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The Peoples Guide to Mexico: Real Estate in Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico People's Guide Homepage • Copper Canyon • Live & Retire • Carl's Notebooks • Letters • Favorite Books • Visit our Sponsors • Table of Contents • The Best of Mexico: Favorite Places Live & Retire in Mexico Lake Chapala area Buying Property in the Lake Chapala Area by Tony Harries & Teresa A. Kendrick In the last decade or so, it is estimated that more than 10,000 foreigners have purchased property on the Northshore of Lake Chapala. Long prized as a weekend retreat by wealthy Guadalajarans, the villages from Lake Chapala to Jocotepec now boast an expatriate community said to be the largest in the world. Ajijic has become the prime location for foreigners because of its infrastructure of services, such as internet access, and the existence of the Lake Chapala Society, an English-speaking resource center for newcomers and residents. The Real Estate Climate on the Northshore At present, the Northshore has 20 real estate agencies. Their level of competency and expertise vary. In Mexico, the real estate industry is not regulated by the government. It is self-regulated. Two associations are responsible for training agents and policing the ethics of the agencies: AMPI (Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios) is the national organization (with a lakeside chapter) and Gil (Grupo Inmobiliario del Lago) is the local organization. Many offices belong to one or the other, and some belong to both. They provide multiple-listing services that allow agents to show properties listed by other agencies, an advantage for both buyer and seller. The most professional agencies also provide their own in-house training for new agents. Several agencies have websites that will allow you to get a feel for the company, the houses that are available and the prices of property and land. The websites allow you to interact with the agency via email, and, if the site is good, will offer background information and answers to frequently asked questions. It can also provide you with the name of an agent. Choosing an Agent Good agents tend to work for well-run organizations. When walking into the office for the first time, take a look around. Does it look professionally managed? Are key personnel bilingual? Are listings photographed, detailed and organized so you can spend time reviewing available properties and evaluating how much your money will buy? Talk with several agents to find one you feel is knowledgeable, experienced, available, compatible, and upfront. Professional, reliable agents provide service before, during, and after a sale. If a problem or error arise, your agent should work hard to correct it. After your initial meeting, ask around about the reputations of various agencies and agents, but be aware that while gathering information, it is very likely you will also gather misinformation. One person can easily contradict another; this is human nature and common in a small communities. Being a Good Client/Firing an Agent Agent- and agency-hopping is an ethical no-no, but after viewing several properties reevaluate your agent. If you feel that the agent is not listening to you, tell him or her; they will appreciate you restating your requirements. Often clients are confused about what they want, or unrealistic about what their money can buy. Be clear about what you want. Buying a house is an emotional process, so be prepared to experience some unusual feelings and reactions and understand that an agent has the dual job of steering you through the process of buying property in another country and your own learning curve. If you are unable to work with your agent, graciously fire that agent and find another. You might use a simple, “Thank you for your time and efforts. We feel we wish to expand our search and thought we might consult with another agency. If we feel you can be of further service, we will get back to you.” Remember, the agent you are releasing is a member of the community in which you will live and diplomacy will save some feelings down the line. How to be a good Client If your first visit to the area is an exploratory excursion, tell your agent. He or she will guide you as you gather preliminary information. If you are not in a position to buy at the time, limit the time you spend with the agent as he or she has other clients to serve. If you have funds available to buy property, the agent will intensify the search for a suitable property and guide you through the process. Be clear about how much you can spend and when you plan to resettle. Remember agents often work for months without reimbursement for their out of pocket expenses. The Nitty Gritty At this time, prices for houses on the Northshore run anywhere from $22,000 US to 1.35 million US. The average home with the amenities sought by North American buyers are in the $100,000 US range. Location, as everywhere, is one of the most determining factors for setting the price. The further out from services you go, the lower prices will be. View, construction type, size and amenities determine the rest. Clients can choose from gated communities which offer security (a plus for residents who spend 6 months in Mexico and 6 months elsewhere), large country estates, and village living. Village homes are connected to one another by common exterior, and, occasionally, interior walls and allow residents to live within walking distance of most services and activities. Do not let any agent sell you ejido land. No matter what future promises anyone may make, you will not get a legal title. This is land set aside by the government for the indigenous people of Mexico and cannot be sold to foreigners. Also, there are a few places on the Northshore known for their instability due to soft soil or geothermal faults, and some places have water supply problems. Informed, wise agents will steer you away from these trouble spots. The Buying Process Purchasing a home or lot on the Northshore is primarily a cash transaction, but occasionally short-term owner financing is available. When you make an offer to the seller you must present a check for 10% of the value of the house. A photocopy is made of this “earnest money” and the check itself is placed in the agency safe. Once negotiations are completed under the supervision of the respective buying and selling real estate agents, and both parties have signed a purchase agreement, the check is deposited into the escrow account of the selling agency. The check is later applied to the balance of the purchase price at the notary public’s office. (Note: The actual sale price of a property is not a matter of public record in Mexico, nor is it registered with the government. It is unethical for an agent to tell you the sale price of a property. He or she can tell you what the property was listed for, but not what was paid.) The Closing Closings take place in the office of a Notario Publico, or notary public. These are lawyers of very high standing who, after 5 years of legal practice, apply to the government for notario status and must undergo strict scrutiny to be awarded the title. With it comes many responsibilities and important legal functions. One of these is to preside over and ensure the legality of property transfer. The notary authenticates the seller’s right to sell the property, scrutinizes the history of the property for any irregularities, and makes sure the deed is clear and free of liens through appropriate government offices. Since the buyer pays for the closing costs and notary’s fees, it is his or her privilege to select the notary. The notary can advise the buyer which type of deed meets his needs: direct deed or bank trust deed. The notary will file with the Mexican government the application for the transfer of the deed from seller to buyer. His official signature on all documents finalizes the purchase and makes it a legal transaction under Mexican law. From purchasing to closing the norm is 30 to 60 days, but motivated parties can complete the process within 15 days. Differences in Home Construction There is no slab-frame construction in this part of Mexico. A home here is usually of concrete, glass, stone, brick, iron and rebar construction. Wood is expensive and used little except for design affect. Each wall is load-bearing and has its own foundation. Many houses have exterior walls and decorative metal work to ensure privacy and security. There are "aljibes" (cisterns) for water storage and in some of the newer homes, water purification and pressure systems are built-in. You will also find tanks for storing propane used for cooking and heating water as there is no infrastructure to supply natural gas. You will notice a lack of central heating and air conditioning, as it’s not essential. A fireplace on a cool evening or morning is charming and does the trick. There are no building codes so a good agent will provide you with information about levels of construction quality and what might be buried within the walls. Developers The north shore of Lake Chapala has recently seen a rise in new, speculative construction meant to appeal to buyers from the North. Much of this work is being done by young, Mexican architects from monied Guadalajara families with varying degrees of experience and dependability. There are also projects being developed by American, Canadian and European companies. Remodeling Many buyers purchase a home with the intent of upgrading and remodeling the existing structure. Craftsmen, laborers, architects and artisans abound in the area. If you are in the market for such services, perhaps your agent can help direct you to a general contractor who has a good reputation. Be sure to get a signed, witnessed contract stipulating prices and the quality of work and materials to be used. If language is a problem, get a translator to help you. Several translators are listed in the Lake Chapala Society directory, a members-only book that can be loaned to you by your agent. If, during the remodeling, you feel you have been financially abused, the government has an agency with an office in Chapala called PROFECO which helps consumers receive satisfaction. The pace of work is probably not what you are used to, but in Mexico, patience is required as distribution of materials, cultural standards, and community -- and family-based events interrupt building schedules. Real Estate Agencies/Developers/Internet Websites In Ajijic: Abode Realty: Adj Corporation Ajijic Developments: http://www.ajijicdevs.com Ajijic Real Estate, http://www.ajijic.com ; email: ajijic@infosel.net.mx Ambience Fine Home Builders: http://www.ambiance.com.mx America Mexico Builders Camille’s Realty/Coldwell Banker Chapala Realty: http://www.chapala.com Continental Realty Chula Vista Norte Eager & Asociados: http://www.mexconnect.com/MEX/ea/ea.html Laguna Real Estate: http://www.mexconnect.com/amex/lgna/ Marnher Group RE/Max Ajijic: http://www.desconresorts.com In Chapala: Coldwell Banker/Chapala Realty (Chapala Office), http://www.chapala.com Sierra Vista: In Chula Vista: Century 21 Vistas: http://www.lagunanet.net.mx/c21vistas In Jocotepec: Semprex Realty In Riberas del Pilar: Sunset Realty: http://www.sunsetrealty.com.mx In San Antonio Tlayacapán: Re/Max Fenix About the authors: Tony Harries is a real estate agent who has been working in the Lake Chapala area since June 1997. He is an award-winning school teacher from Texas who retired after 31 years of service. Proficient in Spanish, he has developed a deep appreciation of Mexico following several decades of travel in Mexico before his retirement. He has helped clients from all over the world buy property in the area and this year became a top producing agent for one of the area’s leading agencies. His email is tonyharr@prodigy.net.mx Teresa Kendrick is the author of the recently published book “Mexico’s lake Chapala and Ajijic: The Insiders Guide to the Northshore for International Travelers” Highly detailed and up-to-date, the 208 page book boasts 143 color photographs, a well-organized table of contents and index, and information about nearly everything available on the Northshore of Lake Chapala for travelers and newcomers. The book is available with a full-color map of the Northshore for $26 US plus shipping and handling. The book will be available to purchase locally by calling 76-6-3163 or by ordering from her website: http://www.chapalaguide.com Teresa's email is ajijic@chapalaguide.com . Top of Page Homepage Table of Contents Site Map Write to us, Carl & Lorena http://www.peoplesguide.com ©1972-2001 by Carl Franz & Lorena Havens Copper Canyon • Live & Retire • Table of Contents • Book Reviews • Letters

Rental Property If you

Tax Deductions for Rental Property Home | About Us | Office Locator | Tax Resource Center | Investor Relations | FAQ | Contact Us | Site Map Tax Resource Center Tax Forms Tax Changes Tax Tips Deductions@Work Tax Calculators Tax Links What to Bring Checklist Top 50 Overlooked Deductions Top Overlooked Credits Tax Topics Disasters and Casualties Tax Education Tax Glossary Tax Trivia for Tax Year 2005 Home : Tax Resource Center : Tax Topics Rental Property If you own rental real estate, you should know how it impacts your personal tax return. Rental income must be reported on your tax return, and generally, associated expenses can be deducted from your rental income. Reviewing answers to the following common questions regarding rental property may help you understand the tax implications of rental property ownership: What is considered rental income? What deductions can I take as an owner of rental property? What are some things I should know about rental property? Contact your local Jackson Hewitt office for more information or assistance. Use the Office Locator feature available on this Web site or call 1-800-234-1040 to find the Jackson Hewitt location most convenient to you. What is considered rental income? Rental income is any income you receive for the use or occupancy of property you own. Some examples are: Rent Payment to cancel a lease Advance rent Expenses paid by the tenant Any security deposit kept because a tenant did not fulfill their part of the rental agreement Do not include: A security deposit you are holding with the intent of returning it to the tenant at the end of the lease Income received from renting your home for fewer than 15 days per year Back to Top What deductions can I take as an owner of rental property? Deductible expenses for rental property are the ordinary and necessary expenses to manage, conserve, and maintain your property. Deductible expenses include: Advertising in the newspaper for tenants and cost of signs Cleaning supplies Real estate taxes Mortgage and other interest paid for the rental property Cost of insurance-hazard, flood, fire, or liability Payments for service such as lawn care, pest control, and trash collection Payments for maintenance of the property Professional fees for tax advice and tax return preparation fees for the part of the tax return dealing with rental property Cost of new locks and keys Commissions paid for finding tenants Cost of necessary transportation to and from the rental property for the purpose of maintenance, management, rent collection, picking up supplies, or checking the property (if you use your personal vehicle, either keep track of actual expenses and miles traveled or just the miles traveled) Cost of repairs and maintenance (not improvements) to keep your property in good condition (this includes items such as repainting and fixing floors and windows) Cost of renting equipment used for the rental property Depreciation of the property (not including the land) Depreciation of appliances, furnishings, and improvements Any long distance calls associated with your rental property The court costs for evicting a tenant Legal fees pertaining to the rental property or tenants Utilities Expenses incurred when the property is not rented as long as you are actively trying to rent the property (even if you are renting it for the first time) You cannot deduct: Rental income lost due to vacancy The cost of improvements which increase the value and/or extend the life of the property or modify it for a new use (includes such things as a room addition, new carpet, new appliances, fencing, or a new roof - these items can generally be depreciated) Back to Top What Are Some Things I Should Know About Rental Property? If you rent only part of your property, certain expenses must be divided between the part used as rental property and the part used for personal purposes. If you do not rent your property for profit, you can deduct your rental expenses only up to the amount of your rental income. When rental property is sold, the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or capital, depending on the circumstances. The rental of personal property such as equipment or vehicles is reported as business income. You are in the business of renting personal property if the primary purpose for renting the property is income or profit and you are involved in the activity on a continuous and regular basis. If your rental of personal property is not a business, other rules for reporting will apply. Losses from residential rental properties are subject to certain limitations. If you are considered a real estate professional, special rules apply for the reporting of income and losses. For more information, contact your local Jackson Hewitt Tax Service office. Back to Top Back to Tax Topics Tax Tips CASUALTY AND THEFT LOSS - AUTO If you have been involved in an automobile accident, the damage to your car may be considered a casualty loss. This would apply if the loss were not due to your negligence or the negligence of someone driving your vehicle. The loss must first be reduced by any insurance or other reimbursement plus $100, and then by 10% of your adjusted gross income. home | about us | tax news | tackle your taxes | learn & earn | own a franchise | work with us | privacy/terms of use © 2004 Jackson Hewitt Inc. All rights reserved.

Florida Real Estate

OrlandoSentinel.com: Real Estate : Orlando and Central Florida Real Estate, Homes For Sale, Condos For Sale, Vacation Rentals, Land For Sale, and More Real Estate JOBS CARS REAL ESTATE SHOPPING PLACE AN AD 7-DAY SEARCH: OUR SITE WEB ENHANCED BY RSS NEWS FEED: HOME PAGE NEWS SPORTS BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIFESTYLE WEATHER OPINION TRAVEL MULTIMEDIA MARKETPLACE SITE INDEX PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD JOBS Print & Online FlexAd: Individual Advertisers Agencies & Contract Accounts Print and Online | Online Only REAL ESTATE Print & Online Rental Online Only CARS Print & Online Online Only GENERAL CLASSIFIEDS Merchandise, Financial, Announcements, Training & Education, Pets By phone: 407-420-5757 or online: Print & Online OBITUARIES By phone: 407-420-6006 By fax: 407-420-5145 or Email a notice NOTICES/CELEBRATIONS Notices: By phone: 407-420-5757 or online: Print & Online Celebrations: By phone: 407-420-5696 or online: Print & Online For more information on placing a Classified ad, please contact our qualified representatives for personalized attention: 407-420-5757 1-800-669-5757 (toll-free) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ATTENTION REALTORS Click here for information about advertising in the new Weekend Home Preview section of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper. Find a Home: Search listings from brokers, builders and classifieds. All Homes New Construction Resale Homes City, Neighborhood, or ZIP: State: Choose from a list AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA GU HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY Price Range: No minimum $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $950,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 to No maximum $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $550,000 $600,000 $650,000 $700,000 $750,000 $800,000 $850,000 $900,000 $950,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 Property Type: Any Single Family Home Building Unit Co-Op Unit Condominium Unit Duplex Farm Houseboat Mobile Home Raw Land Row House Townhouse/Townhome Bedrooms: Bathrooms: Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Advanced Search Click on the map to search by location: Or search by location from the list: Brevard County Lake County Marion County Orange County Osceola County Polk County Seminole County Volusia County Find a Builder by Name: Select One Del Webb Pringle Development Choose a County/Area: Select One Brevard County-- Lake County Marion County Orange County Osceola County Polk County-- Seminole County-- Volusia County Enter your home search criteria once, and get home matches directly in your inbox. Get the latest listings first! Set up an Alert >> Search by Web# or MLS# Advanced | National | Apartments | School Scores | Email Alerts SELL YOUR PROPERTY Reach motivated buyers! Online-only packages starting at $99 - click here Print and online packages starting at $124.99 - click here RESOURCES Mortgage Guide Virtual Tours Home Sale Prices Community Information Find a Realtor Orlando New Homes Apartments / Rentals What's Selling Gallery Orlando Schools Relocation Package New Home Specials Storage Finder -- FLORIDA LIFESTYLE ACTIVE ADULTS Year-round golf, social activities and recreation - the good life in one place. Click Here COASTAL LIVING Beaches, breezes, sunsets, sun - life built around a relaxing coastal setting. Click Here MASTERPLAN Work, school, golf, recreation, shopping - all within a single community. Click Here URBAN LIVING Condos, townhomes, cosmopolitan & downtown living have arrived in Orlando. Click Here COMMUNITY INFORMATION NEW! Population, financial, environment, and crime information on Central Florida communities HOME AND LIFESTYLE Check out the latest issue of From House to Home , a home and lifestyle magazine from the Orlando Sentinel. Tools for Buying and Selling Find a Realtor Find a Mortgage Search the Orlando & Central Florida area to find a Realtor who can assist you with your real estate needs. Search by county. 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Weichert Realtors: Homes for Sale & Real Estate Listings in NJ,NY,FL,VA,MD,DC,CT,PA,MA,SC,NC,TX,GA,DE,OH,TN,WV En Espanol City & State, or Zip: MLS #: Price Range: $ ,000 To: $ ,000 Rentals Careers at Weichert Luxury Homes Historic Homes New Homes and Land Corporate Housing Commercial & Investments Insurance Gold Services Relocation Real Estate Schools Referral Associates Franchise Opportunities Start your Home search here, or click on the map. Please Select Alabama Arkansas Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Missouri New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennesee Texas Virginia Washington, DC West Virginia Weichert, Realtors proudly donated $1.3 million to the American Red Cross for the victims of Hurricane Katrina Also Search For: Selling · Open Houses · Mortgages · Associates · Offices Browse By State: Alabama Real Estate Properties New York Real Estate Properties Arkansas Real Estate Properties North Carolina Real Estate Properties Connecticut Real Estate Properties Ohio Real Estate Properties Delaware Real Estate Properties Pennsylvania Real Estate Properties Florida Real Estate Properties South Carolina Real Estate Properties Georgia Real Estate Properties Tennesee Real Estate Properties Illinois Real Estate Properties Texas Real Estate Properties Maryland Real Estate Properties Virginia Real Estate Properties Massachusetts Real Estate Properties Washington, DC Real Estate Properties Missouri Real Estate Properties West Virginia Real Estate Properties New Jersey Real Estate Properties Call 1-800-USA-SOLD (1-800-872-7653) Buying a House | Selling a Home | Open Houses | Real Estate Agents | Realtor Offices Find a Mortgage | My Real Estate Listings | About Weichert | Home | Contact Us Real Estate Franchise Opportunities | Weichert Careers © 2005 Weichert Realtors. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Statement REALTOR® -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS ® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Inquiries regarding the Code of Ethics should be directed to the board in which a REALTOR® holds membership. © 2005 Weichert Realtors. All Rights Reserved.

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Globe Real Estate - Brokers- Buyers - Properties - Sellers - listings Real Estate - Buy It - List It - Loans - Trade It - Links - Rentals - Homes Home Find an Agent! Property Search Electronic Appraisal RE Tools Free CMA! Log In A Featured Property Help Wanted This Could Be Yours! Location - Paramus NJ Price - $1299000 Beds & Baths - 5 / 3 Garage: 2 Size: 4400 Welcome to GlobeRE.Com, the Internet's best Real Estate resources for Brokers, Agents, Sellers, and Buyers! Getting connected to the right agent is the key to a positive real estate experience. Every day, people by the thousands use our advanced Real Estate database and proprietary scripts to fulfill their Real Estate needs. You can FIND AN EXPERT BROKER , perform an extensive FEATURED PROPERTY SEARCH for commercial, residential, income, land, investment, and recreational properties, and FIND AN AGENT BY ZIP OR MARKET ! Electronic Appraisal is all that information the bank seemed to come up with and FREE CMA Price-It-Right Tool are ideal for assisting buyers and sellers in negotiating a property's actual market value. Anyone may search and VIEW OUR FEATURED PROPERTIES ! If you are a seller or agent and wish to HAVE YOUR FOR SALE PROPERTY FEATURED he re you may do so and it is easy to do! Additional services for marketers , agents , advertise related goods and services! Interview Expert Agents ( USA ) - AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Interview Expert Agents ( Canada ) - AB BC MB NB NL NS ON PE SK YT Home I Agents Service I Traders Club I CUSTOMER SERVICE I Books I Connections I Look at Directory I Tools Get an Expert Agent I Loans I Privacy Statement I About Us I Search by Map I Moving Boxes I Log On I Links I Post a Property I Email US Help Wanted I