Just as the home mortgage meltdown has created an influx of foreclosed on properties that can be had for pennies on the dollar, this is also true in the commercial sector. When self storage units run into trouble they usually call upon the bank to repurchase the loan and if the bank does not want to go through with that deal then they are forced to put the business on the market for the highest bidder. This is where you come into play with a bid that is right below the maximum bid for like kind and quality self storage unit business in the neighborhood and more than likely the property will be yours.

This is not to say that you should drive the price down this is only to say that you would be doing them a favor, them being the business owner of the failed self storage unit endeavor and it will make their load that much lighter. What it takes is a glut of capital and this is not in reference to a few thousand dollars as it takes easily over fifty to one-hundred thousand dollars to even invest in any type of property that is suitable for a self storage unit business.

A quick check of the financials on the actual property that is up for sale will let you know if it is indeed a good deal or bad deal. What must be done is there should be a lien search conducted to see if any other entities have any other vested interest in the property before the sale or worse after the sale. If the lien is not discovered through the course of the pre-offer and then it is disclosed after the ink is dry on the contract then guess who is on the hook for the actual lien? Yes, that will be you and that will be on top of what you have already paid to own the property. It is still a great time to get in on the self storage business if you can find an adequate self storage business that has already gone through the growing pains and has at least a handful of clientele already on the books, as this makes the deal that much sweeter.

In summary, the best way to purchase a self storage unit business is to always be on the lookout for a great deal. The research can be on the Internet yet this should not be considered the end to the exploration, not at all. The good old ‘For Sale’ signs in the neighborhood are some of the best to address and with a little charm and honest-to-goodness sentimentality a great deal can be yours.

Jeff Lindahl has been investing in self-storage units for 14 years. To learn more about the possibilities as self-storage as an investment go to http://www.selfstorageinvestingriches.com/index.shtml.

Unfortunately, all the advice in the world often isn’t enough to adequately prepare someone. A home, already a six-figure purchase, comes with while I like to refer to as “expense timers”. An expense timer is something that will eventually cost the owner money, and the clock is always ticking. Unsure of what I mean? Keep reading.

Common “Expense Timers”

A home is much like a car in that it requires constant maintenance, repairs, and care in order to operate at maximum efficiency. When you were growing up, did you put much thought into how much work your parents did on your home? Based on the simple fact that ignorance is bliss, I sincerely doubt it. However, as soon as the tables turn and you find yourself as the home-owner, the amount of work becomes staggering.

The most common home expenses are:

1. Appliances – If your appliances are included in the sale of the home there is usually a very good reason for it. Occasionally it’s simply because the seller is feeling nice or too darn lazy to move them, but more often than not it’s simply because the appliances are old and on their last legs. Do a thorough inspection of all the appliances – the washer/dryer, dishwasher, oven, stove, microwave, furnace, etc. – to ensure that they are of sound mechanical integrity.
2. Siding/Soffit/Fascia – If your home is more than a few years old, have a home inspector carefully inspect the siding, soffit, and fascia. These are wear items, that need replacing and/or repair over time. Of course, don’t forget the roof!
3. External paint – If you live in an area that receives four seasons this fact is especially true. Generally, a high-quality external paint job will last eight to ten years. If your home is approaching that age or older you may benefit from having the seller repaint the home as a condition of sale.
4. Garage door openers/misc. small appliances – This is almost always overlooked (for obvious reasons). Who thinks about a garage door opener when they are purchasing a home? No one, except for you (thanks to your recent education). It may seem like a small thing, but small appliances (such as garage door openers, air conditioners, humidifiers, etc.) are a royal pain to fix when they break- not to mention really inconvenient to be without.
5. The most dreaded timer of all: bathroom plumbing – If you have a puzzled look on your face right now, don’t worry, I get that a lot. However, consider the people who used to own the home before you: were they clean people that kept their home tidy? It probably looked that way when they were showing the home, but how was it normally? Things like fingernails, hair, toothpaste caps, and other random things will and have found their way into the bathroom sinks. This may not seem like a problem until it clogs. Then, before you know it, you’ve spent $500 on a plumber to flush your pipes. Save yourself the hassle and have the pipes flushed before your buy at the sellers expense.

Some Things to Consider

You will never be able to purchase a home without having to put some money into it after the fact. Like a car, your home will always require maintenance and care. However, by being litigious (some might even say ‘anal’) before you purchase you will be saving yourself headaches – and money – in the long run.

Keep in mind that a motivated seller will almost always agree to your picky demands so long as they aren’t outrageous. Would a seller decline to sell a home because a qualified buyer wants them to flush the bathroom pipes or verify the mechanical integrity of the air conditioner? No. Would you save money by being a little ‘anal’? You had better believe it!

Cameron Martel works closely with the mortgage experts at the Purcell Mortgage Team. Do you live in Canada and wonder how the Canadian home renovation tax credit might benefit you? Read the post and see if it answers your questions!

Option 1:

1 Rai of land – 40 million Baht in Thailand.

A foreigner may be allowed to own up to 1 Rai of land in his/her name if he/she brings 40 million Baht into the country. Conditions apply.

Option 2:

Long-term lease from current owner.

This option is also known as ‘never ending’ lease option by the owner. The lease agreement will specify negotiated balloon payments at 1, 3 or 5 years intervals. This may be a good option if the leasee does not want to commit a large amount of money up front.

Option 3:

Other land owner ship and right of use methods.

This is a right to enjoy and use advantages and benefits of property belonging to another entity as long as the property is not altered or damaged.

Option 4:

Creation of a majority owned company.

This method may be more of an expensive and fairly complicated one. The foreigner owns 49% of shares and Thais own 51% of shares. The registered owner is the foreigner who also owns the majority of the voting rights.

Option 5:

30 Year lease with option to extend the lease.

This is probably the preferred method for most foreigners. The foreigner buys the land in a Thai citizen and leases it back from the Thai citizen for 30 years with option to renew. Many foreigners choose this option with their Thai spouse.

Which is the best option for you?

You will be best advised to consult a law office in Thailand. Legal fees are a fraction of the cost in most western countries but in the long run will save you money and minimize your investment risk.

In tourist areas you will have no problem finding law firms with experience and a good reputation. If you are moving to a rural area you may have a more difficult time to find a law firm but you can still work with a larger company from Pattaya, Bangkok or other areas.

The research and finding the right law firm to do business is may be one of the most important tasks. Legal fees are inexpensive compared to many western countries. A land deal may cost around 15- 30,000 Baht but this investment is necessary and may save you a lot of trouble and money in the long run.

More tips on buying real estate in Thailand: http://www.paradise-pattaya.com/pattaya-real-estate.html

Visit http://www.paradise-pattaya.com/index.html for everything about Pattaya, Thailand.

There is a fundamental difference however between the two. When you buy and sell a house or piece of land, your profit on that deal is a one time thing and you will have to go look for more deals to continue to make money. With an apartment building, once the deal is closed and your building is occupied, the money comes in on a regular basis for as long as you own the property. If you have no interest in the day to day operation of your property it is simple to turn it over to a management company and let them do the work will you reap the profits.

Here are a few hints and tips that will help you get one step ahead if you do decide to invest in an apartment building.

• First, determine the value of the building by either subtracting the yearly maintenance/upkeep/taxes, and other fees from the yearly rents. This will give you a good estimated value of the property.

• Unless you have a pile to invest you are probably going to need some form of financing. A good credit score will help you get a bank or finance company loan. If you are seeing more than 75% of net operating income per month in rents, you shouldn’t have any problem. Private money is also an option and is usually a much easier process than traditional sources.

• Never close any deal unless you have all the numbers. Having good information on the costs of running the building as contrasted against potential profits will allow you to make sound decisions.

• Any property that you are considering should be assessed by a professional building or general contractor. You will have to clean up the building and get it ready for leasing and you will need to know the cost of the repairs and remodeling to factor it into your profit analysis.

Investing in an apartment building can be much more complex than investing in single family homes but the risk is not proportionally larger and the money will continue to come in long after you have spent the money you would have made with a single family home sale.

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For example, in 1994 we moved from a 1800 square foot house to a 35 foot sailboat… about 60 square feet of standup room, remember the walls are curved on a sailboat. We had all the space we ever needed.

We moved to such a small living space because we wanted to, the sail boat cruising lifestyle offered a lot of fun and adventure for us. We were not disappointed.

Point being you can cut your living costs drastically by downsizing your home…to a home that doesn’t float either.

It is a matter of deciding to make more efficient use of the space you have. We all know that there are certain rooms in your house you may not enter for weeks at a time…the formal dining room, maybe you use it twice a year for holidays; formal dining room same thing; guest bedroom…when was it last used?

Get the idea…we do not use even half of the square footage in an average home on a weekly basis, let alone a daily basis.

Do not think you can’t give up half or more of your house. Families in Eastern Europe and Asia live in crowded apartments not limited to one family. So it is ludicrous to say that small space living is that big a deal, it isn’t.

Cheap living in smaller spaces is possible because you are not busy caring for all your stuff. Do you need the second or third car? Will you need the snow blower or riding lawnmower in a small condo? How many suits and dresses can you wear at once?

Are you coming up with some ideas for that will put a smaller cheaper living space in your future?

Cheap living small living space. Gary Pierce is the webmaster of http://www.frugal-retirement-living.com he retired early at 49, still retired at 64. He has experience in lifestyles that are both fulfilling and frugal. It is 2009 and many are wondering if they can ever retire. Don’t give up until you check out this website. Enjoy.

These monuments are designed to be as permanent as possible, though land surveyors many decades ago used wooden posts or natural features which may be destroyed over time, making it difficult to re-trace their work today. Monuments in use today will have a cap on top of the iron rod identifying the surveyor who placed it.

This physical monument allows the easy finding of the boundaries and corners of the property when one is physically on the land, although the monumental land survey itself does have some limitations as far as the other information provided. For example, it usually is not concerned with any improvements on the property, such as fences or homes, and will not determine whether these were built to code or conform to zoning regulations.

Often, a monumental survey is undertaken in combination with other types of land surveys to show additional information about the property. For example, a monumental survey may be combined with a title survey, which will examine more than the boundaries in determining anything affecting ownership of the land in question.

In many cases, a monumental land survey may be undertaken when there is a dispute over the exact land boundaries. For example, if a fence has been built or is about to be built on the land, a monumental land survey can mark the exact corners and the boundary between the two properties so that the fence’s position with regards to the legal property boundary can be evaluated. The monumental land survey is also useful when in the planning stages of a construction project.

Before a land surveyor may place the monuments, there are many other steps to take, many of which are actually done away from the property in question. In fact, placing the monuments is near the end of the monumental land surveying process. First, the surveyor must clarify exactly where the boundary should be located by looking at the title and legal description of the property, among other information. Then, these boundaries must be measured on the land itself before they can be marked, and the surveyor will search for any preexisting corner monuments from previous surveys, evaluating their accuracy to determine whether the boundary was correctly placed by the previous surveyor. Finally, the new monuments are set into place.

Boundary monuments are placed at every corner of the property, including any angle or change of direction of the boundary line. The survey data is then recorded in a land survey plat. The official recording of this survey will provide a basis for any future land surveys of the property. If such information is never recorded properly, it will not be available for future land surveyors if the land is re-surveyed at any point in time. This information includes a scale drawing of the land and its boundaries, all necessary dimensions to allow a surveyor to establish the property boundaries while in the field and a detailed description of all monuments found or used on the property.

We at Point to Point Land Surveyors pride ourselves on accuracy, customer service and quality work delivered on time, guaranteed. Residential land surveys are a specialty.

Investing in property can be a risky task, loaded with pitfalls along the way. Here are several tips to guide you along the way.

• Decide what area of real estate you are interested. Do you want to invest in single family homes or property, turning them over for a quick profit or do you want to buy into a rental that carries steady profit but costs more and carries more risk?

• Educate yourself in the market you have chosen. Know your local market, its trends, the general value of properties, tax issues in your community, etc.

• Know the real estate terminologies. Real estate has its own language and knowing it is vital. What is escrow, closing costs, and how do mortgages work?

• Contract a good general contractor. Many people have made large amounts of money buying ugly duckling properties. These are properties that while structurally sound, need a great deal of cosmetic work. Also called triple d properties they are where most new real estate investors begin their careers. Owners of fixer uppers are usually looking to move the property for many different reasons and you can always get a good price at excellent terms, buying one of these properties and then spending the money to improve it can greatly increase its value.

We have all seen the media horror stories about families losing everything when the value of homes dropped last year. The fact is that the median home price in the United States has only dropped a couple of percentage points. Economic experts have said that the real estate market hasn’t crashed; it’s just going through a period of price adjustment after several years of booming sales. Being successful in real estate is still very possible with the right amount of caution and a good deal of common sense.

To learn more about Investing Online and Affiliate Marketing Click Here. Or to see how Troy Pryczek can mentor you to make money online, and to claim you’re FREE! Internet marketing Boot Camp visit http://www.NewOnlineInvesting.com.

Many times home inspectors can’t fully do what they’re supposed to do because certain areas of the home are inaccessible, due to clutter. When it’s time for your home inspection, you want to get your money’s worth. You don’t want the report to say, “Inspection limited due to the excess possessions blocking access and view.”

This isn’t about being a neat freak. The American Society of Home Inspectors ASHI®, Standards of Professional Practice, says inspectors are not to report on components or systems which are not observed. Your inspector isn’t required to disturb insulation or move personal items out of the way. If you’ve got furniture or plants in places your inspector needs to see, like the doorway to a utility closet, you’ll have to move that stuff. Clear off any snow and ice if necessary as well.

What if the water heater, electrical panels, or attic are places your home inspector can’t get to? Those are areas he must check if your home is to be inspected properly, and if you’re going to get the report you need. The bottom line: Don’t let junk ruin your home inspection.

In some homes water heaters are found in utility closets or garages. If the water heater is surrounded by clutter, your inspector can’t tell if there are possible problems, such as a fire hazard. If an electrical panel has been improperly installed, but is hidden from view, your inspector won’t know that, and neither will you. What if that panel causes a fire for the next home owner?

Walk through your home before your home inspection is to take place and make sure all doors and passageways are accessible. Move stored items out of the way or elsewhere altogether. If the home being sold is vacant make sure that the power, water and gas remain on so that all systems are operable and can be inspected. If items on the report can’t be inspected, you as the seller may be asked to have the home inspected again after areas in question have been cleared out. Similarly, if you’re the buyer, you can ask for another inspection. Another option is to request that the seller pay for a warranty if a certain component is not inspected.

Granted, if a home to be inspected is being lived in, there will be personal possessions throughout the house. Some areas will be less accessible as a result. If you’re the seller, make sure things can be moved out of your inspector’s way.

Show some common courtesy and make sure key areas around your property can be seen by your home inspector. You may not be trying to impress him at a dinner party, but you’ll make his job easier, and you’ll get a more complete report. That, after all, is what you’re paying for.

You’ve carefully selected the home you’re buying. Make sure you’re as careful when selecting your home inspector. Don’t get stuck paying for repairs missed by a quick home inspection. Author David Haigh is a professional home inspector in NJ. Click now to view a free sample report of a New Jersey home inspection.

In looking for a equestrian real property, it is very dependent on what type of rider you are. An equestrian, who does riding as a professional, may have certain qualities and facilities that need to be present in their property, as opposed to those who just ride for fun.

However, if you are into equestrian real estate, here are the common things that you should look into:

1. The size of the land- Most equestrian properties are made of acres of land. It is vast and filled with greenery so horses can run freely within the property. Experts in horse rearing also mentioned it should also have trees because in warm days, horses would also need a shade to cool down in an afternoon ride.

2. Mild temperatures- The climate of the place is also important. Most of the equestrian properties are popular down south because of their mild temperatures. However, they are not limited to these kinds of conditions. Some people living in area codes with 4 seasons can also run these properties. If you want your open horse rearing and if you want to enjoy riding all the time, having a warm climate is quite an advantage.

3. Good Fencing- When you live in this property, you do not expect your horses to be caged all the time. You will probably let them wander around to be eating fresh green grass. That is why it should be properly fenced to keep your horses within the property. In case they wander around, you know where to find them. You are assured that they will be just there and no one would make a mistake in capturing them.

4. Water Source- A good equestrian property should have its own fresh water source. Since it usually has a vast land of greenery, there should be enough water to sustain the property. This is very important for irrigation. Water is also important for horses. They need it as much as humans do. If they are left dehydrated, they can die within 5 to 6 days, as opposed to having no food, which can reach within few weeks. So having infinite fresh water is a necessity.

5. Facilities- What good is an equestrian property if it has no facilities for horses, right? You can look into stables, outdoor schooling and many others. Just as long as you have enough facilities for feeding, exercising or rearing horse, it should be good. However, it should match your needs. If you are just starting out, you may want to find facilities enough for your ponies. Then expand later on. The severity of facilities present may have an effect on the affordability of the property.

6. Vehicle access- Running stables or equine properties may involve delivery of materials. It should have roads wide enough for a more convenient transporting. It should also be strategic and properly defined. This way it will not interfere with any activities. Properly built roads can actually serve as quarantine barriers, at times when there will be outbreak of diseases.

Are you interested to learn more about equestrian real estate? Visit Scottsdale AZ Real Estate and Residential Real Estate in Scottsdale. You can also find the most amazing real estate properties in here, whether for residential or equestrian purposes.

If grading collects and holds water near a foundation wall it can cause basement flooding. That can lead to mold growth as soon as 48 hours after flooding, something you definitely don’t want. Of course, any amount of flooding can damage those valuable items you’ve stored in your basement, and you don’t want that either.

If you’ve lived in an area for quite a while, you maybe familiar enough to detect certain weather patterns, such as a wet spring that could cause flooding. You may already know you have to be on guard concerning water getting into your basement. However, aside from immediate flooding, water leakage over a long period of time will rot and damage wood framing structures and also cause damage to the foundation. That’s something to be aware of, too.

The grade is like a roof on a house. A grade that pitches or angles towards a home can direct water right to your home. If the ground is frozen in winter, heavy rain can cause flooding next to your foundation wall. Of course, heavy rain any time of year can cause flooding. The problem is that the water will leak into any cracks it finds. Thus, you get water in your basement and damage to your foundation.

If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ll want to ask the owner about any flooding in the past. Was this a wet year? What about wet years within the past ten years? Such years are bound to happen. You don’t want to be surprised by unanticipated flooding in the basement. Any possible evidence of past flooding is important to learn about before you buy the home. You want to be able to wisely make an informed decision on purchase or negotiation with the seller.

If you’re selling a home yourself, here are some ideas to reduce water leakage into the basement.

First, angle or pitch all grades away from your home. The ground right next to the foundation should be sloped away from a building at a slope not less than 1 inch per 1 foot of grade over a distance of no less than 8 feet. Of course, if the house has a hill side directed to the house, following this recommendation may be canceled out as water runs down the hill.

It may be necessary to install a grade or below grade drain. This will direct water away from the ground next to the foundation. An engineer may need to design such a drain. Though this could cost several thousand dollars, consider it an important investment to ward off problems that could cost much more in the long run.

You could also drain water from gutters into dry wells placed at least 20 feet from the building. This depends on several factors, such as the soil conditions and general pitch of the surrounding grade. Consider the elevation of the house, too, such as when living in coastal flood plains or wetland areas. High water tables may be as close as 3-4 inches underneath a home’s basement slab throughout the year. A word of caution–don’t drain sump pumps into city sewers, as it’s illegal in most places.

Another suggestion is to keep grass clippings from piling up around the perimeter of your home. Over time grass clippings can raise the grade a little and make something like a low moat that collects water. That water will likely seep into the ground and find small cracks in your foundation and end up in the basement.

Water where it doesn’t belong is a plague to most home owners and home inspectors. Taking preventive measures now will make life easier for you, your inspector and prospective buyer.

You’ve carefully selected the home you’re buying. Make sure you’re as careful when selecting your home inspector. Don’t get stuck paying for repairs missed by a quick home inspection. Author David Haigh is a professional home inspector in NJ. Click now to view a free sample report of a New Jersey home inspection.