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Archive for January, 2012

Top Free iPhone/iPad Real Estate Apps

Monday, January 30th, 2012

As more and more people acquire iPhone 4s and wait for the new iPad 3 to be released, app usage is only going to rise. And sharply to be sure. The number of free and purchased apps increases every day. And with good reason. There are some excellent apps available for just about any need anyone could have.

 

And the real estate market is no exception. Apps abound and some that might not seem like they’d be helpful in the real estate market really are. Here are some of the top free real estate apps for iPhones and iPads.

 

Zillow: Launched after the popularity of the website kept going up, Zillow allows users to search homes for sale, rentals, and more, making this one of the handiest real estate iPhone apps available. This app also makes use of the GPS capability of your device. (Cost: Free)

 

LoopNet Commercial Real Estate Search: When it comes to searching for commercial properties, it is wise to choose an app that focuses on what is really needed. LoopNet has only one drawback – full access isn’t free. But it is a good place to start the search, so it is still a top app. (Cost: Free)

 

eTask Project for iPad: The process of buying a house is gargantuan. While eTask wasn’t designed for the real estate buyer, it can be incredibly helpful in managing the many tasks that must be accomplished to make the dream a reality. Use it to track paperwork deadlines and create a packing schedule so moving day doesn’t come as a surprise. (Cost: Free)

 

Zip Realty Real Estate: If someone looking for a home wants data, then this is the app for them. It provides a complete listing of all homes available within the top 25 major housing markets in the United States. The fun factor for this features comes when users get to draw their radius on the map, making limiting searches easier. (Cost: Free)

 

Tweet Deck: This one belongs on the list because everyone needs something to do while they try to take a mental break from the house hunt. Make sure you find lots of funny people to follow, as well as some local real estate agents. (Cost: Free)

 

CraigsPhone – It’s Craig’s List for your iPhone or iPad! Everyone knows that some homes do not get listed with realtors. People are looking to reduce their fees so they turn to free sites like Craig’s List. This is a handy app to check regularly so one can see if there are any houses for sale nearby. (Cost: Free)

 

There are several others that can be found by searching ‘real estate’ in the iTunes search bar. Happy hunting!

3 Common Mistakes of New Home Buyers

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Buying a home is an exciting time. It can also be extremely stressful. Buyers can easily find themselves lost in the jungle as they try to find the perfect home, get financing, and close the deal. It is very easy for a buyer to make a serious mistake and end up paying for it for years. While you may expect a first time buyer to make mistakes when they buy their first house, you have to keep in mind that many times a buyer only purchases one home. This means that mistakes can be extremely serious and costly. Here are three common mistakes that new buyers often make.

 

Not Finding the Right Agent

 

Your real estate agent is one of the most important people that you can possibly deal with when you are purchasing a home. Your agent is on your team and you should consider them as being your biggest ally. After all, your agent not only wants to help you find your dream home but they also are being paid to do it. Research each agent carefully and make sure that you work with one who knows exactly what you need and has the experience to help you. Avoid working with an agent who is overly pushy or who doesn’t listen to you.

 

Falling in Love Too Fast

 

Just like with people, if you fall in love with a house too fast you are in for heartbreak. A lot of buyers will fall in love with the very first home they see. Sometimes they have yet to find out how large a mortgage they can get. They are heartbroken when they discover that they cannot purchase the home that they want. Always make sure that you look at several homes so you can get an idea of not only what the housing market of the area is like but also what you really need. Imagine what your own furniture will look like in a house and how you would decorate it. You might find that the fifth or sixth house you look at is really your dream home.

 

Being Too Desperate

 

So you have found a home that you love and you are ready to buy. No matter how much you love a home make sure that you are not so desperate to own it that you neglect certain key things. Check the prices of similar homes to make sure that you are not being overcharged and do not be afraid to offer a low price to start the negotiations. Never offer the seller more than you can really afford to pay. Make sure the home has been inspected by a licensed inspector and walk through to check the pipes, outlets, and anything else you can think of. You may uncover a hidden problem that you weren’t told about. If you do lose the home, there will be another one right around the corner.

Three Common Real Estate Investing Mistakes

Monday, January 9th, 2012

With realty prices the lowest they have been in years, some buyers are seeing this as a prime opportunity to invest in the real estate market. But there are some key mistakes that many newbies tend to make when they venture into the real estate investment game.

The first mistake that many beginners tend to make is to ignore the advice that many seasoned investors have to pass on. Walking into the real estate investment thinking you know everything there is to know about investing, you are wrong. Experienced investors have been doing this a lot longer than you have and they know which areas will offer the best return on their money. They have been through all of the ups and downs in the market and are well versed in how to handle them. Many seasoned investors will be glad to offer you some advice and tell you where they went wrong, take the time to listen and you will not make any costly mistakes right out of the gate.

There are many ways to increase the amount of success you experience in real estate investments. Listening to the advice of others is one of the keys, but there are also others that will make your investment successful. The second important thing to know about investing is to know exactly where all of your money is going and what it is being used for. Do not rely on a partner or someone who says they can invest your money for you. Always stay in charge of your own accounting, this will keep you from losing money that others are mishandling. There are many ways that investing in real estate can eat up your finances, knowing what you have coming in and going out will help you stay in control of your investment and not let it get the best of you.

The final mistake that beginners tend to make is to lose sight of their primary goals. If your key area of interest is properties that will sell quickly and have been proven to sell do not get sidetracked into buying properties that do not meet that criteria. Making money investing in properties that have been successful for you in the past is something that you should not forget. Many beginners make their money and jump into another area of realty that they know little or nothing about. Sticking with what is working is important for your success in realty investing. If you would like to move onto other types of investment properties it is important that you do some research first and find out if that move is right for you.

Investing in realty can be very profitable when done the right way. Keep in mind the mistakes that others have made and do your best to avoid them. Doing this will help you choose properties that will likely show you a profit.