Last month we talked about green energy and ways to keep some “green” in your pocket. This month, there is a different kind of “green.” One that is transforming our real estate world, and one that you should be aware of. Continue reading “A DIFFERENT KIND OF GREEN. By Jen Hudson”
Where is the Market? Hiding in Plain Sight. By Jen Hudson
This week I was down in Seattle looking at property for investors. I know we’ve all seen them: the cranes. The cranes downtown seem to keep working on more and more apartments, condos, and mixed use developments. Those cranes have been around so long, you may not even notice them anymore.
It looks like there is an endless supply of apartment units coming soon. Apartment construction in top markets across the country has surpassed a 24-year historical average.
With all these apartments, you might not notice that Continue reading “Where is the Market? Hiding in Plain Sight. By Jen Hudson”
Beyond the E-tail Era by Jennifer Norbut
Beyond the E-tail Era
New factors are shaping retail’s next phase.
by Jennifer Norbut
The sharp rise in e-tailing and its game-changing impact has created a new normal in the retail real estate sector. Major national retailers are evolving their strategies in an effort to “survive and thrive” in this new market dynamic. “The good news is that even though Apple, Netflix, Amazon, eBay, and other online giants killed record stores and video rental shops and are in the process of doing the same to electronics and bookstore big boxes, e-commerce will never replace the brick-and-mortar shopping experience,” says Sean Glickman, CCIM, managing director of Glickman Retail Group in Maitland, Fla. Continue reading “Beyond the E-tail Era by Jennifer Norbut”
The Economist Who Predicted the Financial Crisis
The economist who predicted the financial crisis just sounded another alarm—it would be wise to listen this time
By Manuel Hinds September 22, 2013
Manuel Hinds is El Salvador’s former finance minister. He also has worked with the World Bank in the public and private sector. In 2010, he won the Manhattan Institute’s Hayek Prize.
Raghuram Rajan, left, was not afraid to take on Alan Greenspan. And now, he’s sounding another clarion call as India’s new central banker. Reuters/Danish Siddiqui
In his first official act as the new governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Raghuram Rajan raised the benchmark interest rate from 7.25 to 7.5%, causing a ripple of surprise in financial circles and eliciting protests from various business representatives. But for people who know the current condition of emerging markets and Rajan’s professional trajectory, this was not surprising, at all.
Continue reading “The Economist Who Predicted the Financial Crisis”
12 Key Factors When Buying Land
Congratulations! You’ve decided to build your own home. But where do you start?
Now that you’ve drawn up the plans or maybe even picked out your perfect manufactured or modular home, you’ll need to find the land to put it on. It may sound like a simple process. Pick the home, buy the land and move-in, but it’s much more complex than that. Finding that right piece of land can be just as cumbersome as searching for the perfect home, if not more. And, to complicate matters even more, not all real estate agents know land, so make sure you find one that does. Continue reading “12 Key Factors When Buying Land”
Real Estate vs Stock Market
Why Real Estate is Better than Stocks
The thing I love about real estate is that it allows you to leverage your money. Here’s what I mean. Let’s say that you have $40,000 to invest.
Option 1: Investing in Real Estate. You find an income producing property, maybe a little run down that is only $200,000. You put 15% down, or $30,000 and still have $2,000 for closing costs and $8,000 for upgrades.
Option 2: Investing in Stocks. Say $20,000 goes into mutual funds and $20,000 into an aggressive stock.
Now, move forward one month. Continue reading “Real Estate vs Stock Market”
We live in a litigious society. Be cautious.
How do you know if an investment property is a good rental?
There are a couple basic items to consider when looking at an investment property. Just like in real estate, rentals are about location, location, location!
If you are considering a full-time rental property, is it close to schools, shopping or allow for easy commuting? If you are looking at a vacation rental, what is the draw for that area and why do people visit? Is there a golf course, beach or another attraction that brings people to the neighborhood consistently? Even a retirement community? Find out what it is and utilize that. Continue reading “We live in a litigious society. Be cautious.”
First Time Real Estate Investor (Part 1)
Now is the perfect time to begin investing in real estate. Many buyers are sitting on the fence waiting for things to change and talk about how our market is “down.” In reality, you now have more negotiating power than ever.
If you are a new investor starting out, I recommend starting small.
Duplexes and Mother-in-Law apartments are a great beginning. They allow you to live on one side and keep an eye on the premises while generating income at the same time. Of course, there are drawbacks to this set-up. Continue reading “First Time Real Estate Investor (Part 1)”
First Time Real Estate Investor: Good Rental (Part 2)
So, you’ve decided it’s time to purchase an investment property. How do you know if it’s a good rental?
There are a couple basic items to consider when looking at an investment property. Just like in real estate, rentals are about location, location, location!
If you are considering a full-time rental property, is it close to schools, shopping or allow for easy commuting? If you are looking at a vacation rental, what is the draw for that area and why do people visit? Is there a golf course, beach or another attraction that brings people to the neighborhood consistently? Even a retirement community? Find out what it is and utilize that. Continue reading “First Time Real Estate Investor: Good Rental (Part 2)”
First Time Real Estate Investors: Long Term (Part 3)
As with any investment, part of planning is knowing how long you are going to keep it. If you plan on keeping a property for 20 years, chances are you’re going to have to replace the roof, water heater and other items with a limited lifespan. If you plan on keeping the property for only 5 years, then you’ll want to avoid those costly items if possible. Or, at least take them into account with your costs and purchase price. Continue reading “First Time Real Estate Investors: Long Term (Part 3)”