Investment Support

Like most people I find balancing the household finances at the end of the month a struggle. With three children all under eight and me not in full time work we need to watch every penny and I have become adept at making the money last and would be described by the popular press as a “Thrifty Mum”. I am probably not alone when I’m not only able to list all of my direct debits but also able to say the amounts I pay each week for each of them and the day they come out of our bank account. The control this gives me allows me to avoid worrying too much as I couldn’t cope with the thought of not being able to do so and the crisis I would be in would threaten everything I and my husband have worked together for. I have become very canny at looking out for offers and religiously cut vouchers out of the newspaper and keep an eye out for when the deals are on at the local Tesco supermarket.

One of the most helpful ways of saving money I’ve come across in recent years is to use the comparison websites to make sure that you aren’t paying a penny more than you have to on your household bills. I will regularly log on and do a permanent health insurance comparison or a check to see if our buildings and contents insurance can be bought cheaper than we have it already. Changing electricity and gas suppliers is always worth considering as they tend to put up prices for people who don’t switch providers like the banks and building societies do for those who don’t move their money to the best savings accounts. I believe that we can save about one month’s salary a year by switching or threatening to switch suppliers. Sometime purely mentioning the fact that you are about to change provider to your existing provider will mean that they will drop their price by a huge margin. Its well worth trying, the alternative is too awful to contemplate.

Source: http://www.permanenthealthinsurance.uk.com/blog/2012/01/27/permanent-health-insurance-must-if-you-are-self-employed/

Property investors are targeting the tiny Eastern European country of Estonia with a vengeance because it offers massive and sustainable long term potential for profit and property price gains with real estate prices having already increased by as much as 30% in just three years.

The popularity of this breathtakingly beautiful country stems from many different points: firstly the country is an economic success story. Having escaped the domination of Soviet rule back in 1991 it has since established strong trade links with Finland, Sweden and Germany and now has a GDP growth rate of around 6% annually. Secondly the government of Estonia is committed to the promotion of foreign direct investment and to this end it offers some impressive tax breaks to companies who establish themselves in Estonia.

Income tax is a flat 26% in Estonia making it one of the most competitive of all European nations and therefore more appealing for multinational companies seeking a base in Europe and more appealing for local and foreign employees. And finally, Estonia has a rugged and natural beauty and its natural landscape and friendly people are drawing more and more visitors to the country annually and so the tourism market in Estonia is growing quickly.

Property investors have been targeting the capital city of Tallinn where the majority of international companies investing in Estonia are establishing bases and where there is an increasing demand for quality residential and commercial property to rent, buy or lease.

Those who bought just three years ago in the most desirable districts have realized real profits in the region of 30%. These rates may not be sustainable over the longer term but prices and rental rates are set to keep on climbing because the demand for property outstrips supply and will likely continue to do so for quite some time.

A lot of the residential real estate in Estonias cities is old Soviet style apartment block units and these properties are not at all popular. More and more developers are constructing new and modern accommodation that property investors are snapping up and renting out to tenants or selling on to first time buyers or other property investors upon completion. Those who wish to buy these types of property pre-construction benefit from the fact they buy at todays prices but take possession in 12 18 months when the real value of the property has risen quite substantially.

Unlike in many other countries around the world, those who buy off-plan in Estonia usually only have to find between 10 and 20% of the propertys price during the build period because the majority is payable upon completion this makes it easier for a property buyer to save to afford a property or to flip upon completion and resell to realize the profits with which to pay the developer.

The investment property potential in Estonia is exceptional and anyone looking to diversify their real estate portfolio should consider this Eastern European countrys property market.

If you have been working for some time, you probably have accumulated some form of savings,

and the first mistake we dont want to make is to let the money stay idle.

There are many ways to work your money hard, and one highly recommended approach is through

Real Estate Investment.

TOP 4 Reasons to choose Real

Estate Investment?
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1) Good choice of property can appreciate in value over a shorter period of time, hence

providing good profits when rented out or re-sold.
2) Real Estate plays a critical role in advancing towards financial freedom, through the

passive and recurring income through rentals for example.
3) Real Estate has less volatility as compared to stocks and shares, hence lower risk.
4) Simple methodologies involved, i.e: Finding the right property, Funding that property,

and Farming that property (making profits)

How to find the right property !!

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Given the thousands of properties available in the market, we want to choose the right

property, so that the value can go up, and it can be easily rented out and resold when

desired at a good price.

Hence, to choose the right properties, we consider the following critical factors.

Real Estate Factors (1) –

Location, location, location !!
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Location is also the key factor in looking out for a suitable property. Ideally, it should

be near common amenities and facilities such as schools, markets, bus and train

interchanges, shopping centres, and parks. If you can find a location with all these plus

factors, you are in luck, because such places tend to grow in value fast, and hence proved

profitable for you in no time.

Nonetheless, it is all up to personal decisions. You may desire a place which is quieter and

away from the urban chaos, but that could compromise on some of the accessibility and

conveniences which could in turn have an impact on your property future value.

Real Estate Factors (2) – Size and

Amenities
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A common phrase “Size does matters” and that is especially so in real estate, which is the

first impression when a potential tenant or buyer steps into your house. Besides considering

space for the living rooms, and bedrooms, extra spaces like garages, basements,

outbuildings, car spaces, and swimming pools are often a plus point during property

valuation.

Real Estate Factors (3) – Age of

the property
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Age of the property is important in determing its value. Older houses have much different

styles from modern houses, and this can be both a pro and a con.

Pro in the sense that if your house preserves some nice traditional architectural designs,

and that is highly loved by the prospective client, you could take the opportunity to

increase the selling price, hence making better profits.

Cons in the sense that if the client prefers houses with more contemporary designs, this

could have a dire impact on your older property given that it is harder to sell or rent,

ending up in price wars which is lose-lose situation for you.

Real Estate Factors (4) – Price of

the property
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Price is definitely in the consideration, hence it is essential to do a market research in

the neighbourhood for similar properties you are looking for before jumping to a decision.

Also, if you intend to take on financing, you should check out the different bank interest,

and other money issues that can occur, so that you wouldnt be caught in a surprise when

doing the final purchase decision.

Real Estate Factors (5) –

Condition of the property
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Arguably one of the most important attributes to look out for in a property. You may have

found the best location, the biggest size at the most bargainable price, but if the

condition is inhabitable, what does it make of your newly bought property? – Nothing !!

Hence, it is crucial to observe the condition of every potential property and take into

account the potential repair fees required for that property, and factor into the overall

pricing of the property to see if it is still worthwhile to buy that property.

To conclude, I have shared with you some valuable insights to why you

should adopt Real Estate Investment as one of the very feasible methods to grow your money,

and create a steady passive income to achieve your long term financial freedom goal and also

essential tips for choosing a property to fulfill that aim.

Next steps is to take actions, and wish you success in your Real Estate Investments !!

Indias real estate investment market has grown rapidly over the past 18 months, and following the partial relaxation of FDI regulations in February 2005, the country is now attracting substantial interest from cross border real estate investors. This report reviews the case for real estate investment in India, and assesses the current and potential future opportunities and constraints in this rapidly evolving market. We identify the key growth sectors, and as part of Jones Lang LaSalles World Winning Cities programme we highlight the real estate investment potential of Indias growing number of emerging city winners.

The report concludes that: The Indian real estate market offers cross-border investors with an attractive investment opportunity underpinned by a booming and increasingly diversified economy, significant potential for rapid expansion in FDI and a maturing real estate market. It will be those investors who have a long term strategic vision and commitment to India that are likely to be the most successful.

India is reaping the benefits of 15 years of reforms, and its economy is now set for a period of strong and sustainable growth. By 2010 India will be the worlds third largest economy (measured in purchasing power) and is expected to have a middle class of around 300 million people, larger than the USA. India has a large skilled labour pool, with 2.5 million new graduates added to this pool each year, most of whom are proficient English speakers with strong technical and quantitative skills.

Whilst the Indian real estate market still lacks transparency and liquidity compared to more mature real estate markets, its market structure is changing fast in response to the demands of multi-national occupiers. Jones Lang LaSalles latest Global Real Estate Transparency Index (2006) shows that India has achieved one of
the regions most significant improvements in real estate transparency over the past three years. Moreover, the increasing participation of cross-border investors and the emergence of new investment vehicles (including the likely introduction of REITs as early as 2008) will continue to force the pace of structural change over the remainder of the decade.

A significant weight of domestic and global capital is now chasing Indian real estate, but activity is currently being constrained by limited availability of high quality product. Singapore developers and US opportunity funds, which have dominated the cross-border market so far, are focusing on IT parks and residential schemes. They are now being joined by other Asian and European investors, who are currently exploring opportunities. The market will see more investment by domestic and cross border real estate funds.

Suburban offices and the residential sector are likely to offer the greatest opportunities over the short term, and over the medium term opportunities in the retail sector will grow:

Suburban Offices Occupier demand will be supported by a 30%+ annual growth forecast for the IT/ITES sectors. Strong growth in emerging sectors such as telecoms, financial services, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology will also boost demand and broaden the occupier base. State-of-the-art campus developments are expanding rapidly, and sale & leaseback opportunities are emerging.

Residential Favourable demographics, urbanisation, rising incomes and easier access to finance are fuelling strong demand for residential accommodation. India has an acute shortage of housing, with analysts assessing a shortfall in urban areas of over 20 million units.

Retail India has huge potential for retail expansion, and the sector is growing in the region of 10% a year. Organised retailing currently accounts for only 2-3% of the market, but the sector is undergoing structural change, with leading domestic retailers going through rapid growth, format migration and consolidation. Shopping centre construction is high, but most is of poor quality, strata titled and vacancy risk is high. There is huge largely untapped potential for high quality shopping mall development. Liberalisation of FDI norms will create opportunities for cross-border investors and mall developers/operators.

India continues to be saddled with a number of investment risks relating to low liquidity levels, ownership and title issues, short leases and some concerns over long term asset price inflation, added to which are the broader risks of an economy vulnerable to economic shocks, infrastructure strain and environmental stress.

Nonetheless, India is a vast and diverse country, and risks can be reduced by careful location selection:

Tier I citiesMumbai, Delhi and Bangalore will remain the preferred option for many new market entrants, but there are fewer partnering opportunities. Mumbai and Delhi will both offer diverse opportunities; Bangalore is firmly established as a global technology hub and its economy is moving rapidly up the value-chain.

Tier II cities are currently favoured notably Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune where there are greater partnering opportunities. These cities are proving to be highly attractive business locations, and are the increasing focus of corporate, retail and residential demand. This has not gone unnoticed by investors, and the yield gap with Tier I cities has narrowed significantly. Prime office yields in Tier II cities are in the range of 10.5-11.5%, compared to 9.5-10% in Tier I cities.

Tier III cities First mover advantage can still be achieved in some Tier III cities, with office yields in the region of 12%. Kolkata and Ahmedabad, the largest Tier III cities, are displaying impressive economic dynamism. Of the smaller cities, we favour Chandigarh, Kochi,Mangalore,Mysore, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhubaneshwar. Goa offers good potential in the hotel and leisure sectors. However, whilst these cities are attracting increasing occupier interest, the investment markets in these smaller cities are likely to lack liquidity.

Special Economic Zones are likely to be particularly attractive to cross-border players due to tax concessions and one-stop development approval mechanisms.

This article is sponsored by: www.indiarealestateblog.com

An example of creative real estate investment? When I was young, I had a job that paid $3.40 an hour, and I somehow saved enough to buy my first piece of real estate – 2 acres near where I lived. It cost $3,500.

I spent a few hours removing brush, outlined a driveway with logs, and hand painted a sign. Two weeks after I bought it I sold the land for $4,750, with $250 down, $100 per month, at 11% interest. With the capital gain, my annual return on investment was over 20%. This was my first real estate investment.

Creative Real Estate Investment – The Key

I bought the land cheap, because the seller needed fast cash. I solved his problem. I sold the land higher than the market value because the buyer needed easy terms. Second problem solved. Solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.

Cell phone companies, radio stations, police departments and others need hill tops for their towers. The problem is that they can’t tie up their capital buying them. One creative investor found a way to solve their problem.

He got six month options on hill top properties for a few hundred dollars. Then, when he found those who needed them, he would get a long term lease signed. They built the tower themselves, of course. With a lease in hand, it was easy to get financing to exercise the option and buy the properties. He invested a few hundred dollars to create years of income.

Trees are needed by lumber mills. A friend of mine solved this problem by letting a company cut half the trees on his small property. They paid $4,500, and I couldn’t see the difference when they were done. The property was worth as much the day after the cut as the day before. My friend lived there, but a creative investor could buy property like his, sell half the trees, maybe clay or gravel too, and then re-sell the land.

To solve problems, you have to figure out what they are. Do people need easy terms? Cleared lots? Lumber? Better access to a piece of property? Smaller pieces of land? Condos instead of apartments? The list could go on. Just remember that solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.

The CIA world factbook clearly states that in its opinion Costa Rica is a Central American success story, and the government of Costa Rica is keen to expand on the countrys success and have announced the implementation of a seven year plan for the economic expansion of the country.

To this end they are actively encouraging international real estate investors and those looking for a retirement or second home overseas to come to Costa Rica and explore its exciting and affordable property market.

The Costa Rican real estate market is one of the most exciting in Central and South America right now as a direct result of the Costa Rican governments commitment to promoting the property sector. With the implementation of a series of tax breaks and investment incentives available to overseas real estate buyers the success of the Costa Rican property market is practically guaranteed.

For those looking purely for real estate investment opportunity, Costa Rica offers two main angles for property investors to explore: -

Firstly as the natural beauty of Costa Rica proves an irresistible draw for more and more travelers and those in search of the perfect getaway, so the demand for rental and hotel accommodation in Costa Rica is on the increase. The supply of quality accommodation in Costa Rica cannot meet current demand and this situation is likely to deteriorate as the popularity of the country increases. The government is well aware of this fact and is keen to attract those wishing to develop specifically for the tourism market.

Secondly Costa Rica is becoming increasingly popular with the soon to retire US baby boomers who are actively seeking an affordable and attractive location in which to retire. Because Costa Rica enjoys relatively low crime, is neutral, has a relatively high standard and low cost of living it is gaining a reputation among pre-retirees as a must-consider destination. There is therefore room for the development of real estate to suit this particular market or for the purchase and long term lease of real estate to this market. This particular group of people also represents a strong resale demand for those who buy now, improve property and intend to resell in the medium term to release gains accrued.

The real estate investment climate in Costa Rica is hot right now with the government working flat out to attract sustainable foreign direct investment those interested in making a move should consider committing to the market sooner rather than later while it remains a buyers market and before opportunities for the strongest investment gains are eroded by increased levels of investor awareness and interest.

Beth Collingz of PLC International said buyers are investors in hotel-condos, a real estate product that combines the flexibility of ownership of a condo in a hotel setting. Popular in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, hotel-condos are just starting to pop up in the Philippines for the first time.

Unlike simple condominiums — which owners can use as they please — hotel-condo units are both investment and residential units that can be used by their owners for up to 30 days per year. The plus is that the owners can invest in real estate while having access to hotel amenities like a spa, gym, room services. The remaining time, the units’ owners return the rooms to a rentable pool run by the hotel. As the units are rented out, the owners receive a split of the income. Alternatively, unit owners can live permanently in their suites and enjoy hotel living 365 days a year.

One such project recently announced, with Pacific Concord Properties Inc — among the first developers to do a hotel-condo in Metro Manila — submitting plans to build a 42-story twin high-rise at Shaw Boulevard, will be called Lancaster The Atrium.

The Lancaster Atrium is a twin tower development that sits on a common podium with the Lancaster Suites Tower I, which was sold out in less than 18 months and is part of its hotel-condo program.

Units at Lancaster The Atrium Tower A are priced at $38,395 to $355,000 — for sizes ranging from 300 square feet to 1,350 square feet

Collingz, Marketing director for PLC International Marketing Networks, which is exclusively marketing the Lancaster Suites and Lancaster The Atrium Hotel Condominiums in Metro Manila, said condotels started appearing on the market following PCPIs launch of the Lancaster Suites back in 2004. We see a marked increase of interest from buyers who live Europe as well as from corporations looking to invest in Philippine real estate. There have been a plethora of residential properties coming on the market, but not many Condo Hotel developments adding that, in the currently hot Philippine real estate market no one felt the need to try out a product that had not been tested in the country before.”

The market for investment properties has shifted in part because of a booming demand for hotel rooms in Metro Manila and a weak dollar internationally. On a broader scale, baby boomers are retiring and buying second and third homes, and interest in real estate as an investment remains strong, when it comes to the market for hotel-condos, the Lancaster project is attracting international customers familiar with this type of investment opportunity. Collingz said

The Lancaster Atrium Tower A development will have 400 hotel-condo rooms and suites, a spa, swimming pool, business center, its own mini mall, shops and convenience stores and several restaurants. The project, located atop a common podium with Lancaster Suites Tower I is only one block from the Ortigas Center, Shangri-La Mall, Edsa Plaza Hotel and SM Megal Mall, will continue construction of its superstructure this year having already completed foundation works and put in place 5-levels of basement parking.

While it is possible to secure easy no prequalification, no down payment 6 year no interest payment plans for the Lancaster Atrium suites, Collingz said that most buyers purchase these properties with a small down payment of some 30% to reduce the monthly payments to around $400 a month for a Studio unit or take advantage of a 20% discount for outright cash purchases.

Unsurprisingly the hotel-condo investment trend in the Philippines will accelerate — from Metro Manila to other major metropolitan hubs such as Cebu. PCPIs Lancaster Cebu development is already sold out with Condotel operations will commence this March.

PCPI has appointed Lancaster Hotels, Land and Properties, Inc (LHLPI) to oversee the operations, sales and marketing, and asset management of the condotel. Guided with a clear goal of maximizing profitability, LHLPI will spearhead the management of the condotel as well as that of the entire condominium building.

Collingz said that given the expertise of the hotel management team coupled with the prime location of the Lancaster condotels, we foresee a profitable operation in the years to come thereby ensuring maximum return on investment.

Statistics from the Department of Tourism indicate that the number of tourist arrivals to the Philippines has been consistently growing by double digit percentages for the past three years. In 2005, of the 2.3 million tourist arrivals, 1.7 million visited Cebu. In fact, an additional 40,000 hotel rooms are needed to accommodate the expected five million tourist arrivals by 2010.

The Lancaster brand of Condotel developments further validate the increasing demand for hotel rooms which make us more confident that our market and financial projections will be achieved said Collingz

Condo Hotels in the Philippines: The Hottest Niche in the Philippine Investment Property market

Beth Collingz, PLC International Marketing Director for Pacific Concord Properties Incs Lancaster Brand of Condotels in the Philippines said When the unit owners are not using the condo hotel suite, the unit is put in the managed pool and rented out for them. The buyers have what is considered “hassle free” ownership. The condo hotel unit owners also benefit from having a professional onsite management company to handle to marketing, booking of their room and general expertise that they bring to the table. If a problem should arise with their condo hotel unit, the management company will take care of it instead of the owner having to worry about it. This makes the traditional landlord tenant issues a thing of the past.

The condo hotel buyer sees the benefit to owning a vacation property that also has the potential to produce income for them. The typical condo hotel produces higher levels of income than the traditional vacation home (and less headaches), making it all the more appealing to buyers said Collingz

Developments such as the Lancaster Suites Manila Tower I was sold out in less than 18 months and the building is set for completion Summer 2007. Condo hotels are different from traditional condos because they are sold “turn key”. Clients initially purchase the standard condo unit and then when the time comes for interior fit-out they can avail of the in house Condotel package of furnitures and furnishings for the unit. This means buyers do not have to worry about hiring a designer or contractor to come in to finish out the unit. Everything is included from linens, dishes, pillows etc

Leading the way in the Metro Manila condo hotel market is Pacific Concord Properties Lancaster Brand of condotel investments. Pricing for condo hotels can range anywhere from $43,000s up to $350,000 for Penthouse suites. Of course the pricing depends on location, views and types of finishes.

The Lancaster Suites Manila Tower I development has enjoyed great success for its clientele with property appreciation already reaching 100% for its initial buyers.
Lancaster The Atrium, the latest development by PCPI in Shaw Boulevard, Metro Manila, is currently on preconstruction selling and looks set to sell out within the next few months. Lancaster The Atrium offers clients the choice of Studio, One, Two and Three Bedroom suites that all have kitchen facilities as regular residential condo unit. In addition, Lancaster The Atrium, as with the Lancaster Suites Tower I, offers unit owners and guests an extensive range of services and amenities said Collingz

Times seem to be changing in “Land Investments Uk” after the Kent Land Scams, Sussex Land Scams and London Land Scams, owe to the initiatives taken by the people of Sussex Farmland, that now companies have started refunding to the dissatisfied customers, which means, that if you are unhappy with your investment in Land you will be refunded your investment amount. There was a time when people of Sussex Farmland were afraid of scamsters and they were making money while being in the broiler rooms. As the idea of an investment thrills the investors’ mind with lots of returns, scamster were chasing the concept to flourish their business.

Companies now offer Land at competitive prices and are ready to refund the full amount in case the customer is dissatisfied and doesn’t find it a good investment avenue.

Furthermore, as awareness is increasing with the “Land Investments UK” people are getting an idea what to buy and where to buy from, scamsters are basically getting chaffed away.

Government also seems to be in the process of taking this whole process into consideration as this concept has been brought up into the Parliament of UK.

But as the expansion of London continues the buying may not stop and land continues to provide an investment opportunity.

Below are ten categories of real estate, and different ways to invest in them. The best one for you is something only you can decide, according to your particular needs. To help you do that, I list a couple good points and bad points for each type.

1. Renting single family homes. Good points: An easier way to get started, and good long term return on investment. Bad points: Being a landlord isn’t much fun, and you typically wait a long time for the big pay-off. You also lose all your income when a house is vacant.

2. Fixer-uppers. Good points: Fast return on your investment, and it can be more creative work. Bad points: More risk (many unpredictables), and you get taxed heavily on the gain.

3. Low income housing. Good points: Similar to any other rentals, but with higher cash flow. Bad points: Similar to any other rentals, but with more repairs and tenant problems.

4. Selling rent-to-own houses. Good points: If you buy, then sell on a rent-to-own arrangement, you get higher rent, and the buyer is usually responsible for maintenance. Bad points: Bookkeeping can be tricky, and most tenants don’t complete the purchase (this can be an advantage too, but it does mean more work for you).

5. Commercial properties. Good points: Multi-year triple-net leases mean little management and high returns. Bad points: A tough market to break into, and you can lose income on vacant storefronts for a year at a time.

6. Land, split and resold. Good points: Simpler than some real estate investments, with the possibility of great profits. Bad points: It can be a slow process, and you have expenses, but no cash flow while you wait.

7. Boarding houses. Good points: You’ll generate more cash flow renting a house by the room, especially in a college town. Bad points: You’ll generate more headaches renting a house by the room, especially in a college town.

8. Invest cash, sell with terms. Good points: A high rate of return is possible by paying cash to get a good price, and selling on easy terms to get a high price AND high interest. Bad points: You need a lot of cash, and you tie up your capital for a long time.

9. Invest, live in it, sell it. Good points: The tax law lets you fix it up, and sell it for a big tax-free profit after two years (if you live in it), then start the process again. Bad points: You may become attached to your investment, and you’ll have to move a lot.

10. Pure speculation. Good points: You can make large profits buying in the path of growth and holding until values rise, and it is a low-management investment. Bad points: Growth in value isn’t always predictable, you have expenses with no income while you’re waiting, and transaction costs can eat much of the profits.

There are many ways to invest in real estate. These ten are just to get you thinking about what is possible, and what type of investing suits your personality. Once you figure that out, you may want to look into other categories of real estate investment.