Friday, April 24, 2009

Patience and Making Money in Real Estate

When most people commence in the investment of real estate, they do so with lots of fervor, but they become disheartened after failing to achieve their instant fortune. After discovering that they cannot acquire riches easily and quickly, they move to a different investment scheme. A common mistake such investor make is learning several tricks and assuming success is granted.

Another mistake that is commonly made is seeing a different person’s instant success and assuming you will achieve the same results. This hardly happens in reality. Despite having good plans, people fail due to lack of the required effort for achieving their goals. There is so much work required in achieving real-estate success in the long-term, and that is why only few people accomplish it.

The Starting Goals Can be Lofty but Reasonable.

It is great to think big, but most people cannot help cringing whenever they overhear someone saying that in their first year of real estate business, their mission is to acquire one million dollars. Although everyone loves dreamers, there exists a line between delusions and dreams. Someone with a yearly income of 50,000 dollars but with no previous experience in the business of real estate can hardly make this sort of money in a year’s time.

What sort of expectations would beginners find realistic? The ideal approach is setting long-term, intermediate and short-term goals. It is important to ensure that these goals are attainable, specific and realistic. This is an outline of how these goals may appear:

• Fifteen years goal: Retirement benefit of a monthly passive income of 10,000 dollars. This requires between three and four million dollars in a free and clear real estate rental.
• Five years goal: Acquire 3 or 4 million dollars of real estate in areas that are steadily appreciating. Flip, fix and buy fiver properties every year at 20,000 dollars average profit to replace the current income.
• One-year goal: Wholesale 2 or 3 properties, flip, fix and buy 2 properties at retail and acquire 3 rental properties for keeps.
• Six-month goal: Do 2 or 3 wholesale flips and buy 1 rental property.

To avoid personal setups where disappointment is certain and financial disaster imminent, the dream of being a millionaire overnight must be forgotten. It is better to focus on the route that is slow but steady while aiming at wealth accumulation systematically with a single deal at any particular time. Assistance should obviously be sought from experts who are qualified and active in this business. Avoiding most of the mistakes on the road to riches ensures that the destination is reached much faster.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Other Foreclosures

Other ForeclosuresIt’s a situation facing hundreds upon thousands of people and the numbers are growing rapidly. Foreclosures aren’t just happening to people who have over spent and got into risky loans. They are happening to homeowners who are getting divorced, facing health issues, needing to relocate for a job, and numerous other reasons. Regardless of how you may end up falling behind on your mortgage, knowing what to do next is critically important.

A lot of the news media is talking about the first thing you need to do is contact your lender. However, if homeowners who are facing foreclosures contact their lender first, the first person they interact with is the customer service agent who may threaten them and tell them that they are going to foreclose on your home right away to scare them into not taking action. If they get to a loan mitigation person and they are talking to them, they may agree to a workout that they cannot afford just to get the phone calls to stop. However, if they agree to a workout they cannot afford and they miss a payment, homeowners have essentially lied to their loan agency and that’s not something good.

What people are finding is that lenders are willing to work with them. It will take a whole lot of persistence on the part of homeowners. They really need to make sure that they’re not intimidated by the conversation they need to have with their lender but they need to step up and say ‘I am not going to be able to make this. What can we do to suspend the payment or lessen the payment or modify the payment until I get back on my feet?

In case you just need a little bit of extra money to get caught up, there are some employers who have a five-thousand-dollar loan that they are able to give their employees with low interest. They can pay it back through their pay over time; that’s one. Two, there are grant programs through housing counselors like HUD; there are grant programs that are available to people who are going through foreclosure.

Due to the housing crisis, A lot of people are taking in boarders and renting out rooms. Some people are renting out their entire house and they are staying with family so that they can make the mortgage payment. These are all things that homeowners need to do—think a little bit outside of the box when it comes to a solution. Another thing is, with the gas prices being as high as they are and people having to commute back and forth to work, you may want to ask your employer if you can cut down to a telecommuting schedule and think about selling your car.

Looking for solutions to an emotionally and financially draining situation such as a foreclosure is fatiguing and frustrating. However, if you realize there are options then you can begin to build momentum to rectify your situation. Ultimately, it’s critical to consult with experts on this matter, to be open about your financial dilemma, and to seek help immediately. Real estate agents can either help you sell your home in a short sale, if necessary, or rent it out to help you pay your mortgage. Trying to do it alone can be a painfully disastrous experience — seek the help you need.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dunedin Florida

Downtown Dunedin’s Main Street impresses visitors and locals alike with over ten blocks of unique shopping, dining, nightlife and recreation options. What began as a simple restoration project to capture pedestrian traffic brought through Dunedin’s downtown by the county’s recreation trail is now one of the most successful downtown revitalization projects in West Central Florida. Celebrating a 100% occupancy rate on Main Street, the City of Dunedin already knows a downtown’s success is a result of catering to the diverse needs of the area’s residents and visitors. From recreation to shopping and dining, downtown Dunedin strives to have something for everyone.

As far as recreation, Main Street Dunedin is a favorite of both land and sea lovers alike. Sea lovers appreciate that Main Street runs right into the city marina facility where boat dockage for both residents’ and visitors’ boats is available, as well as a myriad of rental and charter boat options for those without a boat. On the other side of Main Street, for those that prefer dry land is the “Pinellas Trail” a thirty-four mile pedestrian trail gives visitors the option to walk, run, bike or ride throughout town and even throughout the entire county!

Just as downtown Dunedin’s recreation offers variety, so does Main Street’s shopping. Choices range from an economically priced consignment shop, The Little Thrift Shop, which offers bargains on gently used wares to Kina Kouture, an exclusive couture boutique that specializes in chic trendy one of a kind clothing. In addition, there are antique shops, art galleries, unique collectibles, wooden furniture, tropical gifts and over twenty-five other stores to suit the preferences of most shoppers.

In addition to all of this, Dunedin’s Downtown boasts over fifteen restaurants and cafes. For a casual atmosphere, diners can sit outside and enjoy light fare at Café Alfresco, Jolli Mon’s Café or Cappuccino’s Café. If one’s prefers a bit livelier of a meal, Casa Tina is an excellent dinner choice that serves patrons Mexican food accompanied by live music, dancing and Cirque style shows weekly. Other live music options along Main Street include Flanagan's Irish Pub and Dunedin Brewery; both offer a diverse beer selection and high quality pub-style meals as well as showcase distinct musical talent up to four nights a week. At the other end of the spectrum, the Black Pearl is a romantic restaurant well known for its intimate setting and award winning cuisine.

Once you have finished running, walking, sailing, shopping and eating in Dunedin there are still more choices. Whether you prefer a sweet treat at one of Dunedin’s three ice cream and sweet shops or a cocktail at one of the many bars and nightclubs, you won’t run out of things to do in this lively town!

More about Dunedin. See all Dunedin Homes for sale and Dunedin Real Estate including all MLS Listings in Pinellas County.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

aquarium.jpgJust off Clearwater’s Memorial Causeway, in a renovated city water treatment facility adults and children are spending the day feeding sea turtles, petting stingrays, shaking hands with dolphins and learning how to preserve and restore Florida’s marine life.

At The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visitors experience a unique working marine facility that specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of local sea life. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s focus is on educating its visitors while entertaining them. Unlike large metropolitan aquariums, this aquarium’s small size allows visitors a chance to view the marine life in a more intimate setting. Utilizing a see, touch and learn method the aquarium provides various opportunities for encounters with sea turtles, stingrays and dolphins that are housed at the aquarium until many of them are ready to be released back to the sea. With thirteen different exhibits including stingray beach, otter land, numerous turtle habitats, the animal’s kitchen and the various rehabilitation areas, there is something for everyone. One of the most popular exhibits at the aquarium is the Dolphin Show where every seat is front row and all guests are warned they are in a potential “splash zone!”

For individuals and groups that want an even more personalized and extensive experience, the aquarium offers actual animal encounters. Both the Dolphin Encounter and the Trainer for a Day Encounter allow participants the chance to spend time with the animals and their trainers preparing meals, feeding the animals and learning about the maintenance and care of the aquarium’s resident marine life.

The aquarium is open daily and guided tours are available. Visitors wanting to participate in either the Dolphin Encounter or Trainer for a Day program must have advance reservations, so be sure to call ahead. For more information, the aquarium’s extensive website features videos of many of their marine rescues and releases as well as a live web cam of the dolphin habitat at www.cmaquarium.org.

See all Clearwater Florida Homes for sale and Clearwater Real Estate including all MLS Listings in Pinellas County. Info and Demographics on Clearwater Florida.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Coconuts Comedy Club in St. Petersburg

comedy-club.jpgIf you’re craving a fun night out that’s a little bit different from the ordinary, then Coconuts Comedy Club in St. Petersburg is the place for you. With a regular roster of live comics performing on the weekends, live music during the week, and an open mic night for comics, a trip to Coconuts is sure to be a night that will keep you smiling all week. There’s even a full menu of food from snacks and appetizers to full meals and even a Tiki bar to keep you well-fed and relaxed during the shows.

Coconuts Comedy Club is a chain of comedy clubs operating throughout Florida and the United States. However, it has its origins right here in Pinellas County. The original Coconuts was opened in St. Petersburg in 1986 as a way to fill the void of live comedy in the Pinellas County night life. The concept of a comedy club/restaurant combination took off wildly, and the addition of nationally known comics added to the club’s appeal. It wasn’t long before Coconuts took off and became one of the most popular destinations in Pinellas County. It was only a matter of time before other business owners wanted in on this successful comedy club model, and a franchise was born.

While you can get tickets to shows at the door, it’s usually a good idea to book in advance for the most popular comics, as those shows sell out fast. You can rent the club out for private functions, and gift certificates are available. Treat yourself and your friends to something other than the usual dinner and a movie the next time you go out by catching a show and a great meal all in one at Coconuts Comedy Club.

See all St. Petersburg Florida Homes for sale and St Petersburg Real Estate including all MLS Listings in Pinellas County. Related info on St. Petersburg FL.

Largo Florida in Pinellas County

largo.jpgLargo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, and it’s growth continues to be tremendous. Centrally located in the middle of the county, Largo currently has over 71,000 people living there full-time. It was incorporated in 1905, and officially became a city (rather than a town) in 1974. An agricultural community until the 1960s, Largo started attracting young families as permanent residents and became a suburban bedroom community of St. Petersburg and Clearwater by the 1970s. Today, Largo is known for its commitment to conservation and has been a National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City for the past 17 years. It’s also a large shopping hub, with a multitude of service and retail jobs available at any given moment.

In addition to shopping, there’s a lot to see and do in sunny Largo. Golf is a popular pastime in the community, with plenty of courses to keep any enthusiast busy. The Gulf Coast Museum of Art and Florida Botanical Gardens are there for people who enjoy cultural activities and appreciate the natural beauty of central Florida. Plus, the Largo Cultural Center offers a constant parade of nationally and internationally known acts such as Fleetwood Mac and Juice Newton. If you’re interested in the history of the area, the Pinellas County Heritage Village is in town, and is waiting to take you back in time to an era of large, stately farm homes, abundant agriculture, and genteel Southern society.

Many people visit Pinellas County each year to see St. Petersburg or to visit the beaches. However, you’re missing out if you don’t come to Largo. There’s no doubt about it….Largo is the place to be when you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path in Pinellas County.

Featured City: Largo Florida. See Largo Florida Homes for Sale and Largo Real Estate including all MLS Listings in Pinellas County.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Fort DeSoto Beach Park in Pinellas County

pinellas-beaches.jpgFt. DeSoto Park is one of Pinellas County’s crowning jewels. Located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde, this secluded piece of sandy paradise is Pinellas County’s largest and most admired park. In fact, it’s been featured on numerous national “best of” lists over the years. Visitors love it (and keep coming back) for its relaxed atmosphere, hypnotic white sands, and crystal blue waters. Most visitors would agree a visit to Ft. DeSoto Park is the closest a person can come to a Tahiti vacation without leaving the country.

Opened on December 21, 1962, Ft. DeSoto Park attracts over 2.7 million visitors each year. The area on which the park now sits was originally surveyed by Robert E. Lee in 1849, and became an important Union stronghold for the blockade of Tampa Bay during the Civil War. The famous fort for which the park is named was opened in 1900 (though construction began two years earlier). The original Fort DeSoto was built as a military outpost to protect Tampa Bay from invaders. The fort remained active until 1910, with only a caretaker and a sergeant stationed there from 1910 until 1914. When World War I started, new forces were shipped to the fort, but by the early 1940s, the fort was abandoned by the federal government. Pinellas County purchased the property in 1948 and has held it ever since.

Today, Ft. DeSoto Park hosts a plethora of picnic areas, two swimming areas, and two fishing piers. It also has a nature trail, camping area (complete with a camp store and laundry facilities), a pet park, a multi-purpose trail, and a canoe trail. For those who are more interested in history than recreation, the original fort still stands at the park and tours are available. A gift shop and snack bar are located inside the structure. A quartermaster storehouse museum is also at the park for history buffs.

For anyone looking for a spectacular day in the sun with their family and friends, Ft. DeSoto Park is only a short drive away, and has something for everyone. Whether you want to relax on the sand while you soak up the sun, take a vigorous hike through some of the most scenic coastal scenery in the area, or relive the park’s dramatic past, you can do it all at Pinellas County’s favorite park.

See all Tierra Verde Florida Homes for sale and Tierra Verde Real Estate including all MLS Listings in Pinellas County.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Tampa Tourist Spot Time Line

aquarium.jpgYou can never get enough of Tampa Bay the moment you step into the city. The rich culture and history gives you the nostalgia of going back through time and on to the future. That is what Tampa offers you. Here’s a look at the hottest tourist spots that put Tampa Bay on the map.

Be prepared to take a nostalgic ride back into the past when you go into Tampa Bay’s Ybor City, where it is known for its great cigars. If you want a grab of it to give to your boss, a trip to Ybor City would do that for you. The cigar industry that Ybor City is now known for was founded by Cuban immigrants during the 1880s. Walk the famous streets of Ybor City and you will be transported back to the Spanish-American War, where Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders walked with Jose Marti, the Cuban revolutionary icon.

Walking through Hillsborough County and its parks and recreation areas, you are also taken swiftly back through time when this charming county experienced a boom in their land during the 1920s. It was during this time that gave Hillsborough County its characteristic Victorian-style architecture especially seen in the suburbs of Hyde Park.

Lest you forget, you should definitely not miss the Gasparilla Pirate Fest that can only be found in Tampa. You get to feel what being a pirate was like back into the sea-faring days. Of course, if you really want to go way back into the past, you will not be disappointed as Tampa offers you Dinosaur World where you get to see amazing replicas of the greatest creatures that lived in the pre-historic era.

he great skyscrapers you see now were a product of the boom the country experienced during the 1980s to the 1990s. It was also at this time that the Ice Palace was built. Now called St. Pete Times Forum, you can catch Tampa Bay’s professional hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in action.

Now you can see and experience for your very own eyes the product of the land and industry booms that hit Tampa Bay like a hurricane. Go to the Florida Aquarium with your family and experience what fun can be seen under the world of the sea. Go on a cruise on Tampa’s Famed Garrison Seaport Center where cruises are bound for the Caribbean and Mexico. Walk through the Busch Gardens that Tampa boasts of where you can experience a piece of African Safari on American land.

Don’t forget to miss the zoo that was awarded as the number 1 zoo for kids in America, the Lowry Park Zoo. Stroll past the pristine beaches and feel the breeze of the ocean while you practice your golf strokes in one of Tampa’s many great golf courses. When you’re done, you can always visit Channelside, a great shopping district of Tampa where you can catch up on your shopping spree for souvenirs and more.

Tampa doesn’t miss out on offering you the greatest of what the future and technology holds. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry and you are going to be greeted into a futuristic arena complete with an IMAX dome theatre. When you invest in Tampa Bay, you not only get to live in the now, you can revisit and enjoy Tampa through the past to the future with a timeline of great tourist spots!

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Saturday, September 06, 2008

Buying a House in Floirda

home-in-fl.jpgFlorida borders Alabama in the northwest and Georgia in the northeast. It is a state with diverse weather changes including tropical and humid subtropical climates. Florida is the fourth most populated State in the US.

When buying a home in Florida, one has to take into account many considerations such as the type of home one intends to purchase, the amount of funds one has, the location of the home one intends to buy, neighborhood and how they will buy the home either by taking out a mortgage or by cash.

Mortgage systems in Florida

There are numerous mortgage companies in Florida, which are helpful in assisting one buy the home of their choice. There are agents for home financing who help with processing, locating, and submitting one’s home credit package to the lender. They also assist one in finding the lowest rates of interest and credit charges. The limitation with direct lenders is that they lack access to the offers of other lenders. Florida’s mortgage companies make work easier for the buyer by finding the best mortgage for ones situation.

Points to note

For first time homebuyers, it is an obligation to give the mortgage broker accurate information. The loan application form along with other documents should be filled accurately before the final signing. The vital point is to know the terms and conditions of the mortgage prior to signing it.

It is wise to compare the mortgage interests charged by different mortgage companies. This is an easy task because it only requires one to make a number of telephone calls to various mortgage companies and inquire about their mortgage interest fees. To be on the safe side, one should ask for a good faith approximate form when buying a home mortgage since the interest charges differ from company to company. It is a Florida law requirement that a prospective homebuyer receive the good faith approximate form within 3 days of applying for a loan. Buying a home in cash is cheaper in the end as there is no interest charge rendered.

Foreclosed homes

These are homes which are repossessed by the mortgage companies after the buyer is unable to pay the mortgage as per the agreement form. Such homes are sold cheaply to avoid auctioning. Those who have the ability to purchase immediately easily acquire foreclosed homes. There are companies that only focus on selling or buying foreclosed homes. These can be a great resource for people looking to purchase homes at a cheaper rate.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Moving To Florida

moving to floridaThe State of Florida is situated on the southern part of the East Coast, bordering Alabama and Georgia to the Northwest and Northeast respectively.

How to get to Florida

When moving to Florida, one needs to consider the mode of transportation to take. There are several airports available if one wishes to get to the state in the shortest time possible. International airports provide high-class transport services. They include Southwest Florida International airport and Tampa International Airport. One may also choose to take a train. Amtrak train, Sanford, travels through the Greater Orlando area, which comes from Lorton, Virginia. Two extra Amtrak trains operate between Miami, New York and Sanford. Another option available is by road.

How can one find accommodation?

Finding a house in Florida can be an uphill task but there are easy and practical steps one can take to make housing affordable. Houses in Florida range from apartments, water front homes, golf course homes, active adult communities, custom homes, town homes and master planned communities. The cost of buying a good home will range between $10,000 and $10 million depending on ones preference

The Florida Housing Corporation gives families loans to purchase houses at low interest rates. They have a home ownership program also known as Home Ownership Pool (HOP). First-time home buyers can access funds to acquire homes by subscribing to the program if eligible.

Rental housing can be searched online using online services like the Florida housing search. One can find information online about property vacancies, amenities, financial requirements for any purchase. The search also includes the details of the property and the physical location. There are also privately owned companies that provide home rental services.

What should one expect in Florida?

Caucasian Americans dominate Florida. They account for about seventy five percent of the total population. Others include Asians, Hispanics and African Americans who account for the remaining fifteen percent. The weather is subtropical and humid. The lowest temperatures are experienced in February. The coldest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer records a high of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is known to have the worst extremes especially the lightening. Florida has been nicknamed the ‘sunshine state’ because of these extremes. Over the decades, it has recorded the highest number of tornados.

When one is considering Florida as a permanent residence, one must put the climatic conditions in mind. The choice of housing must be good for safety.

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