rental property investment, landlord

Buy to let mortgage quotes uk property landlord information Let -a- Property .info The Home for Landlords, Tenants and Letting Agents " Providing buy to let mortgage, UK rental property investment, landlord information and guidance " Add a Site Landlord E-Book & Buy to Let Profitability Calculator Introduction > Why Buy to Let- > e-Book > Calculator > Trial Download > Bonus > Order The Practical Guide to Buy to Let - 2005 (ISBN 0-9544860-0-5) is Published by Infoguides. It is a dowwnloadable 'electronic book package' consists of an electronic book 'The Practical Guide to Buy to Let' , Buy to Let 'Profitability' Calculator Software and bonus Property Letting Checklist Software....... Are you an existing landlord hoping to maximise your current investment return. As a prospective landlord , are you concerned about a price crash or interest rate fluctuation. Would you like to let your property out as a rental property but not sure where to start. Are you presently investigating the best use of landlord mortgages products. Can you currently analyse all factors that impact investment profitability . How can you identify, minimise and control the risks of your Uk Property investment. Are you aware of your legal obligations as a Uk Property landlord. How can you plan for maximum property investment return with a letting property- ....... ..... What is an 'e-book' ? "This is a great package that will greatly assist my first venture into the Buy to Let market." D. Wright - London, 25/8/05 "I must say the whole package is very impressive, it has helped me a great deal during the stages of 'buying to let'. Plus any updates are sent without any issues at all." J. Belassie - 31/8/05 "I found the book both easy to read and informative. The calculator was an excellent tool that allowed me to see at a glance the financial viability of my potential investment. A must have purchase for all of those considering a purchase of this nature." Mr Ian Stockbridge, Prospective Landlord, Oxfordshire "I am about to go into the buy-to-let market for the first time. The book provides a simple yet comprehensive guide to what factors should be considered and has been an invaluable source of advice. The spreadsheet calculator has provided me with a simple yet effective way of modelling many different scenarios. I am now much more confident that my figures are workable and I am now confident enough to enter my first purchase. Many thanks for an excellent package. Well worth the money!" Peter Howard, Prospective Landlord, Hertfordshire You can lose thousands if you don't research & plan before you invest... It has taken over 6 months of research and hard work completing this 'e-book' package. If you are serious about becoming a UK property landlord and looking at purchasing an investment property (or perhaps you are already a landlord), save yourself thousands of 's, and weeks of time and frustration by simply purchasing this e-book and software toolset to help you make the right decisions. This unique package offers completely independent information . We are NOT selling you a property, or financial products, legal or other servicesall were selling is sound researched information. NO STRINGS GUARANTEE : If you're serious about venturing into the property letting market, this guide is the best small investment youll ever make. That's why well refund your money in full if you're not completely satisfied with this product. Why Pay for a Book When I Can Get Free Information- True, on the Internet youll find plenty of 'free information' about the becoming a landlord. But beware! If its free, its probably there as encouragement for purchasing some other product or service on the back of it and it's usually a mortgage or a property! As property consultants, the publishers of this guide are completely impartial and are not affiliated with any individual or organisation in the housing or financial services industry. Our e-book package provides comprehensive, sound and totally impartial informtion based on practical landlord experiences of Uk property investment. Here is what a few of our readers have said about the package:- What Our Customers Say... "Overall, I was very impressed by the content and by the delivery mechanism (downloading it over the internet).... I would recommend this book as a must for anyone considering venturing into the property rental business." Allan McBain, Prospective Landlord, Surrey "As someone who was struggling to build an adequate model, I would strongly recommend the Buy-to-let calculator. It is extremely professionally presented, very user friendly, allows for quick assumption changes and has certainly helped guide me simply through some of the multitude of alternative investment strategies. Compared a well known competitive offering, I found it infinitely superior" Paul, Private Investor, Wokingham "I greatly enjoyed the book. My wife and I just entered the Buy-to-Let market and are in the process of completing on three purchases. I like how the main facts are presented and have unashamedly drawn up question lists directly from the narrative. It has helped in all steps of our investment plan." Mr Tony Ross, Landlord, Oxfordshire ""Wonderful product - a good buy!" Neil Hewitt, Prospective Landlord, Bournemouth Introduction > Why Buy to Let- > e-Book > Calculator > Trial Download > Bonus > Order Web Let -a- Property .info Back Top Accommodation Search free property advertising advertise buy to let mortgage business mortgage business mortgage buy to let mortgage rates Buy to let insurance building insurance uk capped rates commercial funding uk commercial mortgage uk compare credit cards commercial property critical illness fixed rate mortgage flexible mortgages uk income protection Investment Property Mortgages limited liability company l andlord insurance legal expenses letting agents Directory mortgages uk mortgage insurance property insurance property development loan secured loans savings accounts self certification site map small business loans uk unsecured loans uk variable rates Advertising Accommodation Credit Cards General Home Insurance Income Protection Unemployment Insurance Landlords Tenants Insurance Mortgage Insurance Protection Professional Advice Property Finance & Mortgages Property to Buy or Sell Savings Secured Loans Unsecured Personal Loans landlord property insurance builings insurance uk tenants insurance uk buy to let mortgages buy to let mortgage letting property advice Insurance Quotes

Buy Home

Freddie Mac: Freddie Mac Corporate Homepage Search [ En Español ] Doing Business With Freddie Mac Single-Family Multifamily Debt Securities Mortgage Securities Vendors and Suppliers About Freddie Mac About Us Public Policy News and Information Investor Relations Careers Buying and Owning a Home Preparing for Homeownership All About Mortgages Purchasing a Home Owning and Keeping a Home Calculators and Tools Properties for Sale 30 year 15 year Average Rate Fees / Points Next rate update: Current Weekly Survey Compilation of Weekly Surveys America Builds on the National Mall Special Relief Information and Resources Freddie Mac's mission is to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the housing market. Learn how . Go to LoanProspector.com , our online suite of mortgage underwriting and processing tools. Freddie Mac Helps Revitalize Historical Neighborhood In Gainesville Senator Martinez and Representative Stearns applaud a new effort to rebuild a historical neighborhood near downtown Gainesville. Freddie Mac, the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency, and mortgage lender Taylor, Bean & Whitaker plan to revive the neighborhood by building new homes; rehabilitating empty homes; offering low-down payment mortgages; homeownership workshops and counseling; and up to $7,000 in assistance to qualified, mainly first-time, low-to moderate-income homebuyers. Freddie Mac Report Looks at Asian Homebuyers in the U.S. Many Asians in the U.S. state that their lack of knowledge about the homebuying process could delay or prevent them from purchasing a home, and that they need to feel financially ready, stable and secure before they can consider buying a home, according to focus group participants. Freddie Mac compiled the focus group results into a new report, Homeward Bound: An In-depth Look at Asian Homebuyers in the United States. Dec 29 Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey Released Dec 22 One-Stop Execution Offered for Multifamily High-Leverage Loans Dec 22 Freddie Mac's November 2005 Monthly Volume Summary Now Available Dec 20 Groups Work to Revitalize Neighborhood Near Downtown Gainesville View All News Releases © 2005 Freddie Mac Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Sitemap

Florida real estate market

The Condo Company - Specializing in Condos and Real Estate from South Florida to California The Condo Company is a highly specialized real estate agency that focuses on the luxury condo market. The United States is currently experiencing unprecedented growth in condo developments; with this growth comes the need for a real estate company dedicated solely to helping customers buy, sell, or rent a condo. Select a location below to see information about condos in a specific area, or use our industry leading search tool. FLORIDA The Condo Company was started in south Florida and is continuing to expand throughout the state as condo craze continues in virtually every beachfront location in the state. Miami Miami Beach South Beach Sunny Isles Beach Aventura Surfside Bal Harbour Bay Harbor Coral Gables Key Biscayne Brickell Coconut Grove Fort Lauderdale Deerfield Beach Lauderdale By The Sea Hallandale Beach Lighthouse Point Hollywood Pompano Beach Coral Springs Wilton Manors Plantation Palm Beach West Palm Beach Delray Beach Boca Raton Jupiter Boynton Beach [more... Orlando West Orlando North Orlando Winter-Park Kissimmee Polk County East Orlando Lake County Metrowest Naples Marco Island Bonita Springs Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Cape Coral NEVADA (LAS VEGAS) The latest venture that is sweeping the Las Vegas real estate market is the condo boom. Famed developers are now focusing their efforts on the still untapped Las Vegas condo market. Henderson / Green Valley Lake Las Vegas Southern Highlands Las Vegas The Strip Summerlin Downtown Anthem The Lakes Queensridge Peccole Ranch The Condo Company Information The Condo Company was originally formed in South Florida to meet the demands of consumers looking to invest in real estate, or purchase a vacation property for themselves or to earn extra income by renting. Like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, similar booms in condo sales are being seen in other regions of Florida such as Destin, Naples, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm Beach, and many others. Outside of the state new developments are shooting up in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. Being the first company to concentrate on condos at a national and world-wide scale has given us a marked advantage over many companies trying to enter the market late. We have the largest online database of condos and an established internet presence. So for buyers we provide the largest inventory to browse; and for sellers we offer the most heavily searched condo site on the Internet. We will be expanding to the following areas soon: Sarasota Orlando Los Angeles Vail Atlanta Las Vegas Chicago Boston Real Estate & Condo News (12/21 14:41)- Appraising Las Vegas Homes: New Real Estate Value Search System (PR Web via Yahoo! News) - Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) December 21, 2005 -- A new searchable automated appraisal real estate market database has been created for consumers wishing to receive an instant market value for their Las Vegas Homes . This first of its kind system allows Las Vegas homeowners to input information about their home in to this appraisal database to retrieve their homes present fair market value in Las Vegas (12/22 14:39)- Downtown land purchase could set stage for retail, condos (Houston Chronicle) - A real estate development group has purchased three blocks of prime downtown land, a move that takes it one step closer to building a proposed retail, condominium and office complex on the site. (12/20 19:06)- Area Apartment Complexes Converting to Condos (WCJB) - Hundreds of people renting apartments in North Central Florida are facing a big decision between moving out or coughing up the money to buy the apartment. It's a big trend in real estate right now to convert apartments to condos. Call it a spin-off of Florida's red hot real estate market. (12/19 01:04)- Miami Real Estate Market (Turks.US) - The Florida real estate market is on an upward swing, and the Miami area market is certainly no exception. With strong economic growth, jobs, and schools, its a prime growing location. City life, with great beach access, make it attractive to both newcomers to the area. Rankthenet.com The Luxury Condo Culture - Defined Condo n: one of the dwelling units in a condominium Such a bland definition hardly defines the word condo as it pertains to the luxury condo culture. In this world of convenience, opulence, and at times excess, the term condo represents a lifestyle, a point of view on life that demands the best. Here is where young professionals live among their peers and mingle around crystalline infinity-edged pools. Here is where retired baby boomers who have empty nests and sizable inheritances choose to establish their primary homes and vacation retreats. And here is where the international jet-set have their third, fourth, and fifth residences. As this culture continues to grow, a greater understanding of its nuances is needed. Convenience may be the most important attribute in the luxury condo culture. For the busy and well-to-do residents, many of whom only inhabit their units for a few months out of the year, the day-to-day upkeep that a single-family home requires is impractical. Rather, they prefer to pay a monthly fee and defer maintenance decisions to their condo associations. I just love being able to fly in from my place in Aspen and have my beachfront condo waiting so I can relax and unwind, says Elianne Divo Roth, resident of the luxurious Solimar in Bal Harbour, Florida. For others, safety is the key. Gabrielle Goldstein, a Los Angeles-based advertising executive, moved from her house in the Hollywood Hills to a luxury condo in West Hollywood. Sure, convenience was a consideration, she says, but really the security I feel when I pull my car up and the valet is waiting ... thats very important. I didnt have that feeling at my house in the Hills. For Goldstein, who often travels back and forth to New York, this peace of mind encompasses her automobile. I can leave my car for long periods of time and know its secure. Of course, these pragmatic reasons for living in a luxury condo are sufficient, but they barely scratch the surface of the luxury condo culture. Modern luxury buildings are equipped with the best of everything to provide their residents with a sexy and glamorous way of life. State-of-the-art gyms, rooftop pools, and full spa and concierge services are just a few of the lush amenities. Many of the newer buildings take it a step further with Smart Technology wired throughout anything you need at the touch of a button. What makes condo living unique are the amenities, says Tom Walsh, president of JJW Construction, a 40-year-old Florida construction company. Their latest building, the Argo Tower, will rise 15 stories high on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale . Socializing, entertaining and exercising are all taking place in the convenience of the magnificently decorated party rooms, library, guest rooms, gym, pool and spa. Beyond the amenities, which virtually all new developments embrace, is the decisive factor of location. While it is obvious why one chooses a winter retreat in Park City, Utah, or a summer getaway in Europe, those buying primary residences may be forsaking the suburbs to embrace urban surroundings. Perhaps their kids are grown and their need for a single family home has run its course, or perhaps the luxury of leaving the car parked and walking to and fro is important. These people are looking for condos that have shops, restaurants and entertainment within walking distance. This school of thought is evident in rising developments like PGA Commons in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., or Skyline at Mary Brickell Village in downtown Miami. Typical Skyline at Mary Brickell Village buyers are professionals who desire to live, work and play in a vibrant urban environment, says Steven Priebe, director of marketing for Skyline Equity Realty. They enjoy the luxurious amenities of the building as well as the convenience of being in a location surrounded by wonderful restaurants, upscale boutiques and typical errand-running destinations such as a market, dry cleaners and pharmacy. Architecture is another inviting characteristic. New condominiums come in a variety of configurations, with many exteriors marked by clean lines, stylish glass facades, and abstract details that set the buildings apart. New condominium developments are attracting renowned architects like Charles Gwathmey and Richard Meier. Gwathmey, who has designed condos and homes for Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, teamed with The Related Companies to build Astor Place in New York. According to Gwathmey, this stunning building was conceived in three dimensions with multiple facades and no true front or back. This sculptural approach, when applied by masters like Gwathmey or Meier, has a trickle-down effect on condo architecture throughout the world. The impact can be seen in buildings from New York to Miami, Las Vegas to Dallas-Fort Worth, London to Dubai. Then there is the interior layout of individual condo units. Often, the architect hired to design the dwellings is different than the architect used for the exteriors. Its a collaborative effort, says Ismael Leyva, one of New Yorks biggest names in this arena. His skills are evidenced in some of Manhattans most desirable luxury condos. Notable projects include Time Warner Center and Astor Place. When I work with an architect like Charles Gwathmey, hell come with a shape and then well work together with the principal to make the original design efficient for condo living. The efficiency involves aspects such as dimensions and depth one foot here, two feet there. Its very subtle. Of course, interior architecture is complemented by interior design. The French-styled 21-story Vendome in uptown Dallas features classic European architecture by New York-based Alayo Architects PC, while inside, the plush condos inhabited by young professionals like Jimmy Kent reflect the residents personal style. Kents most recent condo in the Vendome included a 275-gallon saltwater aquarium, a feature that along with the high-rises elegant exterior and French ambiance helped Kent awe and entice the condos new owners. For Kent, architecture and interior design have worked together to deliver an uncommon lifestyle. People who live in luxury condos tend to be a bit flashier, lavish and intrigued by unique elements of design, says Kent. The aquarium was the welcome mat of my last condo, the first thing you saw as you entered the unit. It definitely had shock value, and I think that is what condo dwellers are often looking for, the flair and the flash of a luxury lifestyle. Personal style is the obvious guiding force inside the individual condo units, but the interior design for common areas like lobbies and hallways, party rooms and lounges helps to give a luxury condominium its style or theme. We get involved at a very early stage of development, says Uli Petzold, creative director of XODesignGroup, an interior design firm based in Frankfurt and Miami. Developer BCOM hired us to create the theme and design for 1800 Club, which is on the water, by [Miamis new] Performing Arts Center. It is hip, young and stylish, and on the water, so our theme had to incorporate aquatic elements. These themes are important not only for the people who will be living in the building, but for developers marketing strategies. A luxury building that wishes to attract young and single professionals will have a wholly different interior design than a condo community that appeals to retired baby boomers. Some buildings elect chic, modern interiors with abstract art, bold colors, and retro furnishings. Conversely, other buildings feature opulent lobbies with marble fountains, imported fixtures, and unrestrained accessories like crystal chandeliers, grand pianos, and fine art. Still others are inspired by Eastern philosophy that embraces the disciplines of Feng Shui. Developers spare no expense when it comes to translating themes to their demanding demographic. Public relations firms and advertising agencies throw extravagant parties and launch extensive campaigns to ensure that these themes are understood during the pre-construction phase of sales. In Cambridge, Mass., the Regatta Riverview Residences threw a bash with free wine and champagne, and a jazz band. Other condominiums in the Boston area have turned entire floors in buildings adjacent to the construction site into nightclubs with open bars and flowing hors doeuvres. The nightclub setups are decorated to translate the developments image. In Miami, budgets for pre-construction parties are unrestrained. The historic Anglers Hotel, which was recently sold for $5 million and is being converted into a boutique condo/hotel, put up a massive tent with an open bar for roughly 1,000 guests. Exotic characters in full costume and stilt performers were scattered throughout, and a Bahamian marching band marked the nights climax. The night was electric, says Ana Oz, a luxury condo owner who was there, so many beautiful people in one place celebrating this booming industry. That party was the epitome of South Beach excess and style. The objective of such elaborate affairs is to sell condos, and after the party is over, real estate agents and brokers negotiate the deals. Colorful and detailed renderings, models, and computer-generated presentations are used to sell units in buildings that have yet to break ground. The Internet is also a valuable tool. We have people coming from all over the world who are looking to invest, says Michael Ledwitz, owner of The Condo Company. He notes that 77 percent of all people looking to buy a luxury condo go to the Internet first. This statistic makes it essential that condo developments feature the very best in Web design. Without a high-tech, impressive site, a potential buyer may stray elsewhere before any of the other sales tools can be utilized. From interior design and architecture to amenities and convenience, the luxury condo culture is a fascinating world that continues to evolve. With so many aspects and subtleties that contribute to this sophisticated way of life, a specific definition is difficult to ascertain. Although, when all of the data has been analyzed, the luxury condo culture is best defined by the people who live it. SITE MENU Sellers Advantage Featured Condos Condo Search Contact Vacation Rentals Myrtle Beach Condos Myrtle Beach Condos For Sale [CLICK TO ADVERTISE] HOT CONDOS Miami Beach Area The Setai Icon South Beach Boston Area Intercontinental The Folio 360 Newbury Agent Log In

Land For Sale

REALTOR.com: Real estate listings & homes for sale Welcome, Visitor! Sign Up to: Save Searches Save Listings Sign Up Now! Already a member? Sign In Homebuying Tools Find a Lender Find a Mover Market Conditions Neighborhood Tour Real Estate 101 Buyers Sellers For REALTORS® Resource Center News REALTOR.org Search the Web Select a Top Search: Bad Credit Contractors Homeowner's Insurance Debt Consolidation Interior Design Mortgage Rates Loan Types Rates Points 30-yr fixed 5.74% 0.37 15-yr fixed 5.38% 0.28 ARM 3/1, 30Yrs 4.87% 0.26 Updated: 12/29/2005 12:03:39 PM Check Local Rates Search our national directory of mortgage brokers and lenders. Find a Home Over 2.5 million listings for sale! State/Province AB AK AL AR AZ BC CA CO CT DC DE FL GA GU HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MB MD ME MI MO MN MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK ON OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VI VT VA WA WI WV WY - OR - Minimum Price $0 $500 $1,000 $1,400 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $70,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 to Maximum Price $1,000 $1,400 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $70,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 no maximum Beds 1+ Beds 2+ Beds 3+ Beds 4+ Beds 5+ Beds Baths 1+ Baths 1.5+ Baths 2+ Baths 2.5+ Baths 3+ Baths 3.5+ Baths 4+ Baths More Search Options Map Search Hurricane Relief Find or offer immediately available temporary housing to assist Hurricane victims: HurricaneHousing.net Relief.WelcomeWagon.com -- Find a REALTOR State/Province Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming From the National Association of REALTORS ® Join REALTORS® in supporting hurricane victims Why Use a REALTOR® With a GRI? Make the most of every moment with FamilyTime, an interactive DVD celebrating the family. Visit REALTOR® Magazine Online Read current NAR Press Releases For REALTORS ® REALTORS Relief Effort exceeds $5.2 million for Hurricane victims, donate now... Enter the Business Success Zone at REALTOR.org! Find out how REALTOR.com can help you secure more listings, sell homes for more and promote yourself and your brand NEW name for NAR member benefits offeringsthe REALTOR Benefits(sm) Program. Learn about the practical, everyday solutions for your professional and personal life! Reach new levels of success with NAR partner, The Pacific Institute! About the National Association of REALTORS ® Representing Home Owners State & Local Associations Real Estate Specialty Organizations Find an Appraiser Find a Commercial Property International Real Estate Search in popular metros: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Las Vegas | Long Island | Los Angeles | Memphis | Miami | New York City | Orange County | Palm Beach | Phoenix | Sacramento | San Diego | Seattle Site Map | Corporate News & Info | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Join our staff Terms of Use and PrivacyPolicy . 1995- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and Homestore, Inc. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity REALTOR.com is the official site of the National Association of REALTORS and is operated by Homestore, Inc. REALTOR -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Inquiries regarding the Code of Ethics should be directed to the board in which a REALTOR holds membership.

real estate investing Being

Getting real about real estate investing - Nov. 17, 2004 Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places Getting real about real estate investing Being a landlord can be profitable -- or a big headache. Take some advice from these investors. November 17, 2004: 4:03 PM EST By Jon Birger , MONEY Magazine. Additional reporting by Joan Caplin and Amy Feldman. NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - Successful real estate investors sometimes make what they do sound almost too easy. "Rentals freed me from ever having to get a job again," says Orlando Rodriguez, a 38-year-old San Antonio landlord who makes about $100,000 a year off the 90 apartments he owns. "I'm a high school dropout -- seventh-grade dropout, actually -- so my story should tell people this isn't rocket science." Yes, landlording isn't science (which is not to say it isn't often a lot of hard work), but if you're willing to put in the time and effort, buying and operating rental properties can pay off big. Try this math on for size: You purchase a $100,000 condominium with $30,000 down and a $70,000 mortgage. If the condo rents for $1,200 a month, your net profits -- after costs such as mortgage, maintenance and property taxes -- should be in the $2,000-a-year range. Conservatively invested, that sum should earn enough to pay off the entire mortgage within 14 years. You'd have turned $30,000 in equity into $100,000, even if rents didn't go up and property values didn't appreciate. Factor in 4 percent annual rent increases and price appreciation, and the property's net value to the owner would be closer to $200,000. A stock fund would need to return 15 percent a year for 14 years to beat that performance -- and funds don't give you any of the tax breaks that can come with being a property owner. The key thing to remember, though, is that buying rental properties is not for point-and-click investors. Even landlords who hire out the plumbing, painting and rent collection to contractors and management companies typically make a big time commitment. Rick Lionhardt of Dallas, a 55-year-old retired telecom worker, owns 33 properties with wife Helen, 49, a secretary. Even when he was working full time, Lionhardt says, he spent 70 to 80 hours a week on real estate. "I'd make calls during lunch and drive around at night looking for more things to buy." For the first-time landlord, there is plenty to learn -- about taxes, financing, dealing with difficult tenants -- and usually there are many mistakes to be made. The payoff can be terrific though, even for investors who own just one or two properties. Doing it right will get you extra income now and a valuable addition to your retirement nest egg down the road. What does "doing it right" mean? Read on for some key tips and secrets -- as well as pitfalls to avoid -- from successful investors who had to learn the hard way. Know how to take your market's temperature. When considering a rental property, your top concern should be whether you can make money renting it out now, not how much its price might appreciate in the future (although that's important too). All you're doing is speculating on real estate prices if you're shelling out more than you're taking in -- and that can be dangerous, especially if you're doing it with borrowed money. "You never want to buy a property where every month you have to feed it," says Neil Binder, co-founder of New York City's Bellmarc Realty. So before you buy, add up your projected property taxes, mortgage payments and maintenance costs, and make sure the total is less than your expected rental income. Experienced real estate investors say they generally look to pay anywhere from 45 to 85 times monthly rent for a property. That means annual rental revenue should be about 15 to 25 percent of the property's value. Finding places with those kinds of yields can be difficult. Take California, probably the most bubblicious market in the country. A condominium renting for $1,200 a month in Southern California sells for $350,000 today, according to veteran California real estate investor Bruce Norris. A $1,200-a-month condo in the Dallas/Fort Worth area can be had for $95,000. To a landlord, that's the difference between an annual return on investment of 4 percent vs. 15 percent. Mortgages and home equity loans Search for rates from hundreds of lenders. No points only Select Loan: Select a Mortgage 15 Yr Fixed Jumbo - $385K 15 Yr Fixed Conforming - $165K 30 Yr Fixed Conforming - $165K 30 Yr Fixed Jumbo - $385K 1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K 1 Yr ARM Jumbo - $385K 3/1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K 3/1 ARM Jumbo - $385K 5/1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K 5/1 ARM Jumbo - $385K 7/1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K ARM Jumbo - $385K State: Select State Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Washington DC Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming "The only reason you'd be a California landlord at today's prices is because you're expecting price appreciation," says Norris, who thinks prices in the state are due for a fall. "Monthly cash flow would be almost impossible to achieve without an enormous down payment." Another tool experienced investors use to measure the profitability of a market is price-to-rent -- that is, the ratio of median home price to annual rent for three-bedroom homes. The bigger the number, the less likely you are to make money as a landlord. California has a price-to-rent ratio of 25 these days, the highest in the country. Hawaii (23) is second from the top, and Massachusetts (19) is third. Far more inviting to investors are states like Delaware, Missouri, Texas and Vermont, where the price-to-rent ratios are 11 or 12. For more information on median home prices and market rents in your area, visit realtor.org and huduser.org . Find smart ways to cut your financing costs. Borrowing to buy real estate as an investment is more expensive than borrowing to buy a home. Lenders generally think they are taking more of a risk on buildings that the owner doesn't live in. Consequently, the interest rates they charge tend to be 0.5 percentage points or more above those for traditional home mortgages. Not only that, but borrowers need excellent credit scores to qualify for the lowest rates. In addition, the minimum down payment is usually 20 or 25 percent, instead of the 10 percent for standard home mortgages. There are a couple of ways around the higher rates and steeper down payments. To qualify for a traditional mortgage, you are required by most lenders to live in the property for a minimum of one year. But there's nothing stopping you from buying a home or a condo with a traditional mortgage, living in it for a year and then renting it out afterward. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Mortgages Personal Debt Real Estate Loan Markets or Create your own Manage alerts | What is this? If the down payment rather than the rate is the stumbling block, ask the seller whether he's willing to self-finance the mortgage. With owner financing, the buyer signs a promissory note in which he agrees to make his mortgage payments directly to the seller. In exchange for forgoing a down payment, the seller typically gets a premium rate -- 8 to 10 percent, perhaps. Why would a seller take the additional risk implicit in skipping the down payment? "It's a lot faster to sell a house owner-financed than conventionally," says San Antonio landlord Rodriguez. (There are also brokers who buy owner-financed notes from sellers who want their money up front.) Click here to learn about interest-only mortgages and some of their advantages. Learn to take advantage of the many tax breaks. For tax purposes, what you make in rent is generally taxable as regular income. Real estate taxes and mortgage interest on an investment property are fully tax deductible though. Operating expenses such as utilities, insurance, repairs and condominium common charges are also deductible. So are rental fees paid to brokers, although they must be spread out over the life of the lease. Even better, the federal tax code entitles rental-property owners to a depreciation deduction even though housing prices usually go up, not down, over time. (There are, however, numerous conditions and catches, which is why it is essential to consult a tax adviser before you invest a cent.) Anticipate problems (they will be numerous). Reliable, prompt-paying tenants do up and leave suddenly. Minor leaks have a way of becoming expensive repair jobs. That's why it's smart to line up inspectors and contractors before you buy. And why it's important to establish rainy-day funds. Two or three months' rent is usually -- but not always -- sufficient. Just ask Marla Renee, a 55-year-old semiretired hairdresser who owns six rental properties in the Detroit area. Five years ago Renee bought a run-down duplex for $28,000. She figured the house needed $10,000 worth of work, but three months later the tally was nearly three times that. "The last tenant had turned on the water on purpose and flooded the whole place," she says. "The floor, ceiling and walls were all messed up." Finally, don't skimp on fees should you decide to hire a management company to tend to your rental property. The typical fee is 5 to 10 percent of rental income. Experienced landlords say it's not worth it to be cheap: Property managers often work harder to fill vacancies and to maximize rent when they are better compensated. Put potential tenants under the microscope. Picking tenants may ultimately be the most important real estate decision you make. This is where listening to the voices of experience really pays off -- although you should be discreet about how you apply their lessons. Elderly people are better tenants than college kids, as everyone knows, but in many states, landlords acting on that type of common sense judgment would be running afoul of fair-housing laws. Michelle Bizik, 35, of Lake Ariel, Pa. owns two small apartment buildings with her husband Goran, 30. For the most part, they've had lots of success finding good tenants. They require potential renters to provide Social Security numbers, ostensibly for criminal and credit background checks (which are a good idea), but Bizik says it's more about renters proving to her that they have nothing to hide. She also checks references with employers and prior landlords. If prospects pass those tests, she and her husband always meet them in person. "I need to get a vibe off of them," she explains. These are all good ideas for screening tenants. Here are a couple more. When checking references, don't stop with the most recent landlord. Contact the second or third most recent as well. "The current landlord may just want him out of the property," says Ellis San Jose, a 39-year-old real estate investor from Los Angeles. Also, consider making an unannounced visit to the prospect's current residence. Marcia Glantz, a Coldwell Banker broker for 27 years in Yorktown, N.Y., says, "Explain that your house is important to you, and that you want to get a sense for how they live." Saying no can be tough when a vacancy is burning a hole in your wallet. Stay strong. The one time Michelle Bizik caved proved to be a big mistake. "We were both against him," she recalls, "but the apartment was empty and he was a friend of another tenant." Soon after the guy moved in, his pregnant girlfriend, five cats and two friends did too. And he was late with the rent. "All the tenants were complaining," Bizik says. "The hall smelled like cat urine. The music was so loud, tenants were calling me at 11 o'clock at night." The Biziks offered to pay him to leave. He declined, so they had to go through the aggravation and expense of having him evicted. Think about investing in REITs instead. If you want to buy into real estate but don't want to deal with all the headaches that can come with managing it, you may want to consider a real estate investment trust (REIT). These are publicly traded building-management companies that pass the bulk of their earnings on to shareholders in the form of hefty dividends. That makes them a great choice for retirees and other income-hungry investors. One catch is that REIT dividends are taxed at higher rates than regular corporate dividends. REITs offer several advantages over buying properties on your own. First, there are economies of scale: On a per-square-foot basis, REIT maintenance costs are much lower than those of most individual landlords. The management expenses of a typical REIT are only 0.5 percent of total assets under management, says Russell Platt, manager of the Dividend Capital Realty Income fund. Another plus is diversification, since REITs typically invest in many markets and sometimes different types of property -- residential, commercial and retail. And finally, there's liquidity: You can sell a REIT whenever you want, and your brokerage commission will be a drop in the bucket compared with the 6 percent charged by most real estate brokers. A conservative REIT bet would be Equity Residential Properties ( Research ), run by Chicago mogul Sam Zell. Equity Residential is the nation's largest landlord, which makes it something like an index fund for apartment buildings. Earnings have taken a hit lately owing to, among other things, the Florida hurricanes. But occupancy rates have been ticking up, and Equity Residential still offers a juicy 5.1 percent dividend yield. A more aggressive play is Archstone-Smith Trust ( Research ), an apartment building owner with a big presence in suburban Washington, D.C. and other East Coast markets. Archstone-Smith also has a dividend yield of 5.1 percent. The company has profits from condo conversions, and high occupancy rates, which put it in a good position to raise rents. And that's a very nice position for any landlord to be in. --* 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.