Mark Kreditor was a founding member of the Blue-Book, a Residential listing guide published in Dallas and is past chairman of the Property Mgmt/Leasing committee of The Dallas Association of Realtors. Mark is a frequent guest lecturer speaking on property management and landlord rights to investment organizations locally and throughout the country. He has taught real estate investment strategy at Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) continuing education program and has presented his real estate workshops to investors and property managers nationwide.
Archive for Texas safe high return investments
Feb
08
Austin Safe High Return Investments- Tips And Ideas On How To Prevent Foreclosure
Posted by: | CommentsAustin Safe High Return Investments- Tips And Ideas On How To Prevent Foreclosure
There might be a variety of reasons why you have found yourself facing foreclosure. You have fallen behind on your payments after a job loss or major illness within the family. Regardless, you now have the fear of foreclosure and you want to attempt to avoid that from happening. Although you will not see any manner of doing that, the actual fact that you are reading this is proof enough that you’re willing to think about alternative options. You are making an attempt to find help and we are providing valid, varied solutions to consider.
First, you have to be hones with yourself. You already understand the economy has sunk and might sink even lower. The jobless rate is climbing fast and if you’re one of those without a job, you most likely have realized that finding that replacement job won’t be therefore easy. Thus you need to ask yourself how that is going to affect your ability to create your mortgage payment.
Before you receive a notice of default from your lender, you need to work out if you’re close to the point where you can’t pay your mortgage at all. Once you receive a notice of default, the foreclosure process has already begun
You need to know what sort of loan you have and who is your lender. Whether or not you went through a local place to apply for your loan, the loan was most likely financed elsewhere. Contact your lender once you realize you are in trouble, and document that call by writing down the person’s name you spoke with together with the day, date, time and phone number and person’s position or title.
It is attainable to weigh down the process of foreclosure even after being sent the notice of default. There are completely different programs such as loan modification that may help you stop foreclosure. There is no guarantee that the amount of your loan payment will be reduced, however it’s worth looking into if you want to save your home.
If necessary, move in with family or friends for a short time while you rent your house out allowing you to use the deposit paid to compensate for your back payments and the monthly rent to make your payments while you restructure your finances and get back on your feet. This is actually a serious adjustment, however it could facilitate the prevention of credit damage caused by foreclosure.
If you’ve decided that moving from your home would be devastating, but you do not want a foreclosure on your records, you should consider selling to a real estate investor. Selling to a real estate investor is quicker than selling on the traditional real estate market with a realtor. Selling to a real estate investors is quicker and will be trouble-free. You won’t have to facilitate repairs to your home, you will not have to pay fees and the real estate investor can handle all the paper work. You will get a honest cash offer and will then move on to get your life and finances back so as to enjoy living again. But most importantly, you may have the ability to purchase another property in your price range.
Another great article by Royal Lepage Proalliance Belleville This and other unique content ‘real estate’ articles are available with free reprint rights.
Dec
30
North Texas – Best Property Rental Market in 25 Years
Posted by: | CommentsAustin Safe High Return Investments
The enormous imbalance that always seems to exist in North Texas has once again taken this market to extremes. While the real estate sales world crumbles around us, the world of rentals is better than ever. Apartment and single family home occupancy is very strong, rents are stable or slightly increasing, and compliance seems to be better. In the first half of 08 only 16% of our tenants breached leases; down from 22% in 2007. Though it’s still over triple the national average, it is positive. The time it takes to rent a home is faster than ever (average 49 days) and the ONLY empty homes are the ones not 100% ready or those over priced. Though real estate prices are falling, you would have lost less money in it than the 16% stocks have fallen since July 07. A glimmer of hope for sales in this market is the inventory of homes for sale which reduced by 10%, probably because we are leasing them so easily, and sellers need cash. This could help stabilize the market as fewer homes are available to choose from for purchase. The country is not fairing as well. In Detroit, 80% of the homes are being sold to investors. In Youngstown, Ohio there were over 1,000 vacant homes bulldozed. Delinquent mortgages are up 15% in the US, and the average credit card debt balance rose to $9,312.
National foreclosures will approach 3 million homes posted, and here in North Texas as many as 60,000 homes will post in 2008. Yet statistically, and through the amount of new move-ins we experience, the rental market is breaking new records every month. North Texas continues to add new jobs: 8700 in May alone and that is a positive trend (until over building starts up again). Unemployment increased 1/2 % which means we need to create more jobs to stay positive; nationally it was up 1%.
Industry Trends
I still believe long term, North Texas will remain one of the most challenging markets to successfully invest in. We still face the country’s worst credit risks and despite an easing of non compliance, a tremendous percent of our population breaches leases. Bargain prices attract uneducated investors who jump on deals without doing adequate research. Would you believe we have dozens of properties vandalized each month just for copper metal? This could easily be avoided if purchasers would do a little research on the areas they are buying in and the property crime statistics. As I look at the national landscape of depressed real estate markets, I still believe more in the future of the depressed US coastal areas. All it takes is one stroke of government intervention and the supply of tenants from homeownership to rentals will slow our market and put it back into the “challenged zone.” So I say to all of you to enjoy this market while it lasts; it has NEVER been this good. In real estate, they say the most important factor for success is location. As a property manager, properties in less desirable locations or properties in less desirable condition will always suffer. Home values declined in Oak Cliff 19% this year already proving that challenging areas are always hit hardest. It is our quality rentals that are impeccably made ready that get multiple offers at full price. I hope you will ride this wave of opportunity with me to fill your properties with quality long term tenants.Source: Get There First Realty Services – Texas Rental Property Management
Texas Safe High Return Investments
Dec
29
Landscape Achitects in Houston Texas
Posted by: | CommentsAustin Safe High Return Investments
Landscape architects-they are members of a team that you call in when you want your landscape to have an impact. Landscape architects are the professionals that help you turn your property into your dream home. And into a true investment.
Landscape Architects: Background
Who are landscape architects? To become a landscape architect usually requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are two undergraduate professional degrees: a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). Typically, these degrees entail four or five years of study in design, construction techniques, art, history, natural and social sciences.
For landscape architects seeking advanced degrees, there are two routes. Those who hold undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture can earn their Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) in two years. If you hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape architecture and want to go into landscape architecture, the MLA usually takes three years of full-time study.
In 2007, 61 U.S. colleges and universities offered 79 undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape architecture that were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Landscape Architects: Their Work Process
The first step for landscape architects in planning a project is to study it as a whole. First, they strive to understand the clients’ objectives and the available budget. At the same time, they take into consideration the natural elements of the property, such as the climate, soil, trees and other vegetation, and the slope of the land and resulting drainage issues. Additionally, they assess where sunlight falls during the different seasons and the different times of day. They also take into account the surrounding area-the neighboring homes and buildings, sidewalks, streets and utilities.
With studies and analyses in hand, landscape architects then draw up a preliminary design. This is the time when landscape architects consult with other professionals who may be involved in the project, such as civil engineers, landscape contractors or residential architects. This initial design takes into account any late-arriving changes that the client wants, as well as unforeseen requirements made by different governing bodies. In other words, changes, additions and adjustments are expected during this stage.
A proposal is then prepared, showing detailed plans of what the landscaping will look like. Most landscape architects use computer-aided design (CAD) in these technology-driven days and some firms even use video simulation to help clients better see the suggested ideas and plans. The final proposal may include written reports, sketches, models, photographs and cost estimates. These documents will be used both by the client and regulatory agencies.
Finally, landscape architects prepare working drawings to be used by the landscape contractors that show all existing and proposed features. Included is an outline that details the methods of construction and lists the approved materials. At this point, landscape architects usually move into a supervisory role, monitoring the project as the landscape contractors and their crews carry out the plans.
Landscape Architects: Finding One
In the state of Texas, the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners www.tbae.state.tx.us/Professions/Landscape.shtml regulates the practice of landscape architects. Only those individuals who have become registered as landscape architects may legally call themselves a landscape architect. The website provides a link to find a registered landscape architect.
The American Society of Landscape Architects (www.asla.org) is one of the leading industry groups for landscape architects. Founded in 1899, ASLA represents more than 18,200 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. Its website offers a “firm finder” link.
Landscape Architects: Things To Do Before Interviewing
The ASLA offers these tips to better prepare yourself to find the best landscape architect for you:
? Think about what you want and how you will use your landscape. Formal entertaining, herb gardens, and children’s playgrounds are just some of the possibilities. Think about your preferences for the look of the grounds-would you like an English garden design or perhaps a Modern landscape design?
? Don’t just limit yourself to plants and trees; maybe you would like a distinctive garden gate, an outdoor water fountain, a outdoor kitchen, swimming pool or dramatic landscape lighting.
? Make a realistic budget. One rule of thumb is to invest 5 to 10 percent of your house’s worth into landscaping. If this seems steep, remember that homes with professional landscaping can fetch 15-20 percent more at the time of resale than homes that lack landscaping, according to a 2004 study commissioned by the Professional Landcare Network.
? Look at books and magazines for ideas and start a file of plants, trees, gardens, yards, pools, patios, decks, fences and other hardscapes that you like-or dislike-to show your landscape architect. This research will help you communicate what you want to achieve or avoid.
Exterior Worlds Specializing in landscape Architects
Texas Safe High Return Investments
Dec
28
Finding East Texas Rural Land For Sale: Searching for Texan Treasure
Posted by: | CommentsAustin Safe High Return Investments
East Texas acreage is some of the most beautiful and vast land in the country. It’s like a little known secret that few people truly treasure. Anyone looking for rural land for sale is truly seeking one of the finest treasures in this country. East Texas acreage offers a variety of landscapes, varying from sweet rolling hills to lush and ample pastures to some of the most picturesque streams with a remarkable abundance of wildlife surrounding its lakes. If you are seeking east Texas rural land for sale, then you probably already know of the treasures I am speaking about.
The treasures of the rural land for sale are vast and unknown to most citizens of the United States. Those who have never had the luxury of traveling to eastern Texas are not likely to realize its amazing beauty from where they sit. A few photographs of it doesn’t do it any where close to the justice it deserves.
When wandering through the east Texas acreage, one can only be limited by their imagination, and those fortunate enough to be seeking it has a tremendous plethora of landscaping to choose from. Who doesn’t want their choice of scenery for their backyard that has barely been touched by human hands?
East Texas acreage offers this sort of pristine and fairy tale wonderland that still allows the human spirit to connect with the natural world around them.
Whether you are talking about distinct hiking trails, hunting grounds, or nature reserves, east Texas is littered with unique wildlife and fauna. East Texas offers a gorgeous backdrop against which anyone can paint the destination of their dreams with nothing more than the use of Mother Nature’s imagination.
The east Texas rural land for sale is simply waiting for someone who dreams of the peaceful creativity of dramatic beauty to come along and snatch it up before it is lost to developers and shopping malls. Maintaining this dignified beauty really doesn’t take anything more than a few people who are interested in creating their life in this immaculate natural play land of creation. There are few areas left in the United States that can still offer so much variety within a one hundred mile radius. Those who wish to find the greatest little slice of living on earth should stroll down and glimpse at it. Those who can will feel their dreams and hopes ignite inside them as they fall in love with what can only be called a hidden paradise.
Barry Tipton is owner of GoodLandDeals.com, a comprehensive website that brings together motivated buyers and sellers of land. Tipton boasts over 32 years experience land sales and marketing, ranch sales, and resort sales. Visit http://www.goodlanddeals.com to conduct online property searches.
Texas Safe High Return Investments
Dec
27
Texas Leads the Country in Real Estate Foreclosures
Posted by: | CommentsAustin Safe High Return Investments
March 2007, Statistics reveal that Texas leads the nation in
having the largest number of foreclosed homes in the nation.
Texas experienced an alarming 38% increase in the number of
foreclosed homes during March 2007 alone. Now, if you are
currently residing in or contemplating moving to the “Lone
Star State”, this may mean some good news for you.
Texas is the second largest state in the nation, second only to
Alaska, however, it is the most populous. This may attribute
to why the foreclosure statistics are so staggering. Yet,
residential foreclosures are growing at an alarming rate
across the country. Inflation, the slowdown of the real estate
market, unemployment is all factors in this sad state of affairs.
If you are in the market for a new home in Texas, it may
behoove you to check out the Texas foreclosure listings
available. Since there are several stages of foreclosures, you
may find a dream house in a price range that you can afford.
Many times homes in foreclosure offer tremendous deals. You
may also want to consider purchasing a vacation home, or
investment home when the price and the deal is right. The
first place to find such deals is to subscribe or obtain a real
estate foreclosure listing. There are several avenues to
obtaining such a listing discussed below.
The quickest and easiest was to find a Texas foreclosure
listing is online. Several reputable companies offer
comprehensive, up to the minute listing services. A
subscription is generally necessary, however, there is limitless
opportunity to recoup the nominal subscription rate during
your first transaction.
Secondly, many lenders offer a “snail mail” listing service.
Many times these are free services as they are mailed to your
home. The snail mail listings, unfortunately, can be outdated
by the time you receive them, however, if this is the only
method the particular lender uses for alerting of any
foreclosures, this listing may contain properties not otherwise
found using other online services.
For all Texans current or soon to be, it does not matter the
method you use to find property in foreclosure, it is important
to understand that using Texas foreclosure listings is an
avenue to find property that can potentially save you
thousands of your hard earned dollars.
Bob Smith is a freelancer but regularly writes for ForeclosureListingsNationWide.com. You can get more information on Texas foreclosure listings at http://www.foreclosurelistingsnationwide.com.
Texas Safe High Return Investments