Sunday 29 September 2013

Fountainwood Homes For Sale and Real Estate in Georgetown, Texas

Features of Fountainwood Homes

Oak trees and country views surround homes in Fountainwood real estate. 5-car garages, pool rooms, fire pits, gas stoves, double ovens, crown molding, covered back patios, plantation shutters, and large rooms are just some of the many features of homes in Fountainwood real estate. The average home in Fountainwood community is on a one-acre lot, has a backyard that opens up to Lake Georgetown, and is priced at $120 per square feet. Homes in Fountainwood sell for somewhere between the 200s and 500s, making them a relatively affordable subdivision. 78633 is the zip code for homes in Fountainwood, in Georgetown, Texas. Highways such as I-35 and 195 easily connect to Fountainwood community homes.

Fountainwood Real Estate

Since its major growth, Georgetown now has several shopping centers and restaurants. Baskin Robbins, Applebee's, Monument Café, Café on the Green, Catfish Parlour, Plaka Greek Café, and IHOP are tasty places for residents of Fountainwood real estate homes to eat at. Sally Beauty Supply, Sephora, Best Buy, Petsmart, Office Depot, Sprint, Mercedes Benz, and the Candle Factory are close by these homes as well. HEB features fresh produce, fast lines, and a wide selection of food. Residents of these homes are only a few minutes from HEB! Round Rock Premium Outlets, Thousand Oaks, Georgetown Antique Mall, and Williamsburg Village Center are a short drive away from homes in these homes.

Fountainwood Homes for Sale

The city of Georgetown has grown over the years into a great place that can now provide for every need of its residents. Residents here can enjoy a relaxing day at Lake Georgetown by simply walking outside. At the lake they can fish, boat, swim, and picnic. Jim Hogg Park is off of the lake and offers boat ramps, fishing piers, and picnic tables. Cowan Creek Golf Course is close by for golf lovers of those living in these homes to enjoy. Parks like Russell Park are also close to homes in this community.

Georgetown Real Estate

Georgetown Independent School District serves over 10,400 students in the Williamson County area. This is a great school district for your children to attend school. There are 16 schools in GISD. Students of homes in this community attend Jo Ann Ford ES, Douglas Benold MS, and Georgetown HS. Georgetown is close to growing cities like Austin, Leander, Round Rock, Lake Travis, and Pflugerville, where colleges and universities are rampant.

Saturday 28 September 2013

Magnetic Promotional Calendars and Real Estate - Why They Work So Well Together

Realtors and Real Estate agencies nationwide are struggling in today's economy. The industry is down approximately 50 percent. Do you know what that means? It means that half of the people are still buying and selling homes and properties. The challenge that you as a Realtor have, is to draw those buyers and sellers to you instead of your competition. Advertising is the answer. "How can I justify the expense of advertising in this dry spell?" The answer is "How can you NOT justify it?" If people don't know you are there, they aren't going to pick you as their agent.

But There Is More

Since many other agents will unwisely cut back on their advertising budgets, you will have less competition. Your advertising message now has a greater chance of being seen by potential customers. Think of this extreme example. If every other agency stopped their marketing campaign, but you continued, you would be the only game in town. Obviously the other agencies might get repeat business from previous customers, but that would happen regardless of the economy and whether or not you had a marketing campaign in progress.

It Does Not Take A Lot Of Money

One of the most successful marketing strategies for Realtors is the calendar. The magnetic calendars are, of course, the most popular. They are inexpensive and effective. Depending on how much of your budget you elect to invest, you can get magnetic promotional calendars for less than 30 cents each. The beauty of a calendar is that they last for a long time. A year, actually. People use calendars on a daily basis, and each time they do, they see your information. It's not like those "in your face" TV ads or the obnoxious radio spots that get played over and over (for thousands of dollars a month, I might add) that do more to annoy than they do to promote. The exposures they provide are more subtle, but no less effective. They provide a subliminal message that kicks into gear when the person decides to buy or sell. "Honey! Get the phone number of that Realtors off of the calendar that's stuck on the fridge, will you?"

Magnetic Is Best

There are lots of calendar types, but the magnetic calendars have proven to be the ones that are seen the most. That's the whole idea of a promotional product, right? Desk calendars get covered up, wallet calendars are seen only by the wallet's owner, and wall calendars are often relegated to a spot that is out of the way due to their size. The magnetic calendar ends up on the fridge at home, the metal cabinets in the workplace break room, on a mechanic's toolbox, on the cash register at the local pizza place, or on computer cases in the office. There, they get seen by many people who are all potential customers.

Find a reliable source of magnetic promotional calendars and start attracting all of those buyers and sellers who are looking for an agent to represent them.

Friday 27 September 2013

Changing Careers From Home Office Real Estate Agent to Internet Millionaire

I can show you how to turn your home office into an internet money maker and help you market your real estate office as well.

Real estate agents working from home that have fallen prey to the down-turn in the market may already have the expertise to have their own on-line business. You can start a new business with the expertise you have learned or used, in having a home based real estate office.

The concept of working from home, was brought on by a number of things. Number one was probably the high cost of renting your own office, either on your own or from the Broker. With the advent of the computer age, agents found that much of the "legwork" was now being done by computers, so why not set up an office at home and reduce your costs. You could pretty much do all your work from home, and customers would not be able tell, nor would they care!. Thus the Home office was now an accepted practice.

Tax advantages are significant when you have a home office. Home office entrepreneurs are able to write off many things that they use on a daily basis at home. There are many books and online sites that outline these tax advantages.

Unfortunately the down-turn in has forced many agents to look for another career or something to supplement their dwindling incomes from the real estate bust.

The Good News is that if you are a home-based business owner or agent, you already have the basic knowledge and tools to become your own inter-net marketing guru.

1. You know that your computer is your best partner
2. you probably have used videos to market your properties and yourself
3. you know some tax advantages
4. you know that you have to work at your business to be successful, and only you can do that

With the right support structure in place, on-line marketing can be a huge moneymaker. If you have the desire to succeed and use some of the expertise you already have, then the sky is the limit. I can introduce you to the most structured inter-net business available. You do not have to be a real estate person to use this business, but your background can surely help.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

A Skill All Sellers and Real Estate Agents Should Master

I read articles and hear of difficulties real estate agents have on selling homes. Many of the complaints are regarding the home inspection findings for when the buyer requests a lot of items repaired or improved and in regards to appraisals and if the appraisal showed any issues. It has amazes me sometimes at how poorly some people react to difficulties. Here are some tips to help agents get over these situations.

I hear agents make this statement of something similar to this occasionally at the home inspection so I am certain it goes on many locations. I hear them state "There will be nothing found of concern at the home inspection". This sets up unrealistic expectations and sets up the buyer for shock and disappointment for when items are found.

Every home has issues. Issues range some a few small items to large number of concerns. The concerns can also be minor or more major issues that will be expensive to correct. What every real estate agent needs to be able to do is to let the buyer know that things will be found at the home that they may want to have repaired or improved upon.

The old phrase: "To be forewarned is to be forearmed" is very true. People who know that something is going to found or that something is going to occur is better mentally prepared to deal with it appropriately than those who without warning hear of a concern. Agents, sellers and buyers should all expect there to be concerns. This will prevent disappointment and more stress. It should be in every agents mind that they should forewarn others to avoid large disappointments and unnecessary stress.

The presentation of the home inspection report is also a skill that agents should master. When an agent presents or discusses a home inspection report with the buyer that agent needs to be calm. If the agent is nervous or upset that sends signals to the buyer that are not desirable.

I had a home buying client of mine change real estate agents and select a different home to buy because the real estate agent was nervous about a water leak near the furnace. The buyer felt the uneasiness from the agent and thought that the agent may be hiding something. The buyer backed out of the deal.

Buyers need to be fully informed of the condition of the home they are considering to purchase. Agents that recommend thorough home inspectors and are able to present and discuss the home inspection report are far better able to close sales and create increased trust. With these factors those agents will close more sales and earn more referrals.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

401K and Real Estate Investing - A Simple Wealth Strategy

Here's a simple wealth strategy you can easily implement by using your IRA or 401K and real estate investing.

Step One- Roll your funds into a self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account)

The first thing you need to do in order to combine your IRA or 401K and real estate investing is to roll your available funds over into a self-directed IRA. This is nothing more than a regular IRA account administrated by a company that allows you to determine specifically how and where the money is invested.

A Self-directed IRA, also known as a Checkbook IRA, allows your funds to be placed into a checking account, giving you far more flexibility and "liquidity" than with typical retirement accounts. You can then use the funds by simply writing a check, combining your IRA or 401K and real estate investing.

There are several sources and providers of self directed IRA accounts. Use online search resources for assistance in locating them. One such company, highly respected for combining your IRA 401K and real estate investing, is Equity Trust Company.

Step Two- Determine your investing criteria

Before you start using your IRA or 401K and real estate investing together, it's important to think through your investing criteria. What kind of real estate investor do you want to be? Do you have the temperament and financial resources to hold and rent property, or are you better suited to quick-turn real estate? Does rehabbing suit you, or are pretty houses more in keeping with your skills and abilities?

These are vitally important questions, and the time to ask and answer them is before you start using your IRA or 401K and real estate investing.

There are lots of online resources for helping you make these kinds of decisions. I've written another article that can help you determine which type of investing is right for you. You can find it at Best Income Opportunities.

Once you've determined the type of investing you're suited for, you'll know what types of properties fit that criteria, and you'll be ready to start using your IRA or 401K and real estate investing.

Step Three- Locate a property that fits your investing criteria

Now is the time to hunt for properties that fit the investing criteria you've established for yourself. When you're just beginning real estate investing. I would stick to single family homes and small multi-units (1-5 units). Leave the larger apartments and commercial properties until after you've gotten your feet wet in IRA / 401K and real estate investing.

Find and work with a good Realtor who can help you locate properties that work for you. Look for value in your real estate investing... in other words, buy for well under retail. Buying value is the secret to success in this business, and builds instant equity.

Step Four - Let your Account Administrator walk you through the first few transactions

The companies that administrate self directed IRA accounts know their business well. They have a vested interest in helping you succeed with IRA or 401k and real estate investing. Make use of their expertise and let them hold your hand through the first few purchases you make. They will help you avoid landmines you would never see otherwise.

You will need to follow the specific rules for IRA or 401K and real estate investing, and one of those rule is that all monies paid related to your property must come from the self-directed account. That means that every expense, no matter how small, must be written out of your self-directed IRA checkbook. Also, the property must be bought, sold, and held under the self-directed IRA.

You can see from these two examples that the rules can be complicated, although not so complicated that you should let it stop you from investigating this exciting and lucrative investing niche. After all, by combining your IRA or 401K and real estate investing, you can watch your nest egg grow exponentially, while avoiding the tax man's big bite.

That's it... four simple steps to building wealth using the incredibly powerful combination of your IRA or 401K and real estate investing. As it says on the shampoo bottle in your tub... lather, rinse, repeat!

Now, go make more offers!

Monday 23 September 2013

5 Steps to Your Dream Home Using Real Estate Property Listings

Real estate property listings are a great tool that you can use to browse all of the homes on the market in your neighborhood. But what should you do once a particular property or perhaps a few properties have caught your attention? What is needed to transform a picture in the paper into the home that you drive home to every night? The following 5 steps will help you turn a listing into your home:

1. As you probably already know first hand, some properties that seem ideal in listings fall terribly short in person. So, the first step that you need to take is to actually drive by the homes that have caught your attention in real estate property listings. Scratch off the ones you don't like.

2. Once you have zeroed in on a couple of properties, you will need to set up appointments to see them and ask questions. Keep in mind that you don't always have to deal with the agent on the sign in the front yard. Your agent can show you all of the houses you want to see regardless of who represents them.

3. Make a reasonable offer. Again, your agent will help you with this.

4. Next, you will need to arrange for inspections. Your agent will probably take care of all of this for you while you focus on financing. But you will have to make decisions regarding the results of the inspections.

5. After everything is in place, you can close on the property and move in. This usually happens about 30 days after you place an offer. If someone is living in the home, you may have to wait a little while before you take possession of the property.

Real estate property listings can tell you a lot about a property, but they serve only to introduce you to the homes for sale in your area. If you want to purchase a home that caught your eye in a listing, you will have to follow the above steps.

Sunday 22 September 2013

You and Real Estate Investing

Investing in real estate is one of the greatest ways to spend your hard-earned savings. Although some people might tell you that you have just doomed yourself by doing such a move, many experts would probably applaud and praise you for your decision. It is because according to them, now is the perfect time to try real estate investing or REI.

Because of the recent housing bubble and the ongoing economic recession, prices of real estate have gone down significantly. Although such a scenario paints an ugly picture of the country's current financial status, it provides investors with the opportunity to obtain great and nice-looking investment properties at very affordable prices. So if you want to get your hands on such lovely but inexpensive houses, then you should invest in real estate now.

There are three common ways to invest in real estate. The first method is by flipping houses. Flipping is the act of buying and quickly selling properties for profit. Investors usually purchase undervalued houses before selling them at a slightly marked up price. Contrary to what some people, believe, this type of REI is not against the law. Flipping is considered illegal only when it involves mortgage fraud or when an investor colludes with appraisers to inflate a property's market value.

As the name implies, rehabbing homes if the process of buying and fixing up a distressed house before selling it at a higher price. While most rehabbers hire contractors to help them renovate a property, there are some who carry out the repair job on their own.

Such a move, however, is considered risky by some investors because you can't entirely be sure that the buyer will be satisfied with the amount of effort you put on the property's repairs.

The third method is to wholesale houses. Wholesaling in the real estate business is basically the process of placing a property under contract and then selling the said contract to a third party.

According to many wholesalers, this type of REI is risk-free. Because you're not really buying a property, you don't need to have cash on hand or obtain loans. Thus, you don't have to worry about losing money in this business.

Saturday 21 September 2013

WordPress, IDX and Real Estate

Real estate agents today face an ever changing playing field when it comes to getting their name out in-front of buyers. In-fact in just the last two years the landscape changed dramatically as more and more agents realized the importance of a website that has all of the robust features of IDX as well as features of a full Content Management System" (CMS).

And if you are successful at getting your name out to the buyers online, it is inherently more important that such people return to continue their search, save properties, compare, and subscribe to your daily updates.

With statistics showing that over 80% of home buyers start their search online it is imperative that agents offer engaging, factual and informative content that the buyer is looking for, but also to go beyond the public stats. Market analysis, local schools, area shopping, trends, etc., etc. are the norm on most real estate sites and show you are up-to-speed in gathering and copying information. I am referring to that extra "blast" that you can do to separate you personally out from competitors and establish yourself as an expert in your area.

A CMS allows you to keep your name out in front of potential clients by providing valuable information. Has there been news about a new condominium development in your area? A new state or federal program? Write about it or comment on it on your website with a reference link to the main article. It does not necessarily have to be local. Your keeping up-to-speed with both local and national real estate markets. Your commenting and relating this news to your local market. (An entire book can be written on the benefits of writing articles, posting on blogs, and SEO. I will be getting more in-depth on these subjects in future articles.)

In order to create and easily manage a real estate CMS website you should at take a look at Wordpress. WordPress started out as a blogging system and has since became a powerful publishing platform. In fact, many newspapers and magazines have turned to WordPress for their online news portals and it is my choice for every website I build. It is simple to learn, has a fantastic community of developers, an array of plug-ins to accomplish nearly any task, and is completely customizable. Also, it's free!

Once you realize the benefits of a WordPress powered website, you will need to look at integrating IDX into your site. There are many third party companies that provide integration services or you can contact your local Board of Realtors and find out what programs they offer. Most services provided by your local board will require some scripting experience.

Steps to take:
1) Decide on whether you want a CMS and if so, a customized theme (website) or a generic theme from the WordPress vault. There are 100's of themes available. Some are free some are for a fee. Most of these themes will need customization to offer the greatest results for a real estate agent.

2) Find out from your local Real Estate Board what type of MLS they offer. If it is not robust enough or requires programmer to set-up, consider a third party IDX set-up.

3) Maybe this should be first - talk with a WordPress consultant for ideas and to get a better understanding of what WordPress can offer you.

For more information on WordPress you can visit WordPress.org.

Thursday 19 September 2013

Bent Tree Country Club Homes and Real Estate for Sale

Property acquisition opportunities worth serious pursuits in the Sarasota, Florida real estate market will have to include those at the Bent Tree Country Club. Located in eastern Sarasota County, just a two-mile drive away from Interstate 75, the Bent Tree residential development presents a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city living. This golf enclave development began as far back as the mid-1970s with utmost devotion to the preservation of the property's natural surroundings.

As a result, Bent Tree offers a sanctuary of mature woodlands, pristine lakes and unspoiled streams so magnificently interwoven into its golf links and residential community. A lot of improvements have also been undertaken in the country club complex.

The country club clubhouse has been upgraded to further enhance its facilities and services. The positive end results clearly manifest in various dining options at the Bent Tree community center. Casual dinners and lunches are available at the clubhouse Grille Room which also holds regular weekly specials in fine and themed dining. As many as 250 persons can now be accommodated in the dining areas which can serve as a comfortable venue for large social functions or gatherings. An even bouncier beat can be enjoyed at the club's tennis courts, in addition to the delights that can be had at a full-sized swimming pool and a shallow one specifically for children.

Golf's varied challenges eloquently manifests in the 18-hole, par 72 golf links of Bent Tree designed by Bill Lewis, a much-sought course builder. Opened in 1975, this layout was renovated in 1994 under the stewardship of another noted course designer, Ward Northrup. The course has five tee sets for golfers to test their individual capabilities. Its yardage is in the 5,645-6,863-yard range, course rating is at 72.9, and slope rating at 129 on Bermuda grass. Major tournaments, including US Open qualifiers and LPGA jousts, have been held at Bent Tree, attesting to the superb condition of its golf course and its complementary facilities.

The same wonders characterize the homes in Bent Tree which immensely benefit from the pristine environment that the golf course has created. There are various selections of Bent Tree homes for sale as many residences have been added to this gated community from the 1990s to the 2000s. Options can include condo units with floor plans from 1,600 to 2,000 square feet. Market offerings can likewise feature single family homes with floor areas of around 2,000 square feet and asking prices in the $140s-$200s range, in addition to upscale residences sporting floor spaces of over 3,500 square feet and posted prices in the $700s.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Options For Sleeping Arrangements and Real Estate in Wildwood NJ

Wildwood, NJ is one of the numerous excellent places to spend your vacation with the family. Wildwood is sprawling with thousands of tourist attractions that provide endless fun and excitement for everyone; regardless of age. You can be assured that your stay shall be memorable since Wildwood has plenty of affordable yet very relaxing and comfortable sleeping arrangements; having numerous options for your accommodation that include hotels, real estate, and rental properties.

Regardless of your needs and budget, you will surely find an excellent place to stay that is just well suited to your preferences and comfort level. Most hotel accommodations in Wildwood, New Jersey have great facilities and room services that include fresh toiletries and clean beddings among many others. Most of the hotels have pools for outdoor fun and relaxation, fitness centers to keep you fit and healthy, and high speed internet for your surfing needs. Such accommodations will only cost you around $100 to $500 per night; which is already affordable and easy on the pocket.

Another better option for your stay is rental properties. This is best if you are planning to stay longer on regular basis in Wildwood, NJ. There are numerous types of properties to choose from; such as townhomes, single house, duplex, and condominiums just to name some. These properties are usually owned by large companies and regular families who just want to rent their place to visitors. Just search through various rental properties that exactly fit your desired accommodation. An example of rental properties in Wildwood, New Jersey is the Thunderbird Townhomes at 2301 Surf Avenue of North Wildwood. Weekly rentals may cost you around $ 3600 only for a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom unit; with luxurious amenities like pools and jacuzzi.

If you are going to be visiting this place regularly on a monthly basis then it would also be best to buy your own real estate in Wildwood, NJ. Take note that once you own a piece of property in Wildwood, New Jersey you also need to be prepared to spend for its upkeep costs. One of the advantages of property ownership is that you can also rent the property to other visitors and travelers during times when you are not staying in this place.

If you prefer to own properties, one of the crucial factors that you need to consider is choosing a reliable and competent realtor; such as RPO Realty, whose main office is located at 3319 New Jersey Avenue. Hence, you need to search around for the ideal realtor like aforesaid one that will truly give genuine and good service for your needs to purchase real estate in Wildwood, NJ.

Monday 16 September 2013

Divorce and Real Estate in a Down Market

Divorce is a stressful and overwhelming event in anyone's life but add the hassle of trying to sell your home in a down real estate market with a less than cooperative, soon to be ex-spouse and it will quickly send your stress level into overdrive. It is already a difficult process to sell your home in good conditions but when faced with the added stress and emotional turmoil of divorce, people often jump the gun and sell at the first available offer in attempt to be free of any lasting connections.

When facing a difficult, emotional financial decision such as selling your community property in divorce, always consult a professional that specializes in the area of real estate and divorce. This is a professional with expertise above what your divorce attorney has to offer. They will help you make a plan and strategize the different ways to successfully sell your divorce assets and avoid costly tax mistakes. In addition, an expert will be able to advise you of available options you may not have considered when selling your home in a down real estate market. A divorce and real estate specialist can give options such as renting the property out and keeping your household items in storage until the selling market has improved. In addition, they can help you draw up and agreement on how to handle disputes over the property and have it included in your divorce settlement.

Making the decision to sell in a down market or buyers market puts you in one of two categories. Either you are willing to accept a lower offer than the fair market value of your home or you are choosing to risk the potential long wait to sell your home at your asking price. Often, emotion rules over common sense in these situations and seeking out an expert's advice will help you make that difficult financial choice and assist you in making the process as peaceful as possible. Divorcing couples need to consider the cost and time required to find a new place to live and take into account how this time consuming process could potentially affect the sale of their home.

Becoming knowledgeable about selling your home in a down market will allow you to make an informed, financially smart decision on whether or not now is the right time to sell your home. If you decide to wait for an improved real estate market, make the appropriate arrangements to keep your mortgage payments and other household expenses covered until the world of real estate shows financial improvement. Selling your home in a down market simply to finalize your divorce is a mistake that you will eventually come to regret. Instead, take a step back and allow the market time to recover, your emotional wounds to heal and prepare for the available tax shelter advantages.

Sunday 15 September 2013

FHA 90 Day Flip Waiver - Pertains to First Time Home Buyers, Real Estate Investors & Realtors

FHA has prohibited insuring a Florida home mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days. This restriction was imposed in 2003 to prevent property flipping. On January 15, 2010, HUD announced a temporary (1 year) waiver of the prohibition with strict conditions to insure against predatory practices. Effective with Florida Home Mortgages underwritten on or after April 1, 2010, Most lenders will allow the 90 day waiver for all property sellers, including private sale transactions, but prohibits FHA financing for properties owned less than 90 days if the sales price is greater than or equal to a 20% increase over the seller's acquisition cost.

The 90 days is calculated from the seller's acquisition date to the purchase contract date of the new transaction.Regardless of who the property seller is, if the resale occurs within 0 to 90 days, the following requirements must be met:
1. All transactions must be arms length, with no identity of interest between buyer and seller or other parties participating in the sales transactions. Specific ways to ensure an armslength transaction include:
a. Property seller currently holds title to the property.
b. LLCs, corporations, or trusts, serving as sellers must meet all applicable state and Federal law.
c. No pattern of previous flipping activity exists on the subject property, as evidenced by multiple title transfers within a 12 month period time frame (chain of title information for the subject property can be found on the appraisal report)
d. The property was marketed openly and fairly, via MLS, auction, For Sale by Owner offering, or developer marketing (any sales contracts with an "assignment of contract of sale", which represents a special arrangement between seller and buyer may be a red flag).

2. Transactions with sales price greater than or equal to a 20% increase over seller's acquisition cost, are not allowed.

There are several reasons you might be interested in paying special attention to this guideline.

#1. If you're a first time home buyer and have gotten your contract in on time to qualify for the tax credit, it's also important that you close on time as well. If the requirements stated above are not met. You can rest assure closing on your loan will be extremely difficult if even possible.

#2. Realtors before you invest your energy, time and money you want to make sure you know if the seller is an investor group as well as all of the specific details pertaining to the property. Some times this information is not posted in the public records if the sale is recent.

#3. Real Estate investors you want to make sure you can sell your investment property as smoothly as possible. Providing this information to all parties involved will help you see a faster return on your investment.

Saturday 14 September 2013

Free Online Jobs and Real Estate Classifieds Endow Web Users With Better Bargains And Deals

Free online classifieds are a great way to spread your message across the targeted audience in matter of seconds that too fruitfully and with results. The name itself suggests its best benefit that is it is accessible free of cost and can be used by both persons searching for specific products and services and persons looking for these products and services.

Business entities just love these classifieds as these are pretty cost effective and can reach out to target audience and endow them with better bargains and deals. These are also proving quite resourceful for those looking forward to drive traffic on to their web site in real time with free advertisements. You will be amazed by the number of web portals pertaining to free online classifieds accessible on the World Wide Web.

The sheer number of categories in these classified web portals will also sweep you off your feet as they tend to cover each and every façade of our life like: - automobile, real estate, electronics and computers, furniture and accessories, home appliances, domestic services, travel, vacation, equipment, health, fitness and beauty, pets, astro services, jobs, musical equipments, entertainment, matrimony and a lot more. The fact that one can easily search for location specific details, make these free online classifieds more alluring and lucrative.

Amid other free online classifieds, the most sought after facades in today's avant-garde epochs are free jobs classifieds and real estate classifieds. Free online classifieds are great for small business entities which do not put aside huge sums for promotional purposes. They are extremely revealing in nature and can proffer an altogether new persona to product or service through words and pictures.

Real estate classifieds lists properties and can prove very handy when it comes down to buying or selling properties or real estate. Since the varieties and diversity in these classifieds is more than one can imagine buyers can surely look forward to a very affordable and cost effective deal on these real estate classifieds. Sellers can also reach maximum targeted clients through these classifieds without incurring any cost on advertisement.

Since the real estate scenario is growing by leaps and bounds in a developing country like India and more so in metro cities, real estate classifieds are fast emerging as a hot favorite to buy and sell real estate in these advanced times.

One can easily search for free land, buildings, flats, apartments and a lot more that too in accordance with the personal and unique needs and requirements to make certain that he/ she will stumble upon the most pertaining real estate.

Free jobs classifieds are also being wildly searched by aspirants and freshers to lay their hands upon some hot jobs. These classifieds can be looked upon as job banks which feature an assortment of jobs relevant to various educational backgrounds and experience. Not only job seekers but also small corporations can utilize these Free jobs classifieds to lay their hands on some fresh talent that too free of cost.

Friday 13 September 2013

Tara Golf and Country Club Homes and Real Estate for Sale

Home buyers pining for a lifestyle reminiscent of the Florida "old South" and adopts the pleasures of modern-day living will find their delight in properties at Tara Golf & Country Club. Prominent in the Bradenton real estate market due to the stability that it has shown for more than twenty years, the Tara development recently has undergone a $7.5 million renovation in spite of difficulties felt in the entire US housing market.

Significantly, redevelopment in Tara centered on its clubhouse which was restored to its original southern plantation and gone with the wind motif. Excellent dining facilities are among the amenities offered in the clubhouse's Scarlett Restaurant and The Grille Room. Social functions at these venues can extend to an outdoor covered patio and several multipurpose rooms. Added member privileges are provided in two tennis courts, a pool and a spa, and a fitness center.

Renovation also focused on Tara's championship golf course, an 18-hole par 72 layout. Ron Garl, a prominent course architect, ably updated the original Ted McAnlis design in the complete resurfacing of the layout's greens. Even stricter water conservation measures were adopted via the installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation facility and additional nature preserves.

This scenic golf course is regarded as among the best courses in the area for its fast greens and the challenging play it presents. From its farthest tee placements, the layout tours at 6,845 yards with a 72.8 course rating and a 136 slope rating. It plays as a regular host to several league tournaments and competitions open to golfers with varying skill levels. Practice facilities for putting and driving, in addition to a pro shop, are the supplementary golf facilities in the Tara golf complex.

Real estate for sale in the Tara community varies in lifestyle choices. Acquisition opportunities within the golf community can include those in neighborhoods with either veranda-type or multi-story condos, in addition to those with single family homes. Condo units at the low-end of the price points of Tara sales listings have floor spaces of approximately 1,000 square feet and price tags in the ballpark of the $75,000 level.

Higher-end residences featured in the market are usually custom-built houses of Tuscan inspiration with floor spaces of over 3,000 square feet and asking prices in the $450s. Either a class A or B club membership is bundled with these properties, providing the club privileges that have benefited from sustained improvement over the years.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Stone Oak Community Homes For Sale and Real Estate in Round Rock, Texas

Stone Oak Homes

Stone Oak is a real estate community located in West Round Rock. Homes in Stone Oak real estate are affordably priced between $100,000 and $250,000. Houses here are is unique because owners in this neighborhood are in a nicely priced neighborhood that is bordered by subdivisions priced much higher. The tax rate for this real estate is 2.38%. The zip code for this area is 78681. The places here are only 5-mins away from I-15, and right off of FM 1431. This premier community is East of Whitestone Blvd. Houses in this subdivision are single or two-story, and include 3-4 bedrooms, along with guestrooms. Features of the places in this neighborhood include wood laminated floors, 10-ft high ceilings, art niches, masonry wood fences, French doors, crown molding, large walk-in pantries, and covered patios. The residencies here ranges in square footage from 1000 to 5000. Designers such as Dr. Horton, Milburn, Doyle Wilson, Symphony Builders, and Continental Homes of Texas build the places here. These home are well built and ready to call home.

Stone Oak Real Estate

These houses are in a perfect location. The Austin Bergstrom International Airport is a mere 30-mins away. This community is only a 20-min drive or 30-min ride on the Metro Rail from Downtown Austin. In addition, several restaurants and shopping centers are nearby. Round Rock Prime Outlets is only a short drive away. Restaurants such as Mesa Rosa, Chuy's, La Madeleine, Rudy's and Salt Lick BBQ, Cracker Barrel, and TGIF are close. Scott & White Hospital and Seton Medical Hospital are only a few moments away.

Stone Oak Homes for Sale

The houses here are in the Round Rock Independent School District. Houses in this community can send their children to Chandler Oaks ES, Walsh Ranch MS, and Stony Point Senior HS. Several higher learning schools are nearby the area. Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College, Texas State University are all a short drive away from Stone Oak real estate. HEB, IKEA, Home Depot, Austin's Pizza, and Starbucks are all available those who live in the houses here and nearby.

Round Rock Real Estate

There are several amenities available to members. A very active Home Owner's Association maintains the houses in this community. There are two parks, a junior Olympic swimming pool, a kiddie pool, and picnic/grilling areas available to members of this community.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Purchasing Your Dream Home at Real Estate Market

Sunny Beach is one of the best real estate locations in Miami-Dade. Aside from being the best vacation spots for those tourists who keep on coming back in this magnificent city, it has been the suitable place for those people who also want to set up their own business because it has an easy access to entertainment and business amenities without the need to drive around the city.

Now there are plenty of tourists who are dreaming to have their own property in this place like Sunny Isles. If you are into investing your dream home in Sunny Isles real estate market, it is very important that you have to make a careful planning to avoid unnecessary spending with your limited budget. And because it is very in demand and popular, it is just right to expect that prices of properties are expensive. This is the reasons why you have to carefully plan your investment and make sure that you have advance plan in order to get the best deal in the market.

One of the most important steps that you need to take care about investing in Sunny Isles real estate market is to always check on the status of the local market. With the Sunny Isles, you have to find out how much the properties are priced in the city and what are available for your investment.

If you want to get the best deal in Sunny Isles real estate, you have to check on what properties that is available for sale in the city. Actually there are two ways for you to look them up - one is by asking a real estate agent to do the search for you and the other one is by making your own search in the internet. Now there are plenty of listings in the internet and you just have to visit the sites so that you will be able to check them out properly.

To make your search easy, it is better to identify the specifications of the property well ahead of time so that sorting the best property in Sunny Isles real estate will be a lot easier. While making your checklist, it will be better to decide how much you are willing to spend with this acquisition so that you will be able to narrow down your search and will have more time to compare.

Whether you ask an agent to do the search for you or you do it on your own, it will be a good idea to make an appointment in order to check the property. It is very important to make a personal visit with the property so that you will be able to see personally if the property that you are planning to buy perfectly fits your needs and wants.

Sunday 8 September 2013

Finding the Perfect Home in Real Estate

Florida real estate is a market that is full opportunities to own your own property. Now there are lots of people who are searching for the perfect location for their investment plans.

One of the thriving markets in real estate is the Florida. For sure you will not go wrong as you start to invest your own property in Florida. There are lots of benefits that you can get out of investing in Florida. There are lots of business opportunities and activities that you can take advantage of.

Florida is a perfect place for those people who are fond of water. It is like an island and for sure you will love to experience water activities such as swimming, diving, fishing, surfing and a lot more.

Now Florida is also known as one of the most visited place by those people who love water sports and beach. Because of the fun and enjoyment that they can get out of the state, there is some tourist who decided to permanently stay in this city. In order to have a good start in this place, it is important that you have to invest your own home in Florida real estate. Now there are lots of properties that you can buy.

Because of the increasing demands of people for good quality of properties, developers started to develop more properties in order to supply the growing demands of Florida real estate properties. Relocating in a new place is really full of fun but you have to adjust in order to cope up with your new neighborhood. But once you already adjusted with your new neighborhood, for sure everything will be a lot easier and enjoyable.

Picking the perfect property in Florida real estate is a little bit confusing on your part because of the several options that is being offer to you. But you have to make sure that you will be able to pick the perfect property for you so that you will be able to stay comfortably and conveniently with thee place. Keep in mind that you have to consider all your specifications so that you will be able to have the perfect property for you. You have to list down all your specification so that you will be able to enjoy living in your new home.

Aside from the different features of your home, it is important that you have to check on the location of the Florida real estate. There are lots of neighborhoods that you can choose from. You can use the internet in order for you to search the perfect location for your home.

Friday 6 September 2013

What Does the Congressional Super Committee Failure Mean for Mortgage Rates and Real Estate?

We are in some scary times right now but also exciting times as we are living in a historic moment. How we handle this fragility in our situation will dictate policy that impacts all Americans for generations to come.

Much of what we hear in the news about the housing market making a comeback is not correct. Over the past 12 months I've seen stories claiming that many areas have seen housing sales increase and home prices have been inching up. While this may be true the numbers are being doctored; let me explain. Last year in the USA there were a total of about 5.5 million foreclosures. So far this year Bank of America alone has over 5 million foreclosures, this figure does not account for Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank or any other lending institution.

The banks are holding on to inventory and in some cases are renting homes back to the parties that have been foreclosed on. Should the banks flood the market with this inventory what do you think will happen to the home prices across Texas and the rest of USA? You guessed it; the housing market which is the biggest indicator of how an economy is doing would completely collapse and home prices would plummet. Immediately, this situation is killing the refinance market because banks are going with the most conservative appraisal approach when approving refinances. Just in the past 6 months I have lost several refinance deals due to appraisals coming in lower than market value. However; we are not having the same issue with purchases as banks need to get rid of inventory.

What's the flip side? I do see a possibility of recovery. In a previous article I noted that during the mortgage and real estate boom we saw rental rates go down and mortgage rate along with home prices go up. Which meant it was more expensive per month to purchase a home than it was to rent. That trend has now reversed, we will be seeing home prices continue to drop and mortgage rates will stay very low (unless hyper-inflation occurs) for at least 2-5 years. Rental rates are skyrocketing so now it is less expensive per month to purchase a home than it is to rent.

This reversal, in my opinion is what will get us out of our current situation and help in the reset of our economy. Assuming our congress gets their act together the recovery mentioned above has a high probability; if not, hyper-inflation will happen and we may be screwed for a long time to come. I don't know about you but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for best in this historic moment in time.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Google Base and Real Estate Listings - Ignored by Real Estate Agents?

Google has expanded again, this time moving into the world of real estate--or at least real estate listing services. Their website, called Google Base, launched in November 2005, and lists properties for sale, which can be uploaded free. Home buyers can narrow their search by typing in particular areas, such as "San Francisco real estate."

Although the information isn't nearly as complete as the typical MLS listing, the new Google service allows buyers the opportunity to search with more anonymity than most similar sites. Before Google Base, viewers were generally asked to reveal personal information before they were given a chance to look at properties, and that information was then used as leads for agents.

It's a free advertising vehicle for agents, similar to Realtor.com, but doesn't offer nearly the choices of the actual MLS. However, the site has been up and running for less than a year, so it's yet to be determined what the site will eventually look like, in terms of the number of properties and the site's overall features. For instance, buyers can currently narrow their search by ZIP Code or county, but it's not yet possible to search specific neighborhoods within a target area.

Perhaps the biggest change is that buyers can search for real estate listings through Google itself, rather than having to go onto the World Wide Web for information. The basic concept is similar to craigslist--the popular site that allows people to buy and sell goods and services nationwide.

At the moment, only properties that have been uploaded by agents appear on Google Base, but time will tell if Google will expand the information to include properties that have been "spidered" from World Wide Web listings on other sites. There will likely be a considerable amount of debate as to whether information that's traditionally been held solely by the MLS will ultimately become accessible to all home buyers. If the trend toward open access continues, it's possible that home buyers will gain access to what has previously been available only to real estate agents.

Eventually, the MLS may finding itself needing to enter into some sort of partnership agreement with Google Base, that is, unless they decide to team up with one of the other two search engine giants, Yahoo or MSN. Only time will tell how this latest Google venture will play out, but as always, it will be consumer demand that dictates the final outcome.

It seems as though real estate agents haven't taken to Google Base in all areas. In a search for Lake Elsinore, California, few of the listings available on MLS came up on Google Base. Interestingly, Trulia.com uses the Google Base map and more properties came up listed on Trulia.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Home Staging and Real Estate Marketing - Top Ten Reasons Real Estate Agents Should Use Home Staging

1. Professionally staged homes stand out from the crowd.

A professional stager will examine the property with an objective eye and make recommendations to give the home that "wow" factor necessary to entice potential buyers. Did you know that only 10% of people can look past the clutter and unsightly decor in a home and see the potential of a property? First impressions mean everything in the real estate market, having a home professionally staged will ensure that those critical first 10 seconds of a showing are a deal maker, not a deal breaker.

2. Real Estate agents often make suggestions for improvements needed, but they aren't as detailed as a professional home stager.

Many realtors feel they provide adequate suggestions on repairs and changes needed to get a property sold, but usually these suggestions don't cover all the elements a home stager would. As a real estate agent you know most homes are purchased based on emotions, professional stagers will advise making all the obvious repairs and improvements needed, but they also help provide the emotional connection points throughout the home that make potential buyers fall in love. Most real estate agents don't have the design expertise to help their clients carry out a masterful home staging, and most homeowners don't have the knowledge, objectivity, or time to carry out the changes suggested.

3. Just because you recommend home staging for a listing does not mean you have to pay for it.

Although some real estate agents are opting to provide home staging for their clients as part of their fees and services, it is not the norm for agents to pay for staging. Recommending a professional home stager is just like recommending a home inspector. Your clients don't expect you to pay for the home inspection services, so why should they expect you to pay for home staging services? In the end, staging doesn't cost the homeowner a dime either, a 2007 Home Gain Survey of over 200 realtors reported that sellers who spent typically $500 on staging services for their home recovered over 343% of the cost in the sale of their home.

4. Home staging has been proven to help properties sell faster and for more money.

This is a clear win-win situation because turning the property quickly means less hassle for you and your client. Also, a higher sales price brings you more commission and benefits your clients' pocket book as well. Professionally staged homes sell over 50% faster than non-staged homes and on average for 6-10% more.

5. Your listings will show better if they are professionally staged and this will reflect well on your professionalism.

If you become known for always having properties that show well, other agents are more likely to show your homes, and homeowners will seek to have you as their listing agent. You will gain a reputation for turning homes fast when people notice your name on the lawn signs of all the "sold" homes in their neighborhood.

6. Stagers are experts in tackling sensitive topics in a diplomatic manner.

Stagers can relieve your anxiety of offending your clients by taking over the responsibility of discussing sensitive subjects like odor and unattractive decor. Home stagers will explain to your clients that they aren't there to put down their design choices or cleanliness; they just want to help their home appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. While the décor may suit their tastes, properties need to be neutralized before they are put on the market to attract as many buyers as possible. Professional home stagers will explain that the way you live in a home is very different from the way you present a house for sale.

7. Home Stagers free up your time to focus on what you do best.

Professional home stagers will take over the daunting task of preparing your listings for the market. This way you don't have to waste your time and efforts on something outside of your realm of expertise. Stagers will take your weak listings and turn them into "model homes" so that you can focus your efforts on your real estate skills. Having a property staged can help make the entire selling process easier because homes that are organized and free of clutter are seen as being well taken care of. This makes all aspects of selling a home go more smoothly from showing to inspection.

8. Having a home professionally staged provides you with eye-catching photography for your MLS and marketing materials.

According to the NAR Profile of Home buyers and Sellers 2008, "87% of all home buyers and 94% of buyers aged 25-44 used the internet to search for homes", this is why you need to have the strongest marketing photos possible. Many home buyers are eliminating properties from their viewing list based solely on the photos they see online. Having a home professionally staged will arm you with valuable marketing photos that will draw in the buyers.

9. Professional Stagers can prepare a home for sale more quickly than an agent or homeowner.

Some real estate agents and homeowners do have an eye for design, but home staging is not their profession. Professional home stagers prepare homes for sale day in and day out. They know the right contacts and have the knowledge and skills needed to achieve the most bang for your buck in the least amount of time.

10. Home staging is becoming the standard in the real estate market.

Home staging is growing more and more prevalent, especially in today's saturated real estate market. By not informing your clients about the benefits of home staging you are putting them at an immediate disadvantage. Leaving a property in "as is" condition will only help sell the competition, especially when the competition is already using home staging as a marketing tool. With the tough real estate market sellers are facing today, it's critical that you help your client put their best foot forward by recommending staging. Be sure to inform your sellers about the benefits of home staging, your clients will appreciate your suggestion to utilize one of the most innovative and successful marketing techniques in real estate today!