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Refinance Mortgage - Refinance Home Mortgage Refinance Home Mortgage Refinance Mortgage Refinance Home Mortgage : ditech.com strives to offer you the best refinance mortgage you can find. If you are looking for a refinance mortgage Ditech can help you. We refinance home mortgages Let Ditech refinance your home mortgage, we offer great home mortgage refinance rates. About Ditech Questions? Calculators Testimonials Live Chat Contact Us My Account Apply Now En Español -- Reach a home loan agent 24/7: Refinance Overview Start saving on your monthly payments or use your equity to get cash out with the following home mortgage refinance products: Refinance Lower your interest rate and start saving on your monthly payments. Both 15 year fixed rate or 30 year fixed rate products are available. View Refinance Rates $395.00 Refinance Flat Fee Option More details about our new $395.00 Flat Fee* option... ARM Our Adjustable Rate Mortgage offers a low rate that is fixed for the first five years. This allows you to purchase ... get cash out of your home ... or refinance to lower your monthly payments at rates you thought you had missed. Rates may vary by State. View ARM Rates *Assumptions "We rolled a first and second loan together and took some other money out and paid off some credit cards and stuff. It was a very easy experience. When we consolidated the loans that we had, it actually cut our payments in half and there was over a $700 a month savings. The interest rate was lower over all. The payments were half and within 18 days we had everything done and had the checks in hand - yeah, we were just tickled to death that we could do it." Allen H, Mesa, AZ A GMAC Financial Services Company ditech.com, a part of the GMAC Financial Services family of companies, is ready to help customers with solutions to their financial needs. Imperfect Credit Looking to re-establish your credit? Want to consolidate your debt? more details Fast & Easy ditech.com, a national direct mortgage lender, offers some of the most competitive rates and fees available on first mortgages and home equity loans. Deal direct and get the right home loan for you without paying a commission or a broker fee to a middleman. The whole process is fast & easy. ditech.com. Speed Guaranteed (SM) ! "I've dealt with a few different companies and was totally unsatisfied until I got in touch with ditech. Very painless." - Charlene N. New Purchase Overview Product Solutions Adjustable Rate Loan Home Strength Imperfect Credit 80/20 Program Overview Ditech $395 Flat Fee Moving Solutions Rates and Fees Rates at a Glance Payment Calculator Interest Rates Calculators Payment Calculator How Much Can I Afford? Free eAppraisal Frequent Questions Refinance Overview Product Solutions Adjustable Rate Loan Imperfect Credit Ditech $395 Flat Fee Rates and Fees Rates at a Glance Payment Calculator Interest Rates Calculators Payment Calculator Free eAppraisal Frequent Questions Home Equity Overview Product Solutions 125% Value Overview $49 2nd Mortgage Flat Fee Interest Only HELOC HELOAN vs. HELOC Benefit Comparison Detail Comparison Additional Research Home Improvements Financing Debt Consolidation Loan How Do Equity Loans Work? How Much Equity Do I Have? Types of Interest Types of Interest Rates Calculators Payment Calculator How Long to Pay Off My Credit Cards? Free eAppraisal Frequent Questions Home Equity Frequent Questions 125% Value Frequent Questions print bookmark size + : size ++ : size +++ Equal Housing Opportunity Lender A GMAC Financial Services Company Assumptions | Disclosures | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Security | Site Map State licensing © 2005 ditech.com
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Washington County -- Maps and Land Records Washington County, Oregon Maps & Land Records InterMap allows you to view detailed maps of Washington County. You can view current city boundaries, school district boundaries, plan designations and many other map features. You can zoom in to view areas more closely, turn Map layers on and off, and even print your final custom map. InterMap also allows you to determine which service districts individual properties are located within and to research property values and County land use permits. In addition, you can download the County's detailed tax maps. InterMap Help Utility . You can find out about InterMaps features simply by placing the cursor over selected areas on your screen. Pop up messages will provide helpful assistance on how best to operate various InterMap features. -- Brief Disclaimer Complete Disclaimer iSpirits is a research tool featuring survey records from the County Surveyor's Office. Available Items include: Records of Survey, Subdivision Plats, Partition Plats, Condominium Plats, Geodetic Control Point Sheets, Public Land Corner Records and Taxmaps iSpirits allows searches for many records by surveyor name, township, range and section, by selecting an area on a map, or by locating the taxlot of your site and asking iSpirits to retrieve images within one half mile. Other functions of iSpirits include printing a general location map of your search area, downloading images and search results and, if you have a large format plotter or printer, printing images at original scale. County Maps Downloadable map of Washington County (PDF) (3.5 MB) Click to download a large scale map showing cities, highways, major streets, water bodies, and general land features within Washington County. This map is saved as a .pdf and can be viewed using Acrobat Reader Download a free copy of AcrobatReader Location of Washington County within the state of Oregon Washington County is 727 square miles and includes a portion of the City of Portland and eleven incorporated cities including Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard and Tualatin. Focused residential and industrial growth has enabled the County to preserve more than 75% of its agricultural and forest lands. Location of Washington County within the Portland metropolitan area Located on the western edge of the City of Portland, Washington County is the second largest and fastest growing urban county in Oregon, with approximately 385,000 citizens. Cities within Washington County Shaded relief map of Washington County and overlay of major roads and urban growth Boundary Map of downtown Hillsboro, Oregon Map of the Washington County government campus Single-family development patterns within Washington County from 1800 to 1995 Single-family development patterns within Washington County from 1990 to 1998 2000 - 2005 Washington County. All rights reserved. Links to external sitesdo not constitute endorsements by Washington County. By visiting this and otherWashington County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by the terms andconditions of the site. For questions regarding information privacy, liability,accessibility, and public records policies, please review the statementsdocument .
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Amazon.com: House of Wax(1953): Video Your Store Video See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | advanced search | browse genres | top sellers | new & future releases | kids & family | movie showtimes | today's deals | used videos Search Amazon.com VHS Used Videos DVD DVD & VHS Movie Showtimes Web Search This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but over a million other items are. Join Amazon Prime today. Already a member? Sign in . VIDEO INFORMATION Explore This Video buying info technical information editorial reviews customer reviews RATE THIS VIDEO I dislike it I love it! 1 2 3 4 5 Edit your ratings Favorite Magazines! Explore our new Magazine Subscriptions store . Visit the DVD Store The Tingler DVD 35 used & new from $2.40 Have one to sell? House of Wax(1953) see larger picture Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 35 used & new from $2.40 Edition: See more product details Customers who bought this video also bought: Diary of a Madman / Movie VHS Haunted Palace (1963) / Movie VHS The Raven VHS The Pit and The Pendulum VHS Pinky VHS Explore Similar Items : 5 in Video , and 20 in DVD Customers who viewed this videoalso viewed: Mystery of the Wax Museum VHS Dr X VHS Explore Similar Items : 2 in Video , and 8 in DVD Product Details Director: Andr De Toth Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC Rated: Studio: Warner Home Video Video Release Date: July 28, 1998 VHS Features: NTSC format ( US and Canada only. This VHS will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about VHS formats .) Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: 0790736055 Other Formats: DVD Average Customer Review: Based on 58 reviews. Write a review . Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #767 in Video Yesterday: #1,048 in Video Editorial Reviews Amazon.com House of Wax brought Vincent Price into the horror genre, where he fit as snugly as a scalpel in a mad scientist's hand. A remake of the 1933 film Mystery of the Wax Museum , this entertaining Gothic shocker casts Price as a sculptor of wax figures; his unwilling victims--er, "models"--lend their bodies to his lifelike depictions of Marie Antoinette and Joan of Arc. The film was one of the top 10 moneymakers of its year, thanks in part to the 3-D gimmick, which explains why so many things are aimed at the camera (why else would the paddleball man be there?). Footnote to history: director Andre De Toth was blind in one eye, and thus could not see in three dimensions. --Robert Horton Spotlight Reviews (What's this?) Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: Solid, 50s Gothic Horror Flick , October 11, 2004 Reviewer: Westley (The South)- See all my reviews Horror films in the 1950s were often set in earlier times - including "House of Wax" - a gothic-styled thriller. Vincent Price stars, and this movie was his first of many, many horror films. He's perfect in this role, and it's puzzling why no one had cast him as this type of character before. He plays Prof. Henry Jarrod, a wax figure sculptor who's far too obsessed with his work. He's the head of an unsuccessful wax museum and watches in disgust as other museums make money by showing horror style wax figures, such as mass murderers. When his museum is burned to the ground, he re-emerges and seeks vengeance on persons responsible. The film received a great deal of buzz as the second 3-D film released by a major studio ("Bwana Devil" was the first); not surprisingly, it was a major hit, becoming the 7th biggest money-maker of 1953. "House of Wax" was actually a remake of a 1933 film, "Mystery of the Wax Museum." In addition, a remake of this film is currently in the works, and should be released in 2005. One of the stars of the upcoming film is Paris Hilton, which should be interesting! Although I prefer Castle's horror films from this period, Price alone makes this film worthwhile. Carolyn Jones ("Addams Family") is also fun as a kind harlot. Overall, the movie holds up pretty well, mostly because of its creepy tone. I saw the movie in 2-D but still enjoyed it quite a bit. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 18 of 19 people found the following review helpful: one of Price's best films , October 8, 2004 Reviewer: Deborah MacGillivray (Scotland, England & US)- See all my reviews This movie has wit, excellent pacing and a strong supporting cast (including a blonde Carolyn Jones "Morticia" from the Addams Family) and a small role for Charles Bronson (playing Igor and billed as Charles Buchinsky). Prince gets to be both understated and hammy in the brilliant film, that he is likely best know for. It catches the atmosphere of the Gaslight period, and is lighting speed, as Price goes from a brilliant artist of life-like wax figures, to a scarred man, nearly killed by his partner wanting the insurance. He is forced to watch his two crowning glories, his Joan of Arc and his Marie Antoinette destroyed in the fire. With scared hands, he is forced to use bodies to fill his new house of wax, while Price also manages to meet out a little revenge to his former partner. At first bodies are vanishing from the morgue, but when Price sees Jones - the living image of Joan of Arc - and Phyllis Kirk, his Marie Antoinette come to life in his mind - he knows he must possess the bodies of both women to see if greatest works recreated. Is so spooky, and Kirk ably screams her way from one mishap to the next. Just does not get any better. --This text refers to the DVD edition Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) All Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. I'm Melting! Melllting!... , December 29, 2005 Reviewer: Bindy Sue Fr?nk?nschtein "bigfootsalienbaby" (under the rubble)- See all my reviews Poor Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price). He's a wax-sculptor / wax museum owner who just wants to bring a little beauty into the world w/ his life-like, historical figures. Unfortunately, the public doesn't want beauty, it wants wax versions of murderers and sensationalism. Jarrod's partner knows this and decides to torch the museum for the insurance money. When Jarrod resists, he gets torched as well. Years later, a new wax museum opens, run by Henry Jarrod! He didn't die after all. Now, people are being murdered by a mysterious, disfigured man in a black hat and cloak. Their bodies are then stolen from the morgue! Where are they going, and why are Jarrod's new wax figures so eerily familiar looking? HOUSE OF WAX is the first of a long line of horror / revenge movies for Vincent. You can see the same tormented / demented soul here that would later shine in movies like PIT AND THE PENDULUM, THEATRE OF BLOOD, MADHOUSE, THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES, and DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN. HOUSE OF WAX is an excellent remake of the 1933 film MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM w/ Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray (both are also in The Vampire Bat and Doctor X). I love both movies! While HOUSE is more gothic, MYSTERY is more '30s pulp. They each have their own creepy charm and interesting plotpoints. Atwill is sedate yet sinister, while Wray is her usual beautiful, vulnerable self. HOUSE OF WAX / MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM make a great double feature... --This text refers to the DVD edition Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) House of Wax- Phyllis Kirk , December 18, 2005 A Kid's Review An otherwise corny film, but viewers can delight in the closeup shots of Miss Kirk's beautiful wriggling toes as she struggles with her iron clamps that hold her down. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: GOOD OLD FASHIONED GOTHIC THRILLS , November 6, 2005 Reviewer: Michael Butts (Martinsburg, WV USA)- See all my reviews It's 1953, and Vincent Price is about to appear in his first horror film, a move that of course predicated what was to be the genre we remember this marvelous actor for. Filmed in 3-D, a feat in itself for fifty years ago, this tale revolves around Price, a wax museum curator, who is badly disfigured in a fire set by his greedy partner (the effable Roy Roberts) in order to get the twenty five thousand dollars in insurance money. A few years later, a now demented Price wants revenge and gets it, while setting up a fanciful new wax museum whose figures have a secret twist. We all know how they're made, but it's fun guessing along. Carolyn Jones (Addams Family), Phyllis Kirk, Frank Lovejoy and Charles Bronson all show up in supporting roles and the end result is a campy, enjoyable thriller, actually much more interesting than the confusing 2005 remake. Price fans will love this one. --This text refers to the DVD edition Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Vincent Price enters the world of horror movies via the "House of Wax" , October 26, 2005 Reviewer: Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City: Duluth, MN United States)- See all my reviews With the new "House of Wax" out on DVD this week I thought it was time to go back and see the original version with Vincent Price. Of course, director Andr De Toth's 1953 film was based on Michael Curtiz's slightly superior 1933 film "Mystery of the Wax Museum," which why those two films have much more in common that the two "House of Wax" films. Besides, this "House of Wax" was shot in 3-D and part of the fun in watching it again is to spot the 3-D effect. The opening titles and the ping pong player (Reggie Rymal) going after our popcorn are the most obvious ones, but you will notice the film is not full of obvious 3-D shots (pay attentions to limbs and such, especially on the Can-Can dancers). The craze was launched the previous year with the release of "Bwana Devil," in an attempt to win back audiences from the exploding success of television. Fortunately, "House of Wax" stands on its own. This time the setting is in Baltimore before the Civil War rather than contemporary New York City. Henry Jarrod (Vincent Price) is a brilliant artist when it comes to making wax figures, although the way he talks to his creations makes us doubt his sanity. When Jarrod's partner, Matthew Burke (Roy Roberts), tries to burn down their wax museum for the insurance money, Jarrod fights him and is presumed killed in the inferno trying to rescue his beloved creations. Years later a hideously disfigured man kills both Burke and his gold digging mistress, Cathy Gray (Carolyn Jones), whose bodies are stolen from the morgue. At this same time Jarrod, now rolling around in a wheelchair with his hands horrible burned by the fire, opens up his new House of Wax. Jarrod has become interested in using Sue Allen (Phyllis), the ex-roommate of Burke's dead mistress, as the model for his new Marie Antoinette. Sue is seeing Scott Andrews (Paul Picerni), who is working as one of Jarrod's assistants, along with the deaf-mute Igor (Charles Bronson when he was still going by Buchinsky) and the squirrelly Leon Averill (Nedrick Young). Meanwhile, Lt. Brennan (Frank Lovejoy) and Sgt. Jim Shane (Dabbs Greer), are investigating the disappearing corpses and trying to figure out the mystery. The problem is that from the viewers point of view it is clear who is doing the murders, so there are no real surprises here. The only really spooky part is when the shadowy figure is following the damsel in distress through the misty streets. But there is fun to be had in just seeing the displays of wax works in the two museums, both of which are filmed in such rich colors that you forget their are dead people underneath the wax. If you have ever been to a real wax museum, that is to say a good one like one of Madame Tussaud's (in London for me), the only real difference is that the chamber of horrors is dimly lit to heighten the effects (and the shocks), while Jarrod's displays are bathed in light (all the better to see them in). Besides, it is the idea of what those figures really are that is at play here. The whole idea of preserving corpses as art, whether you use wax or plaster (as in "A Bucket of Blood") is pretty creepy. The whole idea of displaying perfectly preserved corpses, as was done with Vladimir Lenin and Eva Peron, seems rather ghoulish if you are not part of those respective cults of personality. The recent controversy over whether sending plastinated corpses on exhibition tours crosses the line between science education and desecration speaks to this as well. The climax of these films always comes when the wax breaks or melts away and the horrible truth is revealed. "House of Wax" also has the added advantage of letting us see Vincent Price's face crumble away to reveal the horrors beneath, which would be repeated in the Dr. Phibes movies. In fact, it was "House of Wax" that effectively launched Price on his career in horror films for which he is ultimately remembered. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 58 customer reviews... So You'd Like To... Own the Ultimate Horror Collection? :by Lonely Schoolboy , Screenwriter Watch Horror Movies :by jem-aja , Horror Fan find out horror's REAL timeline? :by Wes , horror fanatic, monster hunter Listmania! The Price of Legend: The 10 Best Vincent Price Appearances :A list by owl_stretching_time , Film Merchant and Price Nut. My Favorite Vincent Price Films :A list by Trish , Vinnie fan Best Classic Horror Movies--EVER :A list by Trish , Horror buff Browse for VIDEO in: Amazon.com Outlet > Video Outlet > Deals Under $12 VHS > Genres > Horror > General VHS > Genres > Horror > Classic Horror & Monsters > General VHS > Today's Deals in Video > Deals Under $12 VHS > Studio Specials > Warner Home Video > Warner Video Bargains > Horror • I have seen this video, and I want to review it. • tell a friend about this item . • Write a So You'd Like to... guide . • Check Purchase Circles . For more information about "House of Wax," visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. If you need help with an order, please contact Customer Service . 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HDFC : Home Loan FAQs - Your Complaint - Your Questions - FAQs - Sitemap Search : Newsroom Home Page FAQs Home Loans FAQ Home Loans FAQs Non-Resident Indian FAQs Variable Rate Deposits FAQs HDFC Home Loans FAQs -- How will HDFC decide my home loan eligibility? We assess the customers repayment capacity while deciding on the home loan eligibility. Repayment capacity is based on factors such as income, age, qualifications, number of dependants, spouse's income, assets, liabilities, stability and continuity of occupation and savings history. And, of course, our main concern is to make sure that you can comfortably repay the loan amount. To get an indicative eligibility please click here: Loan Calculator Back to top --What are the different interest rate options you offer? We offer the following loan options Adjustable Rate Home Loans Fixed Rate without money market conditions with money market conditions 2-in-1 Home Loans Back to top --How do I apply for the loan? HDFC Home Line HDFC Office Locator Apply Online SMS HDFCHOME to 6767 Back to top --Can HDFC assist me in selecting accommodation of my choice? We can assist you in finding the property of your choice. For information on this service, do contact our Property Services . Back to top --What Documents do you need for a loan approval ? Click here for List of Documents . Back to top --What is an EMI? You repay the loan in Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) comprising principal and interest. Repayment by way of EMI commences from the month following the month in which you take full disbursement. EMI Calculator Back to top --What is pre-EMI interest? Pending final disbursement, you pay interest on the portion of the loan disbursed. This interest called pre-EMI interest. Pre-EMI interest is payable every month from the date of each disbursement upto the date of commencement of EMI. Back to top --What is Tranche Based EMI repayment option ? To help customers save pre-EMI interest, we have introduced a special facility of Tranche Based EMI. For under construction properties customers can choose the instalments they wish to pay, till the time the property is ready for possession. Anything paid over and above the interest by the customer goes towards Principal repayment. The customer benefits by starting EMI and hence repays the loan faster. Back to top --Can I repay my loan ahead of schedule? Yes, you can repay the loan ahead of schedule by making Lumpsum payments or choose our accelerated repayment scheme . There are NO charges for choosing an accelerated repayment scheme and for lumpsum payments under Adjustable Rate Home Loan. There are no prepayment charges under fixed rate loans for prepayments less than 25% of the opening loan amount outstanding in a financial year. Prepayment charges are applicable under Fixed and Adjustable Rate Home Loan for prepayment through a refinance from other bank or institution. For further details please contact our Loan Counsellor. Back to top --Do I get a tax benefit on the loan? Yes. Resident Indians are eligible for certain tax benefits on principal and interest components of a loan under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Interest repayment of Rs. 1,50,000 p.a. can get you a tax saving upto about Rs. 47,250 p.a. Moreover, you can get added tax benefits under Sec 80 C on repayment of principal amount upto Rs. 1,00,000 p.a. that can further reduce your tax liability by about Rs. 30,000 p.a. Back to top --What security will I have to provide? The security for the loan is a first mortgage of the property to be financed, normally by way of deposit of title deeds and/or such other collateral security as may be necessary. Interim security may be additionally required, if the property is under construction. Collateral or interim security could be assignment to HDFC of life insurance policies, the surrender value of which is at least equal to the loan amount, guarantees from sound and solvent guarantors, pledge of shares and such other investments that are acceptable to HDFC. Please do ensure that the title to the property is clear, marketable and free from encumbrance. To elaborate, there should not be any existing mortgage, loan or litigation, which is likely to affect the title to the property adversely. Back to top --Does the Agreement for Sale have to be registered? In many states in India, the Agreement for Sale between the builder and purchaser is required by law to be registered. You are advised, in your own interest to lodge the Agreement for registration within four months of the date of the Agreement at the office of the Sub-Registrar appointed by the State Government, under the Indian Registration Act, 1908. Back to top --Are there any restrictions on transfer of immovable properties? In terms of Chapter XX C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the Central Government has the first option to purchase certain immovable properties exceeding certain value and as such transactions covered by this Chapter can be proceeded with only after complying with the requirements prescribed therein. Back to top --Will HDFC finance persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports? As per current guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India persons of Indian origin holding foreign passports are eligible for loans with HDFC. Back to top --How is my loan reassessed if there is a change in status from Non-Resident Indian to Resident Indian? The repayment capacity of the applicant(s) based on Resident status is reassessed and a revised repayment schedule worked out. The new rate of interest will be as per the currently applicable rate of Resident Indian loans (for that specific loan product). This revised rate of interest would be applicable on the outstanding balance being converted. A letter is given to the customer confirming the change of status. Back to top --Are these policies subject to change? Yes. These policies will be reviewed periodically. Back to top Suggestions Tell a Friend Print this Page -- Frequently Asked Questions HDFC Bank | HDFC Mutual Fund | HDFC Standard Life | HDFC Securities | HDFC Realty | HDFC Chubb | Intelenet Global | CIBIL Disclaimer 1999 Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited. Site Designed & Developed by IL&FS Infotech Limited .
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MSN Money - The real risks of investing in real estate MSN Home Hotmail My MSN Sign In Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Investing Home Portfolio Markets Stocks Funds ETFs Commentary Brokers CNBC TV MSN Money Insight Jubak's Journal SuperModels Start Investing Strategy Lab Company Focus Mutual Funds Street Patrol Other Views Contrarian Chronicles TheStreet.com Resources Commentary Index Decision Centers Start Investing Mutual Funds Find Hot Stocks Simple Strategies Power Tools Investing For Income Real Estate Related Links Expert Picks Market Dispatches CNBC Stock Picks Message Boards Print-friendly version Send this to a friend Research any REIT Find top-performing mutual funds Sortable database of SEC filings Find stock winners with our screener Personal finance bookshelf Find It! Article Index Finance Q&A Tools Index Site Map The Basics The real risks of investing in real estate advertisement With prices soaring, real estate looks tantalizing -- but the margin of error is shrinking. Forget the get-rich-quick plans. Pay attention to the numbers. By Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine For Derrik Dyka, the biggest obstacle to successful real estate investing isnt a meltdown in property values or tenants who wreck an apartment or dont pay their rent. "Its overconfidence," says Dyka, a 34-year-old Minneapolis investor who turns old apartments into new condominiums. If youre expecting to cash in on the 21st centurys first gold rush without breaking a sweat, it would be wise to take Dykas words to heart. The margin of error for making money in real estate is closing fast. Its not surprising that real estate tempts so many Americans today. Over the past five years, home prices have soared and rags-to-riches tales abound. But so much real estate has become so expensive that Real Estate Research Corp. in Chicago reports that many real estate pros say now is a better time to sell than buy. As San Diego real estate investor Chuck Wise observes about the area where he operates, todays buyers are like "lambs being shorn." Start investing with $100. Explore our new ETF center. Of course, that doesnt mean that all deals are doomed to fail. But it does mean that its time for would-be investors to pay more attention to the perils of owning property, not just the potential profits. Watch your cash flow The most common entree into real estate investing is the single-family house. Investors bought almost one-fourth of all homes sold in 2004, according to the National Association of Realtors. If youre one of those buyers and your income from that property (after taxes) exceeds your expenses by $100 or $200 a month, youre in good shape. But because prices and property taxes are so high in many areas, and theres so much competition for attractive rental properties, its increasingly difficult to find deals that generate enough income to more than cover your expenses -- whats called positive cash flow. In areas such as the leafy suburbs of New York City and Boston, where a modest three-bedroom house can easily cost $600,000, theres no way you can collect enough rent to cover the steep property taxes and payments on a $500,000 mortgage. Figure monthly out-of-pocket expenses of more than $3,000, if not $4,000. The pool of renters who will pay that much is small. Related news and commentary on MSN Money • Nothing quick about getting rich with real estate • Do you have what it takes to be a landlord? • Don't bite off too much house • How to find a good investment property • 7 creative ways to buy your first house • Decision Center: Home financing So be ready to set your sights lower and get your hands dirty. Instead of a well-located home in pristine condition, look for a fixer-upper off the beaten track for maybe $150,000 that you can rent for $1,000 a month. The numbers work if youre willing to spend weekends, say, painting the walls and, if youre capable, making repairs that would otherwise require professional help. The hidden profit from home improvements is why "ugly real estate often makes more money than the nice stuff," says Kelley Pace, head of Louisiana State Universitys real-estate research institute. Mind the cap You can quickly figure out whether a house or condo is likely to generate positive cash flow. For more complex properties, such as a small office building or retail space, check the cap rate, a single number that can tell you if youre overpaying. The cap rate -- cap is short for capitalization -- is a propertys net operating income as a percentage of its price. The figure is real estates version of a bond yield. If a property sells for $500,000 and generates net income of $50,000 (rents minus expenses), the cap rate is 50,000 divided by 500,000, or 10%. The lower the cap rate, the more you pay for each dollar of annual income. In 2000, the average cap rate on commercial property in the U.S. was 10%. Since then, because of relentless price appreciation, the average cap rate has sunk to 8%. That alone suggests that wringing further gains out of commercial property is unlikely. If you want to invest in a commercial property, aim for a purchase price that results in a 10% cap rate. But remember that the cap rate also depends on how much you collect in rent. Ask the broker for details about the tenants leases, including how rents compare with those of other nearby properties and when the leases are up for renewal. The property should come with an information packet that is more like a stock prospectus than a real estate agents fact sheet on a single-family house. If necessary, hire a property inspector. Then take all the information to a lawyer who specializes in real estate. If you have any doubts about the property, walk away. Page 1 of 2 Story continues on next page Fund data provided by Morningstar, Inc. © 2005. All rights reserved. Quotes supplied by ComStock , an Interactive Data company. MSN Money's editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. Our articles, columns, message board posts and other features should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft of any specific security or trading strategy. An investor's best course of action must be based on individual circumstances. © 2005 Microsoft MSN Privacy Legal Advertise Feedback Help