The Toronto condos market is booming, and condo developers are struggling to meet the demand. Whether a first-time buyer or a seasoned veteran, chances are there is the perfect condo for you.

The vast majority of condos in Toronto have been built in the last decade, contributing to a dramatic shift in demographics. Many homeowners today no longer live in a traditional “house” structure; rather, they have chosen to live in a condominium. And with such a diverse selection in a hot market, it is no surprise that condo developers are still continuing to explore sites for new structures.

What is a Condominium?

A condominium is a complex of several units. Each unit is owned by an individual, who receives a deed of ownership. There may be restrictions on ownership, as outlined by the organization or company that owns the complex, however, the owner has the right to sell, mortgage, etc. their unit. Common areas, such as the hallways or lobbies, are shared jointly. Condos in Toronto, and everywhere else in the world, follow this definition. It is typical that each owner pay a monthly fee that goes toward the general maintenance of the complex.

Important Features to Consider

The most important features of a condo in Toronto are its amenities, location, and of course, the price. It is vital that the buyer get value for their dollar.

Amenities of a Condo

Amenities can include such features as a pool, gym, and concierge or doorman providing security 24 hours a day. These are part of the building for shared use, and are in fact standard for many of the newer condos in Toronto. Condo developers have also realized the importance of providing luxuries in the unit itself, such as stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and porcelain tile.

Location, Location, Location

As population density increases in Toronto, more people realize that a traditional house structure is no longer a viable option. Many houses are situated in neighbourhoods difficult to access with public transportation. Those that are accessible tend to be small and old, prone to costly and annoying structural problems. Fortunately, condo developers in Toronto have taken these problems into consideration when determining sites for construction. As a result, most condos are in close proximity to public transportation, various amenities and business centres, allowing residents to live, work and play all in their neighbourhood. No more long commutes!

With fabulous features, convenient amenities, unbeatable location, and a secure living environment, condos in Toronto make city-living idyllic.

rends come, and trends go, but the news that low cost airlines are to fly to Malta has given the Mediterranean island's property industry hope that 2007 could be an exceptional year for price rises and sales.

In recent years the arrival of low cost - sometimes referred to as 'no frills' - airlines to a regional airport has seen property prices within a two hour drive escalate in popularity and price, especially among British buyers for France and Spain.

With the advent of these flights to Malta, there is a possibility that demand for property in Malta will increase.

Commenting on the news, Malta holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that a double digit property inflation figure for Malta is quite possible for 2007.

'Cheap airline destinations have proved to be a magnet for UK property investors, and if that trend continues then prices will go up in the next twelve to twenty four months', they say.

'Other than the local market, the UK provides most buyers for property in Malta, and with the British economy doing well it's quite possible that the island will be seen as a good investment opportunity'.

Malta Holidays

Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in property for sale in Malta, agree that property prices could rise in 2007.

'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look at Malta in the same way they do France and Spain when considering where to buy a holiday home abroad. The Malta weather and low fares could be a magnet for buyers.'

There is a warning however from YourMalta that property prices on the island might not necessarily escalate in the same way that regions of France have seen when low cost airlines have started flying to their region.

'The Malta government has allowed more land to be used for property, and we anticipate a lot more apartment blocks being built short and medium term. Supply might well meet demand. Unless the political map of Malta changes and with it a change of policy towards her environment, there is a danger of Malta becoming the Tower Hamlets of the Mediterranean, or 1970's Spain where development spoiled much of the coast.'

Concern has also been expressed on the island about the infrastructure, with some tourists and potential property investors berating the state of the roads and - compared to mainland European and UK standards - dangerous construction sites.

'The real winners from the low cost flights could be the Malta hotels rather than the property industry', conclude YourMalta. 'We envisage a lot more people taking short three and four day holidays to Malta, often booking their flights and hotels on the internet rather than via a traditional high street travel agent'.

The questions surrounding house purchasing can raise endlessly no matter whether you’ve spent years on saving and preparing to buy a home or feeling unsure whether you can afford it or not. Here are some tips to help you become your own landlord:

Employ a specialized real estate

The first step of all is finding professional help in pursuing your dream house and adjusting your financial expectation. When working with a buyer agent is worth consideration since he or she would be legally responsible for on behalf of the buyer’s interest in a real estate contract.

LOOK FOR MORTGAGE RATES AND TERMS

A dissimilar of constant half a percentage can indicate huge investments more than the life of a loan. For instance; the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs. 7.5 percent would be $35 for each month. If more than 30 years, that's $12,600.

PREQUALIFY FOR A LOAN

Trying to get pre-qualified will determine how much you can afford. It allows you to move promptly when you have found your right home, particularly when there are several interested buyers. It as well points out to the seller you are serious and can really afford to buy the land.

Describe WHAT YOU Want

Creating a realistic idea of the property you would want to buy is the next step. Make a list: One for the items you can’t live without and one for the features you would enjoy. Process this list as you go house hunting. It is also accommodates you when you try to explore online to see what is currently presented on the market. Your real estate professional can show you houses which possibly will meet your expectations.

IDENTIFYING THE FEATURES THAT CAN assist OR damage RESALE

In certain areas, having as swimming pool in fact detracts a home’s rate making it harder to put on the market. In neighborhoods with two cars, connected garages, a single-car or separated garage might impact the home sale and future value.

RATE THE HOUSES YOU TOUR

After touring each houses, do list down what you like and what you don’t. Develop a rating system which will help you narrow it all down. For instance, pick the house that you like best on the first day and compare to the other houses. Once you find a better one, use that favorite new house as the standard.

ORGANIZE A HOME INSPECTION

After the offer is established, set up a home inspection. It’s definitely ordinary to discover problems like leaky roofs, cracked walls and foundation problems. Your real estate professional be able to assist finding you a highly regarded inspector and will negotiate to get most for your money once the inspector’s report is finalized. If your negotiations include repairs as part of the purchase, inquire for a "walk through" before confirming the paperwork. Ask your real estate about home protection plan which may save your money in the nearer future.

Finally, before your closing date, be sure you’ve made each and every one the essential deposits and completed the paperwork together with mortgage, title, homeowners insurance as well as any other paperwork compulsory by the local or state governments.

Are you in the wonderful position of being able to afford to buy a holiday home abroad? Or are you simply thinking of moving to a country with a more temperate climate and a more relaxed way of life? Whichever is the case, Spain could be the country of your choice, and if this proves to be the destination of your dreams you will need a little help and guidance along the way. Below I have outlined a few hints and tips that will make the buying process a little easier and hopefully, less stressful. If you follow these guidelines purchasing a property in Spain should be an exciting and pleasurable experience - avoiding some of the more common pitfalls is all that it takes.

1. Set Your Budget - I think that this is the most important decision that you will make. Look at your finances and decide exactly what spare cash you have available to you. Be honest with yourself and be realistic, emergencies happen and in the future you may need to raise finance for something more important – don’t stretch yourself. Having set your budget stick to it and be very wary of viewing any property that is above your budget – chances are you will fall in love with something you cannot afford and it will be extremely difficult to put that property out of your mind and settle for something more realistic.

2. Choosing the Area – Location, location, location. It is an old cliché but an important one. You may already know the area where you would like to settle, but otherwise visit a few different locations to make yourself aware of the various possibilities. In choosing the location you may also have to consider point one – your budget.

3. Type of Property – A couple of options to start with – new or resale? Many estate agents will try to point you in the direction of new property, mostly because this is the area where they get the least hassle and the most commission. Fine, if you want to purchase a new property, then go ahead, there are many advantages to taking this route but also be aware that there is a huge choice of resale property available in Spain and there are plenty of bargains to be found. Most resale properties are sold fully-furnished and equipped – this can save you a lot of hassle and a lot of money. Most new property is sold off-plan, so you may have to wait up to 2 years before you get your keys. Knowing what is going to be built around you is also important – it can be hard to visualize when you are staring at an empty field! Also that large apartment block may be blocking the sea view of your new villa, be careful!
The next consideration is the property type – house, villa, apartment, bungalow, the choice is endless. This will mostly be determined by personal choice and, of course, once again – budget. You may also at this stage wish to consider if you want to be on an urbanization or have some solitude in the countryside. There are advantages to both, urbanizations can be noisy during the summer months but they are generally safe and child friendly. The countryside can be peaceful but how far is it to the nearest shop? What about when the family visit – is it the type of holiday they would be looking for? Also, you may want some kind of social life, there are lots of things to consider before making your final choice.

4. Choosing Your Property – Now is the exciting time, going out and viewing possible properties. Take your time and look at as many as you can – if you are looking at new properties, don’t be rushed into a decision “this is the last one available” is the selling point of many an estate agent. Don’t be fooled, there are always plenty of properties available. Take lots of photographs and if possible a video, this is very useful when reviewing later, it can get very confusing when you are looking at lots of properties. Make a short list and go back to look again. This is an important decision – take your time.

5. Paying a Deposit – You have made you choice, now is the time to put your money where your mouth is! The usual in Spain is a 3,000 euros deposit to take the property off the market. The next step will vary depending on whether your choice is new or resale. With new property the next step will probably be payment of something in the region of 30% of the final purchasing price, payable within one month. There may also be stage payments during construction though the norm is balance on completion. Different builders have different rules so be aware of these before you decide to put down your 3,000 euros deposit. With resale property the whole process can be completed within 1 month (if this suits both seller and buyer), so normally it is 3,000 euros deposit and the balance on signing at the notary.

6. Appointing a Solicitor – It is important to appoint a Spanish solicitor who is well versed in Spanish property law and with a good grasp of the English language. He (or she) will be your friend and ally throughout the buying process and will make sure that there are no outstanding debts on the property. Also after the signing he will help with such things as changing electricity and water contracts into your name. You can usually also retain him to deal with your future tax returns in Spain.

7. Taxes and Costs – You will need to be aware of the various taxes and costs that will need to be paid both during and after the purchase.
Taxes on purchase , transfer tax (IVA), 6% of the purchase price on new property, 7% on resale. plusvalia tax, calculated on the appreciative value of the land the property is on (normally paid by the purchaser). Land registry charges – around 300 euros to change the property into your name. Notary charges, can vary depending on location but generally around 500 euros.
The guideline for extra taxes and costs is 10% of the purchase price although this can be nearer to 12% if you are obtaining a mortgage to purchase the property.
Taxes after purchase – SUMA, local council tax payable every year. Community fees, if you are on an urbanization there will be fees for the upkeep of common areas such as gardens, swimming pools, lifts etc. This may be payable monthly, quarterly or half-yearly.

8. Signing the Deeds – The property deed is known as the Escritura in Spain and the signing of this and the final payment for the property is done at the notary office (the notary is an official government representative). You may be present along with your solicitor for the signing or your solicitor can do this in your absence if you have previously given him power of attorney (a common practice in Spain). Before you can sign the deeds you will need to obtain an N.I.E number (foreigners identification number), this can be obtained at any national police station but make sure you ask your solicitor about this long before the signing and he will advise you how to obtain one. Also make sure that you have your original passport with you before going to the notary, also the passport of anyone who is to appear on the deeds.

9. Taking Possession of the Property – When the deeds are signed and the final monies paid you will receive the keys to your property. You will then need to make sure that electricity, water and SUMA contracts are changed over into your name. Don’t forget to organize property and contents insurance. If the property is new, you will want to check it through and write a snag list of any problems.

10. Congratulations – You are now the proud owner of a property in Spain, may the sun shine on you and the value of your property rise, that tiny one bedroom apartment may one day turn into a seafront villa! – Relax and enjoy.

Real Estate Broker
A real estate broker is a person who will help a buyer or seller of real estate with all the financial matters, legal matters, buyer's instructions, seller instruction and requests of both of the parties. While buying a home is not an easy attempt - it may only happen once or twice in a lifetime. But it's the decision which has to be made with extreme carefulness. It's the real estate brokers' job to take care of all your property manners. Here are eight tips on choosing the right agent:

1. There are many types of real estates agencies out there which come in different sizes; small ones, large ones, franchises and independent agencies. But of course it does not depend on the differences. The individual agent is the important one.

2. Identify what representation you're looking for. The majority of real agents are seller's agents which mean they only correspond to sellers' interest. Would be great if you're a seller but if you're looking to buy a home, ask for a broker who represents the buyer's interest in real estate transactions at any agency.

3. In finding the right agency, do some legwork. There are lots of real estate agencies that are listed in the phonebook and online. But if you intend to pick randomly, you might regret it. Walk around the neighborhoods you're interested in and search for brokers close by.

4. Do search for real estate agents, not individual homes or properties. You may be looking through the real estate section through your newspaper one day and fall in love with a home that has a particular real agent. Nevertheless, the agent might tell you the property is taken but they have others you might love. Less trustworthy agencies will regularly use this as bait and switch tricks to draw in customers. Chances of getting the first home you fall in love with would go crashing down. The long-term you have with your real estate agent is far more important than any home.

5. Search for experience. The real estate has a high rate of turnover, in other words a lot of untested agents who are continuously moving in and out of the agencies. If you're thinking concerning working with a particular broker, make sure you ask them how long they've been working. If it's lesser than to years, keep searching for brokers.

6. Also do not forget commitment. Many real estate agents only practice on a part time basis and they might not have the time to give you the attention you ought to have. As well, several brokers are only involved in representing properties within a certain price range. If your home doesn't feels like home, they have not given it all.

7. If you seem to be lost in the whole real estate broker hunting, try asking your friends to refer you to a real estate agent they have had excellent experiences with.

8. Make sure that the real estate agent you chose can work with your schedule. If you can only see homes in the evenings and weekends, you won't go far with an agent who only works during the weekdays.

Texas is a beautiful state in United States of America and is divided among seven groups. The travel and tourist industry in Texas is well flourished and there are a lot of adventure and sports activities in the state. The state is also one of the beautiful travel destinations and hence demands for many more hotels in the state of Texas in the coming decades. It is one of the states developing so fast in all fields including sports, agriculture, manufacturing and tourist point of view that it will require new hotels for accommodating people visiting the state in coming years.

If you are looking for an investment in hotel business, you will find many hotels for sale in the state Texas. These hotels may be either offered after newly built or have been run for a quite lot of time. There are a number of cities in Texas where you can find the hotels for sale either through a website or through a regular real estate agent. People prefer some of the locations especially in gulf coast regions of Texas. The gulf coast region of Texas is most suitable for tourists.

Hotels for sale especially in various cities of Texas are available for purchase at optimum rates. The hotel located in smaller cities although are very cost effective but for the profitability of these hotels may be a concern while deciding in favor of a specific hotel in the locality. Some of the hotels for sale in smaller cities are profitable but the cost of purchase of these hotels is in the higher range. Hotels in some of the important tourist locations may be important for investment point of view as the future sale of the property can give better return on investment. It is therefore necessary to finalize a location before negotiating with the owner through real estate agent or property dealer.

It is better to see the documents confirming the title of these hotels for sale in the state of Texas offered to you by the real estate agents or property dealers. You should enquire the complete profile of hotels for sale such as the number of customers during previous one or two years, the sales and profit account of the hotels for sale and the expenses carried out during the current financial or previous financial years. Once you get the sufficient information and you are convinced, initiate discussions with the owner for a possible negotiation in the price of the properties. The negotiations should be aimed at getting the cost reduction of the hotels offered for sale and to retain the maximum accessories in the hotel or getting the ownership of the hotel as is where is basis.

If you are looking for hotels for sale in USA, you will have probably to decide first the location desired by you. There are a number of opportunities available to you if you are desirous to enter into the business of hotels and you may find a number of hotels for sale in USA at prime locations. A number of excellent opportunities available include well furnished, recently built or renovated, having large number of rooms, having well furnished high capacity conference halls, good quality swimming pools, garden, lawns among other specialties available in hotels.

With the advent of Internet, the display and information of all such hotels for sale in USA is easily available at a number of websites. You can find many property dealers or real estate agents having websites and delivers the information of hotels online. There are good quality software that gives you each and every view of the hotel lobby, hotel rooms, balconies, swimming pools, reception and even of restaurants and that too at online. The online view of the hotels for sale in USA is displayed on the property dealer’s website after paying a nominal fee for display and the property dealer assures the correctness of the property before displaying it on the net.

Property dealers involved in the business get complete information of hotels for sale in USA and after satisfying themselves with the title deed of the property display it for sale. The property dealers sometime display the asking price of the hotels but play an important role in negotiating the price. Property dealer’s role is immense and can not be forget by the owner as most of the property dealer have excellent communication skill and get the buyer convinced more easily. Property dealer are also responsible for complete transfer of the property title in favor of the buyer and in lieu of their services charge a good amount from both the buyer and seller.

The online views available at the net cannot always be trusted and on merely viewing the property online, no decision should be made. The further analysis of the property should be done on the basis of its personal inspection and its suitability for conducting a profit making business. Property dealer or real estate agent generally invites you for physical inspection and the location of a few hotels for sale in USA and you should take your decision about the location as well as the interior or suitability of a particular hotel for sale. Although there are a number of hotels for sale in USA and not all of the hotels will be suitable for everyone, a well-taken decision in favor of a suitable and profit-making hotel might change your lifestyle forever and you may flourish.

Texas is one of the large states of the United States. Texas has the number of beautiful cities and people of all culture and society form it’s a unique multi cultured state. The opportunities in Texas are immense and large sea shores in the state of Texas makes it’s a beautiful picnic and tourist destination. It has a large coastal line and several beautiful towns and cities all along the coastal line. It has beautiful towns, beautiful agricultural lands, forests, railway museums, zoo, sea sports and many more to attract the people not only from US but from many other parts of the World also. Its beautiful cities provide an opportunity to engage someone in hotel business as we may see the opportunities are still lying in this area.

There are a number of hotels for sale in Texas and we can evaluate a few such offers before taking a decision to grab the opportunity lying before us. The mixed culture of Texas and its tourist importance in the US map also signifies the possible hotel business in the state. The suitably located and a profitable hotel for sale in Texas may be one of your dream purchase and you may possibly decide in favor of it right now or sometime later in the year. The opportunity to commence hotel business in the state is real and depending on the location and available hotels for sale in Texas, a suitable profit making hotel may be the right choice.

Not only you can find hotels for sale in Texas in coastal areas but also you will find many profit making hotels for sale in Texas especially in interior regions. Many hotel owners offer these hotels for sale in Texas. Sometimes hotel owners make hotels and offer these for sale and earn some money and many times the hotel owners put their profit making hotel for sale due to their need for finance. Hotel owners after several years of the hard work start earning money and then need urgently some money for other work and in turn offer these hotels for sale.

Texas is a very beautiful state and you will find the hotel business running in the state quite easy if you have enough experience of running the business. The hotel business not only gives you a business opportunity but it also gives you an investment opportunity. Your money is utilized in the real estate business and that too appreciates at the rate higher than the bank interest rate. Investment in the state of Texas in hotel business is thus a real and life time opportunity and grab the opportunity by taking carefully all the factors required for smooth running of a profitable hotel business.

Hotels for sale in New York:

New York city is one of the largest cities and 40% of total population of New York State resides in New York City. The population of the New York City is above 8.2 million and it is one of the business hubs of the United States. The current growth in population and Industrial activities in the city, the population of New York City is expected to cross 9.4 million by the year 2025. The industrial and business growth in the state of New York is continuously higher than the expected and the coming years will see more economical activities especially in New York City.

With the advancement in industrial and business activities, more people will visit New York from around the world and hence an increased demand for hotels in the city. The investment opportunities are immense in the New York State and hotel business is one of such activity. There are a number of hotels for sale in New York and if you are interested to invest in the hotel business, this is one of the best options for you. You can find these hotels for sale in New York within the territory of 830 square kilometer territory of New York.

New York city is not only a business hub but it is also a beautifully located tourist destination in the Northern United States as it is located at the Hudson River in Southeastern state of New York. Many tourists from around the world get attracted towards the place and by purchasing a hotel in New York you will increase the opportunities.

Looking for hotels for sale in New York is very easy and you can find these all over at the Internet or you can contact to a reliable real estate agent. You will have to enquire about the business including profitability of the hotel first before starting a negotiation with the owner. Looking for couple of hotels for sale in New York is good to gain knowledge and experience about the hotel business, however the final selection should be based on various factors including the business, profitability, and the location, importance of location for businessmen or tourists.

The geography and environmental factors play a great role in any business. Many tourists prefer to take hotel near to sea or river shore. Majority of people also prefers the cost effective location and cost effective living especially if they are on tour. Many hotels for sale in New York may be just new buildings made by builders for sale. All such buildings if are located at the right places then only will make profit otherwise these are risky investments. Sometimes hotels for sale already in business and making profit are deemed as a good investment. Therefore a good and right decision is necessary for the survival of the business.

If Paris Hilton has taught the world only one thing, it’s this: no matter who you are, if you own hotels you can make a ton of money. And everybody wants a little more money, right? The hotel business is a great industry to get involved in. Find hotels for sale in Michigan (MI), and begin making those millions.

Michigan is home to many sites and attractions that serve as the backbone of the state’s thriving tourism industry. Where there is tourism, there are hotels. Looking for hotels for sale in Michigan (MI)? Odds are, you won’t have to look for too long to find what you want.

Because Michigan isn’t the first state that pops to mind when one is thinking of vacation destinations, there won’t be as much competition among property buyers for hotels as there would be in other locales. This is great news for those who are just getting their start in the hotel business. For beginners, it’s best to start out small and work up. Beginning with hotels for sale in Michigan is a great idea for those that want to get their feet wet, so to speak, in the hospitality business.

So, how do you find hotels for sale in Michigan? Those that live in Michigan can simply drive through city streets to see which properties are available, and to get an idea of the hotels in any one area. It’s a good idea for new hotel owners to check out the competition, and to know what hotels threaten to lure travelers away.

But, you don’t have to move just to own a hotel. Those that live outside Michigan (or even inside of the state) can find plenty of available hotel properties using the Internet. You’ll be able to look at pictures and compare prices, just by getting online. When scoping out properties this way, take the time to compare Michigan hotel prices with property values in other states. Study your investment before you make it – after all, buying a hotel is a big undertaking. When looking online for hotels for sale in Michigan, you’re going to find a lot of different possibilities. Make sure you stick to your budget, and don’t bite off a bigger hotel than you can chew.

It’s also a good idea to contact real estate professionals in Michigan. Often, real estate agents have leads on properties that the general public knows nothing about. They’ll also be able to clue you in on local property values. The information and advice, and the leads, that a real estate agent can offer is usually invaluable. When buying something as huge as a hotel, making such a large investment, it’s best to use different resources to find success. Hotels for sale in Michigan might make you a millionaire – but take your time getting there.

Anyone who’s been fishing knows that one of the keys to catching the big one is having the right kind of bait. Many in the financial services industry understand this truth all to well and they’ve come up with the perfect enticement to hook unsuspecting investors. It’s called the equity-indexed annuity (EIA) and chances are, if you’ve visited a traditional advisor recently, you’ve heard its compelling pitch.

Of course, for bait to be effective, it has to be something the intended target will happily swallow. Insurance companies have created a wonderful presentation that uses smoke and mirrors to give investors the impression that equity-indexed annuities are the answer to all their financial problems. But the reality doesn’t live up to the promises.

The marketers of financial products know that one thing older investors want is simplicity. Seniors don’t want to have to wade through a lengthy sales pitch or be overwhelmed by financial techno-babble. Salespeople know if they can offer an apparently simple solution to investors, their chances of making the sale are greatly increased.

Equity-indexed annuities are presented as being a simple way to have risk-free growth of your nest egg. They promise a guaranteed minimum return, while keeping the growth potential of the market. They promise that you can’t lose any money and many even sweeten the pot with first year bonuses and riders that allow you to access your money for nursing home care and other early withdrawals. It all sounds so good and it’s so simple. But is it, really?

The answer is no. Equity-indexed annuities are actually very complicated.

Let’s take a closer look at how complicated equity-indexed annuities really are by starting with their chief claim, the guaranteed minimum return. Most investors have the impression that on a year-to-year basis they receive the guaranteed minimum return or the market return, whichever is higher.

But that’s not true. You either get the indexed return or guaranteed minimum return for the life of the contract, whichever is greater. So if it’s a 15 year contract, at the end of the 15 years, the insurance company looks back and figures whether you’d have earned more, at the guaranteed rate or the market return for the entire 15 years. So suddenly the guaranteed minimum isn’t too impressive.

To make matters more confusing, on some contracts you don’t get the guaranteed minimum return on all of the money you put in. For instance, some pay a 3% guaranteed minimum return on just 80% of your initial investment. So in essence, you’re really guaranteed only 2.4%. That doesn’t sound as good, does it? When the list average on a short term Certificate of Deposit is around 5%, why would you want to lock in a 2.4% rate for 15 years?

How the index return is calculated is much more complicated. You’d think that the insurance company would just tie your market return to an established index, like the S&P 500, and mirror its return. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There are over 40 different methods in which these rates are determined and they vary widely from company to company. The explanations for these calculations are so complex, there’s no way the average consumer could even hope to understand them. Even professionals find these methods extremely confusing.

Even if you could understand how your index return is calculated, it doesn’t matter because the insurance companies can change how they calculate it from year to year. They can also modify the maximums, minimums, participation rates, asset fees, other charges at their own discretion. And there’s nothing you can do about it.

Why would insurance companies do this? That part is very simple. Insurance companies understand the importance of keeping their flexibility and control, because they know that the markets and interest rate environments can change dramatically over the life of your contract. They put these safety valves in place so they make sure they make a profit. Of course, that can reduce how much you make.

If insurance companies put a high priority on maintaining their flexibility and control, shouldn’t you? Be smart and don’t take the bait purveyors of equity-indexed annuities are offering. Use your head and don’t get sucked into a deal that, like many others, you may soon live to regret.

Story Stocks, What are they and should I avoid them?

What is a Story Stock? Well I don't know if I invited that phrase but my definition of it is simple. A stock that is built around a story. Yes every company has its own story what they do, when they started, their growth etc...

But what I am talking is the company that is ONLY selling the story. They talk about the industry as a whole. (The following is just general #'s of what a typical story stock might say...) The company deals in the medical field and say they have a drug that may down the road cure cancer. The company talks about how big the medical industry is, In the many billions! The company says if we could even just get 1% of the market we would have $100 million in sales. Or our net earnings would be $1 per share. Yet the company is trading for .50-$3.

What they don't tell you is they just have an idea and it takes YEARS upon YEARS to develop a drug and it is very expensive. So in the meantime they will be issuing more and more shares of stock. Which dilutes the shareholder value while the CEO is making $100,000+ salary. It could be years upon years before they see even $1 in revenue. Yet that company could have a marketcap of $100 million.

That is what I consider a story stock. A company that has a goal and its a big goal but they are NO WAY NEAR IT. And the value of the company is already valued as if they were already at that goal. THAT IS BIG TIME TROUBLE STAY AWAY!!

Another example (I won't mention company names in case someone mistakes this as a good stock.)

This company deals with WIND Energy. What a GREAT STORY! It is a very hot sector right now. And who wouldn't want to use wind energy. I would love to have wind energy myself getting electric based on mother nature its a great concept. I am by no means an environmentalist but if I can save money and it helps the enviroment then great.

This company was selling a story that wind energy is the future. (Which it may be.) That getting just a small portion of the energy market can mean millions upon millions of revenue. (Which it would.)

I ran across this stock 2 years ago and it was trading in the low $1+ range. Today it is trading at .10 and has a market cap of $3.4 million. So it has roughly 34 million shares outstanding. I don't recall what it had a few years back but even if it was 10 million shares that was a $10-15 million marketcap.

In those 2 years you know how many wind machines they have sold? 0, yes ZERO! They haven't had any revenue in that time.

You know how much the CEO of the company makes per year? $225,000 You know how many employees they have? 11

Not a bad job shuffling papers around not having ANY REVENUE but still making a nice check.

You know how much they spent on Selling and Administration (basically salaries) for the quarter ending June 2006? $1.3 MILLION!! Yet they had NO REVENUE!

Will that company eventually have revenue? I don't know but what I do know is they will issue more and more shares to continue to pay salaries of the CEO and other employees and go deeper and deeper in debt.

So now you know a couple of examples of a story stock, how do you know the stock you are looking at is a story stock?

Well if you get a little 6-8 page magazine all about a Stock via Snail mail. 90% chance that is going to be a story stock.

If you get a spam email talking about a stock that is going to go from .50-$3 in the next 5 days 99.9% chance that is a story stock.

The risk in a story stock is just too great. Because the only thing holding it up is just that a story. The ONLY people that usually win is the company as if the stock goes up they issue more and more stock at the higher price so they can pay for more things. And with story stocks people seem to get sucked into the story so much they aren't able to see a way out of it.

Go on yahoo.com and click finance and enter the stock symbol you can see what the company revenue has been and comments about it. It may even have a message board. Which SOMETIMES can be helpful. It is your money do a little research. A story stock can be found out very quickly and you really don't need to know a lot about reading the #'s etc.. If in doubt go to http://www.StockDoubling.INFO and I will research it for you if you are really interested in it.

If the email, article or message board you read is ONLY talking about the industry as a whole and not what the companies #'s are YOU HAVE A STORY STOCK.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

I have been in story stocks and have been BURNED many times with them. For every 1 good story stock that will have a SHORT term run you will have 10-15 that will fall flat on their face.

Watch for a company with earnings, revenue, book value etc... If it has a good story that is a great benefit but it CAN'T be the main focus of the company.

1-Hi Sonny, thanks for your time today! Could you tell our readers what your company does?

Pumpjac properties list oil and gas leases for sale and finds buyers for these properties. We are the exclusive sales agent for Majestic Management Corporation in Glasgow Kentucky.

2-How did you get into the business?

I am the owner of Entrivac Corp in Louisville Kentucky. We rebuild industrial vacuum pumps for refineries and gasoline terminals nationwide. A group of oil men in Texas, which I have known for years, ask me to perform due diligence for a oil property in Kentucky. I visited the oil field, made my report, and a few weeks later, they told me they were not interested, however; I was contacted by the selling agents of the Kentucky property. They liked my style and background and wanted me to consider selling oil and gas properties for them. That was one property and a year ago, and now we have listed nine properties nation wide totaling well over $1,000,000,000.

3-Are there any trends you are seeing that might not be apparent to our readers?

Well, producing properties with large reserves with good documentation are the best sellers now, however the best deals for the money are often the non-producing properties.

4-Where are the hottest markets for new oil and gas leases or production?

Actually everywhere. But of course the oil boom areas such west Kansas are especially so.

5-What are the valuation metrics to consider when evaluating an oil and gas lease?

Production, reserves, good documentation by the owner, and a clean operation with no open wells, spills, etc.

6-For level production, what are you seeing sellers get per barrel? $20K? $30K or more?

I do not get involved with that end of a sellers business. What they get for their oil does not interest me as far as selling the oil field.

7-Is this recent oil boom here to stay or just a speculative bubble?

Because the demand is here to stay and getting larger , because the world oil reserves are on a downward trend, (by most counts) the crude oil prices will be affected likewise.

8-How is your company different from others in the market? We do not auction oil and gas properties, we do not operate regionally, and we do not specialize in any oil and gas field size ranges

9-Where are there still values in terms of buying production or leases? KY, IL etc?

I think everywhere when there is a good return on the buyers investment, say 2-3-4 years.

10-Is the market fairly efficient and liquid?

I think because of new technology in this industry, the market is more efficient than if ever has been

Thanks for your time today!

1. Keep an eye out for an “educated buy.”
If there is a particular stock that is at a low price but is being traded in an unusually high volume, there is probably something that those trading this stock know that you don’t. Find out ways to establish what information they have that you don’t.

2. Have protections in place if the value of a stock lowers.
Whilst I applaud you for engaging in profitable stock trading, you must remember that every time you invest in the stock market there is an element of risk. What will you do if the stock you have invested in plummets in price? To help protect yourself, you must decide how much you are prepared to lose before you invest. This is an essential part of any trading plan. A commonly used tactic is the stop-loss. This is a floor price that you will sell a particular stock at before you lose any money. A common amount for many investors is a price 5-10% lower than they paid for the stock.

3. For profitable Stock trading, you should look at a combination of growing your capital, and finding the best returns.
The total amount of money you have to trade, your capital, should be spread between low yield and low risk “blue-chip” stocks, and other stocks with the ability to give higher returns but are possibly higher risk.

4. Write down your trading plan.
You may have a detailed trading plan in your head, but you should write it down. This helps you identify the goals of your profitable stock trading plan, and makes you more likely to stick to your plan if things change.

5. Every trader has access to the same information
There are many successful traders out there who have access to exactly the same information as you do. With the proliferation of online information, everyone can have access to charts, up to the minute stock prices, and company announcements. These same trader’s also have losses, but their effective use of the information available to them gives them the edge in profitable stock trading over those who are not effectively using the same information.

6. Buy on the rumor and sell on the news.
Sometime’s you need to buy as soon as you hear that rumor. For example, if you hear about a potential takeover bid of a company, you want to get in whilst the stock price is low because it will rise. The same is not true for selling though. Stock trading is not for the faint-hearted and should be treated as a long-term investment. You should not jump ship at every little jump in the road.

7. Work out your entry price and exit price first before buying your stock.
You shouldn’t just buy a stock at any price. For profitable stock trading, you should work out what a stock is worth to you and only buy if it is below that price or it gets down to that price. You should also have sell prices, for both if the stock increases in value, and if it decreases in value. Stock prices can be cyclical, so it may be in your interest to sell stocks at the height of a boom, buy again if the price goes lower, sell when it goes higher again; and so on and so forth.

8. Diversify your portfolio.
As previously mentioned, there is a risk in investing in the stock market. Don’t put all your eggs in the one basket. Spread your capital across a variety of stocks. You may find that as one stock depreciates in value, another is appreciating in value. This minimizes your losses and leads to more profitable stock trading.

I have been investing and advising real estate investors in Eastern Europe for the better part of a decade. A growing number of investors with a pioneering spirit have been lured to this part of the world, in search of hot investment opportunities that can yield profits that are uncommon in North America and Western Europe.

I have seen many smart, successful investors come here from America and try to apply American investment techniques with varying levels of success. Anyone looking to invest in Eastern Europe would be well advised to understand the unique factors that motivate the market in this region. Many of the distinguishing factors of Eastern European real estate are actually distinguishing factors of European real estate while others are purely regional in nature.

Here is the long and short of what you need to know to think Eastern European and invest wisely in Eastern Europe :

The European Union drives the market …or it does at least partially. Most Eastern European countries are being considered for EU membership or soon will be. The prices of the European Union set the benchmark for prices in emerging European markets and drive speculation. Eastern Europe is not similar to Central South America which has no similar benchmark to follow. Europe tends to be more expensive then America in almost all facets but in particular in regards to real estate. Prices may seem high by American standards in some Eastern European locales (particularly Capitol cities) but may be quite low by European standards.

Time and time again, Central and Eastern European markets have proved that the EU has a tremendous impact in increasing property values. Just look at Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic . Each market saw a steady growth in value in the time leading up to EU ascension and continued/s to see remarkable growth for a period after. Note also, that many of the prices in the above countries for everything from apartments to land are more then they are in most American locations.

In some ways Bulgaria or Croatia joining the European Union is akin to Alaska or Hawaii joining the United States of America. It is a radical transition with radical implications.

Prices have gone way up and, though they may not reach London or Paris prices, still have long ways to go.

Cheaper is not always better. I am told of the story of an American woman from Washington state that was looking at a raw land opportunity in the north of Romania in 2002. When she discovered that per square meter was actually higher then in her hometown she promptly advised her agent that there was no way she was going to pay more money for land in Romania then she would in suburban America. Her thought process is quite understandable. However, it also proved to be quite incorrect. Land in her hometown has shown reasonable growth over the past 4 odd years but the land that she could have acquired in Eastern Europe would have earned her about a 400% profit has she sold in the summer of 2006. Similarly, many investors come to me and ask me "how much land can I get for x amount of dollars." The answer I inevitably give them is "a lot, but unless you are starting a park or a farm, I'd rather help you buy the most profitable land, not simply the most land."

An investment in a smaller plot of land at a higher price can be better then a lot of land at a lower price. In the right area, the property value will also increase much more rapidly then somewhere in the middle of nowhere where property is particularly cheap. The game of Eastern European investment is capitalizing on the rapid growth of property value. If you pay more for your land then it would cost in Hometown, USA it can still be an incredible steal.

Follow the market. My friend bought an apartment in 2001 for $10,000 and she just sold it for $60,000. She doesn't have any real estate training. She more or less made the profit by accident. She just "followed the market" to use her words.

Had I seen the apartment 5 years ago, not fully appreciating then what I appreciate now, frankly I wouldn't have given even $5,000 for the place. The neighborhood is full of old, grey, semi-dilapidated looking buildings. I would have assumed, that someone would come and knock them all down one good day....Boy, was I wrong.... Now a studio in one of the building sells for $60,000, a 2-bedroom for over $100,000. Rent is minimum $400 a month.

Europeans like to live in the city, in apartments often over houses in the suburbs. So now matter how much new development there is, a premium remains on apartment complexes inside of the city.

The moral of the story is follow the market.

Western Europeans, Brits in particular, have popularized investing in "Off Plan" properties to capitalize gains in Eastern European markets.

I was recently speaking with a US-based real estate friend of mine and referred to off plan opportunities in Eastern Europe. He was relatively unclear on what I was talking about. Even the most qualified real estate investors in America aren't clued-on to the off plan real estate phenomena in Europe and the UK in particular.

If you google the term "off plan properties" you'll see scores of web sites listed, most of them from the United Kingdom. Off Plan properties are big business on the other side of the pond and are increasingly the most common way for British investors to seize opportunities in emerging markets of Eastern Europe.

UK based firms with British nationals on the ground in various Eastern-block countries establish relationships with qualified developers who are preparing to launch new product (usually apartments in apartment buildings) and strike agreements with them to represent those properties to there current and future clientele back in Western Europe. In doing so, they secure below market prices to make there offer as attractive as possible and move as many pre or in-construction stage apartments as they can.

Buyers pay between 15-40% down and then usually the rest within 12-18 months when they are handed the key.

Generally, investors can also qualify for mortgages. With there new investment property as collateral, and pay for the second balance via the rent they can then receive. The multitude of reasons why off plan opportunities are so attractive to UK investors is outside the scope of this article but can be summarized succinctly; the investor has all of the work done for him or her.

The agency has located a new building, in a strategic location, with high rent potential in a region where property values are accumulating on a regular basis much higher then in the UK or Western Europe (or America for that matter.) The agency can also manage the property and help the buyer secure financing. This is why thousands of apartments are sold off-plan to UK and other investors every month. Off plans are by-and-large how Europeans invest in Eastern Europe.

What works for Europeans will work for Americans just as well.

It Doesn't Have to All Make Perfect Sense

A moment of candor: you will never fully understand all of the factors driving the Eastern European real estate market. After doing business here for years, I still don't. All I know, is that you need to think differently then "American" when it comes to investing here and that you can make a lot of money if your invest it right..probably more then you could in your hometown or anywhere near it.

High returns and legendary profits are the norm here.

Yes, they happen in America too. People get 212% returns on investments in America in one year. Those are exceptions to the rule though. In Romania, however, an entire town in 2005, called Brasov, recorded an average growth of 212%. Similar growth in other towns has been common. That's the difference here: incredible profits are to be expected and if you get a normal profit, you did something wrong.

Coming to Eastern Europe is coming to a place where the exception is the norm in real estate and in a good way.

Everyone in Eastern Europe seems to be in agreement on one thing: local real estate is where the money is.

It's when you are willing to think a little differently, understand the market from a local perspective and decide to invest wisely versus follow pure instinct that you significantly increase your prospect for profit.

Remember, it's not how much you buy with your investment, but how much you profit from it. There's a big difference there.