Real Estate Blog

Finding a real estate agent can be a big headache. Often, this can be a more challenging task than actually picking a house. Some agents may only be interested in working for commissions and may not even have your best interests in mind. This is why it is important to find one who won’t let you go to the dogs. Everything starts with educating yourself on the different kinds of agents.

Kinds of Agents

Agents typically represent either buyers or sellers. To be exact, those that represent buyers are often called brokers. They work exclusively for the interests of the buyer and are not connected with seller listings. Once your broker is able to close a deal in your behalf, he is compensated with a commission. Compensation will depend on the agreement. Brokers may either be paid by the buyer or the seller’s agent. Continue reading ‘Real Estate Brokers and Agents Can Help You Make the Right Choices’ »

Global mass tourism has been a strong influencing factor in the expansion of foreign real estate investment around the world. Emerging markets with growing mass tourism appeal have gained investor interest for strong rental yields, bargain property prices, fast capital growth potential and high demand enabling good exit strategies. Continued success with economic growth in these markets largely depends upon the lasting appeal of the tourism sector.

Locations with the greatest potential for continued mass tourism and real estate investment growth are those offering year round sunshine, attractive beaches and golfing options. Areas of fast growing interest tend to be in locations within a short or mid haul flights of the tourism sector client base. Currency exchange rates can also have an effect on the popularity of specific locations, as fluctuating rates offer either benefits or disadvantages to certain areas, increasing or decreasing the seasonal attraction. Continue reading ‘Importance of Tourism for Emerging Market Investments’ »

You will likely come across dozens of properties in foreclosure with little or no equity, that is, the seller owes at close to or more than the property is worth. In these situations, lenders are sometimes willing to accept less than the full amount due, commonly referred to a “short pay” or “short sale.”

Negotiating a short sale with the lender is a difficult process, generally because it is a daunting task finding a bank officer who has the authority to accept a discount. You will have to call around to locate the lender’s “Loss Mitigation Department”. More than likely, each lender you deal with will have a separate name for this department, so be patient when calling. Much like getting your phone bill corrected, you can expect the process to involve a lot of waiting on hold and being bounced around an intricate maze of automated voice mail systems. Once you get in touch with the right person, then the negotiating begins. Continue reading ‘The Basics of Foreclosure “Short–Sales”’ »

As interest continues to generate for the purchase of Turkish real estate investments, one area of confusion for many first time buyers is often surrounding the necessary military clearance procedures. Military clearance is required by all foreign nationals purchasing real estate in Turkey, prior to the title deeds being transferred into the new owner’s name.

The process of military clearance is simply to ensure that the property being purchased is not located within a restricted zone. Once the clearance has been obtained confirming the property is located within a permitted area, the application to purchase is automatically accepted. Continue reading ‘Turkish Real Estate Military Clearance Explained’ »

Leading up to 2009 it appeared that Panama may have been fortunate to escape the severe economic and real estate downturn that had been devastating other markets around the world. Unfortunately Panama was not immune and the start of 2009 saw a steady decline. Occurring much later than other world markets gave Panama the advantage of taking any necessary steps to avoid a severe downturn and following approximately 6 months of decline, the market has now started to level.

The sector hardest hit by the economic downturn has been luxury housing, predominantly reliant upon the foreign buyers market. A move into developing affordable homes for the domestic population has seen the beginning of a major turnaround in the construction sector, adapting to the strongest demand in the current climate. Continue reading ‘The New Direction of Panama’s Real Estate Market’ »

Coba is situated 120 miles (193km) south of Cancun, 76 miles (122km) from Playa del Carmen and 40 miles (64km) from Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo and on the doorstep of Riviera Maya real estate.

The site was thriving from 600 to 900 AD, according to the oldest carved date found (being A.D 632) and once was home to around 45,000 inhabitants. Continue reading ‘Riviera Maya Real Estate – Coba at Your Doorstep’ »