Shopping for property in Belize is not as simple an undertaking as you might initially expect!

Firstly, real estate agents as we know them are non existent! Real estate brokers that do exist are likely to be unlicensed, unregulated and certainly not trained or insured.

Secondly, the majority (and I mean the majority) of property for sale is not advertised!

But with property prices remaining affordable, the quality of property available attractive, the climate beautiful, the people welcoming, the quality of life incredible and the opportunities in Belize plentiful, more and more people need to know HOW they can go about procuring themselves their dream home in Belize.

This article should cover the tips, tricks and important points for your consideration, and go some way to helping you locate and purchase your ideal piece of Belizean real estate!

Part One: House Hunting.

As mentioned, many properties that are for sale often go totally unadvertised.

Sure, there are the occasional adverts in the San Pedro Sun or in the Belize City newspapers and some estate agents exist who keep up to date listings – either available upon request of via their internet sites – but seriously, the majority of properties that are for sale are not advertised – and I’m talking at least three quarters.

The only way to find out what’s really available is to travel to Belize and spend time there among the local people and the expats.

You see, properties that are for sale are generally put up by their owners and they often choose to skip the middle man – the real estate broker. Therefore, with no brokers and no signs, the only way you’ll learn about what’s on the market is to get to know the local people and expats in the particular areas that you’re interested in, and via word of mouth you’ll begin to hear about what’s really available.

As soon as word gets out that you’re in the market, chances are you’ll be inundated and have more properties and deals to choose from that you can cope with! Be prepared and don’t agree to the very first opportunity presented to you!

Part Two: Real Estate Brokers.

Because anyone in Belize can be a real estate broker the quality you come across will vary immensely!

So please be careful – to become an estate agent there is no license needed, no insurance necessary, no experience or training required: therefore what you will find on the whole are expats, hoteliers, shop owners and taxi drivers as estate agents on the side.

Yes there ARE some professional agents who are honest and knowledgeable and whose agency businesses are legitimate, but there are also those out to make a quick killing selling anything and everything to unsuspecting tourists.

Listen to the experiences of others and if someone is recommended to you by a trusted adviser then all the better.

If you do purchase via an agent, commissions in Belize are typically 7% on residential property, and about 10% on land deals – chargeable to the vendor: and in some cases you as the purchaser may be charged for viewing property if it is remote and requires travel expense outlay. Make sure you’re aware of any such charges that you may be liable for from the outset.

Part Three: Property Prices.

Despite a steady 20 year appreciation in real estate prices in Belize, property remains attractively priced – especially when comparing prices for similar real estate on sale in America or Western Europe.

There are still bargains plentifully available in this beautiful Central American country. But it isn’t so much what you know as who you know when it comes to getting the best deal for your money.

There is a commonly held sentiment among the expat community in Belize – something along the lines of "the second house you buy or rent is twice as large as the first and costs half as much" – so don’t part with any money until you are totally sure you know what you’re doing!

Be prepared to spend time in Belize and be prepared to invest time in getting to know and making friends with the local people, any influential lawyers and business people and also the local expat community. It is through these people that you will find the best real estate at the best prices.

Another point worth considering is that Belize is a country where there are two prices – the local price and the foreigner price. Yes, from an expat’s point of view this is unfair. But from a local’s point of view the ‘rich’ foreigner who gets paid far more for his work in his country than a Belizean in Belize for the same work can simply afford to pay the higher price.

A way around this is to ask a Belizean friend to ask the price and do negotiating for you! Simple!

And yes, negotiation is key – property prices vary massively from region to region and city to city and vendor to vendor. There isn’t really a set valuation structure on which someone can base the price of a property or piece of land.

This means that it is hard to say exactly how much real estate is worth and how much property prices have actually risen over the last few years. It is harder still to say what a property investor in Belize could expect year on year in terms of the appreciation of any real estate asset. So much so that the saying "you almost always make your money when you buy, not when you sell" goes doubly in Belize.

As a very general guide to property prices they are highest in Belize City, on Ambergris Caye and in Placencia, and lowest in the remotest most rural areas.

House prices go from USD 15,000 for a basic traditional home in a small undeveloped village to USD 500,000 and upwards for luxury beach front villas in San Pedro say.

Any agent or vendor you speak to is likely to talk up the potential returns on an investment in property or land in Belize – this is only natural! But what you need to consider is that: -

a) the economy of this country is linked to the US economy andb) the time it takes to sell a property in Belize can be very long and drawn out (I’m talking years not weeks or months) – which is something you must bear in mind when considering purchasing a property you may one day want/need to re-sell

This shouldn’t necessarily put you off – after all you can still buy far more for your dollar in Belize than you can in the US, UK, Mediterranean region or Western Europe – but it is important to have a realistic overview of the property market in any country you are considering investing in or relocating to. That way you enter with your eyes wide open?it’s always better to be a savvy buyer!

Part Four: Foreign Ownership.

The Belize authorities are open to foreign investment and actually welcome it which means they impose very few restrictions when it comes to foreign ownership of immovable property in their country.

In Belize it is even possible for non-nationals to freely purchase prime beachfront property. There used to be a license requirement for a foreigner to buy land over 10 acres or 1/2 an acre in a major town or city but this requirement has been revoked.

The only rules and restrictions are: -

Foreign purchase of any island has to have Government approval via the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In certain protected coastal and caye areas purchase of land and property by non-locals has to be approved by the local village council.

Part Five: Legal and Financial Considerations.

I always suggest people seek qualified legal advice when it comes to such a large and far reaching undertaking as purchasing real estate!

Belize is no exception!

In fact, in Belize lawyers are usually considered to be trusted, well-connected, pillars of the community with real power! And their fees are usually in the region of 2 percent of the purchase price?this should cover title searches and the drawing up of transfer documents.

In terms of affording your real estate dream – the onus is going to be on you! It is extremely difficult for non-residents to get mortgages from banks in Belize therefore most purchasers are in the position to pay in cash for their purchase or they have finance from a non-Belizean financial source.

However, some new developments are springing up with mortgages attached by the developer – property developers are usually the first to be aware of a potentially untapped market.

Basically terms currently are available to purchasers of such properties are: -The developer retains the title to the property until the purchaser has paid in full for the property.The purchaser makes a 10% down payment with the remainder being paid back over 10 years at 10% simple interest per annum. Terms will of course vary from this to say 50% down up front and the remainder payable over three to five years at 12 -15% interest.

Be aware however that the best prices will be for cash deals.

You’ll need to factor in an additional 12 – 15% on top of the purchase price for fees and costs.

You have the land title transfer fee which is also known as "stamp tax." This is 5% compulsory for every purchaser regardless of nationality, with an extra 5% payable by non Belizean nationals – making 10% in total.

This is apparently being increased to 12% in the near future.

If you have become a Belizean resident via the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program you are exempt from the second 5% stamp tax for non-citizens.

Then you should have your lawyer’s fee which will be around 2% of the purchase price.

Finally you’ll have property taxes which actually vary from area to area based on the type of land or property purchased. Generally expect to have to pay around 1% annually of the value of the undeveloped land?but speak to your lawyer for more exact figures pertinent to the property or land you are interested in purchasing.

Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ – the online resource that guides you to a low tax, dream overseas lifestyle!

Shelter Offshore features three main channels – offshore investment, property investment abroad and overseas lifestyle.

Rhiannon Williamson is also the author of ‘The Offshore Advantage’ http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/shelter/offshore_advantage/ which teaches readers how to build secure wealth using their secret offshore advantage.

Afford A Dream Home In Belize

Are you one of a growing number of people considering buying a second home in the sun, an idyllic home from home abroad or a lucrative investment property overseas? If so you’re not alone! Statistics show that globally we’re all on the move with a recent survey by YouGov revealing that 55% of adult Britons were "seriously considering settling in another country" and the British Centre for Future Studies predicting that by 2020 one tenth of the current British population will be living or working abroad!

Add to this the fact that there was a 250% increase between 2000 and 2004 in the number of Britons buying property abroad solely for investment purposes, that over one and a quarter million Brits own second homes in Spain and France already and that the Office for National Statistics in the UK recently revealed that 200,000 Britons go overseas yearly with the intention of remaining for at least twelve months, and you can see that the passion for buying that dream home abroad is universal.

But what’s fuelling this ever growing interest in the overseas property market?

Well, despite reports to the contrary the UK housing market is seemingly ever on the up and those Britons who’re acquiring massive levels of equity through their residential property are considering selling up, buying abroad and establishing a pension fund simply on the back of what they have left over from their house sale. Others in Britain can’t actually afford to get on the first rung of the property ladder and some are looking abroad to find more affordable housing. Then of course there’s the state and confusion surrounding the pensions market which is getting ever worse meaning that a growing number of Britons are considering the option of buying a second property abroad to let out for an income towards retirement. Others just share a commonly held dream of owning a holiday home in the sun or escaping the rat race to get a new life overseas.

Whatever reasons you may have for considering buying property abroad one thing is for certain; before you go ahead and buy you should understand some of the far reaching legal, financial and taxation implications of buying abroad. This article examines ten top points worthy of your consideration.

1) The British national obsession with property prices, equity and re-mortgaging is as foreign a concept in many other countries as mushy peas or vinegar on your chips so don’t just assume that your second home will rise in value and don’t assume that it’ll be easy to sell. Do your homework to see whether the property market you’re interested in can support and sustain your particular hopes and ambitions for it. In countries such as Northern Cyprus and Bulgaria the real estate market has been suppressed for so long that property prices remain highly competitive and many can see the room for substantial growth in the market. In other countries such as Spain, France and Portugal where the property market has been soaring for years can you expect the same levels of growth to continue? Know that every country’s property market is different. If you decide to compare overseas markets to the UK housing market some may not appear as buoyant, however consider examining the longer term trends. Speak to established estate agencies in your country of choice to find out whether the market is stable or stale. If it’s stable then you’re more likely to enjoy a steady, realistic increase in your property’s value rather than the extreme peaks and troughs that the UK market tends towards. If on the other hand the market is stale you need to consider the economy of the country and whether it’s due a positive correction any time soon.

2) Factor in regular travel costs needed for visiting your second home when you establish your budget. Keep in mind any extra visits you might have to make occasionally to organise repairs and renovation for example. This sounds so obvious but sadly many people are caught out and find that they cannot holiday in their new home as often as they like: or worse still – once they move abroad they find they can’t get ‘home’ for visits to the family etc. Budget wisely and don’t get caught out!

3) If you intend to rent out your second home you must declare this income to the tax man in your country of residence I’m afraid! Furthermore it may be necessary to declare it in the country in which the new house is located depending on the double taxation agreements in place between the two countries. Make sure you seek solid tax advice before making any concrete buying decisions.

4) If you’re intending to let out your property make sure you know how much it’s going to cost to have an agent manage both the day-to-day running of your property together with organising the rental side of things for you. You’ll need a good agent to make sure your best interests are always protected especially if you’re not going to remain resident in the country the property is located in. Factor these extra costs into your budget or reduce them from your projected rental income to get a realistic idea of the income potential of your property. Remember you’ll still need to pay a management agent during any weeks and months the property remains unoccupied.

5) Consider the local tax implications of buying, owning and selling your property as property and land tax in some countries can make UK stamp duty and council tax pale into insignificance. In Northern Cyprus for example tax rates are not currently excessive but they are subject to change, therefore always get up-to-date tax and fee facts and figures from your estate agent – furthermore, make sure you check the figures with a local lawyer or accountant.

6) Make a will to cover local inheritance tax laws and make sure your overseas property is also detailed in a will held in your country of residence. Specialist legal advice should always be sought when you hold property in more than one country as inheritance laws not only differ greatly depending on the country, but certain local inheritance laws can completely contradict and invalidate your main will.

7) Factor the legal bills that you will incur when buying, renting or selling your property into your overall budget. You can be charged all sorts of extras like notary fees, valuation fees, translation fees etc., and if you factor them in you shouldn’t get any nasty surprises.

Be aware of the legalities of any contract you enter into. Find a reputable lawyer, get key documents translated, and know that ignorance is never a valid excuse! Not understanding the language in which your key legal contracts are written is a problem, don’t ignore the problem! Don’t blindly sign on the dotted line; it’s your responsibility to get informed.

9) Buying through an offshore company to avoid certain taxes, expenses and laws is sometimes an option open to an individual interested in purchasing abroad. Whether this route is actually the best route is massively debateable! Firstly it depends on the country in which you’re buying. Secondly, local agents may be incorrectly advising foreigners by basing their advice on the local situation. This method of approach can be beneficial but it could land you in a whole lot more taxation mess both abroad and at home! There are specialist companies out there who can advise you based on your individual situation and as it’s not a case of one method suiting all, be careful and get informed. Find out the following, if you do buy through an offshore company and wish to take the property out of that company in the future how easy will that be to do, will you incur an expense, will there be further tax liabilities if you decide to sell your company owned property, and what happens if you try to take the profit from the sale, will you be taxed? Also consider the taxation situation from the UK point of view and the local situation in your country of choice.

10) What option would you like to take when it comes to financing your purchase? Are you considering equity release or a second mortgage, cash or a mortgage in the local currency? Know the pros and cons of each option. Cash may seem like the easiest and best way to go but do you want to have all that money tied up in a relatively slow to liquidise overseas asset? So what about a mortgage in the local currency? You need to consider the stability of the currency and fluctuating exchange rates. When moving money overseas either in a lump sum or to meet regular monthly financial commitments there are options available to you to reduce currency fluctuation risks – consider spot or forward transactions, speak to a financial adviser or foreign exchange risk expert to find out the options available. If you’re considering equity release or a second mortgage this might be a cheap option at the moment – but remember you’d risk losing one or both homes if you fell behind on payments!

When it comes to the considerations you need to make when exploring the idea of purchasing a second home abroad these ten top tips are not exhaustive but should provide some food for thought. Going forward from here you should remain informed; don’t enter into an idea abroad that you wouldn’t entertain ‘back home’ and seek professional legal, financial and taxation advice at every step of the way.

Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ – the online resource that guides you to a low tax, maximum investment profit lifestyle abroad.

Shelter Offshore features three main channels – offshore investment, property investment abroad and overseas lifestyle.

Rhiannon Williamson is also the author of ‘The Offshore Advantage’ http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/shelter/offshore_advantage/ which teaches readers how to build secure wealth using their secret offshore advantage.

10 Top Considerations For Those Buying Property Abroad

Are you seeking your little corner of sun drenched heaven on earth? If you are you’re certainly not alone!

Many Northern Europeans, Americans and Canadians are looking overseas for investment real estate or for a holiday bolt hole and if you’re considering buying a second home in the sun, a home from home abroad or an investment property overseas and you’re in a hurry to get started, these top 10 home purchase abroad tips for success should set you off in the right direction.

1) Legal Advice

Legal systems differ from country to country so never assume that you understand how exactly the entire house purchase process is going to work, and never expect things to necessarily go exactly your way! To be assured of the fact that your personal interests are being looked after and that you, your money and your property are 100% secure, legal and legitimate it’s essential to seek independent legal representation in the country you’re considering buying property in.

This is especially true if you’re buying property in a country where you do not speak the language. You will be putting your name, signature and bond to contracts and legally binding documents?and however pleasant and helpful the real estate agent or vendor are it’s in your own best interests to make sure you have a local lawyer who’s in your pay representing you at such times.

2) Build Times

If you buy off plan or you’re self-building or renovating abroad you need to factor contingency into your overall time planning. Weather, seasonal pressures, holidays, availability of essential building materials – the list of factors that can adversely affect the build time of a house is almost endless! Your builder may confidently assure you that your property will be completed by a given date, and yet, depending on where in the world you’re buying your property, the completion date is likely to always be delayed! It’s just ‘one of those things’.

3) Setting a Realistic Budget

Another factor, like time, that can often spiral a little out of control is the budget. Often we’re told that we should add an extra 10 – 20% on to any purchase price for fees and taxes; that’s all very well, but actually you have to factor extra money into your budget for things like visiting your second property abroad during and after the build phase, extras like light fittings, curtains, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, the application for and connection of vital services, removal costs and/or furniture purchase costs, satellite TV installation, air conditioning or heating installation, car rental. If you have a set budget limit it’s important to sit down and work backwards including all the potential extras and fees and then see exactly how much is left for your property purchase. Don’t be caught out and seduced by the sunshine, set budgetary limits before getting on the plane!

4) Ongoing Communication

If you’re buying a brand new property abroad – either off plan or during its build phase – make sure you have some way of keeping in touch with the developer or managing agent. Ask in advance about how often you will be kept up to date with progress, whether they can email or send you regular visual updates and what level of ongoing communication you can expect for them. Buying property is a very big commitment – financially and emotionally – it’s important you’re not left in the dark, sitting back home wondering how on earth your investment is coming along. Sort out your lines of communication before you sign on the dotted line and make sure you’re entirely comfortable with how the process will work.

5) Overseeing & Managing

If you self-build abroad or purchase to renovate you will need someone on site or in the vicinity of the property to oversee and manage the on-going build process. If you employ someone to take on the project management you need to be assured of their experience and credentials, you also need to comfortable with any language or cultural differences and that they will not affect the successful outcome of the project. Ask for references, ask to see other properties they have managed, ask to see qualifications. In terms of language and cultural differences you need to make sure your words will be understood and interpreted correctly, you also need to be sure that any instructions are passed on correctly to the builders. Employing the right project manager is a very important task! Get it right and the project should be a dream, get it wrong and the concept of ’stress’ is one that you will become increasingly familiar with!

6) What You See Versus What You Get

If you’re buying off plan or remotely (e.g., from the comfort of your arm chair back home) you need written confirmation that what you see is what you get. All too often agents will show you the top of the range property and finish when your budget is going to buy you something slightly different. You need every detail confirming from the size and location of the plot, the size of the property with each room broken down, detailed floor plans with the location of windows, doors and integral items (from air conditioners to kitchens), the finish on doors, walls, floors, bathrooms, kitchens, external areas etc. And get some idea of the build quality. You might expect the quality to be on a par with what you have back home but you could be mistaken, what if there is no damp course or no cavity wall for example?! If possible visit other sites that the particular developer or builder has already completed to see the standards to which he builds to, and have all important site completion details written in to the contract with a clause stating you do not hand over final monies until you are 100% satisfied. Please don’t assume anything! So many people get caught out because they don’t ask the right questions at the right time.

7) Overseas Mortgages

If possible have any mortgage agreed in principal before jetting off to find your dream home in the sun. You need to know exactly how much money you are going to have before making any form of commitment to buy – even if that is a verbal commitment. In some countries such a commitment is as legally binding as a final contract! Furthermore, make any real estate agent aware that you will be seeking a mortgage for the purchase of any property before setting out. Then, if you find a house you like make sure the purchase contract is conditional to you securing the finance you need.

Investment Potential

If you’re looking to buy investment property abroad make sure you research the property market of the country you’re examining. Look at it from the points of view of stability, growth potential and the liquidity of the resale market – after all, it’s all very well buying a property that then increases by 30% but what if you cannot then sell it?

9) Tax

Find out about both the local and overseas taxation liabilities relating to foreign property purchase, rental, resale and gains. As taxation issues and liabilities change on a country by country basis you have to make sure you do your own detailed research but expect to face purchase tax in the country you’re buying in, gains tax if you sell within a given period and profit from the sale, also expect to pay some form of income tax either ‘back home’ or in the country in which the property is located if you rent it out for an income.

10) Property Purchase via an Offshore Company

The option to establish an offshore company for the purchase of real estate abroad is an option available to most people, but whether it is an appropriate course of action to take depends on many factors. Such factors include where in the world you wish to purchase, the value of the property and the laws relating to foreign ownership of real estate in that country. By using an offshore company to buy abroad an individual can sometimes avoid or reduce their taxation liability, avoid certain expenses and even laws. But the applicability of this option is something that can only be determined on an individual, case by case basis.

Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ – the online resource for expatriates, international investors and those dreaming of a new life abroad.

Shelter Offshore features three main channels – offshore investment, property investment abroad and overseas lifestyle.

10 Home Purchase Abroad Tips For Success

They say that the whole process of selling up, buying new and moving on is one of the most stressful series of events any of us goes through in a lifetime: and yet with careful planning, attention to detail and a clear focus, the whole process can be relatively stress free.

While there will always be factors outside the control of any home seller, those factors that fall within their control sphere can proceed fluidly and smoothly when they take the time to plan and think one step ahead.

By following these 10 easy but essential steps I can guarantee you home selling success!

1. Get free valuations and priceless advice.

Real estate agents will give you a home valuation for free because ultimately they hope you’ll engage their services when it comes to selling your home. Therefore use the experience of a handful of local and trusted agents who are renowned for their selling success and invite them to come and value your home. Then, ask them their opinion on what if anything can be done to raise the value of your property to the maximum.

Real estate agents spend their entire professional lives examining properties, they know what attracts a buyer, what turns a buyer away and what can and should be done to a property to enable the seller to get maximum returns from his property – request advice based on the benefit of their experience. Most real estate agents will be happy to give you any tips they feel are applicable to your home because if you can increase the value of it, they can raise the price of it and if they are asked to represent you they will ultimately make more from the sale! It is a symbiotic process!

This whole first step will arm you with two priceless facts – firstly you will know how much money you can work with when budgeting and planning for your next home. Secondly you will have a fair idea of what action you should and can take to ensure you get the maximum price for your home thus allowing you to begin planning the work that needs to be done.

2. Speak to your current mortgage lender.

You need to contact your current mortgage lender and ask them what penalties and fees you will incur for early repayment. Inform them that you are intending to sell your home and they will give you an up to date statement of the amount remaining and exactly how much selling up is going to cost you in real terms.

3. Work out total selling, buying and moving costs.

To assist you with this step ask one of your valuation real estate agents to give you a break down of all the local fees, taxes and costs you will likely incur when selling and buying. These will most likely include the real estate agent’s fees, a lawyer’s fees, surveyor’s costs, potential gain taxation and also consider factoring in the percentage of any annual taxes or charges on your home that you will have to pay.

Add to these expenses the costs you will incur when buying a new home and remember to include any deposit, mortgage arrangement fees, survey costs and insurances.

And last but not least, get a rough quotation for removal costs which are easy to gauge based on the size of your home and the distance you are likely to move.

4. Work out your budget.

By taking the original valuation sum given to you by the real estate agent and then deducting all of the totals from step 3 you will (hopefully) be left with a positive number! This is your clear profit, this is what you can then use towards your new home.

At this stage, if you have additional sums saved and you wish to add them to the above to increase your purchasing power you should do so. You will be left with an amount you can use as a down payment on your new home.

5. Get a loan agreed in theory.

Now you have to approach a mortgage lender and work with him to determine exactly how much you can comfortably afford to borrow. He will take into account many factors but these will include the amount you have as a down payment and the amount you earn. Ultimately he will arm you with a budget with which you can now work when searching for your new home.

6. Begin searching for your new house.

Now you have a budget to work with you can begin the exciting process of searching for a new home. It may seem dull to have to get all the financial facts and figures in place before heading off to find that dream house, but by doing all the ground work first you will be less likely to fall in love with an unsuitable, unaffordable home. You will not have set yourself up for a fall; you will once again have set yourself up for success.

7. Give your home a makeover!

Take the advice given to you by the real estate agents and get to work with the repairs, renovations and heavy work needed to bring your house up to the top of the market.

8. Find the best real estate agent.

Having already met and worked with real estate agents for the valuation of your home get back in touch with your preferred agent and ask them to revalue and then market your home. If you are in doubt about which agent to choose speak to any friends, family and colleagues in your local area who have recently bought, sold or rented property through an agent and ask for personal recommendations. You need to feel comfortable with the agent you choose to represent you, you need to make sure they will sell your house as quickly, efficiently, honestly and effectively as possible and that they are trust worthy to be left to show viewers around your home.

Once you choose your agent go through their entire marketing strategy for your home and make sure you are comfortable with their approach and that they are going to do everything required of them to assist you. Furthermore, ask them to revalue your home based on the work you have done to it and any market movements that have occurred in the interim.

9. Remember – first impressions count!

Now the time has come for buyers to begin viewing your home. You have to go over every single aspect of your home with a very critical eye and consider what the potential purchaser will make of every aspect. Their first impression of your home will be as they look at it from the sidewalk, ensure the outside of your home is as clean, tidy and well presented as possible and then walk through every room and the garden and look at it with fresh eyes. What will a buyer’s eye be drawn to, the beautiful proportions of the room or the dirty window and vase of dead flowers?

Because first impressions count so very much take the time to consider every aspect of your home and then make time to clean, polish and present your home in the very best light possible.

10. Be as flexible as possible.

If you can be quick to react to a viewing request and flexible when it comes to a contract completion date you will be doing everything within your power to enable your buyer. By remaining on top of the upkeep of your home you should be able to say ‘yes’ to a viewing request at the drop of a hat. And if you remain on top of your home search and are at least mentally prepared to move out swiftly – even if this means moving into rental accommodation for a short period – you will be doing absolutely everything within your power for home selling success.

Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ – the online resource for offshore and international real estate investors.If you’re thinking of buying real estate abroad for investment, retirement or you’re searching for a dream holiday home in the sun visit http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/property/ for a comprehensive range of free guides and articles to help you on your way.

10 Easy but Essential Steps for Home Selling Success

I love what Trump says about the business of real estate.

I am a big believer in setting up business systems for all my clients. So it is cool to hear from a master like Trump about the importance of systems!

Sincerely,
Tom Kish

THE REAL ESTATE BUBBLE OF 2005?

‘What Donald Trump has to say about the latest business opportunities found in Real Estate Investing.’

By Phyllis N. Schwartz
Staff Writer

Have you ever wanted to become a millionaire?

If so – and, if you live in the United States, there is now a very REAL chance for you to enjoy the same opportunities as Donald Trump.

You don’t need to invest in real estate to be wealthy. But, by and large it is the easiest, most leveraged way to build real, sustainable wealth. With mortgage rates at an all time low and tax laws favoring real estate holdings, now is an ideal time to profit from the greatest real estate gold rush in history.

Marriage, job changes, divorce, new families, death — the average American moves every five to six years. And with that constant stream of movement across the United States, more than 12 million homes are bought and sold every year. Many of these will be great deals that you, yourself, could be profiting from.

The very same principles that make Donald Trump a fortune with New York City skyscrapers will work for the average investor, no matter what size the property.

So precisely what can the small real estate investor learn from a billionaire wheeler- dealer like Donald Trump? According to George Ross, Executive Vice President and Senior Counsel for the Trump Organization (and, of course, Apprentice co-star), one of the cornerstones of Trump’s philosophy is "Improve any location."

And that’s just what Trump did in his very first real estate deal on a foreclosure of a 1,200 unit apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio. Without a penny invested, Donald and his father, Fred, were able to turn the apartment complex around by doing some remodeling and taking a tough stance on rent collection.

In the single most valuable lesson in Donald Trump’s real estate career, he learned how the government would assist buyers in purchasing property with little or no financial backing and how to get such aid. His passion for real estate grew from there and he went on to create the strategies and systems that turned his business into an empire.

"Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That’s how I get my kicks."

In New York City, the Trump signature is now synonymous with the renowned Trump Tower, The Trump International Hotel & Tower, The Trump Park Avenue and the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street. He also owns golf courses in 4 states, and current projects include the building of the biggest development ever approved by the NYC Planning Commission .

Ranked #228 on Fortune Magazine’s list of the world’s billionaires, Trump stated: "Real estate is at the core of almost every business, and it’s certainly at the core of most people’s wealth. In order to build your wealth and improve your business smarts, you need to know about real estate."

The most obvious problem that confronts many would-be investors is lack of know-how and/or financial resources. Common sense would dictate that wanting to make money in real estate is simply not enough. Knowing how to get it is the real key to success. Like any other profitable business, it takes a proven business system.

In Trump: The Art Of The Deal, ‘The Donald’ gives his own assessment: "If you take care of the downside, the upside will take care of itself. In other words, if you have a contingency plan for everything that can go wrong, you can’t help but succeed."

So how does the average Joe or Jane actually succeed in real estate?

Because you can’t know it all, no matter how smart, educated or experienced, there is no way to acquire all the wisdom you need to make your business flourish. It’s precisely why 95% of franchises succeed and only 25-35% of independent businesses fail. Wanting to make money in real estate is simply not enough.

Just as Donald Trump had starting out, you need a great mentor with a proven track record to lead the way and support your efforts? also a proven business system that allows you to invest in all types of real estate without ever having to tie up all your own cash. It is wise to begin your journey using the research, experience and wisdom of those who have been there before you.

The beauty of a franchise is that it provides a proven business model with years of experience behind it. As far afield as real estate investing may be from starting a McDonalds, the principle is the same. If you can find a real estate investment teaching program that eliminates much of the trial and error and allows you to get a quick start with a proven system, you’ve just found your own golden arches.

True success is bigger than any one person, no matter how well educated or experienced that person may be. There is no reason to settle for anything less. Once again, to quote the king of real estate: "If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big." Sound advice to anyone who wants to become a millionaire.

p.s. Don’t forget to check out my one of a kind business system for real estate investing.

I am the only expert teaching you how to use business lines of credit to invest in real estate instead of cash!

Thanks,
Thomas Kish
http://cashflowexperts.biz/cmd.asp?ad=137545

Tom is a full time real estate investor. He has purchased and sold over 5 million dollars worth of real estate in less than 2 years.

Tom is an expert in using new business lines of credit instead of cash to buy real estate. There is no one else teaching anything like this SYSTEM of real estate investing!

Donald Trump on Real Estate

Lying on the edge of Europe facing out to the Atlantic Ocean sits Ireland, one of Europe’s smallest countries and often described as ‘The Emerald Isle". A beautiful country characterised by vibrant, colourful cities and towns set amidst endless unspoilt green fields, Ireland is now officially the best place in the world to live. Combining increasing wealth with traditional values gives Ireland the conditions most likely to make its people happy, according to the Economist’s quality of life assessment for 2005.

Add to this its longstanding reputation for a green and clean environment and Ireland has become a very desirable place to live in. Already 60,000 Americans have claimed a piece of Irish soil as their own, planning to live out their days in the Celtic gem and many of our Europeans neighbours are following suit.

Ireland’s desirability comes at a cost. Increasing wealth, resulting from the Celtic Tiger boom years has pushed property prices up to one of the highest levels in Europe. Consequently, property in Ireland is not cheap. A recent International Monetary Fund study revealed that Irish house prices are overvalued by 10-20%. It’s almost impossible to find a house in Dublin, the city’s capital for under ?200,000 and anything that becomes available for less tends to be the size of a shoebox or in typically undesirable locations. Move out to the suburbs and you can expect to pay anything up to ?600,000 for a mediocre 1970’s style home lacking in any great character or charm. Buying a character home dating between the 1850’s and 1950’s in Dublin and you can expect to pay anything between ?600,000 and ?1.5 million. New homes tend to be the cheapest to buy, averaging around ?300,000.

The demand is fuelled further by an increasing interest by the Irish themselves in property investment. The uncertainty following 9/11 has led many to see property investment as a more reliable alternative or supplement to the pension fund! One third of all mortgage lending by Irish financial institutions funds people investing in the buy-to-let sector. There is much speculation about how long the investor buzz can be sustained and how much further prices can rise. Will the market collapse or will Ireland become an exclusive property market, similar to Jersey in the Channel Islands, where properties under the ?1 million mark are the exception?

All indications suggest that Ireland will continue to sustain growth in the property market. However, the intrepid investor or buyers seeking a new home in Ireland may want to consider carefully how and where to invest in the Irish property market. While rental yeilds have fallen to under three percent, Ireland has experienced the biggest property price increase in the EU, with a 187% increase over the period between 1997 and 2004. Whether rental yeilds recover or not, investors find excellent returns in capital appreciation alone?

So, it may not be possible to buy at the prices that attracted thousands of Americans to the Irish shores in the 80’s. It is still possible to find good value property, capable of yielding reasonable rental returns and appreciating steadily over time.

Tracey Meagher owns and maintains http://www.propertyauthors.com, a website offering free property investment ebooks and articles. A full detailed version of this article is available at the PropertyAuthors website. She also runs many property newsdesks, including http://propertynewsdeskneweurope.blogspot.com and http://propertynewsdeskbulgaria.blogspot.com

The Irish Property Market – Expensive But Worth It?

Ireland has recently witnessed an upsurge in the number of investors buying holiday homes in some of the country’s most scenic areas. With stars like Jeremy Irons and Daniel Day-Lewis popping up in the quaint villages of West Cork, prices in many of these areas are at a premium. Kerry and West Cork, in particular, and the south coast in general, known as the Irish Riviera are attracting a steady flow of Britons and American’s. The majority of the British buyers are investing in a property to use as a holiday home with the intention of retiring to it in the future.

The south coast of Ireland tends to have a milder climate than the rest of Ireland, experiencing warm summers and milder winters brought in by the Gulf Stream current that flows past its shoreline. The climate, coupled with the breath-taking scenery and strong sense of heritage and culture, has made Cork an attractive location not only for Britons searching for a rural retirement idyll but also for the French and Dutch who have long been attracted to county.

The Irish too, taking advantage of improved roads, domestic flights offered by Aer Aran, and generous tax incentives are beginning to search closer to home for holiday home investments. With prices as low as ?110.000 for a two bed roomed chalet on Dingle Peninsula, investing in a holiday home in Ireland, need not break the bank. Generally, chalet style homes will be cheaper to buy than stand alone properties on their own land.Most people want to buy a traditional style home with views of the sea or unspoilt countryside. A typical three-bedroom property with sea views could cost anything upwards of ?480,000, while a property with spectacular country views could have a price tag in excess of ?280,000. The difficulty and one of the factors contributing to the high property prices in Ireland’s most scenic locations, is the shortage of properties that come on the market. It seems that when people buy in Ireland’s most scenic locations, they don’t want to move!

With many of the people buying holiday homes in Ireland having roots in the country, they tend not to get too involved in renting out the property. For those who want to invest in a holiday home to let when not in use, the letting potential of properties located in areas such as West Cork, Kerry, Connemara or quaint port towns such as Killibegs, is good. A four bed roomed house with good sea views could expect to take in ?1000 per week in the summer season.

Quite often, buyers find holiday homes too small and see extending the property or building a new home as the best option. It is worth bearing in mind the difficulties that may be encountered taking this route. Strict planning regulations make it almost impossible for foreign investors or indeed Irish nationals from outside the county, to build a property on purchased land. Planning regulations favour locals building new homes in the area. It may be more difficult too for foreign buyers to obtain planning permission to significantly alter or renovate an existing property, though once a property is owned, it is easier to secure planning.

With the demand for second homes remaining steady, there is no sign of prices slowing down. Last year property prices in West Cork rose between 8-9%. The situation is similar for many of the other tourist hotspots. Rental incomes aside, anybody making a smart investment in some of Ireland most desirable scenic locations can expect to see significant return on investment over the coming years.

Tracey Meagher owns and maintains http://www.propertyauthors.com, a website offering free property investment ebooks and articles. A full detailed version of this article is available at the PropertyAuthors website. She also runs many property newsdesks, including http://propertynewsdeskneweurope.blogspot.com and http://propertynewsdeskbulgaria.blogspot.com

Buying A Holiday Home in Rural Ireland

How’s the real estate marketing doing? Is the huge jump in home prices that is evident in some areas symptoms of a value bubble? Good questions, yes?

Two things to keep in mind when surveying the market:

1. All real estate is local,2. Real estate is cyclical.

Here in Arizona some residential areas have seen as much as a 30% jump in value in the last 8 to 12 months. The word about increasing Arizona home values has spread across the country. We recently sold a home to an out of state buyer who never looked at the property. His agent is just buying homes, because the buyer is sure prices will continue to escalate.

In the case of another of our houses a buyer offered $2,000 above our asking price on the day we posted a for sale sign on the property. We were asking more than we expected to get!

At the same time we received a telephone call from a relative living in California. He was very excited because his brother-in-law was sure he would get rich by buying a couple of Arizona homes. Should her do the same, he asked?

Such events have all the earmarks of a price bubble… if only in Arizona. On the other hand…

On a recent trip to Buffalo, New York, the local newspaper ran a story explaining that home sales were up. In the same article it revealed that the median price of a home had dropped. In other words, people are hurrying to buy homes that are dropping value. There’s more…

Mortgage Banker’s Association data shows that adjustable-rate and interest-only mortgages accounted for nearly two-thirds of mortgage originations in the second half of last year.

Loans of that type help push up housing prices, because they carry lower initial monthly payments, enabling borrowers to purchase more expensive homes. Basic economics… if more people can buy homes there is more demand… More demand means higher prices.

The rise of interest-only loans, coupled with acceptable higher debt levels for borrowers and tightened bankruptcy laws will probably soon lead to an increase in foreclosures.

If you are buying a home with an interest only loan and the value of that home drops… it is very easy for the borrower to just walk away from the payments. After all, they’ve built no equity in the property.

Both the Clinton and Bush administrations have pushed a policy of low interest rates and easy mortgage loan qualifying. If every voter has a home they are happy and will vote for the party in power seems to be the limit of political thought.

The truth may be that the government is setting people up for failure and financial pain. Far to many people are buying homes they really can’t afford. When interest rates rise… as they surely will… all those adjustable rate loans will act like debt-traps. Interest rates will go up while wages remain stagnate. The result? More foreclosures and financial ruin for many.

There are international forces at work that will not continue to support our government’s wild spending habits by buying its low interest bonds. Interest rates must rise. sooner or later?

Bubble or normal cycle… it makes little difference. If you are an investor consider selling some of your properties to raise cash for the awesome opportunities ahead. You know, buy low – sell high.

In our opinion, there is still profit opportunity if you buy at least 30% below current market value… with owner financing.

Prepare now for the coming wave of preforeclosure opportunity. We recommend the guide to preforeclosure profits you will find here http://digbig.com/4dmff

About The Author: Mark Walters is an investor-entrepreneur helping other investors from his Web pages at http://www.lease-option-sub2.com

Real Estate Investors – Red Alert

Every year hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors travel to Spain to delight in the fantastic weather, stunning natural landscapes, excellent entertainment options and superb Mediterranean beaches. Many of these people dream of one day owning their own property in Spain, in fact Spain is now one of the most desirable second home and retirement destinations in the world.

In the 1960s Spain underwent something of a building boom and earned itself a reputation for building unsympathetically for the natural environment. Since then massive effort has been placed in redressing the balance, fixing the architectural problems and recreating the face of Spain particularly along the coastal regions known as the Costas.

The most famous Costa is the Costa del Sol and one of the most beautiful towns in this region is Benalmadena. This town is as famous for its stunning natural beauty as it is for the wealth of amenities and opportunities it offers both residents and visitors. It is also an excellent example of how Spanish property developers and town planners have saved Spain from architectural decline!

The town of Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol is home to some incredible and luxury properties that boast everything from swimming pools and tennis courts, to direct golf course access and access to the water parks and theme parks of Benalmadena.

The town is one of the most desirable on the Costa del Sol, the Costa del Sol is the most desirable area of Spain for property, therefore anyone who purchases a home in the town will be purchasing themselves a fantastic investment opportunity as well as a dream home in Spain.

Because of the strength, stability and security of the Spanish property market it is a relatively straight forward process to raise a mortgage or finance to afford to purchase a home in Spain. Obviously terms and conditions will depend on a purchaser’s individual financial circumstances, but some international mortgage lenders are prepared to consider future rental income from the letting of a property as income on which they can base the amount they will lend you.

If you dream of owning a dream home in Spain you could consider buying now, letting the property for part of the year to cover your mortgage commitments and benefiting in person for the weeks of the year when you usually holiday abroad.

If you were to purchase property in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol for example, you would be buying into one of the most desirable areas of Spain for holiday lets and purchasing yourself possibly one of the best returning investment vehicles in property terms globally.

On the one hand the area benefits from a wealth of golf courses, entertainment parks, perfect beaches and direct access to Malaga airport for international accessibility making it simple to rent your property for top dollar weekly returns all year. On the other hand the area’s attraction means properties available will become scarcer and as demand surges and supply diminishes the value of your property will soar!

A true win win situation!

Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ – the online resource for investment property abroad, offshore investing and living overseas articles, guides and resources.

Click the following link for http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/spain/ articles, guides, resources and recommended reading.

How to Own a Dream Home in Spain

Do you want to build wealth through real estate? You need expertise in two critical areas: specific investment strategies and sales and negotiation skills. But if knowing how to identify good deals is what’s really important about investing in real estate, why do investors need to worry about their sales and negotiation skills?

“Knowing how to identify good deals is certainly a critical part of real estate investing, but it’s not the only part,” says Russ Whitney, internationally recognized real estate expert and bestselling author of Millionaire Real Estate Mentor (Dearborn Trade Publishing). “Your investment may be an inanimate object, but in the process of making that investment, you have to deal with people. If you take a look at anyone who has made a lot of money-regardless of the circumstances or the vehicle they used-you’ll find they have at least one trait in common: They have top-notch selling skills.”

Peter Conti and David Finkel agree. In their book, Making Big Money Investing in Real Estate, they say, “The single most important skill you have as an investor is your ability to connect emotionally with people.” With an emotional connection, you can work through the mechanics of any deal.

The first step in developing strong sales and negotiation skills is to get rid of any preconceived notions you may have about what being a salesperson is all about, says Russ Whitney. “It’s not about making a slick, fast-talking presentation or tricking someone into buying something they don’t want, won’t use, and can’t afford,” he says. “Selling is about solving problems. It’s about creating win-win situations. It’s about honesty, integrity, knowledge, and building relationships that serve everyone.”

Second, Whitney says, understand that you can use sales skills in just about every aspect of your business and personal life. “Think about it: buying a house for no money down, getting a loan at a bank, convincing your spouse to support your dreams, even persuading your toddler to eat his vegetables–it’s all selling,” he says. “Once you realize this and work on developing your sales skills, you’ll find it much easier to reach your financial goals–and in fact, you’ll find just about everything in your life is easier.”

Third, commit yourself to win-win results. “Too many people think that in any negotiation, you must have a winner and a loser. That’s just not true,” says Whitney. “You want people to come away from a deal with you feeling good, and that’s why you work on reaching a win-win resolution. Communicate clearly enough and consider all your options so you can come up with a plan that benefits everyone involved. That’s successful selling.”

Fourth, learn the techniques. “The techniques of positive communications–which is what selling basically is–are techniques anyone can learn and develop,” says Whitney. “There is no such thing as a ‘born salesperson.’ Learning the techniques may be easier for some than others, but everyone can learn them.”

Fifth, get rid of your self-imposed limits and believe you can negotiate profitable deals. In his book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T. Harv Eker writes, “One of the principles we teach in our programs is ‘If you shoot for the stars, you’ll at least hit the moon.’ Poor people don’t even shoot for the ceiling in their house, and then they wonder why they’re not successful. Well, they just found out. You get what you truly intend to get.”

Whitney suggests taking courses, reading books, and studying successful people to learn effective sales and negotiation techniques. But, he says, the most important thing for someone to know about developing selling skills is this: “Always operate with truth, honesty, and integrity. Your reputation is the most valuable asset you’ll ever have; guard it well.”

Jordan Taylor is the editor of Millionaire Mentor? Newsletter, which is published by Whitney Education Group, Inc.? To sign up for a free subscription, visit http://russwhitney.com

Real Estate Investing: Sales and Negotiation Skills are Critical