Thursday, November 15, 2012

House And Land Packages - More Affordable Than A House In Auckland


As a result of a recent Productivity Commission's inquiry into home affordability, the New Zealand Government is currently working on ways to reduce house prices. Auckland is seen as the worst affected city in New Zealand. Currently Auckland is ranked as one of the World's most expensive cities to live, with house prices around six times the average wage of the people living there.

This discussion is not new. Over the last 10 years New Zealand has been part of a property boom that has seen house prices increase all over the Country. In fact when incomes are considered, many of New Zealand's centres have become expensive to live.

Reasons for the soaring cost of housing in New Zealand is varied. In Auckland is it primarily a case of supply and demand. To keep up with population growth, Auckland needs 14,000 new homes to be built each year. Currently, only about 7,000 new homes are making it to market, and therefore demand is not being met. This market anomaly drives up the price of housing.

The Commission's report identified one of the problems as being a significant lack of land available for building new homes in Auckland. This is mainly due to Council promoting high density housing, rather than opening new parcels of land for development. This has resulted in more Auckland city suburbs reaching the million dollar mark. Other Councils across the country are also holding back land development to reduce the cost of infrastructure for services such as wastewater treatment.

The government plans to speed up the consent process for new homes, making it easier and cheaper; through changes to the Resource Management and Local Government Acts. This will take time however, and even the government is taking a cautious, go slow, approach so as not to affect house prices too quickly. The reason for this is that most New Zealanders have their house as a retirement investment. So change won't be happening any time soon.

In the mean time, what many people are unaware of is that for half the price of an average house in an outlying Auckland suburb you can buy a house and land package in a coastal centre such as Gisborne. With house and land packages, developers have usually chosen stunning locations in new subdivisions. Not only do you get to choose your section, but you get a selection of house plans to choose from, all within your budget. Imagine living in one of sunniest parts of the Country, and having enough money left over to enjoy life.

The Gisborne District Council website outlines business opportunities in the region, and with nearly 3,000 existing businesses there are plenty of employment opportunities also. Envisage a new home, with a decent size section, and a low stress lifestyle. Moving out of the city is not only a great idea for you, but your family will benefit from moving away from the stresses of city life, especially the relentless traffic.

So if you are one of the unlucky people finding it difficult to find a decent property for your dollar, think about a house and land package in another centre to get more value for your money. With mortgage rates at an historic low, now is a great time to build.

Generation Homes is a multi-award winning home building company with locations across New Zealand.

Generation Homes guarantee a move-in date the day for their customers. This guaranteed delivery date, a fixed price contract and a complete turnkey house and land package takes the stress out of home building for customers.

The Truth About Shadow Inventory In Phoenix Real Estate Market


With a little bit of analysis, the claim that there is a tremendous shadow inventory on the Phoenix real estate market is easily banished. Unfortunately, homeowners and homebuyers are oftentimes led off the path by faulty reporting, even in major news outlets. There are resources that can be inspected to get a precise evaluation of how much inventory may be available and that is currently with lenders.

Erroneous Reporting

Reuters, one of the biggest news agencies in the world, announced in July of 2012 that price gains in Phoenix - and other so-called foreclosure-heavy cities such as Miami - are largely because banks own a great deal of inventory that they're not putting on the market. The reason given for this is a possible scandal due to robo-signing on the part of banks. Unfortunately, the information put out in the media is inaccurate.

In the Phoenix market, at least, if the banks were to let the inventory that they currently hold onto the market, it would make a trivial or no difference at all in the prices for homes, specifically considering how much demand has increased over the last year.

Not That Many

The Cromford Report follows the amount of inventory that is held by lenders. This tracking is only attainable by subscription, but it keeps record of Phoenix real estate inventory unequivocally. According to these reports, there aren't even 5,900 residential properties in the hands of lenders. Almost half of them are already active, some of them are pending sales and others are off of the market on ARMLS, according to Arizona Real Estate Trends.

Of the inventory not included in that number, lots of them are under leases and are occupied by tenants. The reporting mentions that, even if that housing inventory was released onto the market, it would account for less than two weeks of inventory in the Phoenix real estate market. This would not have any significant effect on the prices of homes in the overall market. In fact, in a healthy real estate market, the inventory is usually somewhere in the neighborhood of six month's worth of properties.

Not Many Foreclosures

Another popular conception is that Arizona is one of the worst states in the nation as far as foreclosure rates go. In fact, Arizona has a foreclosure rate that is below the national average. Currently, according to the reporting, Arizona has approximately 5.9 percent of its homes which are 30 days delinquent and not yet in foreclosure. The national average for that same figure is 7.6 percent. As for homes that are more than 30 days delinquent and that are in foreclosure, Arizona has a rate of 8.7 percent, while the nation as a whole has an average of 11.3 percent.

Though the two states are often mentioned side-by-side in real estate reporting, Florida has a 21.3 percent rate of loans that are 30 days or more past due and that are in foreclosure, establishing that Arizona is in better shape than is portrayed in the media. Shadow inventory on the Arizona real estate market, quite simply, is a fabrication.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Zeeland Michigan Real Estate - A Great Mix Of Traditional Homes And Modern Apartments


What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about a Zeeland Michigan real estate transaction? Chances are high that you will think of a big vacant piece of land or an independent house or villa. Well, what about apartments? Or, condos? Or lakeside deluxe duplex houses? All types of properties are included when one talks about Zeeland Michigan real estate.


When analysing the different types of properties available in the city, it is important to focus on the year in which the home was built. A quick search on the Internet will help you understand how home design has evolved over the years. Homes that were built before 1950 will invariably make use of a lot of wood. Do not be surprised to find Zeeland Michigan real estate that has been constructed using wood and nails with no cement to hold the structure together.

Some may not be comfortable with the idea of living in such a home. On the other hand, others may simply love the idea of waking up to the smell of wood around them. When searching for homes, it makes sense to focus on a city or area that offers lots of variety in choices.

Take Zeeland Michigan real estate deals for example. 26.53% of the homes available for sale in Zeeland were constructed before 1939. Be prepared to enjoy really old designs and ancient building designs. While such homes may be good to look it, it may not be the most convenient option for living for a long time. Keep this factor in mind when choosing really old Zeeland Michigan real estate options.

The fact that the home was built in the 40s or 50s means that you will have to pay extra attention to the quality of construction, the level of maintenance and the need for renovation and reconstruction. If you have to spend a lot of money to rebuild the house and make it suitable for regular use, then you should negotiate with the owner of the Zeeland Michigan real estate accordingly.

Close to 52% of all homes in Zeeland were constructed before 1960. While this a good thing if you are a fan of old homes, it may also imply extra expenditure towards maintenance. Of course, a house that was regularly renovated and strengthened may not require any extraordinary expenditure towards maintenance. Make sure you get the necessary information from the owner before estimating the value of the property.

Old homes, if well maintained, will cost more than modern constructions. Be prepared to pay more than what you would otherwise pay in Holland or some other city in Ottawa county.

Close to 21% of all properties in Zeeland have been constructed after 1990. Hence, you will have lots of modern options to choose from as well. On the whole, the Zeeland Michigan real estate market offers a very wide range of choices, which is a good thing for home buyers in general. You can consider the option of paying more for a uniquely designed house or can opt for a standard modern construction that you and your family may be familiar with when buying Zeeland Michigan real estate.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Indian Creek Luxury Homes: South Florida Real Estate Options For High-Net-Worth Individuals

Indian Creek luxury homes prove to be one of the best opportunities for high-net-worth individuals to acquire the finest properties that the South Florida real estate market has to offer today.


Known as being one of the most expensive real estate options within South Florida, Indian Creek luxury homes provide people with the most opulent residential options which are found within the most exclusive community in the United States.

Indian Creek luxury homes can be found within a beautiful island community that is located off of Biscayne Bay where almost 80 percent of its 300 acres is dedicated to the community's golf course and its lush green plains. Such a scenic golf course and country club are definitely a plus for the island community's residents, especially for those who love to spend their days out on the green.

Neighboring areas include the laidback town of Surfside and the world-class city of Miami Beach which is located southeast of the island community.

According to recent data, there are a total of 33 families that currently reside on the island community and it continues to hold the eighth rank as far as being the highest income area within the United States. High-net-worth individuals are guaranteed to love the quality of living that is available within the island community as proven by the fact that many other high-net-worth individuals have been known to reside and feel completely satisfied with the lifestyle that is offered within the area.

Famous residents of the island community include Spanish singer and songwriter Julio Iglesias, Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, former coach of the Miami Dolphins Don Shula, and pro-golfer Raymond Floyd.

Oftentimes, people are drawn to the exclusivity and safety of the island community since it has a total of only 40 Indian Creek luxury homes and has its very own Public Safety Department which many consider to be a model agency as far as the services that it offers to its people around-the-clock, seven days a week. It is usually the only waterborne police force available on Biscayne Bay.

As of September 2012, the median sales price for home properties on Indian Creek was $146,000 which marks an increase of 6.6 percent from the previous quarter. The average listing price on Trulia for the third week of October 2012 was $165,454 which is $1,350 higher then it was in the second week of October 2012.

If you would like to find out more about the exclusive island community, or if you are interested in learning more about the available selection of Indian Creek luxury homes on today's property market, you may contact a professional real estate agent for more details.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

How Real Estate Brokers Assist Vacation Home Buyers


With minuscule interest rates and low prices on vacation properties, it has never been a better time to buy. However, individuals who have never shopped for a vacation property before will first need to find a real estate broker, and that can prove to be a daunting process. Before finding a broker, the buyer must also determine which community the home will be located.


If someone is interested in property located near the coast or on the beach, that individual should conduct thorough research to find opportune real estate in areas of extreme interest. Interested property owners should try to locate areas that provide miles of sandy beaches, where the local population is small enough to keep beach areas from feeling overcrowded. Other valuable assets to a beach location include the option of having several mainland attractions throughout the community. Having a plethora of restaurants where individuals can sample fresh seafood, along with stores and outlets where vacationers can purchase everything from an island souvenir to discounted clothing, would be beneficial to potential buyers of property.

Many beach communities located on the coast are usually home to many golf courses, making beach communities one of the best golfing destinations in the world. Individuals who do not play golf, but still want to enjoy the outdoors should find locations that offer walking, biking, and exploration of miles of public bike and nature trails. Another huge benefit, and one a real estate broker can help you with, would be to find a community open year-round due to the high temperatures during the off-season.

Once buyers have identified a community as an area where they wish to purchase property, it will be time to evaluate a real estate broker company. One of the first considerations after making a list of available options is how long the real estate brokers have been in the business. Hiring an inexperienced broker could be the difference between recognizing a difficult situation at the outset or ignoring it and complicating the buying process. Next, one should ask the broker for a list-to-sale ratio to ensure the broker will be able to save the buyer some money. For instance, the ratio in a buyer's market should be between ninety and ninety-nine percent, whereas the ratio in a seller's market should be between one hundred and one hundred and five percent of the asking price.

Another way to ensure the best deal is to prevent a conflict of interest with the broker by asking that he or she solely represent one buyer on a specific property. When the broker tries to pit two buyers against each other, the broker is the only one who wins. Finally, ask potential real estate brokers for a list of references and call those references to find out if others would recommend them.

After buyers have found real estate brokers to work with, they can begin to evaluate the various communities and find their new primary, vacation, or rental home.

Friday, September 14, 2012

The Important Role of Commercial Roofing Contractors


Commercial outlets would need good roofs to ensure sufficient protection from the changing weather to continue their business without fear of disruption and discomfort to their customers. Some commercial outlets may have their own premises where they can decide on the type of roof preferred. Others may be renting a shop lot or space that is part of a building; hence, they would have little or no say on the type of roof preferred. If there should be any roofing issues such as leakages or cracks, they would need to refer to their landlord to resolve the issue.


Roofing contractors

Roofs of any kind require regular maintenance to keep them functional and durable over a longer period. Commercial roofing contractors are often called in to check on the roofs of commercial buildings to save cost on bigger repairs. Roofing repairs can be quite costly as one small breakage may require a bigger piece replacement; otherwise, the whole roof would look awkward with the new piece in the midst of the old structure.

Hence, one of the required services for commercial outlets is to hire specialists to check on the condition of their commercial premises regularly to avoid large repairs and replacements. Such activities can disrupt the business which can result in a huge loss of revenue as there may be a need to shut down the commercial center to facilitate the repair works.

Professionalism

Commercial roofing contractors are usually well versed with the different types of roofs commercial outlets have. These specialists are engineers, designers, fitters, contractors and managers who are able to ensure a safe roof for the commercial premise with the best roof recommendation.

Such roofing contractors operate professionally with a proper code of ethics where the best advice of needs would be given to benefit the business outlet and not just their own bottom line. They would be well equipped to supply not only the best advice but also the appropriate and comprehensive range of materials and components for the type of roof for the commercial premise.

Professional roofing contractors for the commercial sector are well versed with the building and contracting codes and requirements in a particular environment. They would be appropriately connected to the local authorities on safety and health issues to ensure a full compliance to the regulations of the land. This may include having appropriate components and entities related to roofing such as scaffolding, safety rails, solar panel and roof lights for a complete roofing project to be successful.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Property Settlements Without Any Hassle


Property transfers can be a huge pain for both parties involved. Even though we have numerous laws and regulations that are supposed to make this process easier and more straightforward, it still remains quite the annoying ordeal for the most part. Annoyance isn't the end of it by any means though - when it comes to transferring real estate, there are also potential problems to be wary of, and all in all it's a risky ordeal that has to be performed very carefully and thoroughly, ensuring that you're observing all necessary rules.


You can rarely do this on your own in most cases. Unless you have actual working experience relevant to property conveyancing, then you'll likely lack quite a lot of necessary knowledge and expertise. That's why settlement firms exist though - they offer everything you need in one convenient package, so all you have to do in case you're selling or buying some property, is to get in touch with the best conveyancing company in your local area, and let them lead the deal.

There's a lot to benefit from using a proper conveyancing firm as opposed to doing things in a less professional way. First and most importantly, all those annoying little fees and taxes can usually be avoided in some smart ways, but you'll probably not know those things yourself. This is where a conveyancing firm can come into play, showing you all the tricks in the book that can help you avoid paying too much for the process. Additionally, if you're working with a firm that's actually good, you should be able to cut down on the waiting involved in transferring the property, and you'll be able to spend most of the time actually closing the deal.

That's because there are various deadlines that have to be observed, but they are usually arranged sequentially so that you have to do these things one by one. Or so it seems - in reality, you'll find that many of these procedures can be combined in order to make the whole ordeal easier and more bearable, but you have to be careful with that in order to avoid some common problems that inexperienced people encounter.

Filling out and submitting the relevant paperwork is also a huge hassle that can be avoided quite easily by using the right settlement firm. For you, this is a gigantic mess of documentation that you have to go through in order to get what you need. For a good conveyancing firm, it's just standard procedure and something they've likely done hundreds of times already.

With all this in mind, it really makes no sense to try and complete your property settlement on your own. Do yourself a favor and ensure that the whole process will be carried out smoothly and without any interruptions. Use a conveyancing firm to guide you through the ordeal and rest assured that everything is completed in due time and without any unnecessary expenses or problems coming up all the way, things that can really set you back.