Looking for an ideal house is the most important decision a family can make in their domestic life. Ultimately, that house will become a home all of you will dwell in. It can also turn into a family house to pass down for generations and generations (if it is excellent and sturdy). 

This city boasts acres of rural areas that blend with their semi-industrialized cityscapes, all the while maintaining the historical highlights it has. According to this report, Valdosta is ranked #38 as the safest city to live in, with 56,000 population and just a little over 400 crime cases. The property crime rate is 4%, which is less than any other cities and counties in Georgia.

What Is Life In Valdosta, GA Like?

Valdosta is a city in southern Georgia. It is a city with a substantial population to make both the image of a bustling city as well as a rural town with friendly southern neighbors. Though not as big and industrialized as big cities like New York, there is also much to do in Valdosta. Here are some great points you might want to think about:

1. It’s A Safe City To Live In.

With a small crime rate, this part of Georgia is relatively safe compared to Tallahassee, which is twice the population of Valdosta. Some areas can be considered unsafe for people, but the majority of this city is safe and child friendly. 

Most of the people that live in Valdosta are college students, and people who rent out a place. However, if you wish to live here permanently, there are many affordable houses for sale that are in great condition. With that in mind, remember that this place is not for someone who likes fast-paced, city life. It is more suited to peaceful rural family life.

• Highlights and Historical Marks 

If you are into sports, Freedom Park is a great place to exercise that hobby. There are acres dedicated to baseball courts, soccer fields, and even a golf course. There is a children’s playground as well as complexes for both small and large pets to play around.

For your children, there is another playground but this one is indoors. A jungle gym called “Jungle Jym’s Family Fun Center” is a 25,000 square feet space where your children can play in bounce areas, ball pits, and even an arcade.

History buffs might like this next highlight. Valdosta’s museum called the Lowndes County Historical Museum preserves the city’s history. The society behind it aims to bring awareness to the community of researches, documents, and even war photographs as well as textiles in the form of war uniforms and periodic outfits.

Lastly, a historical mark made by William S. West was recognized in 1980 by the National Register of Historic Places. It is called The Crescent, a mansion circular in shape surrounded by beautiful landscapes and maintained gardens. It is an ideal place to rent for weddings, events, and antique sales.

• The Normal, Everyday Life

Valdosta is described by many of its inhabitants as a rural, private place if you prefer some peace of mind. This city is humid in most years, and winters are short. If the cold is not your cup of tea, this city is a match for you. The summers, however, are long and sometimes very warm. 

It is also very close to other cities, such as Tallahassee, Atlanta, and a very well-known beach in St. Simon’s Island. There are also other places the citizens and tourists can go to sight-see, like the Wild Adventures Theme Park and a military base. Mostly, it is the VSU in which people either move or visit. 

Other than that, if you want to inhabit this city, brace yourself for an easy-going, relaxed, and almost little to no nightlife. Otherwise, it is understandable to consider either Atlanta or Tallahassee.

Tips To Consider When Purchasing A Property In GA

Before buying a property, look at these considerations first:

1. Is there someone to help you with purchasing a home? 

This can be a real estate agent that will show you houses in accordance with your preference and budget. In purchasing houses for sale in Valdosta GA, it is pertinent to get competent agents that know what they’re doing. An ideal real estate agent would present proper and credible properties, as well as negotiate the price on your behalf. In another setting, an agent can sell your property and give it a hefty price, since professional marketing is better than posting pictures of your home online and waiting for a buyer.

• Shop around first.

In any buying experience, it is always wise to look around than jumping on the first thing that you fancy. This will avoid any regrets in the future, and you might see something you like that is much cheaper than the first one. This way, you can talk to your agent and get their advice as well.

• When considering a property, always inspect.

This is to avoid nasty surprises. Not all perfect homes remain perfect when inspected. Some have serious repairs that insurance doesn’t cover. It’s important to get a professional to look into the condition of the home, and if there are problems found, you can either withdraw from the deal or have the seller fix it up and offer a discount.

The First Time Home Buyer Advantage

Now that we have finished discussing the essentials, let’s move to the technical details. There is something called the First Time Home Buyer Advantage that lets you have perks and discounts as long as you meet the conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) found in this site (https://www.investopedia.com/updates/first-time-home-buyer/), they are as follows: 

• You must not have owned a principal residence before this. Principal residence refers to a place you or your family lives most of the time. It can be a condo, an apartment, a boat, or a house. If you have bought one before, but your spouse hasn’t, then both of you are still eligible for this advantage
• A single mother/father that owned a principal residence while in the former marriage.
• A displaced homemaker who only owned a house with their spouse before.
• A person who has only owned a primary residence not perpetually affixed to a permanent foundation under applicable regulations
• A person who has only owned a property that was not in acquiescence with state, local, or model building codes—and that cannot be brought into acquiescence for less than the cost of the construction of a permanent structure.

First, find out if you are eligible through these conditions. If you have passed, then you will be obliged to have little to no down payment loans as well as federal tax credits and many more. This will help you greatly in your journey to finding a perfect home for your family or yourself. 

Author: Rowena Oliver

Investment is not an easy way to do with 100% surety whether you would profit. However, if you plan to invest in real estate, it could be a great way to make money with less amount. Even if you are lack money, you can simply take loans and pay them off on installments. Real estate investing is beneficial if it is being invested in the right way. Nevertheless, if you are deciding to invest in real estate for the first time, yet you are confused about where and how to invest in this business, there are plenty of ways to invest in real estate and get profited.

I would let you know about these tactics and approaches through which you can build enough money. When you start investing in real estate, it helps in expanding your investment portfolio and can be a suitable means of earning enough. Moreover, a decent investment in real estate grants you tax benefits through devaluation, which may help you increase your returns. Thus, you are requested to stay here and start your business with low investment though get high profit.

1.      Purchase a leasing property

Buying a rental property is the excellent and most common option to invest in real estate and build money. You can purchase any real estate property, residential or commercial property to lease to renters and earn the lease income every month. This way is beneficial in several manners; you have the authority to get your renters out, or you may use the property for your personal use. Anyhow, you would get a handsome amount of income every month regularly. On the other hand, where there are such benefits, owning a rental property may cause some downfalls as follow.

• When you invest in real estate through renting properties, you may get less income from the renter.
• Besides, obtaining a rental property can be a time-consuming task since it is difficult to find an ideal tenant.
• When you buy your first property to lease it, it could be costly for you. Since this is your first investment, you could get further by keeping the profit once you bought your first property.

Warning!

Mortgage discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or marital status is illegal. If you find such things happening with anyone, one can report a complaint against that person.

2.      Flip a property

Flipping property is another approach to invest in real estate. It uses the term fix and flips the house, which means that you purchase a house for your personal use and renovate it. Once you discover that the house is increasing its worth, you may sell it out at a decent rate. However, the flipping house is a task that requires much patience and endurance because it takes time to get a suitable client who would buy the renovated house in a great amount. 

Nonetheless, there are a few things that you need to bear in mind while flipping a house.

• Try not to waste your time by focusing on little details while lipping a house. In the case of a flipping house, you should consume your time watchfully and make a schedule about how much time would you give in renovating the house. Also, focus more on the selling of the house, since it is an essential part of house flipping.
• When you buy a property for flipping, you should watch your budget out. Try to buy a less expensive house that needs fewer renovation to save your maximum money. However, when it comes to the selling of the house, you should exceed 70% of the cost of what you expect; otherwise, you would be in loss.
• While renovating the house, you must know the market scope; what trends and styles are in. Remember, if you renovate the house in a trendy way, it will increase the worth of the house.

3.      Rent out a part of existing property

This strategy does not need much investment; you can invest your own home where you are living already. If you decide to leave your house, however, don’t want to sell it out, you can lease your whole house and get income every month. On the other hand, if you live in a house and one portion is empty, upper or lower floor, you can give that part on rent and earn every month. This approach of real estate investment can be beneficial in numerous ways.

• You can watch your renters closely about their living styles in your home.
• You don’t need to visit every month for rent (if you rent out a far distant house).
• No investment for spare property is needed.

4.      Purchase REITs

If you do not want to invest in real estate traditionally, you can choose to invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). In this approach, you only need to invest money and not be required to purchase or sell the property. When you invest in any organization, it is their concern or purchase and sale property. This corporation has to pay you 90% of the profit while avoiding paying business income tax and divide the money amongst all the investors. Nevertheless, REITs are a substantial investment for the stock market and are perfect for those who want a regular income.

Notification:

You are not applicable to invest in REITs if you are accompanying Traditional Rental Real Estate.

5.      Use real estate online platforms

You use some online real estate investment platforms to invest in this business if you are looking for a partner. It is usually used for investing in large commercial or residential properties. You can visit numerous online real estate platforms and link with the investors seeking partners for financial investment in real estate. If you find a decent partner with which u think you can associate, can contact and start a business. However, you need to pay the fee of using a certain online platform. This approach is beneficial in terrestrial divergence, and the profit would be divided according to the number of partners.

Upshot 

These were five simple ways to invest in real estate business; although, the most common and organic ways to earn a high profit are the first two. Besides, you can adopt multiple approaches to invest in real estate. Thus there is no rule to pick only one strategy; this thing would provide you higher profit. For instance, you can purchase multiple REITs and, at the same time, rent out your house for regular incomes. Anyhow, you invest in real estate through any means, there is all the profit you would get. So, initiate your real setae business and plan for a world tour.

Author: Jason Miles

The makers of ‘A New Life in the Sun’ and ‘Building the Dream’ are interested in hearing from anyone who is set to start renovations on their dream home in the sun… 

If you have a property in France, Mallorca or Spain that you’re planning to transform into a dream home to die for, we want to hear about it! 

Email renovations@truenorth.tv or fill out our application form at: https://tinyurl.com/mddh-renovations, Do drop us a message if you have any questions. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Feeling bored during quarantine, looking for projects to do around the house? Maybe you’re interested in how COVID-19 affects real estate prices and considering sprucing up your property before putting it on the market.

Whatever the case may be, we have you covered! Here are nine home upgrades you can do over the next few months to make your place more beautiful and valuable. We’ve broken up these ideas by category to help you find the best solution to achieve your specific goals.

Home Upgrades for a Small Space

If you’ve been cooped up inside tight living quarters during quarantine, you’re probably experiencing more cabin fever than most. It might seem impossible to make improvements when you’re working with limited square footage, but that’s not true at all—it’s totally possible to beautify a small apartment. Here are some of our top suggestions.

• Add more storage space. An area that looks cramped and cluttered feels just the same. From those old college moving boxes that you never got around to unpacking, to all the exposed cables strewn across various surfaces, try to put everything in its proper place. You’ll do your mind a major favor by eliminating the mess, so pick up a few storage bins that you can conceal beneath the couch or bed.

• Change up your color palette.

Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all it takes to breathe new life into a stagnant living space. If you’re feeling like you’re staring at a prison of four white, bleary walls, invest in some color therapy to lighten the mood—you might be surprised to see what an effect hues can have on human psychology! Whether you opt for a vibrant, red accent wall or go corner-to-corner with a coat of soft, tranquil seafoam green, the difference will be noteworthy.

Gallons of paint can get pretty expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to upgrade your color palette. If the bed is the largest object in sight, consider buying a new, cozy comforter that you’ll enjoy crawling into, rather than feeling confined to. Then, pick up some matching throw pillows and decorative accents to tie the revamped scheme altogether!

• Bring the outdoors inside. Indoor plants are another great way to enhance your mental and emotional health, which is especially critical during this period of social isolation. If you can’t go outside, bring nature to you by adding touches of greenery throughout the space. Lacking a green thumb, or sufficient natural light to keep plants alive? No problem. Faux flowers and plants can achieve the same effect, minus the maintenance.
  

These changes may seem simple, but they can make a big upgrade to a small space in a short amount of time!

Home Upgrades that Save Money

Homeowners have endless possibilities in terms of renovations: an exterior facelift, kitchen expansion, bathroom remodel, outdoor patio… the list goes on and on. But although they’re less limited in space, there are still two constraints that can impact which upgrades they choose to pursue: time and money.

It’s essential to save money when owning a home. Otherwise, you run the risk of falling behind on property taxes, mortgage payments, and outstanding financial obligations. Those who value frugality might cringe thinking about the cost of renovation, but these energy-efficient ideas are simple and affordable—and they can actually help you save money down the road by significantly reducing monthly utilities.

• Change your lightbulbs. If it sounds easy, it is. Simply switching out your old, incandescent light bulbs with LED ones is a low-investment, high-return upgrade. LEDs use 75-80% less energy and swapping out as few as five could save more than $30 per year in electricity—but the average home has 30-60 bulbs installed, meaning you could see hundreds in savings.

• Xeriscape the yard. This big word helps reduce your environmental footprint, which then in turn reduces your water bill. Xeriscaping refers to the process of landscaping that’s designed to decrease or eliminate the need for irrigation. Swap out thirsty plants and grassy lawns with native, drought-resistant species, strategically located to cut back on water consumed by the yard and garden.
  
• Optimize the insulation. One of the best ways to save money is by cooling and heating your home more efficiently, and there’s plenty of options for how you can do so depending on the size of your budget. Installing smart thermostats, dual-paned windows, and insulated roofing are a few options.
  

Most of these projects you can do yourself, but hire a professional for large and/or dangerous jobs. Be sure to do your diligence and research the contractor before signing any contracts—you never know what might show up in a background check, and it would be a shame to see your upgrade turn into an upset.

Home Upgrades that Add Value

The best upgrades are the ones with the biggest return on investment. Whether you’re looking to sell, build long-term equity, or simply pass the time, here are a few examples of renovations that can make homes more expensive.

• Replace old hardware. Replacing outworn faucets and doorknobs in the bathroom and kitchen can make your home look cleaner and more up-to-date. Choose one type of metal and keep it consistent throughout the space for a cohesive aesthetic.
  

• Get rid of old grout. The grout lining your shower is porous, which makes it pretty difficult to clean as time goes by. If your tub is looking a little lackluster, remove loose grout with a putty knife and squeeze a fresh application in its place to make it shine. Bonus points for upgrading the tile backsplash while you’re at it!
  
• Repaint the front door. Enhance the curb appeal of your home by repainting the front door. Bold colors like teal are trending right now, but even a traditional tone will make the property look newer by concealing the toll of time.

These upgrades are cost-friendly and when it comes time to sell your property, they can help you drive a much higher asking price.

What home improvements are you picking up during quarantine? Let us know in the comments below.

Kaelee Nelson

Kaelee Nelson received her Master degree with an emphasis in Digital Humanities and pursues her career as a writer in San Diego, currently writing for 365businesstips.com. She enjoys informing readers about topics spanning industries such as technology, business, finance, culture, wellness, hospitality, and tourism.

Working from home has become the new reality for many of us in the past year. Many found themselves in this very new and – no doubt – challenging situation. Depending on the circumstances of each individual it could mean to either be alone at home or to find a quiet corner in your busy family home. Both situations come with their very own set of problems as well as advantages.

I found myself in the second scenario. The bedroom became my office as well as my husbands’. In each video conference we hoped none of our children would storm in to scream out the latest mischief one of her siblings did… To tell a long story short: I believe many of us homeworkers wished for better working conditions.

Buy a covid friendly home

Buying a new home that better suits our needs in this time definitely crossed our mind. Looking at all the complications though, made us soon realize that it does not seem to be a good time for that, not just yet.

I saw many articles popping up about covid friendly homes – meaning it is NOT friendly to the actual covid virus but rather helps people to live with the new situation. There is a lot of speculation going on how such a home would look like.

Others might also suggest that soon there will be a vaccine and everything will be back to normal again – just like the time before the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Another thing to consider is that your house might not be worth what it used to be due to the financial impact the pandemic had on the real estate market.

Therefore, it might be a hasty move to sell your home and get another right now.

What you can do

Many people did not go on their annual holidays abroad this year out of fear or due to complications, such as needing to be quarantined when they return to their home country. But what if you would get the chance to combine your holidays with your new working from home situation?

Speaking with many who worked from home even before the spread of the covid, you can be free to choose where you like to live. This is fantastic. I know some who choose really nice places where real estate is very cheap. They were able to keep their costs of living down and at the same time live in a great location.

If you like to get an idea where it would be very cheap to buy a house have a look at this map:

https://www.propertyunder50k.com/map_view.php?

Paradise Guaranteed

I recently came across the Barbados Welcome Stamp – basically it is a special visa for remote workers who want to work and live in Barbados for 12 months. So, if you are looking for a change and you like to try another country for a year why not have a look?

Looking to buy, sell rent real estate? Visit www.all-real-estate.com

Lots of folks believe this to enter the world of property; you require plenty of money. But it doesn’t imply that a person with less or no cash can’t begin a real estate company. In This article we have covered the full topic of – how to do real estate business with no money?

The first thing required to initiate a real estate company (or any business, really) is the ideal mindset. You will need to work out creative and innovative ways of getting financing for your real estate deal, especially when you’ve got no funds to spend.

A business is successful once you earn profit by selling your goods or services. This is true for the real estate business, also. The best thing about the property sector is that everyone can start this business with the wish to sell the property and earn high returns.

So, how can you begin a real estate company with zero capital? How can you organize financing to back up your real-estate deal?

If these questions are running through your head, then we have got helpful answers for you.

How to Make Money in Real Estate Without a License

Real estate is an exciting business. I have met a few of the most driven and enthusiastic individuals, lots of whom are currently lifelong buddies. It keeps you on your feet! When most folks consider transitioning to a career in real estate, but the first thing that comes to mind is becoming a certified realtor. With all the licensing and education requirements, however, that may seem quite daunting. Many don’t understand that you may work in real estate without a license in most countries. In actuality, a quick scan of the internet job boards shows the assortment of opportunities.

How to Start a Real Estate Business with No Money

Here Are Five Powerful ways to start a property dealing Company (How to do real estate business with no money) with zero Cash in your pocket, Plans you can learn from and apply in other businesses as well:

1. Buy a House as a Main Home

You can buy a house to live in with a zero money down VA or USDA loan, remain there for at least one year, then move out and turn the house into a rental home. Do not forget that equity building through property investing also contains the houses where you live. Additionally, the down payment and credit rating requirements for a primary residence are always less strict compared to investment property. Living on your insignificant farms first is an excellent way to avoid the more rigorous lender rules for property investment properties.

2. Purchase a Duplex, and Reside in 1 Unit while You Rent Out another One

Did you know that you could fund a two-unit duplex using an FHA loan? You reside in one unit and rent out the other property for additional cash. Along with the reduced down payment requirement, the best thing about this property investing strategy is the lease you derive from the opposite side of this duplex will most likely play a significant part of your mortgage!

3. Create a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) on Your Primary Residence or another Investment Property. 

For those who have a large quantity of equity on your primary residence or another property rental property. Many banks will provide you with a HELOC, which you can then use for property investing. A normal HELOC will make a line of money in hand for around 70-80% of the instant equity in your currently owned land.

However, the HELOC can also be utilized as a zero-down mortgage to fund a rental property.

The HELOC interest rate is generally the prime rate and 1 or 2%, which now puts them around 5 percent. But the principal benefit of the HELOC is that it usually does not have any closing costs, and you’ll be able to close quickly with only a Drive-By evaluation on your premises. Some banks won’t charge you for this particular examination.

By way of instance, if the interest is $300, you can simply pay that minimum amount, or pay extra money each month to repay the principal. This permits you to make your mortgage under your terms.

Assuming the prime rate stays stable, the total amount of interest will fall as you pay down the principal monthly.

4. Ask the Seller to Pay your Closing Costs.

On many property transactions, the property seller is willing to cover buyer closing costs to incentivize a sale. However, the trade-off will most likely have to supply the full asking price or close to it. This is reasonable, so long as your lease is enough to cover all your expenses and give you little monthly cash flow. However, at full asking price in the event, the lender quotes you an entire mortgage payment (including insurance and taxes ). Which is equal to or higher than the lease you can reasonably cost, search for another deal.

5. Utilize a Bank that Pays Closing Costs or Supplies a Rebate on your Down Payment.

In combination with Freddie Mac’s Home Possible Advantage program, Quicken Loans has just promoted a 1% down payment option on single-family houses for owner-occupied properties. The buyer puts up 1 percent, and Quicken Loans provides a grant for another 2% needed. A 680 credit rating and a debt-to-income ratio of 45 percent or less will be required.

Sometimes the interest rate is slightly higher to get this deal, but some lenders are currently advertising. They’ll pay closing costs without increasing interest rates. Check with a site such as bankrate.com or do a Google search for a listing of those companies.

Whichever of these methods you opt to use, the most crucial point to bear in mind is that investing in real estate with very little money is a superb way to build wealth. It is among the very few investment approaches where you can begin without large quantities of cash. One never knows when particular property programs will come and go. So make sure to benefit from these ideas while they’re still around.

Is real estate an excellent way to earn money in 2020?

Real estate is best regarded as a long-term investment – it pays off best when held through the years. You can purchase property in 2020, but you would want to hold onto it for 20–30 years for the best results. Suppose you can find sellers that will sell their property for you at a substantial discount below market value. In that case, you can create a whole lot of cash in a couple of weeks through wholesaling or flipping. But finding people who will sell the property to you for 10–20 percent or more below market value is a whole lot tougher than finding quality properties that will appreciate and supply decent cash flow over the longer term.

How to Start Investing in Real Estate with Little Money

For many people, the term “investing” conjures up images of men in suits, tracking the exchange of tens of thousands of dollars on a stock ticker.

I am here to tell you: You do not have to be the Wolf of Wall Street to begin investing. It’s okay if you are more of a mouse of Main Street. Even if you just have a few bucks to spare, your money will grow with compound interest.

The key to building wealth is developing good habits–such as regularly putting money away each month. Replace the barista-made cappuccinos for coffee in your home, and you may already be saving more than $50 per month.

As soon as you have a little cash to play, you may begin to invest.

It’s just as straightforward. Having a robo-advisor or savings account, you can make your money work as you play. With a stock trading program, you can play a little money and learn valuable investing lessons simultaneously. Exactly like Halloween costumes, investing comes in several diverse forms. It should not be a scary word.

With so many diverse choices, investing for novices is more straightforward and more uncomplicated than ever before.

Conclusion

Property coping is a very profitable business. Use the ways mentioned above to enter this line of business even when you don’t have cash. But, do not forget that entry is simply the first step on the ladder of success. How your company grows and succeeds is mainly based on your hard work and your ability to recognize opportunities and take action accordingly.

Ready to begin taking advantage of the current opportunities in the housing market?

Whether you are new to investing or have closed a few bargains. Our new online property course will cover everything you will need to know to help you start real estate investing. Professional investor than Merrill explains the very best property plans to help get you on the path towards a better financial future.

About the author: My name is King kentus i blog at komback.com and i am the CEO of the said website.

Buying a house is the pinnacle of success—or, at least it used to be. It seems as though more and more people are abandoning the popular dream of homeownership and setting their sights on financial accomplishments that are more realistically attainable, like luxury vehicles, designer watches, and worldly travels.

That’s not to say purchasing a property is entirely off the table, though. There are plenty of affordable properties under 20k that you could buy without sending yourself into debt for several decades. There are two sides to every coin, but ultimately, there’s no single “correct” answer—it all comes down to your personal priorities. If you’re debating renting vs buying, consider these points to help you decide which option suits you best.

What’s on your time horizon?

If you’re thinking about buying a house, make sure to consider your timeline in two to 10 years from now. Will you be in the same city? Have the same job? Are you ready to settle down?

The people who like to rent are usually those that value flexibility and mobility; they don’t want to be tied down to a 15- or 30-year mortgage that locks them into one location. Of course, life happens and plans can always change, but if you have to sell your home shortly after buying it in order to move to a new city or place your child in a better school district, for example, you could lose money on your initial investment.

Bottom line: Purchasing a home is an investment in your future, but it’s a long play that will require you to live in the same place for at least two years. Just like any investment, there’s risk involved should the real estate market crash and you owe more on the property than what it’s worth.

How is your credit looking?

You’ll need a positive credit history whether you’re applying to rent or buy a house, but it’s much more important in the case of the latter. Most of the time, homeowners rely on financing to purchase a property; it’s pretty rare for someone to have a few hundred thousand sitting around in cash that they can use to complete the sale in one fell swoop.

Lenders will look at several things when reviewing your mortgage loan application, including your age and income, but credit history is one of the most important qualifiers. Not only do you need a strong credit score to finance a house, but it’s in your best interest to take the time to increase your score as high as possible in order to receive low rates.

A good number demonstrates less perceived risk, so the lender will be likelier to charge less interest on top of the principal balance—saving you a significant amount of money in total borrowing costs in the long run.

Bottom line: If you’ve missed a few bill payments in the past and are sitting on mismanaged debt, you should clean up your credit history before trying to buy a home.

Do you have money saved up?

One of the biggest differentiators between renters and buyers is the money they have saved up in the bank. Even with approved financing, you’ll need to place a sizable down payment—or, the portion of the purchase price that you pay upfront in cash—to show the lender you’re invested in the property and likely to repay the loan.

Many people think they need a down payment of at least 20% of the total price in order to buy a home, but that conventional wisdom doesn’t apply much today. While it’s true that a 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance and save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run, this barrier to entry is pretty steep for first-time buyers.

You can buy a home with anywhere between 5-15% down upfront, and there are also down payment assistance programs that can help you come up with the cash. Renting will also require a down payment, security deposit, and money on-hand for application fees, but these costs are usually cheaper than a mortgage and its affiliated costs.

What many people fail to realize, though, is that every rent payment they make likely goes toward paying off the landlord’s mortgage, and the price comparison isn’t that far apart. For example, if rent costs a thousand per month, a mortgage payment might be only 15% more. Rather than throwing that money down the drain on rent, those funds could be better applied to building your own wealth in home equity and increasing your net worth. You could also look into rent-to-buy homes in your area that can help you achieve the best of both worlds.

Bottom line: You’ll need to budget and save up for a home, which often leads people to stick with rent that’s easier to afford while keeping up with the cost of living—but putting in the work can pay off tenfold if you apply the cost of rent toward a tangible asset that you eventually own over time.

Are you financially responsible?

When you buy a home, the hard work doesn’t end once you get the keys in your hand. There are a lot of ongoing costs that you’ll need to keep up with, such as property taxes and maintenance repairs. And, whereas a renter could simply call up the property manager to fix a leaking sink, that responsibility will fall on you to repair yourself—unless you prefer to pay someone to do it for you.

Bottom line: If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of property maintenance and the ongoing costs of homeownership, it might be better to rent so you know exactly how much money to budget every month.

Do you have competing goals?

Finally, check in with your financial goals to see if there are competing priorities. Let’s say you just graduated from college; would you rather pay off your student loans or invest in the real estate market? Do you need a down payment to purchase a new vehicle?

Bottom line: It can be challenging to pay off debt or save money when owning a home, so consider your financial goals and decide what to accomplish first.

By keeping these thoughts in mind as you compare renting vs buying, you’ll be more likely to make the right decision for your financial future.

Samantha Rupp

Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is the managing editor for 365businesstips.com. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.

It’s not a secret that real estate can yield bigger profits than most businesses, but did you know that you can earn in this market even if you don’t sell a house?

If you have ever experienced having a landlord, there’s a good chance that you have observed how challenging it is for them to field calls from tenants all day about overflowing toilets or giant bugs. But while it may not seem like the most glamorous job, being a real estate investor can be quite lucrative.

Aside from renting out a place, there are plenty of ways that you can get a significant return on investment in real estate. The only problem is that not all investors understand how they can do so, or even know which investments can get them a significant ROI.

If you’re new to the trade, this article is for you. Read on to learn the four best ways to profit by investing in real estate.

1.   Buy a rental property

This is probably the most straightforward method of becoming a real estate investor. ‘Investment property’ refers to any commercial or residential property to be rented out to tenants without any additional fixing or flipping.

When you own a rental property, you don’t just get what you paid for, but you also build wealth-generating income. Add to that equity appreciation and the leverage you have with real estate, and you have yourself a solid investment.

Still, it is worth noting that owning a piece of rental property may not be for everyone. When looking for houses or apartments for sale, you have to make sure that you consider your interests, lifestyle, and the potential drawbacks, including:

●      Time commitment

Owning a property and renting it out to tenants requires time, even with the help of a property management agency. Make sure that you can accommodate this in your schedule. Otherwise, it would be best to try something else.

●      Cost barriers

Another major concern most investors have about a rental property is the cost of buying one. If you’re taking out a loan for it, many lenders require a minimum of 25 percent down payment for an investment property loan. Thus, it would be better to consider undertaking this type of real estate venture if you have reserves worth several months’ expenses.

●      Uncertainty of yield

Although many rental properties provide a continuous source of income for many (especially if you pick an apartment in a highly desirable location, like a Business Bay property in Dubai, for example), it isn’t a 100% done deal. Vacancies can happen, and things may break. Although there is great potential in this sort of investment overall, there are considerable short-term risks.

2.   Invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs)

Real estate investment trusts or REITs allow investors to put in their money and let it grow without actual, physical real estate.

Although usually compared to mutual funds, REITs are actual commercial real estate properties like retail spaces, office buildings, apartments, and hotels that yield income through leasing. The revenue gathered through these properties is divided amongst the REIT holders – also called ‘trustees’ – in the form of a dividend, which they can automatically reinvest to allow it to grow further.

But while REITs are an excellent way to invest in real estate for people without the time to handle rental properties, they can also be complex and varied. Some of these are traded on an exchange the same way stocks are, but others aren’t publicly traded. This means that the kind of REIT you invest in is a huge factor in how big a risk you’re taking when engaging in this form of real estate investment.

3.   Purchase a vacation rental

Vacation rentals are quite different from the rental property mentioned previously. While the latter involves having long-term tenants, vacation rentals are only occupied by tenants on occasion.

One of the perks of having this type of investment property is that you can use it as your second home when it is vacant. It would also be easier to finance vacation rentals compared to long-term rental properties, particularly if your lender considers it your second home as it means you don’t need to use the rental income to qualify for the loan.

Moreover, these properties usually bring in higher rental income per day compared to long-term rentals.

But, like other investment options, vacation rentals also have some disadvantages.

For one, marketing and managing this type of rental property requires more involvement on your part compared to those leased out long term. Because of this, the cost of property management is a bit higher, with many property managers expecting to get paid 25% of the total rent. This is more than twice the 10% standard for long-term rentals.

4.   Fix and flip real estate

If you’re a fan of real estate TV shows, then you’re probably familiar with the term ‘fix and flip’ or the act of ‘flipping houses’. Fixing and flipping a property means that you buy a home for the sole purpose of refurbishing it and selling it quickly for a profit.

This particular investment option can be quite a lucrative option in real estate, especially if everything proceeds as planned. After all, what better way to earn some cash than by buying an underpriced home, showing it little love through inexpensive renovation, and reselling it for a higher price?

However, this strategy is a little bit harder to accomplish in reality compared to how they present it on TV. First, it comes with a higher risk as the maths behind flipping properties means you have to be very accurate in your estimated cost of repairs. That alone is a challenge in itself.

Plus, flipping homes is a job that requires not only your attention but a lot of time as well. This means that if you’re a passive investor, you should consider another investment option.

Remember that fix-and-flip investments can be quite daunting, even for the most experienced professionals. In fact, even the people you see doing this on TV require a team of four people or more, with varying expertise in real estate marketing, civil engineering, interior design, and others.

There are also some rules you must know about before deciding to jump into the fix-and-flip bandwagon:

• You make money when you buy, not when you sell. Stick to the 70 percent rule; the acquisition, repair, and holding costs shouldn’t exceed 70 percent of the amount you expect to sell it for.
• Time is equivalent to money in this trade. Dragging your feet during repairs and selling can destroy your profit margins.

Invest wisely in property

Property investment has a high potential of helping you build your wealth. When done right, you can even make it your main source of income.

Still, it would be best not to put all your eggs in one basket. Invest wisely by choosing the right kind of real estate investment among those listed in this article.

Author: Damac Properties

Tired of the old look of your apartment? Well, there are many ways to make a small apartment blossom. All you have to do is do some digging and find the right thing which will suit your place. Though small apartments have space issues, if you utilize everything in the right way decorating your apartment can turn into a fun activity and build something useful yet pretty! Here are a few tips which you can apply when you plan to create your little space even more pretty and beautiful.

1. Start by defining different areas of your house

There is a possibility that you have a living room, a kitchen clubbed all together. By separating each area with the other, you create more space and the house looks different! You won’t feel that this is one entire portion. A bookshelf or a high rack can separate two different areas well and if not racks then you can add a dining table or some curtains also.

• Multiple-use furniture

This kind of furniture is one of the most trending items on today’s date. People love to have those things in their house which serve not just one purpose but more. Tables that can serve as an iron table as well as a dining table, Stools which can be used for sitting and can easily be clubbed into a small cubical to save space, a sofa which can also serve as a bed.

• Choose vertical storage ideas

Choosing to switch to vertical storage than horizontal can help you in two ways, it looks good and more spacious. You will find a lot of space empty when you choose to go vertical and the best part about it is that you won’t even compromise with storage. Vertical storage items can in fact help you gather more storage.

• Old junk makes the best decoratives

If you are willing to empty your pockets on decorative items, then we want you to know that you already have a lot of them. Old items which are not of any use like old CD’S, jewellery, books, and even furniture can turn into great decorative items. Search for the best DIYs and you will know what wonders you can create.

• Stay well organized

The organization is the key to success! No one likes a messy house after all. Just make sure that everything is placed after use and most importantly everything has a place of its own. If you do not define your things, then obviously it won’t look pretty and decent. Make sure to keep everything organized and well maintained. Cleaning the dust from your house regularly will also serve as a factor here.

6. Make every space count

When you have a small studio and want to make it pretty and elegant, you have to make sure that you utilize every bit of the space very efficiently. Our main goal is to give the room a beautiful look as well as make it look spacious. We do not have to make the space overcrowded but useful in the best way possible. If you have a fireplace and find it of no use, you can think of an innovative way to decorate it well or even use it for storage! So, start thinking about which corner of your house needs a makeover.

7.  Keep an eye on the color palette

Color combinations and schemes matter a lot when you are trying to bring everything in harmony. Make sure to utilize colors that are complementary with one another especially when you have an open space apartment. You can always go with one family color and follow the shades or go along with colors that are matching with the main shade you choose. Avoid using dark shades in small spaces, as it will make your space even smaller. Using shades that are light can make your room look big and spacious.

8. Put those beautiful coffee tables to use

Coffee tables can be used for a lot more than you think. Those big coffee tables can be used in the living room and also as a bookshelf! Didn’t get it? The best way you can utilize the coffee tables is by piling up the books on it and keeping it aside with your couch or use it as a pretty table for bedside purpose. The best way to use things efficiently is to put everything to work and avoid buying extra clutter which will be useless once you shift to a different place.

9. Use of carpets to define zones

The best way to define zones and make it look different from the other is by using a beautiful carpet or even two to double up! Carpet double can be so much fun, right? Just start with a basic colored carpet and then top it up with some stylish and sturdy smaller carpet. These can be animal print, furry, or even something more classy. You can always use two color combinations to define the space in a better way.

10. The use of mirrors can be very much decorative right?

If you are wondering that you have no space to fit in things in the studio, then we have got you covered. Using mirrors as a decorative item can be one of the best ways to sort things out. There can be pretty DIYs used and also if you wish to buy them, the choice is yours. If you think that you wish to decorate your walls and that art can be difficult to choose upon, then this is something which will help you anyway! You can create a painted frame for your mirror, can rope it up to make it look exquisite, the choice is yours.

In short, a small apartment needs to be simple yet pretty. Keeping things organized and clean will help you the most. You can add a few details and decorations to make it look perfect. Adding a few lighting items will not only illuminate your house but also make it look exquisite.

About the Author: Natasha Blackford is a content writing specialist who writes articles for SpeedHome and also a food blogger who is trying different things and sharing her recipes through youtube.