Archive for December, 2009

Obama’s Federal Program Bringing Home Loans into Reach of First Time Home Buyers

Bryan Hendersen asked:


Economic weakness threatens the chances of many Americans to become homeowners and so threatens the nation’s ability to thrive as a nation. Keen to help, the federal government offers the First Time Home Buyer Stimulus Package. It targets first time buyers and those who have not owned a home in three or more years.

Purchases under this program are of pre-owned homes and homes in the new construction phase, stimulating demand in the housing market. Whether indirectly, by boosting buys of pre-owned homes, or directly, by boosting housing starts, this gives builders and their crews more work. As for homeowners, they receive help in three ways, with tax credits, assistance with down payments, and with decreased interest rates.

The initial purpose of the stimulus program was to stave off the economic slowdown of which existence became apparent during the financial crisis of 2008. The developing situation demanded reinforcement of these efforts, which came in the form of a more comprehensive plan from the federal government. In particular, the Obama administration believed that the reluctance to spend money came from the fear of losing home ownership. This, along with the collapse of real estate market, convinced to administration to act to stimulate home ownership.

For any purchase made in the year 2009, a homebuyer may qualify for a 10 percent tax credit. This may for up to $8,000, with the basis being the gross purchase price. The home owner may claim this credit either the year of purchase or within two years of purchase. This tax credit provides money to the homeowner, which he may decide to save.

Next is a reduction in the down payment. Usually, these are at least ten percent of the home’s price. The government plan is to pay off part of the down payment. Lower down payments make it easier to purchase the home. Furthermore, reducing the down payment reduces the burdens keeping you from placing money in an investment account or from improving the new home. Also, government help may reduce the interest rate on your home loan by reducing the basis points on the interest rate. Qualification for the tax credit requires that a single person’s income not exceed $75, 000 and that with a partner income not exceed $150,000.

A third way to encourage home purchases is a tax rebate. In this case, the federal government places the rebate on the amount of interest assessed on the loan. This is not related to the tax credit. Under this stimulus program, homeowners may apply for both the credit and the rebate. Landlords, who buy property for income purposes, may qualify for the rebate. Because the landlord’s maintenance expenses go to the upkeep of the rented property, they are eligible for income tax deductions. Hence landlords are eligible for the rebate.

Economic growth is impossible without continuous improvement of the national infrastructure. However, the collapse in the demand for housing hits precisely here. The Obama adminstration intends to rectify this with tax credits, down payment assistance, and interest rate reductions. Under the First Time Home Buyer program, it intends to place buyers in new homes and stimulate economic activity.

House Flipping Tips and Strategy

Chris Chico asked:




When considering an entrance into the real estate investment market, it is important to remember some basic house flipping tips and strategy.  To begin with, house flipping means to buy a property with a depressed value and then to resell that property for a higher price.  This process is usually a quick transaction with the investor only holing the property for a few days.  Many boast of huge immediate profits. The following guidelines will help lead you to financial freedom and fiscal independence.

The first thing to learn is how to identify a property that is likely to create a huge profit margin.  Why depressed value may make you think of properties that badly need repairs, condemned buildings, or buildings in undesirable locations, there are many other reasons that a building would have a low price.  Foreclosures are a great source of potential opportunities.  Visit local banks to get a list of available assets that have been foreclosed upon.  The prices of these buildings are usually much lower than current market prices and are not related to the current condition of the property.

Another great source for possible prospects is real estate auctions.  These usually include properties that have come under the ownership of the state, either through tax enforcement or the death a person with no designated heirs.  These assets are totally unrelated to current market values and simply go to the highest bidder.  Another helpful tip is to check online auctions.  With the growing popularity of the internet these have become much more common and easy to find. Simply use any search engine to locate these sites.

Once you indentify a property, the next step is acquiring the capital to purchase it.  Obviously you can front the money from your own personal wealth.  However, this is not always necessary.  A handy tip is to again visit your local bank.  Banks will often offer short term loans for such investment opportunities.  Use the loan or mortgage to purchase the house and then repay the loan immediately after selling it.  In this manner you can ensure a much higher profit margin.  Another tip is to put a five to ten percent down payment on the loan.  This will help you secure lower financing fees and better fiscal terms.

As soon as you own the house, you will need to find somebody to buy it.  A helpful tip is to limit purchasing a property unless you already have a potential buyer lined up.  This will limit the time that you own the house to a bare minimum.  This will also limit the time you have to carry the loan or mortgage.  Potential clients can be found anywhere.  Again a useful tip is to utilize the power of the internet. 

Advertise on real estate web pages to reach huge audiences.  This method is also the cheapest method to advertise.  Other ways to attract clients is to buy advertisement space in newspapers, on bill boards, or in classified listings.  These are just some helpful house flipping tips that will have you generating an alternate form of income in days. 

Investment Property in Florida – Whats Hot?

Les Calvert asked:




The American Sunshine State of Florida has always been one of the favourite destinations for travellers around the world. The alluring tropical weather, pristine beaches, and inviting landmarks in the State are too good to resist for the locals and the visitors alike. The relaxing lifestyle of Florida’s coastal culture adds to the charm of a retired life the Brits yearn for during their entire youthful life. Due to diverse hotspots, Florida is not just popular with the retired brigade, but also with the kids and youth alike.

What Makes Florida a Hot Investment Destination? Florida could be termed as the southernmost State of the United States of America. Surrounded by Sea and Ocean, Florida is every bit a coastal State that has natural richness of beauty and some scenic glory. Florida beckons with hundreds of pristine sandy beaches lined with towering palm trees and affording the best environs to relax your woes away. With year-round tropical sun warming the Floridan air, the weather in Florida presents the best of America to the world, and is a major reason for property investment in Florida.

It’s not only the weather that gravitates people from all over the world towards Florida, but the overall living standards enhanced by the recreational facilities in the State and its vicinity that are the USP of Florida. The State is home to the world famous Disneyland or Walt Disney Resort in Orlando – a favourite among children and adults alike. Besides, you get to enjoy a plethora of activities in Florida, like golfing, fishing, dining and theatre etc.

Florida is the fourth most populous State of the USA and home to nearly 16 million residents. The ever-increasing popularity of Florida as a dream destination for first and second homes is further contributing to the riches of this giant peninsular State.

Florida is not a single-community State. Thanks to its all-round beauty and better standards of living, the State attracts people from all around the world and this makes Florida a truly multicultural paradise on Earth. Further, Florida boasts of different kinds of lifestyles in different regions. For instance, the coastal lifestyle may not be the same as that of Central Florida. The Gulf Coast towns and cities are known for being more relaxed, while the East Coast of Florida is a little more fast-paced.

Florida is flocked by tourists all the year round, which makes the demand for property – both rental and disposable – in constant demand. You can easily earn regular rental income or just stay during holidays or permanently make Florida your next permanent destination.

Florida is very well connected both within and outside the country with regular flights to and from the State. With an elaborate road and rail network to support the airways, you can look forward to easy accessibility to the Florida state.

The availability of different kinds of properties to suit every kind of taste and preference is another important factor that works in favour of Florida real estate investment.

Though the legal process governing the real estate transactions in Florida is a little tedious and cumbersome, every effort is worth the time and energies spent, as you’d hardly find a place under the Sun that is so perfect in terms of living standards. Moreover, if you are prepared to hire an attorney for all the documentary spadework and other tax hassles related to owning a property in Florida, chances are that you won’t be troubled by all the legal formalities.

Hottest Investment Destinations in Florida You can easily find different properties for sale all around Florida. However, there are certain regions and cities that are more preferred by investors for obvious reasons.

For those seeking out a flurry of tourism-related activities around, the town of Kissimmee offers the best bet. Situated in Osceola County, Kissimmee’s close proximity to the Disney World makes it a real estate magnet in the region. Property in Kissimmee has a rich heritage and an enviable landscape with close proximity to some of the world’s premier holiday attractions. The town is within eighteen miles of Orlando and is ideally located to go further west and explore the golden beaches of Clearwater or the Space Coast to the east.

Miami is every bit a modern city with a vibrant lifestyle, world-class hotels and restaurants, some fabulous beaches and a buzzing nightlife. If you want the real thrill of Miami, don’t forget to invest in the beachfront property here, which range from villas to apartments to nice residential homes.

Tampa and Orlando are other big cities in Florida that are always in the pink for the real estate investors. The cities offer choicest options for some great rental income from apartments, villas, luxury, and holiday homes. Orlando’s world famous theme parks have a unique charm of their own that is so very irresistible for the adventurous Brits.

In all, Florida is a combination of everything you want irrespective of the kind of lifestyle you are looking for. From relaxed to adventurous to youthful to exuberant to childish, you can enjoy almost every activity under the Sun.

Property Investment Guidelines

Amelie Mag asked:




Property investment is not something we all know how to do. However, when done right, it can guarantee important profits and a capital growth that is maintained for a long period of time. The Internet is the perfect resource to find companies that present investment property offers on a regular basis. They put their emphasis on overseas properties, with locations like Barbados, Dominican Republic and Thailand sitting at the top of the list.

Why should you decide to seek out property investment in Barbados? The answer is obvious. We all know that this is a tourist hotspot, a destination that millions of people seek out ever year. Investment property becomes a pleasure here, as there is an increased demand for accommodations. The tourist industry develops at a fast pace and the opportunities are simply too great to pass them on. For anyone who is looking to make a profit on the real estate market, Barbados like many other popular tourist destinations is a great idea.

Like Barbados, the Dominican Republic or Thailand offer some pretty amazing property investment opportunities. The real estate market is stable and the need for accommodation increases with every day. Investment property becomes an option for more and more people, as they realize the returns that can be offered. They prefer to use the Internet in order to sign up and become members of property investment clubs, thus being informed about discounted properties situated in the above mentioned locations.

We have mentioned that some of the best investment property offers are to be found overseas. However, despite the recent economic changes, the UK real estate market can provide some interesting opportunities for property investment. For someone who is looking for discounted properties, the UK real estate market is a great place. There are many developers out there providing discounts for their properties; other offers are represented by mortgages or distressed sales.

Whether you prefer overseas property investment or you are more attracted to UK real estate, there is one thing that you have to understand. In order to get the best discounts, you need to be in contact with a professional company. The best way to do that is to join a property investment club and ask them to send listings of various properties through email. They have the necessary relations, including with developers, to provide that kind of information without wasting too much effort or time. If you are looking for good investments, then this is the place to start.

Take advantage today of the opportunities presented to you and become a member of property investment club. Check out their offers for investment property and start building a portfolio. You can find properties that were recently built and are now offered at amazing discounts. There are also distressed homes, properties that have been repossessed and those that are found overseas. The offers are diverse and the expected returns guaranteed.

Resource box: Investment property is something we deal with every day. Make sure you pay us a visit and find out more about property investment. Once you are a member, prepare yourself to discover some really great deals!

Toronto Mortgage Rate and Housing Forecast 2008

RateSupermarket.ca asked:




The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has reported in their latest Great Toronto Housing Association Market Outlook that posted mortgage rates eased by about 50 basis points in the first four months of this year, although rates in late April were 30 to 35 basis points higher than they were 12 months prior. Mortgage rates are expected to trend marginally lower throughout 2008, but will be within 25-50 basis points of their current levels.

 

For 2009, posted mortgage rates will begin to drift up slightly as the year progresses. For 2008 and 2009, the one-year posted mortgage rate is forecast to be in the 6.50- 7.50 per cent range, while three and five-year posted mortgage rates are forecast to be in the 6.75-7.50 per cent range.

 

Interestingly, the CMHC also believes that after first time buyers saw a huge uplift in 2007, as almost 60% of home buyers were upgrading from rental accomdation, these buyers will drop throughout 2008 and in 2009. As first time buyers continue to find it tough to get on the property ladder, all the way through 2009, we will also see the continued trend in the Canadian mortgage market towards new products such as the 40 year amortization period and in some cases the 100% mortgage, coupled with less-expensive housing types such as the numerous new build condos in the downtown core.

 

 

 

 City Year Total Housing MLS sales MLS average Mortgage rates Mortgage rates

Starts price (1 year) (5 year)


 

 

 

Toronto 2007 33,293 95,164 $377,029 7.35% 7.54%

 

 

 

2008 (F) 35,000 84,000 $394,000 6.95% 7.01%

 

 

 

2009(F) 33,600 77,000 $404,000 6.83% 6.97%

 

 

 

Source = CMHC

MLS = Multiple Listings Service

 

The mortgage rate forecasts are particularly interesting as current Canadian mortgage rates are at the following levels:

 



Fixed closed 1 year = 4.69%

Fixed closed 5 year = 4.99% 



 

With all the recent woeful economic news coming out of the US, despite the fact that Canada’s economy is now more independent than it has been in the past, you would expect mortgage rates to decrease or remain flat in the next year or so.

 

I guess, only time will tell.

Real