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Can’t sell your house? consider this

If you’re having trouble selling your home in the current economic downturn, there are options. Many people have had their houses on the market for 6, 7, 8 months or longer without any offers. You may need to sell your home due to a job transfer, divorce, increased family size, or perhaps your payments are too high and need to be lowered. What should a landlord do? Your best bet may be to rent your home until home prices start to recover.

Many homeowners are afraid to rent their homes because of the horror stories they hear: unruly tenants punching holes in walls, clogging toilets, or not paying rent for months, forcing the landlord to make potentially damaging mortgage payments. to pay. But these problems can simply be avoided with a good rental agreement and good management.

Most people who are not experienced landlords prefer to have their rental handled by a real estate company. This is a good idea if you are willing to listen to your agent’s advice regarding the price of your rental. Real estate agents know the market and will tell you the rental price of your house in the current market. They will take care of finding a tenant and checking credit. They will manage home repairs and evictions, if necessary. The experienced real estate manager knows how to keep tenants from “misbehaving” so he can feel safe renting his property.

If you prefer to handle the rental yourself, here are some tips for being a successful landlord.

Before you start the rental process, get a good rental agreement. Check out some landlord websites that post handy rental agreements and rental application forms you can use. You can also see a lawyer to get a good rental agreement and an application form. Be sure to address things like who tends the yard, if smoking is allowed, if pets are allowed and if an additional “pet deposit” is required, who is responsible for fixing appliances if they break, what appliances are included, etc. Once you’ve found the rental agreement you want to use, the next step is to obtain a “Move-In Condition Report.” This report addresses the condition of the home and allows the owner and tenant to acknowledge the condition of each room in the home. If there are any questions about the condition of the property at the time of move-in, the report will clarify any questions. Generally, the tenant must return the report to the landlord within 2 days of moving into the property.

Next, look for a service you can use to check the credit history of prospective tenants. You can join the National Association of Independent Homeowners for a nominal fee and check credit online through their website.

Once you’ve found the right tenant, you’ll have them sign the rental agreement, collect the deposits and first month’s rent, and hand over the keys. It’s a good idea to collect the deposit and first month’s rent in the form of a money order. You wouldn’t want a tenant to move into your house only to find that their deposit and rent checks are invalid! He would have to start the eviction process without receiving any money!

Once you have received the initial money order at move-in, you may want to allow the tenant to make future payments by personal check. If you ever get a check returned, your rental agreement should specify that all future payments will be made by money order.

Finally, it is a good idea to find an attorney who specializes in evictions. He will probably never need one as long as he manages his property according to the lease, no exceptions, always being courteous to his tenants. But if he ever needs to evict, he’ll feel better having an eviction attorney in his arsenal.

If you bought your home in 2002 or earlier, you’re in luck. You can probably rent your house for a profit, or at least an amount that covers your mortgage payment. Even if you have to rent your home for $100 less than your mortgage payment, you probably won’t have to foreclose on that amount.

You may be able to pay your home rent at a loss if the home you are moving into has a lower monthly payment than your current home. Depending on your financial situation, renting at a loss of, say, $200/month may be better than leaving the house empty, losing the full amount of your mortgage payment each month!

It’s a good idea to look at your entire financial picture before deciding whether to stay in your home, rent it out, or sell it for less than you want in this economic downturn. For more information and tips on selling your home, visit http://tampahouse1.com/home_sellers.html

A word you can’t speak Japanese without!

Learn Japanese fast! You already know that to speak Japanese correctly, you have to know the conjugations of the you form the front and back. Whether you want to say, “Can I take a picture?” or “You can’t come in now”, the Japanese you the form is essential. It may seem a bit complicated, but all you need is practice. That’s why this Japanese for Beginners article is so important. It not only delves into the most important Japanese words, such as aruite (“on foot”), you will also find an indispensable review of the Japanese you shape. Packed with easy-to-read graphics, you’ll be a master of Japanese. you form once you are done with this article!

Vocabulary: In this article, you will learn the following words and phrases:

shuppatsu – “departure”

atsumaru – “gather” (class 1 verb)

chizu – “map”

mother – “front, before”

leave me – “digital camera”

Robii – “lounge in the lobby”

itterasshai. – “Until then!” / “Have a nice day!” / “Go and come back.” (literally)

Ki-o-tsukeru – “be careful”

I bu – “call” (class 1)

oshieru – “teach, tell” (class 2 verb)

matsu – “wait” (class 1 verb)

tsukau – “use” (class 1 verb)

Grammar: In this article, you will learn the following words and phrases:

Vocabulary and useful phrases

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made by eki aruite ni-fun gurai desu.

“It takes two minutes to reach the station on foot.”

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aruite is he –you verb form aruku and we can translate it as “on foot”. by aruki and tohothat you learned in article 2, can replace aruite in this sentence.

  • Maiasa, watashi wa gakkoo ni aruite ikimasu.

    “I walk to school every morning.” Literal translation: “I walk and go to school every morning.”

 

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Aruite, Aruki, Toho

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  1. Aruite ikimasu.
  2. Aruki from ikimasu.
  3. Toho by ikimasu. (formal sounds)

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chizu no mi kata – “how to look at the map, how to read the map”

leave me no tsukai kata“how to use a digital camera”

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Katas means “the way” and we use it as a suffix in this article. Please review your usage below.

Conjugation:

(masu stem of a verb) + kata = “the way of…” / “how…”

“English” / dictionary form / masu form / stem masu / As…

“wear” / tsukau / tsukaimasu / tsukai / tsukai-kata

“look” / miru / mimasu / half / half kata

“think” / kangaroo / kangaemasu / kangae / kanga-kata

“do” / sure / shimasu / shi / shi-kata

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Wear

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Notice that we mark the noun before the verb with the particle No.

  1. leave me Oh tsukau. – “use a digital camera”

    becomes

    leave me No tsukaikata. – “how to use a digital camera”

  2. chizu Oh miru – “look at a map”

    becomes

    chizu No mikata – “how to look at a map”

  3. eki neither iku – “Go to the station”

    becomes

    eki No ikikata – “how to get to the station”

 

For Example:

  1. Kono kanji no yomikata or oshiete kudasai.

    “Can you tell me how to read this Chinese character?”

  2. Sumimasen. hase-dera ni ikitai desu. Ikikata or oshietekudasai.

    “Excuse me. I want to go to the Hasedera temple. Can you tell me how to get there?”

 

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Grammar review

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In this article, we are going to review the verb conjugations of –you shape.

For example:

  1. “Please wait a minute.”
    Formal: Chotto mate kudasai.

    informal: Choto mate.

 

how to do the you -form of a verb:

See Nihongo Doojoo Beginner Series Season 4: Meet the Parents, Articles 9, 10, 11, and 12.

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verb conjugation

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Class 1 verbs:

Rule / Example

-ku final verbs become -ite / that ku becomes that he

-gu final verbs become -SDI / or me Gu becomes or me idea

-mu, -bu, -nu final verbs become -nde / No mu becomes No where

-u-tsu-ru final verbs become -head / to youbecomes to head

-his final verbs become -shit / hana acquaintance becomes hana shit

Class 2 verbs:

Rule / Example

-ru final verbs become -you / table you becomes table you

Class 3 verbs:

Rule / Example

“do” / sure becomes shit

“come” / kuru becomes kitesurfing

Exception:

Rule / Example

“go” / iku becomes he

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Practice Fill in the blanks to complete the chart.

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“English” / Dictionary form / Negative form / Masu form / Te form

“meet up” / In /__/ aimasu / __

“hear” / kiku / kikanai /__/__

“wait” /__/__/ machimasu / mate

“die” / shinu /__/__/ shine

“play” /__/ asobanai /__/__

“rest” /__/ yasumanai / yasumimasu / __

“cut” / kiru /__/ kirimasu / __

“sleep” / neru /__/ nemasu / __

“wear” / kiru /__/ kimasu / __

“do” / sure /__/__/__

“come” / kuru /__/ kimasu / __

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Use of You shape

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  • (you form of a verb) + kudasai. – “Please ___ “

    For more information, see Nihongo Doojoo Season 4 of the series for beginners Meet the parents: articles 9, 10, 11 and 12.

For example:

  1. Yasunde kudasai.

    “Please take a break.”

  2. kudasai moth.

    “Please watch.”

  3. Kudasai kite.

    “Please come.”

  4. Shashin or totte kudasai.

    “Please take a photo.”

 

  • (you form of a verb) +imasu / iru “___In g“For more information, see Nihongo Doojoo Season 4 of the series for beginners Meet the parents: articles 13 and 14.

For example:

  1. Gaido wa hanashite imasu.

    “The tour guide is speaking.”

  2. Shashin or totte imasu.

    “The tour guide is taking photos.”

 

  • (you form of a verb) + mo ii desu ka. – “Can ___?” / “Can ___?”

    For more information, see Nihongo Doojoo Beginner Series Season 4 Meet the Parents: Article 15

For example:

  1. Haittemo ii desu ka.

    “I can pass?”

  2. Shashin o ttee mo ii desu ka.

    “Can I take a picture?”

 

  • (you form of a verb) +wa ikemasen. – “You can’t ___” / “You shouldn’t ___”

    For more information, see Nihongo Doojoo Beginner Series Season 4 Meet the Parents: Article 15

For example:

  1. Shashin o totte wa ikemasen. “You can’t take a picture.”

 

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Review

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What would you say in the following situations? Try to use the grammar that we present and review in this article.

  1. You are in a sanctuary. He would like to ask if it is okay to take a photo. (You would probably like to start the conversation with “Excuse me…”)
  2. You want someone to take your photo.
  3. You would like to go to Narita airport but you don’t know how to get there.

Gravity Real Estate – purchase or sell a property

Gravity Real Estate

Gravity Real Estate offers a wide range of properties services including Property Investment, Sale & Marketing, and Leasing & Management. Its employees are highly skilled and dedicated to customer service. All new homes built by Gravity come with a 10-year structural, two-year mechanical and one-year functional warranty. These warranties are detailed at contract.

Gravity Real Estate offers a variety of residential properties, including new construction homes. Their builders are skilled craftsmen who strive to deliver high-quality homes at affordable prices. They offer a wide selection of upgrades and options to make your home uniquely yours. However, it’s important to splurge only on the items that you can afford. For example, don’t buy expensive appliances or cabinets if you can afford to purchase better-quality ones for less money.

Move-in ready homes allow buyers to select their home site, floor plan, and structural options. They can also personalize their home during a Design Center meeting and a separate flooring and countertop meeting. They can also opt for a spec home with pre-selected options if purchased early enough in the community’s production process.

Gravity Real Estate – purchase or sell a property

Austin is a co-founder and managing partner of Gravity Real Estate Advisors, where he specializes in the sale of multifamily, mixed use buildings, and development sites throughout NYC. He has a unique understanding of start-to-finish investment sales, the local NYC market, and the art of the deal. Gravity Real Estate offers a full range of Commercial Property services including Property Investment, Sale & Leasing. The company’s team of experts have a deep understanding of the local market and can offer expert advice on refurbishment and new development. They can also advise on acquisition and disposal strategies.

For R&D companies, flexible space is essential to their success. This is especially true for the UK, where regulatory requirements are constantly changing. As such, it’s important for developers to design the flexibility into their schemes. One of the most recent examples is the new Gravity scheme in West London.

The scheme is located near several world-class universities and colleges. It has already attracted a number of tenants, such as TriNet Clarus R+D and luxury salon Image Studios. The company plans to open the second phase of the project this summer. Currently, the first phase is fully leased. The project features 170,000 square feet of office space.

Industrial properties offer spaces that support production, manufacturing, assembly, research, warehousing, and storage. These spaces are usually located in specific areas mapped out on a city’s zoning map and are designed to allow for these activities without disturbing nearby businesses or residences. They also often feature specific amenities, like air conditioning and electrical wiring, that make them more appealing to tenants looking for an ideal location.

The first phase of Gravity’s commercial office space has been leased to a variety of tenants. Columbus-based TriNet Clarus R+D and luxury salon Image Studios will move into the space, joining Arrive Logistics, Axon Fitness, Bark, Fort Design Studio, Roosevelt Coffeehouse, and Thrive Coworking. OhioHealth will take about 12,000 square feet in Gravity’s second phase for a new primary and urgent care service center. The project is expected to deliver this summer. It will include a total of about 170,000 square feet of office space.

Commercial Real Estate Financing – A Typical Escrow Closing

Several things happen during escrow closing, here’s a little guide for the first time (or more likely “rusty” borrower).

1) During a purchase, the Purchase Agreement may provide the buyer with the opportunity to walk through the property (Final Condition Check) where a final inspection of the buildings is completed (sometimes for agreed upon repairs prior to closing). The timing of this is typically within five days of the COE.

2) The Lender will send the Loan Documents to the Title Company. The Custodial Officer will prepare these and other documents for his signature.

3) In commercial transactions, borrowers can meet the broker at a specified location, or an escrow will send a traveling notary to a location of the borrower’s choosing to sign the closing documents. In most cases, an escrow officer will accompany the notary to guide the borrower through the Loan Documents, explaining the purpose of each document. (Here is a list of loan documents that include various ways title can be granted.) In most cases, a borrower will receive a draft Settlement Statement for review prior to closing to make adjustments. At the time of signing, a final “Settlement Statement” detailing the various closing costs (title company fees, bank charges, broker fees, etc.) and credits (your deposit, your loan, etc. .) will be part of the loan documents. needed to be signed. The second is the “Note,” which shows the interest rate and other terms of your loan. The other loan documents are usually redundant, through the lender you are working with. In some cases, an attorney can review these documents, but most lenders do not allow changes to these documents, so they are non-negotiable. It is important that you bring a photo ID, as some of the documents will need to be notarized. The lender also requires that you sign his name exactly as written below the signature line. No funds required at signing. If there is a “gap” in the purchase price vs. loan amount + closing costs shown on the Settlement Statement, which requires the borrower to bring cash to close (Good Funds), will be collected in the following days per Title.

4) After the loan documents have been signed, the Escrow Officer will prepare the documentation and send it back to the Lender. The lender then reviews the loan documents (which can take up to three days). When the lender has approved the loan documents, he notifies the Title Company that he is ready to finance (transfer the proceeds of your loan to the Title Company). Funding from the lender occurs the business day before the escrow closes. Title will request that any cash required by the borrower be sent to Escrow on or before this day. Keep in mind that, as the borrower, you are responsible for interest payments beginning the day the lender’s funds are transferred to the escrow.

5) On the day of Escrow Closing, the Title Company will send a representative to the County Recorder’s Office to record a Deed showing transfer of title (either to a new owner on purchase) and/or record the Deed of Trust for the new loan. Each recording generates a “serial number” from the County Recorder’s Office. After recording all deeds for the day, the Title Company representative faxes the list of serial numbers to the Title Company, confirming the recordings. Once the Deed has been recorded, the transfer is complete. In one purchase, the transfer of all utilities, bills, etc. is generally completed at this time as well under the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.

Day 1: Loan Documents arrive at the Title Company. You sign and the Documents are returned to the Lender via an overnight delivery service.

Day 2: The Lender receives the Documents and begins the review process.

Day 3: The review process is complete and the Lender notifies the Title Company that they will transfer the loan proceeds the next day.

Day 4: The Lender transfers the loan proceeds to the Title Company.

Day 5: Title change is recorded with the County Recorder. The trust is closed.

Investment Lessons Learned From Warren Buffet

Most people try to invest and make money, but often end up suffering losses by making the same mistakes over and over again. Aspiring investors should try to learn and emulate the mindset of rich people like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell, and Warren Buffet. Let’s focus on Warren Buffet, who has been described as the best investor on the planet. Here are some of the investment tips he adheres to:

1. Develop your investment mindset

Not all people are business oriented but we can improve our business mind by reading business related books. Warren Buffet spends much of his time studying business-related books.

2. Practicing patience in your investments

Every time Buffett buys a stock, he buys a piece of the company. This means that he doesn’t sell the stock at every market boom or bust. He believes in the companies he invests in for the long term and holds onto the shares until he no longer creates or sees value in these companies. One of Buffett’s famous quotes, illustrating his penchant for long-term investing, is: “No matter how amazing your skills or efforts, some things simply require a significant investment. You can’t create a child in a month by leaving nine women pregnant. .”

3. prioritize value

Sometimes the amount we spend on something and the value we get from our purchase are not related. Buffett believes that investors need to understand that markets are driven by supply and demand and that buying a company with strong growth during market downturns is a great opportunity to gain value. Buy a good stock at a great price.

4. Check your emotions when investing

Human emotions influence the market considerably more than any monetary model. Emotions can make people hopeful for something that never happened or rarely does. Buffett has recommended that controlling your emotions is considerably more imperative than your IQ. According to him, “Success in investing is not related to IQ. What you need is the behavior to control the impulses that cause harm to other people in investing.”

5. Invest in what you know and are passionate about

Buffett urges “never put resources into a business you don’t get.” Don’t put money into companies whose business you don’t understand.

If you don’t have adequate information about a company, it is much more difficult to understand how a company will perform in the long term and to foresee what it will become a couple of years from now.

6. Live below your means

Despite a net worth of $87 billion, Buffett lives in a surprisingly modest home. He bought his current home in Omaha, Nebraska for $31,500 in 1958 and, today, calls it the third best investment he’s ever made. Instead of spending money to live lavishly, Buffett lives frugally and has reaped the benefits.

7. Save first and then spend the rest

People tend to pay bills first, spend the rest, and save for last. According to Buffett, this is the wrong approach. Buffett prescribes that you should set aside a set amount of money each month as savings first, then pay your bills, and then spend whatever is left after paying the bills.

8. remember your roots

When he was in high school, Buffett found a job as a newspaper delivery boy at The Washington Post. He expanded that early activity into a deeply rooted association with the journal. Years later, his company, Berkshire Hathaway, became The Washington Post’s largest investor. Remember where you come from, your values, and you may discover unique opportunities for great investments.

Home Staging – Questions and Answers

Question: Do I really need to stage my house?

Answer: House staging is recommended for homeowners who are serious about selling their house in the shortest possible time. Consider this scenario: Two comparable homes are for sale in the same general area. House A was staged and is in excellent display condition. House B was not staged and may have some design issues. Which house do you think buyers will be most interested in? Statistics show us that homes that are professionally prepared for the real estate market sell in one-third less time than homes without stages.

Question: My real estate agent told me to wait for the stage, is this good advice?

Answer: The sooner you organize your house, the better it will be for you. If your agent told you not to show up or to wait for the stage, your real estate agent may not fully understand the staging value of the home. Some agents are concerned about recommending more out-of-pocket costs for their clients. It’s a noble but not necessary concern when considering home staging. The organizers work with the real estate agents as a team, and most organizers will be happy to answer any questions that the real estate agents may have regarding the preparation process. Realtors may not know it, but organizers can be your biggest asset in marketing a client’s home.

Question: How do I choose a scenario?

Answer: There are many things to consider when choosing a setting. Before you hire a set designer, consider these qualifications:

  • Look for credentials. A good set designer will be professionally trained in the principles of staging and design.
  • Ask for references. An experienced set designer will have references and a photo gallery of personal projects.
  • Interview your stage manager. Most staging businesses are independently owned and will operate differently from each other.

Question: Can I organize my own house? o Can I have my friend organize my house?

Answer: It is best to use an independent scenario consultant who has an objective view of your home. Professional scenario handlers are specifically trained to find and remove obstacles that could interfere with the sale of your home. Homeowners and friends who are familiar with a home may find it difficult to apply design and staging principles to areas to which they are emotionally attached.

Question: Doesn’t staging cost a lot of money?

Answer: The staging, like all quality services, is not free. Staging costs can range from $100 for a consultation evaluation to $2,500 for full staging services (actual costs will vary based on price and business location). Think of the cost of staging as an investment in your home that will save you time and money when your home is listed. Statistically, the investment of staging a home has a return of approximately 120%; (For a $1,000 staging project, a homeowner can see a return of $1,200 when he sells his home. Statistics cited from http://www.stagedhomes.com, with permission.) The conclusion is that Your investment in staging will typically be less than the first price reduction on your home! Can you really afford not to stage your home?

Question: Staging and decorating are not the same thing?

Answer: No. The staging and decor are at different ends of the spectrum. Staging uses proven techniques that create an emotional response in buyers; thus generating greater interest from buyers. Interior decoration uses design and decorating principles to showcase the individual tastes and styles of homeowners. When you decide to sell your home, you’ll need to put personal styles aside to make your home appealing to the largest number of buyers.

Question: How do I start?

Answer: Ask your real estate agent if his agency provides staging services or staging referrals. Otherwise, to find a reputable mounting professional in your area, visit Staged Homes.

Your home may be the biggest investment you make in your life. When you’re ready to list your home, don’t sell your investment short. A properly prepared house will sell in the shortest possible time while receiving the highest offers. For more information on staging, visit KFM Staging & Design.

4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Try To Market – Time Real Estate!

In almost every area of ​​finance, it seems, some people are looking to try to proceed, with a higher edge, in the hope of timing the specific component, in order to hopefully buy – low and sell – high! We often witness this behavior, regarding the buying and selling of real estate, especially residential transactions! When prices seem to be trending higher, especially in recent days when we have seen a record pace of price increases, it seems that more people are getting involved in what is known as selling a property, which means buying a house in individual, at a perceived price, opportunist price, and make some cosmetic changes, efficiently, and sell it, pronto, at a profit! After more than 15 years as a licensed real estate seller in New York State, I have seen this process succeed and considerably less so! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review, and discuss 4 reasons why most people shouldn’t try to trade: time, real estate.

1. You can’t predict the future, consistently and/or accurately!: if we had a Crystal ball, perhaps, we would be better able to predict the future accurately and consistently, even in relation to house prices! Since these prices have historically tended to be cyclical, it is challenging to know when this might make sense. Obviously, every financial strategy/action must be considered, on a risk/reward basis, and only those who are ready, willing, and able to handle the uncertainties, stress, and potential losses should attempt to turn the house. !

2. Several (not just one) factors affect real estate, including price: No single factor determines how prices will move! Some of the factors include: interest rates (including mortgage rates and terms, etc.); Offer and demand; seller and buyer perceptions; trust! We have experienced, for an extended period, record low interest rates and corresponding mortgage terms! When this happens, more people qualify for a mortgage, thus increasing the demand. Perhaps the most important factor is supply and demand, and when supply is less than demand, prices go up! One factor is based on the emotions and therefore the perceptions of buyers and sellers! General consumer confidence influences the mindset of many people and that affects the market as a whole.

3. Different factors don’t always work, in tune!: When mortgages are easier and cheaper to obtain, prices tend to go up! When confidence is high and inventory is low, it usually causes an uptrend. However, those factors, which tend to drive house prices up and/or down, often may not align and therefore overall trends become more difficult to predict.

4. Ratio of Home Sellers to Potential Qualified Home Buyers: In general, when demand is high, there are more qualified potential buyers than there are homes for sale (inventory). The opposite set of conditions usually creates a so-called Buyers’ Market. Sometimes, we witness a neutral set of conditions!

For most, trying to trade – time, real estate – is speculative and risky! As with any other financial asset, proceed with an open mind and in a well-considered manner!

Traveling to the United States – Meet These Cities Inside and Out

If this is your first time traveling to the US, you may feel overwhelmed and intimidated at the same time. However, this nervousness will not last long if he has a chartered itinerary. Make sure you know the different cities in and out so you have a smooth travel experience. Here is a small guide that will help you choose the best places to visit.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Located in Waikiki, Hawaii is very popular for its sandy beaches. You’re sure to feel relaxed and sun-kissed too. Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu and is full of attractions. You would not miss seeing Diamond Head volcano even if you wanted to. If you are the sporty type, you will be surprised to find different water sports on offer at Mamala Bay.

Traveling in Honolulu can pose a problem as the streets are clustered. You will benefit from renting a vehicle as there are plenty of parking spaces available. In fact, the entertainment is limitless and you will be amazed by the monuments, art galleries and recreational activities available. Some of the must-see attractions include Aloha Tower Marketplace, State Capitol Building, Hawaii Maritime Center, Hawaii State Art Museum, and Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Tampa, Florida

The west coast of Florida is home to the city of Tampa, which has a seaport and many waterfront areas. Tampa is called the cultural center of Florida for good reason. It is home to two great universities and a large Tampa Bay performing arts center. Tampa is perfect for a vacation as it has several beaches. The most prominent tourist attraction is the Busch Gardens, which is a very famous theme park. You must visit the Florida Aquarium, Weeki Wachee Springs, Dinosaur World and Raymond Stadium, which hosts many football games. One of the popular festivals is the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which takes place in January of each year.

Seattle, Wash.

Famous for its coastline, the city of Seattle is situated between the waters of Puget Sound and Lake Washington. It is home to several historic neighborhoods. If you visit this great city, never leave without visiting Fisherman’s Terminal, Boeing Factory, Smith Tower Observation Deck, Safeco Field Stadium, Hing Hay Park and Seahawks Exhibition Center.

Offering a spectacular sight is the Space Needle, which is actually a must see. Other places worth mentioning are the Science Fiction Museum and the Seattle Art Museum.

This guide is just a drop in the bucket, however it will give your travel plans a jump start.

10 things to consider when evaluating used mobile homes for sale

Evaluating used mobile homes for sale can be time consuming, but finding the right one can be a financially sound decision for buyers on a tight budget or those in need of a temporary housing solution. While there are several sources to begin your search, such as dealer websites, Craig’s List, and eBay, one of the best ways is to simply do a “Google” search. An example of a good search would be “used mobile homes for sale in Minnesota,” that is, if you live in Minnesota.

According to a recent report, approximately 9 million people currently live in a manufactured home and that number is likely to increase until the economy improves. If you’re thinking that a used single or double width might be appropriate for your situation, here are 10 things to keep in mind.

  1. The cheapest used mobile homes for sale are not necessarily the best. You may not pay much up front, but it will end up costing you repairs down the road.
  2. If any of the used mobile homes for sale date from before 1978, be sure to check with your local building code agency. Building codes have changed drastically in the last few decades and many older homes will violate local code.
  3. Make sure the home you’re looking for fits your lifestyle. Do not obsess over a certain model, since it is more important that you have an adequate number of bedrooms and bathrooms, among other things.
  4. Check for water damage, as this is quite common in older homes. Check for stains on the ceiling and walls. Look under kitchen and bathroom cabinets for signs of leaks. If there has been a leak, the wood underneath is most likely rotten or moldy.
  5. Check for faulty electrical systems, especially in used mobile homes that are more than 25 years old. Rewiring is very expensive and faulty wiring is dangerous.
  6. Ideally, the houses you are looking at will have 2-by-6-inch walls instead of 2-by-4 or even 2-by-3. The reason you want 2-by-6-inch walls is that the whole house is stronger and will sag less over time. A used mobile home built with thicker walls typically has a higher ceiling and standard-height doors, giving the home a much more spacious feel. A mobile home built with plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) as an external siding to make stronger walls.
  7. Regardless of where you live, only consider used mobile homes for sale that have efficient heating and, in some areas, reliable air conditioning. In colder climates, look for heating and vents around the edges of the room rather than the ceiling. In warmer climates, look for the opposite.
  8. Insulation is important in any climate. Make sure the house is insulated for your climate. A Zone 1 rating is what you need for the colder climates. Be sure to check under the belly to make sure the insulation isn’t coming down. In many cases, especially with used homes, you may need to re-insulate and wrap the bottom. Also make sure there is adequate ventilation.
  9. Check with an insurance company before buying. Some used manufactured homes may not be insurable for one reason or another. Check it out and make sure.
  10. Find out in advance what is included with the different used mobile homes for sale. If you’re buying a used mobile home with the intention of moving it onto your lot or park, find out if transportation, foundations, skirting, or tie-downs are included or optional.

Professional real estate photography is crucial to the success of selling your home.

Nowhere is this truer than on the web, where most home buying searches take place: “web appeal” is the new “outside appeal,” the lure that attracts buyers. Today’s potential buyers are used to quality images found in other marketing venues. Attractive photos will grab the prospect’s attention, while houses with regular photos may pass them by.

When selling your home, you hire a real estate agent to do the best job of marketing your property. Agents are experts in the business aspects of the sales process; research, pricing, marketing, negotiation and closing. But is the centerpiece of your listing, the images, a photography expert taking them?

Grabbing a point-and-shoot and photographing a house seems like a reasonable option. Often one can get good shots just by being lucky. However, many aesthetic and technological difficulties must be overcome to get the consistent great photography needed in today’s multi-photo listings.

Internet viewing systems, known for displaying still photos, panoramic slideshows, and virtual tours, are another tool available to real estate agents. These products are only as good as the photography used on them. Use poor photos and you’ll end up with poor photography hosted in a slideshow or tour.

Photography is a highly specialized industry, not all photographers are the same. A good portrait photographer is not necessarily a good real estate photographer because the photographic challenges, and therefore the training, are different. Architectural photographers are not the best option because they charge a significantly higher fee which reduces your real estate agent’s bottom line. Professional real estate photographers give you similar results at a good price.

Top-of-the-line equipment aside, professional real estate photographers have more than just a keen eye. They know exactly where to put the camera and are experts at keeping it straight. Professional photographers have reliable experience in producing multiple, consistently good shots of each house. The exteriors are taken from the best angle and herald blue skies and puffy clouds. Interior shots are well composed, evenly lit, and clearly convey accurate visual information about the space you’re looking at.

Photos rarely come out of the camera ready to be displayed. They require post-shoot processing and this is where the professional Real Estate photographer excels. Large real estate photographs “pop” off the screen or page. They look and feel bright, light, open and attractive. When done right, the viewer doesn’t know why they like them, they just do!

Ask yourself which listing you’d rather be: You’re looking at two comparable listings, one with some photos that are a bit dark, feel cropped too close, and a bit blurry. The other listing has clear, detailed photographs of the outside environment and the main rooms of the house. It’s clear which one is going to generate more interest, exposure, and a potentially faster sale.

So what can you do to get the best photography for your ad?

Browse existing listings of your potential agents. Do you have great photos? Are there half a dozen or more images in the web listings? Professional real estate photography is done at the discretion of the agent. If the agent you choose doesn’t use professionals, insist that they do. Those who do see the results. And you too.