real estate investment options

REITNet: complete information for the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Investor -- -- -- HOME REITs 101 REITNet Q&A GLOSSARY LINKS ABOUT REITNet December 29, 2005 Research Resources REITNet has partnered with several industry experts to give you a selection of articles on REITs. REIT Headlines Real Source Suggested Reading REIT Valuation REIT Locator -- Featured Book: Login Email Address: Password: -- Your REIT Information Resource REITNet provides access to essential decision-making tools needed to critically and objectively evaluate real estate investment options (REITs). Nowhere on the Internet can you find a better collection of REIT information. What is a REIT? Individuals can either invest in REITs by purchasing their shares directly on an open exchange or by investing in a mutual fund that specializes in public real estate. Some REITs will invest specifically in one area of real estate, shopping malls for example, or in one specific region, state or country. Read More FEATURED ARTICLE: REITs still a valuable investment By: Sarasota Herald Tribune Article from Sarasota Herald Tribune, published by Sarasota Herald-Tribune on March 13, 2005. The length of the article is 889 words. Excerpt: In January, our outlook for REITs was one of guarded optimism. Concerned that the stocks would become pricier, and yields would be driven down because of price depreciation, we cautioned investors about a potentially rapid decline which could create an opportunity to reinvest in the sector. We were right--the sector has pulled back about 19 percent. As a result, many REITs look a lot more attractive now than they looked at the beginning of April. Through March 31, the average REIT was up 13 percent year-to-date. $5.95 - click here to order Search for More Information Web www.reitnet.com

Home Mortgage

Chase Home Finance -- Thinking about purchasing your dream home? You've come to the right place. Chase is the name you can trust for a wide array of home financing solutions to make your dream come true. If you already own your dream home, perhaps you'd like to take advantage of lower rates and refinance. Chase has refinancing solutions, too! -- Thinking about purchasing your dream home? You've come to the right place. Chase is the name you can trust for a wide array of home financing solutions to make your dream come true. If you already own your dream home, perhaps you'd like to take advantage of lower rates and refinance. Chase has refinancing solutions, too! QUICK AND EASY HOME BUYING ADVICE We want to make the home financing process as easy as possible for you. So, here are some tips from the mortgage experts at Chase: Determine how much you can afford. Choose the right loan - a Fixed Rate Mortgage for security and safety - or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage for flexibility and control - or perhaps your situation requires a Special Mortgage for unique borrowing needs. You can check all of today's rates here. Get pre-qualified before you start looking for a new home. You'll get negotiating power and save a lot of time, too. First, fill out a pre-qualification form . Get together all the documents needed in advance. This includes tax returns, W-2s, paycheck stubs, financial statements, etc. This will save time and stress during the application and approval process. Already found your dream home? Apply now with our short online pre-qualification form . Whether you need a mortgage or want to refinance , you can feel right at home with the experts at Chase. We look forward to being your mortgage provider, so contact us today! SEE TODAY'S CHASE RATES HOMEBUYERS! Get Started Today REFINANCING YOUR MORTGAGE? Get Started Here. Legal Disclosures

Land Loan

Conservation Trust for NC - Emergency Land Protection Loan Fund Blue Ridge Parkway Project Statewide Land Protection Programs Regional Partnerships Emergency Land Protection Loan Fund Conservation Properties for Sale info@ctnc.org 1028 Washington St Raleigh, NC 27605 919-828-4199 (Tel) 919-828-4508 (Fax) Emergency Land Protection Loan Fund The Conservation Trust for North Carolina operates an Emergency Land Protection Loan Fund to enable land trusts to increase their ability to respond to time sensitive land and water protection needs in their communities and regions. The Emergency Land Protection Fund is critical to the protection of properties highly threatened by development. The Conservation Trust has operated the Fund since 2001 thanks to generous donations from a key supporter. One hundred percent of the Emergency Land Protection Loan Fund is invested in land. Loans from the fund are repaid by local land trusts within twelve months at a low interest rate, allowing funds to be continuously reinvested in highly threatened properties. Thus far, the Fund has been used to protect 974 acres in North Carolina’s mountains. The vast majority of the funds are dedicated to protecting land in the mountains. Properties protected through the Emergency Land Protection Loan Fund Ruby Bend - Land Trust for the Little Tennessee The protected property consists of 61 acres on the Little Tennessee Rive in Macon County. The property is adjacent to the Needmore property, which has been the state’s highest priority river conservation project in Western North Carolina. The land helps to protect half the native freshwater fish species in the state, including the state’s greatest cluster of freshwater mussels. Beech Creek Bog - Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust This 120-acre bog is the largest and the most pristine example of a bog community existing in the state. The bog was transferred November 1, 2002 to NC Parks and Recreation and will be managed for the public to enjoy as the new Beech Creek Bog State Natural Area. Water Quality and Endangered Habitat - High Country Conservancy This 22-acre parcel in Watauga County was purchased to protect forested mountain slopes containing habitat for rare and endangered species, a buffer zone for a protected old-growth forest on Blue Ridge Parkway land, and a tributary of Winkler’s Creek - a source of the town of Boone’s water supply. Catawba River - Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina This 771-acre tract in McDowell County was given a highest preservation priority on the Catawba River Headwater Streams Riparian Conservation Design. The undeveloped forests on the property hosts seven source water streams, five of which drain to the Left Prong of the Catawba River. The property also protects scenic vistas from the Blue Ridge escarpment between Black Mountain and Old Fort. Home • About Us • Land & Water Protection • Policy/ Adcovacy Events/ Press Room • For Landowners • Partners • Find Your Local Land Trust

Real Estate Licensing Bill

Welcome To North Carolina Real Estate Commission News Update Effective April 1, 2006 Gov. Easley Signs Historic Real Estate Licensing Bill On September 14, Governor Easley signed legislation making the most significant changes ever in the Real Estate License Law. Soon, salesperson licenses will be converted to (provisional) broker licenses, license applicants will be required to complete more real estate education, and persons wishing to become brokers-in-charge of real estate offices must have additional training and real estate experience. At its September meeting, the Real Estate Commission recognized the following persons and organizations who were instrumental in the passage of the legislation: • Representative Julia Howard who, with Representatives William Culpepper and Harold Brubaker, sponsored the legislation and who advocated for it on the House Floor and in committee; • Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand who sponsored a companion bill and spoke for the legislation on the Senate Floor; • North Carolina Association of REALTORS® which used its considerable resources to promote the legislation; and the Commission’s 2004 Broker-in-Charge Advisory Committee which conceived and recommended the legislation to the Commission. Commission Chairman Rick Watts concluded the proceedings by remarking that, as a result of this important legislation, “Real estate consumers will soon be served by more knowledgeable agents, and North Carolina’s real estate licensing program will be restructured to meet the needs and demands of the 21st century marketplace.” For more information about the changes in the North Carolina Real Estate License Law, please click on the following links: Summary of Changes to Real Estate License Law and Frequently Asked Questions Proposed Commission rules effective April 1, 2006 New Publications Two new publications from the Real Estate Commission are now available. Real estate licensees and interested persons may now purchase the Broker-in-Charge Guide a reference publication covering the administrative and supervisory responsibilities of brokers-in-charge of real estate offices. The 104-page volume, which serves as the text for the Broker-in-Charge course, is newly re-designed, will be updated as needed and may be purchased at a price of $10 either here on the Commission’s website or with publications order forms. Also now available is the latest addition to the Commission’s popular series of “questions and answers” brochures - Questions and Answers on: Real Estate Closings . Designed to answer many of the questions frequently asked by purchasers about residential real estate closings, the pocket-sized publication covers such topics as loan commitment letters, property inspections, title insurance, deeds, homeowner associations, and closing statements. Memo to Brokers-in-Charge The Commission has published a memorandum to all Brokers-in-Charge describing the advantages of an all broker office. To view the memo in its pdf form, click here . Trust Account Compliant Software Vendors List Now Available A list of vendors of software that the Commission has found to be "substantially" compliant with Commission rules and the Trust Account Guidelines can be found by clicking here .