Archive for May, 2008

Property Management as a Part Time Job

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Residential houses in Lappeenranta
Creative Commons License photo credit: aNantaB

A large percentage of the people who work in property management are freelance employees who only do the work part time. As a real estate owner, you’ll need to determine whether you are comfortable hiring someone who is only available part-time or whether you need to hire a property manager that can commit to the work on a full-time basis. (more…)

Find Real Estate on Google Maps

Bus Sub?
Creative Commons License photo credit: Matthew Oliphant

Anyone who is interested in real estate investment knows that the most important thing you can have in this business (besides money) is good timing. Being able to get in a good bid on a house that just went on the market can make a big difference in the quality of the real estate that you’ll buy. In order to be able to have that good timing, the investor needs to be able to use the right tools to find real estate on an ongoing basis. (more…)

How Property Managers Work with Contractors

insulation 001
Creative Commons License photo credit: thingermejig

One of the best parts of having a property manager on site at your rental properties is that they can handle most of the contractors that are needed at the property. A good property manager can take responsibility for screening contractors and recommending the best choice to the property owner. Additionally, the property manager can be entrusted with overseeing the work of contractors to make sure that things go smoothly. (more…)

Property Managers and the Housing Economy

Wall Street subway station
Creative Commons License photo credit: epicharmus

Many people who own investment property are looking at ways to cut corners now that the value of homes is on the decline in many parts of the nation. Some of these property owners are looking at getting rid of their property managers and taking over their duties themselves. Before you make this type of move, you should know that having a property manager could actually add much-needed value to your real estate. (more…)

The Contingency and Counter Offer

Talking openly
Creative Commons License photo credit: desi.italy

Most home purchases are not entirely straight forward with a dollar amount being the end all of the negotiations. Most people add some contingencies to secure they are getting exactly what they bargained for. Some home sale contracts require inspections or repairs within a set number of days or the deal will not be finalized. (more…)

Making a Home Purchase Offer

Front
Creative Commons License photo credit: Chad Jones - Gold Coast Real Tours

So you’ve found the house that you love and now its time to make an offer. In some states you simply have to set your price, in other states you need to complete a pretty thorough form. You’ll have to find out what your state requires, if you have a Realtor or a real estate attorney helping you out they will know all the ins and outs of your local requirements. If they don’t then, its time to give them the boot. (more…)

When Are The Best Times To Buy a Home?

So different in the winter
Creative Commons License photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

As the housing market continues to change and fluctuate, potential home buyers find themselves facing a series of questions. Some of these questions are new issues in the market. For example, many seniors who had planned to sell their big homes and buy smaller places are asking whether or not to do this in the face of declining home values. However, many of the questions that home buyers face today are the same basic questions that they have faced over time. One of the most common of those questions to plague people who are interested in buying a new home is “when is the best time to buy?” (more…)

Insuring Your Rental Property

Hans's-house-header-at440-by-G.E.Sattler
Creative Commons License photo credit: G & A Sattler

Being a landlord is fraught with perils and you’ll want to be properly insured against such catastrophes. Surprisingly enough, your existing homeowners policy may cover your rental properties to a degree. Check with your real estate agent to see if the policy does cover rental units and what sized properties.

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How To Start A Career in Property Management

IMG_0536
Creative Commons License photo credit: Jug Jones

Are you thinking about a career in property management? If so, congratulations! You’re entering a very rewarding and challenging career that will offer you versatile and ever changing opportunities.

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How to Research Property

study.
Creative Commons License photo credit: billaday

Thinking about investing in property is a big step, but there are several steps between your initial thoughts and actually purchasing the property. In fact, a lot of people never actually get to the last step. But if you’re in the thinking stage then it may be time to move into phase two, researching the area and the property.

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