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4 Reasons Why You Still Need Realtors in 2017

Why do We Still Need Realtors in 2017

Even after real estate search websites and related services have blossomed over the past decade, realtors are still relevant and the 2017 will not be any different. Yes, you need a realtor because he/she has the necessary expertise and experience to help you in your home buying or home selling activity. Realtors have spent hours in the classroom and slogged it out in the field to understand local home trends – they can be your guiding light in the real estate market.

Realtors are professionals at par with your attorney or doctor because they prescribe you the appropriate remedy while buying or selling your home. Here is a list of the four most compelling reasons to convince you to hire the services of a real estate agent:

  • A good real estate agent will educate and inform

Everyone knows that real estate agents try to sell properties to their clients – it’s their job. However, a good agent is one who tries to educate and inform his/her client so that they can make an informed choice. They do not stop at selling; instead they try to help you understand things that you can expect and situations that you might come across when the home selling or home buying process starts.

You need to do a little research before hiring a realtor to verify their credentials and also find out whether their services are customer-focused or not. It’s better to check their website and call up some of the past customers to find out more about the quality of their services.

  • They have the expertise to create high quality marketing

You will find it difficult to sell a poorly presented house and will never be able to convince the buyer about the property’s potential.  A home needs to be sold in the right manner and this implies that you will have to do the designing or decorating, photographing, exterior and interior enhancements and staging. All these activities can be pretty overwhelming and you will need the help of an expert realtor. They have the professional expertise and acumen to handle all the marketing related activities of property and they are really good at convincing customers into seeing a property’s potential.

  • No one knows local market conditions like your realtor

There are several things to learn while you indulge in the process of home buying or home selling. One aspect that you will be completely unaware of is the prevailing local market condition. You are more likely to end up selling your property for too less or buying a property at an exorbitant price.  However, a real estate agent is abreast with the prevailing market conditions and can guide you accordingly during the buying or selling process. They possess in-depth market knowledge and will help you make the most of the local market conditions.

It is not advisable to get into real estate dealings without prior knowledge because you are certainly going to end up in a mess. If you’re unsure of the home buying or home selling process then it is best to hire the services of a professional realtor – they will be worth every penny you spend on them!

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Investment Trends in 2017

Financial goals differ from one person to another and if you are left with substantial amount of money after repaying your loans or retirement contributions, then you might explore other investment options such as stocks or 401Ks or real estate. Investing in home buying or home selling is always lucrative but then again they come with their own set of risks. However, this does not imply that investing in stocks will take you nowhere; of course there are several millionaires who are able to pull in more than $100 million dollars a year by investing in stocks.

In this article we will try to see how real estate is being considered to be a safe investment when compared to stocks or 401Ks:

  • Greater Control

The moment you carry out a home buying activity, you turn into the owner or in other words the CEO of that property. You have the liberty to raise rents, search for better tenants, make improvements and even go for cost cutting. You are in absolute control of whatever you do with your investments and there are a very few external factors that affect your actions or income.

On the other hand, when you are investing in a public or private company, you can only buy a minority of their stakes. You have put your faith on the management of that company, which is vulnerable to frauds and mismanagement. They hardly care about your investments and all your money can go down the drain because of a blunder on the company’s part.

  • Tax benefits

You have the option of deducting the interest to a limit of $1 million in mortgage on your primary residential property. Profits on primary home selling are tax free for up to $2, 50,000 for singles and up to $5, 00,000 for couples who have been living in the home for at least 2 years. Even the expenses you incur for maintaining your house are deductible from your income. There are immense tax benefits on real estate investment, which is again at the top of home trends in 2017.

  • Analysis and quantification is easier

Real estate investments can be easily analyzed and quantified because you will have to calculate only your expenses and income. If you are able to borrow at 2.5% and rent out your property at 5.5% then you have winner on your hands. Why would you bother yourself with the investments in stocks or 401 Ks that requires in-depth analysis and calculations?

However, there will always be people who prefer to invest in stocks or 401 Ks because they can’t ignore the lure of higher returns, greater liquid, low transaction costs and greater variety. Always choose to invest based on your investment goals and risk taking ability.

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Mortgage Overlays – How Does it Affect Loan Approval

What is Mortgage Overlays?

As a homebuyer, your might have often come across the term Mortgage Overlays. However, did you ever try to find out what it exactly means? We all face approval issues while home buying because of the non-compliance with mortgage overlays. Well, technically mortgage overlays are the set of rules that lenders follow above the guidelines laid down by FHA, USDA, VA, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Every lender has framed their internal rules or mortgage overlays that are applied to mortgage loans. Lenders frame the mortgage overlays after calculating its risk taking ability and the prevailing economic conditions. Thus, whenever there are tough economic conditions, you can expect the mortgage overlays of a lender to get stricter. The mortgage overlays are relaxed during prosperous times.

Mortgage Overlays are not equal

You will never find equal mortgage overlays for different lenders because everyone’s risk taking capability as well as economic assumptions varies. For instance, a customer with credit score of 610 might get approved for an FHA loan while the same customer can be rejected by another lender even when his or her credit score has improved to 650. It is up to the lender to decide whether it wants to approve a loan or not based on their mortgage overlays.

The debt to income ration set by FHA is 56.9% for approval of a loan but there are lenders who will not approve a loan if the debt to income ratio crosses their set limit of 43%. Similarly, the down payment requirements too vary from one lender to another. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have laid down the rule that homebuyers need to make a down payment between 5% and 10%. However, there are lenders who might ask customer to make a higher down payment based on their credit score or debt to income ratio.

These are some of the examples of parameters that individual lenders take into account while approving a loan. It is the lenders discretion as to what parameters it identifies a too risky and the parameters it is ready to accept. Not all the lenders are too strict with their mortgage overlays nor do they include all the above parameters while deciding on a loan.

There are different rules and varying scenarios that are taken into account by each lender and it can be extremely confusing for customers. Thus, it is imperative that you understand the basic difference between mortgage pre-qualification and mortgage pre-approval. If you are pre-approved and there are some mortgage overlays that apply to your loan, the loan officer is going to inform you about the same so that you are ready while applying. Loan process becomes lot easier with pre-approval and also ensures that you are able to avail the loan quickly and without any hassles.

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How to Get a Higher Home Sale Price in 2017

Usher in the New Year by selling your property at a higher price and making some decent profits! Yes, the real estate market is currently booming and you need to make the most of the home trends. There’s no point wasting time on haggling with potential buyers; get smart instead and learn how to get a higher home sale price. Here are some tips to rake in cool profits on your home sale:

  • Check the local market home trends before setting the price of your home

If experts are to be believed then 2017 is going to be extremely volatile for the real estate market and setting the right price for your property will be crucial. You cannot expect to sell your house by setting a price that is not in sync with the home trends of your local markets. Home buying is a complex and tricky process – you will have to convince the buyers into paying you the price you expect.

It is not wise to set your price too high and that too without checking the prevailing local market rates. One smart ploy that many first time sellers use is setting the price 5 to 10 percent below the prevailing market rates. This strategy helps them to sell their homes quickly and without too much bargaining because enquiries for low-priced properties will be much higher.  Buyers will be more eager to buy your property and they will be driven by a sense of urgency.

  • Improve the interiors

We all get attracted to houses that are well kept and even are eager to pay a higher price for properties that are maintained in a proper manner. Thus, prior to setting up your home for sale, just invest a little time and money to improve the interiors. You can get the windows and the blinds cleaned. Open up the windows from time to time so that the rooms get illuminated by natural light. Replace the bulbs that are not working and you can even install a dimmer so that it provides a balance to your rooms.

  • Front door needs a paint job

As they say first impression is the last impression and what a better way to impress than getting your front door painted. The new coat of paint will take away all the dust that might have accumulated on your front door. You will love to see the look on your customer’ face when they enter your house because you might have just brought a smile on their face.

  • Keep it clean

“Cleanliness is next to godliness”

When you are getting into the act of home selling, the adage gains even more importance. So clean your house like you have never done before to impress the buyers. They are going to impress you by giving you the price you want.

You can’t afford to make mistakes while attempting to sell your house so do some legwork and use the above tips to sell your home at a higher price.

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Thinking of Selling Your House ?

Thinking About Selling Your House?

 

Owning a house is a great feeling and the greatest asset one has! The real estate market is so dynamic and ever flourishing that buying and selling of homes is not an easy task. With so many buyers, sellers, builders, real estate agents and agencies in the market, there’s always something happening and abuzz! While buying a house requires years of planning and savings, selling a home requires immense patience!

 

Ask a home owner who has sold a house and they’ll tell you how difficult it can be! Finding a trustworthy buyer who is willing to pay the right price for your home requires days and days of meetings, home showings, paperwork, background checks and numerous other tasks and activities that are time and energy consuming. If you want to sell your home for the right price you may have to wait for months, sometimes a year or more to find the right buyer who is willing to pay up the desired amount.

 

Paradeisos Property Group is here with the perfect solution for all you home sellers! If you want to sell your home, get in touch with us and we will not only buy your house but also pay in cash and close the deal on your timeline! Yes, you tell us how quick you need to move or if you are just planning ahead. So if you need cash this week, next week next month or next year then don’t hesitate to call! There’s more, we don’t charge any commission fees and only work on home for cash basis. You can sell your home fast, get the cash, and not wasting any time running from realtors to agents or welcoming prospective buyers touring your house and never coming back! We are a reliable and reputed group that has established a market reputation by helping home sellers with the best offers and services. Our experts know the current trends and demands in the real estate market and go beyond their way to ensure that every home seller gets the best deal and maximum profits.

 

Whether you are relocating to another city or another house, just give us a call and your house will be sold and you will have the money in your hands! There’s no better deal than that! We work on a foundation of complete customer satisfaction and leave no stone unturned in helping our clients have a delightful and profitable experience. We help you sell your home fast and do all the necessary work on your behalf to add to your home selling experience.

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Real Estate Lead Generation 101

What are the best real estate lead generation options today?

Where and how can real estate agents, investors and other related industry professionals generate more leads for buying, selling and renting properties? What are some of the little known benefits, and pitfalls of common real estate lead generation channels today?

Here are 12 ways for real estate investors and Realtors to bring in more leads:

Direct Mail

Some popular real estate gurus have said that direct mail is the fastest and easiest way to generate new leads. It can still be very effective. In fact, as others have turned to online marketing, direct mail may have become even more effective and profitable. However, direct mail success does rely on volume and testing to hone messaging and delivery.

Cold Calling

Cold calling on a large scale, such as using call centers, might face many challenges with regulations today, but it has still been proven to generate an effective hourly income of hundreds of dollars for Realtors. Simply picking up the phone can be one of the fastest ways to generate real estate business. It is also one of the lowest cost ways to generate leads, and can help professionals stay on top of their sales game.

Door Knocking

Many fantastic real estate deals and listings can be uncovered by simply driving neighborhoods and knocking on doors. There are obvious obstacles in doing this, but when it comes to getting the jump on competitors, it can be hard to beat.

Email Marketing

Google may have made reaching consumers via their inboxes more challenging, but email can still be one of the best ways to reach both the masses, and highly targeted contacts. Email lists may be rented from data companies versus buying them. Subsequently, real estate investors and agents can take control of their own email real estate and build their own lists.

Buying Internet Leads

Buying internet leads has been popular for a variety of real estate and mortgage companies since before the last housing boom. These individuals experienced somewhat of a bubble, but have now been improved with enhanced data and targeting tools. There are various types of these leads ranging from ‘aged’ leads, to live exclusive leads, and non-exclusive leads. Make sure you do your homework and understand exactly what you are getting, as well as the difference in these types of consumers, in order to maximize ROI.

Buying Lead Lists

Lead lists have been a staple of the real estate industry for many years. An almost endless array of filters can be used to laser target the best prospects with these lists. However, newer individuals and real estate companies need to recognize that they may not legally be allowed to have, or market to some of these lists depending on how the data was generated. Watch for junk, and be sure lists aren’t being fluffed out with bogus names.

Real Estate Blogging

Real estate blogging remains one of the most powerful and profitable forms of lead generation, but also one of the most underestimated. A regular blog can ensure real estate pros and companies are not held ransom by other platforms, and can go on helping to generate leads for years after posts are written. A blog can be used to draw regular internet leads, feed email list building, and fuel social media efforts.

Social Media

While this medium changes constantly, social media platforms can still be a fantastic way to generate leads in real estate. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and even Pinterest are all great options. There are many debates over calls to action, the amount of engagement which is right, and how much should be invested off-site, versus on a real estate company’s own websites, but with the right funnel strategy, it can be fast, affordable and enjoyable.

Signage & Outdoor Real Estate Advertising

Even the simplest yard and ‘bandit’ signs can be incredibly affordable ways to generate real estate leads. With the right message, these and other outdoor advertising solutions can be used to generate a steady stream of local leads. New technology can make this even better. Call capture, QR codes, interactive augmented reality signs, text messaging options, and even links to virtual tours can be used to boost outdoor advertising performance.

PPC

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can be one of the best methods of predictably and consistently driving in real estate leads on demand. PPC solutions, like Google Adwords, offer the ability to drive in leads on command. This can be tweaked to be hyper local, or reach global buyers, investors and homeowners right where they are now. With a little strategy and education, real estate marketers can significantly drive down PPC costs. With a large enough budget, they can even dominate, and starve out the competition by buying every lead for a given keyword. Aside from the big platforms, more affordable online leads may be gleaned from purchasing image, text and banner ads on other websites directly.

Print Advertising

Don’t forget print. Beyond the traditional line up of real estate mags, consider other industry magazines that will reach the same prime prospects, and even leveraging online magazines.

Referrals and Affiliate Marketing

Personal referrals can be both a compliment, and the most valuable form of lead generation. Savvy real estate CEOs are taking this to a whole new level by using technology to scale and organize referrals on a national and global scale.

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Technology vs. People Skills: Which Real Estate Strategies Will Win?

The real estate industry caters to independent strategies. For every investor, there is another way to go about conducting business. Some may prefer to utilize the convenience of technology while others want to maintain personal relationships. However, for one reason or another, there remains a void between these two independent strategies. Smart investors will figure out how to incorporate technology into their business while simultaneously maintaining the personal relationships that they have worked so hard to create. Others will need to learn this before it is too late. Using the latest technology, in association with establishing lasting relationships, can go a long way in making a business successful.

Programmers, and the venture capitalists backing them, certainly want the real estate industry to be run through advancements in technology. At the same time, a number of the leading industry minds, and young entrepreneurs are dismissing technology as just another tool. So which real estate strategies will prevail over the next decade? The early adopters riding the next wave of technology? Or those taking customer relationships seriously? Perhaps both?

#NewRealEstateTechnology

Tech is invading real estate, and fast. The following advancements in technology have already been incorporated into the real estate industry:

Drones

Highly controversial drones have been flying their way into mainstream real estate applications. They are now being used for enhanced photography, virtual tours, and even property management.

Big Data

As the world becomes a planet of digital natives, more and more data is becoming available to the public. While big data may seem hyped up to many real estate professionals, better data means being able to pinpoint prospects with highly targeted marketing, and give them more of what they want. Theoretically, this means improved real estate marketing performance and ROI.

Curation

Curation remains a popular trend, though its value may be suffering due to larger trends, and the obvious need for originality.

Crowdfunding

Not only is technology creating more efficiency in mortgage lending, it is spawning new financing models altogether. The advantages of speed and streamlining operation technology can increase lender margins, or help keep interest rates and borrowing costs low. One of the largest new developments has been ‘buy to rent’ loans for single-family rental home investors. Crowdfunding goes even further, completely breaking from traditional mortgage lending and having to rely on banks.

Home Search

Home searches haven’t necessarily benefited from new technology much. The big home listing portals haven’t changed much. The many new startup attempts at mimicking these real estate search engines haven’t appeared to gain much traction. The data shows house hunters are still far better served turning to local real estate websites.

Website Design

Web design has changed significantly in the last year; both aesthetically and functionally. HTML 5 has taken over, and both responsive sizing and content is becoming the norm.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is rapidly gaining traction. Augmented reality and interactive ads are taking over as the top ads in print and outdoors. Google Glass is now being used on the streets by some real estate companies to coach agents and team members in real-time. Technology is also working its way into improving green building efforts.

Where’s the Personal Touch?

Technology is great. It can make life and business a lot easier, and more profitable for real estate agents, investors, and the companies they work for. However, some entrepreneurial thought leaders and real estate commentators are increasingly highlighting the benefits of offline, and personal connections.

It all comes down to what is best for business, and enabling real estate professionals to stay in alignment with the things they really care about. Efficiency from technology is great. It gets even better when it improves service for home buyers, sellers, and renters. Done right, integrated technology can make management easier, facilitate business growth, ensure sustainability and long term competitiveness, and significantly drive up ROI and profits.

Still, it shouldn’t be a replacement for real interaction and service. Unless this is kept at the forefront of the mind, short term gains will be just that – short term. Winning customers could become far more expensive, and those with the strongest relationships will be those that retain customers and benefit from their referrals.

With this in mind, some real estate professionals and companies have been taking another look at brick and mortar storefronts. However, they are also taking the time to build real relationships. These are all good things. But, unless the same care and attention to caring for customer needs, and wowing them with great service is maintained at all levels of an organization, it may not make much difference. In fact, you might be better off with just a website, instead of allowing poor customer service reps destroy your reputation, and brand.

The latest technology has been helping to blur the lines between offline and online. Perhaps this is the best strategy for real estate companies. Meet each client where they are and interact across multiple channels for efficiency, while still providing tailored, but high quality service.

 

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Real Estate Investing As A Business

“Investment is most intelligent when most business like” – Warren Buffett

If investing is better when conducted most business like, does it mean that more real estate investors ought to be investing in a more businesslike fashion? Should every real estate investor be investing as a business? What does that really mean? What does it look like? Does that limit the types of properties and strategies that can be applied? Where can help and support be found for building a more businesslike property portfolio?

What does Real Estate Investing as a Business Mean?

“Businesslike” investing suggests a less emotional, better organized, well thought out approach to real estate. Definitions of ‘business’ can range from describing a profession, to commerce and trade, to an actual company. All of these definitions likely influence Warren Buffett’s decision to be more businesslike in investing. It has certainly worked for him, and for his own prized real estate investments, and real estate companies. It could mean running a real estate company of some type, owning an investment (which is distinctly different from managing one), or just being more businesslike in every day investment and real estate decisions.

Why Should Investors Approach REI as a Business?

There are many practical benefits of taking a business approach to real estate including:

  • Scalability
  • Better true investment decisions
  • More profitable investment moves
  • Efficiency in organization
  • Separating personal from investment finances, assets, and income
  • Building substantial additional value within a business entity
  • Tax reduction
  • More free time

What does Building a Real Estate Business Look Like?

Not everyone envisions building a company and mounting an international conglomerate when they get interested in investing in real estate. So will you need an office, hundreds of staff, and have to go back to wearing uncomfortable suits again?

Most won’t.

Many simply want to generate some extra income, and perhaps build more wealth over the long run. Others aspire to building multinational real estate empires. Yet, what we are really talking about here is approaching investment with a businesslike mentality, and structure. Even for those wishing to go really big, most will find they can now operate a multi-million dollar company from their patios via their smartphones.

However, there ought to be businesslike characteristics regardless of size. This may include incorporation and forming a registered business entity, obtaining business credit and bank accounts, setting up a new business phone number, hiring professional vendors to help out, and having a real estate website.

What Types of Properties can be Invested in as a Real Estate Business?

Not all will incorporate as a C Corp, or LLC. Regardless, of which entity type is chosen, or none is used, every type of property is open to investment.

This may include:

  • Single-family homes
  • Small multifamily properties like duplexes, triplexes, and 4 units properties
  • Apartment buildings
  • Office buildings
  • Industrial real estate
  • Hotels
  • Retail property
  • Vacant land and lots

What about Real Estate Investment Strategies?

The same goes for real estate investment strategy. Virtually any real estate investing strategy can be formalized and systemized to create a business model.

These REI strategies include:

  • Wholesaling houses
  • Fixing and flipping homes
  • Acquiring and holding income generating rental properties
  • Commercial real estate investing
  • Mortgage debt investing and note investing
  • Private mortgage lending
  • Options
  • Buying, selling and leasing various real estate related rights
  • New construction

Where can Real Estate Investors find Support in Building a Business?

The majority of new real estate investors may have very little experience in starting and running a real business. So where can they find help in investing more intelligently, and building a real estate business which can produce better returns, and build more wealth over the long term?

Simply relying on out of date books, and trolling online real estate forums may not be well suited for investors that want to invest intelligently and businesslike. Look for an organized real estate course and proven system that has synergy with your big picture goals. Build on this by seeking out a mentor or coaching program which actually offers business building help, or combines both real estate and business.

Is This the Best Approach for Everyone?

Certainly not all investors want to, or are suited to full time investing, or even running a real estate investment business. There is nothing wrong with that. Yet, all can benefit from taking a more businesslike and smarter approach to investment. This applies whether simply renting out your old home, flipping one or two houses a year, or investing capital in real estate startups.

Those that want the best results, with the lowest risk, and see the value in fast tracking to their goals, while avoiding the pitfalls will see the wisdom in educating themselves on this approach to investing, and will incorporate the best elements to suit their personal goals and aspirations.

 

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Housing Still The Best Investment Tool Of A Lifetime

Many people are still wondering whether or not real estate is one of the best investment strategies for long-term wealth building. Is investing in homes still a smart investment for the average individual? Is a home still the best investment of a lifetime for most Americans? If so, why are some pessimists still questioning the rebound in the news?

Behind the Headlines

Real estate companies will always boast about the benefits of acquiring real estate because it is their job. That is, unless of course, they have gotten into the rental business and make their money by touting the benefits of renting instead. Let’s be honest; statistics can be found and twisted to support any point of view and argument. Entire years of real estate statistics have been revised in the past, new indexes have been created to restart the clock, and even the national GDP was revised. Most don’t even bother to tune into job and unemployment numbers anymore due to how skewed different data sets have become.

Even though the most conservative figures show housing rebounding, especially in hot areas like San Diego, there continue to be doubters. However, it doesn’t take much more than a little common sense to figure out real estate is still the best investment for most of the population. This applies to affluent individuals with top 1% income, as well as those that need to pinch pennies. Stocks have continued to demonstrate extreme volatility and risk. While UT San Diego reports local real estate is still 50% undervalued.

In the stock market, plenty of Americans have lost 6 figures, literally overnight. Direct investment in real estate isn’t that volatile, and nothing is ever lost until a property is sold. For example; some Southern California homeowners saw their home values rise and fall on paper during the last couple of decades, but if they don’t sell for a few more years when prices exceed their previous peak, they will come out handsomely.

Invest in Real Estate, Even if You Can’t Afford Your Dream Home

One of the top excuses for many not to buy a house is that they can afford their ideal dream homes yet. Of course, unless they invest in real estate in some way now, the odds are against them ever being able to afford that dream home. Incomes haven’t been going up, but rents and home prices have. Those wanting to buy a home should not invest any money in stocks or bonds, but should prefer cash. Of course, in reality, cash depreciates too. It can be at risk whether it is in the bank or under the mattress.

Investing in real estate is the best way to build up more wealth and cash to buy that dream home. Can’t find a home you’d live in even for a few years? Then buy a rental property.

Many Americans are sadly being seduced into the lifelong renter mindset without realizing the horrific consequences it could be dooming them to. Consider those paying 50% of income in rent right now. Rents have been going up 20% a year in many places. If rent goes up another 20%, many could be priced out of both buying a home and renting too! Then what?

With Americans living longer, and with company retirement plans evaporating, they also need to consider where they will live for 40 years of retirement on limited income? Even legendary billionaire investor Warren Buffett, with all of his endeavors into energy, insurance companies and holding sizable stakes in companies like Coke and Wells Fargo, still calls his own home his best investment ever.