Just What is a Broker?
In most circumstances a broker is a third party to an agreement to purchase a commodity, the item being bought and sold is neither owned nor controlled by the broker who simply acts as an intermediary and is normally paid on completion of an agreement. Brokers who also act as sellers or as buyers ... more...

Why Commercial Real Estate is the Hottest Retirement Asset
For small business owners, commercial real estate investment is the hottest new retirement asset. If your mind has already jumped to REITs or shares in Real Estate Investment Trusts think again. Im referring to the ownership of the commercial facilities small business owners currently lease, or ... more...

Leverage - Margin Debt
What is leverage?Here is a definition of leverage from an online dictionary "leverage - The use of credit or borrowed funds to improve one's speculative capacity and increase the rate of return from an investment, as in buying securities on margin."Essentially, the core idea of leverage is that ... more...

Where Real Estate Investing and Speculation Collide
Some uninformed folks would describe someone who rehabs distressed property as a "speculator" or even a "property speculator." Don't be fooled! There is a VAST CHASM of difference between rehabbing and property speculation.Let me explain. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of speculation ... more...

What is Tax-Deferred Exchange?
Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, owners of real estate held for investment or use in a trade or business can swap their property tax-free for "like-kind" real estate. Exchanges are made for people wanting to stay invested in real estate, increase their leverage and to avoid paying ... more...

Real Estate Investing - Maximum Leveraging of Your Money
At this moment, you have access to some amount of money, from the extremes of only pocket change to the reserves of Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.Suppose you want to invest your funds into some vehicle that will multiply the return.You look around for the Return on Investment of various investment ... more...

Real Estate Investing and Home Ownership
If you already own your home, you will probably make money in real estate without ever buying another property.The home you are currently buying with a mortgage is probably one of the most valuable appreciating assets you will ever own.You are making money by living in your own home, even if you ... more...

U.S. Real Estate Sought By Foreign Investors Due to a Weaker Dollar
The weak US dollar has been good news for real estate. Taking advantage of the favorable conversion rates, foreign investors are eagerly picking up real estate in major cities across the US. Who is buying and where are they investing?WHO IS INVESTING?In recent years the U.S. real estate market has ... more...

What You Need to Know to About Your Mortgage Transaction
The Roles of A Mortgage Lender, Broker and Sales AgentBuying a home can be an exciting but confusing event, especially if it is your very first time. There are so many options for sales agents, brokers, mortgage lenders, types of mortgages and mortgage rates. It can be difficult understanding all ... more...