However, this kind of real estate investment also requires hard work, is time-consuming, and needs money. But it is true that if you know the ropes, this type of ventures can pay off handsomely in the long run. Besides, the thrill of dealing, buying, fixing and selling homes is challenging.

To safeguard your money, time and effort in investing in homes, and ensure that it gives you financial returns worth your while, here’s the two basic tips.

1. When looking for homes to buy and sell, look for those that need to be fixed or repaired. Inspect the house by turning the lights on, flushing the toilets, look at the floor tiles, cracks in the ceilings and walls, and check the plumbing, water faucets, and electrical wirings.

Once you find a home that interests you, engage the services of a house inspector to give you an estimate on how much it will cost you to fix it and how much price it could resell.

2. Buy a house in a good location.  Consider these factors: nice neighborhood, close to schools, hospitals, shopping malls, markets, access to transportation, and peace and order. The price of a home in a good location is higher than in a poor one, which gives you a high return when you resell it, after repair is finished.

Going into real estate investing, especially in home investing, is beset with both risk and opportunities, as any business is. The idea of investing is earnings, so make sure that your investment must always give you returns, not loss.

But once you have learned the ropes, the tricks of the trade, everything will turn out fine. The moment your first investment home is repaired and sold, you will be on your way to making this a profitable business.

Because a home is still one of the biggest investments most people will make, it pays to spend a little money and time protecting its value. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2009 Cost vs. Value Report, home repairs and remodeling are still worth the investment. Big projects such as adding an additional room or outdoor deck will generally offer the best return. However, big home improvement projects come with big price tags, so it’s smart to weigh your options.

No matter the project size, the key is to have a plan and a budget. Create a detailed spending plan and don’t forget to budget for incidentals such as equipment rentals and delivery charges. For large projects, consider the cost of contractors and permits.

Taking good care of your home can help you avoid costly repairs down the road, so if nothing else consider small projects that help to maintain efficient functioning. For a big impact with little cost, consider the following home improvement projects:

Fix what’s broken. Basic repairs may not be as exciting as adding on a new room or installing a pool, but may be the most practical choice for your weekend do-it-yourself project. Visit your local home improvement store and take classes to learn how to repair a leaky faucet or toilet, replace electrical outlets, fix a squeaky door or floor board, as well as many other general home improvement projects.

Focus on first impressions. Fresh paint and a few flowers can be purchased for a minimal cost, but curb appeal can go a long way in creating a cozy finished look for your home. Keep gutters and shingles secure. Consider replacing windows with energy efficient material to save big on utility cost.

Consider the wet areas. Kitchens and bathrooms are the most common value-add remodeling projects. Both spaces offer an opportunity to either start really small with new facets and lighting to really large expansion projects. Simple do-it-yourself improvement projects for these areas include adding new hardware to cabinets, retiling the floor or countertops, and freshening up the walls with new paint and wallpaper.

Finally, update old appliances to more energy efficient models. The cost to use appliances can quickly outweigh the purchase price, so it pays to buy energy efficient models and save big on utility cost.

Now the answer is clear. Home improvement does result to an increase in return on investment.

Interested customers can also avail of other low rate fixing options as follows: 8.00% p.a. annual repricing; 8.50% p.a. fixed for 2-3 years; 10.50% fixed for 10 years and 10.75% fixed for 15 years.

BPI Direct’s housing loan can be used to purchase a vacant lot or a house and lot. One can also use the loan to construct a house and renovate existing homes. To avail of the special interest rate, loan applications must be received from March 1 to April 30, 2010 and availed not later than July 31, 2010. BPI Direct has dedicated Account Officers that are ready to assist each borrower with their own unique needs and requirements.

“Like any other Filipino, I looked at owning a home as a sign of success,” says Rosebelle, 35, an operations manager of a small enterprise. “It’s one thing to find a job in the city but it’s another to actually find a piece of real estate of your own. That’s why I’m so glad that I took advantage of this opportunity when I heard about it.”

BPI Direct, the first and only internet bank in the Philippines, gives clients the convenience of choosing the most convenient channel through which they can reach the bank. BPI Direct can be easily reached online by logging on to ww.bpidirect.com and easily apply for the loan online.

For further information e-mail Mara, mara@brandspeakasia.com

Image source: realestatez.info/investment_trusts.htm

When I asked some of them why, they answered the following:

1. There is continuous demand for real estate properties like houses because of the growing population. Hence, their investment is safe and profitable.

2. There are on-going developments in the urban center because of rural to urban migration, resulting to steady demand for houses.

That is why real estate investment is considered by many to be still safe and profitable.
If you want to invest in real estate, consider these two important tips:

1. Make sure that your property gives you income, e.g. high returns monthly if it is for rent, or maximum profit if you are into buying and selling.

2. Make sure that your property is in the right location. Location is always a factor in real estate investment.

Here’s the details of the property:

Land Area:      1,110 Square Meters

House Type:    3-storey house with roof deck overlooking the sea and Panay island

Bedrooms:       4 bedrooms including basement serving as Servant’s Quarters

Toilet & Bath: 2

Location:         Brgy. Manoc-manoc, in front of the Cagban Jetty Port, which is Boracay’s main

entry and exit point from Caticlan jetty port on Panay island, Philippines.

Selling Price: Php 22,522,522.00

Location: Boracay, Philippines

Facts About Boracay *

Boracay is a tropical island in the Philippines located approximately 315 kilometers south of Manila and 2 kilometer off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

In 1990, Boracay was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world.

In 1996 Boracay was voted by British publication TV Quick as the world’s number one tropical beach.

In 2007, Boracay topped the list of the World’s Most Popular Beach, according to Yahoo! Travel.

Location of the House

The house is just along Boracay’s main road with long frontage and yard, and is very private and quiet. The main road is a vehicular road which runs the length of the island.

The house is within the vicinity of the Cagban Jetty Port, which serves as Boracay’s main entry and exit point.

The house is just one ride going to the White Beach, which is the main tourism beach. It is about four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses.

For more information, contact the site owner-realtor in the Contact or e-mail at realtordaylen@gmail.com

Please see the pictures of the house in a slideshow below.

Market analysis is a method for analyzing your target buyers’ preferences, especially on how much they are willing to pay for your property.

Imeage from www.ehow.com

To do this, you review the market for your property, e.g. who are your potential buyers, the prices of houses being sold in the market, and the number of houses up for sale.

In doing a market analysis, you hope to have a clear data about the market conditions, the willingness of buyers to buy your home at a given price versus the prices of other homes, the neighborhood, conditions of the property (age of the home and maintenance) and the features (no. of rooms, toilet and bath, floor area, land area).

Specifically, in market analysis, you do the following to come up with a basic data to price your property fairly, with the right buyers in mind:

Compare home designs, e.g. your home vs. other homes for sale.

Compare size of home, e.g.  floor area and lot area vs. that of the other houses for sale.

Compare the selling price, e.g. price of your home vs. that of other houses in the neighborhood or locality.

Doing a market analysis will guide you to set the price of your house fairly and sell it to the right buyers faster.

Image from backyardwealth.wordpress.com

The reason is obvious. Returns on investment on homes are guaranteed because the property always appreciates or increase in value every year due to a growing population.  The more population there are, the more is the demand for homes.

If you want to invest in homes as real estate, here’s the three money making strategies, which I have presented in short and simple manner.

1. Buy, Fix and Sell for a Profit

This strategy involves buying a home, fix or renovate it, and then sell it for a profit.

2. Buy and Rent the Property

This strategy involves buying a home, renovate it, and then lease it to tenants. You earn a monthly rent which after a certain period you can already recoup your investment while still owning the property.

3. Buy cheap foreclosed property and sell dear

This strategy involves buying a foreclosed home for a cheaper price, renovate, and then sell based on the fair market value, for a profit.

Or you can fix the property and have it rented out. Either ways, you make money

Just like in any other business, in real estate investments too, there are intricacies that are personal to it, and can cause negative impacts when ignored.

Image from www.intellitechaz.com

Many first time real estate investors make the mistake of investing hard earned money without a proper understanding. This induces a greater risk for their investments. There is a need in real estate investing to protect your assets.

Avoiding The Errors
The question to ask yourself, depend on why you are investing in a particular property. Do you intend to hold it for a long period, or do you intend to turn it around for selling at the earliest possible time? Let us look at some of the errors that certain investors make, which you need to avoid, in order, to protect your assets. This will ensure excellent returns on your investments.

Check The Property

Do not get sucked into the excitement of investing in a real estate property. There are rampant claims of high return on investment in the real estate business. Check the condition of the property, and how many modifications and renovations will be required. Ensure you have the rightreal estate agent, who will not overlook all the seemingly insignificant, but important details.

Inspect Thoroughly
Have a professional inspector thoroughly check the property. You need to exercise sound business judgment, as you are going to invest your hard earnedmoney. If it is a rental property, check with the tenants regarding pest problems, structural damage, or any reoccurring problems.

Check All Documents
The documents involved in a property can be overwhelming. These documents include building permits, zoning laws, rental and lease applications, underlying loan documents, CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions), by-laws, title policies, inspection reports, purchase contracts, and insurance. The list can seem never ending.

Cash Flow
If your real estate investing is in a rental property, you should intend to hold on to the property for a longer period, as long as 15 to 20 years.

You will need to ensure cash flow to take care of your property. This includes paying for the property’s maintenance, repairs, and improvements. There will be times when your rental property will be vacant and not earning you a rental. You still need to have cash for the upkeep of your property.

Short Duration Investing
If you plan to invest in a real estate property for a shorter duration, you may not feel the need to invest heavily on improvements. Sometimes, short duration investing can be risky, as the property may lose in value. Generally, property prices appreciate over longer periods.

Source: Free Articles  http://www.articlecircle.com/

What is Feng Shui?

Wikipedia says Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help a person improve life by receiving positive qi or energy flow.

The term feng shui literally translates as “wind-water” in English. It is deeply rooted in connection to nature, a philosophy that supports living in awareness and harmony with our surroundings.

How do you increase the value of your home and attain harmony?  According to Free Articles, here’s the tips:
Tip 1 : Main Entrance

The main door is like the mouth for the house. It is the gateway between the world and the privacy of the home and air currents literally enter and exit at this point.

The positioning of a main door can determine the fortune or misfortune of the occupants. Therefore you must keep the entrance clear of any clutter to allow the energies to flow freely.

Image from www.mynewsletterbuilder.com

Make sure there is nothing in direct alignment with the door such as a tree or telegraph pole. To remedy this place a Bagua mirror over the door so it is reflecting the Sha Qi.
Avoid facing a dark, pokey room, an interior staircase, mirror, stove, sink, fireplace, the door of a toilet, laundry, bathroom or bedroom. To remedy this keep the doors closed or place a screen between the doors.

Tip 2 : Bedrooms

Bedrooms should be sacred spaces where an adult or child can retreat and regenerate. Most people spent roughly one third of their lives in their bedroom, so maintaining balance and serenity in this area is essential.

Tip 3 : Kitchen

In any case, it’s better if you don’t see the kitchen immediately upon entering the house, as this can portend digestive, nutritional, and eating problems. Having the kitchen at the entry point can also mean that guests will come over and eat and then leave immediately, and such a placement can also encourage the inhabitants to eat all the time.

Tip 4 : Windows

A house should have sufficient windows. Windows are in very important to allow sufficient light or pleasant views into the room.

Tip 5 : Dining & Living Room

Whenever possible the dining room should be separate from the living room. It is a social area for family members, thus it better to have as big as possible.

Summary

Hopefully, by using the above tips, you can increase the value of your home and, more importantly, live in harmony therein.

In my study of the fascinating Chinese astrology, here’s my predictions of what the Year of the white Tiger will bring us.

In REAL ESTATE, the year 2010 will see the increase in demand for houses because of growing population. In the urban centers, preferences are condos and apartments, while in the rural areas, low-cost housing and socialized housing will boom.

In BUSINESS, the year 2010 will bring economic activities, investments, and jobs. It will also see the emergence of new leaders in business, industry and even in politics. If you are hardworking and go into business, the year will yield rich dividends.

In LOVE, the year 2010 is ideal as love will reign supreme. If you express love and love finds you worthy, you will be lucky. This is because according to the 2010 Chinese horoscope and Chinese lunar calendar for the year of the Tiger, the 2010 Chinese New Year falls on February 14!. In fact, the upcoming year of White (Metal) Tiger begins on February 14, 2010.

In FAMILY, the year 2010 will be good, as loyalty and love prevail. Family relationships will be more stable, and life will be favorable in the family. If you are reading zoology, the tiger is an animal that likes to live in a large family, very gentle but protective.

In sum, the coming new Year of the Tiger is very exciting and challenging, a time of positive changes in every facets of our life.

Hence, whatever your plans are, in the year of the Tiger, live your life to the fullest, love much, and laugh often. The rest is up to you.