Investment Blog

What is the Best Property Investment Book Ever?

 

Trying to find a good and ‘up to date’ property investing book can be quite a challenge. There is nothing worse than reading a property investing book that refers to property prices that are half what the current day values are. In my experience I have found that sometimes a good general investment book can be of just as much use as a specialist property investment book. Most real estate investors are actively investing in other areas so having a book that discusses real estate investing in relation to the stock market etc. can be very beneficial.What to look for in a property investing book?

The best property investing books should be written in an easy to follow – step by step fashion. It is no good if the reader finishes the book but still doesn’t feel like they have the confidence to start building their property portfolio. At times the facts and figures involved with property can become quite tiresome so it is also vital that the writer can deliver the information in a fun and entertaining way. Let’s have a closer look at three of the all time great property investing books.

More Wealth from Residential Property – Jan Somers

A fantastic property investing book that covers all aspects of how to purchase residential property. It literally covers every stage and detail that you need to know when buying your first (or 10th) investment property. Jan Somers writes in an honest and fun way and she doesn’t forget that most of the people reading her book probably haven’t ever bought an investment property before. There is a chapter that talks about renting vs. buying the house you live in and Jan mentions the fact that living in your own house can have great mental advantages that don’t come into consideration when you only look at the figures. This is a refreshing view point from a property investing professional as I often find that the writers of these property investing books can loose touch with reality but definitely not Jan Somers.

What I Didn’t Learn at School but Wish I Had – Jamie McIntyre

This book is a more general investing book but it covers some great real estate strategies. The first half of Jamie McIntyre’s book concentrates on the mental aspects of becoming a successful investor. He calls it developing the mindset of a millionaire. It is easy to want to skip over this section of the book but I promise you that if you haven’t developed your mental investing muscles then no matter how many great strategies you have you will find it hard to succeed. Whilst Jan Somers book goes into the real ‘nuts and bolts’ of Real estate investing this book covers some more elaborate and interesting strategies.

Go For Your Life – Chris Grey

This is a very underestimated book that didn’t receive anywhere near as many accolades as it deserved. It is basically a combination of the above two property investing books. It shows how Chris slowly bought the 6 investment properties that he currently owns.

You might be saying “6 properties – that’s not enough to write a book!” But this is the exact reason why it is such a great book. He explains how you don’t need to own 100 houses to be a successful real estate investor and enjoy the luxuries of life. By owning a handful of properties he has been able to obtain his dream lifestyle. So there you have it 3 great property investing books that you should definitely read before or after you start building your property empire.

All of them are filled with great property investing tips and secrets that will help you achieve your goals. The only thing missing from these books and form every property investing book ever written is the magic ingredient that makes you actually put the strategies into action. You will need to find that yourself! You can read as many books as you like but if you don’t ever take some action then you won’t ever achieve the success that you would like.

So what are you waiting for? Start taking action today by reading one of these books and then when you are armed with the required knowledge take the next step and start your investing career.

Property Investment Advice to Buy UK Real Estates

UK’s top moneymakers reduce their winning investment policies to their most fundamental points, divulging what they believe is the most important property investment advice they can give. There are circumstances when the owner may not permit you to assume the loan or the seller already owns the property. In such situations, the owner can use a trust deed, permitting you to make a lower down payment and setting more flexible terms. If the condition allows you to abide by this bit of property investment advice, you can benefit from a lower transaction costs and you have the chance to for lower interest costs as well.

Some of the other complications with these events include failure to disclose commissions, the promoter having relationships with the actual properties being sold or proposed and as a result misrepresenting the investment.

Here are some property investment advices to take care of to ensure an intelligent purchase: – Look into the demographics. This is the key to learning what your clients need. For example, the rising aging population and high divorce rate of the UK means more demand for city center flats or smaller-sized homes for an individual person. Usually, young investors want a fashionable and urbane home while families concern with safety and accessibility to school and transport as priority. – Stick to what you know. Suppose having your property investment buying in an area that you know well. Research entirely and consider the local economy. Above all, assure that you are buying a property located in a bustling or up-and-coming part of town.

This property investment advice is helpful only for those individual who have some extra funds they could use to purchase a new loan in case the original one is called. Believe there are probability for anyone out there, whether you are a first time buyer, and not sure where to buy, someone seeking for a hands free property investment with assured returns, someone seeking to top up their pension, or someone who is willing to give 10 hours a week or so and be in a position to sack the boss in 3-4 years time!! However for anyone to succeed at property investment, they must have some good knowledge from property investment advice- a clear strategy, concern about property tax, mortgages for investment properties and mainly understanding what a good property investment deal is and the core of leverage.

So, first start exploring online, then you came across some excellent resources and invaluable information – however there are also some who are more interested in charging you a fee than getting you a good deal.

International Property Investment Hotspots

Property investment is one of the securest, and most recession proof methods of investing. However, many personal investors limit their portfolio by looking close to home.
Many investors have made millions. British investors started investing in Spain in the late 1990s. Now, many of those properties, purchased for less than $50 000 are now worth more than 1m.
At first glance, many new real estate investors are attracted to hot spots. Unfortunately, many areas, like the Black Sea coast are over developed, or where construction is a full time nuisance.
Spain is another long time hotspot. However, things cooled last summer when more than 100 new homes were sold to retired foreign residents for more than $200 000 each. Within months the government demanded they be demolished because they were built on rural land, not zoned for residential development.
Bulgaria is another ‘worn out’ hotspot. Property investors need to be willing to hunt down good deals. It was the ‘hot spot’ for property investors until it lost its appeal due to over construction.
The price quality ratio is out of balance in Bulgaria, especially in places like Sofia. A savvy investor can still find a good deal in a prime location, but the imploding population is causing concerns. Investors are worried that no one will rent the 3-4 bedroom “luxe” apartments in a country where the social trend is leaning toward childless couples. There is a risk that the supply will soon exceed the demand.
Investor analysts still suggest that a good location will generate more profit when rented to American tourists. The devaluation of the US dollar makes unusual tourist areas more attractive. US travel agencies now report a steady interest in both Bulgaria and Romania. They cite diversity of entertainment, and low cost air fair to many Baltic states by German and US airlines.
This means that investors who are looking for long term profits may find that a bed and breakfast, or renting to tourists, will earn a profit in the interim, while protecting their equity.
Arlette Adler from the Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC), claims that Bulgaria’s property market has reached saturation levels. This means that there are still some deals for first time buyers hoping to invest abroad, but little for the serious investor.
“The more serious buyer is looking at [other eastern European] countries and considering them,” said Adler.
“The thing that is bothering many of us [about Bulgaria] is that they are building all over the place,” she added.
Specialist house TRI Investments warned property investors to avoid European holiday destinations such as Bulgaria, France and Italy.
FOPDAC also announced that the emerging markets in Croatia, Montenegro and the Czech Republic may offer fast profits for daring investors.
South Africa remains a hotspot for investors who are willing to put some effort into building their portfolios. However, no one has to step in blind. Experts are suggesting that investing is moving beyond South Africa. Growth in other areas of Africa is precarious, but promising. The risks are higher, as is the potential for profit.
Investors who want to minimize risk are following the lead of the large property management companies in South Africa, taking advantage of their ‘inside’ knowledge of the continent and its growth trends.

Why Choose to Make a Cyprus Property Investment?

The Cyprus real estate market represents quite outstanding potential for foreign purchasers; these purchasers may wish to invest their money and time in an apartment, villa or other real estate in Cyprus after seeing a wide range of real estate possibilities. The real estate market of this country is particularly strong and Cyprus is a desirable investment location for plenty of reasons. There are some main characteristics that transform this market into a well defined one that can be very appealing to foreign investors. One of the main reasons is that the market grows on a constant basis; actually, the Cypriot market is one of the fastest growing environments when it comes to the development of real estate businesses. The annual average may reach almost 20% and almost every property price is still lower compared to other European countries.

Another aspect that may be very convincing for foreign investors is the sharp increase that has characterized the golf properties that are available on the current market; the tax rate is lower, thus transforming the entire country into a genuine attraction for almost every investor who is interested in buying an apartment, villa or other real estate in this country. One should not forget about the weather either because every resident of this country can enjoy 340 days of real sunshine a year. Cyprus is an enjoyable location and this country is quite comfortable too regardless of your country of origin. You can expect high standards when it comes to living in a country with good facilities that can even include top class golf courses.

You can live in this country at a low cost and your life will be improved by quality features; therefore, you may choose to make a Cyprus property investment because this investment will prove to be a highly beneficial one. This country even has a low crime rate and its friendly inhabitants are likely to transform the country into quite a desirable place to live or visit. The medical facilities are excellent and if you are planning to develop your own career, you ought to be aware that there are plenty of business opportunities in this country. These business advantages may actually transform the country into a more desirable destination or residence. Every investor will discover a ready market that will provide him with all the necessary opportunities; well administered procedures are likely to secure your future investment when purchasing an apartment, villa or other real estate. Buying property is this country is actually a safe decision for the future.

If you are looking for genuine reasons for making a Cyprus property investment, you may consider the following points because they are likely to be helpful when it comes to understanding the current real estate market that can be found in this country. First, investors will discover that prices are generally lower than other European prices; even the living costs are relatively lower when compared to other countries and the quality of life itself is thus improved. The good facilities are worth mentioning too because the national economy is mainly characterized by stability and robustness. All these features are underlined by the constant and favorable evaluations that are coming from almost every European institution. Even the International Monetary Fund underlines the economic and financial stability of this country.

Cyprus boasts an efficient land registry and this system comes along with well administered and straightforward procedures that are designed to encourage every potential foreign investor. Property purchase has thus been transformed into a safe option that any person may consider for his/her future life experience. Even the legal system encourages all potential investments that are related to the real estate market; investors will also take advantage of some fiscal incentives and they can also enjoy a lower level of taxation.

Special tax incentives are offered by the Cypriot government in order to encourage the real estate field; the country also has one of the fastest growing economies and this aspect may be very appealing to every real estate investor. The strategic location of the country together with the unrestricted access makes this land the perfect location for your future real estate businesses.

Dubai Property Investment, Dubai Investment Properties, Property Investment in Dubai

While rampant speculation may grab headlines in national property markets, improving regulation and increasing transparency are making them more attractive to investors from around the world, a new research study shows. The global Middle East and North Africa (MENA) report from Jones Lang Lasalle, the property investment and advisory firm, found that Dubai was the most transparent market in the region. The emirate has seen a 12-fold increase in transactions since 2002, which is when the emirate opened up the property market for foreigners and began improving its legal structure.

The total value of the transactions at the end of last year reached Dh460 billion (US$125.34bn), up from Dh39bn at the end of 2002, according to Dubai Land Department data quoted in the report. Jones Lang Lasalle estimated that Dubai could see more than 70,000 property transactions by the end of this year, valued at about Dh700bn. The study covers 82 global markets classified into five tiers, with the top tier the “most transparent” and the fifth the most “opaque”. Dubai rose to tier three this year – an area defined as semi-transparent – with Jones Lang Lasalle predicting the emirate will upgrade to a fully transparent tier two market by the end of 2010. “If you superimpose the improvements in regulation on the sales figures, you will see why Dubai has seen a 12-fold increase,” said Blair Hagkull, the managing director for MENA at Jones Lang Lasalle.

Abu Dhabi followed closely behind and is rated the third most transparent market in the region after Saudi Arabia , sharing tier three with Dubai . “ Abu Dhabi is three to four years behind Dubai ’s real estate boom and what they have achieved in terms of transparency is remarkable,” Mr Hagkull said. Attributing the rising level of transparency in Abu Dhabi to the establishment of a Land Regulation Department in 2005 and the emirate’s vision 2030, Mr Hagkull said there was still “a lot to be done in Abu Dhabi” due mainly to foreign ownership limitations.

Greek Property Investment boom following Mamma Mia box office hit

Not only  was ‘feel good’ film Mamma Mia a box office huge success, but it has also contributed to an increase in the tourism industry in Greece.

 

After the crowds had seen the movie- which was released last summer- a lot of people became interested in buying property in Greece. According to The Move Channel the number of potential buyers has skyrocketed by 120 per cent following the release of the movie !

 

The movie was shot in a beautiful and virtually unknown island- Greek island of Skopelos where there is not even an airport !

 

Since the release of the movie more and more internet users have been looking for property investment opportunities in Greece. There has also been a dramatic increase in the number tourists who are looking for a low cost holiday destination, where the sun is often shining and the temperature is warm.

 

Greece takes advantage of a pleasant climate and a very low cost of living- two very important factors which is attracting many tourists and potential buyers.

The potential buyers can get a very profitable property investment because property prices are relatively low-cost. In addition dynamic tourist industry means that, you can rent out your property during the long season- from April to October- and get a high return of your investment.

 

According to Paul Simmons, Easyjet UK General Manager, the low cost of living and the affordable property prices will encourage you to invest in Greece, even if the world economy is in a recession.

Overseas Property Investment – Risks and Preferences

Buying real estate overseas is a rather difficult thing accompanied by many organizational details. If you have not purchased any real estate overseas so far, you should know that there are some specific tips you can use in order to not get in the hands of swindlers and in order to make your overseas property investment safe and easy to handle. You can of course apply for the help of local realtors and real estate agents. There you will find the most up to date information and the most profitable offers. Try to escape the offers, which can lead to a perilous investment and negative consequences for your business.

First, you have to invest in real estate only if you want to and to purchase what you want to purchase. Question yourself, why do I want to buy that property? This decision is one of the most important because it is crucial to how much you expect to get from your investment. Do you invest in order to have short term capital gain? Or you invest only to obtain a long term stabile returns? Do you buy the property in order to use it for your own personal purposes such as holiday home or a place for living with your family? What ever might be the answer to this questions, you should manage your funds very carefully and to make the money work for you and for your future. The cost of overseas property investment can vary, from less expensive to extremely expensive. Plus, taking into account some more facts you will make the right choice.

Avoid the hard sell. Do not get trapped by the offers of real estate agents. There are many dedicated overseas property investment exhibitions which display usually the best and the most expensive properties. You should stay constantly focused if you have your original idea. If you want to increase your capital appreciation you better make a purchase in an up-and-coming area. If you made up your mind for overseas property investment, you should take into account where to buy it. For example, such countries like France, Italy and Spain offer many fashionable estates, but of course, the prices are higher than in other parts of the world or even Europe. So you should take into account that the prices for the real estate in that part might not climb rather high, so you might be disappointed by the returns you get. Purchasing in a less-fashionable area of Spain, France, or Italy or in the up-and-coming real estate markets of Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria and some other countries, where prices are rather low, but the chances these prices to increase are very high, and if the real estate in that region will increase it will increase with a very good rate. Do not hunt hotspots, or fashionable areas, because you could be disappointed by the final returns.

More on the Property Investment Market in Dubai

Investing in property in Dubai is the smart and obvious choice, especially following on from the passing of Law Number 7 that allows for the ‘foreign freehold ownership of property’ in certain designated areas in Dubai.
However, there still remains an underlying factor which may seriously reduce the allure of Dubai: the rate at which inflation continues to grow and the cost of living ever on the increase.
An example of this inconsistency in inflation rates and sheer immense expense of cost of living in Dubai is apparent when one takes a look a the cost of privately educating a child – in the UK it’ll set you back upwards of GBP 46,000 annually but in Dubai you can almost double that figure which inadvertently makes it even more expensive to live in Dubai than in London! A fact which quite honestly baffles the mind.
When looked at in a positive light, inflation can be regarded as a sign that the economy in Dubai is strong enough and healthy enough to cope with price increases which may directly affect the property market, leaving many experts with the assumption that Dubai’s property sector will indeed be able to withstand a further boom in price increases.
The negative spin on inflation however, is that by reducing the amount of disposable income inhabitants of Dubai have monthly, proportionately, this affects the amount people can and will be able to afford to pay for accommodation and eroding the tax free living attraction of the emirate altogether.
With so much uncertainty and acute division of view in Dubai’s real estate sector, there is a definite clouding surrounding the property investment market in Dubai.
The question remains, is Dubai’s real estate market on the brink of a notable rise in fortunes or is Dubai precariously on the threshold of a monumental collapse?
On the one spectrum is the viewpoint that the passing of Law Number 7 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum will result in an upsurge in Dubai’s property market profit margins.
On closer inspection of the desirability of Dubai’s property market, one can easily determine whether or not Dubai’s intrigue to international investors has faded, or not.
Dubai remains a tax free country, in which there is an overabundance of employment opportunities available to qualified international professionals.
Due to the fact that so many varying employment opportunities abound, salary packages and incentives on offer are usually very impressive, such that an expatriate can reside in Dubai and legitimately avoid having to pay the local government any personal taxes. This factor contributes to many internationals relocating to Dubai, as it remains a desirable place to live. Accordingly, this fact alone means that there is a constant demand for property in Dubai to buy and rent.
According to developers situated in Dubai, “There remains intense demand for completed property in Dubai which is why rental rate increases have been capped by the government. Previously the only way those moving to Dubai could find immediate housing solutions was to rent, and those investors with completed investment properties available for letting were increasing rents to astronomical heights which resulted in the government’s intervention.”
Dubai need to now develop and maintain a vigorous resale market, as those individuals that relocate to live and work in Dubai should have the ability to purchase property, or at least have the choice between renting and buying a completed home, which if implemented effectively should remove the need to cap rental rate increases thus bringing in more economic flow to the real estate market in Dubai.
As a direct result of the fact that many investors who bought off plan properties in Dubai are expected to take up residence in their completed units upon completion, there will be less demand for either rental accommodation or even resale property.
Could this then be the fuel behind the recent upsurge of developers now offering incredible incentives to those who agree to purchase unsold off plan properties?
There have been reports of some developers offering potential purchasers luxury cars and other incentives if they commit to purchasing new waves of off plan properties that can have up to a 3 year build period…is this because they are finding it hard to shift their stock, or is this because the desire to own property in Dubai has only increased in insurmountable proportions. Seems like only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: International interest Dubai has certainly NOT diminished.

Property Investment And Types Of Mortgages

If you are considering your first attempt at property investment and unfamiliar with the options open to you as to which type of mortgage to choose for your buy to let property, there are specific mortgages for property investment – i.e. to rent out rather than live in – you will need a buy-to-let mortgage.
Buy to Let mortgages are unique and quite different from the usual residential mortgages as, instead of assessing the amount you can borrow from a lender, based on your total income, the loan is calculated on the rent you could get for the property.
Previously, mortgage lenders wanted a rental coverage that was over that of the mortgage amount, for example one hundred and fifteen per cent of the monthly repayments. But at present the rules have become less stringent and you can acquire a mortgage with rental coverage of 100 per cent in some cases. The credit crunch currently being experienced by the western world does seem to work in favour of the property investor compared to the standard residential mortgage.
With this in mind, it is still commonplace to have to raise a deposit of ten per cent or more, but more recently the number of No Money Down deals have appeared on the market. Traditionally only a small number of specialist lenders offered buy to let mortgages but more recently we have seen high street banks start to lend to landlords.
Buy To Let mortgages can normally be either repayment or interest-only loans. Interest-only mortgages mean cheaper monthly payments but the property will not be yours at the end of the term, you will still need to repay the capital amount or sell the property. Repayment mortgages ensure that you repay a bit of the capital and a bit of the interest each month and at the end of the term the debt is fully paid off.
A majority of inexperienced property investors buy a property and consider the increase in equity as the goal. This is a long term investment. What some amateurs do not realise is that a monthly profit can be achieved if the right kind of property is purchased. The worst kind of property to start with in the buy to let arena is a flat or appartment where the cost of ground rent and maintenance has to be taken into consideration. This is often overlooked.
Anyone looking to become involved with the property investment market has a steep learning curve to endure. Property investment training is necessary and should be overlooked as a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing

Bulgarian Property Investment – The Facts

Benefits and Cons on Bulgarian Property Investment
With residential property in the UK having reached a peak for the current future, investors have been desperately looking around for alternative locations with investment potential, and Bulgaria is tops on everyone’s list. Many investors have already noticed that Bulgaria offers very good value for any money that is spent and it also has letting potential as a holiday destination.
The best investment opportunities in Bulgaria right now include the ski resort of Bansko and the Black Sea resorts of Varna and Bourgas. The capital Sofia is developing rapidly as a commercial Mecca as well, signalling that capital appreciation and rental yields should be very strong in the foreseeable future. Bulgaria saw property price increases of 35% in 2004 however the average yields on rental properties are still 8% to 12% thanks to the fact that most investors are buying in the Black Sea coastal resorts and 15% in ski areas. Some of them are investing in new developments instead.
For example, studio apartments in the Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach can cost the investor as little as £16,850. There are good opportunities out there for both city-centre buy-to-let properties and vacation homes that are also offering letting potential. Let it be known though, that despite promising returns, investors have to be wise to the risks that are potentially involved in buying in an emerging economy like this one.
Low prices attract the buyers who are looking for a quick-fix solution to pension problems, but as many agents as you can find will admit there is no guaranteed resale market in Bulgaria (or anywhere else for that matter) and little existing benchmark for measuring price increases other than more and more investors paying higher prices on a monthly basis. That is why long-term investment is recommended over instant returns.
There is, however a genuine demand for quality rental properties but written contracts with holiday companies are absolutely needed as a means of ensuring the buyer a guaranteed yield. Travel agents and tour agents who are no longer enjoying big mark-ups in Spain are looking for higher profit margins in Bulgaria and this does cause problems in the long-term future. High street travel agents and tour operators do have an amazing number of sun and ski holidays available in Bulgaria today and they are selling well, which goes well for future returns for quality locations and developments.
If you are really wondering what the benefits are to investing in Bulgarian Property; it is definitely the cost. The cons of course is that nothing in property investment is completely fail safe and therefore you need a regent in Bulgaria to act on your behalf and help you find a piece of property that will do exactly what you need it to.