Hard Money Loans
Knowing the Cons of Hard Money Loan
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Private Loans
There is the always the “cost associated” with the hard money loan. In comparison to a traditional business loan, a hard money loan will be much more costly. You can expect to pay a fair amount more in interest rate in exchange for having the money faster. Consider the higher interest rate as the cost you pay for the convenience. As an addition, up-front fees will add to the cost of the loan overall and it may do so considerably. This can end up making the loan financially debilitating in the long run.
Extensions are hard to get on hard money loans. If you get to the end of your interest term and need an extension, you may not get it. In that case, the entire balance of your loan will be due immediately. If you do not have the money, it gets even worse for you. Most hard money loans will foreclose on your property much faster than a commercial lender. Essentially, if you don’t pay you could be out of your property as fast as the law will allow. Thus, there are considerable risks when taking on a hard money loan.
Lastly, a hard money loan will likely have a “prepayment penalty”. In other words, paying off the loan early can often cost you as much as 3 months of interest. Even if you don’t think you will pay off early, it is nice to know you can. With a hard money loan, the option to pay off the loan early without considerable consequences is just not there in most cases. In the end, the cons linked with a hard money loan must be fully considered long before you decide to take on the awesome responsibility of such a loan.
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Profiles in Green Building: the Austin Real Estate Market
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
Austin has long been a home for friendly folk- friendly to each other, friendly to animals, and friendly to the environment. What used to be considered as only the concerns of hippies and the bohemian sect, environmentalism is now at the forefront of commercial and residential design, and “green” businesses are popping up nationwide. Austin, however, was the first city in the United States to establish a local green-building program, laying out environmentally friendly and sustainable guidelines for home builders and its interested citizens back in 1991.
Since the Austin real estate market is known nationwide as the leader of these green building methods, the National Association of Home Builders chose the city as its hub to launch an industry-wide effort to establish green-building guidelines in 2004. These guidelines now provide a practical nationally recognized framework for builders to follow to reduce a home’s environmental impact by making them more energy efficient, improving indoor environmental quality, and so on. Though Austin has already been using similar guidelines for over a decade, now the rest of the country is following suit.
The City of Austin and Austin Energy provide a great resource to owners of Austin homes, and new home builders, who are looking for ways to conserve energy, and build an environmentally friendly home. The city’s website offers a list of companies willing to do an energy analysis of a home that will determine possible options to help the house conserve more energy, with suggestions ranging from air conditioning repair to weather stripping doors. The city then will offer a 20 to 75% of that cost.
For those Austinites building a new house or commercial building, the city created the Austin Energy Green Building organization to promote the construction of high quality, more sustainable buildings, and has even zoned sections of the city’s real estate to require an Austin Energy Green Building rating. Four times a year, the organization also holds a one day “Green By Design” workshop open to the public. The workshop provides an overview of the green building process, and brings in design, building, engineering, landscaping, and Austin real estate professionals with many years of experience in homebuilding and remodeling, to help make sense of it all.
In March of this year, Austin was named as the city leading the country in “cleantech” by SustainLane, an online resource center that offers sustainability tips to state and local government. The term “cleantech” refers to venture capital-based startups based in green technology, with Austin as the front runner with seven such startups, ranging from internet-controlled irrigation to geothermal energy technologies. To keep Austin on the cutting edge of green technology, the Clean Energy Incubator program was set up to help young clean energy businesses succeed by commercializing their ideas. With citizens, government, and forward thinking businesses, Austin will likely be the city to follow in the environmental battle for years to come.
Ki is a real estate agent in Austin and can help buyers find a green friendly home in the Austin real estate market. If you are looking for more information on the Austin market his Austin real estate blog is a good place to start your research or you can search for homes on his Austin MLS search.
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Alpine, San Diego, Real Estate Market Trends and Community Information, August 2006
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Alpine is a community situated in the eastern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 19,227 residents in this Zip code (91901) and 6,597 households. The median age of residents is 38.92 years.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature in Alpine is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 76°F. The coldest time of year occurs in January with average temperatures falling to 54°F.
HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES
The housing options in Alpine include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:
·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $200,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $200,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $300,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $300,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $400,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the high $500,000s.
REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS
As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).
The median price of single-family homes in June 2006 was $597,500, which represents a 10.2% decline from the previous year. The number of homes sold in June 2006 was 17, which was down 37% from the previous year.
Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.
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Bonita, San Diego, Real Estate Market Trends and Community Information, August 2006
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Bonita is situated in the southern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 18,396 residents in this Zip code (91902) and 5,986 households. The median age of residents is 40.45 years.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature in Bonita is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in July during which temperatures reach an average high of 70°F. The coldest time of year occurs in January with average temperatures falling to 57° F.
HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES
The housing options in Bonita include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:
·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $200,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $300,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the low $400,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the high $400,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $500,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the low $600,000s.
REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS
As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).
The median price of single-family homes dropped from $849,990 in June 2005 to $782,500 in June 2006, which represents a 7.9% decline. However, more homes sold in June 2006 (20 homes) than in June 2005 (7 homes). The average time to sell a home increased slightly from 68 days in June 2005 to 69 days in June 2006. The ratio between the asking price to the sales price increased over the past 12 months. On average, sellers obtained 93.6% of their asking price in June 2005, and 94.5% of their asking price in June 2006.
Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.
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Carlsbad, San Diego, Real Estate Market Trends and Community Information, August 2006
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Carlsbad is situated in the northern coastal part of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 87,540 residents in this community and 34,052 households. The median age of residents is 38.89 years.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature in Carlsbad is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in July during which temperatures reach an average high of 69. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 55F.
HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES
The housing options in Carlsbad include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:
·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $200,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $200,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $300,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $300,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the high $300,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $500,000s.
REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS
As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).
The median price of single-family homes dropped from $783,900 in June 2005 to $749,900 in June 2006, which represents a 4.3% decline. Fewer more homes sold in June 2006 (49 homes) than in June 2005 (95 homes). The average time to sell a home increased from 39 days in June 2005 to 58 days in June 2006.
The median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased from $481,000 in June 2005 to $434,500 in June 2006, which represents a 9.7% decline. Fewer units sold in June 2006 (36 units) than in June 2005 (84 units). The average time to sell a unit increased from 43 days in June 2005 to 58 days in June 2006.
Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.
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Carmel Valley, San Diego, Real Estate Market Trends, School & Community Information, August 2006
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Carmel Valley is a master-planned community located in northern San Diego County within the state of California. The community of Carmel Valley within San Diego is not to be confused with the Carmel Valley region in Northern California.
Carmel Valley lies within the 92130 Zip Code. There are approximately 34,471 residents in this Zip code and 12,387 households. The median age of the population is 35.16 years.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature in Carmel Valley is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 72°F. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 56° F.
HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES
The housing options in Carmel Valley include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:
·One bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the high $200,000s
·Two bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the high $300,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse / condo starts in the low $500,000s
·Three bedroom single-family house starts in high $500,000s
·Four bedroom single-family home starts in low $700,000s
REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS
As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).
The median price of single-family homes reached $1,080,000 in June 2006, which was a 13.74% increase over June 2005. In contrast, the median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased to $580,000, which was a 7.2 decline from the year before.
Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
There are two School Districts that serve residents of Carmel Valley. The Solana Beach School District covers the elementary schools in the northern part of Carmel Valley, and the Del Mar Union School District covers the southern region.
Students in Carmel Valley schools undergo annual testing to evaluate their academic performance. The results of these tests are combined by the California Department of Education into a composite score known as the Academic Performance Index (API), which has a range of 200 to 1000. The statewide goal for schools is to achieve a score of 800 or above.
Based on the most recent data available as of July 31, 2006, the highest-ranking elementary school in the Carmel Valley area was Sage Canyon Elementary (API = 963), followed by Torrey Hills School (API=950), Carmel Creek Elementary
(API=946), Solana Pacific Elementary (API=945), Ashley Falls Elementary (API=943), and Carmel Del Mar Elementary (API=917). Carmel Valley Middle School earned an API of 931. For high schools, Canyon Crest Academy had an API=842, and Torrey Pine High had an API =821.
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Chula Vista, San Diego, Real Estate Market Trends and Community Information, August 2006
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Chula Vista is situated in the southern region of San Diego County within the state of California. There are approximately 194,939 residents in this community and 62,394 households. The median age of residents is 32.89 years.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature in Chula Vista is relatively moderate. The warmest time of year occurs in August during which temperatures reach an average high of 72°F. The coldest time of year occurs in December with average temperatures falling to 57°F.
HOME AND REAL ESTATE PRICES
The housing options in Chula Vista include single-family homes and properties, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The price of housing is as follows:
·One bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $100,000s.
·Two bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the high $200,000s.
·Three bedroom townhouse/condominium start in the mid $300,000s.
·Two bedroom single-family homes start in the high $300,000s.
·Three bedroom single-family homes start in the low $400,000s.
·Four bedroom single-family homes start in the high$400,000s.
REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS
As with most products and services in the United States, price shifts in the real estate industry are subject to the forces of supply and demand. Whether it’s a buyers market or a seller’s market, it is useful to evaluate home sales data for the most recent month available (June 2006), compared against the same period in the previous year (June 2005).
The median price of single-family homes dropped from $610,000 in June 2005 to $595,000 in June 2006, which represents a 2.5% decline. Fewer more homes sold in June 2006 (127 homes) than in June 2005 (171 homes). The average time to sell a home increased from 47 days in June 2005 to 66 days in June 2006.
The median price of condominiums and townhomes decreased slightly from $382,250 in June 2005 to $382,000 in June 2006, which represents a .1% decline. Fewer units sold in June 2006 (46 units) than in June 2005 (80 units). The average time to sell a unit increased from 52 days in June 2005 to 85 days in June 2006.
Homebuyers and home sellers should keep in mind that the data above is simply a snapshot in time. Therefore, the data must be evaluated over a longer duration to understand enduring market trends.
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2006: Most Active Real Estate Foreclosure Markets
Author: Real Estate Investor, Category: Real Estate Investment analysis
The foreclosure market is an attractive option for buyers wanting to invest in real estate. A foreclosed property is a mortgaged property that has been taken over by the lender due to non-payment of the mortgage. The lender then sells the property in order to recover the money, often at below market prices. Foreclosed homes, condos and other properties can for make excellent investments and is a popular choice for those entering the real estate market.
The October 2006 issue of Business 2.0 Magazine ranks the top 10 foreclosure markets in the United States. Greeley in Colorado tops the list followed by Detroit in Michigan, Miami in Florida, Indianapolis in Indiana, Ft. Lauderdale in Florida, Denver in Colorado, Dayton in Ohio, Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, and Atlanta in Georgia.
Greeley, CO, has the largest number of foreclosure households in the country, with 0.59% of homes falling in the category, an increase by 14.7% since January 2006. The report holds aggressive residential development, risky underwriting practices and stagnant wages as the main causes.
Detroit, MI, stands next with 0.51% of the households in foreclosure. The badly performing auto industry and the resulting impact to autoworkers’ incomes has contributed to number of homes in foreclosure in this city.
Third on the list is Miami, FL, where 0.37% of the households are in foreclosure, a staggering 91% increase since January 2006. The report states a weakening economy, higher property insurance premiums, and rising energy and interest rates, as the reasons for this rapid increase.
The fourth among the top ten foreclosure markets is Indianapolis, IN. Although the foreclosure rates are slightly lower from last year, still the portion of households in foreclosure stands at 0.35%. Setbacks and layoffs in the city’s auto industry together with falling home prices have contributed to foreclosure rates in this city.
Fort Lauderdale, FL, stands fifth with 0.34% of households entering foreclosure, which is up by a whopping 118.5% since January 2006.
Denver (with 0.33% of households in foreclosure), Dayton (with 0.33% of households in foreclosure), Dallas (with 0.31% of households in foreclosures), Fort Worth (with 0.31% of households in foreclosure) and Atlanta (with 0.31% of households in foreclosures) round out the top 10 foreclosure markets.
If you are looking to invest in the foreclosure market, consult a real estate agent who can help you clinch the best deal on the foreclosure property of your choice.
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