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Find a Property Investment Properties edition Buy to let, property development and investment opportunities Find a Property - Home Property Search Estate Agents Property News Specialist Properties Browse All Areas Find your ideal house, flat or apartment for sale or rent Find a Property - Moving made easy Find a Property - Specialist Properties - Investment Properties Investment Properties Property Edition Buy to let, property development and investment opportunities The Buy to Let market, one of the great success stories of the last ten years, has produced a growing band of happy investors buoyed up by the delights of solid capital growth and respectable rental incomes. It is, however, a cyclical market and one as subject to the laws of supply and demand as any other sector of the economy. Experts will advise that prospective investors should take pains to carefully research the local market and view the business as a medium to long term project. Viewed in that light, it remains a very solid bet and will continue as a popular option for a diverse cross-section of the population. This edition includes dozens of properties which should appeal to those motivated by high rental returns as well as those whose primary concern is capital growth. It also includes details of experienced agents who have made this sector a speciality. So if you're new to the market and need a reliable expert to lead you through the maze, if you're a seasoned player and know exactly what your looking for, or if you live overseas and need a professional all-in-one 'hands off' management service to take care of your portfolio this is the place to begin your search. Learning To Invest 20 Jul 2005 Thinking about investing in property but new to the business? Investment guru Simon Shinerock explains why it can pay to learn from the experts... Simon Shinerock More and more people these days are coming to the conclusion that the only way for them to have a chance of achieving financial security is to buy property. But is it better to leap in and learn through experience or should you attend one of the growing number of seminars on the subject? Simon Shinerock, the founder and Chief Executive of Choices Acquisitions , a very popular auction-buying service for investors, says more and more people are looking for reliable information and advice before they take the plunge. " Our regular estate agency business which started in 1989 manages over 1000 properties as well as dealing with millions of pounds of property sales and mortgages every month. " In addition, for the past four years, we have been providing auction information to potential investors, as well as sourcing investment and buy to let property from developers and agents for our clients. " Gradually it has become evident that many potential clients want more than information and advice, especially at the beginning - they want education. " In response to this need we have created a down to earth two hour seminar to introduce the novice investor to the business and to share with them some of the important lessons we have learned through our own experience." What You'll Learn The seminar business, can, of course, be an expensive route to take but Choices reckon they can teach the basics and introduce participants to their services for much less that the thousands some charge. " We are aware of two day seminars which are available at a cost of £2000 or more but we believe that what we provide for £50 is enough of a taster for most people and we have been very pleased with the positive feedback we have received, " says Simon. Seminars take place on a Saturday between 11.30 and 2.00pm at Choices modern Smallfield office near London Gatwick Airport. To book your place please call 01342 840000 or complete the email response form on their company information page Choices Acquisitions seminars, says Simon, will tell you about 1. The research we do 2. The evaluation and analysis techniques we have developed 3. Our contacts with developers and agents and how we have made them 4. How we find distress sales 5. A hot new area for property investment in the UK 6. How we can help you buy property below the market value Below are some case studies from Choices: Case Study - Buying at auction A client wanted to start a buy-to-let portfolio on a low cost basis, as they were tight on funding we identified Liverpool as a good area, we highlighted six properties at an upcoming auction all of which represented good value based on their likely selling prices (about 30 per cent above guide price and 20 per cent below market price). Our experience has shown that it is pointless going to auction with only one property in mind in these circumstances as the chance of failure is too high. We are able to arrange funding in principle from a short term lender should our client be unable to arrange a buy to let mortgage in time. At the auction we were able to secure the third lot on our list. The client needed to do some cosmetic work but the estimated return on their deposit and costs once let was 25%, on top of which the property had a market value of 15% more than cost. Incidentally at the same auction we were able to secure two more properties for other clients on a broadly similar basis. Case Study - Buying Off Plan We are constantly looking for Off Plan opportunities on behalf of many clients. Through a trade contact of ours we heard about a development which was coming to an end. The developer had seven flats remaining and was prepared to sell them at a 15 per cent discount to market value. After checking the local rental market and speaking to agent contacts we were able to place five of these properties with three clients all of whom were looking at long term rental and capital growth. Case Study - Overseas Property We heard of some excellent opportunities for high yield apartment hotel investments on Miami Beach. We went to Miami to check out the local market and were able to get in on the ground floor of a renovation of a boutique Art Deco Hotel right on South Beach. Based on the figures we were able to obtain this investment should return up to 40 per cent on deposit plus costs plus there is built in capital growth of 20 per cent based on current market values. Each unit is $395000 with a 20 per cent deposit required and guaranteed finance on the balance, the developer is guaranteeing the first year return following the renovation and the investor shares in 60 per cent of the nightly rental ($400 per night minimum 70 per cent occupancy). As a further bonus, the owner can stay in their hotel suite at any time for as long as they want. Case Study - Agency contacts Over 95% of all property sold in this country is sold through estate agents. It therefore makes sense for us to establish good relationships with agents in areas where we expect capital growth and good rental returns. We were approached by one of our contacts on the south coast in respect of a sea front property available through an offshore tax exile who wanted to sell without publicity. We were able to secure the property which comprised of several apartments on behalf of several clients. Some of the units are going to be let, some sold on and some used as holiday homes after renovation. Choices Acquisitions © Find A Property 2000-2005 Property in the Investment Properties edition London (North of Thames) London (South of Thames) Surrey & Middlesex Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire & Essex Hampshire, Sussex & Kent Rest of UK Rest of Europe Rest of World Today's featured property for the Investment Properties edition... Blyth Road, London, E17, London E17 "Blyth Road, E17. A first floor end of terrace flat located on this quiet street off Lea Bridge Road. The property would benefit from some modernisation and comprises two large bedrooms, bathroom." On the market for £ 147,995 through ludlowthompson.com Rental Returns Overestimated 22 Nov 2005: Recent research from Landlord Mortgages accuses some lettings agents of exaggerating rental returns...... Landlords Remain Upbeat 26 Oct 2005: Landlords are in a bullish mood and plan to buy more properties in the months ahead, says a new survey...... How To Invest In Property 20 Oct 2005: How clued-up are you when it comes to spotting a good property investment? If you feel you could use a helping hand, Ludlow Thomson has some tips...... Fantastic Investment Opportunity In South Africa 12 May 2005: How does the prospect of investing in a brand new development at the heart of Cape Town sound? Appealing? Read on for more details...... From Coronation Street To Canary Wharf 24 Mar 2005: From the terraced houses of Coronation Street to the high-rise apartment blocks of Canary Wharf: actress Annie Hulley has become a serious player in London's buy-to-let market...... PIFS Unlikely To Conflict With Buy-To-Let 03 Mar 2005: The introduction of property investment funds (PIFs) in the UK would add value to the property market but would be unlikely to have much effect on the buy-to-let sector, says a new report...... Investors Keep Faith With Property 09 Feb 2005: Despite the recent slowdown in the housing market, investors believe that property still provides the safest home for their hard-earned money...... Buy-To-Let Confidence High 07 Jan 2005: Despite negative comment from some quarters, landlords and mortgage intermediaries remain optimistic about the investment market...... Buy-To-Let Looking Good 06 Jan 2005: Strong tenant demand is pushing up rents and boosting landlords' yields, says a new report...... Landlords Hold The Line 14 Dec 2004: Despite falling house prices, most landlords are determined to hang onto their investment properties, says a new survey...... One-bed Flats Do Well 25 Nov 2004: Landlords take note: rents on one-bed flats are outpacing the rest of the market...... Buy-To-Let To Boom 08 Nov 2004: Despite talk of a market slowdown, the coming decade should see a huge increase in the number of buy-to-let investors, says a new report...... Rents On The Rise 20 Oct 2004: Rents are on the up in many parts of the country as landlords pay more for investment properties, says Paragon Mortgages...... What Tenants Want 29 Sep 2004: Power shower or roll-top bath? Garden or trendy kitchen with mod cons? Which features will have tenants fighting over your property?...... Investors Fly To Let 20 Aug 2004: As the housing market cools in Britain, investors are starting to pack their bags and look for bargains overseas...... Landlords Stand Firm 06 Jul 2004: Buy-to-let investors are showing few signs of stress and a mere 2.7 per cent say they'll sell up if house prices start to fall...... Women Bet On Buy-To-Let 23 Jun 2004: The property industry has long been a case of jobs for the boys, but that hasn't stopped a new generation of women investors from getting a foot on the development ladder...... A Leg Up From Your Landlord 22 Sep 2003: It might sound improbable, but a clever new scheme aims to help landlords make a healthy profit while giving tenants the chance to save a deposit for their first home...... Rent: The Furniture 03 Apr 2002: If you've ever been let down by a removals company, are about to relocate to the UK with your family, or are a serious buy to let landlord, rented furniture could be just the ticket....... Tenants From Hell 16 Nov 2001: They don't come trailing sulphurous smoke in their wake and 666 is not emblazoned on their foreheads. So a new service which promises to help identify the tenants from Hell should prove very popular with landlords and letting agents...... Well Hammered 15 Oct 2001: Buy at auction, the pundits all declare, if you want to pick up a bargain. Fine if you have the confidence and expertise to bid with the best. But where do you go if you don't? Meet the man with the answer...... Local Authority 08 Dec 2000: Ex-council properties may be viewed with suspicion in some quarters but in an inflated London market they're still within reach for hard-pressed first-time buyers and an excellent prospect for canny buy-to-let investors...... All Over The Shop 17 Nov 2000: Once upon a time, high streets across the land had a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker and people who lived contentedly above the shops...... Investment Properties Property Edition Buy to let, property development and investment opportunities This edition only includes specially selected properties. To search every property in an area select your local edition Top Top Find a Property - Home Property Search Estate Agents Property News Specialist Properties Browse All Areas © Find a Property 2004 Advertise (estate agents only) Contact us (estate agents only) Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions

Investment property news and

Property investment UK - property market for home and business - Interactive Investor Skip navigation Site Shares Thursday 29 December 2005 Home / Property Register | My Account | About Us | Site Map | Glossary | Help | T&Cs | Logout Home Investing News Markets Portfolio Share Dealing Level 2 / Tools CFD Trading Spread Betting ISAs Funds Property Community Personal Finance Planning Mortgages 1st Time Buyers Remortgaging Buy to Let Buying Abroad Calculators Credit Cards Loans Savings Banking Pensions Insurance Life Insurance Tax Cut Your Bills UK property investment information UK property investment information. Find property in the UK or abroad or value your home. Investment property news and property market guides. Search for residential or business property in UK or abroad. Mortgages, conveyancing, plot search and more. Property investment UK - search for and buy property Property UK Property How £1,000 can transform your home With fewer active buyers in the market, if you want to sell your home you need to make it stand out from the rest. Here are our tips for sprucing up your property without breaking the bank more Property Investment Courses UK and overseas property investment education from Inside Track Seminars. Book your free 2 hour workshop Date / Location 02/01/2006 , Kettering 02/01/2006 , Southampton 03/01/2006 , Heathrow 03/01/2006 , Hinckley 04/01/2006 , Nottingham 04/01/2006 , Watford 07/01/2006 , Gatwick 08/01/2006 , Gatwick 09/01/2006 , Newcastle 09/01/2006 , Worcester 10/01/2006 , Newcastle Upon Tyne 10/01/2006 , Shrewsbury 11/01/2006 , Sunderland 11/01/2006 , Walsall 12/01/2006 , Guisborough 14/01/2006 , Manchester 15/01/2006 , Manchester 16/01/2006 , Basildon 16/01/2006 , Bournemouth 16/01/2006 , Middlesbrough 17/01/2006 , Durham 17/01/2006 , St. Albans 17/01/2006 , Winchester 18/01/2006 , Ascot 18/01/2006 , Gosforth Park 18/01/2006 , Milton Keynes 19/01/2006 , Oxford 21/01/2006 , Birmingham 22/01/2006 , Birmingham 23/01/2006 , London Course Time Seats Required 1 2 3 4 Find a UK Property Maximum price No maximum £10,000 £20,000 £40,000 £30,000 £50,000 £60,000 £70,000 £80,000 £90,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £300,000 £350,000 £400,000 £450,000 £500,000 £600,000 £700,000 £800,000 £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 No maximum Minimum bedrooms No minimum (incl. studio) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Area or postcode (e.g. York, Yorkshire or YO1) Business Property Finder Find a Business Property Property type: All Commercial Property Catering Empty/Vacant Premises Industrial Site/Unit Investment Properties Land/Development Sites Large Corporate Companies Leisure,Pubs and Hotels Motor Related Office Space Retail Showrooms Warehouses Other Property location: Spain Rest of Europe USA Rest of the World Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland Channel Islands Scotland UK - Nationwide All Locations Bedfordshire Berkshire Bristol Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cleveland Cornwall County Down Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Durham East Sussex East Yorkshire Essex Gloucestershire Greater Manchester Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Humberside Isle of Man Isle of Wight Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire London Merseyside Norfolk North Wales North Yorkshire Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Pembrokeshire Shropshire Somerset South Wales South Yorkshire Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Tayside Tyne and Wear Warwickshire West Midlands West Sussex West Yorkshire Wiltshire Worcestershire Tenure (Freehold, Leasehold): All Leasehold Freehold Property as Your Pension Should you bet your future on a house? Acres have been written on the benefits of SIPPs, but in practice there are complications. more Buying Property Abroad Find a Property Abroad Daltons property search worldwide Findyourproperty.com French-property.com French-property.eu.com Lighthouse - Properties in Spain Overseashomesearch.co.uk The safe way to buy in Spain Guiding you to your Spanish home: 10,000 properties, strict Code of Ethics, accredited agents more Buy to Let Housing associations Letting your investment property through a housing association saves landlords hassle and provides a guaranteed income. more Best Mortgage Rate 4.84% Go Value Your Home Enter Postcode: Free area report Detailed report Promotion Request FREE brochures on investing in properties abroad. More... Property Investment Newsletter Sign up here: Go Manage? | Register? Promotion A new auction website to help you find Spanish property bargains. More... 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Interinvestments Realty - Pre-construction News and Florida Real Estate Information Pre-construction News & Real Estate Information in Florida! HOME | BUYING | SELLING | FINANCING | FAQ’S | RELOCATING | JOIN US | MANAGEMENT | CONTACT US Aventura Bal Harbour Brickell Coconut Grove Coral Gables Cutler Ridge Dadeland Doral Downtown Miami Fisher Island Golden Beach Homestead Key Biscayne Kendall Miami Beach Midtown Miami North Bay Village North Miami North Miami Beach Pinecrest Sunny Isles Beach Surfside South Beach Westchester Coral Springs Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Hallandale Beach Hollywood Pembroke Pines Weston Tamarac Boca Raton West Palm Beach Palm City Delray Beach Boyton Beach Hypoluxo Royal Palm Beach Palm Beach Gardens Port St. Lucie Indian River-Vero Beach Savona-Palm Coast Solivita -- Bellalago Poinciana Reunion Lake Marion Tierra del Sol Sand Lake Arbor Lakes Heritage Key Villas Itopia -- Bradenton Parrish Palmetto Ellenton Tampa St Petersburg Sarasota Gateway Town & Country Pelican Preserve Cypress Club Oasis Royal Greens Bay Colony The Seasons Hammock Bay Tuscany Reserve The Colony Golf & Bay Club Cove Towers Tiburon St. Augustine Jacksonville Daytona Pensacola Panama City You are in > Home Isles of Bayshore - South Dade The Isles at Bayshore is now featuring the "California Collection,"showcasing distinctive west-coast architecture. Every home is filled withluxurious extras offered in Developer's signature "Everything's Included"home, featuring thousands of dollars in extras at no extra charge. [MORE] Heritage Key Villas - Kissimmee Heritage Key Villas is an idyllic community offering privately-ownedvacation town-homes in Kissimmee, Florida - one of the world's largest andmost popular resort areas. Whether you enjoy quiet, evening sunsets orlively, big-city entertainment and attractions, Heritage Key Villa offersthe best of both worlds. [MORE] Little Harbor - Bradenton Little Harbor, the biggest waterfront living experience on Tampa Bay. Thisone-of-a-kind coastal village presents an enchanting combination of beach,bay, river and harbor-front residential homes and resort-style residencesalong with a colorful mix of amenities that evoke the grace of a bygoneCaribbean lifestyle. [MORE] LATEST PRE-CONSTRUCTION NEWS december 08, 2005 TEN is an exclusive living concept [more] december 08, 2005 Cabana Cay features the best of everything [more] december 08, 2005 Nestled in the heart of South Tampa, Grand Key [more] november 05, 2005 Wind - is located in Downtown Miami! [more] november 05, 2005 Waterfront Town Home Residences [more] october 17, 2005 Bella Mare - For Immediate Occupancy! [more] october 17, 2005 Family Homes and Townhomes in South Dade [more] october 01, 2005 Trump Towers Luxury condos in Sunny Isles Beach [more] october 01, 2005 The Isles at Bayshore is a luxurious Mediterranean [more] FEATURED DEVELOPMENTS - Trump Grande - Fisher Island - Capital Towers - Axis - Bella Mare - Midtown Miami - Bellalago - Palencia - Tuscany Reserve - Venetian Golf & Country Club - Westshore Yacht Club - Silver Lake MARKET NEWS > Israelis buy up Miami land - Downtown Miami > Builder reveals Miami Makeover - Downtown Miami > New Development in Miami River - Downtown Miami > Overseas investors find South Florida to be a hot property > St. Joe chief takes his story to Wall Street International Properties - Cocos Beach - NICARAGUA - Pinos Verdes - COSTA RICA - Porton Andalucia COSTA RICA - Tamarindo Heights COSTA RICA FIND DEVELOPMENTS BY AREA Dade Aventura | Bal Harbour | Brickell | Coconut Grove | Coral Gables | Cutler Ridge | Dadeland | Doral | Downtown Miami | Fisher Island | Golden Beach | Homestead | Key Biscayne | Kendall | Miami Beach | Midtown Miami | North Bay Village | North Miami | North Miami Beach | Pinecrest | Sunny Isles Beach | Surfside | South Beach | Westchester Broward Coral Springs | Fort. 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Business for sale | Businesses For Sale | Buy a business or sell a business on BizBuySell for brokers listings by email find a buyer advertise about us site map With over 35,000 active businesses for sale, BizBuySell is the Internet's largest and most heavily trafficked business for sale exchange. Start here to buy an established business for sale. Business Category Select a Business Category Search ALL Business Categories RETAILING BUSINESSES - Blding Mat., Hardware, Garden - General Merchandise Stores - Supermarkets - Convenience Stores - Liquor Stores - Other Food Stores - Automotive Dealers - Marine Dealers & Equipment - Gasoline Service Stations - Apparel and Accessory Stores - Home Furniture & Furnishings - Restaurants - Bars/Taverns - Other Eating & Drinking Places - Vending Machines - Florists - Pet Shops & Supplies - Miscellaneous Retail SERVICE BUSINESSES - Hotels & Other Lodging Places - Drycleaning/Laundry Services - Beauty Salons, Barber Shops - Other Personal Services - Computer & Software Services - Other Business Services - Marine Repair, Parts & Services - Auto Repair, Parts & Services - Miscellaneous Repair Services - Passenger Transportation - Freight, Moving/Delivery - Motion Pictures - Amusement & Recreation - Health, Medical & Dental - Legal Services - Educational Services - Social Services - Museums, Art Galleries, Zoos - Landscaping & Yard Services - Pet Care & Grooming - Storage & Warehousing - Membership Organizations - Engineering & Accounting Svcs - Finance, Banking, Loans, etc. - Agents & Brokers - Travel Agencies - Other Travel & Transportation - Miscellaneous services INTERNET BUSINESSES - Business Services (B2B) - Consumer Services (B2C) - Domain Name/Basic Site - ISP/ASP Services - Web Design/Tech Services - Software - General Internet MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES - Food and Kindred Products - Tobacco Products - Textile Mill Products - Apparel & finished fabrics - Lumber and Wood Products - Furniture and Fixtures - Paper & Allied Products - Printing, Publishing - Chemicals & Allied Products - Petroleum Refining - Rubber and Plastic Products - Leather and Leather Products - Stone, Clay, Glass, Concrete - Primary Metal Industries - Fabricated Metal Products - Industrial & Comm. Machinery - Electronic & Electrical Equip. - Transportation Equipment - Measuring & Analyzing Instr. - Miscellaneous WHOLSALE/DIST. BUSINESSES - Durable Goods - Nondurable Goods CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES - Building - Heavy - Special Trades BUSINESS REAL ESTATE - For Sale - For Lease Agriculture Mining Communications Electric, Gas, Water, Sanitary Svcs Non-classifiable Establishments Business Location Select a Location Search ENTIRE U.S. Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming U.S. Territories Africa Asia/Pacific Australia/N.Z. Canada Caribbean Mexico/C. America Europe South America For more options, use Advanced Search Other business types to search... Asset Sales Franchises Start Ups Real Estate Search All Business Categories Search by Ad No. Sell Your Business Post an Ad Reach the largest pool of buyers anywhere. List your business for sale with a confidential ad. Start Here Find a Buyer Search the 'business wanted' ads for potential buyers looking for your type of business. Search Now -- Manage Your Ad . Email Address Password forgot password? Buyer Tools Price a Business Analyze comps before you buy or sell. Set up an Email Alert Get notified of new business listings automatically. Buyer's Bulletin Board Post a 'business wanted' message to reach sellers. BrokerPages Directory Find a local broker to help you buy. Established Business Real nice motel Vermont Motel in excellent condition Search Franchises Automotive Business Opportunities Business Services Child Related Cleaning and Maintenance Computer and Internet Food and Restaurant Health, Beauty and Fitness High Capital Franchises Home Based Businesses Home Services Low Cost Franchises Retail Franchises Sports and Recreation Travel and Lodging Franchise Home Page Site Map Spotlight Franchise The business brokerage industry is an innovative field experiencing phenomenal growth worldwide. As an industry leader, the expertise we offer our franchise owners is of tremendous value. Join in our success, and go into the business of buying and selling businesses. See Details LoopNet Acquires BizBuySell . BizBuySell has been acquired by LoopNet, the operator of the largest online exchange for commercial real estate. LoopNet has over 315,000 commercial real estate listings that are searched by more than 1,000,000 registered members. Visit LoopNet to search its commercial real estate listings. -- terms & conditions privacy policy about us contact us © 2005 BizBuySell.com® All rights reserved.

Real Estate Prices

Real estate horror stories - Dec. 2, 2002 Enter Ticker Symbol Search CNN/Money Autos Real Estate Money's Best Home Markets & Stocks News Jobs & Economy World Biz Technology Commentary Personal Finance College Credit and Debt Insurance Interest Rates Retirement Tax Center Ask the Expert Five Tips The Good Life Millionaire in the Making Money 101 Moneyville Retirement Planner Savings Calculator Asset Allocator Mutual Funds Money Magazine Video CNN TV Fortune 500 Best Employers Money 101 Portfolio Calculators Real-time Quotes Last 5 Quotes SPONSORED BY include virtual="/fn_adspaces/markets-stocks/last_five_quotes/sponsor.88x31.ad" -- CNN/Money Email newsletters RSS Mobile news Money archives Buy story reprints Find a Mortgage SPECIAL OFFER Personal Finance Your Home Real estate horror stories There's never been a national bust but keep an eye on your backyard. December 2, 2002: 11:57 AM EST By Leslie Haggin Geary, CNN/Money Staff Writer New York (CNN/Money) - During the past three years, real estate has been a shelter in the storm. Since 2001, home prices have gained about 6.3 percent annually, according to the National Association of Realtors . And in dozens of hot markets , from San Francisco to Providence, RI to Topeka, KS, homeowners have seen double-digit price increases over the past year. Next to the seeming flimsiness of stocks, real estate looks rock solid. For the past 40 years, home sales prices have outpaced inflation by one or two percentage points per year, and there has never been a national decline in real estate values. But that's just part of the picture. When you drill down to local markets, instead of steady rises, you may find vertiginous spikes followed by stomach-churching drops. What's more, when busts hit, it can take years -- maybe even a decade -- for individuals who bought at the top of the market to recoup their investment. To see how grim it can get, we looked at annual sales figures for 138 metro areas across the country during the past three decades to spot where local bubbles burst, what drove prices into the cellar and how long it took for property owners to recoup their money. Here are some of the factors that can kill a real estate boom. Population shifts It's obvious. Jobs equal workers. Without work, residents leave, and home sales dry up. Consider the case of southern California. Once home to a thriving defense industry, military cutbacks hit the region especially hard in the early 1990s. Some 1 million individuals left the area, according to Ingo Winzer, president of The Local Market Monitor , a real estate consulting firm that tracks housing prices nationwide. In Los Angeles, home prices shed 21 percent of their value between 1989 and 1996, with the typical house selling for $172,900. (The peak was $214,800 in 1989 following a five year, 77-percent jump.) An exodus can hit smaller communities, too. Syracuse, NY once boasted 250,000 residents back in the 1950s, when it was a thriving industrial city. No longer. Many of those jobs are gone and Syracuse lost a full 10 percent of those inhabitants from 1990 to 2000, when its population dropped to 147,000 residents. Home prices, not surprisingly, fell too. Half of all property owners in the county who sold homes in 1997, for example, sold at a loss. Vacant buildings were not uncommon. (At one point, there were more than 1,000 empty dwellings.) Local recessions Ask housing experts about local busts and one of the first places they'll mention is Houston, TX. When the oil market was kicked in the teeth back in the mid-1980s, home prices in this city tumbled fast. In just three years, from 1985 to 1988, the typical home price dropped by 21 percent -- or from $78,600 to $61,800. Related Stories • Did you pay too much for your house? • Real estate or stocks? • Milking the bubble • Rev up your resale value "Prices fell so much that people owed more on than their mortgages than their homes were worth," said David Weil, an economics professor at Brown University. " They'd drive to the bank and drop off their keys to their homes and just leave." Houston isn't the only city where home prices have fallen when the local economy languishes badly. Take the stock market crash of 1987, which hit New York City's financial industry hard. Prices peaked at $183,000 in 1988, and anyone who bought then had to wait until after 1997 to get to even money. Another victim? Hartford, CT. From 1984 to 1988, the typical home price soared 92 percent to $167,600 from $87,400. Then the insurance industry started laying off or moving out. Hartford's population growth slowed to zero. And home prices starting falling. In fact it wasn't until last year that someone who bought at the 1988 price would have made their money back. Fast run-ups in housing values Are markets that have soared quickly especially prone to a bust? That's a question no doubt troubling many homeowners. But the answer isn't simple. Certainly, there have been plenty of hot markets that suddenly turned sour. Consider Honolulu, Hawaii, for example. Back in 1995, the average tab for a house in this community hit a record $360,000 -- a whopping 122 percent increase from the decade before. Then suddenly, prices began to drop. By 1999, a $360,000 island retreat was being unloaded for $290,000, a 19 percent discount, according to NAR. Prices started to finally rise in 2000, but anyone who bought at the island's real estate peak didn't recoup their money until this year. Hawaii's housing woes were tipped off by several factors, not the least of which was the decline in the Japanese economy, which squelched real-estate investment in Hawaii. Honolulu was also in trouble in part because few fundamentals, other than investment dollars -- were pushing the market. In fact, during the boom years, the island's population was climbing at a 1 percent rate, too low to justify the massive run-up in housing values. Bottom line: it's important to look at what drives housing spikes before you assume there will be a catastrophe, said Winzer. Rising interest rates "People tell you that housing never goes down, but that's just not true -- you try to sell a house when interest rates have gone up," said Stephen Cauley, associate director of the Ziman Center for Real Estate, Anderson School at UCLA . To illustrate his point, Cauley points to the early 1980's, when double-digit interest rates were being used to fight inflation. That made the cost of borrowing money for a home almost prohibitively expensive. "It was horrendous for the housing market," said Cauley. "There were no transactions." By 1982, the number of existing home sales had slid to 1.92 million, the lowest number on record, according to NAR. Many markets -- notably Detroit, Providence, Chicago and Philadelphia -- saw home prices stay flat or fall between 1979 and 1982. These days, of course, high interest rates seem a distant threat, though they are beginning to creep up. Current mortgage rates are hovering just above 6 percent for a fixed, 30-year loan. But even if rates go up a full percentage point, rates are still low, said Cauley. How will all this play out? If history is any guide, there won't be one big pop, the kind that usually come with stock-market crashes. But that doesn't make it any less painful. --* Disclaimer Selling? Buying? 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