Buy property in France

Guide to Buying a House Abroad Guide in UK Net Guide: Homes & Property Home Business Money & Finance Jobs & Education TV Guide News & Weather Arts & Entertainment Homes & Property Lifestyle & Dating Sports & Leisure Health & Fitness Travel & Holidays Shopping & Gifts Motoring Homes & Property Property Gardening Furniture DIY Rate This Guide Not Rated -- Web Search GO Local Business Finder GO Sorry, you need inline frames to see this poll. Home >> Homes & Property >> Guides >> Guide Homes & Property Guide to Buying a House Abroad More than two million Britons own a home abroad, and more and more of us dream of jumping on the same bandwagon. But whats involved? How do I find a home abroad? Most people spot something while they are on holiday. Otherwise, several magazines list foreign properties for sale, including Exchange & Mart, Homes Overseas and Foreign Property News, and there are hundreds of websites offering overseas sales. Im really keen to proceed Its time for a reality check. Half drunk on sun and sangria and on a break from the office, almost anywhere can seem appealing. Ask yourself these questions: What is this house like in winter? What happens to the local area in the off season? Do I want to go to the same place every year? Are you prepared to spend your holidays organising foreign builders, roping in friends and doing the hard graft yourself? Have you considered the cost of getting to your holiday home? Cheap flights have opened up large parts of Europe to British buyers, but dont assume that those routes will be there forever of or that prices will stay low. Dont assume your house will rise in value. This is a peculiar British obsession. If you are buying thinking you can sell at a profit later, you could be disappointed. It may make more financial sense to rent. How do I raise the money? If you can buy with cash, do it. You will own the property outright without increasing your mortgage debt. This will mean fewer bills. If you don't have the cash, there are two ways to pay for a foreign home. You can extend your main mortgage, or you can get a new mortgage for the property. Extending your mortgage is presently a cheap way of raising cash, but you may not be able to get a remortgage for more than 75% of the property's price. But remember, you risk losing both homes if you cannot keep up payments. The other option is to take out a second mortgage on your holiday home. Several High Street companies offer mortgages overseas, including Abbey National and Barclays. Conti Financial services in East Sussex is one of many companies that can arrange mortgages for homes abroad. You often have to have at least 10% of the price in cash. Can I get a mortgage in the local currency? Yes, but you need to be aware of all the risks. Taking out a foreign currency mortgage could be dangerous. You are exposed to currency fluctuations: the pound can move against the euro or the dollar - if it weakens, your payments will increase. On the other hand if you are buying property in another country your home will be valued in that currency so it could make more sense to borrow in that currency. How long will it take to complete? It depends on the country you are buying in. Buy property in France and it could take up to 20 weeks to complete the transaction. In Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal it will average between 12 to 18 weeks. Be aware the longer it takes to complete the transaction the more at risk you are from rate fluctuations, which could add thousands to the real cost of the property in the time it takes to complete. I don't speak the language You will need a reputable solicitor and valuer who is local. Your bank or mortgage lender should be able to help you find these professionals who also speak English. The Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants has a list of lawyers who specialise in buying abroad. Beware that in some countries lawyers act for you and the seller, so make sure you're getting independent advice. Talk to a British lawyer before you sign anything, and remember, you often cannot pull out of an agreed offer as you can in England and Wales. Are there any hidden costs? Almost certainly. Britain has some of the cheapest home-buying costs in Europe. For example, French legal fees are high - ranging between 10% and 18% of the house price. There is also a regional tax and an occupancy tax if you live there more than eight months a year. In Spain, valuation costs 100, and loans must be signed by the public notary. This costs 580 on a 45,000 mortgage. Taxes and legal fees will normally amount to at least 10% of the property value. What about day to day running costs? The buying process is the not the end of the expense. Check carefully what local taxes you must pay, and be aware that in many blocks of flats you have to pay a service charge. You'll need to open a local bank account, as services such as water and electricity may only connect you if you sign a direct debit. Local bills must be paid in local currency - this costs money to buy and in some cases foreign banks charge extra for transactions. Are there tax implications? Yes. If you rent out your property abroad income will have to be declared to the British taxman. Check out the tax laws of the country you're buying in. There may be implications if you rent or sell the house. Many countries have reciprocal tax agreements with the UK so that you don't end up paying tax twice. You also need to make a will, as local inheritance tax laws may also come into play. Most of Europe is governed by Napoleonic law, which means that your children and spouse will be entitled to a share of your estate. This can create inheritance tax problems in the UK, where only assets left to a spouse are exempt from IHT. Get good advice. How do I insure my home? Ask your own home insurer if they offer a deal to insure a property abroad. Average User Rating: Not Rated -- Sponsored Links Buying in the Sun? Barclays' European mortgages and bank accounts - in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Guide to Moving Abroad Thinking of buying abroad? Try this site for advice and ideas. Save Money when Buying Property Abroad Great exchange rates, expert guidance, no commission and fast transactions. Make your money go further with Moneycorp. Advertising | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Email Us | Add URL | FAQ © UK Net Guide 2000-2005. All Rights Reserved. Thousands of properties on Loot.com now! Tools & Search Property Search Auction Search Compare Utilities Flatshare Search Home Insurance Search Mortgage Search New Homes Search Repossessed Homes Other Useful Guides More Guides... Answerbank's Popular Threads How to get you intrested Powermax 155x boiler lock-out gardening leaking mixer tap cold water side central heating boiler Cold shower - HELP!!! Showers with Body jets Tip of the day Ask a Question More from Answerbank about us | make us your homepage | add to favourites switch to answerbank

Florida real estate info.

Sarasota Florida real estate K Beavers REMAX Properties * Sarasota Florida real estate. Siesta Key real estate. Longboat Key real estate. Lakewood Ranch real estate. * Kathy Beavers 2000 Webber Street, Sarasota, Florida 34239 Direct Line: Toll-Free: E-Mail: (941) 308-3826 (800) 966-2334 kathy@propertiesofsarasota.com You're visiting www.propertiesofsarasota.com Search the Sarasota MLS for Your New Home Add This Page to your Favorites and come back often for the latest Sarasota Florida real estate info. Find your perfect golf or waterfront Sarasota real estate property in our paradise of white sands, warm water and delightful golf courses. Enjoy exceptional Sarasota Florida real estate service from a REMAX Properties realtor® with over 15 years of experience. Our Sarasota real estate properties listings are updated daily. Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced investor, you will find on this website useful Sarasota real estate information on choosing the "right" property, making an offer, mortgage rates, moving and everything else involved in making an informed Sarasota real estate decision in today's market. Search Sarasota MLS Intro to Sarasota Meet Kathy Request Free Info School Info Golf Courses Area Weather Real Estate Articles Consumer Info Site Map This Sarasota real estate website visited times since May, 2002 FastCounter by bCentral Sarasota real estate properties by REMAX Properties ' Kathy Beavers. Info provided here is thought to be accurate and timely but not warranted. © 2002 - 2005. All names & logos are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This Sarasota Florida real estate website design by BerStan Web Creations Other Real Estate Resources: Real Estate Resource Directory Real Estate Resources AL - AR Real Estate Resources - CA Real Estate Resources CO - DE Real Estate Resources FL - GA Real Estate Resources HI - MO Real Estate Resources MN - SC Real Estate Resources SD - WY Mortgage & Int'l Real Estate Resources Other Real Estate Resources Reals.com Florida Realtors Link Partners.com My Other Website National REALTOR Directory Best Realtors in Florida InternetRealtyNetwork.com Click on the graphic below to vote for this page as a "Starting Point Hot Site."

Buy Home

For Sale By Owner, homes for sale, houses, real estate, for sale - ForSaleByOwner.com Sell a Home Buy a Home Services Mortgages City Profiles Appraisals Service Directory Foreclosures Mortgages Service Providers Appraise Your Home Moving & Relocation Home Improvement Title Company Search Insurance Lawyers Virtual Tours Home Builders Real Estate Agents Research What is FSBO? City Profiles City Comparisons School Reports Crime Comparisons Salary Calculator Cost of Living Comp. Home Sale Prices Tools Free eBook DIY Software Mortgage Calculators Home Selling Guide Home Buying Guide Ad Writing Tips Real Estate Forms Home Buying Checklist Utilities Connections Your Credit Report Glossary Real Estate News Edit Your Ad Modify Your Ad Cancel Your Ad Upload Photos Help/FAQ BUYING A HOME? Search the largest real estate database of For Sale By Owner homes for sale! City State AL AK AB AZ AR BC CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MB MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NB NH NJ NM NY NF NC ND NT NS OH OK ON OR PA PE PR QC RI SK SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY YT Int Zip Listing ID SELLING A HOME? "We sold two homes fsbo with your service (totaling nearly $500,000), which saved us $30,000 in commissions! We owe it to ForSaleByOwner.com - don't change a thing!" - The Chapmans, Virginia Home Selling Testimonials » For Sale By Website "When Chris Gaydos decided to sell his Baltimore home this summer, he didn't want a penny less than $263,000. After a real estate agent said $245,000 was the best he'd get, he bought a FSBO listing at ForSaleByOwner.com . A month later, he got the offer he wanted, and pocketed $7,000 by cutting out the middleman." Why use For Sale By Owner.com? For Sale By Owner makes selling a home on your own easy. We sell the most houses for sale by owner, proving our house selling strategies sell more homes than any site in home selling. Moreover, your home's selling price is determined by you, not a real estate broker who takes a 6% fee for selling your home. Proven Home Selling Record Since 1997, For Sale By Owner has helped sell thousands of houses, saving home owners billions of dollars in real estate commissions. ( click here for more details ) Unparalleled Exposure We are among the top-five most visited real estate sites in the world and the largest "For Sale By Owner" homes for sale site. ( For Sale By Owner.com statistics ) Easy to Use For Sale By Owner makes home selling a sellers dream. We provide the best customer service in the industry with 24/7 support and a comprehensive "Home Selling" guide for selling a home yourself. ( for a guide on selling your home click here ) Affordable Prices For Sale By Owner provides several packages to suit your individual needs. List your home for sale with markets starting at only $89.95. ( for prices in your area click here ) Sell Your Home Guaranteed Home Owner; if your home doesn't sell, we'll give you your money back. That's correct. Your house will sell or you'll receive a full refund! ( For Sale By Owner house selling guarantee ) Act now, and start selling your house on your own in the largest For Sale By Owner site (with up to 6 color home photos and a 1,000 word house description - try buying that in a newspaper ad). Sell your home for sale by owner and market your fsbo home to millions of home buyers that might be looking to buy a home just like yours. Want to see what your home could look like on For Sale By Owner.com ? Check out our featured Home click here What Will I Save? Calculate your savings when you use us! You save ! City Profiles Find Out more about your new location! Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware DC Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Home Mortgages 30-year fixed: 5.25% 15-year fixed: 4.50% School Report Cards Get the facts on public schools before you make your move. Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware DC Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Privacy & Disclaimer Partner With Us Career Opportunities Press Room Contact Us Buying A Home Your Credit Report Terms and Conditions Home Selling Tips Selling Your Home © 1997-2005 For Sale By Owner.com Your source for selling a home on your own. We make the home selling process a cinch. Sell real estate, sell a home, and sell your house, fsbo. Real estate selling, home selling, house selling. Site Map Home

Buy Home

Amazon.com: Back Home: Music Your Store Music See All 32 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | advanced search | browse styles | classical | top sellers | new & future releases | music you should hear | blowout music | used music | free downloads Search Amazon.com Popular Music - Artist Name - Album Title - Song Title Used Music Classical Music Music Downloads Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . MUSIC INFORMATION Explore this album buying info listen to samples editorial reviews customer reviews RATE THIS ALBUM I dislike it I love it! 1 2 3 4 5 Edit your ratings Visit the DVD Store Cream - Royal Albert Hall - London May 2-3-5-6 2005 DVD Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . 120 used & new from $4.75 Available for in-store pickup now from: $16.99 Price may vary based on availability Enter your ZIP Code Have one to sell? Back Home Eric Clapton List Price: $18.98 Price: $13.49 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details . You Save: $5.49 (29%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours 120 used & new from $4.75 See more product details Best Value Buy Back Home and get American Made World Played at an additional $2 off Amazon.com's everyday low price. Total List Price : $37.96 Buy Together Today: $25.48 You Save : $12.48 Click here for promotion rules Customers who bought this title also bought: Souls Alike ~ Bonnie Raitt A Bigger Bang ~ The Rolling Stones Magic Time ~ Van Morrison Prairie Wind ~ Neil Young 80 ~ B.B. King Chaos and Creation in the Backyard ~ Paul McCartney Wildflower ~ Sheryl Crow Devils & Dust [DualDisc] ~ Bruce Springsteen Explore Similar Items : 20 in Music , 20 in DVD , and 20 in Books What similar items do customers ultimately buy after viewing this item? More than 33% buy CDs from The Bob Dylan Bootleg Series . 26% buy this item(Back Home~ Eric Clapton 12% buy Cost of Living ~ Delbert McClinton 6% buy Hillbilly Deluxe ~ Brooks & Dunn 4% buy All That I Am ~ Santana 4% buy The Word Is Live ~ Yes 2% buy At Carnegie Hall, Vol. 1-4 (Chicago IV) ~ Chicago Explore Similar Items : 9 in Music , 9 in DVD , and 9 in Books Product Details Audio CD (August 30, 2005) Number of Discs: 1 Label: Warner Bros / Wea ASIN: B000A3DFZE Average Customer Review: Based on 114 reviews. Write a review . Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #248 in Music Yesterday: #215 in Music Popular in: Osseo, MN(#13) , Coventry, RI(#13) . See more Customers interested in Eric Clapton may also be interested in Sponsored Links ( What's this? ) Feedback Eric Clapton Songs Download Your Favorite Songs 100% Free And Legal! www.GetMusicFree.com Eric Clapton Concert 01/06/06 Ahoy Rotterdam Bestel uw tickets op onze website www.onlineticketshop.nl Listen to Samples To hear a song sample, click on the "Listen ." Visit our audio help page for more information. 1. So Tired Listen Listen 2. Say What You Will Listen Listen 3. Im Going Left Listen Listen 4. Love Dont Love Nobody Listen Listen 5. Revolution Listen Listen 6. Love Comes To Everyone Listen Listen 7. Lost And Found Listen Listen 8. Piece Of My Heart Listen Listen 9. One Day Listen Listen 10. One Track Mind Listen Listen 11. Run Home To Me Listen Listen 12. Back Home Listen Listen Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Back Home is Eric Clapton in a good mood, filled with upbeat toe-tappers about hearth and home (a young child even puts in a cameo on "So Tired"). Blues-rock ("Lost and Found"), reggae ("Revolution"), and R&B (the Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody") mingle comfortably with laid-back pop (George Harrison's "Love Comes to Everyone"). Recorded around the same time as Me and Mr. Johnson , his bestselling collection of Robert Johnson songs, Clapton's first recording of (mostly) original material since 2001's Reptile is a combination of solo compositions, covers, and collaborations with writing partner Simon Climie. Backing musicians include John Mayer (guitar), Blind Faith mate Steve Winwood (synthesizer), and longtime associate Billy Preston (keyboards), whose expertise with the Hammond B3 shines brightest on the Vince Gill cowritten "One Day". There are no real surprises on Back Home , just Clapton doing what he does best--with an extra spring in his step. --Kathleen C. Fennessy Album Description Back Home, Eric Clapton's first album of original material in several years, follows this summer's historic and heralded Cream reunion and 2004's gold, Top 10 Me and Mr. Johnson covers disc (and it's audio/video companion, Sessions for Robert J). With Back Home, three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 16-time Grammy winner Clapton finds his way home with another modern classic. Spotlight Reviews (What's this?) Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 104 of 126 people found the following review helpful: A happy Eric is not Eric... , September 2, 2005 Reviewer: Albert G. Smith Jr. (Daytona Beach, Fl USA)- See all my reviews I am torn here. In the review I posted for the last Mark Knopfler CD, I defended the lower prominence of lead guitar, based on the fact that this is 20-something years later than "Sultans of Swing", and an artist grows, as they should. I tried to apply this same standard to this Clapton album, but it just doesn't work for me. Knopfler might have cut back on the guitar gymnastics, but the tone and subject matter of the songs remain that same Knopfler that made me buy all of those albums. A happy Clapton is not Clapton. I'm glad his life is going well, but this also might prove that art comes from suffering. I am not a casual fan. I have every Clapton release (some on old vinyl), and tracked every vintage of his career. I can throw an old disc on that I have heard a thousand times, and experience it like new every time. I'm afraid "Back Home" will soon be relegated to the back of my CD shelf next to the dusty Pilgrim and Reptile discs. Thanks for the decades of great music Eric, but it looks like the days of buying every new album sight unseen has reached the end. I wanted to like this disc, I really did. 3 stars because this is technically a fine recording. The two missing stars are for the missing desire for me to listen to this disc after the first couple of tries. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 33 of 37 people found the following review helpful: In a nutshell - pleasant, but unexciting , September 20, 2005 Reviewer: Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana)- See all my reviews It's been about five years since Eric Clapton delivered an album with original material. Of the twelve songs, Clapton has writing credits for five, including the first single "Revolution", a reggae-based song reminiscent of "I Shot the Sheriff", except unlike the latter, this one is a somewhat flat, unexciting track. Boosted by guest appearances, the album mixes reggae, R&B, pop and country. Contributors include George Harrison, who wrote "Love Comes to Everyone"; The Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody"; "I'm Going Left" from Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright; plus Vince Gill, Steve Winwood and John Mayer among others. Most of the songs can be classified as "easy listening" and can evoke the occasional head bob and hum, but they're all relatively standard songs, with nothing really worth shouting about. An average album, and not one of Clapton's best, something like an Oreo cookie without the good stuff inside. Rated 3.5 stars Amanda Richards, September 21, 2005 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. Middle of the Road , December 29, 2005 Reviewer: John Harwell (Grove City, OH USA)- See all my reviews Eric Clapton's new CD is not Eric Clapton. That's as plain as I can say it. The majority of the cuts are lilting Top-40ish sounding ditties about love and kids and general non-offensive subjects. The few blues sounding cuts have huge organ runs and what sounds like an entire choir backing his vocals. Orchestrated Blues? C'mon. There will probably huge numbers of fans who like this album, but they are NOT Eric Clapton fans. This is purely a generic "hit" album. I am not saying EC should not do happy songs, but I did not buy the CD for this "kinder, gentler" music. I personally want raw guitar and damnable blues. He is too talented for this pop album. Pure middle of the road. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) What's wrong with this album? , December 29, 2005 Reviewer: Andrew Brooks (Carson, California)- See all my reviews After one listen, particularly after the jigging "So Tired," I started liking this album immediately. It's an easy-listening/bluesy album about love, introspection ("Back Home" comes to mind), family, and belonging. I don't understand why people only listen to just Eric Clapton's guitar and not his vocal. The singer's vocal, as well as his/her instrument, is what sets the mood for the song. Just like that saying in "Death of a Salesman," it's not "what you say." It's how you say it. And here, Eric Clapton says it well. He's happy, he's living life to its fullest, and he wants his audience to know it. A person doesn't always have to be depressed in order to make good music. Eric Clapton is one of THEE best musicians that have ever lived, next to Bob Dylan. Give the man a break. :-) Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 3 people found the following review helpful: quit knockin a great master , December 27, 2005 Reviewer: Patrick Tsushima (San Diego, CA USA)- See all my reviews Clapton has been through more than any other musician alive the only part he may have been beat on is the drugs by say perhaps ozzy but clapton can still talk like a normal person. Anyhow point is this album may not be his classic heavy blues and whiskeyed downtime kind of thing, but for some jack ass to say that a sad clapton is not clapton annoys me enough to waste my damn time writing this stupid review when I could be playing the git fiddle I was juts and will be in just a second laying on my lap. That jackass may not be a casual eric clapton fan but he probably doesn't play guitar otherwise he would know how to critique a guitarist singer, without making himself look like a fool, and yes jackass too. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Give him a break, he's happy! , December 23, 2005 Reviewer: C. Lyons (Phoenix, AZ USA)- See all my reviews I have been a fan of Eric Clapton since he was in Cream, and have every one of his CDs. I think that Mr. Clapton has earned the right to let his fans know that he has found love and happiness in his beautiful wife and children. I think he has accomplished that without being untrue to his roots. I for one, and happy that he has found happiness and I am enjoying this toe-tapping CD! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 114 customer reviews... Customers who bought titles by Eric Clapton also bought titles by these artists: Derek & The Dominos John Mayall Cream Allman Brothers Band Jimi Hendrix Explore similar artists So You'd Like To... Stock up on these great things. :by Philipa C. Field , SL Interpreter, shopper, parent Have A Fundamental Eric Clapton Collection :by Mike Vegas King , A Journeyman Fan delete a "so you'd like to?" but can't? lol :by MovedbyMusic , can find loopholes anywhere Listmania! What"s in the CD changer right now :A list by Earl Biringer , Music Listener The Rolling Stones Studio Albums :A list by DEAN M. Dent , Musician Bonnie Raitt: Blue Angel From ... Southern California! :A list by Themis-Athena , a rock music fan Browse for music in: Styles > Pop > Adult Contemporary > General Styles > International > Europe > British Isles > Britain Styles > Pop > General Styles > Rock > General Travel > Music for Travelers > Europe > British Isles > Britain Feedback I have listened to this recording, and I want to review it. Tell a friend about this album . Write a So You'd Like to... guide . Check Purchase Circles . Is there a specific product you'd like us to sell? Tell us about it. 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 . Please mark as many of the following boxes that apply: Product information is missing important details. Product information is incorrect.Propose corrections using our Online Catalog Update Form . The page contains typographical errors. The page takes too long to load. The page has a software bug in it. Content violates Amazon.com's policy on offensive language . Product offered violates Amazon.com's policy on items that can be listed for sale. Comments or Examples: Examples: Missing information such as dimensions and model number, typos, inaccuracies, etc. Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Popular Music - Artist Name - Album Title - Song Title Used Music Classical Music Music Downloads All Products for Turn your past music purchases into $$$ Learn more about selling at Amazon.com today! Top of Page Music Search | Browse Styles | Classical | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases Free Downloads | Essential CDs | Used Music Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France  | China Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Releases | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1995-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Real estate brokers are

Real Estate Agents & Brokers Career Prospects in Virginia Real Estate Agents and Brokers Home | Find another career | Find career statistics Suggestions & corrections Printer friendly page What do they do? Real estate agents sell property for owners. Specializations : Residential property, commercial property Preferred education : Complete an approved real estate marketing program in high school (with Career & Technical Education), community college, or trade school; associate's or bachelor's degree is an advantage Certification & licensing : State license required Getting ahead : Selling more & higher-valued property brings more commissions & more property to sell Skills & knowledge : Selling, negotiating, & bargaining; working well with clients; knowledge of local area Where they work : Visiting houses & properties to be sold Job outlook : Good in the long run, but probably becoming more competitive as the housing boom of the last decade slows down Look for work : Link to job banks and other job search resources Earnings : Usually in the $16-110,000 range Links : Find more information about this career Become An Agent & Get Rich Quick? Think Again Interviews with real people See a video WHAT DO THEY DO? It's the "American Dream"-- buying a house somewhere to call one's own. And the people who assist in that dream, making a fair profit at the same time, are real estate agents. When people want to buy a house, some land, or a commercial property, they usually contact a real estate agent or broker who collects listings of all the houses, properties and parcels of land for sale in a particular city or neighborhood. The agent sorts through the listings and selects the properties that seem to fit a buyer's price range and needs. The agent then shows the property to the buyer, along with any others that seem to fit the bill. When clients have questions--for instance, how old is the roof and is the property in a flood zone--agents track down the answers. They draw up contracts between buyers and sellers, and help smooth along the whole process by acting as a "go-between" between buyer and seller. Money enters the picture when the agent actually makes a sale. Agents charge both buyers and sellers for their services. Many also offer services like renting and managing property owned by others, also for a fee. Real estate brokers are the people who own and manage real estate agencies. Real estate agents are usually independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property. (Agents are also sometimes called realtors if they belong to the National Association of Realtors). Despite all the excitement and money in real estate in recent years, selling real estate is not an easy line of work. Agents must stay on top of changes in the market by constantly touring homes that have just been listed. They work nights and weekends and have to be on call for clients who want to see them at odd times. They spend many weekend afternoons sitting at "open houses" and must be aggressive and good at drumming up new clients. In very competitive markets they must perfect the art of cold-calling or canvassing for new business. Va Association of Realtors Most importantly, real estates agents must be expert negotiators since they must manage delicate price negotiations when an interested buyer and seller hook up. The agent also coordinates the "closing" when a property is sold, that is, the actual signing of papers and transfer of a property's title. Once the property is sold, the agent who sold it and the agent who first got the listing both receive a portion of the commission. Agents who sell a property they also listed can increase their commission. Real estate agents and brokers need to know a lot about the communities in which they work. They need to know about the local real estate market and about local services, particularly the schools. They also need to be familiar with local zoning and tax laws, and know where to get financing. A broker's knowledge, resourcefulness, and creativity in arranging mortgages often means the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. Above all, the successful real estate agent has to be able to sense what clients really want in a property, be good at selecting properties that clients will like, and at helping clients be realistic about what they can afford. This type of job, in short, calls for a business-minded "people" person who really knows the lay of the land, so to speak. Specific tasks include: Finding properties to sell Estimates property will sell for to set the opening price Meeting with prospective buyers Helping buyers find property that they like Knowing the physical condition, features, and special characteristics of properties Preparing purchase agreements Referring clients to lawyers and tax consultants Working with lenders, home inspectors and others until the sale is completed to the client's satisfaction Commercial Investment Real Estate Real Estate Professional Realty Times The right job for you? Learn more with an informational interview with a local employer . The wrong job for you? Take an interest test & find a better one . SOME AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Most real estate agents and brokers sell residential property. A small number, usually employed in large or specialized firms, sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, & LICENSING In Virginia, as in every other state, real estate brokers and agents need a license. Prospective agents need to be at least 18 years old, and pass a written exam. The exam--more comprehensive for brokers than for agents--includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. In Virginia, agents have to complete 60 hours of real estate classes at an approved school and pass the state and national portions of the salespersons exam. Brokers must complete 180 hours of education, pass the state and national portions of the broker exam, and submit proof that they worked as a salesperson during 36 of the preceding 48 months before applying for a license. A college degree is helpful in certain areas like commercial real estate, but it is not required. Real estate licenses must be renewed every two years. To qualify for renewal, agents and brokers need to complete 8 hours of approved continuing education. In addition to licensure and continuing education requirements, real estate agents and brokers in Virginia cannot be guilty of violating the fair housing laws of any jurisdiction, nor convicted anywhere for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, physical injury, or any felony. Real estate agents and brokers can also study to earn their GRI a nationally recognized professional designation that stands for Graduate, REALTOR® Institute. Studying to be a real estate agent in Virginia: Are you in high school? Learn more about Career and Technical Education . Find out about CTE courses in Real Estate Marketing. Students who complete this course are eligible to take the Virginia real estate licensing exam. Planning to go to college? Find real estate programs at community colleges . Read " How do I become a realtor " from the Virginia Association of Realtors. Find out more about getting a license and other issues from the Virginia Association of Realtors. Find more information on licensure and a list of schools and colleges approved to offer the required courses for brokers and agents from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Read about GED , High School , Community College , Financial Aid , & more in The World of Education Va public schools • Your School Division • HS Graduation Requirements • Career Readiness Certificates GETTING AHEAD Real estate agents advance as they learn more about the business, become more efficient, and as a result increase their earnings by selling more property. They may also earn larger commissions by moving to agencies that list more expensive properties. In large agencies, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Experienced real estate agents who go on to get a broker’s license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. Bright ideas for getting ahead in any job SKILLS, ABILITIES, & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Communicating clearly Working well with customers or clients Working in a highly competitive environment Attention to detail Listening carefully to what someone else is saying Keeping track of numerous responsibilities at once Dealing with people under stress Being consistently pleasant and polite Building and maintaining good public relations Selling, negotiating, and bargaining Thorough knowledge of local area Inspiring trust and confidence Keeping abreast of economic conditions and trends In addition to career-specific skills, everybody needs these basic skills: Reading Math Writing Speaking & listening Computer literacy Problem-solving & decision-making Understanding the broader picture Working with people A strong work ethic A positive attitude Independence & initiative Self-presentation WHERE THEY WORK ( Employer locator ) Real estate brokers and agents spend much of their time away from their desks, showing properties to customers, analyzing properties for sale, or meeting with clients. Increasingly, real estate agents work from home because now they can get so much of the information they need over the Internet. OUTLOOK Real estate brokers and agents enjoyed boom times during the last decade, as demand for housing soared. However, the future will not be quite so bright if interest rates rise and sales slow. In fact, some experts fear that the recent housing boom is expanding into a bubble that will soon burst leading to a fall in house prices and a slowdown in sales. Even if the real estate market holds up, opportunities for agents and brokers are expected to grow more slowly than average through 2012. People who want to buy houses can now do a lot of their own searching on the Internet, and this will probably reduce the need for agents and brokers. However, jobs prospects in this field also tend to vary by region and since many people are expected to retire from this field in coming years, there will always be work available. The economy in: Your area • Virginia • The nation Employment projections Monster Employment Index Manpower Employment Outlook LOOK FOR WORK See job ads at Virginia's Job Bank • More job banks • Find local employers Learn job search skills—from reading job ads to preparing for the interview EARNINGS See what people usually earn Most real estate agents in Virginia earn somewhere in the $16-73,000 range. Brokers usually earn more, in the $20-110,000 range. Incomes in this occupation vary widely because agents work on commission. They are paid a percentage of each sale they make, so their incomes depend on the price and the number of properties they sell. The average commission is about 5-7 percent of a property's selling price. This commission rate varies from firm to firm, and commissions are often split between broker and agent on a 50-50 basis. Commissions can also be split between the agent and broker of the listing firm and the agent and broker of the firm that made the sale. Learn more about earnings at Salary.com , Payscale.com , Career Info Net , & other sites FOR MORE INFORMATION Virginia Association of Realtors 10231 Telegraph Road Glen Allen, VA 23059 www.varealtor.com Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Real Estate Board 3600 W Broad St Richmond, VA 23230 www.state.va.us/dpor/reb_main.htm National Association of Realtors 4301 North Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611 www.realtor.com/ National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. 1629 K St NW, Suite 1100 Washington DC 20006 www.nareb.com/ About.com's Real Estate professional's page Realty Times realtytimes.com/ WetFeet.com, Career Profiles and Interviews Career Overview www.wetfeet.com/asp/careerprofiles_overview.asp?careerpk=33 Industry Overview www.wetfeet.com/asp/industryprofiles_overview.asp?industrypk=27 Real People Profiles www.wetfeet.com/research/rpp/rppbycareer.asp?careerpk=33&careerName=Real+Estate This page was last edited on: November 18, 2005