thought on part of the investor because without his dedication and hard work, fruitful results would be an anathema.

For those venturing into the field of real estate, it is important to follow some basic guidelines. The concerned person should use his prudence with regard to the choice of the real estate. He should be imaginative enough to plan out sales strategies even of unused or abandoned properties. He should always be on the look out for properties that have the potential of developing into popular commercial or residential centers in future. In a way, a real estate agent is thus like a treasure-hunter always on a hunt for precious treasures.

Another simple but important point to remember is your attitude towards your business. It has become quite common for most of us to consider this business as a child's play. Many of them consider devoting only one or two days of the week enough to bring profit to their business. Such a casual attitude towards your real estate business will hardly end up bearing fruits. On the contrary, you can find yourself sunk in deep losses as well. So its advisable to the beginners to pay proper attention to their business and work hard to enjoy the gains that this business can deliver.

It is not really necessary to make huge investments while beginning your business. But you should invest soundly and have the patience to wait for the desired results. Real estate business is not some instant reward formula where you can get huge rewards with minimum investment. Always remember, if you want to gain, you must be prepared to lose.

Besides for those who face some problems initially, approaching an experienced real estate agent is advisable. These agents are skillful enough to convince the prospective buyers of the plus points of their purchase. As such, one can always learn some important business tips from them. Beginners, therefore, should never hesitate to clarify whatever doubts they have on their mind. They should remember that the only obstacle on their way to success is their attitude and effort. Ultimately, they will reap the benefits of their own toil.

Sit back and hold on tight, for the cash flow industry is climbing! The cash flow industry has developed through fast and flexible financing and offers multiple solutions to achieve successful financial results. The cash flow industry does not require a great deal of time, so professionals are becoming aware of the potential to make an investment that has a fast turnaround. The secondary financing market industry is growing and becoming more demanding as the benefits of alternative financing are recognized.

Professionals representing clients in possession of notes also known as “paper,” should be fully aware of potential and possibilities. The note, a promise to fulfill a debt owed to a source over a specific duration of time and amount, serves as an asset in the cash flow industry. The note, through a variety of income streams, can be bought and sold, entirely or partially, allowing several options to investors.

First time homebuyers on a national average have less than the necessary income to meet the requirements for a loan, according to Texas A&M Real Estate Center’s 2005 Revised Texas Housing Affordability Index. What does this mean? There are numerous buyers who want to purchase a home and do not qualify. The seller of a home could offer the option of seller financing to the first-time home buyer allowing the buyer to qualify and purchase the home. Through such deal structuring, the seller could then sell the entire note to an investor or a portion of the note, known as a “partial purchase.” If the seller is strapped for cash, the solution would be to sell the note entirely and the investor would then receive the future income streams in exchange for cash.

The visibility has expanded as businesses, both large and small, have discovered the advantages of the cash flow industry, also known as the sub-prime market. In the sub-prime market, there is an incredible mass of investment resources and opportunities. While the primary market is commonly recognized as the first source for money society thinks of, successful investors know the secondary market gives more flexibility.

Reasons contributing to the growth of the cash flow industry are as follows:

- The paper industry provides a flexible form of investment with choices and more solutions in terms and conditions of a note.

- In the wake of multiple natural disasters in recent history, society is searching for quick cash opportunities.

- As more people acquire debt, the more likely they are in the need of cash.

- The cash flow industry is reaching a high level of visibility and businesses and homeowners are discovering they have several options.

- Aging population desires second homes, newer luxury cars and has increasing medical expenses.

The cash flow industry has become more structured and widespread, building the fundamental steps for the cash flow industry to keep climbing!

Real estate investment has provided many investors with stable positive cash flow, tax advantages and satisfaction of owning properties. Like any other investments, the secret of success is to minimize the risks in the investment.

1) Prepare for the Success
Sound real estate investment demands knowledge, experience and skills. If you feel too overwhelmed when looking at real estate investment. A good start point is to go to a reputable real estate investing seminars. Real estate investing seminars are actually wonderful tools for beginners. They help the investors to get educated - learn the market, do the appropriate research, and become skilled at what you need to face the estate competition.

2) Pay the right price for the right properties at the right time
In order to make a real estate investment, you must assess the risk involved. No one in their right mind should be making an investment if they don’t know the current market trends or are misinformed. For instance, let’s say that an investor was dying to make some quick cash. They see that golf communities are the newest trend and that most people are interested in spending money on the gated communities. As a result, they quickly invest in a New York golf community, but are confused when it doesn’t take off. Due to the fact that they didn’t research on the best areas to invest, and how weather may affect buyer’s opinions, they are most likely going to have a difficult time selling something that isn’t popular in that specific town.

3) Charge Fair Rents
If you are making a real estate investment and have done the research, you should charge fairly. For example, if you give your tenants a great area, reasonable rent, and are respectful, chances are they will stay and continue paying. If you overcharge and do not treat them fairly, you will be looking at a lot of vacant real estate. In the end, you will have more problems then when you started. You also should be doing detailed inspections. You do not want to miss any problems and then realize later that you made a big mistake in price.

4) Choose the Right Agents
When trying to take your investment to a seller, it is crucial that you check for their resume. You want to work with someone who is a great professional, not someone who is just out to scam you. Therefore, check every number and reference on their list. If you are spending all of this money on a golfing community, you will want to have a great representative.

Getting started in the Real Estate business can be a daunting task for those without resources, unless you know the shortcuts I am about to share with you. The basic idea is to use someone else's money to buy your first property, then use the profits to buy your next property.

So where do you go to get someone else's money? Even someone that has no money and a terrible credit history has access to thousands of dollars right now, and you don't have to wait for some loan officer to approve it. This wonderful place is your local newspaper classified section, the Real Estate Investment section.

What I am talking about here is a private loan. There are many investors out there that are willing to give you a loan to buy real estate, but there is a catch. These private lenders have a tendancy to charge a much higher interest rate than a regular bank. They will also charge you a large number of points for the loan you get from them. Here is the trick to getting the loan even if you don't have any money.

Let's say that you need $35k to purchase a foreclosed property worth $100k. You will also need $5k to cover the repairs to the property before you can resell it. You will probably be be asked for about $3.5k to cover the points on the loan, so here is what you need to do. Set the value for the loan at $44k, but you only take $40.5k, which covers the points, the repairs, and purchase price of the property plus any miscellanious expenses that you might have.

This strategy works very well, but only if you are able to turn the property around before you have to make a payment on the loan. With the way the real estate market is going these days, you are probably better off keeping any place that you find and renting it out until the market turns around again.

The down side to all of this is that you have to make this purchase on credit. I highly recommend against this as you can get into a lot of trouble if you don't research your investment property ahead of time. There are too many things that can go wrong with a foreclosed property to take a risk on it in a down market. I would highly recommend looking for other investments that are more likely to have a quicker turn around rake such as stocks or internet marketing systems.

It is common knowledge that many Americans are finding that investment property in Mexico may provide an interesting option. Is buying property for sale in Mexico still a good way to reposition equity from appreciated domestic property?

Trends show older people and retirees are looking for inexpensive places to live and enjoy the rest of their lives and are finding places like Mexico very attractive. Should you be the one who sells or rents this property to Americans? Is this a good way to put some of your appreciation from your property in the United States to work? We will explore some factors for you to consider:

Overall, the appeal of owning investment property in Mexico is evidenced across the country. For example:

In the last couple of years there has been a land rush in the Riviera Maya, a small idyllic slice of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. It is this combination of beautiful beaches (or other geographical features) with inexpensive cost of living this bringing Americans by the hundreds to this place and many others.

From the long-time artists' enclave of San Miguel de Allende in the hills of central Mexico to fast-growing sports-fishing and beach communities of the Baja peninsula to Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast, there is plenty to lure a sun-seeking retiree.

No place has boomed in recent years like the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico's far southeast corner. Anchored by the high-rise resort destination Cancun at one end and cosmopolitan Playa del Carmen an hour to the south, Quintana Roo is the country’s fastest-growing state, with over a million residents. An estimated 1,500 to 3,000 American citizens live there more than six months out of the year, along with a few thousand more Canadians, Europeans and South Americans.

The hottest section is near Tulum, just down the beach from a massive Mayan fortress overlooking the Caribbean. While the area retains a funky 60's vibe (there's a nude beach--unusual for conservative Mexico), in the past several years some swanky hotels and real estate developments have been launched.

Indeed, with more than 70 million American baby boomers expected to retire in the next two decades, many without adequate pensions or health plans, some experts predict a vast migration to warmer--and cheaper--climates. Often, such buyers purchase a property 10 to 15 years before retirement, use it as a vacation home, and then eventually move there for most of the year. Developers are increasingly taking advantage of the trend, building gated communities, condominiums and golf courses and are selling directly to the retirees and to those wishing to hold the property as part of their real estate investment portfolio.

On the negative side, there are a couple of factors to keep in mind:

First, if you are planning on using investment property in Mexico as a repositioning strategy, remember you cannot use the popular 1031 exchange approach because the rules limit replacement properties to domestic replacements (i.e. land in the United States).

Also, many land-seekers are encountering a variety of obstacles with the investment itself, including skyrocketing real estate prices and confusing laws. Under the Mexican constitution, foreigners are allowed to own land outright anywhere except within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of the coastline or 100 kilometers from a national border. Within the restricted zone, they can hold the property in a trust, or fideicomiso. While they don't officially own it, they retain the right to use it and sell it for a renewable 50-year period. For example, in Tulum, several miles of virgin beachfront are claimed by an ejido--a form of communal ownership that's fairly common in Mexico. Under current law, ejidos can be "privatized," subdivided and sold, subject to unanimous approval by ejido members and time-consuming government approvals. Until that happens, foreigners are blocked from buying pieces of it.

Finally, if you're interested in investment property in Mexico, experts say there are a few basic steps to help avoid heartache. First, ask a prospective seller to provide three documents before proceeding with any negotiations: 1) a copy of the title, known informally in Spanish as an escritura; 2) a certificate of freedom of liens and encumbrances; and 3) the latest tax statement for the property. These documents will help establish that the seller really owns the property free and clear. Second, hire a reputable attorney before signing any documents. The nearest U.S. consulate can provide a list of attorneys in good standing. Third, arrange for title insurance. In recent years major U.S. players such as Stewart Title and First American Title have gone into business in Mexico and there is a thriving locally based industry, as well. For a cost of about $5 per $1,000 of property, a title insurer will protect a buyer against prior liens by tax authorities in the event that somebody else claims title. Finally, make sure to place the property in a fideicomiso, or trust. Fees run around $1,000 to $1,500 up front, plus about $400 a year, but that is offset by the very low property-tax burden.

In this article we look at realestate in Belize for sale. We will explore some factors you may want to consider to see if Belize makes sense as a repositioning strategy for your real estate portfolio.

Real estate markets in the US have changed dramatically over the last few years. With limited domestic options for reinvestment, many are looking to international markets. Realestate in Belize for sale - is this a viable reinvestment option? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of this market:

First, why Belize? Well, why not? With gorgeous beach front and private islands, Belize offers amazing views, great weather and cheap rum who wouldn't want to live here?

While most people may opt to live by the ocean, properties inland such as ranches, citrus groves, and raw land can provide just as good a location to live or to start a small business. Also, inland properties assure better waste management and accessibility to utilities. (Keep in mind, that energy costs are much higher in Belize because of more primitive infrastructure and because basic resources in Belize are less efficient than first-world countries.)

If it's the blue water and sandy beach that you desire, check out Hopkins/Sittee Point or Sarteneja, along the southern coast. But, you may want to stay away from Placencia Peninsula. The consensus is that the bubble has already burst in this beautiful and remote area.

Ambergris Caye is the most popular, but most expensive, place to live for expats while the Remote Cayes offer over 200+ private islands. But beware of hurricanes!

Indeed, much of the disadvantages to investing in Belize stem from the devastation brought on by hurricanes. Locals say that it is not necessarily the wind, but the 6 foot tidal surges that destroy properties and businesses. While, rebuilding costs are pretty inexpensive; you need to be sure to hire good supervisors that live in the country that can pay workers directly.

In addition, realestate in Belize for sale comes with the same general hassles whenever investing out of the United States. However, most business and government transactions are handled in English and currency is traded in dollars - much to an American's advantage. While the government remains stable (democratic elections are held every four years); title insurance is available for those concerned with sudden changes in the political landscape.

International real estate options continue to be a consideration as people explore their real estate strategies. Is Belize the right strategy for you? It could be, but it is even more important to do your homework and consider these investments with your eyes wide open. Visiting the country is a good first step. So, pack up that beach towel and don't forget the sunscreen!

There are a number of significant income tax benefits that are often overlooked by real estate investors that could allow them to defer or exclude some or all of their income tax liabilities on the sale or disposition of their real estate assets.

It is important for real estate investors to have at least a working knowledge of the basics in order to identify when a strategy may be applicable. The following is a concise summary of the available strategies that an Investor should discuss with his or her tax advisor.

Section 1031—Tax-Deferred Like-Kind Exchange of Property Held for Rental, Investment or Used In a Business

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (“1031 exchange”) provides that real property held for rental, investment or use in a business (“relinquished property”) can be exchanged for “like-kind” real property also held for rental, investment or use in a business (“replacement property”) allowing the Investor to defer his or her Federal, and in most cases, state income tax liabilities.

It is important to note that 1031 exchange transactions are tax-deferred exchanges — not tax-free exchanges — as many authors and advisors frequently refer to them. The Investors ’s capital gain and depreciation recapture tax liabilities are merely deferred — and can be continually and indefinitely deferred — into like-kind replacement properties acquired as part of a series of 1031 exchange transactions.

The tax deferral benefits of the 1031 exchange allow a Investor to sell, dispose or convert real property without reducing his or her cash position by paying capital gain or depreciation recapture taxes. This provides the Investor with the continued liquidity necessary to increase his or her real estate portfolio by trading up in value and ultimately increasing his or her net worth by improving cash flow and capital appreciation from the portfolio.

A Qualified Intermediary is required when completing a 1031 exchange transaction. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to personal property as well as real property.

Section 1033—Involuntary Conversion (Disposition) of Property through Eminent Domain (Condemnation) or Natural Disaster

Section 1033 of the Internal Revenue Code (“1033 Exchange”) provides that real property that is or will be the subject of a compulsorily or involuntary conversion either from an Eminent Domain proceeding (condemnation by local, state or Federal government) or destruction by an act of God such as an earthquake, hurricane, fire, or other natural disaster, in whole or in part, can be exchanged on a tax-deferred basis for “like-kind” real property that is similar or related in service or use to the property that was involuntarily converted.

Owners have up to two (2) years to replace property destroyed due to acts of God and up to three (3) years to replace property converted due to Eminent Domain proceedings.

A Qualified Intermediary is not required when completing a 1033 Exchange transaction.

Section 1034—Rollover of Gain from the Sale of a Primary Residence (Repealed)

Section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code ("1034 Exchange") was repealed and replaced by Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code. However, it is important to understand what Section 1034 was all about, what changed with the repeal of this Section and what the differences are between the old and new laws.

Section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code allowed an owner of real property that was used as his or her primary residence to sell or otherwise dispose of the primary residence and defer 100% of his or her capital gain tax liability by acquiring another primary residence of equal or greater value.

Qualified Intermediaries were not required for Section 1034 exchange transactions.

Section 721—Tax-Deferred Exchange of Property Held for Rental, Investment or Use in a Business Into A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

Section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code ("721 Exchange") allows a Investor to exchange rental or investment real estate for shares in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). This is called a 721 exchange — also known as an upREIT or 1031/721 exchange.

Investors typically utilize the upREIT in conjunction with selling relinquished property and acquiring like-kind replacement property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Once the replacement property has been held as rental or investment property for 12 to 18 months or more in order to demonstrate the Investors intent to hold the property and qualify for 1031 exchange treatment, the replacement property is contributed into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in exchange for shares of stock in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) pursuant to Section 721 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The 721 exchange does not have to be in conjunction with a 1031 exchange, however. The Investor could simply contribute rental or investment property already owned by the Investor directly into the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) as part of a 721 exchange.

The 721 exchange can provide a Investor with a great exit strategy by exchanging out of his or her investment real estate portfolio and into shares of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that should provide more liquidity once the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) becomes publicly traded and listed on a securities exchange. The Investor also gains complete control and flexibility over the recognition of the capital gain tax by determining the timing and the quantity of shares sold in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

However, the 721 exchange essentially eliminates the ability for the Investor to exchange back into real estate and defer his or her capital gain taxes by using a 1031 exchange because the Investor now owns securities instead of a real estate interest.

Section 121—Exclusion of Capital Gain on the Sale of Primary Residence

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 repealed and replaced the tax deferral provisions contained within Section 1034 of the Internal Revenue Code with a capital gain exclusion provision pursuant to Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code ("121 Exclusion").

Generally, a Taxpayer can sell real property held and used as his or her primary residence and exclude from gross income up to $250,000 in capital gain taxes if the Taxpayer is single and up to $500,000 in capital gain taxes if the Taxpayer is married and filing a joint income tax return. The Taxpayer is required to have lived in the real property as his or her primary residence for at least 24 months out of the last 60 months (two out of the last five years). The 24 months do not need to be consecutive and there are certain exceptions to the 24 month requirement when a change of employment, health, or other unforeseen circumstances has occurred.

Section 121 is effective for dispositions of real property held as a primary residence after May 7, 1997. Taxpayers can complete a 121 exclusion once every two (2) years.

Taxpayers should carefully monitor the amount of “built-up” capital gain in their primary residence and may want to seriously consider selling their primary residence before the capital gain tax liability exceeds the $250,000 or $500,000 limitation. The Taxpayer’s capital gain tax liability in excess of these exclusion limitations will be taxable. A sale of the primary residence would preserve the tax free exclusion of the capital gain and would allow the Taxpayer to acquire another primary residence and start all over again.

Special legal, tax and financial planning is needed in circumstances where a Taxpayer already has a significant capital gain tax liability in excess of the $250,000 or $500,000 exclusion limitation. For example, the primary residence could be converted to rental or investment property and then sold as part of a 1031 exchange after it has been rented for a sufficient amount of time in order to demonstrate the Investor’s intent to hold the property as rental or investment property. This would allow the Taxpayer to dispose of his or her primary residence, defer all of the capital gain tax liability, and diversify and allocate the capital gain tax liability proratably over a number of rental properties clearing the way for further financial, tax and estate planning opportunities.

There are special rules applicable to real property acquired initially as replacement property through a 1031 exchange transaction and then subsequently converted to the Taxpayer’s primary residence and sold pursuant to Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Consult with Tax and/or Legal Advisors

Investors should always consult with their advisors before proceeding with any of these strategies. Sophisticated 1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediaries should also be able to assist in answering any questions that you might have.

Thought That Good Credit Is Enough? Think Again...
As a mortgage broker I deal with a lot of real estate investment business. The number of times that a loan could not be done because the investor was unaware of certain basic mortgage concepts is staggering. Most investors, even if they have done a few loans, think that good credit, 2 years self employment (or 2 years on a job) and 6 months of reserves are all they need to get a mortgage to buy that next investment property, refinance them out of a hard money loan, or get cash out of the equity in the property they just bought. There are much more to it than that. What follows is a list of gotchas that you need to avoid or be aware of as you start to buy residential investment real estate.

Gotcha #1 - Property Recently Listed On The MLS
Many investors will buy a property with equity, then list it for a while to see if they can get it sold. The reasoning is that should they not be able to sell it, they can refinance to get cash out, or refinance into a long term loan and put a tenant buyer in the property on a lease purchase. BAD MISTAKE. 99% of lenders will NOT refinance your property if it has been listed on the MLS in the last 6 months. The very few that do, will require the listing to be canceled, and a mandatory one year pre payment penalty assessed on the mortgage. In addition, the only financing available would be an Option ARM. Not a good thing to have for a long term loan.

Gotcha #2 - Title Seasoning For A Cash Out Refinance
Real estate is a lucrative business. Because of it, many criminals have gravitated to it and taken advantage of lenders. The net result is that lenders have tightened up their guidelines to avoid losing money on bad investor loans. A good investment strategy used to be: a. Buy a fixer upper, b. Fix it up, c. Do a cash out refinance based on the new increased value to get your capital back that you put into it and put tax free money in your pocket, or have money for carrying costs set aside while you wait for it to sell. 95% of lenders will only lend the money you paid to buy the property, plus the cost of documented improvements. This means no cash out for profit or other purposes for 12 months! The few lenders that will allow you to take cash out using the appraised value (instead of the purchase price), will have a stringent field review appraisal (or AVM) done to verify that the new value is accurate. You will typically have to pay for this second appraisal.

To protect yourself, take before and after pictures, have copies of contractor invoices handy, and make sure that the value you think the property will have is solid.

Gotcha #3 - Using A Stated Income Loan Because You Can Not Qualify on Full Doc
Stated income loans was designed and intended to be used by self employed people that can not adequately document their income. It was not created to over state your income. Eg. If you have a good CPA and you have a business, they take all the deductions allowed by the law so that you can show the least possible income to the IRS to reduce your tax bill. Now you can't use your tax returns to document your income because your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) is too low to qualify for a loan. The stated income loan was created to state your actual income, but you don't have to prove that you actually make it in order to get around the above problem.

Many investors and loan officers have heard that the stated income loan is called a "liars loan". They interpret this as meaning that you can state what ever income you want in order to meet the required debt to income ratios, even if it is grossly more than you actually make. They then argue that as long as they make the payments on the loan and do not default, that there was no harm done. What they don't know, is that there is a reason why you sign a document called a 4506-T when you do a stated income loan. The lender will use this authorization to request your tax return from the IRS when they perform a random audit after the loan closed. Or if they perform an audit after the loan closed because they suspect that you purposely misled them about your income. If your tax returns do not show that you actually made the money you stated (income before deductions) you will get a very unwelcome call from certain authorities and have to come up with some mighty uncomfortable explanations.

If you have a situation where you don't have enough income to qualify, but know that you are going to get money to meet your obligations from another source (eg. sale of property, your dad/partner promised to help with the payments, you already have a tenant or buyer lined up etc...), then don't use a stated income loan because you would have to be untruthful about your income to qualify. Don't mislead anyone. Rather go with a No Ratio loan, where you do not state any income at all. No ratio means that no debt ratio is calculated to qualify for the loan because no income was disclosed or stated. You don't have to sign a 4506-T because the lender agreed that your income was not considered as a factor to qualify for the loan. Your rate will be a little higher, but it will keep you out of trouble.

Gotcha #4 - Accepting Cash, Money Orders or Cashiers Checks From Your Tenant For Rent Or Option Down Payments
If you plan to sell your property to your tenant, either on a lease purchase, or simply because your tenant wants to buy the property, then do not accept cash, money orders or cashiers checks. Lenders want to know that borrowers made their rent payments on time. Since you are a private landlord, most lenders will not accept your word (through a VOR or Verification Of Rent) that your tenant paid the rent on time, especially if the tenant is buying your home. The only documentation they will accept is canceled checks. This means that your tenant must pay you via check, so that they can request 12 months of cancelled checks from their bank to prove they made their rent payments on time. If you don't do this, especially if you sell on lease purchase, your deal is dead.

Gotcha #5 - Having Mortgages On More Than 8 Properties
Life as a real estate investor becomes a lot of harder once you own 8 properties or more. Most lenders do not want to take the risk of making another loan to you. If you try to do property number 9 or more, you will find that most brokers can not help you, or worse, they thought they could. Then 2 months and three lenders later your loan still did not close and you need money like you need air. This does not mean that you can not own more than 8 properties. You can. Just remember that the lenders available to you drastically reduces above 8. If you then have a special circumstance like needing a cash out refinance before 12 months of ownership, and you have more than 8 properties, then very few brokers will have enough lenders in their portfolio to find that one or two niche lenders that can make the loan to you. Make sure you work with a qualified broker that understands these limitations, and have enough lenders in their portfolio to still help you.

You want to buy a home. Or you have one and wish to profitably derive some immediate cash from it for emergency needs. Either ways, you should opt for a home mortgage online right away. The feeling of freedom that comes with having one’s own space is incomparable. Whether it is living, working or entertaining, your home represents your aspirations. Somehow, you have been postponing the decision for many reasons. Insufficient earnings, other debts, lack of advice or plain laziness could have stopped you.

With home mortgage online, finding the right financial support for your home buying decision is just a click away. There are several factors that should be considered before closing the mortgage agreement. Determine the budget range in which you would shop for a home. This in turn depends on your present and future earnings potential discounted for living expenses, debt repayments and other outgoings.

Most mortgage lenders would give a preapproval based on your score in their credit appraisal. This gives you credibility when you negotiate with sellers or their agents. Home mortgage online is an easy and transparent process. The mortgage lenders provide quotes on their websites or through directory sites. This makes comparison between competitive quotes faster and easier.

Lenders offering home mortgage online provide a wide array of products like simple mortgage, interest only, fixed rate, adjustable rate or bad credit consolidation.

There is an innovative option of deriving equity from your home. This means you could use your home as a collateral to create a mortgage. The funds received could meet an immediate requirement. Home mortgage online offer this scheme as well as bad credit mortgage loans to help erase painful memories of poor credit performance.

Many mortgage lenders have personalized advice available online. You submit details about your requirements and you would get the best advice for your unique needs. Wells Fargo, Quicken loans, eloan and Greenwood Capital are some of the well known mortgage lenders who offer home mortgage online.

Copyright © 2006 Joel Teo. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Money can be easily found, and then lost, in Las Vegas. The place is not called the ‘gambling capital’ of the United States for nothing, so you should be very careful with your money when investing in Las Vegas. Setting up investments in Las Vegas is not like gambling, where you rely on chance to win. In fact, professional gamblers don’t rely on luck to win, so you should never rely on luck. This is especially true if you are investing into stocks and bonds in Las Vegas.

When investing in stocks and bonds in Las Vegas, always remember that you would be better off with an agent or a broker. There are many things that you should watch for when making investments in stocks and bonds. You should never make the mistake of thinking that investing in stocks and bonds is just as easy as going to a restaurant and buying your favorite food. Buying stocks and bonds requires specialized knowledge, which a broker or an agent could very well provide to you. For instance, high yielding stocks and bonds entail the highest risk. If you were not aware that high yielding bonds and stocks involve great risk, you would probably go for them and put most if not all of your money into them. Consequently, if the investment failed, you would end up losing most of your hard earned money. On the other hand, a good broker or agent knows the odds. So he or she would probably advise you to only put money that you can afford to lose, into high yielding stocks and bonds that involve great risk. Having an agent or broker to assist you will prevent you from losing large amounts on your investments.

How to buy a cheap home? Well, the answer most people could come up to address that question is through buying foreclosed home from government auctions.

National and most of local governments are regularly holding or sponsoring foreclosure or auctions of repossessed homes. There are governments that offer such on a monthly basis, while others make it quarterly, semi-annually, or even yearly.

However the repossessed home is priced, the more important thing, and the significant idea you should always bear in mind is that you must always aim to buy at cheap prices.

Here are some useful and practical tips that could help you forge a cheap deal if you are aiming to cheaply buy a foreclosed home from a government auction.

1. Inspect the home very carefully. Check all the minor and negligible details. Sometimes, you could be surprised at how some homes are overvalued when in fact, the damages and defects can practically scrap or significantly mark down the tag price.

2. Bring an expert when looking or inspecting a foreclosed home during government auctions. Sometimes, you have to recognize other people's profession and expertise during times when they are needed. Buying homes is an activity expert home buyers and valuators can easily get across at. Take the sidelines, for a while.

3. Bid, but start at a low bid. Since the auction is just like a contest, where you would aim to compete with other bidders for a home, make sure you do not over price the foreclosed home. Otherwise, back out, and let other 'willing' people have it if they are willing to pay the premium price.

The most important thing to bear in mind when buying foreclosed homes at government auctions, is to maintain focus, both on the home and on the tag price. The two should never be separately seen.

With real state prices sky rocketing the atmosphere, many families in Michigan are looking for more affordable options to get their own house like modular homes.

Modular home builder Michigan represent around the 8% of house sales in the last two years in the state of Michigan. Other states where the demand of modular homes is increasing are North Carolina and New York.

Michigan modular home builders construct this type of houses in many parts at a factory. How come in a factory? Factories provide a secure environment against harsh climate conditions and acts of vandalism during the construction.

These houses are getting built much faster, and therefore, their prices are going down. A home builder is the one in charge of the construction of these homes. First of all floor plans and options have to be approved to pass then to a Michigan-approved third party inspection agency has to review the plans if they meet the Michigan code for building and monitors the manufacturing and building of the house. In addition to this, home builders are expanding their offers by giving you the possibility to have a customized house instead of the typical factory design house.

Once the modular home is finished, their parts and sections are shipped to the place where it is going to be assembled on flatbed trucks. The basic construction doe not take more then one day and the finishing just take a couple of weeks. The complete process, from the move-in order lasts 3 months, while the building of a normal house can take half a year at least.

A Michigan new home builder can save up to 25% when purchasing a modular home, which represent of course a very meaningful saving for the average Michigan family.