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Recent property media has been abuzz with news of the real estate down turn occurring in the United States. With all the media sources available today you can’t possibly avoid hearing about the doom and gloom of the US Property market, not unless you live under a rock, in which case it won’t affect you anyway. News travels fast and stories of the downturn in US real estate markets is quick to hot South African shores where people are now, as a result of the phenomenal property boom experienced in local markets over the past few years, sensitized to real estate and the wealth creating benefits thereof. As news hits our shores many are contemplating how the US down turn will affect the local property market.

To put things in perspective, we all know that when something of major significance happens in major markets that drive world economies, the effects will ripple throughout the world. As the ripples that emanate when a rock is dropped in water, market events in these markets eventually reach FAR off shores. There is not much anyone can do about this, it is just the way it is and has always been.

However, in every market there are factors that carry major events, such as the recent downturn in US real estate markets, further than normal. Factors such as market moods and emotions, media, fear and other non-tangible factors. These factors often have the effect of perpetuating ripple-effects well beyond their natural reach. In this manner, the effects of market events, often travel even further than expected and actually increase in volume as apposed to dissipating.

This is much the case with the South African property market, ever since news of the downturn in US real estate markets people have been contemplating the effects and the speculations have been growing. Some theory’s are realistic, yet most are way out of the ball park.

So, what is the real effect of the American property market on South Africa?

Some say none, I beg to differ, some say major and I beg to differ on that also. The reality, as normal, usually lays someplace in between.

Without writing a long essay explaining the history of the American property market and why it landed in this state, it must be understood that markets in different countries work under different environments, regulatory, economic, financial, etc. Therefore, a direct and immediate effect of the same nature – can’t possibly happen. Simple logical reason: South Africa has to be firstly in the same exact situation as the US for events to unfold in the same manner, and since it is not and never has been, I wager that we will not see turmoil to the same extent as the US in South Africa.

So, why are we then linking the US to the current South African property market?

The biggest and most dangerous effect that any market always faces is of human nature, it is called “mood” or “market emotion”. If emotions start running high due to fear of loses, change in trends and is compounded by excessive negative media, it will invariably trigger action. Any actions under negative “mood” conditions are usually not actions of positive nature, nor logical for that matter. In many cases the human survival instinct kicks in to reduce damage, survive a down turn, when a down turn may not even exist in a certain region or country, but the market “mood” will prevail and control peoples emotions.

Of late, we have heard much negative rhetoric of “negative mood” type talk in the property market. Is in not ironic that it happens to coincide with US market mood. It is true to say that major markets such as the US directly trigger some of the talk. However, I feel that local factors such as the NCA, increases in interest Rates and escalating property prices are having more of a dampening impact on local market conditions than news from far off shores.

So, while we do live in a global village and people must look at similarities in markets to determine what to expect, it cannot be a for gone conclusion that changes in local market conditions are solely as a result of events taken place in major markets. To conduct analysis purely on this basis, without local context, is the catalyst that creates the overwhelming emotion that will inevitably change market direction; “what if this will happen here?” is the first thought. Before you know, the message spreads and more people hear the news and take it at face value without research, analysis or independent thought. Next when you look, the the market is in a downward spiral.

There is no one to blame in this game; it is the way it works. However, to win the game many more considerations are required when looking at localized markets in any country.

So where does this leave the South African property investor?

Due to the factors considered and outside influences, now more than ever, South Africa’s property investors need to understand and educate themselves more on the local context down to the specific areas in which they invest. Big picture issues, such as inflation, global markets, should never be ignored, but instead placed in the correct context. To do that correct knowledge and a clear mind is necessary.

The truth in any market only lays in the full evaluation of the circumstances, in context. Anything else and investors risk spiraling down with the “negative mood” which may have been initially created so far away that all bets are off in local context, but no one notices anymore.

That said, the South African market has its’ own problems, but they are not all the same as the problems the US markets face.

In the US, due to low interest rates, many people have refinanced to a point where they are over exposed and have bonds of 150% of the property value. That can’t possibly be a good thing, but that is not the case in South Africa.

In South Africa, where bonds of 108% (include purchasing costs) are the maximum that banks provide lenders, property owners are not in a position where they are mortgaged to the extent the Americans are, far from it.

Nevertheless, South Africa has different problems. With property prices growing phenomenally in the last few years, interest rates increasing and the NCA putting a stop to reckless lending, there are fewer buyers in the market. This does put pressure on the sellers and if a seller needs to find a buyer fast due to financial difficulties, they may have to settle for a price that is below Market Value. Though this may not be good news, especially for investors that need to release stock and cut down shortfalls due to increase in interest rates, the situation is far from the American “doom” story, so far that it is unfair to make local comparison.

Some local investors and home owners have purchased properties that they may not be able to sell fast, right away, nor at the prices they planned and wished to sell. However, this is normal and in no way a sign of impending avalanche type disaster. Some areas in South Africa could are in a “housing bubble” that has burst, but that does not put the entire market in a down turn mode compared to the US. In fact there are some areas in South Africa that will not even see the local market recession.

If you are looking for advise on what to do under current circumstances there are only a few words of wisdom that one can offer right now. Everything else is up to your wisdom, education and correct evaluation of the property deal, the area, and putting matters in perspective.

1. When you read about property markets keep things in perspective to the South African context, as not everything everywhere applies to everyone.

2. When you listen to economists understand their point view of macro economy, not micro economy, and put things in perspective to your regional context while trying to understand the bigger underlying market forces.

3. If you are in any sort of negative or scarcity mood, don’t close deals unless you have a clear mind and strategy.

4. Last but not least, educated yourself about investing in up markets as well as down markets, this is the only full proof system. The only way in which news of any mood will never over impact on your investing success.

With cool head and knowledge you will be able to shift and change your buying patterns profitably, according to current market trends.

Are you interested to invest in Sarasota real estate? Do you want to earn money from purchasing real estate properties?

A career as s real estate investor in Sarasota real estate is really profitable but it is risky as well. But the good news is that there are ways in order to be successful real estate investor in Sarasota real estate. There are number of tips that you can make use in order to be successful real estate investor in Sarasota real estate, this article will mention few of these tips.

Before buying any property in Sarasota real estate, you have to learn about the market first, you have to gain important information about the market. This is very important. The market changes every now and then, so it is wiser on your part to learn about it.

You also have to gain information not only about the market but about how investing really works. Investing doesn’t mean you will just purchase a home or a property and that’s it. You have to be well-informed and prepared as you enter Sarasota real estate investing. Investing requires lot of money and you certainly do not want to waste your money. Your main aim is to earn a lot, so you have to be armed as you enter real estate investing in Sarasota real estate.

Knowledge and information are important. Gaining these requires time and effort. There are heaps of ways to gain knowledge and information; this article will give you few of these ways, so read on.

You can definitely learn a lot to those successful investors. You may be wondering on how you can contact these investors. You can start by looking at your yellow pages, look for the advertisement that say they are buying or selling properties, then contact these investors, ask about their experiences. Do not hesitate; gaining knowledge requires determination, so you have to be determined to obtain information from them.

You can purchase books about real estate investing. Reading books about real estate investing can help you obtain knowledge about how real estate investing works.

Internet is also a good source for knowledge and information. Go online and search about real estate investing. Actually, you are now getting started to gain knowledge, reading this article means you are eager to gain information and knowledge about Sarasota real estate investing.

You can read about tips and guidelines about real estate investing. You can also look and read about the experiences of those successful real estate investors, you can absolutely learn from their experiences.

You also have to learn about the different types of investment. You have to know how each works. Weigh things out and decide which type you can do best and focus to that type of investing.

Truly, you can be a successful real estate investor in Sarasota real estate if you desire to be. You just have to bear in mind that you have to work with your head and research well. In the world of real estate investing, well researched and well informed decision is the best way to be rich.

Eliza Maledevichttp://www.siestakeyrealestate.com

Even in a plunging real estate market, you can profit from investing in real estate if you know where to invest your dollars.

So, do you know where you should be investing right now in this challenging real estate market?

The answer: Lake Tahoe real estate

Here’s why you should invest in Lake Tahoe real estate, especially in the South Lake Tahoe area. Top 7 Reasons to Invest in Lake Tahoe Real EstateInvesting in Lake Tahoe Real Estate Reason #7: Ideal Weather Conditions & Year Round Recreation Attracts New Buyers

Summer tourists in nearby Sacramento and Reno experience temperatures in the 100’s. The Bay Area is socked with fog. Lake Tahoe generally enjoys highs in the low 80’s.

And, don’t let the fact that Lake Tahoe is known as a world-class ski destination fool you into thinking that the winters are uncomfortable. An average January day ranges from 15 – 41 degrees with brilliant sunshine compared to Vail (0 – 31,) Jackson Hole (5 – 28,) and Stow (1 – 25.)

When a storm comes it drops the snow and leaves us basking in sunlight. In fact, the sun shines approximately 275 days a year.

This allows Lake Tahoe to offer the complete selection of recreational activities all year round

Unlike most ski or golf resorts, Lake Tahoe has something for everyone. The pristine blue waters and sandy beaches provide swimming, fishing and sun bathing. Boating opportunities range from kayaks to sailing to motors. The forest and mountain trails draw hikers, bikers, rock-climbers, snow mobiles, snow shoes, cross country skiers and campers. Golf resorts range from lakeside to high desert. Photographers, painters and artists of all mediums flock to the area. Investing in Lake Tahoe Real Estate Reason #6: Real Estate’s Rolling Boom Effect

When an area is experiencing high real estate activity, investors should look to the surrounding areas for the next wave of activity.

The Lake Tahoe real estate market benefits from the surrounding Reno, Sacramento, and overall San Francisco Bay communities. We are receiving reports that increased real estate activity in the area and values are stabilizing.

With today’s’ inventory surplus, low interest rates and the news blasting daily “doom and gloom” reports, sellers are more willing to negotiate now.Investing in Lake Tahoe Real Estate #5: Baby Boomer Are Buying Lake Tahoe Real Estate Now

Baby Boomers are the driving force behind the resort market industry and they have only just begun to invest. Many baby boomers are now inheriting various levels of wealth from senior family members. At the same time, they are in their peak earning years and investing actively in second homes and retirement homes.

They are searching for second homes near beaches, lakes, ski resorts and golf courses. Lake Tahoe is one of the few second home destinations that can offer all three. Investing in Lake Tahoe Real Estate Reason #4: It’s Affordable

Reasonable pricing is one of the key reasons to invest in Lake Tahoe real estate. According to the South Lake Tahoe Association the price for a single family home within Lake Tahoe’s South Shore is less than half than homes in Vail, Aspen and Jackson Hole.Investing in Lake Tahoe Real Estate Reason #3: Opportunities for Supplemental Income

Lake Tahoe is a world-class vacation destination. Vacation rentals bring in subsidized income which can help cover the costs of your Lake Tahoe real estate investment. When a home offers the “Tahoe Look,” dwells within a desirable location (near outdoor recreation) and includes amenities such as a hot tub or pool table, demand automatically increases.

For example one of our current listings, a 6 bedroom contemporary home has averaged an income of over $125,000 for five years now. Investing in Lake Tahoe Real Estate Reason # 2: High Demand and Strictly Limited Supply

In a nutshell, there is no chance of real estate over-development having a negative impact on the value of Lake Tahoe homes. Generally, supply is low and demand is high.

During the 2004-2005 “boom,” investors and developers were throwing up houses at break-neck speed in hopes of huge profits. When this market came to a screeching halt, these areas were the first to see foreclosures. In Lake Tahoe, supply will always be in the favor of the investor because Lake Tahoe real estate is an environmentally protected area. That means growth is strictly limited.

And, the # 1 Reason to Invest in Lake Tahoe Real Estate: Improve Your Quality of Life:

Would You Rather Watch Your Investments or Live Them?

Everyday, we hear those who have invested in Lake Tahoe real estate praise the benefits gained through living a less stressful and more joyful life. These benefits include better health, longer life, better relationships, and so forth.

How does this relate to investing?

Think about it.

Wouldn’t you rather watch it grow while relaxing on the beaches of Lake Tahoe rather than pulling your hair out in front of your computer?

You can watch arrows going up and down or you could ride the chair lift up and swish your way down. You can listen to computer chimes or you can listen to the wind in the pines.

What could be better than wrapping “quality of life” and long term investments into one “full benefits” package?

Robert Frost inspired us to unite vocation with avocation. Investing in Lake Tahoe real estate is just such a venture. The pay offs can be huge.

Real Estate Markets, Confusion, and Investor Psychology

In the current, icy-cold real estate market, there are two schools of thought regarding when to invest. One school contends that it is the perfect time to buy, with the dearth of buyers and abundance of sellers keeping prices down. The other argues that prices have steadily crumbled for the last year, and may not have reached rock bottom yet. So what’s the answer? When is it a good time to buy into real estate?

The answer is right now. But wait, what if the market still has another 5% to drop before hitting bottom? That’s entirely possible, and anyone that says it’s not is either lying or a fool. But so what? Maybe the market is currently in the process of turning around, with a 5% immediate gain on the horizon? The point is, no one knows what tomorrow will bring for the national real estate market, which is an eternal truth that is doubly true in the current market that has baffled so many experts.

You could sit and try to perfectly guess the bottom of the market, and when it passes you by and starts rising, you’ll curse yourself for not buying in and STILL not act. You could still be waiting in five years from now for the “perfect” time to buy. So if you can’t accurately predict the bottom and buy at just the right second, how do you make a sound investment?

There are two strategies that allow you to succeed in the old Buy Low, Sell High model: buying wholesale allows you to Buy Low, and holding the property as a rental allows you to Sell High when the moment is right.

Buying Wholesale

The good news is that everyone and their grandfather are trying to sell right now, so prices are already low. The bad news is that this makes investors complacent about deal-hunting, because everything looks like a good deal.

You still want to find a good deal relative to the existing market, so forget your ideas about what housing “should” cost in your area and only think about what it DOES cost currently. One possibility is to buy through a professional wholesaler, who generally make their living by buying deeply discounted properties and flipping the contract at a shallow discount (e.g. they put a $50,000 house under contract for $25,000, and sell it to you for $40,000). It is possible to get a good deal from wholesalers, but be extremely careful, because every single one of them will tell you they’re doing you a favor and offering you that property at a near-loss for themselves, while trying to sell it to you for as much as absolutely possible. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. As a final note on wholesalers, you can find them by calling the numbers listed on “We Buy Houses” signs, or by contacting hard money lenders, who are either wholesalers themselves or know many of them.

Alternatively, you could try to find those deep discounts yourself, but it’s easier said than done. The most effective way to find these deals is simply to develop an enormous network of contacts from all walks of life, from contractors to neighbors to fellow investors to your own tenants, if you have them. Deals will come your way sooner or later, but you’ll have to keep your ears open and your rolodex full.

Rent it Out = Wait it Out

By buying low, you ensure that your monthly expenses will be low, allowing you to sign a rental agreement with a tenant for a healthy monthly cash flow. If the market doesn’t turn around for another two years, so what? Another five years, so what? You’ll be making money as a landlord, and every dollar you have to invest in maintenance, repairs, etc. is tax-deductible as a business expense. When the time comes when the market overheats again, you’ll be poised to make a small fortune by Selling High.

Or, if you enjoy the money that little rental agreement hauls in every month, you can keep the rental property forever, and allow your tenants to pay off your mortgage!

Sure, the real estate market is icy right now. So what? Buy in, hunker down with a rental agreement, and sit tight allowing your tenants to pay your bills for you. When the market turns, you’ll find yourself with some sizable real estate assets.

Have you heard about the “Sub prime” mortgage dilemma? What about the real estate “bubble”? If not, you need to crawl out from under the rock where you have been living and turn on the news or read a paper! Or maybe it is best you don’t. This has been the “Hot” topics of late. Pair sub prime mortgages with the real estate “Bubble”, and the media would have us all believing the world is coming to an end. It is amazing when there is lack of disaster or national travesty, what the media chooses to focus on.

While it is true that there are new restrictions on the lending industry when it comes to sub prime borrowers (individuals with less than perfect credit and little or no money down), we need to evaluate what impact that is having on the real estate market. Although the “liar loans”, as they have come to be known, or stated income/stated asset, have been eliminated, FHA is still going strong. In fact these loans have increased dramatically as first time home buyers seek alternate loans. This program is much less dependant upon credit scores. It allows the use of one of the many down payment assistance programs currently available.

Really, when you analyze what percentage of loans are actually made to sub prime borrowers, you begin to see that it is a smaller number than what is being blasted across the news. The sub prime situation is not quite as devastating as the media would like us to believe. What is that you say? Do you mean to tell me that the media has exaggerated the truth? Would this be the first time that information has been distorted to bring a “story”?

So what is really causing this slow down in the real estate market? I am glad you asked! First and foremost, we are over built. Builders across the nation have been churning new homes out faster than they can sell them. Due to heavy demand and the ability of buyers to obtain financing at will, the builders have made a fortune selling new homes. As these homes began to saturate neighborhoods across the U.S., and lenders began to tighten restrictions, the buyers began to dry up. Understandably the builders were not ready to give up their cash cow. They continued to produce these homes with increased vigor, almost like a production assembly line. The buyers needed to sell their existing home to purchase the new builds. It began to create a false lull in the real estate market. All of a sudden markets were inundated with excess inventory. In areas even where there are many jobs being created, the home inventories have increased dramatically. Coupled with the media doomsday report, it actually fueled these slow downs and “created” a real problem.

The next crucial element is the record numbers of foreclosures being realized across the nation. The same lenders who are now tightening their guidelines were offering mortgages to anyone who could fog a mirror. To top it off they were putting buyers into these teaser loans or adjustable rate mortgages. These were temporary low rates that readjust after a set period of time (usually 2-5 years). Once these rates readjust, buyers find that there payment has doubled and sometimes tripled! Can you imagine just being able to qualify for the monthly payment that is being offered to you on this “teaser” rate only to have your payment skyrocket after the adjustment? No wonder there are so many foreclosures.

This presents the next problem. Where do these foreclosures end up after they are taken back by the bank? You guessed it. They stay right in the nice neighborhood they have always been in. But guess what? The bank writes off a portion of their loss and put it back on the market, sometimes at a big discount (usually much below similar home sales in the neighborhood). What is it that appraisers use to determine a homes value? Recent sales comparables? That is right. All of a sudden these foreclosures become the new sales comparables, and that is the beginning of the decline in value of a neighborhood.

Now what can we do about this situation? I am glad you asked! As interested parties, investors, or home buyers, we need to buy these homes before they go into foreclosure. If you don’t buy before foreclosure you can still pick up phenomenal deals after the foreclosure sale! Well now you say (to the chagrin of the media) “why would I buy now, you just said homes are declining in value”? It needs to be noted that when everyone else is selling you need to be buying. When everyone is buying you need to be selling. Do you see the logic in this? If you are one of the few sought after buyers in a buyers market, you can set your own terms and price on a particular property or move to the next one. You want to position yourself to be in the drivers’ seat.

The way I see it, if the market is saturated with inventory, there are many motivated sellers willing to be a lot more flexible than they were during the sellers market we just came out of. You have many more opportunities to purchase property at a significant discount or excellent terms. I can not stress to you enough you must buy all of the properties you can possibly buy right now. There were millionaires made during the depression. How you ask? Because people were willing to find opportunity amidst opposition.

When you look at a graph that indicates real estate values beginning in 1900, the overall big picture indicates a marked increase steadily over the years. There are ups and downs along the way, but looking at the big picture the values have always increased. If history continues to repeat itself and offer a look into the future, then NOW is the time to buy, buy, buy! Many experts agree that the real estate market will correct itself within the next 18-24 months. This gives you an unfair advantage over the general public. If there were ever a time to step out and take a calculated risk, now is the time! Just think how you can position yourself if when the market turns around (and it will) you are holding multiple properties that suddenly increase drastically due to supply and demand. Don’t be one of the masses who succumb to the media detriment. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. I urge you to be one of the few who seize the opportunities set before you, and prosper from it. So get out there now and BUY! –Scott Woodhams

www.guaranteedmaximumreturns.com

Investment Property in Turkey is best described as a ‘recently modern’ country. An ideal tourist location, Turkey has a huge young population at its disposal, which makes the country a perfect growth-oriented nation. As a European Union (EU) Candidate country, Turkey’s economic growth is virtually assured in the years to come

What Makes Turkey Hot Investment Destination?

Turkey is a vast country with an immense reservoir of naturally alluring features. With over 7000 kilometers of beautiful coastline and a Mediterranean climate, Turkey offers the perfect tourist destination. Turkey is particularly jam-packed with tourists during summers with more than 300-days of uninterrupted sunshine. Resultantly, the coastal resort towns of Altinkum, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Fethiye and others offer maximum returns on investment in rental property.

Turkey was historically, a closed society with not too many opportunities for foreign investment. But, with the advent of globalization, the world has become almost a large town, and the concept of being ‘Glocal’ aggressively pursued by international governments, Turkey has opened its doors for foreign property buyers. Since 2003, foreign investors have been making a beeline for Turkish real estate as a result of liberal investment laws ushered in the country.

Turkey has also been aggressively pursuing its candidacy for European Union membership. Once it becomes a member, the Turkish economy is expected to soar to newer heights. More importantly, real estate prices are expected to reach new heights once the country becomes an EU member. Therefore, the investors suggest that the ideal time to buy Turkish property is now, when the nation is on the verge of development.

More than half of the Turkish population is under the age of 25 years. This means that ‘young’ Turkey is poised to take the country to the next level of development. Perhaps, this explains that the real estate prices in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Konya, Bursa, Adana, Antalya and Mersin have already soared. The demand has already outscored the supply of available tradable property in these cities, due to influx of migrant population from the countryside in search of jobs.

Turkey has adopted the European building standards and regulations for its new constructions. This is primarily done to lure the European investors into making Turkey their second home. The European standards are among the best and the most investor-friendly yardsticks. Not only do these standards inspire confidence in the potential investors, but also ensure a planned development resulting in the overall better living standards for the residents in the region.

Turkey has the remnants of one of the oldest settlements in the region, with traces of ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, Arabic and Byzantine culture still pervasive in some parts of the country. This also adds to the charm of Turkey for the potential foreign investors.

The price of real estate in Turkey as compared to other European countries has always been the talking point among the real estate dealers and investors. It is often said that prices in Turkey are the same as in Spain, if you knocked a zero off, and there are people who say that property prices in Turkey are 10 years behind those in Spain. The situation is not so rosy as it seems. Though prices of real estate in Turkey are still far less than countries, like Spain, yet with promised developments and booming economy, things will not remain like this forever.

Hottest Investment Destinations in TurkeyAs mentioned earlier, the major cities of turkey are already choc-a-bloc. And fortunately, the country’s long coastline offers maximum investment opportunities in terms of rentable and saleable holiday homes, villas, and luxurious homes and apartments.

The southern resorts of Fethiye and Marmaris are currently the best property investment destinations in the entire country, closely followed by the northern Bodrum and Cesme Peninsulas.

Surrounded by mountains, water and lush forests, Fethiye is a great coastal town to invest in tourist-related property. The picturesque location of this town means that the tourists are always checking-in and checking-out of Fethiye all the year round. Dalaman is the nearest airport to Fethiye. Dalaman Airport (DLM) has regular daily flights to Istanbul and a number of weekly direct and connecting flights to London and other major European cities.

The Bodrum Peninsula is another popular spot and is known as “the new San Tropez”, where wooded countryside meets the shore in a series of glorious bays and pretty fishing villages.

Cesme Peninsula is within touching distance to the Greek islands and most people use Izmir as a closer airport than going via Greece. The region is already on the development radar with golf courses and residential homes being planned around the village of Alacati.

Calis is another fast developing coastal beach town. This resort village is an ideal location for investors looking for rental property as well as those looking for a beachfront home, with a steady flow of tourists.

Wherever you are looking to buy an investment property in Turkey be sure to check out the thousands of new, resale and FSBO properties for sale in Turkey on our website.