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Advice for buying and reselling for a profit. - Oct. 14, 2004 Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places The art of the flip A new reality television show will follow real estate speculators as they buy, fix and "flip." October 14, 2004: 2:24 PM EDT By Sarah Max, CNN/Money senior writer SALEM, Ore. (CNN/Money) It's one thing to buy a house to call home. It's quite another to buy property with the sole purpose of turning around and reselling for a profit. It's called flipping, and in the coming months, a dozen aspiring real estate investors experience this firsthand -- on camera, no less -- as they attempt to buy, remodel and sell property within a period of six months. Flipping is the subject of an upcoming reality television series with the working title "Property Ladder," scheduled to appear on The Learning Channel in May 2005. "Everyone you talk to seems to know someone who has tried to flip property," said Char Serwa, the show's executive producer. In California, where most of show's subjects are buying, 2.6 percent of all houses sold during the month of May were owned for less than six months, according to DataQuick Information Systems, up from 1.9 percent the previous year. There are several varieties of flipping, said William Bronchick, author of "Flipping Properties." One is rehabbing, which is the focus of the show. Other flippers buy property that's in foreclosure or under construction and try to resell the property to other investors. "We're not advocating that people do this," added Serwa, explaining that each homeowner's story will be told in an individual episode, detailing the experience from purchase to sale. "This is truly an observational documentary," she said. "It's real life." Indeed, the homeowners featured on the show are not only footing the bill for the property and the cost of renovations, they're managing the projects on their own. Unlike other TLC makeover shows, seasoned carpenters and designers won't be pitching in to help. QUICK VOTE Have you ever bought real estate solely as an investment, and not to have a place to live? Yes No View results What the show's subjects do get is advice from host Kirsten Kemp, an actress, real estate agent and seasoned property investor. Whether the homeowners actually take that advice is another story. Viewers, meanwhile, may likely learn a few lessons as well, namely that buying, remodeling and selling property is hard work particularly when done in a matter of months. "A lot of things can go wrong," said Kemp. It's also financially risky. A slowdown in real estate means little to a homeowner settled in for several years, but it can be devastating if you're banking on selling for a quick profit. Buy it, fix it and sell it. Kristen Kemp, host of TLC's 'Property Ladder,' shares tips on flipping properties. Play video (Real or Windows Media) Factor in the transaction and renovation costs and there may be little profit at all. Any profit you do make, mind you, will be taxed at ordinary income if you sell in less than a year, noted Ron Phipps, of Phipps Realty in Warwick, RI. In seven years, Kemp flipped 40 properties, not always successfully. "I made money about 70 percent of the time, and 30 percent of the time I broke even or lost money." Here's a sneak preview of some of the lessons Kemp hopes to bring home. Leave your emotions at the front door When shopping for investment property, you want to find a house that tugs at you emotionally, said Kemp. If a house rouses your emotions, chances are it will do the same for future buyers will as well. When it's time to make an offer, however, your emotions cannot get the best of you. "You make money flipping in part by buying low," she said. "The people who say 'I just have to have this house' are the ones who overpay.'" Don't overdo it when renovating See the average cost for 15 common projects and how much they can add to the value of your home. Type of project: Bathroom Remodel - Mid-Range Bathroom Remodel - Upscale Bathroom Addition - Mid-Range Bathroom Addition - Upscale Maj. Kitch. Remod. - Mid-Range Maj. Kitch. Remod. - Upscale Master Suite - Mid-Range Master Suite - Upscale Family Room - Mid-Range Deck - Mid-Range Basement Remodel - Mid-Range Siding Replacement - Mid-Range Window Replacement - Mid-Range Window Replacement - Upscale Attic Bedroom - Mid-Range Average job cost (2003 Natl Avg): $ What will you get back? % Cost recovered % Value at sale $ Get your local results from Remodeling Online's 2003 Cost vs. Value Report "This is not the time to create your dream house," said Kemp. "You don't want to fix the property to a level that is not necessary." This is a dilemma many first-time flippers struggle with. On the one hand, they want to do a good job on the renovation. On the other hand, they don't want to put money in expensive light fixtures or elaborate built-ins if they aren't going to recoup the time or money they spent. That said, you don't want to cover up serious problems with a new coat of paint or a well-placed picture. "You want to attack anything thing that would be a red flag at closing," said Kemp. DIY when it makes sense The more work you can do yourself, the more money you'll make on the flip, said Kemp. Still, even do-it-yourselfers need help sometimes. Develop a list of reliable contractors, plumbers, electricians, drywallers and other experts to call on. Kemp, for one, says she has her own contractor to thank for getting her through many projects. While you're at it, find a good real estate agent, she said. "They can help you understand what is selling and what's not," she said. "They'll do a good job because if they do, they know you are going to list the property with them when you're ready to sell." Price the property to sell You give your blood, sweat and tears to a house, but it's no excuse to overprice it. "I encourage people not to get greedy," Kemp said. In fact, she recommends pricing property a little under market value. "Every day your house is on the market you're losing money." What if "Property Ladder" homes don't sell in time for prime time? That's just part of the story. And in real estate, sometimes that's the reality. --* Disclaimer Try an issue of MONEY magazine - FREE! More on REAL ESTATE • How to buy and build on rural land • Most overvalued housing markets • When booms go bust... TODAY'S TOP STORIES • Most overvalued housing markets • Risks to the economy in 2006 • Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? CNN Money contact us | subscribe to Money magazine advertising -- | site map | glossary | RSS | press room OTHER NEWS: CNN | SI | Fortune | Business 2.0 | Time © 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms under which this service is provided to you. privacy policy Reprints of site stories are available.
Home Loans Bring Would-Be
Home Loans - Forbes.com - New Home Loans U.S. | EUROPE | ASIA Jump Select Section Home Investment Newsletters Polls & Discussions Premium Tools Special Reports Video & Audio Watchlist IT Research Library IT Product & Service Search Business -Manufacturing -Technology -Commerce -Services -Energy -Healthcare -Small Business Technology -E-Business -Enterprise Tech -Infoimaging -Personal Tech -Science & Medicine -Wireless Markets -Equities -Economy -Commodities -Bonds -Emerging Markets -Currencies Work -Careers -Compensation -Entrepreneurs -Management Lists -Companies --Forbes 500s --Forbes Global 500 --200 Best Small Cos. --400 Best Big Cos. --Largest Private Cos. -People --World's Richest People --100 Top Celebrities --400 Richest Americans --Best Paid CEOs -Places --Best Places Personal Finance -Estate Planning -Funds -Philanthropy -Retirement -Strategies -Taxes Lifestyle -Collecting -Health -Real Estate -Sport -Travel -Vehicles -Wine & Food Columnists Magazines -Forbes Magazine -Forbes Global -Forbes FYI -Forbes ASAP -Best of the Web -Archives -Subscriptions Tools About Us Contact Us Help Reprints/Permissions Sitemap Advertising Conferences Forbes Collection Forbes Mobile Special Advertising Search Quote HOME PAGE FOR THE WORLD'S BUSINESS LEADERS Home Special Advertising Section Tell Us About Your Property Loan Type * Refinance Purchase Home Debt Consolidation Home Equity Home Description * Single Family Multi Family Town House Condo Estimated Home Value * $ Select One 75,000 - 80,000 80,001 - 85,000 85,001 - 90,000 90,001 - 95,000 95,001 - 100,000 100,001 - 105,000 105,001 - 110,000 110,001 - 115,000 115,001 - 120,000 120,001 - 125,000 125,001 - 130,000 130,001 - 135,000 135,001 - 140,000 140,001 - 145,000 145,001 - 150,000 150,001 - 155,000 155,001 - 160,000 160,001 - 165,000 165,001 - 170,000 170,001 - 175,000 175,001 - 180,000 180,001 - 185,000 185,001 - 190,000 190,001 - 195,000 195,001 - 200,000 200,001 - 210,000 210,001 - 220,000 220,001 - 230,000 230,001 - 240,000 240,001 - 250,000 250,001 - 260,000 260,001 - 270,000 270,001 - 280,000 280,001 - 290,000 290,001 - 300,000 300,001 - 310,000 310,001 - 320,000 320,001 - 330,000 330,001 - 340,000 340,001 - 350,000 350,001 - 360,000 360,001 - 370,000 370,001 - 380,000 380,001 - 390,000 390,001 - 400,000 400,001 - 420,000 420,001 - 440,000 440,001 - 460,000 460,001 - 480,000 480,001 - 500,000 500,001 - 520,000 520,001 - 540,000 540,001 - 560,000 560,001 - 580,000 580,001 - 600,000 600,001 - 620,000 620,001 - 640,000 640,001 - 660,000 660,001 - 680,000 680,001 - 700,000 700,001 - 720,000 720,001 - 740,000 740,001 - 760,000 760,001 - 780,000 780,001 - 800,000 800,001 - 820,000 820,001 - 840,000 840,001 - 860,000 860,001 - 880,000 880,001 - 900,000 900,001 - 920,000 920,001 - 940,000 940,001 - 960,000 960,001 - 980,000 980,001 - 1,000,000 1,000,000+ 1,500,000+ 2,000,000+ Tell Us About Your Current Loan Your Mortgage Balance * $ Select One 0 1 - 5,000 5,001 - 10,000 10,001 - 15,000 15,001 - 20,000 20,001 - 25,000 25,001 - 30,000 30,001 - 35,000 35,001 - 40,000 40,001 - 45,000 45,001 - 50,000 50,001 - 55,000 55,001 - 60,000 60,001 - 65,000 65,001 - 70,000 70,001 - 75,000 75,001 - 80,000 80,001 - 85,000 85,001 - 90,000 90,001 - 95,000 95,001 - 100,000 100,001 - 105,000 105,001 - 110,000 110,001 - 115,000 115,001 - 120,000 120,001 - 125,000 125,001 - 130,000 130,001 - 135,000 135,001 - 140,000 140,001 - 145,000 145,001 - 150,000 150,001 - 155,000 155,001 - 160,000 160,001 - 165,000 165,001 - 170,000 170,001 - 175,000 175,001 - 180,000 180,001 - 185,000 185,001 - 190,000 190,001 - 195,000 195,001 - 200,000 200,001 - 210,000 210,001 - 220,000 220,001 - 230,000 230,001 - 240,000 240,001 - 250,000 250,001 - 260,000 260,001 - 270,000 270,001 - 280,000 280,001 - 290,000 290,001 - 300,000 300,001 - 310,000 310,001 - 320,000 320,001 - 330,000 330,001 - 340,000 340,001 - 350,000 350,001 - 360,000 360,001 - 370,000 370,001 - 380,000 380,001 - 390,000 390,001 - 400,000 400,001 - 420,000 420,001 - 440,000 440,001 - 460,000 460,001 - 480,000 480,001 - 500,000 500,001 - 520,000 520,001 - 540,000 540,001 - 560,000 560,001 - 580,000 580,001 - 600,000 600,001 - 620,000 620,001 - 640,000 640,001 - 660,000 660,001 - 680,000 680,001 - 700,000 700,001 - 720,000 720,001 - 740,000 740,001 - 760,000 760,001 - 780,000 780,001 - 800,000 800,001 - 820,000 820,001 - 840,000 840,001 - 860,000 860,001 - 880,000 880,001 - 900,000 900,001 - 920,000 920,001 - 940,000 940,001 - 960,000 960,001 - 980,000 980,001 - 1,000,000 1,000,000+ 1,500,000+ 2,000,000+ Current Interest Rate * Select 3.00 3.25 3.50 3.75 4.00 4.25 4.50 4.75 5.00 5.25 5.50 5.75 6.00 6.25 6.50 6.75 7.00 7.25 7.50 7.75 8.00 8.25 8.50 8.75 9.00 9.25 9.50 9.75 10.00 10.25 10.50 10.75 11+ % Existing Rate Type * Fixed Adjustable Fixed/Adj How Much Additional Cash do You Wish to Borrow? $ Tell Us about Your Home Purchase Is there a Specific Home You Want to Buy? * Yes No Purpose of Property * Primary Secondary Investment Vacation Property State * Select One Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi 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 Down Payment * Select One 0 1 - 5,000 5,001 - 10,000 10,001 - 15,000 15,001 - 20,000 20,001 - 25,000 25,001 - 30,000 30,001 - 35,000 35,001 - 40,000 40,001 - 45,000 45,001 - 50,000 50,001 - 55,000 55,001 - 60,000 60,001 - 65,000 65,001 - 70,000 70,001 - 75,000 75,001 - 80,000 80,001 - 85,000 85,001 - 90,000 90,001 - 95,000 95,001 - 100,000 100,001 - 105,000 105,001 - 110,000 110,001 - 115,000 115,001 - 120,000 120,001 - 125,000 125,001 - 130,000 130,001 - 135,000 135,001 - 140,000 140,001 - 145,000 145,001 - 150,000 150,001 - 155,000 155,001 - 160,000 160,001 - 165,000 165,001 - 170,000 170,001 - 175,000 175,001 - 180,000 180,001 - 185,000 185,001 - 190,000 190,001 - 195,000 195,001 - 200,000 200,001 - 210,000 210,001 - 220,000 220,001 - 230,000 230,001 - 240,000 240,001 - 250,000 250,001 - 260,000 260,001 - 270,000 270,001 - 280,000 280,001 - 290,000 290,001 - 300,000 300,001 - 310,000 310,001 - 320,000 320,001 - 330,000 330,001 - 340,000 340,001 - 350,000 350,001 - 360,000 360,001 - 370,000 370,001 - 380,000 380,001 - 390,000 390,001 - 400,000 400,001 - 420,000 420,001 - 440,000 440,001 - 460,000 460,001 - 480,000 480,001 - 500,000 500,001 - 520,000 520,001 - 540,000 540,001 - 560,000 560,001 - 580,000 580,001 - 600,000 600,001 - 620,000 620,001 - 640,000 640,001 - 660,000 660,001 - 680,000 680,001 - 700,000 700,001 - 720,000 720,001 - 740,000 740,001 - 760,000 760,001 - 780,000 780,001 - 800,000 800,001 - 820,000 820,001 - 840,000 840,001 - 860,000 860,001 - 880,000 880,001 - 900,000 900,001 - 920,000 920,001 - 940,000 940,001 - 960,000 960,001 - 980,000 980,001 - 1,000,000 Over 1,000,000 Rate Type * Fixed Adjustable Fixed/Adj Tell Us about Yourself Your Credit Profile * Excellent Good Fair Poor Annual Income Occupational Status Employed Self Employed Retired Unemployed Monthly Debt Payments Select 0-249 250-499 500-749 750-1,000 Over 1,000 Have You Declared Bankruptcy? 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By submitting your request you agree to be contacted in accordance with Secure Rights Privacy Policy . View Secure Rights licenses . Paid Advertisement Article Home Loans Bring Would-Be Homeowners Closer to their Goal If you’re looking to buy a house, it’s unlikely that, in today’s economy, you’ll be able to pay in full up front. That’s why home loans exist – to aid aspiring homeowners in acquiring and financing the homes they’ve dreamed of – without bankrupting them in the process. Home loans can be acquired through banks and home loan companies. Either route you take, you’re entitled to personal service by a representative who will review your finances, credit report, and help you decide which is the best home loan solution for your needs. In order to gather all the information they need, the bank or loan company will re-appraise the market value of your house to determine the proper loan amount. You will then work together to go over the different loan options available and determine which is best for your personal situation. Different Home Loans for Different Folks There are two main types of home loans , each with its own advantages. Fixed-rate loans divide the amount to be repaid over a set number of years. “Fixed rate” means that no matter how the interest rate fluctuates over the years, the amount of payment will remain the same. If the interest rate dips, your mortgage consultant will help you refinance to take advantage of the lower rate. In contrast, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are dependent on the fluctuation of the interest rate over time. When the rate is low, payments are low, but when interest rates are high, the payment increases also. ARMs are slightly easier to qualify for than fixed-rate loans, but they also carry more risks. When you are choosing a home loans company, take into consideration the additional “home loan origination fee” (usually 1% of the total amount borrow, so if you borrow $100,000, the fee is $100), as well as closing, settlement and appraisal fees. Most companies will allow you to “roll” these fees into your home loan, an excellent option that allows you to pay them over time if you don’t have the funds to pay up front. When you’re ready to move forward with a home loan, or if you’d just like to start exploring your options, submit the form at the top of this page to acquire your own mortgage consultant to help you get started with the mortgage process and explain which home loans might be best for you. ^ Paid Advertisement Article ^ Ad Information Forbes.com Wireless Reprints / Permissions Subscriber Services ©2004 Forbes.com™ All Rights Reserved Privacy Statement Terms, Conditions and Notice Search Engine Marketing by 360i, Inc.
Selling Home & Garden
Home Buying and Selling Home Searches You are here: About > Home & Garden > Home Buying / Selling Home & Garden Home Buying / Selling Essentials 10 Things Home Buyers Shouldn't Do Best Tips for First Time Home Buyers "Must-Do" Tasks Before You Sell How to Buy a Home, Step by Step For Sale by Owner Advice Articles & Resources How To Buy a Home How To Sell a House Celebrity & Historic Credit Reports & Scores Design & Remodel Home Maintenance Inspections & Appraisals Investing & Foreclosures Modular & Manufactured Mold, Radon, Lead, etc. Mortgage Advice Moving & Relocation Real Estate Careers Real Estate For Sale Vacation Homes Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Home Buying Books Foreclosure Books Mortgage Books Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Home Buying / Selling newsletter! See Online Courses Search Home Buying / Selling Home Buying & Selling Home Searches There are many ways to search for real estate listings and real estate agents on Home Buying and Selling. Here's a collection of links that will take you straight to the homes search you are most interested in. SCROLL DOWN FOR LINKS. Real Estate Search Engines Find a Real Estate Agent Multiple Listing Services Public access to MLS search engines. Major Real Estate Portals Hosting services for thousands of real estate agents and their listings. Franchise Search Engines ERA, RE/MAX, Keller-Williams, more. Real Estate Agents, US Search for a real estate agent by city and state. Real Estate Magazines Packed with local real estate listings, you can view many online. You can order a hard copy of most of these magazines. A great way to find local agents and listings. For Sale By Owner Listings Foreclosures For Sale FSBO Search Engines Find for sale by owner properties in the US and worldwide. Foreclosed Homes Find foreclosures and seized real estate. Real Estate Listings Worldwide Related Features Real Estate Listings, Canada Real Estate in the UK Real Estate in France Home Buying Course Selling Your Home Working With Agents In the Home Buying/Selling Forum From Janet Wickell , Your Guide to Home Buying / Selling . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Important disclaimer information about this About site. Advertisement Related Blogs Mortgage Fraud Blog The Real Estate Blog The Money Pit Most Popular Modular and Manufactured Homes Finding Your Best Place to ... Home Buying Don'ts First Time Home Buyer Tips Before You Sell Your Home What's Hot Coping with Unethical People How To Buy Land Real Estate Appraisal Before You Buy a Log Home Package Home Buying / Selling - GuideReviews Related Topics Home Repair Architecture Credit / Debt Management Housekeeping Landscaping Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Oprah's Life Vacation Ideas Shop Safely Online VIDEO: Craft Rooms VIDEO: Christmas Traditions What's Hot Coping with Unethical People How To Buy Land Real Estate Appraisal Before You Buy a Log Home Package Home Buying / Selling - GuideReviews Headlines Getting Ready to Sell Your House Guests and lots of activities make it difficult to show... Before You Buy Gas Logs Gas logs are growing in popularity every year, so manufacturers... Pros and Cons of Becoming a Real Estate Agent You've decided you want to become a real estate agent,... Step-by-Step Directions Help You Measure Square Footage Each year, home owners discover that their new home's square...
real estate investing isnt
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
Real Estate Agents &
Mortgage Web site design & Real Estate agent website design, hosting and marketing. Mortgage Originators Over 1 Million online apps generated Over 5,000 mortgage originators choose Myers Leading clients generate over 50% of their business online Real Estate Agents & Offices Customizable, easy to use web sites Award winning lead generation tools Showcase your listings Products: :: Mortgage Originators :: Real Estate Agents & Offices :: Company: :: About Us :: Contact Us :: Employment :: Partners :: Why Choose Myers? Myers Internet has been a leader in mortgage website design since 1995. Myers pioneered mortgage web site design and is known for its mortgage banker websites, mortgage broker web sites and mortgage loan officer websites. A mortgage banker, mortgage broker or mortgage loan officer can get a Myers mortgage web site "off the shelf" or a mortgage website made to order. Mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and mortgage loan officers can make their own changes to a Myers mortgage website, or hire a mortgage website design specialist to give their mortgage website design a unique look. A mortgage banker, mortgage broker or mortgage loan officer can choose from many mortgage web site design styles and mortgage websites products. Whether you're a mortgage banker, mortgage broker or mortgage loan officer, there is a mortgage web site design to suit your budget. What are some of the benefits you can expect with a Myers mortgage website? What are some of the benefits you can expect with a Myers mortgage website? A Myers mortgage website can take online mortgage applications 24/7. A Myers mortgage web site has mortgage calculators which other mortgage websites don't. Consumers visit Myers mortgage web sites to learn about the loan process. Potential borrowers use the mortgage web site to notify a mortgage broker about their desired mortgage interest rate. People go to a Myers website to see if they could benefit with a refinance mortgage A Myers mortgage website can help sell the mortgage broker or loan officer A Myers mortgage web site has important loan program information. A Myers mortgage website can help a consumer determine the mortgage loan they can afford. A mortgage broker or loan officer can display their interest rates on their Myers mortgage web sites A consumer can get confidential mortgage loan details at a Myers mortgage website. Consumers can enter the mortgage payment sweepstakes at a Myers mortgage web site. A mortgage broker or loan officer can create referral business at their mortgage website. Borrowers can get answers to frequently asked questions at a Myers mortgage web site. Consumers can find out about a bi-weekly mortgage at a Myers mortgage website. Myers is also a leader in real estate website design. Myers offers real estate agent web sites, real estate broker websites, REALTOR® websites and real estate office web sites. Real estate agents, real estate brokers and REALTORS® understand the importance of a real estate website which includes cutting edge real estate web site design. A real estate web site is a real estate agent's online real estate office. The benefits of a Myers real estate web site are numerous: A Myers real estate agent website, real estate broker web site, REALTOR® website, or real estate office website can all be personalized to suit the needs of the client. Our real estate web sites can include customized content. Custom web site content helps the real estate website be optimally indexed by search engines. A Myers real estate website can help convert visitors into prospects. The real estate agent website, real estate broker web site, REALTOR® website, and real estate office website all offer numerous lead-capturing tools. You can get a real estate agent website, real estate broker web site, REALTOR® website, or real estate office website which can display your and others' listings. You can get an advanced real estate website design which allows clients to save their property searches. A real estate agent website, real estate broker web site, REALTOR® website, or real estate office website can each have a Flash introduction. A good real estate web site design includes rich content. We have real estate website designs which come with over seventy-five pages of content featuring tips and information for home buyers and sellers. Myers real estate websites include practically everything a real estate agent or broker will ever need.