real estate

Real Estate Investment Opportunities within the Twin Cities

To better serve the needs of real estate investors in Minneapolis & St Paul as well as surrounding areas within the Twin Cities, I have recently earned the Certified Investor Agent Specialist™ (CIAS) Designation. With the CIAS, I have the training, tools and calculations to effectively serve the five investor types: First-Time Investor, Move-Up Investor, Portfolio Investor, Performance Investor, and Rehab and Resell Investor.

Real estate represents a consistent and stable way to build wealth, brings liquidity to our housing market, and stimulates our local economy. In fact, in the past year, investment and second-home properties represented approximately 27% of all residential sales. It’s also worth noting that nationwide, 43% of real estate investors earned less than $75,000 per year.

Today, real estate is quite literally on sale! There is an unprecedented opportunity to build wealth through real estate, and I specialize in helping all investors achieve their goals.

Contact me today at 952-929-2577 to learn more about investing in real estate.

In my 26 years of real estate sales, I can tell you the values are extreme. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Now is the time to purchase real estate.

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Short Sales, Foreclosures, Bankruptcies, Judgements All in one Transaction

I just had a short sale blow up because of undisclosed tax liens and judgements. The title couldn’t be cleared and we ended up with a mess. Everyone involved has to dismantle and start over again. I couldn’t help but be disappointed. But, in today’s real estate world this is common. It is all about attitude. When life throws you lemons, learn to make lemonade. Yes, it is more complicated than that. Take a look at this video and share it with someone who may have had a set back. It is really powerful and inspirational

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Twin Cities Real Estate-Investment Property In Minneapolis St Paul

This is a recent power point I’ve just put together. It gives you some ideas and information before you begin investing in real estate.

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8 Tips For Finding Your New Home

A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.

House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you want at the best price. These eight tips will guide you through a smart homebuying process.

1. Know thyself
Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?

2. Research before you look
List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto REALTOR.com to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.

3. Get your finances in order
Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing.

Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.

4. Set a moving timeline
Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you’ll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.

5. Think long term
Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.

6. Work with a REALTOR®
Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents to determine which have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you’re interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent’s style meshes with your personality.

Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers’ reps work only for you even though they’re typically paid by the seller. Finally, check whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they’re members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.

7. Be realistic
It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded.

On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.

8. Limit the opinions you solicit
It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has found happiness in a brownstone in a historic Chicago neighborhood. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

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4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget.

Here are six surefire ways you can get your finances in order before you buy a home.

Homeownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget.

Instead of just taking out the biggest mortgage a lender qualifies you to borrow, consider how much you want to pay each month for housing based on your financial and personal goals.

Think ahead to major life events and consider how those might influence your budget. Do you want to return to school for an advanced degree? Will a new child add day care to your monthly expenses? Does a relative plan to eventually live with you and contribute to the mortgage?

Still not sure how much you can afford? You can use the same formulas that most lenders use, or try another of these traditional methods for estimating the amount of mortgage you can afford.

1. The general rule of mortgage affordability
As a rule of thumb, you can typically afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. If you earn $100,000, you can typically afford a home between $200,000 and $300,000.

To understand how that rule applies to your particular financial situation, prepare a family budget and list all the costs of homeownership, like property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care costs.

2. Factor in your downpayment
How much money do you have for a downpayment? The higher your downpayment, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home’s cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment.
The lower your downpayment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

3. Consider your overall debt
Lenders generally follow the 28/41 rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes, and insurance shouldn’t total more than 28% of your gross annual income. Your overall monthly payments for your mortgage plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn’t exceed 41% of your gross annual income.

Here’s how that works. If your gross annual income is $100,000, multiply by 28% and then divide by 12 months to arrive at a monthly mortgage payment of $2,333 or less. Next, check the total of all your monthly bills including your potential mortgage and make sure they don’t top 41%, or $3,416 in our example.

4. Use your rent as a mortgage guide
The tax benefits of homeownership generally allow you to afford a mortgage payment—including taxes and insurance—of about one-third more than your current rent payment without changing your lifestyle. So you can multiply your current rent by 1.33 to arrive at a rough estimate of a mortgage payment.

Here’s an example. If you currently pay $1,500 per month in rent, you should be able to comfortably afford a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment after factoring in the tax benefits of homeownership.

However, if you’re struggling to keep up with your rent, consider what amount would be comfortable and use that for the calcuation instead.

Also consider whether or not you’ll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can’t also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a “what if” tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who’s owned her own home for more than 20 years. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

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Buying Rental Property In The Twin Cities

Have you ever wanted to own rental property, but were unsure where to start? I teach a class on the topic. I’ve decided to make the outline into a PPT. I cover the information in my class in much more depth and breadth, but this will give you a lot of useful information. If you are interested in discussing purchasing a rental property as an investment, just give me a call and we can set up a time to meet and review how I can help you become a “real estate mogul”.

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Is There An Opportunity Right In Front Of YOU

I just watched an amazing video which I’ve posted below called the Money Tree. There are so many different interpretations. One that struck me was that people are oblivious to opportunity that is right in front of them. How many of us are looking for something that we already have or is within our reach? How many people are NOT buying real estate today when they could be looking at this as an incredible wealth building opportunity for what it is over the long term-assuming properties rise again in value? I was showing homes this past weekend. It was incredible to see townhomes in great communities selling for 40-60% less than they had sold for just as little as 5 years before. Luckily for my client, we are going to make an offer and ACT. Watch this video and don’t let the opportunities in your life pass you by. Don’t let life pass you by. Happy New Year and may 2011 be your best yet!

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Getting Ready to Sell Your House

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Minnesota Foreclosure And Distressed Home Fact Sheets PLUS Twin Cities First Time Buyer Special Programs

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Top Seven Tips For Home Buyers

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Buying a Condo Conversion

By Aaron Gordon

Never question the ingenuity of the real estate developer.

Close to 20 years ago, two of my best buddies and I decided to pool our resources after college and get an apartment of our own.

The three of us were barely able to afford a 3 bedroom apartment that was about 10 years old at the time. We paid about $500/mo. in rent. To this day, I am not sure how we could afford that apartment.

The apartment was a dump. The flooring, the kitchen and, especially, the bathrooms were so bad, that my father walked in one day with a horrified look of disgust on his face, and refused to stay. However, that was what my buddies and I called home.

Today, nearly 30 years later I am doing loans for people buying units in that same apartment complex. Today, it’s a condo conversion!!

The entire complex has been remodeled, and the units are going for nearly $175,000 a unit.

Pure genius!

You all know about condo conversions and how incredibly hot they are in the market. Low interest rates have driven new home sales thru the roof and condos are no exception.

First time home buyers are flocking to get in any way they can. This has actually crippled the apartment business and is driving the biggest condominium conversion boom in 20 years.

Over 12,000 apartment units in Las Vegas are currently mapped for condo conversions. Condo developers are paying a premium to acquire and transform old apartment complexes into condos and they are doing this all across the country, especially Las Vegas and South Florida.

The developers typically search for apartment-to-condo conversions in desirable locations where they won’t directly compete with affordable entry- level homes.

They want to offer an affordable alternative to pricier single-family homes or to costlier condos in new developments.

In many cases, condo conversions provide the perfect entry-level opportunity for renters to become home owners, allowing these new property owners to build equity and realize their homeownership dream.

Transforming apartment buildings into condominiums is quicker and less risky than construction from the ground up.

Land prices have gone up so high that many developers cannot afford to build entry-level housing, so this is a great option. Home buyers then benefit because converted units are usually more affordable than new ones, and many are in choice locations. You can find some of these units advertised locally for as low as the $90′s.

Conversion developers say they can buy something for one-third of the cost that it would take to buy the vacant land and build something on it.

The beauty for the developer is that the condo conversion isn’t going to be selling for one-third of what it would cost brand new. It’s more like 75%-85% of it.

The developers usually do a pretty nice job improving the property and the units. Upgrades are usually made to the property’s exterior and common areas. Then they add on the sizzle. Granite counter tops, upgraded cabinetry and fixtures, and wood floors are often added to individual units. The upgrades are built into the condo prices.

Once the developer acquires an apartment complex, they generally convince about 10-15% of the existing renters to stay by buying a unit. They will often offer these people discounts before they ever even market to the general public.

The obvious key to selling these units to your clients is to convince buyers that they are better off owning versus renting or to get your more timid investors to jump in with less financial risk.

People have a desire to own a home. There are very few who want to rent and low interest rates have provided this opportunity.

Condo conversions create more affordable housing in areas when the price for a single-family home skyrockets like we have seen throughout the country. A single family home in Las Vegas, where I live, is averaging around $300,000. That is simply not affordable for your average first-time home buyer.

Speculators and investors make up 30-50% of all condo conversion buyers. They buy these units, intending to sell them at a higher price in a short term.

Rising interest rates historically have slowed conversion activity. This slows down the appreciation as well. It’s difficult to convince someone to pay $1200 per month on a mortgage for a 1000 sq. ft condo. However, get it under $1000 and you will find buyers.

Before you invest in one of these units and plan on renting it out, or you plan to buy one to live in, you must know a few things.

Condo conversions are marketed to the very same people who rent apartments. Thirty to 50% of all condo conversion buyers are investors and speculators.

When they go to rent their units, they are competing for the very same market as the developer of the project. Why rent when you can buy? Why rent from you either?

Once cheap mortgages vanish, and rates have been rising recently as you all know, condo conversions will become riskier. When home sales slow, converters may find it harder to sell their condos.

Once 30 year interest rates hit 7% or 8%, experts say, condo conversions will cool. Today, we are at around 6.25%. The good news is condo conversions are almost the last bastion of truly affordable housing in many areas.

Here are some things to keep in mind…

Many people buying condo conversions don’t realize that the property they are buying is different from a newly constructed unit. This means the financial exposure for repairs and replacements can be much higher.

New condominiums, built from the ground up, are constructed with the building materials of today and have to conform to today’s more strict building codes.

The condition of converted condominiums can vary. An older apartment complex converted to condos could have wear and tear and may have structural faults unknown at closing. These problems can become a real hinderance later on.

Newer apartments that have been converted to condominiums in the past few years were probably constructed under the latest building codes and have new building components, mechanical systems and interior finishes. These are a safer bet and you will want to find out the year the original structure was built.

Many older buildings have been converted as well. Some converters gut an apartment building, taking it down to its “shell,” and then rebuild it, installing new plumbing, roof and mechanical systems.

Other developers simply do “cosmetic rehabs,” leaving the building components as is and merely sprucing up the property to make units more marketable.

Buyers beware. Are you buying a fully renovated building that was taken down to the shell, or are you buying a building that someone just slapped some paint on and put in a few new windows?

What about problems to the complex? Although most developers do a terrific job in converting, what if the roof needs to be repaired after a few years? Does the association have enough reserves to cover it? Many people believe condo conversion owners can expect special assessments quicker than new condo buyers.

You do have some safeguards. As a lender for condo conversion buyers, we often require an engineer’s report from the developer before we close the loan. You have a right to this document as well.

It tells you what was done to the building and the sales office can give you a copy of this if you ask.

Here are some other things you should know before buying a condo conversion:

They usually have restrictive covenants. Every condominium project has rules and restrictions that govern what unit owners can do. If you own a pet, make sure your building is pet-friendly. Do you even get a covered parking space?

Are you buying the unit as an investor to rent out? You will want to make sure the building allows rentals and the minimum term required.

If speculators cannot resell their units they will rent them out too. If there are many renters, that can create problems with condo owners in the same building and lead to maintenance issues.

Renters tend to care far less about their homes than do the home’s owner. Too many renters can destroy the complex and it’s value.

Speculators buy as much as 70% of some condominium projects. You may be moving into a building that is nearly vacant. That may not be what you had hoped for.

Once a condominium project has more than 30% of its owners that use it as a second home or as an investment property, the condos all become “non-warrantable.”

Non-warrantable condos mean the project is not insured by Fannie Mae. This means a different kind of loan for the buyer of your condo. Many banks do not loan on non-warrantable condos. We offer non-warrantable condo loans. Even though they are very competitive, even offering 100% financing, the loan programs are not quite the same as they are on a warrantable condo.

Here is a time and problem saving tip:

When you are selling a condo, of any kind, you want to make sure you or your agent contacts the Homeowner’s Association, early in the process, and asks them what percentage of the project is non-owner occupied. If it’s over 30%, you want to communicate this immediately to your buyer. He has to make sure his lender can do the loan or he may have to change lenders. It is best if you know this early.

Many condo conversions are considered non-warrantable.

The bottom line is condo conversions offer affordable housing in many areas where the first-time homebuyer and the real estate investor, who wants to take on a little less financial risk, are starting to be turned away. However, as a buyer you want to be very cautious and ask questions about the building’s history and residential make-up.

Aaron Gordon is a top-producing Senior Mortgage Consultant with Realty Mortgage Corporation in Las Vegas, NV. His monthly newsletter currently goes out to over 10,000 real estate agents and other professionals in the Las Vegas area. He helps over 200 families each year with their mortgage needs in many states. He can be reached by email at aarong@realtymortgage.info or you can see more newsletters at http://www.aarongordon.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Gordon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-a-Condo-Conversion&id=518715

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Thinking of Buying a Condo Hotel? Here Are 20 Things You Need to Know!

By Joel Greene

1. What is a condo hotel or condotel?

Think of a condo hotel (also sometimes called a condotel or hotel condo) as buying a condominium, although one that is part of a four-star caliber hotel. Therefore, as an owner, when you are on vacation, you’ll get the benefit of more four-star services and amenities than you’d get in a typical condominium.

2. What types of services and amenities are found in condo hotels?

If you can imagine the niceties you’d find in an upscale hotel, then you can picture a condo hotel. Among the features are often resort-style pools, full-service spas, state-of-the-art fitness centers, fine dining restaurants, concierge services and room service.

In some locations, like Las Vegas, you’ll find condo hotels with their own casinos, retail areas, and entertainment venues. In places like Orlando, you’ll find condo hotels with their own water parks and convention facilities.

3. What is the difference between a condo hotel and a traditional condominium?

The big difference between a hotel and a condo hotel is that a hotel typically has one owner, either individual or corporate, but a condo hotel is sold off unit by unit. Therefore, a 300-room condo hotel could have as many as 300 unit owners.

4. Is it evident to hotel guests whether they’re staying in a condo hotel or a traditional hotel?

A hotel guest will likely never know that the hotel has multiple owners because the property is operated just like a traditional hotel and often under the management of a well-known hotel company like Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, Trump or W. Also, each of the individual condo hotel units will look identical in design and décor to every other, just as they would in a traditional hotel.

5. Who typically buys condo hotels?

They’re primarily sold to people who want a vacation home but do not want to deal with the hassles typically associated with second home ownership such as maintaining the property or finding renters in the off season.

6. What is the demographic of the typical condo hotel buyer?

The spectrum of condo hotel buyers is pretty broad. There are families that want a second home in a vacation destination. There are baby boomers who are at or nearing retirement and want somewhere they can “winter.” There are also plenty of investors who purchase a condo hotel unit with little intention of ever using it; they’re in it for the potential appreciation of the real estate.

7. Can you live in a condo hotel?

Condo hotels are not typically offered as primary residences. In fact, many of them limit the unit owner’s usage of the condo hotel unit (typically 30-60 days per year) because the unit is expected and needed in the hotel’s nightly rental program where it can be offered to guests and generate revenue.

8. Who gets the money when your condo hotel is rented out?

The hotel management company splits the rental revenue with the individual condo hotel owner. While the exact percentages vary from property to property, the typical rental split is in the 50%-50% range.

9. Who finds hotel guests and then cleans and maintains the condo hotel units?

The hotel management company markets the property and books hotel guests. It also maintains the unit and ensures the smooth operation of all of the hotel’s services and amenities.

10. What are the advantages / disadvantages of purchasing a condotel over purchasing typical rental properties?

Advantages include:

· Hassle-free ownership; no landlord issues

· Rental revenue to offset some or maybe all ownership expenses

· A fantastic vacation home available for use whenever you want

· A real estate investment at a time when other investments may seem less attractive

· Strong likelihood of appreciation

· Pride of ownership –”I own a piece of a Trump”

Disadvantages include:

· Annual cash flow could be equal to or less than annual ownership costs

· Pets are usually not welcome.

· An owner’s condo hotel unit may be rented when the owner wants to it, so advance reservations are required to guarantee availability.

· The condo hotel unit is subject to the same dips in the market that affect all hotels in the competitive market set: hurricanes, terrorist threats, warm winters up north, price of gas, etc., all of which can affect a unit’s occupancy rate and the amount of revenue it generates.

11. Are condo hotel units difficult to finance?

Not at all, but they do take 20% down typically, whereas condos can be purchased with less cash down. It’s also important to make sure you use a mortgage broker who has had success in getting condo hotel financing deals done. Many banks still do not do them, but more and more are getting involved as condo hotels become more widely available.

12. How long have condo hotels been around and where are they located?

Condo hotels have been around for several decades, but the huge surge of four-star and five-star condo hotels that have been making their way across the country, started around year 2000 in the Miami area. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area still has the most condo hotels, but areas like Orlando and Las Vegas are developing condo hotel properties at an even faster rate and will likely surpass South Florida soon. Other up-and-coming areas are places like the Bahamas, Panama, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada and Dubai.

13. How much do condo hotel units cost?

That’s like asking how much a car costs. There are different quality condo hotels. Some require greater amounts of money than others, obviously.

There are inexpensive condo hotels out there for as little as $100,000. These are typically found in properties that have converted their use from an existing hotel. They are hotel room-sized, lack kitchen facilities, luxury franchises, and other first-class amenities.

Then there are the four-star or greater properties that may start in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, but can go all the way up to $800,000 just for a studio unit. One- and two-bedroom units cost substantially more than a studio. Of course, the studios do come fully furnished and finished, and will be significantly larger in size than a typical hotel room, and may attract guests because of its name like St. Regis, Ritz or W.

14. What are typical maintenance costs?

On average about $1.00 to $1.50 per sq. ft., but the range can exceed $2.00 sq. ft. in the most luxurious properties.

15. Do you buy condo hotel units after they have been built, or can you purchase condo hotels in pre-construction?

Unless you are in a hurry to get started vacationing or you need to complete a 1031 exchange, it’s best to buy condo hotels in pre-construction as early as possible. That’s when prices are lowest and unit selection is greatest. You will likely wait two years or longer before closing on and taking possession of your condo hotel unit, but you will have locked in the price and will get the benefit of maximum appreciation.

16. Is there anything else investors should want to know about condotels?

There is more to buying this type of real estate than the old phrase, “location, location, location.” While most condo hotels are located in desirable resort and business area locations, what is most important is a good franchise with a strong reservation system.

Also, do not be fooled by an aggressive rental split. One way or the other, the developer of the property will have to staff, maintain and operate the hotel and its services like the restaurants, bars, spas and pools from his share of the proceeds. If he’s giving you a very favorable share of the rental, he’s also more likely to be charging you a higher monthly maintenance fee. Of course, this goes both ways. If the maintenance split that is offered is closer to 50-50, then your maintenance should be more reasonable too.

17. Any suggestions to investors in choosing which condo hotel to buy?

Get good advice. That means you don’t want to rely only on the pitch provided by an onsite salesperson at a condo hotel. You want to talk with a broker who specializes in condo hotels and who knows and understands the entire condo hotel market, not just the facts pertaining to a single property. He or she will listen to your wants and needs and then offer recommendations as to which properties best match your requirements. You’ll have an opportunity to comparison shop and consider the pros and cons of each available property.

A good broker can be the difference between your buying a condo hotel that will be problematic and not live up to your expectations or one that will provide you with years of great vacations, good annual revenue and a substantial profit when you sell.

18. Does it cost more to use a real estate broker to purchase a condo hotel than buying a unit on one’s own?

No. With new condo hotel properties, the prices are always set by the developer and are exactly the same whether you buy directly from an onsite salesperson at the property or using a broker.

The broker’s commission is always paid by the developer and is already built into the price regardless of whether an outside broker participates in the sale or not. Since a broker’s representation is free to buyers, it does make sense to enlist their aid and get the benefit of their advice before making a purchase.

19. How can prospective buyers find a good condo hotel broker?

Ask friends for broker recommendations or search online for “condo hotel broker.” Visit condo hotel broker websites and see if the information they provide seems comprehensive and unbiased. If their website seems to focus on selling homes or office space, and the condo hotel information appears to be an afterthought, steer clear. Your best bet is to work with a condo hotel broker who specializes.

20. How can buyers learn about new condo hotel properties coming on the market?

Condo hotel brokers can be good information sources as they often learn about properties prior to their release to the general public. Another option is for them to subscribe to a condo hotel newsletter such as the one we publish called Condo Hotel Property Alert. We offer it for free on our website http://www.CondoHotelCenter.com and it features a different condo hotel property coming on the market each edition.

Joel Greene is president of Condo Hotel Center which specializes in the sale of condo hotels around the U.S. and the world. His detailed website contains condo hotel property listings, photos and detailed information. Visit http://www.CondoHotelCenter.com and http://www.CondoHotelsDubai.com. Be sure to sign up for his Condo Hotel Property Alert newsletter to be notified when new condo hotels come on the market.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joel_Greene
http://EzineArticles.com/?Thinking-of-Buying-a-Condo-Hotel?–Here-Are-20-Things-You-Need-to-Know!&id=262086

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Real Estate Information

These are a couple of my newsletters that have a ton of valuable information. Go check them out.

Foreclosure Market Trends Newsletter
http://www.realtytrac.com/MarketTrends/NewsLetter.aspx?guid=131bd355-1b69-4bd1-99cd-2f0c9a936810

Real Estate Cyber Space Tips
http://www.REcyber.com/cybertips/r11627

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Minneapolis Real Estate Makes Affordable and Quality Living

Minneapolis Real Estate Makes Affordable and Quality LivinBy Carrie Nelson

When you think about Twin Cities real estate, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul give you a wide variety of housing types and locations. They also have some of the best schools in the nation, plenty of health care. Rivers and lakes offer a variety of fun things to do all year. The area has won awards for the best places for young people to live, the best area for couples and one of the healthiest states in the country. Because of location, they have a job market that is not dependent on one single resource.

Thousands of people buy Minneapolis real estate every year for these reasons. Whether you are looking for an area that offers you many different small towns and suburbs or just looking for a big city area that has small town charm, it is a perfect area that values family life. It is a fun place to ice fish, hunt or snowmobile because the outdoor fun areas include lakes and rivers, along with forests. It has the Minnesota Twins for baseball and the Minnesota Vikings for national football and those that like watching sports or taking kids for a fun day.

The seven county areas of St Paul and Minneapolis, have over two million people that have different interests, but they all enjoy the quality family life, great hospitals and school choices. Forbes voted Minneapolis at the top of the most affordable places to live with a good life and with plenty of things to do. Over half of the area’s homes that were sold could be afforded by the average people that work in the area. It ranked high in quality of life, arts and recreation choices.

When it comes to large companies, Target, 3M, Best Buy, General Mills, Cargill and United Health support the things to do in the area. Minneapolis is popular because many of the people work for these large companies and their families like the theaters, music halls and museums they support. When it comes to family values and the great things to do that are fun, the area is unlike other large big cities.

Twin Cities real estate enjoys a strong resale value because families are still moving here and jobs are still available. When it comes to raising a young family and finding a good job to support them, Minneapolis offers the chance at an affordable home, a stable job, and a growing area that offers exciting things to do. The area has also earned awards for being one of the safest metro areas, which is important to family life.

When you are looking for the best places in the country to raise a young family, enjoy a stable job and buy a home that will hold its worth, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is a popular choice. In fact, as of November, 2009, median price of a home was $220,000 for Minneapolis real estate. This number was up 2% from last year, compared to other areas where prices have dropped.

As you can see, when you compare those numbers to Florida, California or Nevada home values and you can see why many people choose Twin Cities real estate over other areas. The diverse area offers many advantages for families that are looking for a great area to raise a family, work and enjoy their life. You can see why Forbes chose Minneapolis as the most affordable place that offers a great life. It is the same reasons that you should call a real estate agent, get a great job and move here, too.

For more information about moving to Minneapolis, visit The Derrick Monroe Group, a team of full time real estate agents of Lakes Area Realty that have a detailed knowledge of the Minneapolis Real Estate market. With attention to details and a unique marketing approach for home sellers and a second to none program for home buyers, you are sure to find what you are looking for with them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carrie_Nelson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Minneapolis-Real-Estate-Makes-Affordable-and-Quality-Living&id=3350658

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Minnesota Real Estate Newsletter Gives Access To Great Computer & Life Tips

I maintain a number of real estate sites, blogs, and newsletters. One newsletter that provides a number of computer tips to help you function better with a computer is http://www.REcyber.com/cybertips/r11627 The site is full of cyber space tricks and great places to visit. We have link to this site on the list of MN Real Estate links, but I wanted to highlight this particular newsletter because it different from what most agents provide. From this newsletter, you can also access all the back issues-from 2001 and beyond. It is really quite a useful resource-spend some time there if you have a chance.

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Minneapolis Condominium Markets – Buying or Renting a Condo

Today if you are interested in living in Minnesota, you’ll find that many people are deciding to go with twin cities rental condos instead of going with Minnesota homes for a variety of reasons. There are many great downtown Minneapolis condominiums available not to mention downtown Minneapolis lofts and downtown St. Paul lofts. If you are looking for housing in the area, you will quickly notice that it is easy to find a good Minneapolis condominium, so you may be wondering if condo living in Minnesota is a great idea for you. Well, let’s take a closer look at why the condominium markets are doing so well, the deals you can find, and the great benefits you can enjoy if you choose condo living.

Downtown Minneapolis Condominiums a Great Urban Housing Choice
While there are other urban and suburban choices for housing, such as Minnesota homes, you’ll find that many people are finding Minneapolis condominiums and downtown St. Paul lofts to be a great urban housing choice. Instead of living out further from the city these housing choices keep them closer to the city, and while at one time real estate trends were high in suburban living, the trends in this area are beginning to lean towards condo living in the major cities of Minnesota.

Over Building Has Led to a Soft Market

Wondering why twin cities rental condos have become such a great opportunity and why so many people are choosing this route? Well, the main reason is that over building of condos in these areas have led to a soft market. So many condos were built in a short amount of time and now the supply is higher than the demand, which has led to excellent deals. This is definitely a great time to get involved in renting or even purchasing a condo in the twin cities area.

Rent Condos Now for Great Deals

Because of the soft market and the great availability of downtown Minneapolis lofts, condos, and downtown St. Paul lofts, you’ll find that now it is easy to rent condos for great deals. If you’re looking for low cost housing, this is an excellent choice, since the deals are excellent right now.

Benefits of Condo Living in the Twin Cities

Of course you may be wondering if condo living in the twin cities area is really a great choice for you. Well, you’ll actually find that there are many great benefits to living in condos. Here are just a few of the excellent benefits that you can enjoy when you go with twin cities rental condos.

• Benefit #1 – Avoid Dealing with the Long Morning Commute – First of all, one of the main benefits that you can enjoy when you decide to go with condos in the twin cities area is that you’ll be able to avoid dealing with the long morning commute. While many people enjoy suburban living, you’ll find that the commute can get expensive. When you live closer to town in a nice condo, you may be able to take public transportation or even to walk to work. This will mean that you won’t have to worry about the long commute to work and you’ll definitely save money in gas costs as well.

• Benefit #2 – It’s Now Affordable – Although you may think that living in downtown Minneapolis condominiums is expensive and cost prohibitive, you’ll actually find that the opposite is true. You’ll find that it is very affordable to live in twin cities rental condos at this point in time, and it’s actually one of the best choices in housing in the area if you are looking for options that are affordable.

• Benefit #3 – No Upkeep to Worry About – Many people love living in condos because there is no upkeep to worry about. You don’t have to come home from work to worry about a lawn to more or landscaping to keep up, and the maintenance on the buildings are usually taken care of as well. If you like the idea of living a maintenance free life, then you just may find that condo living is a great option for you.

• Benefit #4 – Many Great Condos to Choose from in The Twin Cities Area – There are many great condos to choose form in the twin cities area as well, which is another great benefit. Whether you are looking for downtown St. Paul lofts, downtown Minneapolis lofts, or even a Minneapolis condominium, you’ll find that you can find about anything you like right now. There are many great options that are available to you, and this is a big benefit to you when you are interested in purchasing or renting a condo in the twin cities area.

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Relocating to Minnesota – Twin Cities Real Estate

If you are looking for a great place to relocate, you’ll find that relocating to Minnesota is an excellent option today. Whether you are from California, New York, Mississippi, Texas, or even Ohio, you’ll find that Minnesota is a wonderful place to move. There are a variety of reasons that moving to areas in Minnesota, such as Minneapolis Minnesota or even St. Paul, is a great idea. You’ll find that this state has much to offer you. Of course before you decide that this is the right place for you, it’s important that you take a look at the general benefits of relocating to Minnesota and at the real estate market in the state as well.

General Benefits of Relocating to Minnesota

If you’re considering Minneapolis, Minnesota or another city in the beautiful state of Minnesota, you’ll find that there are many general benefits to relocating to Minnesota. Here is a closer look at some of the excellent general benefits you’ll enjoy when you decide to move to this state.

• Benefit #1 – Excellent Schools with Great Performance – First of all, you’ll find that Minnesota has excellent schools with great performance. In fact, many of the schools in the Minneapolis area actually score very highly when it comes to the No Child Left Behind guidelines. If you happen to have children, more than likely great schooling is a high priority for you, so excellent schools are definitely a drawing point.

• Benefit #2 – Easy Commutes to Work – You’ll find that most Minnesota homes are actually located so that you have a reasonable and easy commute to work. This is an important consideration for working families, especially with the recent hikes in gas prices.

• Benefit #3 – Reasonable Taxes – Taxes on real estate in the area are fairly reasonable as well. In some places across the country, real estate taxes are skyrocketing, but the taxes in many locations are quite low within the state of Minnesota.

• Benefit #4 – Great Jobs Available – Jobs in Minnesota are plentiful, which is another great benefit to relocating to this area. There are many great jobs that are available and with the growth in the job market, many families are finding that this area is a great place to relocate to. Especially in the St. Paul and Minneapolis areas, you’ll notice that there are excellent jobs that are available, which is definitely a top drawing point.

• Benefit #5 – Cost of Living is Relatively Low – Compared to many other regions in the United States, you’ll find that the cost of living is relatively low. Although prices have been driven up due to increases in gas prices and the real estate market troubles recently, you’ll find that comparatively the cost of living is lower than many other places around the country today.

The Real Estate Market

No doubt you are interested in the real estate market as well if you plan on relocating to Minnesota. Whether you are planning to buy in a rural area or you are interested in twin cities real estate, there are some things that you need to know about the market before you make your decision about the relocation. Let’s take a look at the real estate market and how it’s looking for families that want to relocate to the area.

• Real Estate is Going for Low Prices – First of all, you’ll find that real estate is going for low prices right now. In fact, you’ll find that twin cities real estate is down and homes are going for very low prices. Although this is not necessarily a good thing for those who are selling, it’s great for you if you want to relocate to this area and find Minnesota homes for a great price. The low prices definitely are attractive if you are considering a relocation to the Minnesota area.

• Many Types of Real Estate Available – You’ll also find that there are a variety of different types of real estate available that you can choose from if you move into the area. You can purchase nice single family Minnesota homes, but they are not your only option. You’ll find that condominiums, apartments, and even town homes in the area are excellent choices as well.

• Mortgage Rates are Low – Right now the mortgage rates in the area are low, making it a great time to purchase Minnesota homes. This means that not only will you be able to find a great deal on your home in the area, but you’ll also be able to find great rates on the mortgage that you need as well.

As you can see, there are definitely a variety of great benefits to relocating to Minnesota. If you are looking for quality schools, great jobs, reasonable real estate prices, and low rate mortgages, then Minnesota may be a great place for you to move in the near future. Take the time to find out more about the real estate options that are available to you today.

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Minneapolis: A Clean and Green City

If there is one thing that Minneapolis should be famous for it is the city’s dedication to maintaining its reputation as among the greenest cities in the State of Minnesota.  True enough, Minneapolis has proven it is hell-bent in protecting the environment through the Minneapolis GreenPrint which is its guide to attaining sustainable development.

The Minneapolis GreenPrint is a framework based on ten healthy environment indicators.  An annual GreenPrint Report is submitted to the City Council to measure the environmental interventions being done by the city each year which can include street sweeping, installation of solar panels on city building roofs and other private sector initiatives.

The environmental efforts of Minneapolis go a long way considering that it is Minnesota State’s city and Hennepin County’s county seat.  With St. Paul, it forms the now-famous Twin Cities, and has 3.2 million residents as of the last Census.

Employee relocation and corporate relocation usually targets Minneapolis due to its clean and healthy environment.  With twenty lakes, creeks and lots of waterfalls, Minneapolis is a city that is abundant in water. It is thus no surprise that its name is taken from the Dakota word “mni” for water and polis for city, to mean water city.  In fact, Minneapolis is also called the City of Lakes.

History and City Profile

The history of Minneapolis is largely tied to water primarily because of the city’s physical make up.  Minneapolis lies on an aquifer and so the city is serious in managing its watershed areas.

Business in the city is mostly hinged on finance, trucking services, industry and health services.  Several companies engage in milling, chemical and agricultural products, food processing and similar businesses.  It is home to some of America’s Top Companies including Xcel Energy, Target Corporation, Ameriprise Financial and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Donaldson Company, PepsiAmericas and US Bancorp.

Minneapolis does not however just boast of a clean environment and good water sources but it also boasts of a holistic development that made it to the Kiplinger survey of Smart Places to Live in 2006 (it was ranked number 2 together with St. Paul).  It has also been included in the list of Seven Cool Places for Young Professionals and was chosen as the United States’ Top Tech City survey by Popular Science in 1995.

The city, along with St. Paul’s $145.8 billion gross state product accounts for 63.8% of the State of Minnesota’s gross state product.  The year 2000 was a bad year for the area as it experienced a recession but it has bounced back in 2005 with a growth in personal income by 3.8%.

Culture and the Arts

If you are thinking of relocating in an area where you can expose your family to culture and the arts then Minneapolis should be your best bet.  Theater is big here starting with the Guthrie Theater which was designed by 2008 Pritzker Prize Winner Jean Nouvel.

Minneapolis is a haven for art and the artists.  It has been ranked the most literate city in America and this can be one big reason for relocating in the area especially if you have children or you have a great interest in culture and the arts.  It is home to the largest literary and book center in the country known as Open Book.  It boasts of the Loft Literary Center which is a venue for contemporary and traditional arts and crafts.

If you are offering a relocation package for your employees then make sure you mention the existence of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the city’s largest museum with over a hundred thousand collection of art and other historical items.

The most famous contribution of Minneapolis to the American music industry is Prince.  This world-famous pop icon is a product of the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Sports

Minnesota relocation can become more exciting with the knowledge that sports means a lot to its residents.  Among the teams that raised the flag of Minneapolis are the Minneapolis Millers (known for contributing 15 baseball players to the Baseball Hall of Fame), the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team (with six championships on its belt in all the three leagues) and the NWA Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club (now known as the American Wrestling Association).

The Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins (won the 1987 and 1991 World Series), the Minnesota Lynx WNBA, the Minnesota Wild hockey team and the National Lacrosse League team Minnesota Swarm are just some of the teams that make up the vibrant sports atmosphere of Minneapolis.

Employee relocation in Minneapolis is very appealing to those who have families considering the city’s well-designed park system, considered the best in America in terms of design, financing and maintenance.  Residents of Minneapolis have to thanks Theodore Wirth for this.

Housing

There are a variety of Minneapolis relocation package and if you want to find out about this you can get the services of a relocation specialist who will be able to provide you with important relocation information to help you decide if moving to Minneapolis is indeed the right decision.

Minneapolis real estate can offer you lots possibilities and you can choose from any of the real estate listings in the city including single family residences, single story homes, condominiums, duplex, or lakeshore properties.  You can even purchase or mortgage land and build your own house.  However, it would also be ideal to look at the latest foreclosure listings as they may be new homes on the list that are quite affordable.

Still unsure about moving to Minneapolis?  Think of how clean the air you are going to breathe once your family relocates in the city. Think of the artistic and cultural exposure your family is going to get.  Think of how important quality of life is and think of Minneapolis.

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