real estate broker, who

Real Estate - Forbes.com 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 Paid Advertisement Article When it comes to Real Estate, Knowing Your Stuff is the Key to Success Are you looking to buy or sell a home or other piece of property? The real estate market is a difficult one, and should not be entered casually. With the right information, you can make your venture a success, but all to often lack of foresight and failure to do the proper exploration leave consumers in unfortunate situations that are difficult to rectify. An educated consumer is a happy consumer, and in no market is this truer than the property market. Before you commit, learn as much as you can – whether you’re buying or selling, you’ll never regret doing a little extra research. Real Estate Basics To begin with the basics, let’s consider a few definitions. “Real Property” is legally defined as “land and improvements permanently attached to the land.” Improvements include everything from houses and garages to in-ground swimming pools, but exclude portable items like mobile homes and tool sheds. Also included in real property are substances beneath the land, such as gas, minerals and oil. There are many types of real estate, but most consumers will encounter only two: single-family homes and commercial property. Commercial property may include spaces used for retail, office, shopping, hotels, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, apartment complexes, as well as vacant land zoned to be used for any of those purposes. Aside from specialty properties like farms and industrial sites, almost any property to be used for anything besides a single-family homes is considered commercial. Different rules govern transactions involving each kind of property, and it’s important to know what you will encounter before you get started. The use of any property is limited by zoning laws, which govern the purpose – for example, housing, retail, or industrial – for which the real estate can be used. Zoning laws also restrict the size and height of buildings, the portion of property that may be used for parking, how far buildings must be set from the street and from each other, and whether and what kind of hazardous materials can be stored there. Public easement and right of way laws, which fall into the general category of zoning, outline whether and which parts of private property must be reserved for public use, usually in the form of sidewalks, electrical lines, sewer pipes, fire hydrants and similar public goods. Laws differ from town to town, so if you are looking at multiple locations, keep track of how each municipality’s rules will affect how you can use your property. Choosing a Real Estate Professional Although some people prefer to work on their own, it is usually good to hire a licensed real estate professional if you are looking to buy or sell a house. You may choose between a real estate broker, who is independently licensed to review the entire market and show any house that suits your needs, and a real estate agent who works for a specific company and is usually restricted to showing properties in that company’s listings. Which one you choose will depend on your needs, budget, and the number of real estate companies competing in your area. If there are a large number of companies, you may do better with a broker, but if there are only a few, you can save money by using an agent. No matter what type of professional you choose, there are a few things you should consider before making your decision. How does the agent or broker intend to market your house? How successful has he been in the past, particularly with homes in your range and area? If he is an agent, what is his company’s track record? What is the time limit on the contract you will sign, and can you break it if you’re dissatisfied? Do you feel comfortable that he understands your needs and will work hard to meet them? Recall that, above all, real estate agents are salespeople, so be sure that you are confident that they are working with you as well as for their employers. A great way to narrow down choices is to check the Internet for websites that compare companies and agents in your area. You may also want to talk with friends who have recently moved about their experiences with local agents and brokers. Buying and Selling: What You Need to Know When you are in the market to buy, your individual situation will determine whether or not to hire a professional. You may find that you can do well enough finding suitable listings without the help of an agent. However, if you live in a city where good housing is scarce, you may want to engage someone to help you discern the good from the bad. Real estate agents can also be very helpful when it’s time to close the deal, sorting out what items are included with the house (for example, appliances and furnishings) and working with the seller to divide costs fairly. Although it is possible to sell your home without professional help, but this should be attempted with great caution. A real estate professional will help sort through potential buyers to find people who are serious, work with to get a fair price for your property, and be indispensable at closing time when it comes to dividing up property taxes and other shared costs. In general, as a seller, you should expect to run up against a number of expenses when you close on your house. These may include excise tax (a tax levied on the seller of any property or item), attorney and professional fees, property taxes, real estate commission, and fees for survey, inspection, certification and other items, depending on the laws of the state in which the house is sold. Commercial Property: Buying and Selling If you are looking to buy or sell commercial property, your best bet is to engage a real estate attorney who can advise you on legal matters involving the transfer. As with home purchases, it’s important to have the property inspected thoroughly before committing to buy. You will also want to ensure that zoning laws permit you to renovated buildings to suit your needs – for example, buildings that are zoned as small retail outlets may not always be turned into restaurants; warehouses may not necessarily be converted to apartment complexes. Real estate lawyers will make sure that you know as much as possible about your property before you buy. Do Your Homework Youll be Amazed at the Difference it Makes! The best way to be successful in any real estate transaction is to come in with your eyes open. Listed below or some top real estate websites that can help you find what you're looking for today: HomeGain: Selling Your Home? - Let local real estate agents know about the home you'd like to sell so they can address your specific needs. They will send you customized responses including their credentials, business experience, and commission rates to compete for your business. HomeGain: Buying A Home? - Let local real estate agents know about the home you'd like to buy so they can address your specific needs. They will send you customized responses including their credentials, business experience, and local market knowledge to compete for your business. Foreclosure Search: Simple Real Estate Secrets - Search foreclosures in the USA. Includes bank foreclosures, court foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, homeowners in bankruptcy, HUD homes, VA homes, government homes & more! Make Real Money Investing In Real Estate - Lou Vukas gives you the insider secrets to making real money in real estate regardless of your credit, finances or location. ^ 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.

Land Loan With a

15-Year Fixed Rate Land Loan Thursday, December 29, 2005 Serving our 'Fire Family' since 1935 ©2005 Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union 15-Year Fixed Rate Land Loan With a fifteen year term, you'll have a shorter loan life and pay less in interest than a thirty year term. And, if a low payment is not a priority, then you'll receive a greater savings benefit from a lower rate. Features: No fees 15-year fixed rate loan 50% loan to value $359,650 loan limit 45 Day Rate Lock from date of completed application Only two (2) land loans permitted per household Available in all states that the Credit Union currently lends in, subject to verification of all applicable State laws > Apply Now > Check Rates This loan is a 15-year fixed rate loan, 50% loan to value with a limit of $359,650 (secondary market conforming loan limit.) Loans may not be used for business purposes and may not be located in a commercial or manufacturing area. Rates are subject to change daily. A one-point fee, if applicable, is based on the loan amount. Year-end rebates may apply at the discretion of the LAFCU Board of Directors. Participation in this program will not be confirmed until the completed application has been submitted to the Real Estate Department. All requests will be processed and must meet LAFCU's underwriting guidelines. Funding of these loans is subject to credit approval and verification of employment, equity, and all other related file documentation necessary to qualify applicant(s). The principal and interest payments for a 15-Year Fixed Trust Deed Land Loan in the amount of $180,000 at 7.75% results in monthly payments of $1,694.66. Mortgage Loans > Check Mortgage Rates > First Trust Deeds > Second Trust Deeds > Home Equity Lines > 7/23 > 15 Year Fixed > 15 Year Fixed Land Loan > 20 Year Fixed > 30 Year Fixed > Construction Loans > Non-owner occupied properties > Vacation / 2nd Home > Rental / Investments

Real Estate Loan

Find Mortgage Calculators, Amortization Calculators, Refinance Loans and Home Equity Loans on Yahoo! Real Estate Find Mortgage Calculators, Amortization Calculators, Refinance Loans and Home Equity Loans Choose Location Home Homes For Sale Apartments for Rent Home Loans Moving & Insurance Tools My Real Estate Real Estate > Home Loans > Calculators Tools & Resources • Mortgage Payment Calculator • Affordability Calculator • Amortization Calculator • Rent vs. Own Calculator • Refinance Calculator • First-Time Buyer's Guide to Mortgages Next Steps: • Search Local Rates • Online Rate Quotes • Graph Interest Rates • Refinance Loans & Rates • Home Equity Loans & Rates Visit our partners' sites Mortgage Payment & Amortization Calculators Mortgage Payment Calculator Calculate your monthly or biweekly payments based on different loan amounts, interest rates, and amortization terms. Amortization Calculator Calculate the breakdown between principal and interest in payments on your mortgage. How Much House Can You Afford? Figure out the mortgage payment and home price you can afford based on your monthly income and expenses. Should You Refinance Your Mortgage? This calculator helps you assess the impact of refinancing your mortgage. Rent Vs. Own Determine the cost difference between renting and buying a home. Sponsored Links Refinance Your Mortgage and Save! Refinance your current mortgage at today's extremely low rates. Get quotes from lenders offering the lowest refinancing rates available. Links. networklender.com Refinance Calculator Omni One Mortgage is committed to building one relationship at a time. We can service any type of loan, stated income, no doc, fixed, interest only, less than perfect credit no problem. www.omnionemortgage.com Refinance Calculator Considering refinancing? Get free quotes from multiple lenders. Takes only 2 minutes. Refinance with or without a perfect Credit. Find great low rates today. c.azjmp.com Refinance Calculator at Homestore.com Calculate home loan payments and check out our free mortgage lender directory. We've got all the information you need to find the loan that's right for you. homestore.com (Become a Sponsor) Homes For Sale - Apartments For Rent - Current Mortgage Rates - Real Estate Agents - Local - Yellow Pages

Home Equity Loans &

Wachovia Texas Home Equity Loan Home | Customer Service | Contact Us | Locations Search Tips Personal Finance Wealth Management Small Business Corporate & Institutional Home Personal Finance Lending Center Home Equity Loans & Lines Home Equity Loans Texas Only Online Services Center Banking Center Investing Center Retirement Center Lending Center Mortgage Loans Home Equity Loans & Lines Home Equity Loans Texas Only All Other States Prime Equity Lines of Credit Comparison Charts Education Loans Credit Cards Vehicle Loans Secured Personal Loans Insurance Center Planning Guides Customer Service T EXAS H OME E QUITY L OAN Check Current Home Equity Rates   Home equity loans are used when you want to borrow a specific dollar amount against the equity in your home, and are available on both homestead and non-homestead properties. A homestead property is generally considered your primary residence in Texas. A non-homestead property is typically a second/vacation home, or a rental/investment property.  The money can be used for a variety of purposes, such as refinancing, home improvements, debt consolidation 1 , vacations, and more.   Why a home equity loan may be right for you: You may be able to deduct your interest expense on your taxes, just like your mortgage 2 The closing cost is typically lower than refinancing your first mortgage You may be able to borrow against the available equity in your home, up to 80% of the value of your homestead property 3 You may be able to borrow up to 100% of the available equity in your non-homestead property Features of a Wachovia home equity loan include: Up to 30-year terms 4 $8,000 minimum loan amount Up to $750,000 for loan requests to access equity Up to $250,000 for purchase requests The links below can also help you make a more informed decision and show you how the application process works. Texas Home Equity Comparison Chart How to Use the Equity in Your Home Understanding the Application Process Email This Page Printer Friendly Version 1 While consolidation may decrease your overall monthly payment obligations, refinancing pre-existing debt with a home equity loan/line will require you to give Wachovia a security interest in your home and may increase the total number of monthly debt payments, as well as the aggregate amount paid by a borrower over the term of the mortgage loan. Debt consolidation restrictions may apply. 2 Consult your tax advisor concerning interest deductibility. 3 Line amounts are based upon collateral value, creditworthiness and state maximum loan to value limitations. In accordance with state law, the maximum combined loan to value may not exceed 80% of the fair market value of your homestead property. 4 For example, repayment of a 30 year home equity loan would consist of 360 monthly payments of $6.42/$1,000 borrowed at 6.59% APR. The disclosed APR assumes that the borrower will pay 1% at the time of origination. The maximum loan amount for this offer is $750,000. If you pay off your loan early, there may be a prepayment penalty. You will be responsible for the cost of any mortgage recording or other taxes where applicable. Term of up to 360 months available on loan amounts greater than $35,000. Other rates and terms available. All loans and lines of credit are subject to credit approval, verification, and collateral evaluation. Initial decision is subject to your meeting specific underwriting requirements and final approval will be based upon your satisfying those requirements. Loans originated by Wachovia Mortgage Corporation or Wachovia Bank, National Association. Products not available in all states and are subject to change without notice. Member FDIC Personal Finance Login Home Equity Loans Contact Us Home Equity Loans Locations ATM/Branch Locations Related Links Loan Payment Calculator Loan Amount Estimator Customer Satisfaction Rating Personal Finance Customer Service Personal Finance Contacts Personal Finance FAQs Site Map Glossary Search Text Only About Wachovia | Privacy | Security | Legal | Merger © 2005 Wachovia Corporation. All rights reserved.

Property Search

Real estate listings and homes for sale - RELO National Home Search Real estate listings and homes for sale - RELO National Home Search Search 2 million mls listings from The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World U.S. State Search U.S. Map --- Quick Search -- select state -- Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut 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 Selecting a Community Real estate agents play an important role in helping you find the right community. Whether relocating your family across the United States or buying a new home a mile from your current home or apartment, purchasing a home in the “right” community depends ... >> Click to continue Zip Code Home Search: County Search: Jump to State: Alabama Alaska Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Search by Metro Area: New York Chicago San Francisco Los Angeles Washington DC Boston Save 15% on your FICO credit score. Enter promo code "RELO" to redeem your discount. RELO National Home Search helps consumers find real estate listings, homes for sale or real estate agents. The tool enables consumers to search 2 million local real estate listings and homes for sale. Before buying a home, search mls listings and homes for sale to find a real estate agent through RELO National Home Search. According to the National Association of Realtors, 72 percent of consumers look for a residential property online. RELO National Home Search provides moving assistance to relocating consumers and second-home buyers. RELO Home Search links over 600 RELO members' websites together, the majority offer local mls listings in their area. Further, RELO provides relocation assistance services and international relocation through the RELO network. Whether you are buying a home, considering moving to a new city, considering a second home or selling a home, use RELO National Home Search to tap into the country's largest network of leading independent residential real estate firms across the nation and around the world. All RELO real estate companies focus on relocation and home buying help. © 2002 – 2003 RELO ® All Rights Reserved. | Terms and Conditions | Bookmark Page | Read Real Estate Articles