Real EstateCategory Archives

One of Life’s Major Decisions

Deciding to buy a home is one of life’s major decisions. Just weighing up your needs and deciding on buying over renting is something that most people do not take lightly and put a lot of thought into it. Therefore home buying is not usually an impulse buy.

If you are considering buying then seek out an experienced realtor. There is nothing better that having someone at hand to ask question of or to seek out advice when the going gets tough. Your realtor will be able to set you up with a portal linked to the MLS listings of homes for sale. He will put in parameters such as your price range as well as the features you are looking for – price, lot size, number of bedrooms, etc., and link these up to a map of the area in which you are searching. When a new home is listed in your area and it meets your listed requirements it will appear on your portal. You will be able to view photos and get detailed descriptions of the property. Getting to this point is another major achievement.

The marketplace dictates how many homes become available along with prices. Motivated buyers may find a home really quickly. Buyers who are looking for special requirements may take longer. Once you spot a listing on your portal that excites you then contact your realtor and ask to view the property. If there is a high demand then you may want to act very quickly on this. If there are many homes that meet your needs then arrange with your realtor to view them all in an afternoon. Doing this will quickly help to determine if your expectations are realistic or if you have to change your listed requirements.

Even if you spot the perfect home you may want to view some more to compare and make sure it is the right home for you. Few buyers will feel comfortable buying the first home they see – especially if they are first time home buyers. You will know when you find the right home – there will be an emotional attachment. Its almost like falling in love!

Article provided by Refinance Calculator providing assistance to prospective home buyers.

Lisa

November 28, 2011

Real Estate

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Amenities & Apartment Hunting

Looking for apartments in Canada ? There are certainly lots of choices. Even in small university towns the number of units available can be overwhelming. Figuring out how to weed down those choices to find the apartment that is best for you can be very stressful.

The most important considerations are financial. How much apartment can you afford, including utilities, parking fees, and other expenses? Once you know your price range, you can look in the neighborhoods that are closest to work or school for properties that fit your budget. Everything else is considered an amenity.

Sorting through the various amenities offered by individual properties and complexes can be very time consuming. This is why many apartment hunters turn to a management company, such as TransGlobe Property Management . They will do the winnowing down for you. Whether you use a management firm or do the searching yourself, you will want to make a list of those amenities you can’t live without — like a parking space or high speed internet access. Making a second list of your preferences (things you’d like, say an onsite laundry room, swimming pool, or microwave in the unit but don’t need) is also an important step.

While the perfect apartment is going to have every amenity on both lists, you will likely have to settle for one that has everything you consider a necessity and a few of the preferences.

Lisa

March 28, 2011

Real Estate

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Transglobe property management

Training for Loan Officer Licenses

Knowing that the mortgage industry is ripe for con artists and other criminals, state governments require that loan officers obtain a license in order to be allowed to work with residential mortgages. Individuals who want to be employed as mortgage loan originators or brokers are usually required to complete extensive Loan Officer Training and meet additional licensing requirements.

Training usually focuses on mortgage law. Officers are expected to master the intricacies of both federal mortgage statutes as well as state laws. Training programs will usually spend seventy to eighty percent of the course time imparting mortgage law to students. The remainder of the training time will usually cover subjects like professional ethics and consumer protection as well as fair lending practices .

The actual content of the training will vary from state to state as will what other licensing requirements candidates must meet. There are some minimal standards set by the federal government, but most states have much stricter requirements. Once officers obtain their initial license, they will most likely have to renew it every year after completing continuing mortgage education coursework.

Residential mortgages are probably the largest single investment that most Americans will make in their lifetime. Taking out a loan worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars that will take several decades to pay off is a major commitment. They deserve to know that the mortgage officer they are working with is licensed and in good standing with their state banking agency.

Lisa

March 18, 2011

Real Estate

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fair lending practices

Phuket’s Five Richest Residents

A recent report lists the top five wealthiest villa owners on the glamorous island of Phuket. Two of the world’s richest billionaires (according to Forbes magazine) made the list.

Richard and Christopher Chandler of New Zealand top the list. New Zealand’s richest citizens are worth over $2 billion (note: all figures are in US dollars). Robert Friedland of Ivanhoe Energy and Mines is number two. The Canadian’s net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion.

Next up on the list are Allan Zeman of Hong Kong. Considered the Father of Lang Kwai Fong, Zeman’s worth is undisclosed, but he is one of the richest and most influencial businessmen in Asia. Rounding out the list are Kimi Raikkonen, a Formula One star from Finland and Gulu Lalvani, founder of British Binatone.

Phuket has long been a hotspot for the world’s rich and famous to relax and party. Phuket has also developed a thriving nightlife, with trendy clubs, beach raves, and seemingly endless parties. Tourists staying in the best hotels on Phuket will undoubtedly encounter celebrities from around the world.

The island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world as well as virgin forests and other natural wonders. All that beauty has led to a boom in high-end real estate. Villas such as those owned by the top five above, as well as beach cottages and condos are in high demand.

Allan Zeman, best hotels, Phuket, Phuket island, Richard Chandler