Normally, when you put your property up for sale, you have to present a document, called a warranty deed, which states that you are the legal owner of the property and that the title you have on hand is the original copy. But what if you don’t have the title of the property yet you have the legal rights to it? What document can you, then, present to prospective buyers? For situations such as these, the appropriate form to use is the called the Quitclaim Deed form.  

A Quitclaim Deed is a document which states that, although you may not own the property in question, nor have its title in your possession, you do have the legal right to use it and are authorized to dispose of it (through sales).  Quitclaim deeds are used you acquired the property in question through other means such as receiving it as an inheritance or when you became a co-owner by virtue of marriage. Quitclaim deeds are also for properties owned by the state but you are authorized to use through leasehold.

Quitclaim deeds are fairly straightforward. A quitclaim deed should include the names of both the buyer and the seller, the amount the buyer and seller agreed the property is worth, the location of the property, and of course, a notation wherein the seller waives or releases all his rights, interests and claims on the property. In addition to these basic information, for a quitclaim deed to be considered legal, it should bear the signatures of the parties involved, those of the witnesses and, must also carry a notarial seal and signature.

In the past, home sellers had to request lawyers or real estate agents to prepare quitclaim deeds for properties they want to put up on sale, but this has all changed now. In recent years, several real-estate related sites have been established and these sites assist those involved in real estate transactions by providing not only great tips on selling or buying a property; but also the necessary documents that will be needed to formalize any real estate arrangement.

Most real estate websites carry all sorts of real estate related documents and these can easily be purchased and downloaded by web users. The format and content of these forms have been well researched to ensure that these will be recognized by local, state and federal agencies. In each site, there is a listing of standard / generic forms but there are also forms that follow the requirements and content of specific states. 

If you need real estate documents, real estate websites usually give you the option to either download forms by bulk or set, or you can purchase forms on a per piece basis, buying and downloading as the need arises. In addition, these downloadable forms, although these conform to a certain format, can easily be modified to suit your requirements. Should you wish to include more or limit the information on your Quitclaim Deed, for example, you can easily do so.

Why offer owner financing when you sell? A higher price, to start with. Add to that a good return on your money, a faster sale, and an easier sale of a “problem property.” Good reasons, but how do you do it safely?

 1. Ask for a large downpayment. This is the most obvious way to be safe, but not always possible. The point of owner financing is to help the buyer get the property, and downpayment is one of the areas most buyers need help.

 2. Ask for other security. If a buyer wants it with little down, and you like the return you’ll get, make it safe by putting a mortgage on other property that the buyer owns. Agree to release the mortgage when they’ve paid down the balance to a certain level.

 3. Credit checks. Ask them to pay for and bring you a credit report. Bad credit might be okay, but type of bad credit is important. An unpaid hospital bill they’re disputing is obviously not as relevant as their unpaid loans.

 4. Use your instincts. Are you usually right about people? If so, give some weight to your judgement of your buyer’s character. Personally, I’d trust a man who felt morally obliged to pay his debts over a playboy that happens to have decent income at the moment.

 5. Look at the whole picture. Let’s suppose that a bank will loan your buyer 90%, and is okay with you taking back a second mortgage for up to 5%, allowing the buyer to get in with only 5% down. If you’re getting 6% more than you expected by accomodating the buyer’s needs, where’s the potential loss? You’re okay if he never pays, right?

 6. Talk to a lawyer. In some areas it may take two years to foreclose on a mortgage through the courts, and only six months to foreclose on a “contract for sale.” Knowing these things can help you structure the deal in the safest way.

Owner financing makes it easier to sell, and to get a higher price. You just have to be safe about it. Let a real estate lawyer review your paperwork, and use the tips here.

What can go wrong? About a gazillion things, but this is true if you’re working with a broker, too. A broker is probably more experienced than you, and may well have confronted and solved your problem on a previous home sale. If you can stay calm and think under stressful conditions, you can be your own problem solver without the need for a broker. Plus, there is no guarantee the broker will get it right.

A longer list of possible problems from real life are for a later article. I will include a couple here just to help you size up your willingness to cope on your own.

Problem One

You have a contract with a buyer, but the buyer gets cold feet.

Solution

Be calm, matter of fact, and pleasant. Encourage your buyer to open up and tell you what’s in the way. “I don’t want you to buy our home if it’s not right for you, but you seemed to really like the house (condo/townhouse/whatever), and now you’re not sure you should go forward. What’s changed? What’s troubling you?”

If they level with you, you have a shot at helping them overcome their objections and solve their issues. You may even find they’ve misunderstood something. If so, correct information may be all that’s needed.

However, if this approach doesn’t work, and the buyer no longer wants to buy, let them go and move on. As long as the buyer wants to buy and the seller wants to sell, most problems can be sorted through. If one of them changes his mind, it’s over. (You can probably sue for “specific performance” under the contract, but do you really want your property off the market while you deal with that?)

Problem Two

Your buyer has made an inspection by a home inspection firm a contingency of the contract. The home inspector comes up with a laundry list of items to be repaired or replaced. Your buyer requests that they all be done prior to settlement.

Solution

Don’t let your ego get in the way. It’s not personal. It’s real estate, and big bucks are involved. Take a deep breath. Go over the list. How much money is really needed to make the repairs? Can you do any of it yourself? Call a plumber, carpenter, roofer, electrician, or whatever trades you need and get a ballpark idea. If the result looks reasonable, get closer estimates and agree to have the work done.

If it’s too expensive, explain to the buyer that the price of the home takes into account the condition. If the repairs are too expensive, can you and the buyer agree to “split the difference?” That is, can you do some items on the list and not do others because (you will explain to your buyer) the home was priced accordingly, but you are willing to compromise if he is.

If the repairs are too time consuming (the trades can’t take care of it before scheduled settlement), you are going to have to give it some thought. Can you agree to provide a sum of money to the buyer at settlement with which he can have the repairs made?

The key to coming up with solutions to the particular problem is to stay calm and thoughtful. The buyer is not your enemy. With any luck you can work out a win/win solution.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and you want it to be a room that is welcoming and cozy for family and guests. But kitchens tend to be busy places and can get messy and cluttered up pretty quickly with all of the appliances and gadgets, not to mention décor items, which can diminish the nice atmospheric state you’re going for. One good solution is to install a kitchen island. Not only are they convenient as a means of additional workspace, but many are equipped with their own cabinets and drawers to help you prevent that untidy appearance.

Your first consideration when deciding on a which type of kitchen island you’d like should probably be how you plan to use it and their functions are as varied as the wide range of design options. They can be a utilized as a food preparation area, a baking center, a serving spot for an informal meal or buffet and the perfect setting to sit and nibble a snack or sandwich. An island even can provide a quiet spot for children to do their homework, close to mom while she gets after school snacks or dinner together.

Take the opportunity to make your kitchen island mutli-functional because there’s lots of options to choose from. Just about any appliance can be built into it including cook tops, under-the-counter refrigerators, sinks, dishwashers and trash compactors. Deep drawers provide a place to store bulky cookware and pullout shelves allow for more easy access. Pick a countertop for your island that matches your other counters or make it stand out by using a contrasting material. Also, your choice of cabinetry and decorative elements can make your island into a real quality item, similar to a fine furniture piece.

The dimensions and placement of your kitchen island will depend on the shape and space available in your kitchen. Professionals say that the island should be positioned at least 36″ from existing cabinets and 42″ from the range, refrigerator or dishwasher to allow plenty of room for opening doors and easy maneuvering around your workspace area. The height of your kitchen island can vary to suit your individual needs. If you can’t make up your mind on that one, a multi-level island might be the solution.

With all of the new trends in home design, kitchens have become an important part of the family’s living and entertaining space. If you don’t have the time or money to design your own island, there are many terrific ready-made islands you can order also. Take your time and choose the island that best suits your needs and taste so you are sure to enjoy it for many years to come.

Australia has led the worldwide real estate boom and enjoyed record price increases over the past three years, but as 2006 gets underway many fear that the recent success of the Australian real estate market is not sustainable.

While the Australian housing market may well face a short period of economic adjustment, there are still ways to profit from the real estate sector in Australia.  Real estate investors examining the market just need to look a little further afield than Sydney!

Perth in Western Australia is one city where real estate prices remain affordable and where demand for quality accommodation to buy and rent is increasing which is creating an exciting micro property investment market opportunity ripe for exploration in 2006.  

The reason for Perth’s sudden popularity from a real estate perspective springs from the fact that the city is enjoying a period of economic advancement led by a vast improvement in employment prospects.  Local residents in Perth are benefiting from better paying employment and an abundance of opportunity, and the city is attracting a steady flow of inward migration as job seekers move to the city to take up offers of employment.

Historically Perth’s real estate prices have lagged well behind those of Sydney and Melbourne for example, and the average home finance sought to purchase in Perth is around 30,000 Australian dollars less than the average mortgage taken out elsewhere in Australia.  The lower priced accommodation is attracting more interest from investors from across Australia as well who are all seeking a housing market with legs left to run.  Furthermore the real estate sector in and around Perth is enjoying interest from international real estate investors who can see the long term prospects available.

As demand for accommodation in Perth increases as the city welcomes new residents, so the prices being charged for rental housing are on the up as well.  Anyone who purchases real estate to let out in Perth right now can cash in on this boom in rental rate rises and retain their property while the predicted period of property price growth develops.

Across the rest of Australia many first time home buyers have been temporarily priced out of the housing market as property prices have exceeded affordable levels.  While the market readjusts over the short term there are fears that a rental accommodation crisis is looming in some of Australia’s most popular cities such as Brisbane and Sydney.  This concern is of course leading to sharp increases in rental rates being charged by landlords who are well aware of how valuable a commodity they own.

While this is an unfortunate situation for those caught in the rental trap it is a perfect situation for an investor seeking immediate returns on real estate investments in Australia.  Anyone who makes a real estate investment purchase in Australia with the intention to let out that property will not only make a strong income currently but they will continue to enjoy property price growth over the longer term as the market readjusts and begins to grow again in Australia in the medium term.

And finally, if you’re interested in the real estate market down under and are not an Australian citizen, overseas buyers are free to own real estate in Australia that has been granted permission for sale to foreign purchasers; and you can rest assured that the purchase process will be straightforward because it is so well regulated in Australia.

Most people are shocked these days when they open their utility bill. By auditing your home, you can turn a monstrous utility bill into a minor annoyance. 

Home Energy Audit

It happens every month. You pick up the mail and see an envelope from the utility company. Oh, the agony! Should I open it now and ruin the day or just wait. An energy audit can make the pain of getting your utility bill go away or at least become a dull ache. 

Unlike a tax audit, you can conduct an energy audit by yourself. Simply walking through your home and paying close attention to energy issues can really pay off. Let’s take a look at some obvious problems that can save you a bundle. 

The number one energy waster is a leak. Much like a leak in the tire of a care, even one leak from the interior to exterior of the home can raise your utility bill by as much as 30 percent. The most common area you will find such leaks are windows and doors.

Windows and doors are undisputedly the area where most air leaks occurs. The first issues is whether air is actually leaking out through the framing of windows or the area around the bottom of the door. You can typically tell this by feeling for a notable temperature difference in these areas. If is significantly cooler, you have a leak. 

As people in cold climates know, having sealed windows is simply not enough to control heating costs in the winter. Most windows on homes are designed for year around use, which makes them huge energy wasters in the winter. Going with energy-efficient windows can make a huge difference in keeping the heat in and the cold out. 

If you’ve walked through your home and haven’t found any significant problems with your windows and doors, you may still have one. To really give your home an efficiency test, you can hire contractors to perform a pressurization test. The test essentially raises the pressure in your home and looks for leaks.

Fixing any leaks you find will depend entirely upon the nature of the problem. Some fixes only require additional caulking or insulation while others are unique. Regardless, making your home more energy efficient will significantly cut your utility bill this year and for years to come.

With the excessive amount of pressure to find an ideal place for living, it has really become so emphatic that you invest your money in the right kind of option. As you can see that getting a place for living is the need for every one and if you are looking for  a place that would be more close to a natural environment , then you must not worry about it as it is quite simple nowadays. You will find hundred of people offering you their services; however, you must only try the one who suppose to give you the best value for your money. As, it is your hard earned money and only you can understand that where you should utilize it to get most out of it, to get the best, you can switch to Rainforest Holdings.

When you will consult with Rainforest Holdings you will certainly be amazed to know about the enormous amount of land they have on offer and that is also with the best view of greenery around as they place the special emphasis on that, so you can get the refreshing experience. You will certainly be able to find the resorts, villas and apartments without much ado and that’s too in diverse regions.

You can also fancy living in the place that can be rated as most happening and attractive for every one who visit India, the place is GOA. An amazing residential project is ongoing in Goa that can certainly provide you with the best of the locations where you can have a home of your own and can also feel the beauty and grandeur of the Sea and the waves that will leave you thunderstruck for sure.

You must keep one thing in mind that investing on your dream home is not something like a waste of money, however, you should be discreet enough in choosing the right one for you that can let you make some of up gradation as easily as possible, as every one needs to get a step forward in life so that should be the case with your house as well, after all, it is not something that you will change after every single month, will you? And that is the very point that people at Rainforest Holdings keep in mind and endeavor to provide the best utility home for every one. With the industrious frame of mind, they come up with the best solution that would be appropriate for you. Whatever you have in mind, they have the tricks and the zeal to bring your imagination to life. 

So, whatever, your plans are about your home and about the location; you can certainly come to them with all the confidence as they will respond in the best possible way and you will be able to achieve the most desirable dream of your life, also, another good reason to go to them is that they know the technicalities that you will have to go through while finalizing a decision about a property, so, you best chances of doing it in the easy way is with their collaboration.

You’ve lived in your house for years and taken pride in with numerous improvements. Now it is overvalued and you’re wondering, “How do I sell an expensive house?”

How Do I Sell An Expensive House?

When discussing how to sell an expensive house, there are two scenarios in which the issue comes up. The first is you have a home in an expensive neighborhood, but one which you’re asking for a price comparable to similar homes around you. In such a situation, you should be able to sell your expensive house through traditional means, either as a FSBO listing or through a realtor. The home should be cleaned up and listed with a multiple listing service. Open houses should be undertaken as well as online advertising with photographs. In this current market, you should be able to move the home fairly quickly. 

The second expensive house scenario is a bit more complicated. In this scenario, you have improved your home beyond a value supported by surrounding structures. This can often occur if you live in a home for a substantial period of time and make additions to the home such as new rooms, floors, renovated kitchens and so on. The homes in your neighborhood all appraise for roughly $300,000, but your additions should make the house worth upwards of $450,000. You have a problem because nobody is going to buy the most expensive home on the block. 

What To Do?

You’re first choice is to hold onto the home and hope the neighbors get around to improving their homes. This strategy is rife with problems and should probably be avoided. 

A better choice is to target market your home to a specific demographic. If you’ve added rooms to your home, you should create advertisements directed at families with multiple children matching the number of bedrooms you have. If you’ve gone nuts with improvements in the kitchens and fixtures, you should market the home as “luxury without the price.” The point is to turn your problem into a unique selling position for the house. Trust me, there is a buyer out there looking for a solution to their problem. 

Appraisal Problems

If you house is over-improved, every potential sale will fall through because the appraised price will make it difficult for the buyer to get a loan. The best way for dealing with this is to “carry a second” mortgage on the home. In essence, you agree to take a certain percentage of the price in payments over a certain time period. This allows the buyer to get into the house and you to get out. If you go this direction, make absolutely sure you use a lawyer to make sure everything is legal. 

According to a recent report released in the UK about which European property markets have the greatest potential for growth and profit over the coming decade, Romania topped the lot.

Romania, located in southeastern Europe, is a nation poised on the brink of full European Union membership and one benefiting from substantial foreign direct investment and economic advancement as a result.  According to the report these facts mean that over the coming decade the housing market in Romania will likely go from strength to strength and anyone who invests before EU membership is cemented could net up to 400% profit on their investment in the next ten years.

The report was based on an economic assessment and overview of each country in Europe and included analysis of the room for growth within each country’s real estate sector.  Because property prices in Romania start from as little as twenty thousand US dollars, the room for property price expansion is clear.  The low starting prices for real estate in Romania also mean that its property sector is already attracting substantial international real estate investor interest.

Investors from all backgrounds are attracted to Romania – those with a small sum of money to invest are looking to make immediate gains from buying apartments in Bucharest pre-construction which can be purchased by stage payment and profited from upon completion when investors are flipping the real estate right back into the market.  Those with more substantial sums of money to invest are generally drawn to either the commercial property sector in Bucharest or Romania’s burgeoning tourism market.  

Opportunities in Romania’s tourism market exist along the country’s stunning and as yet undeveloped 225km of Black Sea coastline and also in Romania’s quality but as yet little known winter sport resorts.  Accommodation in these locations is required to let out to tourists and a growing number of British, Russian and eastern European citizens are also seeking second homes in these areas of Romania as well, with most preferring to purchase established but well renovated properties.

Other opportunities exist in the form of fairytale properties for sale in Transylvania with castles, medieval houses and entire farms available for sale to overseas investors looking to diversify their property portfolios and buy real estate in one of the most stunningly beautiful, romantic and ancient European countries.

If the real estate and economic expert analysis of Romania’s property market potential is correct, those who buy in Romania today could be looking at the realization of 400% profit within the next ten years – this means that someone who invests as little as twenty thousand dollars today could potentially reap sixty thousand dollars profit within ten years…now that’s what I call potential!

Real estate, as said time and again, has been slowly picking up from where it left off in 1996, that is, aggressive buying by local bred people who are now residing in various parts of the world, particularly the United States of America and Canada regions. Filipinos who have opted to take their talents for better paying jobs abroad have allowed them to consider making investments in local properties, known to be  among the affordable and feasible manners of investing for their future and their dependents. There is of course the difference between high-end and low-end sectors, but regardless, the bottom line is one of our basic hierarchy of needs according to Maslow’s hierarchy, that of which is shelter. 

But wait, it is not all about security but more on studying the opportunities of being able to establish a medium of investment and income from outside the usual profession that most people practice everyday. Visitors, with emphasis on foreigners from other countries look for the cheapest means of lodging, especially when they want to make the most out of their trips. The Philippines is known to be among the top spots for foreigners to go to, especially once vacation time comes for them. Cost is definitely competitive, and compared to their normal neighboring countries of tourist attraction spots, people want something different. The belief that the world offers a lot is usually one of the reasons why foreigners immediately look towards the Philippine tourist spots, especially the beaches and resorts like Boracay and Palawan areas, have been the forefront of the aggressive investment of the country towards tourism. Come the summer time, even the local inhabitants crowd these places, and despite the inconveniences, they will go at nothing to be able to satisfy their hunger for a well-deserved break from reality.

With this in mind, foreigners see it as an opportunity to be able to make advanced bookings by being situated here locally before the expected boom and overcrowding of reservations and accommodations set in during the second quarter of the year. Finding alternative places to live in outside hotels which cost as high as $50.00 per day, depending on the type of hotel they are looking at, can be saved if they can find locally available condominium units for rent. Places that are usually the landing spot for most temporarily staying foreigner include the high class Rockwell Power Plant in Makati, Eastwood Condominiums in Quezon City, and The Fort at the Fort Bonifactio Area. Condominiums are being strategically constructed here, and there are also units that are being rented or sold at a fair price.

Among the offerings is located at the Rizal Condominiums, located beside the Professional Graduate School of Ateneo. Rizal Condominium is largely dominated in terms of occupancy by foreigners. 

Current Properties for Sale

There is one unit being offered at the moment for sale at P30,000,000.00 and fully furnished. What surprises me the most is that this same price is close to the actual offering before the entire property was built and is certainly a good buy. I have yet to get the details from my sister-in-law who works in a bank, and I know the sale is really needed as soon as possible. 

Just recently, another unit located in the classy area of Anapolis, Greenhills is being offered as well. A small pad worth P10,0000,000.00 is up for grabs at the One Beverly Place, one of the posh condominium units that can be seen along the busy streets of Anapolis Street, Greenhills. It is a good place to stay, especially for visitors who are in search of cheap goods and a relaxing place to stay since local folks come in droves to be able to kill their time and get good buys of consumer items such as designer clothes, electronic devices, cellular phones and computer peripherals. 

Hence the investment for these type of properties is aimed at high-end markets. But considering the appraisal of land value, for sure, this is the interest gained from initial investments, something that money in the bank cannot even match as far as long term investments are concerned.