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Bill Consolidation For Debt ReliefIf you are already in debt up to your eyeballs, or if you are on the very brink of selling your soul to your creditors, there are many options for you to consider when trying to get out of debt, and bill consolidation is one of them. By consolidating all your bills into one larger debt, there is a good chance that you will be able to handle your debt repayments more easily.
Bill consolidation is not a viable option for many people, but if you do your homework properly and if you look around you might be able to find something in the way of consolidating your bills, which can actually help you.
Although it might not seem like the easiest thing in the world to learn, bill consolidation is really quite simple once you know the ins and the outs of it, and as mentioned earlier, as long as you do your homework and find yourself a good place to consolidate all your bills, you should be fine.
How does it work then? Simply like this: first you set about getting all your bills and loans and things into order so that you have everything at your fingertips and you know where you stand. Then you set about finding somewhere you can consolidate your bills (the internet works wonders when you’re looking for information like this).
Once you have done this, shopped around and found a place where your bill consolidation problems look good, you can then go about consolidating your bills and loans and things to end up with only one monthly debt to pay.
The basic facts about bill consolidation are like this: you find a bill consolidation firm, you check what their terms and conditions are, you take a low interest loan from them, consolidate your existing bills and things, and then pay off only the one monthly bill to the bill consolidation firm.
If this sounds too good to be true, be warned that it can indeed, be too good to be true. The whole point of your bill consolidation is to get a lower monthly payment than you are making now.
Getting a loan from a consolidation company that has higher interest rates isn’t going to fix your problems; nor is getting a secured loan to pay off your unsecured loan going to do any wonders for you either. You’ll also have to watch out for the small print when consolidating your bills to make sure that you won’t be stuck with a penalty for paying off your loan faster.
To get the most out of your bull consolidation effort you will need to shop around a little to find a bill consolidation firm that not only has low interest rates, but which will also give you an unsecured loan, this is only sound sense and will help you in the long run when trying to pay off your debts. solutions From Bank of AmericaTo help us out from under our debts the Bank of America has many different routes for you to take. These have different ways of clearing debts all have the same goal. Since there are quite a number of these debt relief programs available to you from the Bank of America these should be looked into separately.
While you can find many ways to solve your debt problems with the Bank of America these solutions must be valid for the problem that you have. For this reason when you are looking at the different debt solutions that are readily available you may want to have a good idea of how many debts you will need to pay as time goes by.
The Bank of America Company is one that is flexible enough in rules to help you. You should understand that you will need to make an appointment to get a wide range of service. As you may wish to know more about this company you should check their website for help.
The Bank of America has various debt rules that you will need to look into. These rules will help you to see the best ways that you can live a life that runs according to the principles laid down by various other financial institutions. By looking at the help and guidelines that are provided by this company you can see the ways that your life can be changed.
The services that you can find from the Bank of America will enable you to see what changes you need to make to your life. Some of these changes will not be too big. Others on the other hand will mean that you need to see how you can eliminate or reduce these problems like the use of credit cards until they are used only for emergencies.
When you look at all of these services you will find there are many tools available to help you. There are also trained service personnel who can let you know what you need to do in order to achieve financial independence once more.
For those of you who are interested in seeing what are the other services and links that the Bank of America can offer to you then all that is needed is for you to check this service out. The nice thing that you can look up in this company is seeing the response other customers have given to Bank of America regarding their handling of these debt matters that you have. Benefits Of An Online College Education Lets You Study At Your Own PaceThere are a number of reasons to get an Online College Education. For recent graduates from high school, it can make the transition to college or university a whole lot easier if they get an Online College Education on their way to getting a Bachelor's Degree. For some people that are looking for a technical education, an Online College Education is in most cases what they need, and they may not want or even need further education. For those whose college plans or schedules are interrupted, having an Online College Education makes it much easier to carry on their education later in life. For all of the groups of people mentioned above, getting an Online College Education is a good option.
Online College Education programs are available worldwide, and you can choose numerous of major courses of study. There are a whole bunch of good reasons to consider getting your Online College Education.
How much expense should I expect?
In most cases the tuition costs are lower for an Online College Education online than through a traditional college or university program. In addition, if you take your degree on the internet you'll have the benefit of living at home as well as saving money for transport, since you don't have to travel to classes. It's also easier to stay in a job while going to school when you take your Online College Education , because this kind of learning give you a lot more flexibility and freedom to make your own schedules. This gives you the advantage of being able to work more, as well as the possibility of getting higher paying jobs while you go to school.
It's Convenient
With Online Education - also known as e-learning, you go to school and do your school-work at your own convenience. Online Education means that you work your classes around your life, instead of the opposite; working your life around your classes. You don't have to miss classes or assignments either; you work at your own pace, no matter what is currently going on in your life. The school-work is available when you are. All the lectures, assignments, notes and and other material are archived on the web, so you can retrieve them anytime you're ready to.
Studying At Your Own Pace
By taking your associate College Degree Online, you have the benefit of studying at your own pace. If you are among the busy people and have a lot on your plate and therefore need to go through your classes at a slower pace, you are free to do that. Otherwise, if you are in a hurry, you have the option of accelerating your pace as well. One of the big advantages with e-learning is that you are not stuck learning at everybody else's pace; you do your work and learn at the rate that's comfortable for you.
The Portability Is Unlimited
If you are young and your life is unsettled, getting an associate College Degree Online is ideal. If you move to another area, or go on a three months vacation to Africa, your college or University Education goes with you. You can travel to any country all over the world, and keep on to take classes online.
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits associated with online education. If any of the benefits I have mentioned applies to you, it's definitely worthwhile for you to consider getting your associate College Degree Online. How to Choose When Buying a Computer - Is Asking "What is the most popular computer" the Right Question?How to chose when buying a computer - Is Asking "what is the most popular computer" the Right Question? First off, I've found that a lot of people start thinking about how to chose what type of computer to buy by asking "what is the most popular computer?" and letting the answer to that decide the question for them. Well, this isn't necessarily the best idea. Just because something is popular doesn't necessarily mean it's the best -- for example, fast food restaurants are popular places to go, but I think we all know they don't serve the best food in the world. Here's the thing to remember when thinking about how to chose when buying a computer -- you should generally avoid the big brand names. Yes, this might surprise you, but in my opinion, it's usually not a good idea to buy from one of the big brand name companies (there's one exception that I'll get to in a minute). Here's why: dollar for dollar, you're generally going to get a worse deal than if you go with a reputable "generic" or "white box" store. A lot of people have low price as the first thing on their list when they're trying to figure out how to chose when buying a computer. So they go with a cheap brand name and spend a few hundred dollars on it, and they think they're getting a good deal. But what they don't realize is that it's common for a lot of the big brand companies to sell very out-of-date computers in their lower price ranges, and from what I've heard, they also often sell computers with parts they know are bad! I'm not kidding about this -- most of the big computer companies out there, when they sell their least expensive computers, are trying to unload old inventory that's been collecting dust on their shelves for a long time. They sell it to you as if it's new, and maybe it is in the sense of never purchased before, but it's hardly new in terms of the technology. And the more disturbing part of this is that from what I've heard, those computers often have parts in them that are *known* to be bad parts! You see, when a chip manufacturer like Intel makes a computer processor (the "brain" of the computer), they test it to make sure it works. Makes sense, right? But inevitably, many of them fail these tests. Now you'd think these bad parts would be thrown away, but no -- from what I've heard, what happens is they still sell them to the big computer companies at a discount, and those companies put them into their computers anyway. What you can do with a bad processor a lot of the time is set it to run slower, and while it may not be running at full speed, it works well enough to pass the tests. But the parts are still bad! Sure, they may work OK for a while (maybe just long enough to make it through the warranty period) but they have more little "glitches" and end up breaking down sooner. So if you can find a reputable local company that sells computers they assemble themselves, you'll get a well built computer for a lot less because you're not paying for the brand name. I can't help you find a local store like that everywhere, but those of you reading this who live on the Big Island of Hawaii can go to Falcon Computers in Kona or Falcon Computers in Waimea. These are two branches of a store that offers computer repairs in Kona and Waimea, as well as a good place to buy a computer in Kona or Waimea on the Big Island A family-owned store like that is the only place I'd buy a Windows PC, personally. So earlier I mentioned there was an exception among the big brand names -- if you've been reading my newsletter for a while, or know me, you might have already guessed which one it is -- Apple. Apple is the only big brand name computer I personally would buy (I'm writing this on a MacBook Pro). I do this partially because I've used a lot of different types of computers over the years, and really don't enjoy using Windows much. But I also do this because Apple doesn't deliberately put bad processors in their computers, or try to sell out-of-date computers as new. Some people complain that Apple's Macs are overpriced, but that's actually not the case -- when compared apples to apples (excuse the pun) they tend to be in the same price range as a Dell or HP of the same general specs. So bottom line is, here's how to chose when you're buying a computer: if you want to stick with Windows, then support a local business and go to a good store that puts your computer together for you from parts. And make sure you ask them to put Windows XP on it, not Windows Vista (for reasons covered in this 3-part article about the problems with Windows Vista). Or get away from Windows and switch to a Mac. Either way, you're getting a better deal. Hope that makes sense and helps with your decisions on how to chose when buying a computer. How Does Wireless Internet Work - A Simple ExplanationIn this article I'll help you understand the answer to a computer terminology question I find a lot of people asking: "How does wireless Internet work?".Before I can answer this question, I have to mention that there are two basic types of wireless Internet: a wireless Internet connection through a device called a router (this type of wireless Internet is called WiFi), and then there is wireless Internet access through the cell phone network. Wireless routers are very common in homes, offices, and "wireless hotspots" like you find at coffee shops, airports, and elsewhere. These are basically just small electronic "boxes" that hook up to your Internet connection so you can share the connection between several computers, or simply to give you the freedom to place your computer wherever you want, and not just next to the cable or phone outlet. The cell phone data network (wireless Internet through the cell phone network in other words) of course is very widespread -- pretty much everywhere where you can get a cell signal -- and can be used not only with a cell phone but also with a growing number of computers. Now if you want to get really technical, these two types of wireless Internet work differently. But in a general sense, if you simplify things and explain them in a basic way that will make sense to the average person, they both work along the same general lines. So how does wireless Internet work? One way to think of it is by comparing it to a portable phone. With a portable phone, something most of us have in our home, the phone has two parts: a handset and a cradle. The cradle gets plugged into the phone line -- the connection to the phone network -- and takes that connection and broadcasts it via radio waves more or less in all directions. If the handset is within range of the signal, it picks up this signal and relays the telephone connection so you can make or receive a call. Wireless Internet, whether its via a cell network or a wireless router, works the same basic way: you have a connection to the Internet, which is sent out wirelessly to a receiver of some sort, very much like a portable phone cradle sends out the telephone connection to the handset. The broadcast can come from a wireless router hooked up to a cable or DSL Internet connection, or the broadcast can be from a cell phone tower hooked into the cell phone network and relaying the Internet connection. On the other end you have a "handset", which is a receiver in a computer, smart phone, or other device. This could be a WiFi card in a laptop or desktop computer for the one type of wireless Internet, or a receiver in a cell phone or laptop using the cell data network. So that basically answers the question "how does wireless Internet work?". Is The Video Professor Honest?If you watch TV at all these days, it's hard to miss the constant barrage of commercials by the guy who calls himself Video Professor. Some people see his commercials and start asking themselves, is the video professor honest? Really, I can't answer that question for you, but the question does seem to come up pretty often.There's a couple of things that I find kind of interesting. First off, he only offers a 10 day guarantee, which seems a little unfair, considering that in some parts of the country, the guarantee has expired by the time you get your video lesson CDs. I suspect this has a lot to do with the video professor complaints you hear about so often. You can contrast this with other companies who offer up to a 365 day money back guarantee. Another thing I find puzzling is the way he only seems to have one testimonial from one person who clearly (if you watch his commercials carefully) is not a real customer, but someone they gave a free demo to at a mall someplace. You'd think an honest company that had been in business for so long would have no problem finding testimonials from happy customers. Which is not to say they're dishonest! Who knows, really? I'm not a customer of his, so I really have no way of knowing if the video professor is honest or not. I just know it is a question that gets asked, and these are a couple of the thoughts that come to mind. Property Investment : When to invest in real estate property for sale in South Africa ?Is the house sale price party over? If you look at the latest House Sale Price Index which shows month on month real estate house sale price growth for July 2007, you will find it at the lowest recorded real estate level for seven years. According to PropertyHome the 0.5% property sale price increase from June to July 2007 is the smallest increase since September 1999. First negative real house sale price growth this century With the inflation rate pushing through the 6% level it has resulted in the first negative real estate house sale price growth in years. What this means is that for the first time since 1999, after adjusting for real estate inflation, the value of the average house for sale has actually decreased slightly over the last month. There are a number of reasons why, and the most talked about one at the moment is the influence of the new National Credit Act on the real estate property for sale market. Many economists are blaming the Act, but according to PropertyHome senior economist, the slower real estate growth is “mainly the result of higher interest rates.” It’s been some time now since interest rates were gradually raised and there was not much effect on the real estate property for sale market to begin with. But now it’s adding up, along with high inflation, and the effects are starting to show on the house for sale real estate market. PropertyHome believes it is still too early to determine what influence the National Credit Act (NCA) is having on real estate house sale prices. We know there are admin backups and we know that more mortgage bond applications are being rejected due to the Act, so chances are those effects will also start filtering through onto the house for sale property market. What does this latest news mean? It means that if you have invested in real estate property for sale without knowing how to do the calculations it may be time for you to start worrying about real estate house sale. If you bought planning to sell property (speculation), hoping real estate house sale prices would go higher, and if you cannot afford to hold onto your property sale with the higher mortgage bond interest rates, and if you then have to sell property , you may find fewer property buyers and you may not get your property sale price for your real estate hose for sale. You could lose money on your real estate investment. Why do I not believe in real estate property for sale speculation? Because it is a gamble for successful house for sale transaction. You buy property in the expectation that property sale prices will rise and that mortgage bond interest and inflation will not. You have no way of knowing what will happen with your real estate investment, and so you are taking a chance with your house for sale transaction. For the past five years, since mid-2002, real estate property sale prices have risen – to begin with spectacularly, more recently less so. But now for the first time since September 1999, the real estate property sale price are almost static. Where does this leave the property investor who invested in real estate? In this case, you know you do not make your money when you sell property as a house for sale transaction. You always make your money when you buy property. In fact a true investor seldom sell property. So you didn’t buy property in the hope of selling property even higher. You bought property because the real estate sums made sense and the income on the real estate property for sale more than covers your expenses. So you’re not worried about your real estate investment. You also know that income on your real estate investment is more important than capital and you know how to do the worst case real estate calculations. You would have done the worst case real estate calculations and decided that you would still be okay. This means that if you invested in real estate property for sale you have the peace of mind of knowing that whatever the real estate market does, it is not going to affect your property sale too badly. On the other hand, if you did not follow the real estate calculation strategy you may be in for a rude awakening if you built your hopes and dreams on real estate capital growth and then went out on a limb, financially. So you can see that the current conditions may work for you or against you, depending on what kind of real estate investor you are. There are three types when it comes to capital growth. · Investors who buy property for sale in order to sell property and in doing so make a real estate capital gain. This group is also called real estate property for sale speculators. · Investors who develop land for sale and in doing so depend on real estate capital growth to earn a living on property for sale transactions. · The third group of property investors follow a system where you buy property to hold, but use the real estate capital gains to increase their real estate capital base and sometimes even their standard of living. The phantom of real estate capital gains For the last twenty years I have taught people that if you build your wealth on real estate capital gains you are going to get a lot of nasty property for sale surprises. I have personally experienced the reality of real estate capital gains: it is just a phantom gain. Capital gains happen when the property sale markets gets emotional and starts pushing the real estate property for sale prices upwards but it can literally disappear overnight when the mood for house for sale transactions changes and confidence in the real estate investment market drops. It does you no good to have R1,000,000 on paper when you cannot sell property to turn the property for sale transaction paper money into liquidity. I have seen this happen in 1984, 1987 and again in 1998-9. This very week several of my students, by making use of PropertyHome, bought real estate property for sale for less than 50% of the bank’s valuation. (By the way – do you know that last month alone there were 1602 properties for sale (with judgements) listed on PropertyHome – the only website in Is it good value at half the price? You can’t tell without doing the calculations Now just because you get a property for sale for half the bank’s perceived property value does not mean it is a good property investment ... you still have to do the calculation the PropertyHome way for properties for sale. So the question is – who really knows what a property sale is worth? If you buy property the bank says is worth R800,000 for R400,000, then who is right about what it is worth? You? Or the bank? Of course the bank is really just following the house for sale crowd in the first place because their property valuation is based on what they think they could sell property for. The only unemotional property valuation That’s why I teach my real estate property for sale students to do the calculations for properties for sale. You base the value of the property for sale on what it brings in. That is the only unemotional measure, in the end. For the last five years I have said that serious property investors can’t wait for the mortgage loan interest rate to rise simply because the real property investment jewels will only show in “bad” times. When everyone else is getting out of property sales ... that’s the time to get in If I look at what is happening now, true property investors may be in the pound seats if the mortgage loan interest rate goes up another 2% (especially if it is a slow increase over a long period of time, as the mortgage loan interest rate hikes have been over the past year or so) and if the banks are forced to apply legislation according to the National Credit Act. To summarize: if you are a property investor and you invest according to the PropertyHome property investment method, the timing may soon be ideal for you to buy property. If not – I would suggest you get on the property investment course as soon as possible because you are going to need all the advice and strategies I teach if the real estate market turns against you. What if the real estate market does not do what I think it might do? Well, you will still be in the pound seats simply because you know how to invest in real estate property for sale ! PropertyHome property investors know how to make money in “good” and “bad” times with real estate in Author: Realtors Properties for Residential private property investment in South Africa !What makes a good real estate property for sale suburb? Why does real estate property for sale prices perform better in one real estate property for sale area and not in another? Where are the real estate suburbs with the biggest real estate growth potential? Where should one invest in real estate? PropertyHome has produced a Residential Property Investment Guide for 2008 in an attempt to answer some of these real estate property investment questions. The Residential Property Investment Guide is made up of three parts - the analysis of residential property sales figures, Neighborhood Watches of various real estate areas around the country and expert opinions on the real estate property market. In the first section, data provided by PropertyHome is used to examine real estate property for sale transactions and real estate growth in the residential property for sale market. Deeds Office data lacks the necessary attributes that are needed to examine various real estate segments of the residential property for sale market. Notably, when it comes to geographical locations, the exact boundaries are not part of the real estate property data and there is confusion over where one real estate suburb ends and the next one starts. In order to give all South Africa homes for sale a spatial representation, PropertyHome geo-coded each property for sale and while certain spatial boundaries such as provinces and municipal real estate areas were known, others were created by PropertyHome, by grouping points on a real estate area map in to real estate property for sale suburbs and metro towns. A metro town is defined as a group of real estate properties for sale, consisting of a registered township plus its real estate extensions. PropertyHome analysed the data of 285,000 residential properties for sale - the total number of residential properties for sale that were registered and transferred by the Deeds Office over two years i.e. January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007. Some residential properties for sale were transferred more than once in the time period but the real estate property for sale was only counted once. Only full title residential properties for sale that were transferred to individuals holding a valid South African ID, and had a value of between R20,000 and R20 million were analysed. In this way, the data excludes all sectional title properties for sale and purchases by foreigners. Deeds Office data does not differentiate between the types of properties for sale so PropertyHome used an algorithm on the ID number of the property buyer and assumed it was a residential property for sale if the ID was a valid RSA ID. In addition, only residential properties for sale that were sold for the first time were included in the figures, which eliminated most of the "empty stand to completed building" price increase. Different real estate criteria were applied to the property for sale data and seven subsets were produced. As a consequence of this, the South Africa Property for Sale Transfer Guide data is not the same and the figures and results cannot be compared. PropertyHome noted that due to real estate suburbs being a mix of residential property for sale and commercial property for sale and a combination of size and real estate type, an average price could therefore not represent any of the residential properties for sale in the real estate area when percentage growth was calculated. Instead, the median or middle value was used, which represented a price of 'most' residential properties for sale that were sold in the area (eliminating the odd high and low values). Often a property sales price does not represent the true value of the residential property for sale and when the value of the mortgage bond registered is substantially higher than the price of the residential property for sale, it implies that there are planned improvements on the residential property for sale. As a result of this, the mortgage bond value is a better indicator of value and PropertyHome used the larger of the two. · Most sales by rand value: The table ranks the top 100 real estate metro towns that recorded the most number of property sales by rand value. In addition, the number of property sales in each real estate area is included. · Highest average price: The top 20 metro real estate towns that achieved the highest average price are listed in the table. Only areas where a minimum of 10 property sales occurred have been included. · Highest number of sales: The table lists the 20 real estate areas that sold the most number of residential properties for sale. The list includes the total sales value and average price achieved in each real estate metro town. · Highest percentage (%) growth: Each price group lists the real estate metro towns with the highest percentage real estate growth achieved. To accommodate for the different value of residential properties for sale in each area, PropertyHome analysed the residential property for sale data by three value bands. Each band was chosen to represent a third of the total volume. The lower real estate price group is residential properties for sale with an average value of below R250,000. The medium real estate price segment is residential properties for sale valued at between R250,000 and R600,000, while the higher real estate price group includes all residential properties for sale greater that R600,000. The real estate growth was calculated by the percentage increase of the median (middle) value of the residential property for sale between 2006 and 2007 i.e. the real estate price segment that the residential property for sale is included in depends on its original property valuation in 2006. The table lists 30 real estate metro towns in the lower price residential property for sale segment and then 40 and 30 respectively in the medium and higher real estate price group. · Highest number of sales in previously disadvantaged areas: The table lists the 20 real estate areas that sold the most number of residential properties for sale. The list includes the total property sales value and average residential property for sale price achieved in each real estate metro town. There were no restrictions on the value of the residential property for sale. Census information is available at a sub-place level and the boundary often spans across various real estate metro towns. PropertyHome used the sub-places where 80 per cent of the respondents to the census were residential property for sale owners and more than 100 individuals responded. · Highest average price in previously disadvantaged areas: The top 20 real estate metro towns that achieved the highest residential property for sale price as an average are listed in the table. Only areas where at least 10 property sales occurred have been included. · New-build growth: This is the only table where residential properties for sale registered for the first time are included. The top 50 real estate metro towns achieving the most number of property sales are ranked. The second part of the residential property for sale guide is Neighborhood Watches of 30 real estate suburbs around the country. These focus on a brief history of the real estate area, a description of the real estate suburb today and what the attractions and drawbacks are for the real estate metro town. Author: Realtors Property Portal | How to sell property after the real estate property boom !
Posted by Realtors Property
11:05 PM, Thursday, March 13, 2008 .. Posted in Selling Property .. Link What goes up must come down and real estate property booms are no exception. This last property for sale boom lasted a few good years and has left a remarkable footprint in the real estate industry behind. Some property for sale booms end in disaster for real estate agents. However, I do not forecast that our last property for sale boom is going to end that way. In Private property sellers should take the following points into consideration: · Do you have a good reason to sell property or move? If not, this is not the time to test the real estate property for sale market. You may go ahead and evaluate your property for sale taking into account what real estate properties were sold for a year ago. · Remember that it could take longer to sell property and accept the fact that the real estate property for sale market is now a buyer's market where "cash is king". · DIY is not the way to go in this real estate property for sale market. You need good marketing to attract the best property buyer for your home for sale and a capable real estate salesperson that is able to deliver an exceptional real estate agents service to property sale clients. The National Credit Act (NCA) has cut down on the number of property buyers who will qualify to buy property and your home for sale. So when you receive an offer to purchase for your house for sale from a property buyer who is not only willing, but also able to buy property and your home for sale - consider the offer to purchase your house for sale seriously as it may be the last one you receive from a real estate agent with terms and conditions as favourable to sell property. Always ask yourself: What does this offer to purchase allow me to do? Can I do what I had planned to do when I first put the house for sale on the real estate property for sale market? Ultimately, will you still be able to execute your plan upon the successful property sale - even with a little less money in your pocket after the real estate transaction? There is still good opportunities for property buyers and property sellers if they look hard enough and one should utilise the services of professional real estate agents to serve your best interests. Author: Realtors Sell Property | Sponsor: The residential property market in South Africa as an investment vehicle !
Posted by Realtors Property
10:11 PM, Thursday, March 13, 2008 .. Posted in Property South Africa .. Link It’s no secret, in the past few years since 2000, the residential property market in Over the past few years since 2000, the residential property for sale market has performed extremely well following many years of mediocre growth in the real estate market up to the late 1990s. Between 2000 and 2006, average houses for sale price growth of around 20 per cent per annum was achieved in nominal terms and about 14.5 per cent per annum in real terms. The main support for this performance came from real estate economic growth of around four per cent per annum during this period. This was driven by factors such as real estate land availability, declining inflation, low interest rates, strong growth in real household disposable income and a rapidly growing middle class (boosting the demand for real estate housing in The growth in houses for sale prices may have softened substantially from the heady levels achieved in 2004 and 2005 but there are still areas of the real estate property for sale market that are outpacing others. Houses for sale price growth have become relatively flat across the board but there are noticeable differences in various price segments. Recently, faster real estate growth has been recorded in the lower and middle segments of the real estate property for sale market than among the upper end. Nominal houses for sale prices in the affordable real estate segment (houses for sale of 40m2 to 79m2 and priced at R370 000 or less) increased by 18 per cent year-on-year to almost R250k on average in the second quarter of 2007. In real terms, houses for sale price growth in the affordable real estate category came to 10.3 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter. In the middle-market segment (houses for sale of 80m2 to 400m2 and priced at up to R2.7million), nominal house sale prices increased by an average of 15.3 per cent year-on-year to about R919 000 in this year's second quarter. In real terms, house sale price growth in this real estate category came to 7.8 per cent year-on-year. In both nominal and real terms, the year-on-year growth in house sale prices in the second quarter was down on that of the first quarter, when it was a nominal 15.7 per cent and a real 9.2 per cent. Nominal house sale prices in the luxury real estate segment (houses for sale valued at between R2.7million and R9.9-million as luxury property) increased by an average of 9.2 per cent year-on-year to around R4.1-million in the second quarter of 2007 (8.5 per cent year-on-year in the preceding quarter). In real terms, house sale prices in the luxury real estate category increased by 2.1 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter (2.4 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter). Although house sale price growth in the luxury property category has been well below that of other segments of the property for sale market for some time, this real estate category of housing is influenced by factors other than economic growth, inflation, interest rates and household income in Some additional factors that may have an impact on real estate property for sale include legislation and regulations (Capital Gains Tax; real estate property rates and taxes; and future luxury property housing developments); living trends (various types of real estate; views, especially along the coast for coastal property; and area); exchange rate movements, especially with regard to foreign investment in local property for sale; and the performance of other asset classes (the equity, bond and money markets, locally and internationally, as well as commercial and listed property for sale). Real estate housing at the upper end of the real estate property for sale market is sometimes not financed by means of a mortgage loan and macroeconomic factors sometimes play a lesser role in the decision to purchase a property for sale in According to the House Sale Price Index (HSPI), for the second half of 2007, nominal house sale price growth for residential property for sale averaged 15.5 per cent and is expected to stabilise at around 11.5 per cent in the first half of 2008. This is on the back of an upward trend in interest rates and the possible effect of the National Credit Act, bringing average house sale price growth to about 13.5 per cent for the full year. Nominal house sale price growth of 15.2 per cent was achieved in 2006. The bank's latest House Sale Price Index (HSPI) for July shows that house sale price growth for houses for sale in the middle property for sale segment of the real estate market was a nominal 14.5 per cent year-on-year. This caused the average price of a house sale to increase to around R 932,100. For the first seven months of the year, average nominal house sale price growth was 15.4 per cent compared with the same period last year. This is expected to slow down further in the remaining few months to average around 14 per cent for the full year. Based on the headline consumer price index, real year-on-year residential property growth in house sale prices was 7.5 per cent in June, compared with 7.9 per cent in May. Between January and June, real residential property for sale growth in house sale prices averaged 8.5 per cent year-on-year. On a month-on-month basis, nominal house sale price growth slowed further to 0.5 per cent in July (0.7 per cent in June), which was the slowest nominal month-on-month real estate property for sale growth recorded since September 1999 when it was 0.4 per cent. In real terms, house prices declined by 0.1 per cent month-on-month in June. Since March this year, house prices remained static in real terms. In August, the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced a hike of 50 basis points in the repo rate, this then caused banks to raise their prime and mortgage loan interest rates to a level of 13.5 per cent. Interest rates have been hiked by a total of 300 basis points since mid-2006. A wide range of factors contributed to the latest rate hike. CPIX inflation has been above the six per cent upper limit of the inflation target range for three consecutive months since May this year, driven by factors such as high international oil prices and a weaker rand exchange rate, while food prices have moved higher in recent months on the back of demand and supply conditions all of which effected the real estate growth in South Africa. Short- to medium-term inflation expectations are forecast to remain on the upside in view of above-inflation wage settlement rates in various real estate sectors of the economy. Although there are signs that consumer demand is gradually tapering off, year-on-year growth in private property for sale sector credit extension is still well above the 20 per cent level. However, the effect of the NCA will only become visible during the next few months, with growth in real estate, residential property for sale, credit extension, including mortgage loan advances, expected to be markedly lower by the end of the year from current levels – this should have a positive impact on the real estate property for sale industry in South Africa. In 2008, nominal houses for sale price growth is expected to average around nine per cent, driven by higher inflation and interest rates, lower economic growth, slower growth in real household disposable income, and the impact of the National Credit Act. From 2009 and up until about 2011, the residential property for sale market is forecast to be on an upward trend in terms of levels of activity and real estate price growth, largely driven by stable to lower inflation, declining interest rates, rising real economic growth, and improving real household disposable income growth. Explanatory notes: The House Sale Price Index (HSPI) is based on the total purchase price of houses for sale in the 50m2 to 400m2 size real estate category, valued at R2.7m or less in 2006 (including residential property for sale improvements), in respect of which mortgage loan applications were approved by the banks. Prices are smoothed in an attempt to exclude the distorting effect of seasonal residential property for sale factors and outliers in the data. As a result, the most recent index figures may differ materially from previously published figures for residential property for sale in Author: Realtors Residential Property | Sponsor: Residential golf estates proliferate in South Africa !Private Property for Sale Residential property for sale golf estates proliferate despite injunctions from government ministers, eco-warriors, the NIMBY brigade and competition from new lifestyle property for sale estates. I stay on the greens and look at some available property for sale golf estates options in You’d be wrong if you thought the people buying property at residential property for sale and resort golf estates are members of the grey panthers. True, many retirees or those close to hanging up their suits and locking away the briefcase opt for a real estate home for sale beside a sweeping fairway, but many home for sale property buyers are young, married couples with two or three kids. Both punters are buying property for similar reasons: either one or other spouse plays golf estates regularly; they want a secure real estate environment for themselves and their children; and, in the case of the youngsters, they want real estate or something that will appreciate in value. Then there’s the home for sale property investor who doesn’t even play golf but wants a second home for sale in a magnificent setting (preferably property sales that will generate property rental income). I took a selection of real estate property for sale golf estates, ranging from the well-established golf estates (where second- and third-time property sales are occurring) to those where the golf estates course is built but the residential property for sale component is still in the planning stages. Of course, I will be inundated with calls because I have skimmed over some golf estates in I intend this to be a real estate property for sale guide and not the definitive home for sale golf estate reference manual. If you intend to buy property on a residential golf estate, you should, as with any residential property sales purchase, do your homework. Ask yourself the basic property investment questions: Why am I buying real estate property here? What amenities are available on this residential golf estate? How strict (or lax) are the architectural guidelines for this residential golf estate? And, as always, you need to read the homeowner’s rules very carefully for the residential golf estate in question. It’s no good buying property into a real estate property for sale golf estate only to discover you can’t rental property out or that you’re not guaranteed membership of the golf course in the residential golf estate for private property for sale transactions. Author: Realtors Real Estate Listings | Sponsor: The most important rule for financial success with Real Estate Property Investments !
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10:30 PM, Wednesday, March 12, 2008 .. Posted in Private Property .. Link Do not become emotionally involved in the property sale When it comes to real estate property I believe there is not such a thing as an expert. Remember this when house hunting for that perfect property sale. I believe that many “experts” are more confused than the people they are suppose to be helping when it comes to giving financial advice. Sometimes these so-called “expert” do not know enough because they never take the time and effort to test what they consider to be “the truth”. Einstein once commented that science is so frustrating because it takes a lifetime to prove something, but all it takes is one negative result to disprove a theory. Unless the “expert” has experienced the result of his theories, he cannot truly be considered an expert. This knowledge will become valuable when dealing with real estate agents whilst looking for that perfect property for sale. Sometimes “experts” know too much. What do I mean? Simply this, they have read so many books and articles, studied so long at university or college, been to so many seminars and workshops and have been exposed to so much information that they are overwhelmed. They suffer paralysis by analysis. They are often so caught up with the small stuff that they fail to clearly see and understand the big picture. Keep this in mind while you search for that perfect real estate privateproperty at a bargain price. Knowledge must be pertinent. That means it must be seen in the context of what you are trying to do. The most brilliant corporate tax lawyer in the country will probably be a novice when it comes to personal tax. That's what the word “specialist” means: to specialize, to focus in something to the finest detail like real estate sales. If you have ever taken a photo, you know that the more you focus, the less you see of what is around the image you are focusing on. Maybe this is why they prefer the word "expert" to "specialist". Keep this in mind when dealing with real estate agents. There is only one "expert" that you can really trust - you! It is your money and your time that is on the line. You are the risk taker, no matter what anyone else wants you to believe. For this reason the most important rule for the property for sale investor is so important: Invest in yourself first before you invest in real estate property for sale. An easy way to discover what the "experts" don't know is to attend the privateproperty homes for sale seminar. It is a one day workshop and real estate agents can also attend to learn more about property One of the biggest mistakes people have made in real estate property investments in the past has been the trust the wrong people's advice when purchasing a house sale to own property South Africa. People are easily blinded by the hype and greed which are built on unproven projections with real estate sales to own privateproperty They say there are four types of experts: · Those that think they are in houses for sale. · Those that act as if they are, but in truth are incredible salesmen in homes for sale. · Those that have a vested interest (like the prospect of a good chunk of commission) when the house sale is concluded. · Those that are fanatical believers in a specific type of real estate property investment and who unconditionally believe there is no other type of investment better than privateproperty Most people buy property The trick then is to not trust the “experts” when it comes to investing in property Be accountable (take responsibility) for your own decisions to purchase privateproperty Author: Realtors Property Volume 3: Reasons for property investments ! (continue)No quick fix Real estate property is not a short-term quick-fix solution to your financial problems, but a very sound investment. There is really no minimum time you will take to become financially independent, it depends on the circumstances and the size of the property investment. There are some good examples of instant property investment successes but these are not the norm and should not form the basis of your expectations. Three of the best Of course real estate property is not the only form of investment you can make, but I firmly believe that it is a better investment than any other investment over the same period – with two exceptions: investing in yourself (training and education) and investing in your own business. However, more than 85% of new ventures fail within three years mainly because the person starting the venture does not have the knowledge or does not apply it. Start-up capital is not enough to ensure a successful business. One needs business skills and dedication. For property investments you need a motivated seller which is prepared to sell private property at a bargain price, well below market value. You can easily get hold of your money One often hears people say 'My money is tied up in property' this is rubbish. If you take a mortgage bond that is worth the value of the house its value grows immediately which means there is almost immediately a surplus. Also you are paying into the mortgage bond so that excess cash is instantly available. All you need to do is call the bank. You can cash in on a house while still retaining the investment – you do not even need to put your house for sale on the market – it need not be the solution. You can save on running costs You need a separate team for maintenance of your real estate property. You need a plumber and an electrician and possibly a general handyman. Make a deal with them for discounted charges in exchange for early settlement (or even cash payment). Buy loyalty by paying quickly for maintenance of your real estate property. Their cash-flow matters to them, so they are usually prepared to pay for it. Costs on many other forms of investments are generally not negotiable. It is possible to manipulate average tax at retirement It is possible to reduce the tax one pays at retirement. Simply predict what the pay-out will be at retirement, buy a house for sale (to that value) two years ahead of retirement, ensuring that it has a negative cash-flow. This reduces your actual income over the last two years of retirement (which is the basis for calculating post-retirement tax rates). When the lump sum does payout you can use the money to settle the mortgage bond, and then peg the value and income against inflation. By using this technique it is possible to get the Receiver to subsidise your pension without it costing you a cent. Again you would probably need to get expert advice. Plan on paying very little estate duty If you buy a property in a trust, then your tenant pays the entire mortgage bond and it is probably paid up by the time you die. Assuming the value is R 15.0 million when you die, that is what you have to account for as personal estate duty when you die. But if it is in a trust then the real estate property belongs to the trust, not the individual. Estate duty is then not applicable. Ensure that you purchase that perfect real estate property in a trust from the outset. You can reduce personal estate duties You can reduce the value of your estate by loaning money against a trust. At death the estate has to pay the mortgage loan back to the trust and this is a liability which reduces the size of the estate. Also, if you have a loan-account in the trust, you can donate R30,000 per individual to the trust and thereby reduce the size of the trust – find that perfect private property for sale now. You don't ever have to pay any Capital Gains Tax If a real estate property is bought in a trust and is not sold within that trust in your lifetime, then there is no CGT to be paid. You need never sell property - just borrow against that property to buy another real estate property for sale (gearing). The government subsidies mistakes If you make a mistake, and you know how to make it, the government can subsidise over-expenditure by 40%. Any loss is subsidised by the Receiver. Bear in mind that you must get expert advice before you implement such strategies, and remember cash-flow is king. On the other hand, if you lose 40% on a unit trust there is no-one to subsidise it – make a wise decision and start looking for houses for sale – make sure you find that perfect private property for sale. Structure your own tax incentive Many people work towards receiving a golden handshake from their employer at retirement. Not much of the golden handshake remains after tax. Although it is possible to deduct the payments of a deferred compensation plan up to certain limits, only a portion of the ultimate payout will be tax free - the balance will be taxed according to a set formula. However, by investing in real estate property and using financial strategies within the company it is possible to structure a superior real estate property sale or 'golden handshake'. Author: Realtors Property Volume 2: Reasons for property investments ! (continue)
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5:23 PM, Wednesday, March 12, 2008 .. Posted in Property South Africa .. Link Make use of a variety of financial structures I do this for security and financial planning reasons. People do everything in their own names instead of in an entity. At retirement age you could make an error of judgement and everything you possess could be lost. Rather spend the money now and pay the legal fees to get the structure right - create a trust or register a business and protect your real estate property. You cannot do this with a policy. It is a secure investment It is called real estate. Banks say that fixed deposits are safe. Nothing that resides merely on paper is actually 'safe'. It is nothing more than a pledge (subject to many conditions), it is not | |