Increasing Rents: Time for Renters to Pay Up   Author: Melana Yanos   
In addition to, and perhaps because of inflation and woes in the housing market, renters are feeling pinched as average rents increased 5.3 percent this year.
How to Profit from the Mortgage Crisis with your Retirement Funds   Author: Tom Anderson   
Savvy real estate investors are finding opportunities using retirement funds and seller financing to fund purchases and close deals with buyer who cannot get mortgages through traitional sources.
Rare Homes: Not Just Antiques and Custom-Built Mansions   Author: Patricia Rattray   
Unique homes in a given market show less depreciation even in a downturn, and buyers and sellers of such homes must alter their strategies accordingly.
The Foreclosure Tax Credit: Blessing or Curse?   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 was passed by an overwhleming majority in the Senate, but Washington insiders continue to debate whether the bill will help or harm the troubled real estate market.
EquityLock Financial Allows Homeowners to Hedge Their Home Equity   Author: Trista Winnie   
For most people, the house in which they live is their biggest asset, and to see its value drop is unnerving. For homeowners who fear the implications of falling home values, looking into the Home Price Protection program offered by EquityLock Financial could be worthwhile.
How To Use a Self-Directed IRA to Buy Your Retirement Home Now   Author: David Nilssen   
How to buy your retirement home with a self-directed IRA.
How to Buy the Dream Property that is Beyond your Means: Fractional Ownership   Author: Barbara Zigah   
Fractional ownership allows you and a group of other individuals to own a percentage of an investment. It can be complicated, but here are ten steps to help you to arrange a deal satisfying to everyone.
Investing in REO properties: Deal or No Deal?   Author: Melana Yanos   
REO properties may pique the interest of many investors, but can investors really haggle their way to exceptional deals?
$15 Billion Housing Bill Approved by House   Author: Trista Winnie   
A $15 billion housing bill was pushed through a House committee Wednesday to provide grants and loans to cities and counties hit hardest by the mortgage crisis. Critics suggest that it is a bailout for lenders and speculators and will lead to more forclosures.
How to Start Buying REO Properties the Right Way   Author: Tom Lazzaro   
Learn the proper way to search for REO properties, write the offer correctly the first time, and know when to walk away from a time and money-wasting deal.
How to Buy or Refinance Property with a Diminished Credit History   Author: Barbara Zigah   
The liquidity crisis has resulted in tightening and strengthening of earlier lax credit criteria; many consumers and investors are finding that their "average" credit is no longer good enough.
New Orleans Real Estate: Investing in Recovery   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Investors looking to buy and hold may find opportunity in New Orleans real estate as the city rebuilds and its economy continues to grow.
How to Conduct a Physical Evaluation of a Mobile Home Park   Author: David Reynolds   
Mobile home park physical evaluation: and what to look for...and look out for.
Housing Prices Might Fall More Than in the Great Depression   Author: Trista Winnie   
A noted economist predicted Tuesday that the slumping U.S. real estate market could lead to bigger price drops than even those seen during the Great Depression, necessitating bailouts for millions of American homeowners.
FHA 203(k) Loan Program   Author: Sam Chrest   
FHA 203(k) loans can help homeowners pay for a variety of home repairs and upgrades, from making a property handicapped-accessible to simply upgrading appliances in poor condition.
Deferred Sales Trust: Deferring Taxes Without a 1031 Exchange   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Deferred sales trusts can be used to defer capital gains taxes on some assets while still receiving payments, thus reaping the benefits of the sale.
San Antonio Real Estate Investment   Author: Melana Yanos   
As the rest of the nation struggled with a housing market decline, San Antonio real estate values appreciated by 5.5 percent last year. Its strong local economy has experts predicting that values will appreciate another 3 to 4 percent this year, making it one of the brightest spots in a tumbling national real estate market.
Wholesale Preconstruction: Lessons Learned by Investors in Axiom Realty Capital   Author: Trista Winnie   
A search for "Axiom Realty Capital" turns up a plethora of investors who are dissatisfied with the conduct of the wholesale preconstruction investment company. The following is the story of three such investors and a lesson for others: Buyer Beware.
How to Collect Rent from your Mobile Home Park Residents   Author: David Reynolds   
Mobile home park landlords can run into problems with rent collection from tenants, and a "No pay—no stay" policy may be just what you need if you have tenants who are behind. These are some tips to show tenants the "tough love" they need to keep themselves—and the park out of debt.
Finding Tenants in Competitive Markets   Author: Rossi Giard   
Property owners and landlords who make strategic plans to reach prospective tenants use their time and resources more efficiently.
The REX Agreement: Accessing Home Equity without a Loan   Author: Melana Yanos   
A new tool structured by the Real Estate and Equity Exchange and Company (REX & Co.), called the REX Agreement, enables homeowners to unlock a portion of their home equity without charging them monthly payments or interest; instead, REX & Co. acquires the option to share in a specified percentage of the future increase or decrease in the home’s value.
Trust Deed Investments   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
The double-digit returns on trust deed investments touted by mortgage brokers can sound enticing, but investors must be sure to complete proper due diligence. Trust deed investments are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, and difficulties such as economic conditions and borrower default may cause some or all of the investment to be lost.
Mobile Home Parks: How to Quickly Evaluate Potential Properties   Author: David Reynolds   
Tips on how to quickly analyze and value mobile home parks before investing extra time and money in researching them.
Mobile Home Parks: How to Find Opportunities   Author: David Reynolds   
Finding mobile home sparks for sale isn't as difficult as it may seem. There are creative ways to find investment opportunities with less competition.
Subdividing Property For Profit   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Subdividing property can be as simple as dividing a large lot in order to sell half of it, or as complicated as portioning a 3,000-acre parcel of land into minimum-sized lots for homes. Many types of property adjustments qualify as subdivisions, and investors need to be aware of regulations and requirements before they can expect approval from city planning departments.
Rezoning Property for Investment   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Rezoning can be profitable for investors who want to pursue a variety of land uses. Investors should learn about zoning requirements and the legalities and processes required for such a change.
Real Estate Scams: How to Protect Yourself   Author: Jeremy Ames   
Although it’s easy to get swept away with ideas of how your life could change with a windfall of cash from a real estate investment, it’s also relatively easy to protect yourself from real estate scams if you know what to look for and where to look.
Marketing Vacation Rentals   Author: Rossi Giard   
Marketing a vacation home can seem time-consuming and expensive, but there are some effective, low-cost ways to get a rental property noticed by quality tenants.
Real Estate Infomercials: Riches Only a Phone Call Away! (Maybe.)   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Infomercials advertise big, easy money...but the reality proves bitter for many investors.
How to Determine if Your Vacation Home is Eligible for a 1031 Exchange   Author: Scott Saunders   
This article discusses the requirements of maintaining "for investment" status in 1031 exchanges.
Women in Business   Author: Marie Langhout   
President of The Entrust Group, Lisa Moren Bromma gives valuable insight into roles women play in the marketplace, the salary gap, gender discrimination and why women's efforts are not in vain despite the problems they may encounter.
Foreclosure Rescue Scam Legislation Introduced in Senate   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
“Foreclosure rescue” scam artists are appearing in greater numbers in the wake of the subprime crisis. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) is introducing legislation to combat these scams and protect distressed homeowners.
How to Write Better Real Estate Contracts   Author: Traci Ellis   
This article teaches investors specific items that one should never omit from a real estate contract, whether buying or purchasing property.
Top 10 Places to Buy Vacation Rental Homes in the U.S.    Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Investors who choose their vacation home’s location wisely and opt to rent out the home while they aren’t using it, may earn enough supplementary income to make the expense worthwhile. Beyond this, in the long-term, the home may become a valuable investment property.
How to Keep Your Self-Directed IRA Healthy and the IRS Happy   Author: David Nilssen   
This article includes a detailed description of self-directed IRAs and the restrictions and taxes associated with self-directed accounts.
Top 20 Real Estate Blogs: Part Two   Author: Marie Langhout   
Part two of NuWire's list of the top 20 real estate blogs based on the quality of content, credibility of sources, frequency of updates and the writers' abilities to engage the reader.
How to Make Your Offer to Purchase Real Estate Stand Out   Author: Todd Millar   
Learn how to write a cover letter that will help your offer to purchase real estate get accepted.
How to Find Your First Real Estate Investment   Author: Todd Millar   
Learn seven steps to find your first profitable real estate investment.
Top 20 Real Estate Blogs: Part One   Author: Marie Langhout   
Blogs provide a variety of sources outside the mainstream media to keep investors informed in a volatile market. In an effort to make the world of real estate blogging easier to digest, NuWire created a list of the top 20 real estate blogs based on the quality of content, credibility of sources, frequency of updates and the writers' abilities to engage the reader.
Real Estate Investing: Lisa Moren Bromma’s Personal Story   Author: Marie Langhout   
There is a movement among female investors teaching women that their strengths may not only give them the courage to pursue knowledge and education and invest their money, it will also give them the wherewithal to determine how and where to invest it. Lisa Moren Bromma shares her experiences and insights for women asking the question: “How should I invest my money?”
Trouble with Investing in the Trump Trademark    Author: Melana Yanos   
Because of the public’s obsession with “the Donald,” investors have been lured in droves to projects bearing his name. Unfortunately, the glitter of the Trump name doesn’t always result in golden business, and many investors are learning this reality the hard way.
Investing in Charlotte Real Estate   Author: Melana Yanos   
The consistent increase in population and reciprocal development of residential and commercial properties have fueled steady growth in Charlotte’s property values, which, similar to Portland, appreciated last year in spite of a national trend of imploding real estate bubbles.
Craigslist Offers Prime Ad Space for Free   Author: Melana Yanos   
Investors who wish to rent or sell a property might also find that advertising on Craigslist is just as effective, if not more effective, than advertising on listing services that charge commissions and other fees.
iiProperty Rebranded as Rentomatic with New Features for Landlords   Author: Melana Yanos   
iiProperty.com was rebranded as Rentomatic.com in January of 2008. The web site has maintained most of its original features and tools for landlords and has retained a similar overall look and feel, but most landlords can now interact with property tenants on the Web platform through online rental payments and internal messaging features.
House Swapping: Trading Spaces Forever   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Investors looking to sell a house could consider a swap if they are interested in purchasing new property while receiving market value for their own.
Short Sale Negotiating Tactics   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
With property markets across the U.S. in decline, the term short sale is quickly gaining recognition. Buying a short sale property can be a long, exhausting process and investors would benefit from knowing how to navigate these transactions.
Short Sales: Fact vs. Fiction   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
An internet search for the phrase “investing in short sales” brings up hundreds of thousands of hits, many of which offer strategies and tricks to make a killing on the rising number of short sales in the U.S. These properties are sometimes viewed as easy money because the seller is in distress. But this is not necessarily the case.
Community Development Corporations: Partnering with Non-profits   Author: Scott Grummer   
Community development corporations (CDCs) are not-for-profit organizations run by a board of directors made up of residents of the communities they serve. Sometimes the support that they provide is just what some for-profit investors and builders need in order to move a house or make a project's numbers work.
Capitalizing on Record Foreclosures   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
More than 1.2 million properties had foreclosure filings in 2007, a nearly 75 percent increase from 2006 and a nearly 150 percent increase from 2005, according to a recent RealtyTrac report. The record numbers could represent a prime opportunity for foreclosure investors.
Mobile Home Park Due Diligence   Author: David Reynolds   
When you put a mobile home park under contract, you should have a stipulation in the contract that will allow you to confirm what the seller has said and to evaluate the overall feasibility of the purchase. Due diligence should involve looking at the physical, economic, demographic and market feasibility of the project. This time period should usually take between 30 and 60 days.
Urban Farms Revitalize City Neighborhoods   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
Urban farming can help revitalize urban areas while providing a potential solution to escalating food needs and land shortages. Urban farmers use land in city neighborhoods to grow fruits and vegetables to sell. An urban farm can be as small as a backyard or as large as an acre or two.
Title Issues Can Make Property Sales Fall Flat   Author: Cali Zimmerman   
When purchasing a new property, often the last things on a buyer’s mind are potential title problems that could arise later on. But the fact is that 26 percent of title searches reveal an issue that can be corrected before purchasing the property, according to the American Land Title Association. If these issues go uncorrected, they can pose big problems for investors when they eventually come to light.
First Drop in Housing Prices Since the Depression?   Author: Trista Winnie   
Housing prices dropped in 2007, marking the first annual drop in median existing home prices since the National Association of Realtors (NAR) began measuring that statistic in 1968, they reported Thursday. The median price of all existing homes sold fell to $218,900 in 2007, a 1.4 percent fall from the median price of $221,400 in 2006, according to NAR.
Seller Financing for Real Estate: What Investors Should Know   Author: Melana Yanos   
As the country struggles with a sluggish real estate market and tough lending conditions, seller financing presents a way for buyers and sellers to close deals that might not be possible with conventional financing. Real estate investors who are planning to sell property may want to acquaint themselves with seller financing as a potential tool for closing a deal and as a potentially profitable investment.
Army Advantage Fund Targets Future Homeowners, Business Owners   Author: Melana Yanos   
The AAF is a program designed as part of a larger initiative to address the challenges the Army faces in meeting its recruiting goals. Through it, men and women who join the army can recive a benefit of up to $40,000 towards purchasing a home or starting a small business.