| |
| |
|
|
Real Estate |
|
Look Past the Bottom Line for a Propertys Potential
It's unfortunate that many real estate investors tend to look at the bottom line when deliberating about a property, rather than the big picture. The real moneymakers in real estate investments are the people with vision, who think creatively, and are willing to assume some level of risk. A client's initial line of questioning about an investment property goes something like this: What has the property's revenue been for the past three years? How much money will they make starting out? and, How much will they have to invest in the property in the beginning? These are all valid questions. After asking and answering them, investors might try taking off the blinders and thinking outside of the box. Our population is growing, and land -- unlike cars, furniture, or other structures -- cannot be remade. Real estate investors might ask themselves these simple questions: 1. Is there growth in the area where the property is located? Is there anywhere for the growth to go? If so, is it headed towards your property's location? 2. Has the city or county zoned the are for revitilization or economic development? If so, are there any special funds or benefits available? 3. Is the property accessible to public transportation? 4. Are people beginning to look for homes in this area? If so, investors want to be looking far in advance of others to secure the best property deals. 5. Is the property value in the neighborhood in a slump or an upswing? Purchase during a slump for maximum profits. The truth is, an investor not make a profit from the property for the first two years. Investment property owners should be looking at the long-term, because they may make money over the next 15 years, while others are not. Check County Records for Property Value Do your research, or hire a REALTOR who is motivated to do it correctly. Speak to neighbors to understand the benefits of living there. Look at the neighborhood surrounding the area, and try to determine if those homes have increased in value. For a solid indicator, consider county property tax figures. In some areas you will find a slight increase in the tax base of 1-3%. In other areas, like Williamsburg, Virginia, taxes have increased 15-13%. Tax base increases are linked to improved property value. Are Revitalization Funds Available? If your investment property venture is a legitimate business, contact the local Chamber of Commerce and county government to see if there are special funds available for revitalization projects. Most Chamber of Commerces provide such programs as well as classes where investors learn how to access these funds. There are lots of great examples of properties with potential. I'd like to share some background about one of my own listings, a motel in Williamsburg that has not been open for three years. The owners do not know when it was built - probably in the 50s or 60s. The motel sits on 2 1/3 acres of land, which is all zoned commercially. The motel is situated right on a main thoroughfare that was once called "The Golden Mile" of Williamsburg. It's geographic location is near York County a phenomenal leader in economic development. York County is enticing businesses by zoning the northern section of town commercial and it will be the site of the new hospital complex that is currently housed in Williamsburg. Thinking Outside the Box An important fact is not widely known about the motel's location, which is key to its investment potential. One mile from the motel property, across from the Williamsburg Pottery, a gated senior community with full amenities (golf courses, recreation center, pool) will break ground in April 2004. The Fortune 500 Company behind the building of this project is set to build 3,000 homes, with an estimated completion date of 2006. Scanning the area, it is obvious there are no European Bakeries, international shops, or stores and eateries which deliver (drug stores, groceries, take out, etc.). A strip mall with leasing options for different businesses, or even an extended stay hotel could be built on this land, and run for a profit. Investors I have shown the property to are wary of the $1,000,000 price tag on the motel. In the coming years this price will seem like a steal for commercial property in the area. There are many other examples of properties whose potential have not yet been discovered. Remember, once you land that investment property of your dreams, make sure you have a marketing plan, which includes a decent web site, to launch your business. When speculating, trust your creativity and vision, and rely upon the expertise of a REALTOR who knows the area, and shares your vision. About The Author Elaine VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia, and she manages investment property as part of her business. Her husband Joe is a contractor who collaborates with her on rehabilitation of properties. She has helped numerous clients invest in and make money on property investments in Southeastern Virginia. vonmor1@cox.net
MORE RESOURCES:
Real-Estate - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Home Equity Loans - Beware of Appraisal Fraud A new report by the independent Demos group has revealed what may not be a surprise to many people - corruption is rampant in the home appraisal industry. The bust in the dot-com market of some five years ago has left would-be lenders with a surplus of cash to lend. Guide To Finding Maui Waterfront Property Have you ever dreamed of living in a spectacular tropical paradise where you spend your days sitting on a beach watching the waves roll in? Where the air is clean, the climate always warm and your neighbors are always welcoming you with warm smiles and sincere hellos? The place you've always dreamed of is probably Maui. Whether you're looking for a waterfront vacation property, a new place to live and work or are considering options for retirement, purchasing a Maui waterfront property could be the answer to your tropical paradise dreams. The New First Impression in Home Selling As an ASP Home Stager® I know how important curb appeal can be in making that critical first impression when selling your home. However, with the growth of real estate advertising over the web, there is another first impression that you should consider when marketing your property. Buying a Home: The 5 Biggest Mistakes that a Home Buyer Makes As a Professional Real Estate Inspector I get to see and hear the right and wrong things people do when buying a home. These 5 tips will help you choose the right Real Estate Agent the first time. Just Give Me Eleven Reasons to Buy in Dubai Buying overseas property is not always for the fainthearted but we think Dubai is an exception to this. Here are eleven reasons to buy in Dubai:1. Virtual Agent? Online Real Estate When preparing to sell a house, you should always consider the options of selling a home privately or listing with a real estate agent. Of course, the most cost effective option would be to sell your home privately, but what about the number of Home Buyers in the market who are not willing to consider a private sale listing?I am a firm believer that people should be able to sell a home privately but, like a lot of people, was not the kind of person who would be comfortable buying from a Private Home Seller. Real Estate Appraisal - Rental Properties Real estate appraisal for rental properties isn't the same as for single family homes. If you were looking at a 24-unit building, it would be difficult to find similar ones nearby that have recently sold. Minneapolis Warehouse Loft Downtown Minneapolis is rich with true metropolitan charm. With the growth of an incredible entertainment district, a wonderful artistic community, and all the opportunities of a large urban center, downtown Minneapolis is pleasantly thriving. Tidy Up The Outside, Reap The Rewards There isn't a realtor in existence who wouldn't tell you that one of the most important terms that you can learn when you're trying to sell your house, is "curb appeal."So while you're sprucing up your home, it's wise to start outside, and work your way in. An Ideal Way to Purchase Your New Home without Strict Banking Regulations You've searched high and low around town looking for that special home for you and your family. Everyone agrees that "this is the one"! Your down payment for the home is large enough, but you know your credit is terrible, or worse, practically non-existent. Investor Banned From Offering Property For Rent Do you realize that you might be prevented from renting your investment home? Prohibiting property owners from leasing their properties is a trend that is growing increasingly popular with some developers and many Homeowners' Associations (HOA).It's rare that you can buy a new home in a development that does have a HOA. Why I Love Country Living As somone who has lived in both places, I can tell you that country living certainly beats the hustle and bustle of city life! Living in a rural area has advantages that simply can't be bought at any price.In the city I was bombarded with the sounds of horns blowing and sirens blaring. Buying an Unfinished Home Maybe Your Answer For the first time "want-to-be" homeowner, purchasing an unfinished new home maybe just the answer. With mortgage interest rates still at record lows, there has not been a better time to purchase a home in decades. Buying Houses: Types of Bargains to Find To make a good profit in real estate, you must buy right. Check out all property types available to find the best transaction for your specific situation. Conversation & The Real Estate Investor One key that makes investors is conversation or should I say "The Art Of Conversation".All successful investors are skilled in conversation and I'm not talking about the investors that does 10, 20 or even 30 deal a year! I'm talking about the "BTO" Big Time Operator; The Big Dog's slamming down 100 or more deals every year. Equity Equity is the value of your home minus what you owe on your mortgage. For example, If Joe's home is worth $200,000 and Joe still owes $170,000, then Joe's Equity is $30,000. The UK has Gone Property TV Show Crazy! The UK has gone property TV crazy. There are now shows about developing, buying, doing up and selling your home on every channel nearly every day. What is Tax-Deferred Exchange? Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, owners of real estate held for investment or use in a trade or business can swap their property tax-free for "like-kind" real estate. Exchanges are made for people wanting to stay invested in real estate, increase their leverage and to avoid paying hefty taxes upon the sale of property. The Real Estate Cycle The real estate cycle, like the business cycle, refers to the activity of the real estate market as it reacts to the forces of supply and demand.Supply and demand. Buying Beach Houses in New Zealand: Real Estate and Investment Opportunities Buying a beach house in New Zealand offers many possibilities.New Zealand is made up of two main islands, North Island and South Island, giving it miles of coastal lands and perfect beaches to live by.
|
|||||||||||||||
