Archive for July, 2010
Investors typically choose real estate for a number of reasons: cash flow, appreciation, tax benefits, and leverage. A real estate investor holds property for personal or commercial investment reasons. This differs from real estate dealer who holds property primarily for resale to potential clients. An active investor typically buys a property and then makes repairs or improvements with the intention of selling the property for a profit. A passive investor usually hires an investing firm to find and manage potential profitable opportunities, and is not actively involved in any improvements or negotiations related to the property. Unlike a professional realtor who has to pass a series of exams and be licensed by local and state agencies, an investor simply needs capital and confidence.
By putting down payments on a real estate transaction, an investor can significantly increase his profit percent and better the terms of the financing loans. By bettering the terms of the loan, an investor can increase his available cash for other transactions, thus increasing potential earnings exponentially. This process creates a strong cash flow. This cash flow is very enticing to real estate investors.
Barring any unforeseen declinations in quality, real estate, unlike a car, generally appreciates in value. This means that once a property is purchased, the value of that property steadily increases over time. Residential real estate is especially prone to this process. This is so because residences are comparatively priced. This means that the value of a property is largely dependent on the value of the surrounding properties. Therefore, if one house appreciates in value, then the surrounding properties also increase in worth. An investor can force appreciation by investing in repairs or improvements.
A somewhat lesser known reason that so many people are learning how to become a real estate investor is the beneficial tax rules governing such transactions. State and federal governments try to encourage investment by writing financial rewards into the tax code. There are two main rewards built in. First, an investor can claim monthly mortgage payments as a tax deduction. Secondly, tax deductions can be made through a process called depreciation. Though a property may appreciate in value, an investor is allowed to make the assumption that it will actually depreciate over the projected useful lifespan of the unit. He or she is then allowed to claim this theoretical loss as a tax deduction.
Another strong reason for becoming an investor is called leverage. Leverage can best be explained through an example. Say you bought a house for ten thousand dollars and then sold it for eleven thousand dollars. Your profit margin would be ten percent. However, if you get an initial loan for the purchase and make a down payment of only one thousand dollars, then your profit margin would be one hundred percent. This method is called leverage and is a great way to maximize profits.
For all these reasons real estate investing is both an easy and very profitable business to get into.
While properties in the real estate market are certainly becoming affordable, buying investments nowadays carries plenty of new troubles. Before you decide to become a landlord of a Miami rental property, you should first realize that this serious undertaking can be risky. Yet with all the new problems associated with renting and leasing, there are several newer solutions to patch them up.
Increased vacancy
One of the reasons why many are investing in Miami rental property is the increased numbers of people losing their home to foreclosure. It’s only natural to assume that these people, after being turned out of their houses due to default payments, will be aiming for leasing as the next best thing. Unfortunately, the increasing number of potential renters is comparable to the soaring vacancy rates.
Landlords, nowadays, are having a hard time filling up their Miami rental properties. This may sound like a bad joke, but this paradoxical real estate situation is plaguing the country. Instead of renting, these people bunk with relatives or parents and only a few are looking for rentals. Savvy landlords, however, choose to offer incentives to prospects instead of losing more with the maintenance of an empty building.
Longer evictions
The prevalence of rental foreclosures and decrease in employment rate greatly contribute to growing evictions. And because evictions are becoming more and more rampant, Miami’s courts, or anywhere in the country for that matter, find it difficult to complete the process. The amount of time to finish the legal paperwork significantly stretches to maddening length for landlords who are left with tenants they cannot evict yet.
This prompts landlords to work and help tenants in dire straits. It’s become typical for landlords to aid tenants move out of the building by offering payments. This is a small amount to pay for the cost of letting them stay longer without paying.
Pet-friendly buildings
Many tenants are increasingly turning into pet-owners. In the past, any landlord can easily turn away a pet-owner with good rental history and good credit and overall financial health. Nowadays, however, it’s not practical to shun these types of renter. Again, the situation is caused by the rising vacancy rate.
Turning your Miami rental property into a pet-friendly environment can help it survive. Even those with stringent rules for pets are highly sought by several renters. The cost of damage, noise and flea infestations is a small price to pay compared, yet again, to the cost of maintaining several empty units.
Mark Michael Ferrer
Miami Rental Property
Gurgaon, a bubbling city of Haryana, has undergone significant developments in the past couple of years and is sprawling as a mega city. The city boasts of not only good quality infrastructure but also splendid real estate. Gurgaon property market has allured many big real estate players and many people have happily invested in the city. The city has a very vibrant lifestyle and high standard of living and because of its prime location and good connectivity to Delhi-NCR region, it has attracted people from all over the India. Another factor that has augmented the growth of real estate in Gurgaon is that it has housed many MNCs because of which many people are busy looking for an accommodation here.
Both residential and commercial property in Gurgaon is booming. The city has come up with many new shopping malls and retail showrooms. According to a realty report, the price per square feet for a commercial property was Rs.4400 but if we look at the current market scenario the prices have soared and the commercial space at a prime location would now cost around Rs.10, 500 per square feet. There are many commercial centers in Gurgaon like Udyog Vihar, IMT Manesar, InfoCity, Pace City etc, which have made it a significant commercial hub. Many people from all over India are coming to Gurgaon in search of livelihood and better education.
Apart from that, many commercial projects are still in pipeline like iValley at Manesar, Cyber Park at Sector 67, Element 9 at Manesar, which will further contribute to development of the city and its suburbs. The credit for making retail market hotcake in Gurgaon goes to malls like Metropolitan Mall, Mega Mall, DLF City Centre, Ambi Mall, Omaxe wedding Mall etc.
Both the demand and supply of commercial as well as residential properties is in abundance in Gurgaon. Many big realty players have come up with new projects and some builders are planning to launch new projects soon. DLF is planning to come up with mid segment premium new projects like Express Green and Express Towers out of which express towers is supposed to have 2BHK and 3BHK apartments where as Express Green has apartments as well as independent houses. These projects are targeted for middle income group people and have quiet affordable prices.
Other projects by DLF are Park Place and The Belaire, which are luxurious apartments targeted for higher income group people. Other than that, Vatika Group has launched affordable housing project namely ‘Vatika Lifestyle Homes’ located in sector-84. Emaar MGF has come up with Emerald Estates located at sec-65 Gurgaon. It has 2BHK and 3BHK apartments with 2 BHK costing around Rs. 38 lakhs and 3 BHK costing around Rs 48 to Rs.51 lakhs. Woodstock floors in Nirvana country by Unitech has come located at Sector 50, Edge towers by Ramprastha builders and many projects by India Bulls, BPTP, EMAAR group are in pipeline.