“Today’s report adds to the growing evidence that demand for new, single-family homes is finally starting to firm up in an increasing number of markets nationwide,” says Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

He added: “This emerging trend is allowing builders to put more crews back to work, and could be even stronger if not for the overly tight credit conditions that prevail for both builders and buyers, as well as the continuing foreclosure crisis and the challenges of obtaining accurate appraisal values on new homes.”

By the end of 2011, overall housing production reached 606,900 units – 3.4% better than the overall number of starts in 2010.

Regionally, December housing starts increased by 54.8% in the Midwest following a big decline the previous month. The Northeast posted a 41.2% fall that offset a big gain in the previous month, while the South and West also posted declines of 3% and 17.6%, respectively.

Original article Colin from Torcana

Type: Residential/Apartment (Condo)
Price: $69,900 | €51,900 | £44,600
Disclaimer: Exchange rates can fluctuate. All investments sold in local currency.
Area: Fleming Island, Jacksonville
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA, FL32003

Features:

• Jacksonville is a thriving city with a highly diverse job market
• Fleming Island is a wealthy, idyllic and peaceful neighborhood
• A selection of spacious 1 & 2 bed condos are available from $69,900!
• Cobblestone is almost fully occupied with a strong reserve fund
• Properties sizes range from 786 – 1104 sq ft
• Many units feature vaulted ceilings, fireplaces and stainless steel appliances
• Amenities include lakes, 2 pools, clubhouse, playground and BBQ areas
• Completely hassle free investment with full aftersales service

Description
Jacksonville has consistently been one of the fastest growing cities in the USA, has a highly diversified economy and is home to hundreds of national and international companies from just about every facet of business and enterprise. It is currently ranked eighth nationwide for business expansions & relocations and ranked 5th in Forbes Magazine´s top ten cities to retire.

This community is based in Fleming Island – a beautiful master planned neighborhood that is surrounded by water on three sides. Cobblestone at Eagle Harbor contains five lakes and is bordered by a nature preserve with walking trails. The entrance into this community is seriously impressive – everything is immaculate, with imposing fountains, perfectly maintained landscaping and a beautiful clubhouse manned by polite and professional staff.

A total of 328 units are spread across 41 low rise buildings, the majority of which are owner occupied. Very spacious one and two bed floor plans range in size from 786 sq ft to 1104 sq ft. The construction quality is excellent with many units featuring vaulted ceilings, wood burning fireplaces and stainless steel appliances. All units have high speed internet, cable, kitchen appliances, central heating and air conditioning.

The spacious, modern and high spec one and two bed condos we have exclusively secured can be purchased for an amazing $69,900 – $79,900. Many have long term professional tenants in place with current net yields ranging from 6-8%.

Location
Cobblestone at Eagle Harbor is a short and scenic drive from downtown Jacksonville. Driving out of downtown, along scenic US17, on the banks of the St Johns river, you can´t help but admire the spectacular bayous, bays and stunning waterfront homes.

Siteplan
Completed in 1998, a total of 328 units are spread across 41 low rise buildings, the majority of which are owner occupied. Very spacious one and two bed floor plans range in size from 786 sq ft to 1104 sq ft.

Purchase Process

• Check availability list with your account manager and select appropriate unit(s)
• Once selected a $2,500 deposit should be wired to the title company and confirmation of transfer supplied
• Closing documents will generally be produced within 30 days
• Client must close and pay full purchase price (less deposit) before the specified closing date
• Closing costs will vary but generally range from $1,200 – $2,200

Further Information
We have compiled a 24 page brochure which contains further information on:

• Development summary & history
• Area description
• Site map & availability list
• Resort Amenities & Property Features
• Photos & Floorplans
• Purchase & Aftersales options

For a copy of this brochure please complete our enquiry form by following the link below

Let’s take an example of 1 bed Condo at one of our exclusive investment property locations.
The cost of the condo is $77,000 and comes with a sitting tenant on a short term lease.
The monthly income and expenditure relating to this property is as follows:

Income
Monthly Rental Income                                                $800

Expenditure
HOA (Home Owners Association) Fee                            $188.81
Property Insurance Fee                                                  $34

Management Fees                                                         $80
Property Tax                                                                 $42.06
Total Expenditure                                                        $344.87

Net Monthly income                                                     $455.13     (Income $800 – Expenditure $344.87)
Net Annual Income                                                     $5461.56     (Net monthly income $455.13 x 12 mts)

Return as a percentage of Investment                     7.1%

The percentage return or yield on investment can be seen as the net annual income of $5461.56 divided by the capital or cash investment of $77,000 and multiplied by 100. This gives us 7.1%.

So the yield or return on investment ( ROI as sometimes called) is $455.13 per month or 7.1% of capital invested.

With the turmoil in the stock markets of the past few years this has become a poor option so an alternative has to be secured. One of these key alternatives is to invest in a specially chosen or selected investment property where consideration has been given to the key questions i.e. the property price, location, rental demand, property management, etc.

With a carefully chosen investment property, there are a number of ways in which to realize a superior return on your investment

Regular cash flow with rental income
Investing in a managed rental property will provide you with a monthly stream of income or cash flow in the form of rental payments. This percentage return on capital investment is called the yield with a solid investment earning a net yield of 6-8% on average.

Increase in the property value e.g. Capital appreciation
With the drop of property values from their market peak of a few years back you can pick up a carefully chosen investment property which has been discounted by up to 70% off these highs.
Price will start to appreciate again as the investors buy up the available stock and a steady increase should be seen in the future

Stronger demand leads to higher rental income
With the growth in population and also the inward migration of workers a strong demand for rental accommodation will push up rental income over time. This rental income should exceed inflation giving a net real increase on your yield or return on investment

Potential for improvement in property
The rental income from the property can be used to improve the appearance and facilities or infrastructure of the property and therefore increase its resale value when you come to sell the property in the future.

Property as collateral for future investment
You may be able to use the regular cash flow provided by your investment property  to pay down any loans used in the purchase of the property or as collateral for future borrowings to be used for further investment in property

When you look at these 5 ways in which you can obtain a return on an investment property it makes sense to make that purchase an realise your investment potential.

With the drop in property prices from their market highs of a few years back it now seems a great time to take advantage of these competitive prices. The key to this investment is to select properties in prime locations where there is strong demand and therefore good annual returns on your investment. Capital appreciation on the property is the cherry on the cake.

At US Properties Direct we have teamed up with Torcana investments who have the experience and expertise to select a small group of properties for your investment potential.

Why choose Florida Property Direct
With all the competing offers in the market place you are wondering why should I invest in one of the investment properties as advertised in the US properties Direct website. Some of these Reasons include the following:

1. Many of the properties have sitting tenants
2. The chosen developments have a Healthy HOA (Home owners association)
3. Developments have strong reserve fund
4. Their locations have strong local rental demand
5. Prices discounted by up to 70% in some cases.
6. Strong realistic yields on investment from 6-8%
7. Excellent track record of delivering good investments over the past few years.

Our colleagues in Torcana will guide you through the process and provide you and your financial adviser with all the relevant information and details you need to make an investment decision.

The analytics company has projected that home prices in Metro Orlando will increase 11.7 percent during the year, compared with 2.1 percent for the nation overall.

The company cited a decreasing number of foreclosures as the prime reason for its forecasted gains. While 44 percent of the region’s housing market consisted of bank-owned properties at the end of 2010, by the end of 2011 only a quarter of the market was made up of foreclosed houses.

Some analysts have noted that banks put the brakes on foreclosures last year after reports surfaced of illegal and hastily drawn mortgage documents, but researchers said they took that into consideration.

“This could be due to a slowdown in litigation, but the fact remains, since REOs are dropping from one-in-two sales to one-in-four sales, it’s allowing the market to recover and not compete with those distress listings,” said Alex Villacorta, the firm’s director of research.

Property in Orlando was second in the country for home-price increases last year, with prices rising 6.7 percent. Only Dayton, Ohio exceeded that gain with an annual increase of 11.5 percent. Miami had the third-largest gain for last year — 5.6 percent. The report takes into account factors such as sales of the same properties, unemployment rates, and the number of foreclosures on the market.

The sharpest drops in price are expected in Atlanta, where they are forecast to fall 14.4 percent, and in Los Angeles, with a predicted drop of 10.3 percent.

Sources: Clear Capital, Orlando Sentinel

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Mortgage delinquency rates i.e. the ratio of borrowers 60 or more days behind on their payments, has increased significantly in recent years as a consequence of the recent USA housing crash.

But with the USA property sector (particularly property in Florida) and the economy improving, TransUnion expects delinquency levels to fall, but not before a short-term rise.

Although the credit reporting agency expects to see a 6% increase through the first three months of 2012, it does expect levels to fall by 5% by the end of 2012.

A fall in mortgage delinquencies would be highly beneficial to the USA property market as it would lead to a reduction in foreclosure levels, thus lowering the volume of distressed homes for sale, which has placed downward pressure on property prices in some parts of the country in recent years.

“We have a long way to go to get back,” said Steven Chaouki, a TransUnion vice president.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

In the USA, property prices are now considered to be 8% under the average price-to-income and 22% under the price-to-rent ratios, suggesting plenty of room for future capital growth.

However, the magazine does not expect to see an immediate recovery in USA property values because of high unemployment levels and historically high foreclosure levels, with much of this distressed stock expected to flood the U.S. housing market in the near future.

Meanwhile, the price-to-income and price-to-rent measures used to calculate the index, reveals that property prices in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, Britain, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden are considered to be overvalued by at least 25%.

“In some countries, such as Australia, Canada and Sweden, prices wobbled but then surged to new highs. As a result, many property markets are still looking uncomfortably overvalued,” the magazine claims.

It added: “The bursting of the global economic bubble is only halfway through.”

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Mortgage borrowing levels are currently at an all-time low, with long-term 30-year fixed mortgage rate having fallen to a new record low of 4.68%, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey.

According to Bankrate’s weekly survey, the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage fell marginally to 4.24% while the 15-year fixed mortgage held steady at 3.48%. Adjustable rate mortgages were mostly lower, with the average five-year ARM sliding to 3.18% and the 10-year ARM inching down to 3.8%.

Despite record low mortgage rates, a glance at the benchmark interest rates such as 10-year Treasury suggests that mortgage rates could fall even lower.

When available, shrewd property investors prefer to take out mortgages when buying property in Florida rather than pay in cash, as this allows them to use leverage to maximise returns.

Borrowing to support an investment is known as gearing and can make a substantial difference to a buy-to-let investment.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Florida Realtors chief economist Dr. John Tuccillo told delegates at a Florida property conference in Orlando this week that the Florida real estate market is prospering from a “mini-recovery” thanks to a significant rise in demand for property in Florida.

He said: “Sales are trending up, listing inventories are falling, the supply of lender-related properties has stabilized, and we are seeing multiple offers on homes in some local markets.”

Tuccillo even suggested that property in Florida is generally undervalued, complimenting a recent Global House Price report by esteemed UK-based magazine The Economist, which also found that USA property prices, including homes in Florida, were generally undervalued.

Tuccillo added: “A buyer who plans to own the home for five to seven years can get some great bargains today.”

Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo in Charlotte, N.C., believes that the Florida property market will continue to go from strength to strength next year, on the back of greater demand and an improving U.S. economy, despite wider concerns about the European debt crisis.

“Florida’s economy is recovering, with tourism and healthcare leading the way,” Vitner said. “International tourism has been particularly strong in Miami and Orlando.”

Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors said that Florida property investment prospects were being helped by a dramatic reduction in inventories of homes in Florida for sale – a sure sign that greater number of buyers are absorbing much of Florida’s housing stock.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

• Spacious 1 and 2 Bedroom Condos
• Affluent local area – Lake Mary Boulevard “No 1 place to live in Florida”
• Prices from $77,000 (70% Discount on peak sales price)
• All properties with sitting tenants providing immediate cash flow
• Annual Yields of approx 7% Net
• Financially healthy HOA (Home Owners Association)
• We have exclusivity on just 21 units, many of which
  are likely to be snapped up within 10 days.

Introduction
With the inventory of available condos in Orlando now critically low,
finding high quality units at a competitive price is both more difficult and more important than ever.

The reason is simple – these properties tend to have stable tenants and a large pool of local buyers.
We are therefore thrilled to be in a position to promote a selection of spacious 1 bedroom condos
in the stunning “Notting Hill” community located in Lake Mary Boulevard, North Orlando.

(Manicured lawns, main clubhouse in front of pool, entrance)

Or Partners Torcana have been imparting their observations of the Orlando
and central Florida property market for several years now and we have argued
that the essential route to building a successful property portfolio is to purchase the
highest quality assets in the best possible locations you can.

We live in an uncertain environment and smart decisions must be taken now to ensure future success.
In the medium to long term you will not reap your rewards from
other investors – it will be end users and owner occupiers.

It will be Florida’s vibrant young professionals who ultimately provide your secure
exit strategy and that all important capital appreciation.
These people will look to purchase their first home in the best location their money will get them,
where they can get FHA financing now because the community is healthy and
where there are minimal foreclosures or HOA delinquents.

We also continue to adhere to our strategy of investing solely in communities where owner occupiers constitute the majority of residents, where there is NO deferred maintenance and where there is a satisfactory reserve fund built up over the years to cover future maintenance work.

Future local buyers and owner occupiers are most concerned with these issues and we strongly feel that the most successful investments will be properties that are closely aligned to their hopes and desires.

Our latest offering, “Notting Hill” is located in the affluent middle class residential
area of Lake Mary, Orlando and it displays ALL these characteristics.

We have exclusivity on just 21 units, many of which are likely to be snapped up within 10 days.

Project Summary
A private gated paradise with spectacular lake views; Notting Hill is one of the
most impressive communities we have had the pleasure of bringing to our clients. Built in 2000 and remodeled in 2006, this is an immaculate community consisting of 452 spacious homes.

(Selection of photos from the fabulous landscaping within the community)

Notting Hill is strategically located on the stunning affluent Lake Mary Boulevard,
15 miles north of downtown Orlando. Following numerous site visits and
detailed due diligence we are thrilled to offer just 21 units exclusive to our Torcana clients.

We have negotiated pricing down to start at an incredible $77,000
(a 70% discount on peak sales prices), and with yields in the 7 to 8% net range,
we know this project will provide the medium to long term investment success our investors demand.

Primarily owner occupied, and with a build quality and curb appeal rarely seen elsewhere,
this investment stacks up on every level –  it boasts a strategic location close to high
end employers and global corporations; proximity to the best schools in central Florida;
aesthetic beauty, a well maintained community and a financially
healthy home ownership association (HOA).

(Wide angle view of the elegant Notting Hill Clubhouse)

Notting Hill offers huge rental desirability and genuine purchase demand from owner occupiers -
FHA finance approval already exists in this community, another excellent added layer of reassurance,
if one were needed. The specific location of the Notting Hill condominium community is why it is so desirable.

It should come as no great surprise to learn that the biannual rankings of CNN/Money
Magazine in 2008 ranked Lake Mary as the 4th best town in America and number 1 in Florida to live.
The crime rate is one of the lowest in Florida and the area boasts one of the highest average household
incomes in Orlando at $84,000 per annum.

Small wonder the residents we met with on site were all delighted with their decision to reside here,
they enjoy a lifestyle unrivalled in Central Florida, and they know it!

Put simply, this perfect mix of low crime, access to global high end employers and corporations,
world class shopping, and provision of superior educational opportunities has played a huge
part in making Lake Mary such a highly attractive and desirable location to live, work and raise a family.

These are exactly the reasons why we are sure it will also be of great interest to
our knowledgeable and savvy investors.

If you would like to receive a complete information pack* please complete the enquiry form below and
one will immediately be sent to you.  * information pack includes local area information,
resort amenities, property interiors, floorplans, siteplan, price/availability list and general market commentary.

Purchase process:

- Check availability list with your account manager and select appropriate unit(s)
- Once selected a $2,500 deposit should be wired to the title company and confirmation
of transfer supplied- Closing documents will be produced within 30 days
- Client must close and pay full purchase price (less deposit) within 30 days
- Closing costs will depend on the unit but will range from $1,200 – $2,800

Contacting Us
If you would like more information about this property, please complete our online inquiry form
or call us on 850-254-8760 or email info@florida-property-direct.com

Type: Residential/Apartment (Condo)
Price: $74,900 | €53,800 | £46,800
Disclaimer: Exchange rates can fluctuate. All investments sold in local currency.
Area: Sun Lake Court, Kissimmee. 2 miles from Disney World!
Location: Kissimmee, Florida, USA, FL34747

Feature:

• Tremendous investment potential at a low price point in a world class location
• Located adjacent to the 192 and just 2 miles from Disney World
• One minute walk from 12 restaurants, shopping center and supermarkets
• Huge 2-3 bed condos available from $75,000 – $90,000 (65% discounts!)
• Property sizes range from 1250-1632 sq ft and come fully furnished
• Amenities include pool, jacuzzi, tennis, game room and fitness center
• Owners can keep for personal use or rent out on a long or short term basis

Description :

Sun Lake is located in the epicentre of the tourism business in Orlando – right off the 192, two miles from Walt Disney World and adjacent to the Formosa Gardens Shopping complex. This is quite simply the most convenient location possible for both tourists and people working in the tourist industry.

Despite the fabulous location, this is a secluded resort with beautiful lake views surrounded by privately owned, high end vacation condos and pool home communities.

These are huge and fully furnished apartments ranging in size from 1250 – 1684 sq ft and in price from a jaw dropping $74,900 – $91,400. That equates to $54-$59 per sq ft! Even with materials costing less than they used to, you still couldn´t build a development like this for less than $100 per sq ft.

All of the properties we are offering can be rented short term, long term or kept as full time vacation homes.
The Sun Lake Resort provides easy access to all major central Florida attractions including Sea World, Aquatica, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Center, Lego Land (newly opened) and a host of major golf resorts and shopping malls.

Location :
Sun Lake Resort is located in the epicentre of the tourism business in Orlando – right off the 192, two miles from Walt Disney World and adjacent to the Formosa Gardens Shopping complex. This is quite simply the most convenient location possible for tourists and Disney employees.

Siteplan :
Originally completed in 2004, the community comprises just 112 spacious two and three bedroom units spread across 11 buildings.

Investment Rating
Aside from its location adjacent to Disney World, the most fundamental reason to purchase in the Sun Lake Resort is its proximity to shops, supermarkets and restaurants. In most countries, having shops, restaurants and supermarkets within walking distance of an apartment is no big deal. It is definitely a big deal in Orlando – which is the unique selling point of Sun Lake.

Purchase Process

• Check availability list with your account manager and select appropriate unit(s)
• Once selected a $2,500 deposit should be wired to the title company and confirmation of transfer supplied
• Closing documents will be produced within 30 days
• Client must close and pay full purchase price (less deposit) within 30 days
• Closing costs will depend on the unit but will range from $1,200 – $2,800

Further information
We have compiled a 22 page brochure on Sun Lake which includes:

• Development summary & history
• Area description
• Site map & availability list
• Resort Amenities & Property Features
• Photos & Floorplans
• Rental options & running costs

For a copy of this brochure please complete our enquiry form by following the link below

• The present rates: Without checking the current rates in the market, it is always wrong to take out a refinance loan as you may make the mistake of taking out a loan that will not help you save a considerable amount of dollars. Get multiple quotes from multiple lenders so that you can check the various terms and conditions that are offered by different companies and then choose the best among the lot.
• Your credit score: Check your credit score before taking out a refinance mortgage loan as the loan amount and the interest rate will be decided on the basis of your score. Without an exceptional credit score, you can never get a mortgage loan at a rate that is within your means. If you have enough time before taking out the loan, you can even look for some effective credit repair steps so as to boost your credit score and grab the best loan in the market.
• Check the term of the loan: If you want to refinance into a longer term loan, you have to take out a 30 year term mortgage loan so that you can repay it throughout a longer period of time in small and affordable monthly payments. You can change the term of the loan and also take out a mortgage loan with a shorter term so that you can repay the loan and become debt free within a shorter span of time. Though you may have to pay more every month, yet this is better than staying in debt for a long time.

Therefore, when you fear to fall back on the monthly mortgage payments, you should opt for a refinance loan and save your home from a forced foreclosure. Manage your finances and make the payments on time so that you don’t miss your payments and then again require taking out another loan.

While the Sunshine State is seen as a great place to retire to, the availability of discounted property in Florida is also presenting solid investment opportunities, with prices widely expected to increase moving forwards.

Although it is extremely unfortunate that many Floridians lost their home during the recession, the distressed nature of the Florida property market is creating some extremely attractive opportunities for buying property in Florida, with some homes being sold at a fraction of their old value at the height of the market in early 2007.

The fact that many locals now do not qualify for a mortgage to buy a property in Florida means that demand for rental accommodation is soaring, creating plenty of fresh buy-to-let investment opportunities in the process, with some stunningly high double-digit rental yields achievable.

With high rental returns on offer and good prospects for capital growth, many more overseas nationals see now as a great time to secure a Florida real estate investment, which explain why sales are rapidly increasing statewide.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

The latest figures supplied by the Harvard’s Center for Housing Studies show that around 2.3 million single-family homes became rentals during 2005 to 2009, representing a major increase on the 700,000 or so single-family homes that became rentals during 2001 to 2005.

Ron Abrams of the Chicago Association of Realtors told the press: “The good news for the owners or the reluctant landlords has been that the rental market has been so good, they’ve been able to cover pretty much all their expenses and just been able to basically go on with their lives.”

Rents have increased across most parts of the country, quite substantially in some cases, as a consequence of greater rental demand for homes in USA, caused in part by a slowdown in the property sales market.

Data released by Axiometrics Inc earler this month revealed that rents are rising at an average annual rate of 5.17%, up from last year’s 4.72% rate. Furthermore, rents are expected to continue rising, and are projected to reach as high as 6.18%, based on their current level of growth.

With record low prices and increasing rental demand, US property investment increasingly appeals to both domestic and international buyers.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

The reason for the flip-flop: Government-backed mortgages that helped fuel the Orlando area’s overheated apartment-to-condominium conversions five years ago have all but disappeared, even as a growing number of would-be owner-occupants are looking at condos as potential starter homes.

Explanations for why mortgage money has become particularly tight for condo purchases vary. Beyond the troubled finances of many homeowner associations, condominiums have lost their mortgage backing in part because federal lending policies discriminate against multifamily properties, according to a growing number of real-estate brokers and agents.

“Right now, condos are almost impossible to finance, and it has little to do with the homeowner associations,” said Orlando property expert and real-estate agent Roberto Baldor, who specializes in foreclosed properties. “It’s the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rules and guidelines that deter owner-occupants on those condo properties, which could be a could starter home for a family.”

Government-backed Fannie Mae has had to balance pressure from the real-estate industry to spur the condo market by easing its lending requirements with the need to protect its assets from mounting mortgage defaults.

John Tucillo, chief economist for Florida Realtors, the statewide trade association, said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need to step back and take a holistic look at how best to heal Florida’s condominium market, rather than tinkering with quick-fix changes and looking at programs in isolation.

“Yeah, there are problems,” Tucillo said, but, “quite generally, Fannie and Freddie — how shall I put this? — have overreacted.”

The median condo price in the Orlando area has fallen 64 percent since 2006, near the height of the homebuying frenzy, dropping from $166,100 then to $60,500 as of September. House prices, meanwhile, have fallen 52 percent during that time, from $262,900 to $125,200, according to Florida Realtors.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Shrewd investors and international buyers continue to flock to South Florida to buy up distressed homes, helping to support the market, with many people buying properties in Florida with a view to letting them out. Sharp elbows and top bids are required to secure the best homes in Florida – and that’s just to rent. Families are in the midst of a bidding war for properties in some parts of the sunshine state. The problem is exacerbated by more house hunters from all around the world.

October saw a total of 1,202 condo sales, up a staggering 63% compared to the corresponding month last year, but down 8% month-on-month. In Miami-Dade, 769 single-family homes were sold, representing a 41% increase from the same month in 2010 but a decrease of 9% from September. In Broward, 992 single-family home sales were sold for an increase of 16% over 2010 but an 8% fall from September’s figure.

Cash buyers make up around 60% of all Florida property sales in October, reinforcing the old adage that ‘cash is king’ when it comes to securing Florida property investment.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Rents are increasing at an average annual rate of 5.17%, up from last year’s 4.72% rate. But according to Axiometrics Inc, if rents continue to rise at their current rate, they could reach the all-time high of 6.18% reached in 2000.

With many people finding it difficult to gain access to mortgage finance to buy USA property, the volume of people renting in America has increased by around 1.4 million in the past year.

Research suggests that tenants are increasingly opting for single-family homes, which suggests that property investors wishing to enter the buy-to-let sector may wish to consider buying this type of property.

Greg Rand, CEO of OwnAmerica, commented: “Rents are a steady return on your investment through the years, leaving you with an attractive asset when prices improve. And they will. The best profits in real estate accrue to long-term investors who take a long-term view.”

Last month, figures provided by Capital Economics showed that for the first time in 30 years the average monthly mortgage payment is about the same, or less, than the average rental payment.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Florida property sales of single-family homes were down 7% from August, but increased 10% compared to September 2011.
The Florida Realtors, which released the September home sales statistics, said homebuyers have been elevated all year as foreclosures and short sales continue to attract investor attention.

“One of the reasons for this stabilization is the distressed property market,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist John Tuccillo. “There’s a degree of certainty that is helping the market.”

The median Florida property sales price also dipped, falling 1% to $133,900 (€97,200/£84,700) from September 2010. Palm Beach County’s median sales price in September 2010 was $225,900 (€164,000/£142,900).

The National Association of Realtors also released its September sales numbers for existing homes, showing a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 4.91 million.

All-cash sales accounted for 30% of purchases in September, a sign of the strong investor activity in the market.

Ron Phipps, president of the National Association of Realtors, bemoaned a lack of credit access for homebuyers for slow sales.

“All year we’ve been discussing the fact that many creditworthy homebuyers are being denied mortgages,” he said. “We need to remove the roadblocks to a housing recovery – not place more obstacles in the way of financially qualified buyers.”

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Florida’s net domestic migration, the largest of any state, came primarily from states in the Northeast,
particularly New York, which had the largest net contribution to Florida. Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and
Pennsylvania also had substantial net migration to Florida. This flow has been sizable for a number of
decades and reflects in part substantial retiree migration.

The sunshine state
In addition to the sunshine, Florida has one of the best tax and asset protection climates of any state in the country. Florida has no state income tax, no fiduciary tax, no intangible tax, and arguably the most generous homestead laws anywhere in the U.S.A.

Eight of the top 20 counties in the US
There is no real surprise in the above data as most of America’s wealthy like warm weather and low taxes.
This can be seen from IRS data, analyzed by Forbes, on moves between counties in the US.
It can be seen that 8 out of the top 20 counties that people are moving to in big numbers are based in Florida.
Topping the list is Collier County, Fla., which includes the city of Naples. We can see from Tax returns that 15,150
people moved to Collier County from other parts of the country in 2008, the latest year for which IRS data is available.
Other counties included in the top five are Nassau County, Fla., near Jacksonville and Walton County, Fla.,
80 miles east of Pensacola.

Here is a summery of some of the reasons why New Yorkers are looking at Florida for purchasing a
property to live in or rent.

• Annual average temperature of 70F/21C
• No state income tax
• Fastest growing state in the US
• Over 1500 miles of coastline
• Strong local demand for affordable housing
• Landlord/Investor friendly state
• Strong local business and tourism economy

Some other Interesting Florida Facts

• Number of people who move to Florida each day – 1,000
• Number of major commercial airports – 19
• Number of international airports – 12
• Number of deepwater ports – 14
• Miles of sand beaches – 1,200
• Miles of coastline – 1,800
• Number of golf courses – more than 1,250
  -Florida has more golf courses than any other state
  -Palm Beach County has more golf courses than any other county in the country
• Number of hotel rooms in Florida – more than 370,000
• Number of campgrounds – 700 (100,000 campsites)
• Number of people who camp in Florida each year – 6 million

Home Type
Single Family

Description
Offers a really nice flow from kitchen to family room.
The owner’s suite is on the first floor with a large walk-in closet and bath.

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The plan offers formal and informal areas in the home that are great for entertaining.

Oversized Laundry Room offers for lots of storage.

Plus a spacious game room that is great for the entire family!

Community info, schools & amenities

The Overlook at Lake Louisa

Welcome to The Overlook at Lake Louisa by Meritage Homes.

Located west of Orlando in Clermont, Florida, this community of new homes

is surrounded by the best that central Florida has to offer. Lake Louisa State Park

is practically in your back yard, several golf courses are within minutes, and the Withlacoochee

State Forest is just to the west for hiking, biking, canoeing and more.

And with the Florida Turnpike nearby, downtown Orlando is a short drive away.

These new homes offer quality craftsmanship, stylish designs, and custom options

to make your dream home possible.
If you want to buy in Clermont,

plan your visit to The Overlook at Lake Louisa soon.

Area Schools

Lake Co SD

Local Area Amenities

Views

Directions

Hyland Lane Clermont, FL 34711

From Orlando: I-4 to Hwy.50/Colonial West to Clermont.

South on U.S. 27, approximately 5 miles to Lake Louisa Rd. Proceed west (right) on Lake Louisa Rd.,

approximately 2 miles to community on right.

From Tampa: I-4 E to US-27N exit 55 toward clermont. Head north on US 27 for approximately 20 miles.

Turn left on lake louisa road, approximately 2 miles to community on right.

Contacting Us

If you would like more information about this property, please complete our online inquiry form

or call us on 850-254-8760 or email info@florida-property-direct.com

In good times and in bad, the lowest prices will always be available in low income areas with poor transport links, low owner occupancy, high levels of foreclosures, high levels of delinquencies on community fees and lots of deferred maintenance.

Chasing a low purchase price with a high rental yield is what I consider to be a “too good to be true” strategy. Your rental income isn´t going to be very reliable in these kinds of areas. Tenants here are less creditworthy, less responsible and more transient. This will lead to high vacancy periods, high management fees and high repair costs. Finding a profitable exit strategy for that kind of property five years time will be difficult if not impossible.

The best investment locations, and the best properties in Florida, in good times and in bad, are those closest to the best schools, jobs and amenities where young families and professionals rent, live and buy property. For these reasons, they will never be the cheapest properties on the market, but they will certainly be the most stable.

A person seeking a reliable rental income and a solid exit market should choose properties with the following characteristics:

1. FHA financing available to owner occupiers

2. Low foreclosures levels

3. High owner occupancy and low vacancy levels

4. Low levels of delinquencies and deferred community maintenance

5. A satisfactory HOA reserve to cover future maintenance work

6. Close to quality schools and major employers

Junk mail filter

If you are receiving a dozen emails every week with deals that all look great – just ask the seller to confirm the above and you´ll very quickly find out which ones are duds.

The six bullet points above are obvious, anybody could come up with them after a few minutes thought. The trick is finding properties that match these characteristics and securing them at a competitive price. That´s not so easy and not many people are doing it.

There are different levels of risk in real estate, and plenty of ways to earn a living from it. Not everybody will agree with my take above. That´s ok – one size doesn´t fit all in this game.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Around 1.3 million new home sales were being recorded at the peak of the market in 2005. But the annual rate fell to just 298,000 units in July, the lowest level since record keeping began in 1963. Consequently, house builders are being forced to slash prices further in order to entice more buyers, presenting fresh investment opportunities for astute investors.

The opportunity to buy property at or below build cost is quite probably a once in a lifetime investment opportunity, particularly for those investors buying new homes in Florida, where there is plenty of long and short term rental demand, which in turn is boosting rental yields in some parts of the Sunshine State.

Despite the sluggish nature of the new homes market, many house builders continue to add to their land bank in anticipation of an eventual upturn in the market.

Developer Hovnanian, for example, spent around $125 million (€88.6 million/£77.6 million) on purchasing about 1,440 lots and to develop land in the second quarter of this year.

“They’re [Hovnanian] not changing their philosophy on land buying,” said Vincent Foley, a builder analyst with Barclays Capital. “Their view is that they need to buy a healthy dose of land in order to be able to participate in any upturn.”

Other house builders are adopting similar strategies ahead of an eventual market improvement. But for now, it remains a buyer’s market, and that means lots of opportunities for active property investors.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

When you do invest in these Florida properties careful consideration has to be given for the tax implications for this investment.  Most people don’t seem to realise that you may have to pay taxes in your own resident country as well as local US state taxes.
The same can be said for inheritance tax, income tax and wealth tax where the value of the property can have an influence. It is wise to hire an accountant or tax advisor to make sure all taxes are accounted for and paid.

The issue of double taxation will have to be considered to make sure you are not paying the same type of taxes twice e.g. in the US and in your resident country. Your accountant or tax advisor will check if there is a double taxation agreement in place between the 2 countries and make sure this will not happen.

If you are thinking of making a substantial investment in Florida property you could also look at the option of setting up a Shell company to make and handle the investments. There could be tax advantages to using such a method.  It is important to find out how a company as opposed to an individual will be treated Tax wise before making such a decision.

You will need to make all these enquiries in advance of deciding how to proceed. In the end you will have to be advised on the what Florida property investments to select, their location, rental incomes and resale options to make sure the investment is the best you can make.

The HOI shows that almost three in four U.S. homes in the second quarter of this year were affordable to families earning the national average income of $64,200 (€44,715/£39,000).

Lakeland-Winter Haven in Florida was named among the most affordable areas in the USA, along with Syracuse in New York state, Indianapolis-Carmel in Indiana, Dayton Ohio. But it was Ohio-Pennsylvania which topped the index as the country’s most affordable, large-scale housing market, where a staggering 94% of residential properties are now considered affordable for families earning an average wage.

With the housing market showing further signs of recovery, a growing number of property investors are eyeing property investment opportunities in the USA, particularly places like Florida, where there is now stronger national and international demand for properties.

Charlie Young, president and chief executive of ERA Real Estate, recently commented: “Now is a great time to invest in real estate but it’s critical that people new to the game watch out for common pitfalls.”

The Florida property market has stabilised with values having bottomed out and investors starting to re-enter the marketplace in key geographical areas where cash-flows or rental returns are reliable.

With this in mind I have listed some of the advantages of investing in Florida properties

1.       Capital Appreciation -
With Florida property prices having bottomed out over the last few years from their peak, there is the potential for capital appreciation or growth giving you a strong return on both the day to day revenue and the existing capital investment

2.       Reliable returns -
Property offers a fixed stable return over the long term and can be a good option for your portfolio in the current uncertain environment.

3.       Less risky -
While the stock market can offer you high returns, it can also offer you high risk with the current volatile and dangerous position. The amateur home investor can make serious mistakes and gamble or take chances on the markets

4.       Equity release option -
In future you can probably release some equity from your investment. This could be the capital appreciation or gain on the property.

5.       Good long term investment -
No other investment in today’s marketplace offers the stability, simplicity and excellent returns offered by property investment.


With these 5 basic advantages investing your cash in a Florida property would give you and your portfolio a solid investment with strong stable returns over the foreseeable future.

Gold is viewed as a safe alternative to government bonds and equities, and the price of gold is sky high as a result. Buying anything when prices are at record highs seems dubious to me, especially an asset like gold which produces zero income. I know one client who is doing the opposite – i.e. selling the gold he bought 5 years ago when it was just $600 an ounce (it´s over $1800 now).

Why run to gold? Why not run to an asset class that has already been stripped down to record lows, that offers a regular income, has an intrinsic value and has consistently acted as a hedge against inflation? Real estate is looking very compelling at the moment.


Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Market price overview

Foreclosures and short term sales continue to bring the
median Florida property price levels down with the price of
bank sales at $81,750 and short term sales at $96,950.
This influence has declined recently with the growth in the regular
or normal sales market to a point where over 41% of total
sales are normal thus increasing the median sales price.

Recent Florida Property Market Activity
A total of 2,342 sales were completed in August 2011. The breakdown of these sales
show that bank-owned sales dropped 51.36 percent compared to a year earlier,
while short sales increased 31.95 percent and “normal” sales increased 32 percent.

Figures for Pending sales in the Florida Property Market for those awaiting closing are currently at 9,502.
In August 2010, the figure was 8,945. With this level of sales, there is a 4.29-month
supply of properties in the Orlando area. The number of properties available for purchase
in the Orlando area is 10,055 a decline of 294 in August 2011.

Florida Property stock levels
The level of stock is down 39.19 percent from August of last year with single family
homes  down 35.54 percent while condo stock is down 51.84 percent.
Across the board a typical property spent an average of 101 days on the market before selling in August 2011,
and the average property sold for 95.05 percent of its listing price. In August 2010 those figures
were 83 days and 95.14 percent.

Within the greater Orlando area each individual county’s monthly Florida Property sales comparisons are as follows:

Lake: 17.02 percent above August 2010 (385 homes sold in August 2011 compared to 329 in August 2010);
Orange: 14.22 percent below August 2010 (1,442 homes sold in August 2011 compared to 1,681 in August 2010);
Osceola: 29.15 percent below August 2010 (440 homes sold in August 2011 compared to 621 in August 2010); and
Seminole: 2.88 percent above August 2010 (536 sold in August 2011 compared to 521 in August 2010).

Market affordability
The average Orlando Property affordability index increased to 247.95% in August.
An index of 100% means that median-income earners make what is necessary to qualify for a median-priced property.
The first-time property or home-buyers affordability index in August increased to 176.32 percent from the previous month’s 169.79 percent. First-time buyers who earn the reported median income of $36,654 can qualify to purchase one of the 3,908 homes in Orange and Seminole counties currently listed in the local MLS or multiple listing service for $172,352 or less.

Contacting us
If you are interested in purchasing property in Florida, then we can assist, please complete our online inquiry form
or call us on 850-254-8760 or email info@florida-property-direct.com

In good times and in bad, the lowest prices will always be available in low income areas with poor transport links, low owner occupancy, high levels of foreclosures, high levels of delinquencies on community fees and lots of deferred maintenance.

Chasing a low purchase price with a high rental yield is what I consider to be a “too good to be true” strategy. Your rental income isn´t going to be very reliable in these kinds of areas. Tenants here are less creditworthy, less responsible and more transient. This will lead to high vacancy periods, high management fees and high repair costs. Finding a profitable exit strategy for that kind of property five years time will be difficult if not impossible.

The best investment locations, in good times and in bad, are those closest to the best schools, jobs and amenities where young families and professionals rent, live and buy property. For these reasons, they will never be the cheapest properties on the market, but they will certainly be the most stable.

A person seeking a reliable rental income and a solid exit market should choose properties with the following characteristics:

1. FHA financing available to owner occupiers
2. Low foreclosures levels
3. High owner occupancy and low vacancy levels
4. Low levels of delinquencies and deferred community maintenance
5. A satisfactory HOA reserve to cover future maintenance work
6. Close to quality schools and major employers

Junk mail filter

If you are receiving a dozen emails every week with deals that all look great – just ask the seller to confirm the above and you´ll very quickly find out which ones are duds.

The six bullet points above are obvious, anybody could come up with them after a few minutes thought. The trick is finding properties that match these characteristics and securing them at a competitive price. That´s not so easy and not many people are doing it.

There are different levels of risk in real estate, and plenty of ways to earn a living from it. Not everybody will agree with my take above. That´s ok – one size doesn´t fit all in this game.

However, if you happen to agree with me that the most viable strategy is to buy in locations where people pay their rent and bills on time, where the amenities are well maintained, and where banks are already lending to owner occupiers, then you´re going to love our next product launch. See http://www.torcana.com/newsletter-41.htm for further details.

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

The market crash in 2006-2007 resulted in the dramatic falls in property prices among many industrialised nations, but as the graph below illustrates, prices in the USA have both fallen further and stabilised for longer than other major nations.

Property needs to be considered above all at micro levels – you need to know the individual neighborhoods very well. However some important nationwide trends include:

• - The ratio of house prices to rents is now well below its pre bubble level
• - Vacancies are at a three year low
• - Analysts expect rents to rise by 4% this year and next (The Economist)
• - New foreclosures were 18% lower in Q1 2011 than Q1 2010
• - The US economy added 600,000 new jobs between Feb-April and 1.3m new jobs in past 12 months. That is the rough equivalent of the UK adding 120,000 new jobs in 3 months.
• - In Q1 2011, for the first time in 4 years, more mortgage borrowers caught up with their payments than fell further behind.

What are your thoughts?

I´m very interested in your thoughts on the issues and trends discussed in this blog post. Do you agree or disagree with my take on the current market?

Original Article by Colin Murphy of http://www.torcana.com

Esprit offers you a great location, innovative
new home designs, and excellent community amenities.

Located in Osceola County
Esprit is located off of Canoe Creek Rd.
in the beautiful city of St.
Cloud in Osceola County.

This charming town is like taking a step back in time to a simpler way of life.
But, the best part about Esprit is the remarkable value and lifestyle offered by this new Ryland community.

Just minutes away from the Florida Turnpike and downtown Orlando, but far enough away from the hustle
and bustle of city life, Esprit offers you easy living in St. Cloud, Central Florida’s enviable new address!

Beautiful 3 & 4 bedroom homes are available at Esprit with a wealth of included features,
including: attractive knockdown ceilings, designer kitchen cabinets, and much more!

Images of this Property

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Directions to this property:

Esprit is located off of Canoe Creek Rd. in the
beautiful city of St Cloud in Osceola County.

This charming town is like taking a step back in time
to a simpler way of life. But, the best part about Esprit is
the remarkable value and lifestyle offered
by this new Ryland community.

Just minutes away from the Florida Turnpike and
downtown Orlando, but far enough away from the hustle
and bustle of city life, Esprit offers you easy living in St. Cloud,
Central Florida’s enviable new address!

Beautiful 3 & 4 bedroom homes are available at Esprit with a wealth of included features,
including: attractive knockdown ceilings, designer kitchen cabinets, and much more!

Contacting Us
If you would like more information about this property, please complete our online inquiry form
or call us on 850-254-8760 or email info@florida-property-direct.com

We are pleased to announce that US Properties Direct has become an authorised agent of Torcana, a European & US based company which promotes a variety of real estate investments in the USA (primarily Florida).

Torcana have a knowledgeable and experienced management team to assist potential buyers whether they are looking for for a solid investment or for their own residential purposes.  Torcana focus on selecting the best properties in established and affluent areas where there is strong demand for rentals and re-sales.

Our partnership with Torcana will allow us access to their select property portfolio and wealth of experience in the Florida and US property marketplace. We can now provide a list of properties backed up with real rental returns and based on strong local year round demand.

If you would like to see a range of these property investments please visit or websites:

http://www.florida-property-direct.com ( For our Florida Properties )
http://www.us-properties-direct.com/ ( For our USA Properties )

Some areas are showing more of an increase than others
Unfortunately for some individuals who are still trying to sell their properties this rise in pending property sales is not evenly spread out across the United States. It is only sales of homes and condominium properties in Florida that are showing an increase of approximately twenty per cent. When you compare this with a national increase of two to eight percent you can see why property owners in Florida are beginning to feel that the end to the recession may be in sight.

What factors property developers need to keep in mind
Although this is exciting news there are a few things that property developers need to keep in mind. The first is that it is still important to pay attention to the kind of properties that are selling well. For example, you may want to look at a condominium project or other residential property rather than investing in commercial real estate opportunities. This is because it is residential properties and not commercial ones that are seeing the highest increase in pending sales.

If you are interested in buying properties and you are in the areas that are experiencing the rise in property sales you still need to do a certain amount of due diligence before buying a particular property. This is because only certain properties are selling well. You need to look at residential properties. Of these residential properties, it is condominium properties that are enjoying the highest levels of pending property sales.

Who to work with to achieve the best results
If you want to achieve the maximum return from your property purchases there are a few people that you need to work with. The first is that you need to hire an experienced realtor that knows the market where you want to buy. They will have the perspective you need to help you identify worthwhile investment opportunities.

Working with a home inspector and contractor can also be a good idea. You want to make sure that the properties that you are looking for are worthwhile purchases. You want to make sure that there are no major structural defects that may affect how profitable a property is and that you will be able to complete any needed renovations in a timely and affordable fashion.

A legal advisor may also be a good addition to your property development team. This is especially true if you are buying condominium properties. There may be problems with a condominium corporation and unless you have good legal counsel you may end up wasting money on an inappropriate purchase.

Differences in financing options
Many people are surprised to learn that the financing terms for second homes or for investment properties are quite different than they are for primary residential properties. They may be required to pay a higher interest rate or to place a higher down payment on a property in order to qualify for a mortgage. You need to know what the terms are and whether or not you can afford a second property on your own. If not, and you feel that an investment opportunity is too good to pass up you may be forced to work with an investment partner in order to generate the capital needed to make your purchase.

There have been recent changes to lending laws that make it more difficult for individuals to borrow money. This is hurting the property market across the United States. Now, some individuals that would have qualified for second mortgages or been able to purchase a property for commercial properties can no longer do so quite so easily.

Learn the housing market
You need to be aware of what the real estate market is in the area that you are looking. You need to look at those properties that are selling well and which are the most appealing as rental units. Of course, if you are looking at renovating and flipping a property you will need to look at those properties which are selling most easily in your chosen geographical area.

You also need to consider what future directions properties in an area may take. If you are looking at residential properties, are you buying in an area that is likely to become desirable in the near future? There are many up and coming neighborhoods that are good locations to invest in. Is it the type of property that will sell or rent out quickly? You need to make sure that you are factoring this in because holding on to a property for some time may end up turning a project that could have been profitable into a money pit.

A good real estate agent or investment team should be able to help you make sound purchasing decisions. It is important that you be clear with what you are looking for and give as much information in key areas as possible. These key areas include whether you are looking at buying and reselling, whether you want to rent your unit out after it has been renovated, and how much money you are able to invest in a particular project.

It is amazing how quickly hot properties will sell
You may be surprised at how quickly a hot property will sell. Some of the most lucrative opportunities may be snapped up only hours or days after they come on the market. There are opportunities that you may want to take advantage of that do not even come to the attention of your real estate agent. This is because there are many individuals who are searching for these opportunities and who are in a financial position to move on them as soon as they come across them.

This is why it is important not to simply rely on your real estate agent in order to locate and identify the best property development opportunities. You may come to the table late and therefore have to pay more than you would like or compete with other developers who want the same piece of land or building that you do.

You may get frustrated if it seems that every property you bid on is snapped up by other buyers. You need to learn how successful developers and investors locate and bid successfully on property development opportunities. Then you can use the same tricks and methods that they do in order to purchase the real estate properties you want instead of simply choosing what is left over.

Use as many information sources as possible
One source of information is only going to give you a limited amount of information. If you are getting your tips and leads from a variety of different sources you may find that you can pick and choose the properties you want to invest in rather than settling for marginally acceptable investment opportunities.

In addition to working with real estate agents you should also foster a network of contacts at financial institutions, development companies and other areas in order to get information in a much more timely fashion. Financial institutions can give you information on foreclosed and distressed properties that may be for sale at a price that can bring you a large return on your investment.

The internet can also be a great source of information that you can use to locate prime investment opportunities. You may want to start scanning different real estate websites in order to find properties that are being offered by other agents. Again, this means that you can pick and choose rather than simply bidding on the left over properties.

It may take time to build up a network of websites, contacts and other sources of information but if you do take the time to do this you may find that you will end up earning a lot more money in the long run.

A localized drop hasn’t phased experts
Although there was a drop in housing prices, experts are still pleased with the overall performance of housing prices as they feel that it shows a definite recovery in the real estate market. They feel that it would take more than just an isolated increase, however. Experts say that it would take a longer period of sustained improvements for them to feel that the downturn in the market had actually been turned around.

They are encouraged by the fact that sales of existing homes have actually been quite robust since the start of 2011. This has helped the market turn around as some of the surplus homes that were on the market have been snapped up by buyers. Another sign of recovery is the fact that the median price of homes that were purchased has also increased. This was a trend that did not hold true for Broward and Palm Beach counties however where the median price of homes actually decreased.

What this means for buyers
This means that if developers are looking for affordable homes to purchase they may want to consider looking in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties in order to find affordable development opportunities. It may also mean that developers who already have properties in these areas may need to take some more time before putting their properties on the market if they are hoping to get a specific price for their offerings.

What this means for sellers
If you are living in one of the areas mentioned above it may mean that you will be unable to sell your own home for the price you had hoped unless you hold on to it long enough for prices to catch up with their national equivalents. You may need to adjust your price or change the way you market your property in order to get the kind of interest that will eventually lead to a sale. You may also want to take the time to do additional research before purchasing properties so that you are buying outside the counties that are experiencing the drop in real estate activity.

Working with an experienced real estate professional can help you determine which investment opportunities will give you the best return on your investment. Taking the time to research the market will make it easier for you to determine which markets will best suit your development style. You may find that the combination of an appealing property and a slightly lowered price may be just what you need to bring in the offers and get your property sold.

Condo sales are up
While house sales and commercial real estate sales may be down, existing condominium sales are actually up. In the last month existing condo sales are up by 17% in the state of Florida. What this means for buyers is that condominium properties may be a better choice for anyone who wants to get into developing residential properties.

It also means that you may have more luck selling an existing condominium property rather than choosing a new build project to get involved with.

Pricing is also important
It is also important to check out the prices that are being put on the properties that are selling. The last thing you want as a property developer is to choose properties that are so far above the median selling price that they are out of reach to the average buyer. In Florida, the existing condo median price is $98,200 and the existing median home price is $135,000. . If you compare the median home price in Florida to that of the national average of $166,500 you will see that properties are still much lower in Florida than they are elsewhere in the country. Choosing properties that are priced in that neighborhood may help you guarantee a sale.

Get your finances in line before you start shopping
It is even more important for you to get your finances in order before you begin looking. Financial conditions have changed and it is now much more difficult for some lenders to secure financing. A higher down payment is often needed and an investor’s credit rating now needs to be higher in order to qualify for a mortgage. Taking the time to find out how much you can borrow before you look at properties is a good idea. The last thing you want is to find out that you cannot afford the property that you want to buy.

Put together an experienced investment team
It is more important than ever for you to put together and work with an experienced real estate team. It should be made up of three key people or teams. One is an experienced real estate professional. Because market conditions are so different in various areas of Florida it is important to choose someone that not only is familiar with the conditions where you are buying but also how they compare to national real estate performance.

You also need to work with a finance company that is willing to lend you the money you need to secure the properties you want to purchase. The final component of your team is a licensed contractor who can help evaluate properties so that you choose the ones that can give you a great return on your investment.

Will renovation or development costs be overly high?
You need to determine whether or not a project will have development costs that are extremely high. It may be that a property needs massive amounts of renovations before it can be resold or rented out. It may also mean that you need to pay for specific licensing or rezoning in order to use the property for the usage that you had intended. Because of this, it may mean that you will not be able to get the return on your investment that you wanted. You do not want your profit margin eaten up with renovation costs or rezoning costs.

Will the project be overly time consuming?
It is important to know how much time a project is likely to take. While it is not unusual for there to be setbacks or delays with any project but unless you know that you are in for the long haul you may not be able to structure your financing properly. You need to remember that as a project continues, more money will go to paying mortgages or other sources of funding. If a property takes a much longer period of time than you thought you may find that you do not end up with any profit from a project.

Do you have the right professionals on your team?
It is important that you have the right professionals working for you on a project. You should start by working with experienced real estate agents that can give you an accurate picture of what the market is like in your area. They should be able to work with you and direct you to projects that will give you the return on an investment that you have been looking for.

You also want to work with a licensed contractor that can appraise a project and tell you the scope of the work that will be required. They should be able to tell you how long a project is likely to take, keeping in mind that there will often be unknown issues that only arise after a project has begun.

It can also be helpful to have a financial advisor that you work with on a regular basis. They will be able to tell you what kind of financing you will be able to secure so that you can move on a particular opportunity once it has come onto the market. By making sure that you have the money you need secured before you enter into real estate negotiations it will make it much easier for you to close those deals that you want as quickly as possible.

What this means for developers is that sales that may have depended on mortgage approvals may still fall through before sales can be finalized. Mortgage underwriters are often denying qualified borrowers based on a changing set of criteria and this has left many borrowers and property developers hanging when it comes to property deals.

Between 2007 and 2009, conditions were ripe for lending. Often mortgages were approved without documentation to back it up and borrowers were able to claim incomes that were much higher than they actually were. They were also given the option of only paying the interest on their properties. Eventually the lending market bottomed out as borrowers found they had to default on their loans.

What this meant was that many homes were available as foreclosures and short sales. However, borrowing conditions tightened up and it became more difficult for individuals to get mortgages in order to purchase the properties. The fallout from the real estate crash actually ended up affecting the entire economy of the United States. Other countries, such as Canada, began to tighten their lending practices in order to ensure that a similar problem did not affect the Canadian real estate market.

It is no surprise that standards have changed away from the pre-crash conditions that led to so many borrowers defaulting on their loans. The lending restrictions became much tighter in 2009 and this left many buyers scrambling to qualify for their mortgages. After 2009 it became necessary for individuals to produce documentation that supported their income claims and their suitability to borrow money. They also needed a higher credit rating and larger down payments also became necessary.

Suddenly the same lending institutions that had made exceptions for many of their clients were no longer willing to do so. Fannie Mae began to change the requirements for the loans that they were willing to purchase and required higher down payments and higher credit scores as well.

While it is good that a repeat real estate market crash is unlikely it does mean that tighter lending restrictions are slowing down the housing markets in many US cities. What this means for property developers is that they may need to work harder in order to attract qualified buyers for developed properties or that they need to have a stronger financial footing in order to raise the needed capital for future development projects.

It also means that it may require that some developers bring financial partners into a project or become involved in property development groups instead of going solo on specific projects. Another direction to consider is to look at lower end projects that may be affordable to a wider range of purchasers than higher priced properties would be.

There has been a change in the real estate and property development market. While there will always be a market for large homes built on sprawling properties, the fact is that developers may be better off looking for opportunities that come in smaller packages instead.

Downsizing is becoming incredibly popular
There has been a recent trend towards downsizing and simplifying one’s life. This is true of many areas of a person’s life and the end result will affect the property market as well. Individuals are looking for smaller homes that are made with quality materials where they can feel comfortable. It is not uncommon to find someone moving out of a large, sprawling home into something much smaller and more compact.

Individuals now want to be able to enjoy their home but not be saddled to it. They want smaller properties that are easy to maintain instead of larger ones that may need a large amount of upkeep on a year-round basis. It is not that they do not want the comfort of luxurious surroundings. It is more that they do not want to spend all of their free time keeping their comfort levels up.

Condominiums are becoming more popular
Condominiums are also becoming increasingly popular as well. Individuals are turning to condominiums in many cases simply because they do not have to worry about maintaining the grounds. Many condominium complexes offer pools, tennis courts and other high-end amenities that condo owners do not have to worry about. If they are travelling extensively for business or simply as part of their normal routine, they do not have to worry about who will be cutting the grass or cleaning the pool.

How to capitalize on this trend
If you are interested in purchasing properties to develop you need to decide whether or not you will build a complex or simply one or two smaller homes. Once you know what kind of project you want to work on the actual building can begin to take shape. Make sure that you can offer clients the kinds of perks and bonuses they are looking for while still keeping the price at an affordable level.

Speaking with a real estate agent will often help you formalize your plans. They will know which types of projects have the highest chance of success and will bring you the most profit available. You do not want to end up with a massive project on your hands without having a guarantee of turning some kind of profit when everything is said and done.

A good real estate agent will also tell you which areas are the most popular. In Florida, for example, areas surrounding tourist attractions are enjoying a much higher increase in real estate activity than other areas are. You want to be able to cash in on this when your development project is finished.

Why it is important to check multiple sources for property listings
The world is moving much faster due to the internet and real estate investing is no different than other markets would be. Properties that may have taken days or even weeks to sell are now moving off of the market in a few hours instead. This is great for the buyers but it may mean that things are more difficult for some investors. They may not be in a position to move immediately on a development opportunity and this can mean that it is sold out from under them.

The issue is not spending time looking at various information streams for property listings and investment opportunities. The issue is that some property developers are wasting time looking at the wrong online resources and are, as a result, finding it difficult to make purchases that will help them turn the kind of profit they had been hoping for.

Where you should be looking for property development opportunities
There are several areas that you should be looking for property development opportunities. Some may seem unconventional but the fact is that they may still provide you with unexpected yet valuable investment opportunities.

Obviously, your first stop for information should be broker and real estate websites. They often have many different commercial and residential properties that you can choose from. You should check these frequently as well as ensuring that your real estate agent knows to contact you when a potential listing comes up. You may not want to allow it time to hit the market as this can open it up to competition from other interested buyers.

You may also want to look at social networking sites. Facebook, for example, has a market section where users can post items that are for sale. While this does not usually include properties there have been some offered for sale on the website in the past. You may also want to scan online classified ads as well. You may be surprised at what you will discover.

There are some sites that will have little to no use as a source for development opportunities. They may not allow users to post any information about items that are for sale or may be so difficult to use that you end up getting frustrated in your search.

Financial institutions can also be great sources for properties. If you get to know some of the employees who work at the financial institutions in your area they may be able to help you find out more about properties that may be of interest to you. By widening your search parameters you may end up getting a great piece of land at an unbelievable price.

Why is speed important?
In the past, the market was a slow one. There were few individuals who were willing or able to make the leap into real estate investment and development. This is changing. For example, recent trends have shown that key areas of the Florida real estate market are once again heating up. The great opportunities that offer you the greatest return on your investment are being found and sold likely before some investors have had time to find the listings.

Now, some properties are sold even before they make it to the mainstream real estate market. This makes it harder for you, the investor, to find the lucrative deals that have serious earning potential. Even if you get the chance to make an offer, it is likely that you will need to make a higher one than you might like in order to make your bid look attractive to buyers.

How the real estate market has changed
In the past, it was harder for investors to find properties. Then, the Internet made it easy for individuals to check the listings of multiple agents or find properties that were located a great distance away. They would often rely solely on the advice and skills of their real estate agents to find desirable development opportunities.

Now, this has changed. Investors are doing much of the leg work themselves and finding properties that interest them. They are also learning how to speak with sources other than real estate agents in order to find the best development opportunities. This can be a huge problem if you do not have the same knowledge that they do.

Opportunities you should be looking for
There are many different real estate opportunities that you should be on the lookout for. You should be checking in with real estate agents on a regular basis as these are still a viable source for information. You may also want to consider looking at foreclosed home auctions and speaking with lending institutions in order to find potential investment and development opportunities.

Learning how the market has acted is also a good idea as it can help you anticipate coming trends. This can really give you a jump on the competition and allow you to be the one putting in the first bid. If you do want to be in this position it is important for you to have your financing in line so that there are no snags or delays once your offer has been accepted.

Both Renovations and New Builds can benefit from paying attention to modern trends
Both new builds and renovations can benefit from paying attention to modern design trends. The only difference is how the project will incorporate these trends. For example, you may be able to construct a new building and take elements from open concept and environmentally friendly design. Because you are often building from the ground up, it is possible to structure the interior of a building to incorporate many of the design trends that buyers are looking for.

The approach to a renovation may be quite different for a property developer. You will be working within the limitations and boundaries of an existing property. It may be more difficult, for example, for a developer to open up the layout of an older home because of the positioning of load bearing walls. While it is possible to still open up the layout it may add extra cost and construction time that a developer may not be willing to spend.

Interior design is still critical when selling a home or office
Interior finishes can affect your chances of selling a property in a major way. Buyers are beginning to take an increased interest both in what the interior looks like and which products were used to achieve that look. They may not be as interested in the interior of a building if it does not use environmentally friendly products in the construction or in the finishing. Builders and developers often need to know much more about the materials and methods of constructing a building than they ever did before.

By choosing the right finishing materials (such as natural stone, solid wood and carpeting or decking made from recycled materials) developers will find that they are selling their properties much more quickly and are commanding higher prices than they would if they chose materials that are not environmentally friendly.

Giving buyers a choice of the materials and finishes that will be used is often a great way to sell a property. Individuals want to know that the work has been completed but usually do not want to do the work themselves. By allowing them to choose what will be used to finish a home and then doing the work for the buyer you stand a better chance of achieving a rapid sale.

You may find that it is easier to sell a property that you have developed if you are willing to work with a stager. They will go through a completed building and add touches that make it more attractive to buyers. Although this can end up raising the cost of any project the return on your investment will more than make up for the added money you receive from a buyer.

You need to finance these properties differently
It is important to realize that the financing methods are different for second homes than they are for primary residences. The interest rates are often different from those of primary residence mortgages. This is especially true if you are planning to use the second property as a means for generating income. You may also find that the down payment that is needed to secure the mortgage may also be higher than it would for a primary residence.

You need to check with your lending institution before you begin the search for a second property. This is because there have been changes to the terms under which banks and lending institutions will distribute funds. Having your information together and ensuring that your financing is in line can help when it is time to make an offer. You will not need to sit around and potentially miss the chance to secure a property that is priced appealingly.

Contact a financial advisor
It is always a good idea to speak with a financial advisor before making any major purchasing decisions. They will be able to go over your financial documents and give you suggestions about which way to go with your investments. If you are considering purchasing a condominium, a good financial advisor can also go over the reports and statements from the condo board and may be able to steer you away from corporations where the financial conditions are overly risky.

A financial advisor is not the only expert you should contact, however. Dealing with a qualified and experienced realtor can also help you choose projects which stand the greatest chance of giving you a favorable financial return. They will be aware of buying trends and conditions in the area where you are looking and will be able to suggest projects that stand to get you the biggest return on your investment.

How long will it take to complete the project?
You also need to consider how long it will take to complete your property development project. If you are hoping to generate a profit in a very short period of time you may find that other properties will suit your needs better. You may find that by waiting until work has been completed or until market conditions in your area improve that it is not a good idea to purchase a second residence. If you want to take advantage of favorable market conditions, it may still be a good time to buy with the understanding that the resale may take some time to bring to fruition.

Why foreclosed properties are popular with developers
Property developers are usually looking for ways that they can minimize their monetary investment while making the maximum amount of profit possible. Usually, this means finding good homes or commercial buildings that can be purchased for as little as possible. By then putting money into the project in the way of renovations and updates a developer can sell a foreclosed property and turn a good profit at the same time.

The process of purchasing a foreclosed property is somewhat different than purchasing one where the mortgage has not been defaulted on. It can take longer as both the seller and the institution that holds the mortgage need to agree on an offer. Once that has happened, the sale can progress as it would with a standard real estate transaction. In order to turn a profit you need to choose the right properties. Here are some tips that may help you do so.

Do your homework
It is just as important to do your homework when buying a foreclosed property as it is when engaging in a more traditional real estate transaction. You need to make sure that you are not buying a home or commercial property in an area where there is a severe economic depression. Trends have suggested that areas around major tourist attractions are beginning to rebound faster than other areas. If you want to ensure that you have a buyer for your residential property or tenants for your commercial property you need to ensure that the financial conditions where you are looking are as favorable as possible.

You also want to make sure that there are no issues with zoning. This is usually not a problem if, for example, a building has been used for commercial purposes for many years. In some cases, however, a business may have been operating in an area where it was disallowed. If this is the case, or if you are planning to renovate a home and use it for commercial purposes you need to ensure that the zoning will support that. It is possible to change zoning for a particular area but that can be a long and time consuming process.

Put together a team of experts
It can be helpful to put together a team of experts to help you with your financial transactions. Bringing your lender in and allowing them to see the bigger picture may actually make it easier for you to secure financing. A skilled real estate agent will also be able to help you find the best properties for your needs so that you are only looking at potential projects which are viable.

By doing your research and considering the different factors with each purchase you should be able to maximize your profits from the purchase of foreclosed homes.

Why you need to find properties as quickly as possible
It is important to find good property investment opportunities as quickly as possible for one simple reason: the best investment opportunities will sell incredibly quickly. The internet is giving other developers the same ability to find quality properties as you have and, as a result, great investment opportunities are selling out on an extremely rapid basis.

If you want to have the best chance of buying low and selling high you cannot simply wait for your estate agent to contact you. You will need to be proactive and learning how to look online and use other search methods is part of that proactive attitude.

It is frustrating and time consuming to check data streams, web listings and realtor listings in order to find properties to sell however in the end, when you have made a tidy profit you will understand that it was time well spent.

Don’t limit your search parameters too tightly
Individuals who only have a limited amount of data to work with may have trouble seeing the bigger picture. It is important to get as much data as possible about the real estate market not only where you are thinking about looking but also in the areas surrounding that local. You may find that by going only a short distance outside of your target city or neighborhood that you are able to find investment opportunities that may prove highly lucrative.

Do not limit yourself to dealing with only broker-listed properties. It may take some time for a realtor to tell you about a potential property especially if it is not listed with the agency you are currently working with. By searching properties out yourself you may be able to find a larger number of opportunities to bid on and this can, in the end, ensure that you have the chance to pick the most lucrative ones for your own use.

Remember to have your financial information ready and lined up
If you are going to be bidding on hot properties it is essential that you have your chain set up properly. Ensuring that financing is in order and that you have no problems which may scare off a seller is vital. By ensuring that everything is in place you can simply make your offer and sit back to wait for the results. Being prepared to bargain is also an asset. Figure out what is most important to you and be willing to negotiate on other points. Then you stand a better chance of closing your deal in a way that is favorable to you.

There is a ray of light, however. Market experts are beginning to say that the market has turned around simply from the number of pending sales that are currently in the works. The stagnant nature of the real estate market is slowly beginning to become more active although there is still a way to go before it returns to the activity levels enjoyed in past decades.

The increase in pending sales is only in specific areas
Before you rush out and make purchasing decisions based on this trend, it is important to remember that this is only for specific regions. Florida in particular is beginning to see an increase of almost twenty percent when it comes to the sale of houses and condominium properties. The national trend is still at a level that is much lower, however and remains around the two to eight percent range. Even specific areas in Florida are recovering faster than others. When the market was examined closely, it was found that the areas surrounding tourist attractions were the first ones to see a rebound in the number of pending sales.

The trend increase is also only for residential properties. The figures for commercial property sales are somewhat different than they are for residential sales with percentages being somewhere more in line with the national average.

How Property Developers can take advantage of this trend
There are ways that property developers can take advantage of this trend. The first is to see whether the area you are looking in has anything to offer individuals who may be moving in from outside the immediate market. For example, even if you do not live in Florida but you are considering a property that is located near a natural or man-made attraction you may feel more confident about putting in an offer. You may find that buyers will be more attracted to your property than one that is located at more of a distance from tourism hot spots.

You also need to ensure that you are looking at residential properties more than commercial properties. Businesses are still struggling with the aftermath of the past few years and so tenants may be difficult to find. Therefore, filling a commercial building with tenants or finding a company to lease office space may be much more difficult even though the economy is beginning to recover.

You also need to be much more careful when analyzing the sales that may have taken place in a specific area. You want to figure out which types of properties had the highest profit margins. For example, in some areas condominiums are more popular and will therefore command a much higher resale rate than freestanding homes may.