Submitted by: Tim Wright

Its always wise to have an idea of what type of property youre looking for when considering an investment and this article outlines 8 of the different factors to consider when researching specific locations.

1. Infrastructure

Its important to consider a towns infrastructure when looking for an investment property, especially in terms of what future investment is to be made in that area.

Local Authorities and Councils will have an annual budget for both the maintenance of current infrastructure and also for the construction of new infrastructure projects. Finding out how much the annual budget is and future investment will give you an idea of how proactive the authority is in attracting new residents, extra funding and business opportunities.

Most councils will be happy to provide most of the information and a lot of it will appear on their websites. Also look at the websites of local big businesses to get information on their future plans which will attract investment and create new jobs in the area.

2. Proximity to Amenities

In most cases, the main purpose in buying an investment property is to attract tenants who will pay a weekly or monthly rent.

Its important to know what type of tenants you are looking to attract and so any potential investment property will need to be close to the amenities required by the tenants. A city worker will want to rent a property close to shops and transport whereas a farmer will have different requirements.

Most properties in close proximity to the town will rent fairly easily compared to those which are a 15 minute drive outside of the town. Properties close to the town will also attract tenants who dont have their own transport.

So its best to know what your tenants requirements will be before you purchase.

3. Local Employers

It will always be easier to find tenants in towns where there are large employers in the vicinity. These include factories, large shopping malls, hospitals and universities.

With hospitals, many of the employees may be employed on a temporary basis and so owning or buying their own property in the area may not be a choice for them and renting is the easier option. Also, in the case of universities, a lot of the students will come from out of town and so renting is again the best option. This offers them more flexibility however it also means that your investment property could be vacant during certain months of the year and may switch tenants on a regular basis.

Again, be sure to research the future plans of these employers. If a major employer is due to shutdown or relocate in the near future then there will be a glut of empty properties with landlords doing whatever they can to fill them including drastically reducing the rent.

4. Geographic Location

This will determine both the type of tenant you get and also how easy your investment property will be to rent out.

Holiday properties near the ski fields will command a higher rent than a property in the city however it may only rent out for a few weeks per year. A beach house will also be in the same position. Again, its important to understand the type of tenants in the area, what they are looking for, how much they are willing to spend, etc.

A beach house may command a high rent but may only attract retirees who are willing to pay top dollar and so this narrows the number of potential tenants. Properties closer to cities and amenities will likely attract a higher number of tenants willing to pay a lower weekly rent.

5. Demographics

Spend time understanding the demographics of the areas population and you will have a better idea of the type of tenant you can expect.

Find out the populations average salary, the different age brackets, percentage of those married and single and the percentage of the population that rent.

The demographic information will show if the towns population has been growing or declining over the past number of years and therefore if an investment is a safe bet. It will give you an idea of the earning capacity of tenants and how much rent you can expect.

It may also show movements of parts of the population to new parts of the same area due to factory closures, increase in crime etc.

6. Property Median Prices

Historical property prices will be a good indicator to the fluctuations in property values in the area over time.

A property may look like a bargain at first glance but with a little research you may discover that the same or similar properties changed hands previously for a lot more money. There may be a simple explanation for this such as a vendor wanting a quick sale but it may also reflect a dive in the local property market for various reasons.

Median prices will give an indication of what you can expect to pay for the different types of properties (no. of beds, land size, etc) in the area and the figures may also show the number of recent sales. The historical figures will also give a pattern of historical growth or decline in the area over time and this could be used to indicate a propertys future value.

7. Occupancy/Vacancy Rates

Each area will have a certain percentage of rental properties tenanted (occupied) and the remainder without tenants (vacant). Towns with a high vacancy rate (normally deemed to be more than 4%) will make it possibly harder to find tenants to fill your rental property as it shows a lot of competition for too few renters.

Too few renters will also mean that landlords will have to be more creative in attracting tenants and may need to reduce the rent and offer other incentives to entice renters.

Areas with high employment and a strong outlook for the future are likely to have a higher occupancy rate and this may even cause competition amongst renters, allowing landlords to set higher rents.

8. Property Managers

Finding a trustworthy property manager is important if you will not be looking after the property yourself in terms of finding tenants and collecting the weekly or monthly rent.

Good property managers will communicate regularly, carry out periodic property inspections, arrange repairs and, most importantly, regularly deposit the rent (minus expenses) to your bank account.

There are also many other duties a property manager can carry out and its important to question those managers in the potential area to find one or more likely candidates that are going to take care of your investment.

Find out how many rental properties they manage, how long theyve been in business and ay other questions you deem necessary until you find one you are happy with.

In closing, the above points are only guides for you to learn more about an area before you make an investment. There may be more factors youll need to consider depending on your situation but if you research the above you naturally increase the amount of knowledge you have about the area. And the more knowledge you have will reduce the risk of a potentially poor investment.

About the Author: Tim Wright is a property investor and ‘Green’ renovator. For more information check out

Greenscape Homes

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

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Why Is a Tax Sale Often a Successful Investment?

by

Andrew Stratton

Are you interested in investing in some real estate without having to spend a lot of money? Did you know that there is a way you can purchase property for only a small percentage of what the property is actually worth? A tax sale is a great investment opportunity if you know how to use it. Each year the state in which a property is located charges a tax on that property. The owner of the property has a legal obligation to pay that assessment. If the owner defaults on that assessment, then the local government has the authority to confiscate that property from the owner. As a way to get the money that is owed, the county holds a tax sale.

In a tax sale, interested parties and investors have the opportunity to purchase these forfeited properties for a fraction of their market price. Most counties only hold these types of investment opportunities several times a year. That means that when it is time for an event, they are often very popular, and the good properties go fast. If you want to get your hands on the best properties, you need to do your homework beforehand. Many counties list the properties that are going to be sold several weeks in advance. They offer notice to the public, so every interested party has a fair chance of purchasing the properties that are available.

It is important for you to understand that you can’t just look at a piece of real estate and think that it will be a good investment. You need to understand what is involved in the process and how to protect your interests. You need to understand what criteria makes a property a good investment and which criteria makes it a bigger risk. When it comes to a tax sale, the rate of return is so enticing that it is very easy to get caught up in your expectations. You lose sight of what is actually on the table. You need to have a plan in mind in case things don’t turn out like you expect. That way, you are still coming out ahead.

If you make a plan before you visit a tax sale, you will be prepared for anything. Keep in mind that even though this opportunity has very little risks, you still need to look at it like any other opportunity. Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket, and consult with a professional. Then, you can make the best decisions on which properties to purchase. In most cases, you are not limited to the amount of properties you can purchase. Make sure you find out what the rules are, so you don’t make any mistakes or lose out to a higher offer.

When you are interested in taking part in a

tax sale

, you should be aware of the possible risks and rewards. For more information, please read the following:

civicsource.com

.

Article Source:

Why Is a Tax Sale Often a Successful Investment?

Wedding bands form an essential part of any wedding service and finding affordable wedding rings requires a lot of time and effort. If getting married qualifies as one of the major events in your life, then finding and buying the engagement rings will also be of vital importance. Besides the wedding gown, the wedding ring is probably the item which has the most amount of time spent to find the perfect one to symbolize a couple’s love and unity. The truth is this can be one of the most stressful and befuddling experiences you will ever undergo, especially if you don’t know what makes up a good diamond and ring design and how it all affects the price you will pay. Most people need to work around a budget when planning a wedding so finding the lowest price wedding ring sets for the best quality that won’t break your bank is a top priority.

Fitting Wedding Rings Into A Budget

Couple are most likely to spend more on their engagement rings and will usually spend less on the wedding band. If you are not quite sure how to allocate to each of these, some wedding organisers advise to use about 3 percent of their wedding budget (wedding gown, venue, catering, wedding reception program, etc.) on the rings. So, if you are having a $10,000 wedding, then approximately $300 should be put aside as payment for both rings, and a $20,000 wedding would allow you to spend $600 on the wedding rings. You both will need to figure out how this money is to be split between the two of you. The price will depend on the thickness of the rings as well as the incorporation of any diamonds or special gems and stones.

Where To Look

Is it really possible to find affordable diamond rings that are of superior quality? What you deem to be an affordable price may seem very expensive to another person so whatever you decide to pay is really up to you and your personal preferences. If you know where to look by searching the various online sites, you will find a variety of diamond engagement rings and wedding bands at affordable and often discounted prices. There are several respected online websites to purchase cheap engagement rings and designer or custom made wedding bands. Most websites will provide full Instructions on how to order and shipping details. Remember, being resourceful is the best course of action when working within a budget to make your wedding ceremony memorable.

Whether you are reserving the wedding venue, purchasing the wedding gown, or wedding reception program, getting engagement rings and wedding bands for your wedding will be a symbol of one of the most memorable days of your life. Do your research and look around before you make that purchase. Work within your budget and you will definitely be able to find affordable wedding rings for your most special occasion.

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/shopping-articles/jewelry-articles/affordable-wedding-rings-where-find-them-how-fit-them-into-your-budget-affordable-weddin-711643.html

About Author:

My name is Anthony Matthews and I enjoy assisting my family and friends in finding affordable wedding rings and planning for their perfect wedding day. I also own a website which provides information about what to include in a wedding reception program at my site which is located at weddingreceptionprogram.org/.Author: Anthony Matthews

Financially Fit: Improve Your Financial Life by Listening to Your Inner Money Voice

by

Cindy Parran Brochu

What motivation do you need to get your financial life in order and get financially fit? Are you waiting for the next bonus? Or waiting for some certain thing to happen before you take action? What better time than now? There are so many reasons to get started and give your financial life the priority it deserves.

The approach to getting financially fit is similar to that of getting physically fit — full commitment, positive lifestyle changes, and most of all, a desire to feel happier and healthier in your relationship with money. What are your financial desires? What do you want to feel? When you decide you want to get financially fit, you’ll stop putting up with habits that no longer serve a purpose and begin creating new and lasting ones that propel you forward right into the financial life you know you deserve.

Here are 4 reasons to get financially fit and improve your financial life, today!

1. You want to sleep better at night.

It’s been proven that stress and worry depletes energy and can keep you awake at night. Are your money issues affecting your energy or your sleep? Is it because your bills are piling up, or you’re procrastinating about financial paperwork, keep thinking you don’t have enough money, or because you know you’re overspending?

Whatever might be on your mind, it’s something you probably know deep down that you’ve been delaying doing. My clients have often told me that after getting their financial life in order, they sleep better at night. I know they are because I see the peace and calm in their eyes when they speak about money now versus then in their financially fit journey. Having your financial life in order will give you hours of precious sleep.

2. Your spending is out of control.

When you’re financially fit, you’ll know how much and where you’re spending your money. You’ll lean spend (go light) when necessary and splurge (purchase some of your wants) a little when it’s in your money planning. Managing money is not about extremes — either spending wildly or depriving oneself, but instead it’s about managing wisely and taking time to make smart financial decisions. I encourage you to take some time to write down where you have been spending your money in the last three months and then create a spending plan that will help you feel more in control of your finances. A money plan can help you rein in on your spending and help keep you accountable.

3. You’re behind on your retirement savings.

Retirement savings is an important part of money planning and being financially fit. How do you view your future? What are you doing in retirement? Are you traveling, maybe going out to eat every weekend? Are you doing all the things you love? What are the things you love? Write down exactly what you want your retirement financial life to look like, and then prepare now for what you want later. Sometimes I’m asked if it’s too late to start saving. It’s never too late! You may have some catching up to do and you may have to modify your plans a bit, but generally you can make a lot happen to reach your financial desires when you commit to doing so. I encourage you to work with a trusted financial planner to help you with the proper investment allocations and appropriate retirement planning to get you to your desired retirement financial life.

4. You want to feel financially successful.

How do you define financial success? Is it a certain amount of money in your checking or retirement account, or reaching a desired gross salary? Financial success is all about having a great relationship with money and making good financial decisions. If what you’re doing isn’t working, you’ll never feel financial success. Figure out what you need in order to feel financially successful. Is it saving more for retirement, spending less, feeling in control of your financial life?

Write down what financial goals you want to achieve in the next 30 days. Take small steps every day toward reaching those goals. As you make progress toward your goals, reward yourself — maybe with a glass of wine, a movie, massage, or some much-needed quiet time listening to your favorite music. The more you reward yourself for your accomplishments, the more you’ll be motivated to stay financially fit.

Take small steps in becoming financially fit — do something every day that contributes to your financial success and enhance your financial life — and you’ll begin to see changes and the results from your goal-setting. If you stumble, just begin again. It may take some time to change those old habits, but if you stick with it, you’ll get to your ultimate money goals!

Financial Coach

Cindy Parran Brochu helps the financially stressed to simplify their money lives. Want to discover money plan strategies that REALLY work? Visit

ReduceYourMoneyStress.com

for your free copy of Money Mastery 101: How to Reduce Your Money Stress and Simplify Your Life.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com