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  • Investing in Buy-to-Let Property

    Posted by admin on Wednesday Jan 5, 2011 Under News

    When one has the capital to make a significant investment, the thought of buying a property to let surely comes to mind. Letting out a property can be a fine source of capital growth, however it also requires much work on the part of the landlord. If it is your intention to purchase a property to let, it is important to know a few of the pitfalls along the way and how to avoid them.

    The first thing you must know is for what purpose you are buying the property. Your objectives might be income, which is your month to month profits from the tenants, or capital growth, which deals with making a profit through increased equity from the second property as the value increases over time. This choice should influence what type of property you purchase and the location of the property.

    Maintaining a property is an expensive process. As a guide, you should be aiming to achieve a gross rent of at least one hundred thirty-five percent of the propertys interest only mortgage repayments. This will help you cover your costs should anything go wrong with the property.

    There are three great differences with buy to let mortgages that you should know about. Firstly is rent potential. The decision as to whether or not a mortgage is offered is most often based on the rent you will earn in addition to your income. In some cases your income might not even be considered. Secondly is the interest rate. Buy to let mortgages come with a slightly higher interest rate. Lastly is the larger deposit. The deposit is typically a minimum of twenty to twenty-five percent of the propertys value.

    Research into the type of mortgage you wish to apply for is important, of course. For many people, fixed rate interest options are preferable. Repayments for buy to let properties can frequently be done in interest only repayments, but if you wish to repay the entire value of a property then look for a mortgage that will allow you to overpay each month if you desire.

    Finding a loan that will calculate interest daily instead of annually is more fair to you, since your interest will be calculated on a current balance instead of on repayments that you have already made through the course of the year.

    Before you decide to apply for your mortgage loan, think about how you want to let your property. You can let the property in various stages of furnishing, but if you choose to let a property with furnishings you will have to buy the furnishings and deal with any damage caused by the residents while you are letting the property. Determine if you can afford to furnish the property, and factor that into the cost you will ask for to let each month.

    Buying a property to let can be an exciting experience, and although it is hard work it can pay off well in the end. Determine what exactly you want to get out of the letting experience, and how you want to let the property. After that, the sky is the limit.

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    Invest Smartly

    Posted by admin on Wednesday Oct 27, 2010 Under News

    Are you interested in real estate business? It sure is tempting, but what are the pitfalls? What should a new investor know before putting money into real estate?

    There is one mantra that successful real estate investors live by: “buy low – sell high”. How can you apply this to your investment strategy?

    1. Dont get oversold: New investors can easily get caught up in the sale. Without experience or a background in real estate you may think your instincts are good and quickly get in over your head. Investment properties need to be undervalued and you need to do your research first. Don’t plan to buy without spending a lot of time comparing values. Your goal is to purchase an undervalued property which can take time and experience to spot.

    The best way to determine the true value of a property is by comparing similar properties and noting the common features. The properties must be in the same area since location can drastically affect price range.

    Take note of the features and failings of each property, how long they’re on the market and the price they sell for. Once you have a good understanding of the value of properties you will be able to tell when a property is undervalued – perhaps because a quick sale is needed or the seller is inexperienced. Don’t hesitate to barter for the best deal possible.

    2. Know your market: You’re not buying for yourself so spend time noting the trends in the market. You can often find data in the local real estate papers listing the percentage of growth for various properties in the area over the past year.

    Keep an eye on what’s moving quickly through the market and what features are promoted in new constructions. You can use this information to make your upgrades as market friendly as possible.

    Be careful not to make the mistake of renovating to your personal tastes. Use neutral palettes and current styles to appeal to the broadest market.

    3. Know your budget: The more time you spend researching the costs of your venture, the higher the profits you will see. Know how much you can spend, the price of materials and labor and the time frame to have it completed. Some experts would tell you to double or triple that amount. In any case, the more research you do the more accurate your budget will be.

    Don’t get swept away in the process either; concentrate on the most profitable renovations. Kitchens and bathrooms are important. Adding French doors or updated lighting can also be a good investment. A fresh coat of paint is a must.

    You have to do your home work before entering real estate business because investing in real estate is a financial business. Plan your investment like a business; make well researched decisions, stick to a budget, don’t let personal preferences get involved, and you’re ready to make some money!

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    Different Types of Stock

    Posted by admin on Wednesday Jun 23, 2010 Under News

    The different types of stock are what confuse most first time investors. That confusion causes people to turn away from the stock market altogether, or to make unwise investments. If you are going to play the stock market, you must know what types of stock are available and what it all means!

    Common Stock is a term that you will hear quite often. Anyone can purchase common stock, regardless of age, income, age, or financial standing. Common stock is essentially part ownership in the business you are investing in. As the company grows and earns money, the value of your stock rises. On the other hand, if the company does poorly or goes bankrupt, the value of your stock falls. Common stock holders do not participate in the day to day operations of a business, but they do have the power to elect the board of directors.

    Along with common stock, there are also different classes of stock. The different classes of stock in one company are often called Class A and Class B. The first class, class A, essentially gives the stock owner more votes per share of stock than the owners of class B stock. The ability to create different classes of stock in a corporation has existed since 1987. Many investors avoid stock that has more than one class, and stocks that have more than one class are not called common stock.

    The most upscale type of stock is of course Preferred Stock. Preferred stock isnt exactly a stock. It is a mix of a stock and a bond. The owners of preferred stock can lay claim to the assets of the company in the case of bankruptcy, and preferred stock holders get the proceeds of the profits from a company before the common stock owners. If you think that you may prefer this preferred stock, be aware that the company typically has the right to buy the stock back from the stock owner and stop paying dividends.

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