Why Invest In USA Property?

flagSmall investments – big returns. Ultimately, every property investor aims for such winning formula. And while it sounds like a rather simple “equation,” making it a reality isn’t always as elementary.

But you can make it happen.

The key is to choose your properties carefully, strategically. In its most basic form, consider the often-used advice: location, location, location. While this recommendation is overly used, it is still one of the most effective factors to choosing property investments that deliver the best returns. Currently, USA properties are becoming quite the lucrative choices.

Investing in a USA property could mean having less competition for prime houses or apartments, as a report from Forbes magazine indicates that major investors may be backing away from the market, giving way to smaller investors. Considering that home prices are still fairly low, you could end up with a big one-time profit or a steady cash flow over the next few years as different cities in the US show high population and job growth.

Overall, USA properties in certain cities make for low-risk investments with promising returns.

The property market in the US is also experiencing a revival of sorts as the economy grows. Investors who purchased properties a year ago in certain cities can now expect to make a killing when they put their houses back on the market. Case in point: A three-bedroom house in Atlanta, Georgia used to cost $65,000 last year, but this year that price has gone up to $80,000 to $85,000. Assuming you haven’t really spent too much refurbishing or fixing the property, you could make a pretty good profit.

Of course, making money off of your property investments in the USA doesn’t always mean it’s going to be successful, instantly. The market may be favourable to investors but this does not necessarily lead to favourable investments — without the know-how and the use of a good strategy.

According to property investment expert, Lauchlan Leishman, lucrative investments could slip away if you haven’t got the resources to manage your portfolio. You will want the experience and expertise of property investment advisors to guide you through your options, enabling you to make the best decision possible.

Should you purchase multiple houses in a single US city that is experiencing remarkable growth? Or do you spread your investments to a variety of properties in different cities? Do you sell these properties immediately or would renting them out yield better returns in the long run?

Property investment, much like every other type of investment, will have its risks. The key to minimising the negative and maximising the positive is to pick the best options and to get the corresponding advice from experts. So consider US cities, and ask a property expert where and how to go about making those profitable choices today.

4 Steps How To Choose The Best Property Agent

best real state agentReal estate agents have never been so numerous and easy to find than today. Just go online and do basic enquiry, and you’ll have at your fingertips a long list of the most eligible candidates in your area. It may be confusing or overwhelming to be presented with such a wide array of choices, so it pays to be extremely smart and systematic in your search. Remember, your choice of property agent will have a remarkable influence on the outcome of your investment.

According to trusted property investor Lauchlan Leishman, the demand for real estate agents has increased sharply in the past few years because the property market has become more complex and fickle than ever. It can be difficult for an outsider to keep track of the trends and market condition, so hiring an experienced property agent will provide you much-need clarity. The professional opinion of your real estate agent can also prevent you from making costly mistakes, and he or she can assist you during negotiation, contract signing and closing.

Given how much a real estate can do for you, it’s natural that you would want to work only with the best. Here are four essential steps to take to ensure you get a top-notch professional by your side:

Roundup your hopefuls

To make a shortlist of candidates, ask for referrals from your family, friends, co-workers and trusted contacts. Take a walk around the area and inspect the names and faces of agents on the “for sale” and “sold” signs. Browse online to look up testimonials from current and previous clients or read past articles and references.

Make sure they’re good

Make a thorough check of their licences, qualifications and recognitions, if any. In most areas, there are no industry regulations so your next best scheme is to see if they belong to a recognised association or a reputable organisation. Some investors also take a look at social media that may (or may not) give a glimpse of the agents’ expertise and commitment to their work. Make the initial contact; send an email or call them over the phone.

Meet them in person

Prepare a list of essential questions: How much do they charge and what are the terms? How will they market your property (if you’re selling) or look for leads (if you’re buying)? Ask about their recent sales. Ask them to provide you a valuation. Aside from listening well to their answers, pay attention to what’s not being said as well. Balance the facts with your gut feel.

Review your notes

If you have made a choice, evaluate your decision. If possible, spend more time with them before moving on to the contract. And once you have the contract, don’t sign it yet. Take it, study it, and scrutinise the fine print carefully. Ask your questions and address your doubts before making a commitment. Lastly, it may seem too pessimistic, but it’s only practical to make sure to know about your exit strategy should things fail to go according to plan.

How to create a real estate marketing plan

marketing real estate plan

1. Create a budget

What will you spend every month on marketing? This budget will dictate what types of marketing you will see.

2. Create a ‘time’ budget

Marketing can take time and effort.

3. Pick at least 5 strategies from the list below

Farming an area

You simply drive a series of small neighbourhoods in your target area and look for homes that show signs of distress.

Bandit Signs

Bandit signs are signs posted in busy intersections.

Flyers

Flyers are business size cards with the same message as a bandit sign that you place on the windshield of cars.

Door Handle Signs

This is a sign that you hang on people’s doors with your message and a call to action.

Post Cards

Post cards allow you to display your message in a manner that the homeowner will see without having open an envelope.

Hand Written Letters

This strategy also performs the best open and has the highest conversation rate. This is because they look more unique and less like junk or spam mail.

Referrals

This strategy is effective and inexpensive. You can develop referrals from several sources: Realtors, mortgage brokers, title agents, contractors, or even people who work in hardware stores.

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The Challenges And Rewards Of Commercial Property Investment In China

If you read international real estate news, you’ll find plenty of articles on Chinese investors spending billions of dollars on overseas properties. This appears to be in line with the global fortification campaign that the Asian powerhouse has been resolutely carrying out. As the Chinese invest in Australian, European, and American real estate, the astute financial mind is bound to see the wisdom in turning the tables.

For a long time, foreigners investing in commercial properties in China had to face impossible challenges brought about by an industry rigidly controlled by the government. The situation today is vastly different. There is actually an over-supply of offices as well as commercial and industrial premises that are open for investment. The Beijing Olympics and the upcoming Shanghai World Expo can be thanked in part for this. Because of the country’s presently more open international relations, commercial property investment in China has become a more feasible and desirable undertaking.

Purchasing property in China definitely has many obvious advantages. Considering the nation’s commitment to trade and commerce, property value is only expected to appreciate. That’s not to say, however, that the challenges have been completely dispelled. The investment process for foreigners is still quite complicated. There are still restrictions imposed by the government, but familiarity with these will allow foreign investors to conduct property purchase and transfers in the correct and approved manner.

It’s important to consult with a China real estate expert such as Lauchlan Leishman to understand what is allowed by the government and what isn’t. For instance, many who are under the misconception that property investment is not allowed to foreigners may feel compelled to course the purchase through a friend or a business partner. This has the unfortunate potential for dispute, a scenario that is best avoided.

The following information doesn’t exempt you from the need to be guided by a real estate professional, but it will give you an idea what you’re up against:

  • All land is owned by the Chinese government. When developers buy land, they’re actually only given the right to usage for a certain number of years.
  • Foreign investors must have a company branch or representative office in China in order to purchase commercial property, which should be in the same city as the branch or RO.
  • Foreign companies are only allowed to invest in commercial properties.

Property investment in China may be a complicated affair, but it could definitely turn out to be profitable. Simply make sure that you consult with a qualified property professional for guidance and assistance.

Australian Market Predictions For Property Investment In 2015

Australian Market PredictionsIf you’re interested in property investment or you’re already engaged in it, it pays to be in tune with the trends and developments in the industry so you can make better, more informed decisions.

But how do you get hold of predictions for property investment in 2015, and how would you know if these are good and trustworthy enough to be used as a reference for any of your decisions? When you’re doing your research online, make sure that you go only to trusted sites and authors with an already established authority.

Still, a lot of the reports and updates can be a challenge to understand even for people who already are in the property investment scene. Industry jargon and complicated concepts are inevitable when talk is about properties and investments; that’s why it still makes sense to get help from a trusted consultant who can provide you a clear understanding of the valuable information you need to know about, and help you place this information in the context of your situation as an investor.

Here, trusted property investment specialist Lauchlan Leishman shares the top predictions on the Australian property market for the next year:

Uneven development. Some capitals in the country will enjoy an improvement in their housing sectors, but some cities will miss out on the progress. Forbes.com ranked Barangaroo in Sydney as no. 3 in the top 10 markets to watch in 2015. Other reports say Melbourne may see a house price growth. There are mixed predictions for Perth, Adelaide, Darwin and Canberra. As always, it’s better to get the real score from a seasoned property specialist as the prediction for your particular investment will still rely on a number of factors such as the price pattern in neighbourhood, the type, size and age of the property, among others.

The huge impact of the global economy. With the increasingly globalised economy, what happens in the international scene will now have a bigger and more direct influence on the local situation. While investors have no reason to fear another global financial crisis, forecasters are concerned about the sluggish growth in the global real estate industry which may (and can) affect growth in the Australian property market as well. Other current concerns, namely insecurity in the job market, rising unemployment rates and gradual inflation, can bring interest rates even lower.

More foreign investment. There is a rising demand for residential properties in Australian capitals among foreign investors. This was already seen last year and this year, and is actually determined as one of the reasons not only for the growth rate in jobs and development, but also for the property price inflation. Investors from China, Singapore and Canada are considered the biggest foreign groups that are showing a real interest in the Australian property investment today.

More about Property Investment you can find by visiting property investment events or seminars in Australia.

The 10 Steps Involved In The Property Sales Process

The 10 Steps Involved In The Property Sales Process

For most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they will probably make. As such, it is no wonder that the whole property sales process can be confusing and overwhelming for most people. But whether you are buying or selling a property by yourself or enlisting the aid of real estate agents, it is worthwhile to know how the whole sales process proceeds, allowing you to make sound investment decisions and avoid potential pitfalls that can cost you in the short and long term.

Typically, the sales process can be broken down into 10 steps. Here’s a brief glimpse of these as provided by Lauchlan Leishman, your trusted property investor.

Property valuation

Before hiring an agent or putting out an advertisement, the property owner should first determine the value of his home. Knowing the fair market value of the property allows the owner to sell the home faster and at the best possible price.

Enlisting the aid of a real estate agent

As mentioned earlier, selling and buying a home can be a complex endeavour. As such, it is a fairly common practice for sellers to enlist the aid of real estate agents who can help facilitate the sale of the home. With their experience, expertise and even contacts, agents can take a substantial amount of the burden off their clients’ shoulders.

Getting legal advice

While most real estate agents have a fair amount of knowledge related to property laws, nothing can replace the expert advice of a solicitor specialising in property laws. In some circumstances, legal advice is essential.

Making the property ready for viewing

Sometimes, the minor things that homeowners overlook can break a deal. Before putting out an advertisement for the sale of the property, owners prepare the house first by making minor or major repairs, removing clutter and ensuring the cleanliness of the property, both inside and outside.

Advertising

Whether you are selling your home by yourself or you are getting help from an agent, the next crucial step in the process is marketing your property. This includes putting out adverts on newspapers and publications specialising in real estate and on property portals on the Internet.

House viewings

Once you have put out the advertisements and your home garners attention from potential buyers, many of these people would want to see your home up close in order to ascertain whether it is a good buy or not.

Buyer’s offer

Should the viewing yield a positive result, the next step would be for the buyer to express interest by making an offer. Here, it is not unusual for both parties to volley offers and counter offers until they agree upon mutually satisfactory terms.

Acceptance of offer

Once both parties have come to an agreement, the seller will have to push the sales process further by preparing the necessary documents as well as confirming the agreed selling price. Here, a solicitor can provide invaluable advice especially in drafting pertinent documents.

Signing of contracts

Contracts are signed typically after the seller has provided the buyer with copies of the important documents and the buyer has a mortgage offer. At this stage, it is a normal practice for the buyer to make a 10 percent deposit.

End of sale

The whole process typically ends when the seller has paid the remainder of the agreed upon price for the property.

The Australian Property Market – Booms And Bubbles

The mark of an astute property investor is his discernment of market trends, says Lauchlan Leishman. For instance, during times of market turbulence, when they say that it’s not a good time to buy, there are still areas that are prime for investment. If you have the money to spare and the patience to wait, you can ride out the period until you can cash in on your investment.

People also tend to get excited over booms and to panic over a presumed bubble bursting, but if they can read and understand how the market is moving, they can continue to make the right investments as well as expect returns from them.

Take your lesson from this scenario. In 2014, the Australian property market initially enjoyed great conditions with record low interest rates and a high demand from foreign buyers. It was reported that Chinese buyers alone were pouring more than $5 billion per year into the Australian property market. Such activity drove prices higher, leaving local income unable to keep up. During this time, the average house price in the major cities rose by over a third and the median house price ballooned significantly. Such a trend triggered concerns for a bubble.

As the second half of the year approached, indeed, prices began to drop. It was either a seasonal thing with the Australian fall and winter months inducing weaker market conditions, or a more telling indication of where the market was truly headed. After all, everything has a growth cycle, and when something has reached its peak, the only remaining movements would be to plateau or to fall.

The thing about bubbles is that they’re not as invisible as people expect them to be. When people exclaim that nobody saw a burst coming, they would be lying. In this day and age, with many lessons from the past, a bubble is very much discernible. You can, of course, keep on playing the market, but remember to keep your senses sharper.

Property investment is definitely not for the faint of heart. Its market may not be as volatile as that of other investment options, but you still have to stay on your toes and keep track of fluctuations and trends.

The key, of course, is in getting out before the burst. If you want to take advantage of a boom, go right ahead. Just make sure that you do not wait for the market to peak before selling. You want the highest profit you can make, but it would be imprudent to risk big losses. Remember that when markets drop, they usually do so at alarming speed, making it hard for you to exit without huge regrets.

What To Look For When Buying An Investment Property

Investing in property is one of the top time-tested ways to build your wealth and prepare for the future. According to real estate experts, people continue to take an interest in the property market even in times of economic downturns because of the huge potential of high return and the tax advantages it can offer. A well-chosen real estate asset will increase in value over the years and can be a source of rental income, making it a profitable long-term investment vehicle.

However, it would be smart to remember that as with all other investment strategies, the potential returns should also be weighed against the potential risks. One wrong miscalculation or careless decision can easily derail your chances of enjoying capital growth. That’s why it’s important to equip yourself with relevant, accurate information before you make a move. You should also consider getting the help of a trusted property advisor to guide you as you navigate the highly volatile market today.

With diligent research and the assistance of an expert, you can first determine what to look for when buying an investment property.

According to strategic investment expert Lauchlan Leishman, there is a wide range of factors that will determine the success of your investing approach, and the odds of achieving your objectives will depend on the market conditions and the decisions you make along the way. But making a good start by choosing the right property is the first most important step to ensuring that every penny you invest will bring back multiple returns.

The following key criteria are worth checking out when you’re shopping for property. These characteristics typically provide high growth potential and long-term advantages.

  1. Great location. Properties close to the centre of business and lifestyle hubs will always attract the market’s attention, and will most likely steadily appreciate over the years. Don’t just focus on the obvious choices such as capital cities – get a real estate adviser with a nose for up-and-coming neighbourhoods that may not be as popular today, but are expected to be very much in demand in the near future.
  2. Good bones. Properties with classic architectural styles will never go out of style and will always attract the interest of buyers, renters and investors. But keep an eye open for other properties that may not exactly fit popular standards, but may have the potential to rise in value with a few tweaks or some well-planned renovation.
  3. Emotional appeal. Choosing investing property, whether you’re an investor, a buyer or a renter, will always have a strong emotional aspect to it. How will people “feel” about the property? There is no tangible way to detect this; it can be by how one room flows to another, or whether the space feels comfortable and safe. Some properties may be huge and vast but will still feel dark and stuffy, while a small apartment can be light, warm and welcoming. Tune in to your gut feel – sometimes it can be the last main reason why you should choose one home over another seemingly equally appealing property.

 

Key Property Investment Tools You Would Not Want To Miss

Don’t you wish you had bigger pockets — or at least, a bigger bank account? It is not a bad thing to want financial success, and to try and work at it every waking moment. Unfortunately, that approach to accumulating wealth can be a bit tiring. And before you know it, you could be burned out even before you ever see your first million dollars.

 

When it comes to gunning for a seven-figure income, perhaps no other investment creates bigger, better opportunities than property investment. Much like other forms of financial ventures, you will want sufficient resources to help you get the most out of your investments — without tiring yourself out. So here are some key property investment tools that could help you make well-informed decisions that lead to successful investments.

 

Property reports.

Know which properties are quicker to sell and which locations get the most sales at the best prices — all by getting property reports. Property reports give you factual details about suburb sales and sale histories, about house prices on specific locations, about suburb profiles, and a list of other data-driven reports.

 

Online tools that estimate the financial viability of a property.

When you are considering a property as an investment, you would want to know first if it is going to actually make money for you. Is the two-storey, two-bedroom suburb home going to fetch you a suitable profit? Will a studio apartment in the CBD give you enough cash flow as a rental property?

 

To determine the answers, as accurately as possible, you will want to rely on a property analyser. You can use online tools to calculate residential rental income. You can estimate your tax benefits. You can calculate capital growth after tax cash flow. You can analyse commercial and residential properties. Basically, you will be taking the guesswork out of your investments by using a reliable property analyser.

 

Guides to investment strategies.

Finally, find out what it takes to turn your one-time property investment into a goldmine by seeking expert help. You can download guides to investment strategies or you could look up online sources that offer sound recommendations as well as broad information about investing in property.

 

Lauchlan Leishman is one name synonymous with property investment. The group managing director at Berkeley Capital Group has been in the industry for over 10 years (and counting). So yes, he knows a thing or two about the property market. Look up Leishman’s blog and discover more property investment tools today.

 

New rules will affect investments in future

The new provision on ‘Cross Collateralization’ is reducing the opportunity for property investors to transfer a listed security from a lender to a third party. Bond, share, debenture are other types of assets can only be prescribed by regulation.

From now on, the real estate property will be considered as an in-house asset. Independent value analyzer should determine the value of these types of assets.

Transparency

The new rule compels clients and property investors to acquire listed securities from SMSF trustees at market value. It reduces property investor’s chance of getting a good deal out of market coverage but increases the transparency of business. Off market, transactions often bring about problems in price amounts and transaction dates. But, this new rule will be reducing that problem for good.

SMSF Regulation

According to the new law, SMSF can acquire information on listed securities from a third party investor. However, it is not clear whether the regulations will follow off market rules to get the job done or not. If the rule does dictates to proceed through off market regulations, it is highly unlikely that the information would be totally trusted by investors.

However, this rule indicates that SMSF trustees have to get a market evaluation of the real estate property from an independent valuer who is qualified enough to make right measurements. This process would make the whole program expensive enough for third party clients. For more information, please visit – http://www.lauchlanleishman.com.au/