Buying Country Acreage and Rural Properties, To Buy or Not To Buy
Almost anyone can become a rural property owner; if you are willing to set goals, establish what your purposes are, plan ahead and set targets that are all aligned toward the same result. And, if you can be patient instead of requiring instant gratification.There is no more $50-an-acre land; unless ... more...

Tax Assessment/Appraisal: How Do I Know What My Home is Worth?
If you are in the home buying or selling market, its important to understand the difference between tax assessment and appraisal value. Concentrate on the appraisal value because this determines your asking price.Understanding Tax AssessmentThe tax assessment is a tool local governments use to ... more...

Going to Live on the Costa del Sol, Spain
Thousands of people every year dream of going to live in Spain and a small percentage of them do it, what is the reason for the dream, and how does the reality live up to it?I came to Spain in 1991, 14 years ago at the time of writing, with my husband and three young children then aged 4,7 and ... more...

Home Selling: Buy Low, Sell High!
Selling your home is different, of course, from trading stocks, but some of the same principles apply. We all want to make a profit from our investments. So, the old adage, Buy low. Sell high works. While it isnt always true that your home will appreciate in value, it is generally the case.In fact, ... more...

Where Did All The Farmers Go?
Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the development of farm land in our area. These complainers consider it a crime that so much of our farm land has been converted to housing, business, shopping, etc. They seem to consider the farmers and developers to be criminals.If you want to ... more...

Young Couple Buys Ranch with Government Money
Kirk and Tina Sczepanik had a dream. They wanted a ranch of their own. But with the rising cost of land and the demands of raising three young children, the possibility of realizing their dream often seemed remote.Kirk, 29, grew up on a ranch. He earned a degree in Agriculture, and now works for ... more...

First-time House Buyers Still Finding It Tough to Get into the Market
Buying a house in the current housing market is tough. Becoming a first-time house buyer is very tough. Recent research by the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru (CIH) has show just how difficult it has become for people in Wales aged 20-39 to get a foothold on the housing ladder, as the gap ... more...

When is the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
You've heard that interest rates are down and you think it could be time to refinance your existing mortgage, but the entire loan application process was so exhausting during the initial loan that you aren't sure it's worth the hassle. You could very well be right, but there are some things you can ... more...

The Real Estate Market In Spain: Making Profits Out Of Sand
The Real estate market in Spain keeps gaining momentum and is of a vital interest among overseas investors. Property prices in the country continue growing at rapid pace due to a sustainable development in many areas of the mainland and the islands.Spains pleasant climate, low cost of living and ... more...