Real Estate Investing -

B2B Real Estate Investment Opportunities in the Yahoo! Directory Search: the Web | the Directory | this category B2B > Real Estate Investment Opportunities Email this page Suggest a Site Advanced Search Directory > Business and Economy > Business to Business > Business Opportunities > Investment Opportunities > Real Estate CATEGORIES Real Estate Investment Trusts@ SPONSOR LISTINGS ( What's this? ) Creative Real Estate Investing - offering teaching and training in various techniques, including foreclosure, no money down, rent to own, lease option, fixer uppers, hard money loans, and more. SITE LISTINGS By Popularity | Alphabetical ( What's This? ) Sites 1 - 40 of 76 Real Estate Promo - lists local investment clubs and provides education, training, mortgage calculators, and a weekly real estate investing newsletter. Top-Invest - real estate in Germany and Citrus County, Florida, plus investment opportunitues. Offers in English and German. Creative Real Estate OnLine - "how-to" resource for anyone who wants to make money in real estate. Articles, money-making ideas and much, much more. U.S. Land Company, The - offers real estate investing resources including free leads, articles, bookstore, investing clubs, and more. Real Estate Investing Depot - directory of real estate investing resources. RealEstateCourseReviews.com - read and write reviews of the most popular real estate investing courses. Also offers products, articles, and links related to real estate investment. Access Investment Property - find real estate property for sale throughout the world. REIClub.com - provides real estate investing resources such as how-to articles, discussion forums, newsletters, online chats, books, clubs, and more. RealEstateInvesting.com - offers information, books and courses on real estate investing with no-down-payment, lease options, flipping houses, and more. Carleton Sheets - offers products, software, newsletter, audio programs, videos, and more about their real estate investment program. Lease 2 Purchase .com - offers tips and strategies for creative real estate investing. Real Estate Investment Forum - features an investment guide and field reference manual for investing in apartments, houses, and commercial buildings. Pierre & Vacances Conseil Immobilier - designs, builds, and manages holiday homes and apartments throughout Europe. Wiltshire Properties - offers news, reviews, and how to articles. Home Business Solutions - offering information on lease purchasing and homebased businesses. Aaron's Investments - offering tax defaulted land, lien certificates, and foreclosed property deeds. Cash Flow Institute LLC - presents fresh investment plans for real estate investing including foreclosures. Resultsnow.com - offers free real estate investor tips, a book, a newsletter, and information on creating monthly streams of income to generate greater wealth. Fast Home Offers - offers leads for real estate investors with mortgage calculators, a glossary, and homeowner information. Tax Lien Certificates Network - for investors who buy, sell, and trade tax lien certificates. Flipping Homes - offers articles and an active newsgroup on no money down, foreclosure, rehab, fixer upper, and other forms of real estate investing. Creative Real Estate Investing [SPONSOR] - offering teaching and training in various techniques, including foreclosure, no money down, rent to own, lease option, fixer uppers, hard money loans, and more. Note Investors Group - offers programs focused on real estate investment strategy and the discounted cash flow business. B&B Online: Inns for Sale - U.S. bed & breakfast and country inns for sale. Aminoff & Co. - real estate investment opportunities. Invest In Belize - Assisting investors in the purchase, development, and management of Belize real estate and business opportunities. Exodus Island Ventures - specializes in Dominican Republic real estate investment opportunities, Caribbean luxury villa and condo development projects, and property management services. 4 Tax Lien Certificates - tax lien certificate sales and tax deed sale directories and property listings. Fuller Apartment Homes, LLC - An $8,000,000 offering of Limited Liability Company Shares to construct a 138-unit apartment home telecommunity in Bakersfield, California. Available to California Residents only. BnBForSale - features bed and breakfasts for sale. Kilimani Development Holdings - manages investments in small to medium sized residential, retail, and commercial properties in South Africa. Lennox Group, The - specializes in tax lien certificate investments, offering security through collateralized loans secured as legal liens over asset-based property. Operation Enterprise - for commercial and industrial businesses seeking competitive advantages through affordable and strategic site locations. Eastern Consolidated Properties - a commercial real estate brokerage company and commercial real estate investment banking firm. Investment Property Guide - offers advice on investment property in Spain, Dubai, France, Portugal, Thailand, Cyprus, and the United States. Nosy B Resort Hotels Construction Project - features construction plans and information about Andilana, Palm Beach, and Nosy Iranja resort hotels off the north coast of Madagascar. Seaquest Ventures Real Estate, BizOps & Telecommunications Abode Federal Foreclosed Homes - provides reports on homes for sale through bank and government institutions. Euroasian Equities Limited - international mortgage banking, equity capital, and project financing. Ted Thomas Tax Lien Certificates - offers a audio interview and a wealth conference tele-seminar. Results Page: 1 2 Next B2B > Real Estate Investment Opportunities Email this page Suggest a Site Advanced Search Directory > Business and Economy > Business to Business > Business Opportunities > Investment Opportunities > Real Estate Search: the Web | the Directory | this category

buy Home [Magazine Subscription]

Amazon.com: Real Simple [MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION]: Magazine Subscriptions Your Store Magazine Subscriptions See All 32 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | browse subjects | top sellers | today's deals | gift ideas | newspapers | professional & trade Search Amazon.com Magazines Newspapers Newsletters Web Search This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but over a million other items are. Join Amazon Prime today. Already a member? Sign in . MAGAZINE INFO Explore this magazine buying info editorial reviews customer reviews See more images Customers also bought these magazines these other items Share your thoughts write a review write a So You'd Like to... guide tell a friend about this item RATE THIS MAGAZINE I dislike it I love it! 1 2 3 4 5 Edit your ratings Visit the Books Store Real Simple: The Organized Home by Editors of Real Simple Magazine Spec tacular Readers Never misplace your reading glasses again with the hip andstylish magnetic readers from CliC . Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . Real Simple [MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION] Cover Price: $54.00 Price: $28.68 ($2.39/issue) You Save: $25.32 (47%) Issues: 12 issues/12 months See more images Print a Magazine Gift Card Ordering it as a gift? Give your recipient a personalized Real Simple gift card! ( Flash Player required.) See more magazine gift options . Magazine subscriptions always ship free, and they help you qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping on the rest of your order! See details . $10 Holiday Bonus Offer: For a limited time, order two or more subscriptions to RealSimple at Amazon.com and get a promotional certificate for $10off a future order. See details . Ready to Renew? Learnhow . Availability: The first issue should arrive in 6-10 weeks. Here's why See more product details Better Together Buy this magazine with In Style [Magazine Subscription] today! Total List Price : $101.88 Buy Together Today: $52.56 Product Details Format: Magazine Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. Publisher: The Time Inc. Magazine Company ASIN: B00023J4H0 Average Customer Review: Based on 147 reviews. Write a review . Amazon.com Sales Rank: Today: #11 in Magazine Subscriptions Yesterday: #6 in Magazine Subscriptions For magazine orders, your name and mailing address will be shared with the appropriate publisher. This magazine subscription is provided by Synapse Services, Inc. Customers who bought this magazine also bought: O, The Oprah Magazine [Magazine Subscription] Martha Stewart Living [Magazine Subscription] Cooking Light [Magazine Subscription] Lucky [Magazine Subscription] Explore Similar Items : 19 in Magazine Subscriptions , 20 in Books , and 18 in DVD What similar items do customers ultimately buy after viewing this item? 15% buy this item(Real Simple [Magazine Subscription] 13% buy Domino [Magazine Subscription] 7% buy Metropolitan Home [Magazine Subscription] 7% buy House Beautiful [Magazine Subscription] 2% buy Home [Magazine Subscription] Explore Similar Items : 9 in Magazine Subscriptions , 9 in Books , and 5 in Tools & Hardware Editorial Reviews From the Publisher Real Simple is the new magazine for the way you want to live today. You'll find actionable solutions to streamline the ways you manage your life. Systems for reducing clutter, saving time, and reducing stress. Inspiring ideas about home, food, money, clothes, health, work, family, and holidays. Spotlight Reviews (What's this?) Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 148 of 189 people found the following review helpful: You've got to be kidding. , February 6, 2003 Reviewer: Auliya "An Avid Reader" (Austin, TX USA)- See all my reviews Beautiful photography, but empty articles, and advertising, advertising, advertising. Every item, on every page, is an advertisement. Everything. Every sentence in every article, every caption, every line in the index. There are numerous special sections devoted to product endorsements, although they're phrased as "tips." They should give this magazine away for free, considering the money they must make off the advertising. Sure, while it's somewhat "handy" to know what's depicted and discussed (usually the URL and price are provided) it makes me a little uneasy. I feel suckered. I feel uncomfortable. Euugh. --This text refers to the edition Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 159 of 186 people found the following review helpful: Real Simple is simply about buying stuff , June 23, 2003 Reviewer: A magazine reader (Austin, Texas) I subscribed to this magazine for a year and enjoyed my first few issues, but I soon noticed that all of the ideas for "leading a simpler life" involved purchasing expensive products. You might as well just flip through a Pottery Barn catalog. They both offer the same fantasy -- "What a stress-free, genteel life I could lead if only I had closet organizers and all-white furniture!" Eventually I simplified my life by letting my subscription run out. --This text refers to the edition Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) All Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: My favorite magazine! , December 20, 2005 Reviewer: Starr Calooy "The Wordsmith" (San Antonio, Texas)- See all my reviews I have read the reviews and find several to be inaccurate and incomplete so I want to set the record straight! This magazine does have advertisements but they all compliment the subject matter of the copy. I am a business owner/mother/caregiver/author so I truly appreciate and use all of the great organizing articles. I also don't have time to track down where to buy the products they suggest so I find the information provided extremely helpful. This is the first magazine I have ever taken the time to read or even ordered! All the others are so similiar and boring, but Real Simple shows me step-by-step how to accomplish what I need to do for my home, what materials to buy(come on! -a coffee can to store Christmas light strings are not expensive!)and where to get them! I look so forward each month to my new issue. I am buying a subscription for my best friend this Christmas. I also planned my entire Christmas dinner party two nights ago by their suggestions and it was a huge hit. The ads really are a plus- not a negative element! Congratulations on such a big success Real Simple! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 0 of 1 people found the following review helpful: i'm totally hooked.. , December 19, 2005 Reviewer: K. Santos (New York, NY)- See all my reviews i can't say that i read it every month, but when i do i devour it. i LOVE the ideas and the new product lines. the mag is so attuned to what i crave to see and buy and know. i feel like i've learned a lot from the mag and now i have a 3 yr subscription. i'm totally hooked on this mag. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: good, mindless reading , December 17, 2005 Reviewer: Dee Dee (San Antonio)- See all my reviews This is a good magazine if you're looking for short, simple articles. The tips are useful, but try to focus on one or two per issue or else you'll be taking on too much. The product recommendations are right on. I have not bought anything recommended in this magazine that was not excellent. My only complaint is that there are, of course, too many ads. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Useful , December 15, 2005 Reviewer: Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA)- See all my reviews This is the sort of magazine I think I would have appreciated more back in my student apartment-living, bead-curtain, cinderblock-bookcase, cable-spool-as-table days. That's the design ethic portrayed. Some of the articles are rather clever, and the projects- making a switchplate from a beercan, or building a stylish garden building for $1500- are often novel and useful. They're not all winnners, of course; some project ideas are pretty awful. And as others have noted, much of the content is devoted to mindless fashion slavery and buying. But for the urban single or young couple looking for some cheap design ideas, it's pretty useful. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 147 customer reviews... So You'd Like To... Protecting Your Spines Natural Curves., :by Dr Adam Weiss , Doctor and Author Be Like Me? :by Rosemary , appreciator of the following items KNOW what to GROW this month :by LeRoy Armstrong , keep it simple gardener Listmania! Must Have Magazines for Chic Women :A list by Emily Randolph Jones , City Girl My Favorite Magazines :A list by Deanna , a magazine fanatic. My Favorite Magazines :A list by amc230 , Mid 30's Office Manager Look for similar magazines by subject: Browse for magazine subscriptions in: Subjects > Home & Garden > Design & Decoration I have read this magazine, and I want to review it. Is there a specific product you'd like us to sell? Tell us about it. Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. 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home loan benefits. How

Am I Eligible for a VA Home Loan Information on the Home Loan Program Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? Property Management Construction and Valuation Lenders & Servicers Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage VBA HomePage VA Homepage If You Owe VA VA Monitoring Unit Loan Production Specially Adapted Housing Am I Eligible? General Rules for Eligibility Determine if you are eligible for VA home loan benefits. How to request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA Home Loan Benefits To request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA home loan benefits, you must complete VA Form 26-1880 and submit it to one of our VA Eligibility Centers along with acceptable proof of service as described on the instruction page of the form. It's also possible to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from your lender. Most lenders have access to the ACE (automated certificate of eligibility) system. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through ACE - only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate. A Certificate of Eligibility is NOT Necessary for Interest Rate Reduction Refinance of Existing VA Loan Your lender may use our e-mail confirmation procedure in lieu of a certificate if you are obtaining a Interest Rate Reduction Refinance of an existing VA loan. Contact an Eligibility Center If you have specific questions regarding VA home loan eligibility, e-mail your Eligibility Center. Most questions regarding the VA Home Loan Program are answered in our Frequently Asked Questions , we ask that you read them prior to sending an inquiry. VA Eligibility Centers Address and Telephone Numbers Addresses and Telephone numbers Frequently Asked Eligibility Questions Information on the Home Loan Program / Am I Eligible for a VA Loan? / Property Management Construction and Valuation / Lenders & Servicers / Contact VA Loan Guaranty Service / Forms Loan Guaranty HomePage / If you owe VA / Monitoring Unit / Loan Production / SAH Disclaimer / Privacy & Security Statement / Freedom of Information Act Contact the VA / VBA HomePage / VA HomePage This page has been accessed since February 16, 2003. Reviewed/Updated: June 24, 2004 (SG)

Home Mortgage Insurance U.S.

FCIC: The Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page -- Guide To Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Housing Office of Single Family Housing www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov Revised February 2005 Becoming a Homeowner Many people in the United States dream of owning their own homes,but few are able to pay cash for them. Many individuals and families whocould not otherwise afford to own a home become homeowners with thehelp of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance programs. FHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . One of the chief purposes of FHA is to help people obtain financing to buy their homes. This booklet can help homebuyers understand how they can make use of FHA mortgage insurance programs. It explains: How FHA mortgage insurance works Who can get FHA mortgage insurance How to shop for a HUD-approved lender How to apply for an FHA-insured mortgage loan What restrictions apply to FHA-insured mortgage loans Buying a home is the biggest single purchase that most people will make in their lifetimes. Most people borrow money through a mortgage loan to buy a home. Some people reduce the amount of money they borrow by making a large downpayment on the loan to buy a home. Persons who do not have money for a large downpayment may need the help of an FHA-insured mortgage to get a loan. MortgageA legal document that promises a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt. Here is more information about mortgage loans. DownpaymentThe part of the purchase price that a buyer pays in cash and is not included in the mortgage. How FHA Mortgage Insurance Works FHAs mortgage insurance programs help low- and moderate-incomeindividuals and families obtain financing to buy homes or refinance theircurrent mortgages. FHA mortgage insuranceallows a homebuyer to make a low downpaymentand get a mortgage loan for the balance ofthe purchase price. The mortgage loan is made by a HUDapproved lender, such as a bank, mortgage company, or credit union. FHA insures the mortgage and pays the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the loan. FHA/HUD does not make direct loans to people who want to buy, build, or refinance homes. Who Can Get FHA Mortgage Insurance If you are buying a home, refinancing a mortgage for a home youalready own, or making home improvements, you may qualify for anFHA-insured mortgage. In fact, almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. Generally, homebuyers must live in the home in order to get an FHA-insured mortgage loan. The program is not open to investors. To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you, call the HUD housing counseling and referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov . To find a HUD-approved lender , search online at www.hud.gov . You can also find lending institutions in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under the heading Mortgages. To find out if you qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage loan, youshould visit a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or a HUD-approved lender , such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage company. The housing counselor or lender will look at certain information about your income and spending to determine if you qualify. Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. How FHA Mortgage Insurance Can Help You Whether you are buying a home, making home improvements, or refinancingyour current mortgage, you should work with a HUD-approvedlendersuch as a bank, a mortgage company, or a credit unionto applyfor a mortgage loan.Once your loan isapproved, FHA willinsure the loan and paythe lender if you defaulton the mortgage.Because the lender isprotected by this insurance,the lender cangive you better termson your loan. A lower downpayment Some lenders require borrowers to pay 10 percent or more of the price of a home in cash as a downpayment. With FHA-insured mortgages, your downpayment can be as low as 3 percent. The lender will likely require you to prove that you have enough money for the loan downpayment. Use of cash gifts toward downpayment With an FHA-insured mortgage, under certain circumstances you can use a gift from a relative, a local nonprofit organization, or a government agency for all or part of the downpayment and closing costs. The Kinds of Homes Covered by FHA Mortgage Insurance FHA-insured mortgages are available in urban and rural areas for: Single family houses Houses with two, three, or four units Condominium units Houses needing rehabilitation In addition, FHA-insured mortgages are available for reverse mortgages for seniors, called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage . To make sure that its programs serve low- and moderate-income people, FHA sets upper limits on the dollar value of the mortgage loan. These limits change every year and vary by city and state. Check with a local lender or look online on HUDs website, www.hud.gov . Shopping for an FHA-Insured Loan Since buying a home is one of the most important purchases you willmake in your lifetime, HUD recommends you visit a HUD-approved housing counseling agency where a counselor can help you compare loansand give you homebuying tips. You can find counseling agencies by callingthe HUD housing counseling and referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visiting the HUD website at www.hud.gov . You can also findHUD-approved lenders on the HUD website. Your house hunting and homebuying experience can be easier when you become pre-qualified for a loan. To become pre-qualified, you will complete a pre-qualification loan application. When a lender pre-qualifies you, the lender tells you the maximum amount of money you can borrow to buy a home. With that information, you can spend your time looking at homes that you can afford rather than ones that are too expensive. Some lenders may charge a fee for pre-qualification, so you should ask about fees and compare two or more lenders. You should shop for an FHA-insured mortgage loan the same way you shop for any high-cost itemcompare prices and features. The cost of getting a mortgage can vary from one lender to another, so compare these features when you are comparing lenders: Interest rate Discount points Closing costs and other fees Annual percentage rate FHA/HUD does not set the amounts for the above factors. You can negotiate with the lender and come to agreement on the interest rate, points, and most processing fees. Interest Rate You can negotiate with your lender on the interest rate that you will pay for your mortgage. Interest rates fluctuate daily, depending on conditions in the mortgage market. FHA recommends that you check with several mortgage lenders to make sure you get the best interest rate available. Discount Points Lenders can charge you discount points when the interest rate is lower than the yield required by investors who buy mortgage securities. A discount point is $1 for every $100 of the mortgage loan amount. The number of points charged varies in different places at different times and among different lenders. Discount points for an FHA-insured mortgage may be paid by you as the homebuyer, by the homebuilder, or by the person selling the house. Closing Costs and Prepaid Items When your loan is finalized, you will have to pay closing costs. Closing costs are costs in addition to the price of the property that are paid when you close your loan to cover the transfer of ownership. A mortgage loan is made up of two parts: principal and inter- est. Principal is the amount of money borrowed to buy your home. Interest is the amount paid for the privilege of borrowing the money and paying it back later, usually over 30 years. When the borrower pays the mortgage each month, some of the amount goes toward paying the principal and some toward interest. Equity is an owner's financial interest in a property. It is the difference between the amount still owed on the mortgage loan and the fair market value of the property. Closing costs are generally made up of thefollowing: Closing agents or attorney fees Interest paid from date of closing through the end of the month of closing Loan origination fee to cover lender administrative costs Credit report fees Appraisal fees Recording fees Survey fee First mortgage insurance premium Title insurance (yours and your lenders) Certain of these closing costs, as well as certain of the prepaid items listed below, may be paid by the seller, or shared between the borrower and the seller, depending on the terms of the sales contract. Prepaids are advance payments (property taxes, first annual premium for homeowners insurance, etc.) made at closing by the borrower that may be placed in an escrow account and used by the lender to pay these bills as they become due. The property tax you will pay is the amount that the state or locality, or both, assesses as a tax on your piece of property based on the value. While the property taxes due at closing are usually covered in your prepaids, your mortgage payment will also include an amount to pay future taxes as assessed by your state or locality. These tax rates vary by area and typically increase over time. Homeowners insurance combines hazard insurance and lia- bility insurance. Hazard insurance covers property damage caused by fire, wind, storms, and other similar events. Coverage for earthquakes and floods may or may not be included with hazard insurance, and you should check with your insurance carrier to determine if this is included in your policy. Liability insurance coverage protects you against claims alleging negligence or inappropriate action resulting in bodily injury or property damage. Annual Percentage Rate The Truth in Lending Act requires the lender to tell you the annualpercentage rate (APR) charged on your home mortgage. The annual percentagerate is calculated by adding the interest rate, the discount points,the initial service charge, the premium paid to insure the mortgage, andcertain other charges collected by the lender. The APR is not the sameas the mortgage loan interest rate. The Cost of FHA Mortgage Insurance When you get a mortgage loan insured by FHA, you have to pay an up-front insurance premium, which can be included in the loan you get through a lender. You will also have to pay a monthly insurance premium that is added to the regular mortgage payment. FHA uses the premiums to pay the lender if you default on your mortgage. The Importance of Getting a Home Inspection Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you should be sure that the home you want to buy is in good condition. A home inspection is an evaluation of a homes condition by a trained expert. During a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth and impartial look at the property you plan to buy. The inspector will: Evaluate the physical condition: the structure, construction, and mechanical systems. Identify items that should be repaired or replaced. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes. After the inspection is complete, you will receive a written report of the findings from the home inspector, usually within five to seven days. FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of your future home, and FHA does not perform home inspections. If you find problems with your new home after closing, FHA cannot give or lend you money for repairs, nor can it buy the home back from you. Thats why it is so important for you, the buyer, to get an independenthome inspection. You should remember that an inspection is differentfrom an appraisal, which also will be performed as part of the mortgageprocess. Ask a qualified home inspector to thoroughly examine the physicalcondition of your future home and give you the information you needto make a wise decision. Information Resources You may want more information for yourself, your family, or others.The following services are available to help you. Internet www.hud.gov or espanol.hud.gov HUDs website contains comprehensive information about homebuying, homeownership, selling a home, making home improvements, and other housing-related topicsin English and Spanish. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency Locator HUD supports a network of approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling services across the nation. For a complete list of HUDapproved agencies in your area, call the HUD housing counseling referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at www.hud.gov. HUD-Approved Lenders A searchable database of HUD-approved lenders, including banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions, is available on the HUD website at www.hud.gov. HUD Customer Service Center 1-800-767-7468 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) https://webapps1.hud.gov/dds/ Most of the information products developed by HUD are available from HUDs Customer Service Center by calling toll-free 1-800-767-7468 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST. Written requests should be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Customer Service Center Room B-100 451 Seventh Street, SW Washington, DC 20410 You may fax requests to (202) 708-2313. Return to Federal Citizen Information Center Home Page Printer-friendly page --

buy property with the

Advice for buying and reselling for a profit. - Oct. 14, 2004 Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places The art of the flip A new reality television show will follow real estate speculators as they buy, fix and "flip." October 14, 2004: 2:24 PM EDT By Sarah Max, CNN/Money senior writer SALEM, Ore. (CNN/Money) It's one thing to buy a house to call home. It's quite another to buy property with the sole purpose of turning around and reselling for a profit. It's called flipping, and in the coming months, a dozen aspiring real estate investors experience this firsthand -- on camera, no less -- as they attempt to buy, remodel and sell property within a period of six months. Flipping is the subject of an upcoming reality television series with the working title "Property Ladder," scheduled to appear on The Learning Channel in May 2005. "Everyone you talk to seems to know someone who has tried to flip property," said Char Serwa, the show's executive producer. In California, where most of show's subjects are buying, 2.6 percent of all houses sold during the month of May were owned for less than six months, according to DataQuick Information Systems, up from 1.9 percent the previous year. There are several varieties of flipping, said William Bronchick, author of "Flipping Properties." One is rehabbing, which is the focus of the show. Other flippers buy property that's in foreclosure or under construction and try to resell the property to other investors. "We're not advocating that people do this," added Serwa, explaining that each homeowner's story will be told in an individual episode, detailing the experience from purchase to sale. "This is truly an observational documentary," she said. "It's real life." Indeed, the homeowners featured on the show are not only footing the bill for the property and the cost of renovations, they're managing the projects on their own. Unlike other TLC makeover shows, seasoned carpenters and designers won't be pitching in to help. QUICK VOTE Have you ever bought real estate solely as an investment, and not to have a place to live? Yes No View results What the show's subjects do get is advice from host Kirsten Kemp, an actress, real estate agent and seasoned property investor. Whether the homeowners actually take that advice is another story. Viewers, meanwhile, may likely learn a few lessons as well, namely that buying, remodeling and selling property is hard work particularly when done in a matter of months. "A lot of things can go wrong," said Kemp. It's also financially risky. A slowdown in real estate means little to a homeowner settled in for several years, but it can be devastating if you're banking on selling for a quick profit. Buy it, fix it and sell it. Kristen Kemp, host of TLC's 'Property Ladder,' shares tips on flipping properties. Play video (Real or Windows Media) Factor in the transaction and renovation costs and there may be little profit at all. Any profit you do make, mind you, will be taxed at ordinary income if you sell in less than a year, noted Ron Phipps, of Phipps Realty in Warwick, RI. In seven years, Kemp flipped 40 properties, not always successfully. "I made money about 70 percent of the time, and 30 percent of the time I broke even or lost money." Here's a sneak preview of some of the lessons Kemp hopes to bring home. Leave your emotions at the front door When shopping for investment property, you want to find a house that tugs at you emotionally, said Kemp. If a house rouses your emotions, chances are it will do the same for future buyers will as well. When it's time to make an offer, however, your emotions cannot get the best of you. "You make money flipping in part by buying low," she said. "The people who say 'I just have to have this house' are the ones who overpay.'" Don't overdo it when renovating See the average cost for 15 common projects and how much they can add to the value of your home. Type of project: Bathroom Remodel - Mid-Range Bathroom Remodel - Upscale Bathroom Addition - Mid-Range Bathroom Addition - Upscale Maj. Kitch. Remod. - Mid-Range Maj. Kitch. Remod. - Upscale Master Suite - Mid-Range Master Suite - Upscale Family Room - Mid-Range Deck - Mid-Range Basement Remodel - Mid-Range Siding Replacement - Mid-Range Window Replacement - Mid-Range Window Replacement - Upscale Attic Bedroom - Mid-Range Average job cost (2003 Natl Avg): $ What will you get back? % Cost recovered % Value at sale $ Get your local results from Remodeling Online's 2003 Cost vs. Value Report "This is not the time to create your dream house," said Kemp. "You don't want to fix the property to a level that is not necessary." This is a dilemma many first-time flippers struggle with. On the one hand, they want to do a good job on the renovation. On the other hand, they don't want to put money in expensive light fixtures or elaborate built-ins if they aren't going to recoup the time or money they spent. That said, you don't want to cover up serious problems with a new coat of paint or a well-placed picture. "You want to attack anything thing that would be a red flag at closing," said Kemp. DIY when it makes sense The more work you can do yourself, the more money you'll make on the flip, said Kemp. Still, even do-it-yourselfers need help sometimes. Develop a list of reliable contractors, plumbers, electricians, drywallers and other experts to call on. Kemp, for one, says she has her own contractor to thank for getting her through many projects. While you're at it, find a good real estate agent, she said. "They can help you understand what is selling and what's not," she said. "They'll do a good job because if they do, they know you are going to list the property with them when you're ready to sell." Price the property to sell You give your blood, sweat and tears to a house, but it's no excuse to overprice it. "I encourage people not to get greedy," Kemp said. In fact, she recommends pricing property a little under market value. "Every day your house is on the market you're losing money." What if "Property Ladder" homes don't sell in time for prime time? That's just part of the story. And in real estate, sometimes that's the reality. --* Disclaimer Try an issue of MONEY magazine - FREE! More on REAL ESTATE • How to buy and build on rural land • Most overvalued housing markets • When booms go bust... TODAY'S TOP STORIES • Most overvalued housing markets • Risks to the economy in 2006 • Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? 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