Jamestown Holler: Current Events
This year we went to Lake Gaston, NC, where one of my brothers-in-law had a family lake house we used. We rented the house next door as well in order to accommodate all the people coming and going throughout the week. … There were period tents set up all over with the clothing and accessories for sale, kettle corn, tin typing photos and a multitude of other things to experience. We really enjoyed it (well, Mark and I did) and it made me feel so much more part of the …  read more…

Mecklenburg County Virginia Land for Sale
mecklenburg county virginia land for sale close to kerr lake and lake gaston. timber and hunting property.  read more…

North Carolina and Virginia Land for Sale: Farms, Hunting Tracts …
Located near Lake Gaston, this property has multi-aged pine and hardwood stands, 1600 feet of road frontage and several creeks. The property has deer, turkey and duck habitat and a good network of roads and trails. …  read more…

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Lake Gaston, North Carolina Homes
Lake Gaston, North Carolina Homes

Lake Gaston real estate is at a fever pitch with gorgeous lakeside homes and waterfront properties. Real estate firms shoulder the responsibility of buying and sel…  read more…

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Building Our Home: Project Day 44 – Installing the Septic System
Note: Tomorrow’s Homes & ReMax Land & Lake offer a referral fee, which we would gladly share with you 50/50. If you are serious about building or wish to look for property in the Lake Hartwell/Lavonia area, please contact us first so …  read more…

Sense of Community, Family Abundant at The Reserve at Lake Keowee …
GREENVILLE, SC – August 18, 2009 – For the fifth year in a row, members at The Reserve at Lake Keowee honored the staff that serves them by trading places. … The annual event gave the property owners the opportunity to give back to the community that they enjoy throughout the year and show the employees how much they appreciate their dedication to their work. Over 200 owners, employees and family members participated in the event, enjoying a golf tournament, lunch, …  read more…

Did You Know: Interest Rates and Mortgage Pay Off
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: athens ga first time home buyers, athens ga foreclosures, athens ga mls, athens ga properties, ga selling for sale by owner, jackson county real estate, jefferson, Lake Hartwell Homes, properties in …  read more…

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Brazil is emerging from the crisis, and next year we are going to have surprising growth President Lula da Silva said last month. A bold but not inaccurate statement. There is evidence to advocate that Brazil will be one of the first economies to recover from the economic slump in an emphatic manner. The OECD is predicting 4% economic growth for Brazil in 2010.

State oil company Petrobras discovered vast deepwater reserves that it is developing with a five-year, $174 billion investment program. The goal is to double Brazil’s production, to 3.5 million barrels a day, by 2012, making the country a top oil exporter, in line with many Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, increasing the wealth in the country immensely. The United States has agreed to provide as much as $10 billion in financing to go towards the development of these oil fields. Brazil will reap tremendous benefits from this oil exploration and avoid over-reliance on oil because it made its discoveries after its economy had diversified and industrialised.

The growing middle classes and consequent increasing domestic consumption of the BRIC nations is creating greater demand for exports. While US consumers continue to tighten their purse strings, Brazil, Russia, India and China will be responsible for around 50% of worldwide export demand.

Since 1995 Brazil has invested heavily into tourism, taking foreign visitors numbers to 5.2 million in 2008 from just 1.9 the previous decade. In preparation for the 2014 football World Cup, which will take tourism levels to a new all-time high, the Government will spend over $250 million over 5 years on infrastructure.

The Brazilian property market has huge room for growth. Residential mortgages only represent 2.5 percent of the Brazils GDP according to Banco Central do Brasil, the Central Bank. Comparisons with other countries reveal a huge growth potential for Brazil as Mexico is 11%, Chile 20%, Spain 45% and 68% in the US. Even with the worldwide economic crisis, mortgage lending in Brazil rose 41%, twice as fast as consumer credit. The state-owned Caixa Economica Federal has lent around 19 billion Reais so far in 2009, compared to an average of five billion Reais four years ago. It expects to lend 26 billion Reais worth of loans for Brazil real estate purchase in 2009.

Brazil has a huge domestic market resulting in its huge export industry only representing 12% of its $1.5 trillion economy. This is due to its population of 190 million people and a growing middle class making up more than half of the population. This has resulted in Brazilians buying more food, clothing, and household goods. Whirlpool (WHR), which has a 40% share of Brazil’s appliance market, has benefited, too. Sales jumped 20% in May and June compared with a year earlier. Even when the tax cut ends in October, sales should remain strong, says Jos A. Drummond Jr., president of Whirlpool Latin America. This has also fueled retail spending at supermarkets such as Grupo Po de Acar, which had a revenue of $8.9 billion in 2008. To cash in on booming sales of fridges, washers, and the like, the company in June paid $422 million for Ponto Frio, an appliance retailer with 458 outlets. “Over the next five years, we’ll see a doubling of sales of durable goods in Brazil,” says Jos Roberto Tambasco, vice-president for operations at Po de Acar.

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These days we’re seeing more and more homes going into foreclosure. This is due in part to the economy, and in part to the sub-prime lending fiasco of the past few years. Sometimes it’s simply due to borrowing beyond one’s means, or unexpected financial setback such as losing a job.

A foreclosure is legal proceeding in which the holder of a mortgage, or other lien holder, usually a lender, obtains a court ordered termination of the agreement and takes possession of the property.

When someone takes a mortgage or home loan, the lender obtains a security interest from the borrower who mortgages or pledges an asset like a house to secure the loan. If the borrower defaults on payment, the lender or mortgage holder can try to repossess the property. This is a foreclosure.

Besides failing to pay the mortgage note or loan, other lien holders can also foreclose the owner’s right of redemption for other debts, such as for overdue taxes, unpaid contractors’ bills or overdue HOA dues or assessments.

For a residential mortgage loan, the actual process of foreclosure proceeding can begin after the owner has failed to meet the mortgage agreement terms. Then the bank or creditor may look to take possession of the property so that they can recover their principle by reselling the property.

In foreclosure, the lender can opt to try and sell the property and keep the proceeds to pay off its mortgage and any legal costs. When this happens, this is considered as a lender foreclosing on the mortgage or loan. While there are some legal remedies, it is obviously much better to avoid going into foreclosure to begin with.

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Our kitchens are among the most often used rooms in our homes, but they’re often not as pleasant as we want them to be. It’s important for kitchens to be friendly, easy to use, and pleasant to be in. However, most kitchens aren’t equipped with enough lighting for the jobs we need to do in them. If you want to make sure you’re doing everything correctly, but your kitchen isn’t a great place to be in, you may wonder what you can do about it.

While cleaning and preparing food in a kitchen, it is very important to be able to see what you are doing. However, the places where the preparation and cleaning takes place are also the hardest to see because of shadows caused by cabinets or appliances. The wrong light fixtures can also cast shadows. Under cabinet lighting solves this problem and it is easy to install and doesn’t take up any precious storage space.

More light in the kitchen only makes working in it easier. There are even cabinets which already have pre-installed lights and they are a good choice for those who have remodeling plans anyhow. However, they are not suitable for those not wanting to make a mess or do any major projects.

There are different ways to install lights on your cabinets. Although some may need the help of an expert, most will be able to install under cabinet lighting on their own. This form of lighting also does not drastically increase your electric bill, because the majority of under cabinet lights use LEDs and therefore little energy. The usage is similar to that of a doorbell. This is a great and convenient lighting solution for the kitchen.

The simplest lighting solution is the battery operated light that is attached by adhesives. To install the fixture you will need to follow the instructions, but in most cases all that’s required is to peel of the backing, put in a battery and attach where you want it. These under cabinet lights are inexpensive and cost less than pre-wired lights. They are also easy to use, but the disadvantages are that batteries will need to be replaced and the light is not as strong as other options.

Fortunately, you don’t have to concentrate on finding elaborate or fancy under cabinet light fixtures. The simple, inexpensive options already do the job and your kitchen will be brighter. This makes this choice an easy one to make, unlike with other light fixtures for homes.

Under cabinet lighting is not needed by everyone, such as those that aren’t often in the kitchen and don’t do much in that room. On the other hand, if you find your kitchen is too dark for your liking, you should do something about it. Just a little added lighting makes a big difference and fortunately there are options for all budgets. The solution lies in under cabinet lights, which work in other rooms other than the kitchen too.

If you are tired of your dark kitchen, then think about what solutions there are to that problem. Under cabinet lights serve a function and give your kitchen a more attractive appearance. They are also easy to install and with little trouble you can make a big difference.

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You have your rental home fixed up, cleaned, and it is ready to rent. Before you start marketing your rental home, you need to have your rental agreement ready to go. The Rental Agreement is the biggest contributing factor in whether you are profitable in this business so take care in preparing yours.

Perhaps the most common question I get is, “I want to rent my home but I don’t know what kind of contract I should have a tenant sign.” Another common question I get is, “I want to rent out my house but what wording should be on my rental agreement or lease agreement?”

The rental contract specifies the legal terms and conditions for the agreement between the owner and the tenant. It is a legal binding contract between owner and tenant for the possession and use of the rental property in exchange for rent money each month. Perhaps the most important decision you can make is whether to use a lease or a month-to-month rental agreement.

A lease is a fixed-term contract that obligates you and the tenant for a determined period of time. The most common lease periods are for 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. Most leases are written to automatically convert to a month-to-month rental agreement after the expiration of the initial term.

A 1 year fixed period of time works for you because you know you will probably have a paying tenant at least for the next 12 months. A 1 year fixed period works for the tenant because they know you can not raise the rent during this 12 month period.

Sometimes a property owner will offer a lower monthly rent on a 1 year lease ($25 – $50 a month less) because a tenant on a 1 year lease is not as high a risk of early turnover than tenants on a monthly lease. That is one of the biggest problems owners face is spending money to clean and turn a unit only to have a tenant skip on them after a few months.

With a lease, you can’t increase the rent or change other terms of the tenancy until the lease expires. Also, you can’t terminate or end the tenancy before the lease expires, unless the tenant does not pay his rent or violates another term of the lease agreement. If you end up in court, you’ll have the burden of proof. You’ll be the one who has to prove that the tenant violated a condition in the lease agreement.

Landlord tenant laws in almost every state favor tenants. This means that you can not just violate a Rental Agreement but the tenant can and often does. A tenant can walk away from a lease and there is not much you can do. Keep in mind as well that if this happens, you have to prove that you are trying to rerent your home. Also, as soon as you find a new tenant and he pays the first months rent, you must stop charging the previous tenant for violating the lease. You can not get double payment on a rental unit.

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Are you ready to look into the buying and selling of apartment buildings? Have you ever thought of putting your money to work for you instead of letting it sit to moulder away? This is where you are going to need to get a hold of the property investment advice that can make all the difference! Property investment has never been the most straightforward process, and with the economy in the shape that it is in, this has gotten even more complicated. Take a moment and make sure that you consider what kind of property investment advice that you need to internalize before you move forward.

When you are thinking about buying and selling apartment buildings, remember that you should always take the long view of things. For instance, many experts believe that the housing markets tend to move in seven to ten year cycles. There are highs, there are lows and there are places where it seems as though an equilibrium has been reached, but it is important to remember that thins will always change. Are you okay with how much you are borrowing and have you made sure that your ultimate financial goals are still in mind? Remember that you should always plan as well as you can and that you should always take new information into account.

Another important piece of property investment advice is going to relate to how you can look at expenses like interest on the property and the repairs that you need to do are tax deductible. Make sure that you account for how you are going to deal with things like this and what kind of money you need to keep coming in. There are so many different things that you need to consider that it can seem a little overwhelming, and this is where looking for professional advice might be precisely what you need to do. There are many people who think that it is inadvisable for people to go into the property game as amateurs, and this is where making sure that you have professionals helping you out.

If you want to be invested in the buying and selling of apartment buildings, take a moment to think about how to learn about the areas that you are thinking about working in. Make sure that you tour the area extensively and that you know who lives there and who is likely to rent from you. Read up on investment publications about that area in specific and that you know what kind of services infrastructure is present and what will be going up in the future. The more time that you spend understanding the area, the better off you will be.

This might be the best time for you to get involved in investing, so don’t move forward without the right property investment advice!

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If you are contemplating letting out your property, then it is a good idea to consider using a fully managed service for letting out the property. Opting for a managed service is a good idea because it assures that you go through the whole process easily.

New landlords must hire the fully managed services. These services are extremely paying back for the landlords. These fully managed services offer many services but depends upon you what you require from them.

If you are a landlord and you have other business matters as well, then a fully managed service will facilitate you to handle the matter without giving you any trouble. They visit your property, see the property with their own expert perspective, and advise you for the betterment of your property and the effective ways of advertisement to find a tenant.

You should know that advertising of the property is only one of the jobs they do for you; they will also scrutinise the possible tenants who are going to occupy your property with their expert perspective. They will advise to you to let your property to a tenant whom they think suitable. Nevertheless, the final word is yours they are just the intermediary link in the whole process.

Another painful job, which shall be hard for you, is to look after your property after it has been rented out. They are ready to do this job for you. They will keep track of your assets and property and shall perform the maintenance work, if required with out your personal involvement.

The service providers assure the major task of collecting the rent and the landlords do not have to worry about it at all. They prepare the lease agreement and completely fulfil the legal requirements to secure your benefits in any case with the future tenants.

On the other hand, the tenants also feel safe in contacting the fully managed services for their requirement of property because of proper legal work and the services. These services are offered round the clock in case of any importunity. They check all the things before and after renting the property, such as the utility bills and other facilities. These are needed to be in proper condition and are good for both the parties.

For example, if the property needs some repair work they will do it without putting you in trouble. Their job is not finished here, after making repairs, your property is handed over to a tenant, and then these service providers will keep a standard check on the property and uphold it in a regular order. They will collect the rent and carry it to you. For the people who cannot spare time for their property, they must appoint fully managed service, as it will be the best option. This will save them a lot of time and hassle. They will deal with any department or any tenant on your behalf and you can conveniently sit in your office or home without any trouble.

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If you are looking for a beautiful area to live in but it has to be in the Midwest, Minnesota is the place to be. Minnesota apartments offer great amenities and are surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Have you hear the phrase of “Land of ten thousand lakes”? This is the nickname that has been given to the state of Minnesota. This state has everything that you could want. If you are looking for forestry, mining, or agriculture work, this is the place for you.

The apartments in Minnesota come with a variety of amenities. You will find style and elegance in the apartment complexes in this state. It definitely will hold true to the beautiful surroundings around it.

If you enjoy holding get togethers and fear that an apartment may not be big enough, consider that many of the apartment complexes offer a clubhouse to their tenants that are big enough to manage your needs for your gathering.

Many of the apartment complexes have covered parking available to the tenants. Others have garages attached to the apartment. Whatever your parking need is, you are sure to find one in Minnesota. If an emergency arises in the apartment such as a plumbing problem, most sites offer an emergency maintenance system. Call them at any time day or night and they will be there to help you out.

As for entertainment, most of the apartment complexes on Minnesota come with exclusive access to onsite recreational activities. You can take a dip in the pool that is onsite or play a round of tennis with family and friends.

Living in an apartment can be fun for the children as well. They can spend hours on the onsite play grounds. Entertaining the children will never be so easy. They can walk just a short distance from their apartment door and find fun just waiting on them.

Some communities give their tenants access to hot tub facilities. This could be a relaxing moment for you after a hard workout in the gym or maybe a fun night spent soaking in the hot tub with friends or a loved one.

If surfing the net is of upmost importance to you, rest assured that most of the facilities offer you high speed internet. The internet is safe in our communities. The Minneapolis apartments will offer you all that you are looking for in a home. They provide comfort and beauty, activities and fun. Whether you are a young family or retirees, there is sure to be a place in Minneapolis that will be perfect for you.

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If you decide to hire a professional property management company to manage your property then the profitability of your property all depends on whether you hire a good or bad property management company.

Hire the right management company and you will have a lucrative rental. Hire the wrong management company and you will lose thousands of dollars.

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is that they just pick a property management company out of the phone book without first doing research on the company.

Stay clear of those big national real estate corporations that have both a property management division and a home sales division. Many of these corporations use property management as simply a tool to get their foot in the door with you so that they can try and convince you that you need to sell your home. That is where these companies make their money. Many of them will operate their property management divisions at a loss just so they can hit you with their advertisements on selling your home. There have been many a unhappy owner who has accused these huge corporations of purposely letting their home sit vacant so that they can try and get you to just sell your home. Whether or not these accusations are true, you want a property management company that specializes exclusively in property management in your local markets.

Get multiple bids and check references. You want to talk with other owners who are satisfied with the property management company. You should not sign an agreement with the company until you know they are good at marketing, renting, and taking care of the renter in your home. With that said, you need to realize that a good property management company will only charge about $100 or less a month on your home. So don’t go in blasting away. If you give off the impression that you are going to be a problem owner, they are more than ready to simply turn your business a way. After all, your business only means about $100 a month for them. Try and get two or three references that you can call. Call the references and ask if they work for the property management company or know someone who does. Ask the references how long they have been with this property management company and what they like and dislike about them.

Go online and check the company out. Do they have all the necessary licenses to do business in your area? Are they in good standing with the DRE? Most states require a property manager to also have a real estate license if they are dealing with single family homes.

Check the company’s insurance. If they are not insured, stay away from them. The company should have general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and workers’ compensation. Remember, the management company will be collecting deposits and rent so they should have a bond on their employees to protect you in case of employee fraud.

Another big mistake owners make is that they do not ask the right questions when hiring a property management company.

Here is a list of questions you need to ask when interviewing a management company:

1 – Can you provide a list of exactly what management services are provided?

2 – Do you sell homes or make money on referring me to a real estate agent?

3 – Can you provide a list of exactly when I will receive income checks and reports?

4 – How will you market my property?

5 – How do you handle maintenance requests from tenants?

6 – Who will actually manage my property? What are her qualifications? Is she licensed? How many properties does she currently manage?

7 – I would like 3 clients of yours that I can call. I would like the references to be from people who have homes that are managed by the same person who will be managing my home.

8 – If you have your own in-house maintenance division, do you only charge the cost of labor and materials or do you markup the labor or have other surcharges?

9 – Are you able to get discounts with vendors and if so, do you pass on those savings to me?

10 – Who gets the late charges? If you keep all the late charges, will you come down on my monthly management fee? If I get to keep the late charges, are you charging me a higher monthly management fee on my property?

11 – Do you have general liability insurance and Errors and Omissions insurance on your employees? If so, is your general liability insurance for at least $2M and your Errors and Omissions insurance for at least $500K?

12 – Do you have Forgery and Alterations coverage on all your employees of at least $25K? Are your employees bonded for at least $500K?

13 – Do you meet all DRE standards for what is considered acceptable and not acceptable regarding the co-mingling of owners’ funds? How do you keep my rental income separate from John Doe’s rental income? If money is not in my account to pay for a repair, do you contact me and ask that I send you the money or is the money taken from another owner to pay for my repairs until I can pay you. (The answer you want to hear is that the repair is not made until the money is in your account to pay for the repair).

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