home equity credit lines

Home Equity Credit Lines Home Equity Credit Lines U sing a credit line to borrow against the equity in your home has become a popular source of consumer credit. And lenders are offering these home equity credit lines in a variety of ways. You will find most loans come with variable interest rates, some come with attractive low introductory rates, and a few come with fixed rates. You also may find most loans have large one-time upfront fees, others have closing costs, and some have continuing costs, such as annual fees. You can find loans with large balloon payments at the end of the loan, and others with no balloons but with higher monthly payments. No one loan is right for every homeowner. The challenge, then, is to contact different lenders, compare options, and select the home equity credit line best tailored to your needs. Be sure to review the home equity contract carefully before you sign it. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the terms and conditions of your financing. To help you do this, you may want to consider the following questions and to use the checklist at the end of this brochure. (We apologize that the checklist is not available on-line. To obtain a copy of the checklist, please request a free copy of the brochure by contacting: Public Reference, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580; (202) 326-2222. TDD call (202) 326-2502.) Is a home equity credit line for you? If you need to borrow money, home equity lines may be one useful source of credit. Initially at least, they may provide you with large amounts of cash at relatively low interest rates. And they may provide you with certain tax advantages unavailable with other kinds of loans. (Check with your tax adviser for details.) At the same time, home equity lines of credit require you to use your home as collateral for the loan. This may put your home at risk if you are late or cannot make your monthly payments. Those loans with a large final (balloon) payment may lead you to borrow more money to pay off this debt, or they may put your home in jeopardy if you cannot qualify for refinancing. And, if you sell your home, most plans require you to pay off your credit line at that time. In addition, because home equity loans give you relatively easy access to cash, you might find you borrow money more freely. Remember too, there are other ways to borrow money from a lending institution. For example, you may want to explore second mortgage installment loans. Although these plans also place an additional mortgage on your home, second mortgage money usually is loaned in a lump sum, rather than in a series of advances made available by writing checks on an account. Also, second mortgages usually have fixed interest rates and fixed payment amounts. You also may want to explore borrowing from credit lines that do not use your home as collateral. These are available with your credit cards or with unsecured credit lines that let you write checks as you need the money. In addition, you may want to ask about loans for specific items, such as cars or tuition. How much money can you borrow on a home equity credit line? Depending on your creditworthiness (your income, credit rating, etc.) and the amount of your outstanding debt, home equity lenders may let you borrow up to 85% of the appraised value of your home minus the amount you still owe on your first mortgage. Ask the lender about the length of the home equity loan, whether there is a minimum withdrawal requirement when you open your account, and whether there are minimum or maximum withdrawal requirements after your account is opened. Inquire how you gain access to your credit line -- with checks, credit cards, or both. Also, find out if your home equity plan sets a fixed time -- a draw period -- when you can make withdrawals from your account. Once the draw period expires, you may be able to renew your credit line. If you cannot, you will not be permitted to borrow additional funds. Also, in some plans, you may have to pay your full outstanding balance. In others, you may be able to repay the balance over a fixed time. What is the interest rate on the home equity loan? Interest rates for loans differ, so it pays to check with several lenders for the lowest rate. Compare the annual percentage rate (APR), which indicates the cost of credit on a yearly basis. Be aware that the advertised APR for home equity credit lines is based on interest alone. For a true comparison of credit costs, compare other charges, such as points and closing costs, which will add to the cost of your home equity loan. This is especially important if you are comparing a home equity credit line with a traditional installment (or second) mortgage, where the APR includes the total credit costs for the loan. In addition, ask about the type of interest rates available for the home equity plan. Most home equity credit lines have variable interest rates. These variable rates may offer lower monthly payments at first, but during the rest of the repayment period the payments may change and may be higher. Fixed interest rates, if available, may be slightly higher initially than variable rates, but fixed rates offer stable monthly payments over the life of the credit line. If you are considering a variable rate, check and compare the terms. Check the periodic cap, which is the limit on interest rate changes at one time. Also, check the lifetime cap, which is the limit on interest rate changes throughout the loan term. Ask the lender which index is used and how much and how often it can change. An index (such as the prime rate) is used by lenders to determine how much to raise or lower interest rates. Also, check the margin, which is an amount added to the index that determines the interest you are charged. In addition, inquire whether you can convert your variable rate loan to a fixed rate at some future time. Sometimes, lenders offer a temporarily discounted interest rate -- a rate that is unusually low and lasts only for an introductory period, such as six months. During this time, your monthly payments are lower too. After the introductory period ends, however, your rate (and payments) increase to the true market level (the index plus the margin). So, ask if the rate you are offered is "discounted," and if so, find out how the rate will be determined at the end of the discount period and how much larger your payments could be at that time. What are the upfront closing costs? When you take out a home equity line of credit, you pay for many of the same expenses as when you financed your original mortgage. These include items such as an application fee, title search, appraisal, attorneys' fees, and points (a percentage of the amount you borrow). These expenses can add substantially to the cost of your loan, especially if you ultimately borrow little from your credit line. You may want to negotiate with lenders to see if they will pay for some of these expenses. What are the continuing costs? In addition to upfront closing costs, some lenders require you to pay continuing fees throughout the life of the loan. These may include an annual membership or participation fee, which is due whether or not you use the account, and/or a transaction fee, which is charged each time you borrow money. These fees add to the overall cost of the loan. What are the repayment terms during the loan? As you pay back the loan, your payments may change if your credit line has a variable interest rate, even if you do not borrow more money from your account. Find out how often and how much your payments can change. You also will want to know whether you are paying back both principal and interest, or interest only. Even if you are paying back some principal, ask whether your monthly payments will cover the full amount borrowed or whether you will owe an additional payment of principal at the end of the loan. In addition, you may want to ask about penalties for late payments and under what conditions the lender can consider you in default and demand immediate full payment. What are the repayment terms at the end of the loan? Ask whether you might owe a large payment at the end of your loan term. If so, and you are not sure you will be able to afford the balloon payment, you may want to renegotiate your repayment terms. When you take out the loan, ask about the conditions for renewal of the plan or for refinancing the unpaid balance. Consider asking the lender to agree ahead of time and in writing to refinance any end-of-loan balance or extend your repayment time, if necessary. What safeguards are built into the loan? One of the best protections you have is the Federal Truth in Lending Act, which requires lenders to inform you about the terms and costs of the plan at the time you are given an application. Lenders must disclose the APR and payment terms and must inform you of charges to open or use the account, such as an appraisal, a credit report, or attorneys' fees. Lenders also must tell you about any variable-rate feature and give you a brochure describing the general features of home equity plans. The Truth in Lending Act also protects you from changes in the terms of the account (other than a variable-rate feature) before the plan is opened. If you decide not to enter into the plan because of a change in terms, all fees you paid earlier must be returned to you. Because your home is at risk when you open a home equity credit account, you have three days to cancel the transaction, for any reason. To cancel, you must inform the lender in writing. Following that, your credit line must be cancelled and all fees you have paid must be returned. Once your home equity plan is opened, if you pay as agreed, the lender, in most cases, may not terminate your plan, accelerate payment of your outstanding balance, or change the terms of your account. The lender may halt credit advances on your account during any period in which interest rates exceed the maximum rate cap in your agreement, if your contract permits this practice. For More Information The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER 1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov June 1992

Denver Real Estate Site

A Denver real estate agent specializes in relocation to the Denver Metro area Denver Real Estate Directory Relocation buyers need extra help, learning about the area, schools, drive times and finding the best neighborhood to suit your lifestyle isn't easy. I can assist you with a relocation package tailored to your needs. [ Click Here for More ] Personalize your search and have results delivered to your inbox daily. This HomeFinder service is the most popular of all. [ Click Here for More ] The home buying process is easy when you know the answers; learn how to finance your home, how much it will cost and more. [ Click Here for More ] Select featured homes offering a virtual tour, so you can enjoy a tour from the comforts of your home anytime, day or night. [ Click Here for More ] search Denver Real Estate Site Are you considering a move and want to purchase a new home? Are you wondering about the suburbs of Denver and what they look like? Do you have questions about the city and the suburbs? Are you currently just shopping for information about Denver homes? You have found the right spot! Gathering information is going to be easy now. You will find the answers to your questions here. OFFERING MANY CHOICES OF DENVER HOMES The metro area has an abundance of neighborhoods that might fit your needs. I pride myself in being able to discuss these areas with you. It's important to look at all the possibilities when relocating to a new area and I can help you do just that. Here are some of the areas in the Denver Metro area to consider: OBTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION - CLICK ON THE CITY OF YOUR CHOICE... Arvada Denver Littleton Aurora Denver Tech Center Lodo Brighton Erie Louisville Broomfield Evergreen Lone Tree Castle Rock Greenwood Village Morrison Centennial Golden Northglenn Cherry Hills Highlands Ranch Parker Conifer Ken Caryl Thornton Commerce City Lafayette Westminster Lakewood Research demographics , follow links to gain visual perspective, driving times to popular Denver area locations, taxation in Colorado , links to school accountability reports , private schools , higher education in Denver, American Dream Downpayment Program and other facts helpful to a inquiring Denver relocation prospect. DENVER HOME SALES STATISTICS The Berkshire Group follows the real estate market trends in the Denver metro area. We publish the current market trends in the Denver Real Estate Update and Denver Sales Statistics . Click on the link to review the latest information about Denver home values, Denver's average days on market, list to sale ratios, etc. Denver relocation services are not exclusive to out of state (or country) home buyers. If you are relocating from an area of the city to another, you are welcomed and encouraged to use my services. As a relocation specialist I know how important it is to be able to learn about all the areas that might fit your needs. I have made it my business to compile as complete a website as possible, offering you information that you want...now! If you have additional questions please feel free to contact me either by telephone or e-mail. I promise I will answer your questions honestly and promptly and without pressure. Selling homes in and around Denver is my specialty...how may I help you? HOME BUYING DIRECTORY Buyer Broker Down Payment How to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan Application Locking in Interest Rate Earnest Money Loan Application Checklist Fico Scores Moving List Moving Pets What is PMI? Finance Glossary Financing Your Home Reverse Mortage Home Buying Process Closing Costs © Homes for sale... Beautiful Executive Home In Greenwood Village $579,900 All Execellent Cherry Creek Schools! Curved Stairway and French Doors to mainfloor Den. 5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, Fully finished walkout basement. Click Here for more info Property Brochure Available Here. Castle Rock Home in the Villages $220,000 Newly redone with fresh paint and new carpet, this lovely Richmond two story has a great custom deck. Located in an established neighborhood you will love the price. Why wait for new? Call Kristal Kraft at 800-319-7739. Property brochure available online. Beautiful Historic Building! True, authentic Loft! Denver Loft Property brochure available here. Enjoy living in a Denver landmark in downtown Denver! (MLS #265755 Visual Tour #57003) Where? At the Denver Dry Lofts, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 22 foot ceilings, hardwood floor, timber beams, lots of vertical interest. HUGE PRICE REDUCTION! $239,900! Additionally the seller is offering incentives to the buyer...$5,000 worth! For more information, call your broker or call Larry McGee at 303-513-1436 View the visual tour of The Denver Dry Loft here. Looking for Lofty Living? (Tour #58151 MLS #268538) $319,000 Wow! Historic, Authentic loft completely renovated in 2005 with easy access to Lodo, Coors Field, restaurants and coffee shops. Light & bright end unit with plenty of space. Huge kitchen island with slab granite, Italian cabinets, lots of exposed brick & wood beemas, sealed concrete floors, large full bath, oversized tub, high ceilings, 2 storage units and plenty of room for your workspace. To see it, Call your agent or call Susie Farrar 303-350-5838 Brochure on Walnut Street Loft Take a virtual tour of the Walnut Loft Bank Owned, Bring Offer! (Tour # 434459 MLS #266663) Boulder County Townhome w/Contemporary Styling, fully finished basement, 3 bedrooms plus a loft, fireplace, 2 car garage. Backs to a huge open space. Priced to sell at $282,900. For more information call your Realtor or call Kristal Kraft at 303-589-2022 Take the Virtual Tour here. Attractive townhome with a courtyard (Tour #430692, MLS #264811) The beautiful open floor plan in this townhome with large rooms is all updated and ready for you to move in. This end unit with a main level entry faces a greenbelt. You will enjoy your private patio with additional storage, and easy access to highways, restaurants, and shopping. Call Susie to see it today! 303-868-8399 Preview this Hallcraft Townhome in Aurora, Colorado Cute Contemporary Home for sale at Sloan's Lake (Tour #64076 MLS #262198 ) You will love this home and location, 1864 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath home within walking distance to Highland Square. For more information call Laurie Reed 303-906-9172 Preview the home on visual tour Property brochure 4521 W. Hayward Place, Denver, CO 80212 Having a hard time finding a tour? Some computers will block "pop ups" preventing your computer from connecting to the tour. If this happens, hold down the "Ctrl" key and click the link. Or you can locate a Visual Tour by inputting the Tour # in the box below. FOR REALTORS ONLY - CAREER OPPORTUNITY If you are a Denver Realtor looking for a good environment in which to learn and prosper, follow this link . Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group Realtors, Inc. 3801 E. Florida Ave, Suite 502, Denver, Colorado U.S.A. 80210 800-319-7738 toll free | 303-589-2022 direct | 720-554-7961 fax E-mail: Kristal Kraft, Realtor 1998-2005, © Reflective Motion Inc. | Privacy Policy | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Denver Relocation | Buy a Home In Denver | Sell a Home in Denver | Denver Map | Denver Neighborhood Profiles | Denver Sales Statistics | International Real Estate | A Bio | My Favorite Places | Real Estate Resources Denver Loft Homes | The Berkshire Group | Buy and Sell Denver | We Sell Denver | Denver Colorado Real Estate | Denver Blog

Sell House

Century 21 Real Estate: home buying, home selling, financing and property listings. español Put My Century 21 to work for you, simply register your email address and create a password. Once you're registered, you'll be able to • save property descriptions • store your search criteria • file agent information • build a custom library Find out more or register now! Already registered? Sign in . -- Welcome to Century 21 Real Estate Century 21 Real Estate is your online resource for home buying, home selling, financing and property listings. Whether it's a house, condo, or any other type of property, we can assist you with your real estate needs. Search for Properties Looking to buy a new home, condo or any other property? Search thousands of properties in our real estate listings. Search Property Listings » First Time Homebuyers Guide » View Our Buyer Service Pledge » International Century 21 Real Estate LLC is part of the largest real estate referral network in the world - with over 110,000 brokers and sales associates in over 30 countries and territories. Access our world offices today» Sell a Property Let our real estate agents create a customized marketing plan to sell your property. List your Property » View Our Seller Service Pledge » View Mortgage Rates View current mortgage rates, apply for a home equity loan, crunch numbers with home mortgage calculators and more! Apply for a Mortgage Now» Use Our Mortgage Calculators » Find an Office or Agent Find and contact a CENTURY 21 Office or Agent to handle your real estate needs. Find an Office or Agent » Quick Vote! Your vote counts! Let us Know Where do you spend the most time? Bedroom Living Room Kitchen Bathroom Dining Room ©2005 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. All rights reserved. Information appearing on this site has been produced by or obtained primarily from Century 21 Real Estate LLC and its representatives and from CENTURY 21 franchisees. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the broker information, sales associate information, listing information or other information provided by our franchisees appearing on or through this site. Such information has been provided by independent third parties who are solely responsible for such content. Certain conditions and restrictions apply to System promotions. Terms and Conditions of Use.

real estate investing Being

Getting real about real estate investing - Nov. 17, 2004 Web CNN/Money Buying & Selling Investment Property Home Improvement Million $ Life Financing Best Places Getting real about real estate investing Being a landlord can be profitable -- or a big headache. Take some advice from these investors. November 17, 2004: 4:03 PM EST By Jon Birger , MONEY Magazine. Additional reporting by Joan Caplin and Amy Feldman. NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - Successful real estate investors sometimes make what they do sound almost too easy. "Rentals freed me from ever having to get a job again," says Orlando Rodriguez, a 38-year-old San Antonio landlord who makes about $100,000 a year off the 90 apartments he owns. "I'm a high school dropout -- seventh-grade dropout, actually -- so my story should tell people this isn't rocket science." Yes, landlording isn't science (which is not to say it isn't often a lot of hard work), but if you're willing to put in the time and effort, buying and operating rental properties can pay off big. Try this math on for size: You purchase a $100,000 condominium with $30,000 down and a $70,000 mortgage. If the condo rents for $1,200 a month, your net profits -- after costs such as mortgage, maintenance and property taxes -- should be in the $2,000-a-year range. Conservatively invested, that sum should earn enough to pay off the entire mortgage within 14 years. You'd have turned $30,000 in equity into $100,000, even if rents didn't go up and property values didn't appreciate. Factor in 4 percent annual rent increases and price appreciation, and the property's net value to the owner would be closer to $200,000. A stock fund would need to return 15 percent a year for 14 years to beat that performance -- and funds don't give you any of the tax breaks that can come with being a property owner. The key thing to remember, though, is that buying rental properties is not for point-and-click investors. Even landlords who hire out the plumbing, painting and rent collection to contractors and management companies typically make a big time commitment. Rick Lionhardt of Dallas, a 55-year-old retired telecom worker, owns 33 properties with wife Helen, 49, a secretary. Even when he was working full time, Lionhardt says, he spent 70 to 80 hours a week on real estate. "I'd make calls during lunch and drive around at night looking for more things to buy." For the first-time landlord, there is plenty to learn -- about taxes, financing, dealing with difficult tenants -- and usually there are many mistakes to be made. The payoff can be terrific though, even for investors who own just one or two properties. Doing it right will get you extra income now and a valuable addition to your retirement nest egg down the road. What does "doing it right" mean? Read on for some key tips and secrets -- as well as pitfalls to avoid -- from successful investors who had to learn the hard way. Know how to take your market's temperature. When considering a rental property, your top concern should be whether you can make money renting it out now, not how much its price might appreciate in the future (although that's important too). All you're doing is speculating on real estate prices if you're shelling out more than you're taking in -- and that can be dangerous, especially if you're doing it with borrowed money. "You never want to buy a property where every month you have to feed it," says Neil Binder, co-founder of New York City's Bellmarc Realty. So before you buy, add up your projected property taxes, mortgage payments and maintenance costs, and make sure the total is less than your expected rental income. Experienced real estate investors say they generally look to pay anywhere from 45 to 85 times monthly rent for a property. That means annual rental revenue should be about 15 to 25 percent of the property's value. Finding places with those kinds of yields can be difficult. Take California, probably the most bubblicious market in the country. A condominium renting for $1,200 a month in Southern California sells for $350,000 today, according to veteran California real estate investor Bruce Norris. A $1,200-a-month condo in the Dallas/Fort Worth area can be had for $95,000. To a landlord, that's the difference between an annual return on investment of 4 percent vs. 15 percent. Mortgages and home equity loans Search for rates from hundreds of lenders. No points only Select Loan: Select a Mortgage 15 Yr Fixed Jumbo - $385K 15 Yr Fixed Conforming - $165K 30 Yr Fixed Conforming - $165K 30 Yr Fixed Jumbo - $385K 1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K 1 Yr ARM Jumbo - $385K 3/1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K 3/1 ARM Jumbo - $385K 5/1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K 5/1 ARM Jumbo - $385K 7/1 Yr ARM Conforming - $165K ARM Jumbo - $385K State: Select State Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Washington DC Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming "The only reason you'd be a California landlord at today's prices is because you're expecting price appreciation," says Norris, who thinks prices in the state are due for a fall. "Monthly cash flow would be almost impossible to achieve without an enormous down payment." Another tool experienced investors use to measure the profitability of a market is price-to-rent -- that is, the ratio of median home price to annual rent for three-bedroom homes. The bigger the number, the less likely you are to make money as a landlord. California has a price-to-rent ratio of 25 these days, the highest in the country. Hawaii (23) is second from the top, and Massachusetts (19) is third. Far more inviting to investors are states like Delaware, Missouri, Texas and Vermont, where the price-to-rent ratios are 11 or 12. For more information on median home prices and market rents in your area, visit realtor.org and huduser.org . Find smart ways to cut your financing costs. Borrowing to buy real estate as an investment is more expensive than borrowing to buy a home. Lenders generally think they are taking more of a risk on buildings that the owner doesn't live in. Consequently, the interest rates they charge tend to be 0.5 percentage points or more above those for traditional home mortgages. Not only that, but borrowers need excellent credit scores to qualify for the lowest rates. In addition, the minimum down payment is usually 20 or 25 percent, instead of the 10 percent for standard home mortgages. There are a couple of ways around the higher rates and steeper down payments. To qualify for a traditional mortgage, you are required by most lenders to live in the property for a minimum of one year. But there's nothing stopping you from buying a home or a condo with a traditional mortgage, living in it for a year and then renting it out afterward. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Mortgages Personal Debt Real Estate Loan Markets or Create your own Manage alerts | What is this? If the down payment rather than the rate is the stumbling block, ask the seller whether he's willing to self-finance the mortgage. With owner financing, the buyer signs a promissory note in which he agrees to make his mortgage payments directly to the seller. In exchange for forgoing a down payment, the seller typically gets a premium rate -- 8 to 10 percent, perhaps. Why would a seller take the additional risk implicit in skipping the down payment? "It's a lot faster to sell a house owner-financed than conventionally," says San Antonio landlord Rodriguez. (There are also brokers who buy owner-financed notes from sellers who want their money up front.) Click here to learn about interest-only mortgages and some of their advantages. Learn to take advantage of the many tax breaks. For tax purposes, what you make in rent is generally taxable as regular income. Real estate taxes and mortgage interest on an investment property are fully tax deductible though. Operating expenses such as utilities, insurance, repairs and condominium common charges are also deductible. So are rental fees paid to brokers, although they must be spread out over the life of the lease. Even better, the federal tax code entitles rental-property owners to a depreciation deduction even though housing prices usually go up, not down, over time. (There are, however, numerous conditions and catches, which is why it is essential to consult a tax adviser before you invest a cent.) Anticipate problems (they will be numerous). Reliable, prompt-paying tenants do up and leave suddenly. Minor leaks have a way of becoming expensive repair jobs. That's why it's smart to line up inspectors and contractors before you buy. And why it's important to establish rainy-day funds. Two or three months' rent is usually -- but not always -- sufficient. Just ask Marla Renee, a 55-year-old semiretired hairdresser who owns six rental properties in the Detroit area. Five years ago Renee bought a run-down duplex for $28,000. She figured the house needed $10,000 worth of work, but three months later the tally was nearly three times that. "The last tenant had turned on the water on purpose and flooded the whole place," she says. "The floor, ceiling and walls were all messed up." Finally, don't skimp on fees should you decide to hire a management company to tend to your rental property. The typical fee is 5 to 10 percent of rental income. Experienced landlords say it's not worth it to be cheap: Property managers often work harder to fill vacancies and to maximize rent when they are better compensated. Put potential tenants under the microscope. Picking tenants may ultimately be the most important real estate decision you make. This is where listening to the voices of experience really pays off -- although you should be discreet about how you apply their lessons. Elderly people are better tenants than college kids, as everyone knows, but in many states, landlords acting on that type of common sense judgment would be running afoul of fair-housing laws. Michelle Bizik, 35, of Lake Ariel, Pa. owns two small apartment buildings with her husband Goran, 30. For the most part, they've had lots of success finding good tenants. They require potential renters to provide Social Security numbers, ostensibly for criminal and credit background checks (which are a good idea), but Bizik says it's more about renters proving to her that they have nothing to hide. She also checks references with employers and prior landlords. If prospects pass those tests, she and her husband always meet them in person. "I need to get a vibe off of them," she explains. These are all good ideas for screening tenants. Here are a couple more. When checking references, don't stop with the most recent landlord. Contact the second or third most recent as well. "The current landlord may just want him out of the property," says Ellis San Jose, a 39-year-old real estate investor from Los Angeles. Also, consider making an unannounced visit to the prospect's current residence. Marcia Glantz, a Coldwell Banker broker for 27 years in Yorktown, N.Y., says, "Explain that your house is important to you, and that you want to get a sense for how they live." Saying no can be tough when a vacancy is burning a hole in your wallet. Stay strong. The one time Michelle Bizik caved proved to be a big mistake. "We were both against him," she recalls, "but the apartment was empty and he was a friend of another tenant." Soon after the guy moved in, his pregnant girlfriend, five cats and two friends did too. And he was late with the rent. "All the tenants were complaining," Bizik says. "The hall smelled like cat urine. The music was so loud, tenants were calling me at 11 o'clock at night." The Biziks offered to pay him to leave. He declined, so they had to go through the aggravation and expense of having him evicted. Think about investing in REITs instead. If you want to buy into real estate but don't want to deal with all the headaches that can come with managing it, you may want to consider a real estate investment trust (REIT). These are publicly traded building-management companies that pass the bulk of their earnings on to shareholders in the form of hefty dividends. That makes them a great choice for retirees and other income-hungry investors. One catch is that REIT dividends are taxed at higher rates than regular corporate dividends. REITs offer several advantages over buying properties on your own. First, there are economies of scale: On a per-square-foot basis, REIT maintenance costs are much lower than those of most individual landlords. The management expenses of a typical REIT are only 0.5 percent of total assets under management, says Russell Platt, manager of the Dividend Capital Realty Income fund. Another plus is diversification, since REITs typically invest in many markets and sometimes different types of property -- residential, commercial and retail. And finally, there's liquidity: You can sell a REIT whenever you want, and your brokerage commission will be a drop in the bucket compared with the 6 percent charged by most real estate brokers. A conservative REIT bet would be Equity Residential Properties ( Research ), run by Chicago mogul Sam Zell. Equity Residential is the nation's largest landlord, which makes it something like an index fund for apartment buildings. Earnings have taken a hit lately owing to, among other things, the Florida hurricanes. But occupancy rates have been ticking up, and Equity Residential still offers a juicy 5.1 percent dividend yield. A more aggressive play is Archstone-Smith Trust ( Research ), an apartment building owner with a big presence in suburban Washington, D.C. and other East Coast markets. Archstone-Smith also has a dividend yield of 5.1 percent. The company has profits from condo conversions, and high occupancy rates, which put it in a good position to raise rents. And that's a very nice position for any landlord to be in. --* Disclaimer Try an issue of MONEY magazine - FREE! More on REAL ESTATE • How to buy and build on rural land • Most overvalued housing markets • When booms go bust... TODAY'S TOP STORIES • Most overvalued housing markets • Risks to the economy in 2006 • Which was the worst ad of all in 2005? CNN Money contact us | subscribe to Money magazine advertising -- | site map | glossary | RSS | press room OTHER NEWS: CNN | SI | Fortune | Business 2.0 | Time © 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms under which this service is provided to you. privacy policy Reprints of site stories are available.

Florida Real Estate Expert

ERA - Destin Florida Real Estate - Pensacola Real Estate - Pensacola Beach Condos for sale Your ERA Florida Real Estate Expert for Pensacola, Destin, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key Real Estate. Gulf Breeze Florida real estate MLS Pensacola real estate Destin condos for sale Destin Florida Waterfront luxury homes Gulf Breeze, FL emerald coast realty Navarre Florida Gulf coast Beach Condos Pensacola Florida Real Estate Perdido Key Condos Licensed Florida & Alabama Broker Pensacola Florida, Destin, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach and all NW FL Gulf Coast Beach Communities. Direct (850) 439-1811 Toll Free (866) 906-1811 kim.gibbons@era.com Member Gulf Breeze & Perdido Key FL Chambers Owner Broker LOCAL REALTORS ® I'm a local ERA Real Estate Broker, ready to find you the Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach Waterfront Navarre, Destin Florida real estate or Perdido Key property that meets your specific needs. My Realtors are highly focused on these real estate markets for maximum results. I specialize in: residential homes, commercial and investment property. Types of properties include; luxury Gulf beach front condos, townhouses, waterfront land, luxury homes, Destin beach condos and new oceanfront homes construction. Click luxury homes or Navarre realty information from the Navarre FL realestate eSource. BUYERS I search the Destin and Pensacola Florida MLS Real Estate databases daily for real estate that matches your specific criteria. I then notify you immediately with the latest Destin or Pensacola MLS listing that meet your desired need. Choose Find Homes for Sale and fill in the requested information. I will contact you to confirm the specifics of the property you desire and then follow up with properties you can evaluate, its a breeze! You can also contact me to get automatic updates on homes or condos in the Pensacola and Destin FL areas that meet your specific criterion. MORE EMERALD COAST REAL ESTATE • Destin Condos • Fort Walton Beach Real Estate ˜ ˜ ˜ SELLERS Plan To List Your Property? Go with the Broker with the best internet presence! More internet exposure equates to more potential BUYERS! Our Commitment to You... If you plan to sell your real estate in the next few months, use my CMA evaluation. This free service is designed to help establish the current market value for your property. Simply choose Listing Property and provide the requested information. I will use comparable homes or condos that have sold in your area from the MLS to help you determine the fair market value of your home. When you list your home I make sure the public knows that your home is available for sale by using state of the art advertising and marketing approaches to attract potential buyers. Such as, immediate MLS listing, extensive internet and national directory exposure. Buyer from came to this Web Site in 2004! Marketing Strategy Presentation WHY KIM GIBBONS? 1) Huge Internet presence 2) Florida Licensed Broker, Associate 3) Experience, Multi Million Dollar Producer 4) Extensive Relocation Experience 5) A well defined Listing Sales Strategy , to sell your property! As a respected Emerald Coast professional, I am dedicated to providing the best service possible. Because our industry is becoming more sophisticated and challenging every day, I work hard to staying ahead of the competition to best represent YOU and your priorities! I am a Licensed Florida Broker , with that comes a better understanding and knowledge to better serve you. Most agents are not Brokers because the knowledge and testing requirements are very rigorous. I strive to determine your specific needs and work hard to get the results you deserve! Click here to find out more about listing your home ˜ ˜ ˜ Please use my web site to explore our Gulf Coast schools and NW FL communities to find the special neighborhood that best fits your likes and personal priorities. CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU WANT? I can show, sell and get you any additional listing information on realty and condos located in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Destin, Walton and all Counties of North and Northwest Florida. Contact Us MORE RESOURCES Click here to view our Realty Articles . Ivan has left it's mark on the Gulf Coast see Ivan Damaged Houses TIP OF THE WEEK Before you list your property, look at this weeks tip: FEATURED LISTINGS Please take a moment of your time to look at this weeks Featured Listings. Espaol Beach Front Homes Pensacola, Florida Real Estate Perdido Key Condos Pensacola Florida Condos Ask An Expert Español Francais Deutsch Italiano Português Gulf Breeze Homes Direct (850) 439-1811 Toll Free (866) 906-1811 Dictionary Climate Realtor Newsletter Site Maps 1) Pensacola 2) Destin Pensacola News Entertainment USA & International Realtors Directory Emerald Coast Activities Real Estate Agents Gulf Breeze Chamber Community information Search Gulf Coast Luxury Florida Rental Condos Florida Rentals by Owners Property listing Service Daily News Realty Times Maps hazard, Topos & Road Florida real estate Directory Mortgage Articles FL Realtors Hawaii real estate Las Vegas Real Estate Austin Homes New Hampshire Real Estate Ventura / Oxnard Real Estate Eglin Relocation Lake Travis Real Estate Myrtle Beach Condos Florida Condos Miami Condos Calgary Canada Realty Los Angeles real estate Houston Real Estate Destin Real Estate Tenerife apartments for sale Beach Cams Real Estate Marketing Relocation Referral Network Find out more about Relocation Referral Network North FloridaVacations.com #1 vacation Google This Website Yahoo This Website Realtor.com REALTOR Directories Disclaimer | Privacy Statement The unauthorized use or duplication of any graphic, formats, code, design elements, content, materials or pages is strictly prohibited and will be vigorously pursued through legal and professional sanctions.