If you are thinking of buying in 2009 you will hear differing views of when to buy. Here we look at the views expressed by leading economists together with a recent report from the National Association of Estate Agents.

The housing market and general economy is still falling, yet the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has reported that in December 2008 there was a slight increase in activity with potential buyers and sellers tempted into the market, possibly by successive interest rates. There was a rise in both those looking to buy a house and the number of new properties that came on the market. First time buyers, having been priced out of the market for so long, bought 10.8% of the properties sold. In addition, the average number of sales made per agent held steady in December even though this is traditionally a quiet month. Some agents reported a small rise in house prices which the NAEA suggest may indicate that the rate at which prices are falling had slowed in some areas, rather than that the prices had reached a trough. The number of househunters rose from 186 to 200 and the numbers of properties agents had on the books rose from 87 to 100. The number of sales agreed per agent held steady at 6.

However, in comparison, early in January this year the Financial Times had asked the question “Will 2009 be a year to buy property?” and gathered the views of over 50 economists. Over 60% believed that 2009 would not be a good year to buy property, whilst the remaining economists believed that, particularly towards the end of the year, it could be safe to buy a property. There was an interesting mix of views. On the side that believe 2009 will be a year to buy property the reasons given were that buying real assets such as property would be protection against a decline in currency. Interest rates are expected to remain low throughout the year and by the end of 2009, although lending will remain tough, there may be more credit available particularly if the government steps up its intervention. Some economists believe that the market will have bottomed out by the end of 2009 and some buyers will then be enticed back into the market by the combination of low prices and low interest rates.

For those against the idea of buying property in 2009 the key belief is that property prices will remain simply too high in comparison to earnings and credit availability. Some economists expect property prices to continue to fall into 2010 and bottom out during that year – Capital Economics expects prices to fall a further 20%, Global Insight 15% and JPMorgan 10%. However, one economist predicts that the house price falls will continue into 2014. Factors to support the continued falls are ongoing credit restrictions, still stretched affordability, rising unemployment with muted economic growth, and the negative expectations that the market will continue to fall. And of course, with the recession biting potential buyers may delay buying due to fears of their job security.

As a whole there seems no rush to buy property. The country is in recession, 2009 will see huge rises in unemployment, lending is expected to remain constrained and as a result the demand will be low. Of course some people will have to move house due to personal reasons and the desire for home ownership and the personal benefits that owning your own home can bring. Transactions will therefore continue to trickle, but the idea of buying a property as a good investment i.e. the buy-to-let market, is some way off. However, post-recession and in the years following economic recovery we could see another housing boom due to an undersupply of housing, increasingly affordable property and a new, more secure banking system. During 2009 property sold at auctions and those that are in need of repair and renovation will be sold at very low prices and bargains will be easily found. If you buy in 2009, offer low and assume to hold your property for some time.

There is no one in the world that wants to work a day longer than he has to. But with economic instability leaving many of us worrying about how our future and retirement will be paid for, it is ever more tempting to invest in something concrete and allow ourselves to retire young with real estate investments.

There are two main ways of making money from real estate. The first is to buy older and dilapidated properties at prices below the market value, then renovate them and sell them on at a profit. Property development can offer significant returns in the short term, and allow you to enjoy a higher standard of living, although it may initially require a lot of work and there may be a lot to learn.

The other method of earning money from real estate is to buy properties and then let them out to people and become a landlord. Provided you are able to get tenancy agreements that allow you to make a profit on any mortgage payments you have on the property that you rent out, you can buy a portfolio of real estate that will pay for itself while also providing you with a salary.

Over time, as your investments mature, rising property values along with the fact that your mortgages will be paid off by the rental income mean that when you are ready to retire, you can either sell off your entire portfolio for a lump sum to live on, or you can continue to receive the income from your tenants in lieu of a salary from a job, while allowing you to enjoy your retirement earlier than you thought possible, and in style – driving your Bentely to the Country Club for lunch and going on vacations four times a year (irst calls of course).

If you want to make money by investing in real estate, you should be sure to get plenty of real estate investor information before you make any property purchases. Many people are very successful at investing in real estate, but there are also many who fail with their first attempt because they did not seek out the proper real estate investor information before they dove in. Getting valuable real estate investor information is the key to success when you are starting out investing in real estate and that is why it is advisable to do plenty of research on your own as well as taking real estate investment courses or classes.

Many people overlook the process of getting the right real estate investor information because they think the process of buying rental properties or renovating and then selling houses is an easy one. The truth is that no matter what type of real estate investing you are planning to do you will need a large amount of real estate investor information if you want to be successful. There is much more to being a real estate investor than purchasing a property and renting it out or doing a few repairs, you must know the market conditions, all the taxes, paper work, and fees involved with your investment as well as be able to anticipate any potential problems. By taking the time to get quality real estate investor information you are much more likely to be successful in your real estate investment endeavors.

Generally the best real estate investor information which should include risks, benefits, and tips to be successful, is compiled by already successful real estate investors who have profited form real estate investing themselves. Getting your real estate investor information from an already successful and proven real estate investor is the best way to educate yourself for success. The real estate investor information from this type of source is usually the most relevant and valuable as it contains tips, strategies, and advice that has been tried first hand. The best way to learn about real estate investing is to look for real estate investing information in the form of books or courses that are created by successful real estate investors.

There are many ways to invest in real estate from flipping houses to renting out properties to just buying land. The best real estate investor information will give you tips on buying the most lucrative properties that will increase the most in value. It will also tell you how to make the properties you buy sellable or rentable with the least amount of money and while avoiding complications. When buying real estate you have the choice of renting out the property or selling it, and the real estate investor information you use to educate yourself should cover both real estate investment approaches as well as tech you how to determine your realistic chances of success with each approach. No one can make investment choices for you, but seeking out the right real estate investor information will give you the knowledge you need to make successful choices.

When people call me, typically one of the first requests they make is for a house in a “nice” neighborhood. And this makes sense to want a neighborhood that is safe and enjoyable. But there are some benefits to buying real estate in the rough part of town or on the wrong side of the tracks. This article highlights some of them.

- There is less worry of your neighborhood going downhill because it is already downhill. Good neighborhoods can get bad and bad neighborhoods can get better. Since the price usually reflects the current condition, buying in a neighborhood that has room for improvement might be a good idea.

- If you are buying a rental, you usually get better cash flow in rough neighborhoods. If you are renting your property, there are more renters and they are more long term. It’s difficult to rent in good neighborhoods because fewer people are looking to rent and those who do are generally there short term while they look for a house to buy.

- You can look better in comparison to other landlords. Landlords in rough areas frequently don’t maintain their properties as well as people in nice areas. Therefore, if you maintain your properties, you can blow away your competition, and charge more for it.

- If you are in a rough neighborhood, you can propose that your property change will improve the neighborhood and you have a better chance of getting a different zoning. Conversely, if you are in a good neighborhood, it’s hard to make the same argument.

- You can buy more property. If you want to spend 500k, you can either buy one house in an upscale neighborhood or six or seven houses in a rougher neighborhood.

- They’re more recession proof. When the economy goes south, real estate in rough neighborhoods is less affected.

In summary, I am not saying you have to buy in a bad neighborhood. But simply that if you are looking for long term investments sometimes its a good idea to wander over the tracks and look around a bit.

Pursuing the dream of buying a comfortable and affordable home is simple great to feel and realize. One of the finest ways to achieve this dream is through pursuing ownership of foreclosed property. However, if you’re a new player in this market, you get to know about so many things to get start in this real estate opportunity. In this article, we’ll talk about some useful information for people interested in buying foreclosed properties. Before buying the most profitable property in home foreclosure, you need to know about how and when you can consult realtors and real estate agencies for their services.

When to Consult a Realtor:-

If you’re really enthusiastic and excited about the prospect of dealing in foreclosed properties independently, you should be. Start gathering useful and interesting information in concerned matters and use your mind and experiences with it to generate better and profitable results. The decision-making is yours to control, when buying house foreclosures. However, there are certain types of foreclosure properties for which will need specialized services from realtors.

If foreclosed property owned by the federal government interest you, start looking for an experienced realtor to submit your contract and complete other formalities as well. Even though the listings are publicly offered and available easily, you need to collaborate with real estate agency for getting the final deal. There are times, you will require the services of a realtor who expertise in growing real estate market.

If you are not interested in getting any additional help, you need to better cheek out the details from the open market. Find out great sources of information and tips to deal with the meeting the desired results. Meet experienced realtors or join a network of real estate associated to get the bets details and tit-bits on the subject matter.

If you are an expatriate and looking for a good accommodation in Shanghai, seeking the services of a Shanghai property agent is really beneficial. Three years back, when I was living in the Pudong district of Shanghai, there were not many new developments. As a result, there were not many options to choose from. However, with the growing number of expatriates coming to live in Shanghai with their family, many new villas, garden houses, and apartments have come up. A Shanghai property agency will help you to choose the best property as per your requirements and of course, budget.

A Shanghai Real Estate agency maintains a comprehensive database of available rental properties for expatriates. This is important with an enormous growth of the Shanghai Realty sector. Now, they want to offer the best to the expatriates. When I was living in Shanghai, I managed to get an new apartment for rent with the help of a local Shanghai property agent. Although, it offered me quite a comfortable living experience, the apartments newly constructed in the same locality provide the tenants a host of modern amenities, including 24 hour security, power back-up, maintenance, club facilities, shopping center and so on. Many serviced apartments have also been built to meet the needs of expatriates and their families. These apartments are fully furnished and are equipped with all the modern appliances, which are required for a comfortable living.

However, if you want to experience the charm of old Shanghai city, old apartments found mainly in Former French Concession Area, Xintiandi , XuHui and Jing’an Temple area should be your choice. Of so many options available, the services of a Shanghai Property Agent become all the more important. They can offer you a good accommodation, surrounded by shopping malls, country clubs, sports center, restaurants, and grocery stores. Proximity to public transportation facilities and international schools is also a prime concern of  Shanghai housing agency, while offering their services to an expatriate.

A common mistake that most first time investors make is assuming that foreclosure investing is a simple way to invest money and make an easy quick return. The truth of the matter is like with any investment foreclosure investing requires proper research and preparation. Though foreclosure investing can play in an investors favor by providing substantial returns it can also back fire and leave an investor in the pits if he or she choose to enter the market uneducated and unprepared.

There are three main reasons a home will become foreclosed on:

The first reason is the ever rising rates in this drowning real estate market of modern time. Home Buyers find themselves in extremely difficult financial situations causing them to default on their loan arrangements and eventually they are forced to foreclose on their property or properties.

The second reason is the Dissolution of Marriage. We all know that most couples separate due to financial distress in the marriage. One party moves out leaving the other suffering to meet the obligations of the expenses each month. Eventually, the resolution is lowering expenses, therefore foreclosing on property.  

The third reason is the failing of a business venture. Yes, you read correctly. The failing of a business venture. This is usually a result of an investor unaware and unprepared.

The first step to take in getting started in foreclosure investing is obviously educating yourself. It is important to insure that the information you are studying is state specific. Of course, the laws and regulation in Real Estate changes per state. It would be unreliable to study information that does not pertain to the state in which you wish to begin your foreclosure investing venture.  

Once an investor has become educated about the Real Estate market and foreclosure investing he or she is ready to move on to the next step locating a Foreclosure data provider. Real Estate Agents, Investors, Brokers all seek the assistance of Foreclosure data providers in order to get up to date listings of homes in the foreclosure process.

There are three primary key qualifications an investor should seek when choosing a Foreclosure data provider:  The first key is to insure that the information you receive from a Foreclosure data provider is first hand. This information should not be purchased from a third party. Your provider should be gathering this information independently.

The second key is being able to count on your provider. Your Foreclosure data provider should always be able to answer your questions and reply to demands in a timely manner.

The third key is not to choose a competing Foreclosure data provider. You don’t want to have to rely on your information with someone you are also competing with. In most cases, a competing Foreclosure data provider will give you the remainders of what is left after choosing the best already.

Now that an Investor has become educated and found a reliable Foreclosure data provider he or she is ready to begin working with home buyers whom are in foreclosure to stop foreclosure proceedings or to find suitable foreclosed property to invest in.

Nevertheless, foreclosure investing is a very big step. It will take time and effort but an educated investor is a smart investor.

Top 10 Luxury Home Markets To Watch for Price Increases or Reductions

The Unique Homes Magazine has listed 25 luxury home markets to watch in 2007 in its January issue. According to the Unique Homes report the 25 luxury markets will indicate where the luxury real estate market is heading to. These markets along with features that make them stand out from the rest are worth watching out for.

The following is a brief report on the top 10 luxury home markets to watch for price increases or reductions in 2007.

1. Annapolis, Maryland. The waterfront city located on Chesapeake Bay offers excellent boating and affordable prices compared to Washington’s luxury enclaves. With Washington and Baltimore within reasonable commute, this city is highly desirable.

2. Asheville, North Carolina. An eclectic ambiance and low-key lifestyle attracts people to Asheville which continues to remain one of the hottest places for luxury home buyers.

3. Aspen, Colorado. From a ski enclave this luxury market has grown into a platinum location. With its four-season appeal and restrictive zoning policies, Aspen is still a highly-sought after destination.

4. Atlanta, Georgia. The city offers several new upscale communities, numerous lifestyle amenities, retreats and much sought after waterfront luxury homes.

5. Austin, Texas. A strong real estate market that saw record gains in 2006, the reputable University of Texas, the scenic lakes and the great music attracts buyers to this hill country.

6. Bellevue/Medina, Washington. With prices going up at 28 percent, the market has still not peaked and several upscale neighborhoods are available at a lower price range when compared to other markets.

7. Beverly Hills, California. One of the top ranked luxury markets that is perpetually in demand, Beverly Hills continues to be untarnished and idolized as the Mecca for luxury. Hollywood Hills is currently a hot market for buyers.

8. Idaho. The growing resort markets in the state garner attention for the state that is making its presence felt in the luxury home market.

9. Jupiter, Florida. The boom has arrived here after Tiger Woods’ purchase of a 10-acre estate for $38 m. The market continues to surge on this exclusive island.

10. Manhattan Uptown, downtown, midtown. The luxury market is upbeat with record sales of more than $5 m in 2006 accelerated by Wall Streeters. Co-ops and town houses are favorites among buyers here.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, condo or any other type of real estate in any of these markets, be sure to seek out the services of a real estate agent to advise you about current local market conditions.

Everybody wants to have a secure future and therefore look out for various options to invest their money wherein they can earn substantial returns. Generally, people tend to invest their hard earn money in stocks and share which is definitely a risky process to an extent however as the time is advancing people are moving towards investing in the properties which promises a better rate of return and above all a secure process. Investment in land and properties has steadily gained the repute of being one of the best ways of investing.

Stocks, debentures or funds often do not come to the expectation of the people and also due to its nature of being up and down frequently, people are gradually turning towards a more promising investment and that is properties investment. However, an investor should be well equipped with property investment information before taking any decision. Proper advice on the properties investment helps in taking a well informed decision. Discussing with the property agents and conducting market research helps to a greater extent. Such things will enable you to know about the extent of rent an investor can earn. Another major thing which should be emphasized upon is that never ever invest the entire amount of your earned money, it is always better to find out the sources from where loan can be obtained on the reasonable interest rate.

It is always good to select an area which is already yielding profitable returns rather then investing into some land which is yet to be expected to gain appreciation in the near future. This will help the investor to gain immediate results other than waiting for the results to come. Also, people tend to get attached to their properties; it is advisable to think like a property developer, who has a business to do with the land. Moreover, any planning to get the property renovate should only take place if houses for the sale can help the investor to fetch good amount of profit.

Gathering all the relevant information related to the latest happenings in the property world helps to a larger extent. There are a lot of magazines, published articled etc available that provides the reader with the first hand information of the properties available world-wide. Pay visits to the property developers, enquire about the existing land rates and rent rates and invest only when there is any lucrative option is available.

Never get taken away by people who try to de-motivate, without finishing the entire research work and see it for your self, what happening in the market. Doing proper calculations and being smart helps an investor from investing in a property which is unlikely to provide with the good returns. If such home work is done with zeal and enthusiasm profits are sure to come.

Financial struggles can often affect your home as well.  Falling behind on mortgage payments can lead to the loss of your home, but you can learn how to stop home foreclosure and negative marks on your credit history.

Sometimes no matter what you do, you cannot afford to stay in your home.  This can be due to loss of employment, divorce, or even illness.  When this happens, you want to do everything possible to avoid a foreclosure.  

Not only is it stressful, but it will affect your credit rating making it almost impossible to get another mortgage or any credit for several years.  This means if you are looking to rent after moving, a foreclosure on your credit report can limit you to where you can move.

There are several options for individuals facing an inevitable foreclosure.  Even though you will not be able to stay in the home, you can get out of the situation without having your home go on the auction chopping block.

•    Pre-foreclosure Sale – Selling your home before the foreclosure for less than what is owed.  In most cases, this allows you to satisfy your mortgage and walk away without a negative mark on your credit report.  When considering a pre-foreclosure sale, there are a few things to keep in mind.  In most cases, your loan must be at least two months delinquent.  You must be able to sell your home within five months (based on the lenders approval).  

•    Short Sale – A short sale is simply a deal between the lender and the homeowner to sell the home for less than what it is worth.  The lender must agree to the sale as they will be receiving less than what they owed.

•    Dead-in-lieu of Foreclosure – This should be considered as a last resort, when you return or give back the property to the lender.  Although this will leave a blemish on your credit report, it is not as severe has having a foreclosure listed and it will stop the actual “foreclosure.”

Foreclosure Counseling

A foreclosure counseling service may be able to help you prevent a foreclosure if you want to stay in your home.  If you have decided that you want to leave, they can also help you negotiate with your lender for a short sale or a dead-in-lieu of foreclosure.  Sometimes dealing with lenders can be intimidating, but seeking the help of experts can help eliminate some of stress that you are experiencing to work out a solution that is in your best interest.