For the new investor, this is a warning, a big yellow sign that is shouting CAUTION: SHARP CURVES AHEAD. Does this mean you shouldn’t invest? Absolutely not. But you should take some serious precautions before driving on. Right now, there is a glut of properties on the market, so while becoming a landlord isn’t out of the question, you will have to strategize.

Buy property at least 30% to 40% below the previous price, but carefully look at your numbers, the location of the house, and whether there are other available properties nearby that can undercut your ability to charge enough rent to cover your costs. With so many foreclosures on the market, you can use cash to find some great deals on houses in good condition and in good neighborhoods and still make some cash flow each month. You probably can’t expect to get really rich doing the “buy and hold” strategy during this market, but if you don’t get greedy and stupid, you can hang on until things start to look up. Flipping – buying and selling again – is not your best bet while so many houses flood the market. Due diligence is the key here.

You could easily purchase a great single-family home and then be unable to charge enough rent to break even. However, since so many people were able to purchase homes in the last 10 years, the number of renters decreased. Now that those who have been priced out of their homes are returning to the renting market, small multi-family units can be a great opportunity, as many of them are still very reasonably priced. They missed that meteoric rise while everyone was running off to buy homes, so you will not need to contend with such a bubble.

The old rules don’t apply anymore, as New Jersey realtors can tell you, so before you think it’s business as usual in real estate, do some careful homework. Look to the past times of recession and depression and be smart. Rosy outlooks from companies who are practicing creative accounting techniques are so passé.

Don’t Fall Behind! Real Estate Tips for 2011 is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Tips 2011, Real Estate Tips for 2011

Interest rates are low – yes, like they are in the US and the UK, but inflation is stable and employment levels are rising better than ever before. Brazil is the most stable country in South America and produces over 40 per cent of Latin America’s GDP; it is now in ninth position for purchasing power in the world. Add to that political stability, infrastructure investment, an abundance of natural resources, booming tourism and an enviable climate, and it is easy to see why the country is doing so well.

Such good indicators have encouraged foreigners to invest in the country. Investors from the US have already begun to invest in the Brazilian property market as property in their own country proved too risky. Now Europeans are beginning to follow suit.

With domestic wealth increasing, the demand for property is growing at its fastest rate ever in the country, with more and more Brazilians getting on their own property ladder. Developers are struggling to keep up with demand. Foreigners getting in on the act now – still early adopters – should see the value of their property rise considerably in the coming years.

Here are some key economic facts about Brazil:

· It is one of the four BRIC nations expected to become world economic superpowers in the future (along with Russia, India and Chima)

· It is self-sufficient in natural resources

· It has a trade surplus and the third highest economic growth in the world (behind China and India)

· There is 64 per cent projected growth of the middle classes

· Cost of living is a quarter of that in UK/ Europe

More on Brazil and its developments to come soon.

Brazil is ripe for investment is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: Brazil, Brazil for Investments, BRIC

Top of the pile is PANAMA. It has a strong economy, a favourable tax regime, and businesses are attracted by its offshore banking facilities. This makes it attractive for property investors, who can choose between offices, beachside resorts, and hotel occupancy deals. By the way in the UK, if you are taking coals to Newcastle – you might be interested in Cheap accommodation Newcastle

In second place is Kuala Lumpur in MALAYSIA. It’s a booming city, with property that’s still affordable, and can be reached fairly easily by budget airlines (always a key factor in property prices for UK investors).

Next comes Brazil. It’s a vast country, so it’s best to narrow it down to the north-eastern city area of Natal, with clean air and much untouched space, as well as a warm year-round climate and miles of sandy beaches. Also, the city of Sao Paulo has high demand for quality accommodation in a large and growing city.

In fourth place is the High Tatras mountain region of Slovakia with winter sports in winter, and golfing, walking and other nature-related activities in the summer.

Coming next is the United States, tipped because property prices could be about to bottom out. In Florida, apartments are going for 54 per cent less than launch price, and offer an instant six per cent return.

Sixth in the list is the UK. Again, here, property prices might soon bottom out, and for overseas investors the weak pound will make property look attractive. To overseas investors, property in the UK looks to be 54 per cent cheaper than 12 months ago.

Property hotspots for 2009 is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

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On the other hand a little one bedroom, one bath shack sitting in the middle of downtown Boston would be worth a small fortune. So you can see that the location is of the utmost importance when you are considering a piece of real estate to invest in.

The same thought process holds true when you are considering buying land in Costa Rica.

Like in any other country, you should ask yourself, “what makes the location of a piece of real estate valuable? The answer is reasonably clear. The value is based on nothing more than the desirability factor. Desirability is a fluctuating intangible that is really hard to nail down.

Property that is totally undesirable to one person might be just the next person’s dream-come-true. And this feeling is true for real estate investors and for home buyers and for renters. It is true for all aspects of the real estate market.

The main point for any real estate investor to consider first is what their strategy will be for making money from the investment. Buying is only half of the equation and whether the location of the property is good or bad depends upon that crucial profit strategy.

For example: If an investor is going to invest in a property with the intention of just waiting for the market to go up, prime real estate is probably the very best choice. Locations that are near entertainment centers or developing areas would be best because the likelihood that the property will increase in value simply by waiting is a pretty good bet.

On the other hand, if an investor is going to invest in a property with the intention of renting it and making a monthly income from it, he might be better off to look into urban properties. Urban properties wouldn’t be considered prime real estate but they are prime rental properties.

And we can’t forget the real estate investors who are handy with their hands. These people like to purchase properties below market value and fix them up. They can make repairs and renovations to rundown properties themselves, sell it for a great deal more than their purchase price and make a very nice profit. The location that these kinds of real estate investors often find the best is in neighborhoods that are made up of mid priced homes in working neighborhoods.

There are many factors that real estate investors consider when they are deciding which property to invest in.

Buying Property In Costa Rica: Know Your Profit Strategy is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

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Let us study 2 search terms “Overseas Property” and “International Property“.  For “international property” Google Trends has been monitoring data since early 2004. For “overseas property” there is less data available, and the trends are only available with significant data since early 2005. In addition to showing the volumes for these specific search terms, we can also see the where the searches have been conducted – for both countries and cities. In addition, we can also see the news reference volume for these terms and significant search languages.

International Property

The graph indicates the significant drop in searches from early 2005 to 2008 – almost 100% drop in searches for this term. In terms of countries conducting the searches:

1.     United Arab Emirates
2.     South Africa
3.     Ireland
4.     Hong Kong
5.     United Kingdom
6.     Singapore
7.     Australia
8.     Malaysia
9.     India
10.   New Zealand

Google Trends also yields trends for cities, news references and language the search is conducted in!

The results indicate marketing effort for International Property could be effectively targeted to United Arab Emirates,  South Africa and Ireland!

Overseas Property

The data is less conclusive, but similar trends are seen in 2008 for “Overseas Property!

The regions seeing the most search activity are:

1.     Ireland
2.     Cyprus
3.     United Kingdom
4.     Bulgaria
5.     South Africa
6.     New Zealand
7.     Australia
8.     Spain
9.     Turkey
10.   India

Region activity is somewhat different but broadly similar to “International Property” with the major exception of the United Arab Emirates.

Overseas Property and International Property – Market Trends for 2008 is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: international property, marketing trends, Overseas Property

The websites second quarter analysis of the islands property market has revealed a 35% upswing in enquiries for long term rental property versus the first quarter of 2008. Suggesting that the ranks of the islands existing ex-pat population of around 6,000 residents will soon be swelled by new arrivals.

The majority of those seeking to relocate to Lanzarote are focusing their search on the islands most popular resort of Puerto del Carmen. Which is the main focal point of the British and Irish expat community and – correspondingly – the main hub of employment opportunities for non-Spanish speakers.

Studio and one bedroom apartments in Puerto del Carmen command a starting rental rate of around €500 per month – currently £400 at current exchange rates. Whilst back in the UK rents are on the rise – as demand for property for sale collapses.

Add in cheaper food, fuel, utility bills and non-existent heating costs and it´s easy to see why the prospect of a new start abroad holds a growing appeal for many.

Property prices on Lanzarote are also falling – thanks to a dramatic downturn in mortgage approvals across the Eastern Canary Islands. Creating a buyers market which also offers opportunity for those seeking to escape or invest in a holiday rental property abroad.

Lanzarote´s tourist industry remains surprisingly robust – with overall foreign visitor numbers up 5.5% during the first half of 2008. Providing plenty of opportunity for owners of holiday rental property.

And property for sale in Puerto del Carmen remains the hot ticket for those seeking good value apartments and villas – as the resort accounted for 41% of all enquires received. Followed by Playa Blanca with 31.05%.

Long Term Rental Demand On Rise in Lanzarote is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: Lanzarote, lanzarote holidays, lanzarote vacations, property, Puerto del Carmen

Another relatively unknown location is Ocala, about 50 miles north west of Orlando. Home to the National Forest,it sits among horse farms and fruit plantations. Despite being almost in the middle of Florida’s ‘pan-handle’ Ocala is only an hour from the Gulf of Mexico coast. Here a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home might set you back only £64,000. Ocala has a healthy economy, clean environment and the population in the county is growing. It could be prime investment material.

Property in the more well-known locations is inevitably more expensive. In Orlando, close to many theme park attractions, a one-bedroom apartment is going to cost you around £70,000, and a three-bedroom home is going to be upward of £105,000 – but these are still bargain prices compared to the UK.

In Miami prices can vary depending upon location, but you can find one-bedroom apartments for as low as £50,000, or for £150,000 on Harbor Island in Miami’s upcoming neighbourhood of North Bay Village with stunning views of the beach and skyline of Biscayne Bay.

A three bedroom apartment at 6000 Indian Creek enjoying lovely water views, could cost you over £300,000.

Investing in Florida? is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org