sell property abroad

Property Direct From The Owner Exhibition - Sell Property Abroad Or Rent Property Abroad

Monday, December 7th, 2009 | Press Releases | 1 Comment

Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com exhibited at the Over 50’s Lifestyle Show in Estepona, Spain during the weekend of 28th/ 28th November 2009. The show featured various companies over the two days with an audience of over 5000. Property Direct From The Owner showcased their properties for both sale and rent in Spain and across the world. The show was a real success not only in generating enquiries for owners advertising with Property Direct From The Owner but also in creating awareness of the concept of the company and being able to reach out to many owners of property on the Costa del Sol looking to sell and/ or rent out their property both on the Spanish coast and elsewhere in the world.

 

Paul Wilson, Marketing Manager at Property Direct From The Owner commented, ‘The show was a roaring success for both our clients, in terms of interest generated in their properties but also in attracting new clients to the website which is very important to us for being able to deal with enquiries that we receive from customers looking to buy or rent property. Our advertising campaigns are clearly working and we have a full page advert appearing in the winter edition of Living Spain Magazine, available in Tescos and WH Smiths up and down the UK. We have also appeared in every edition this year of ‘The Good Property and Holiday Guide’ which is a bi-monthly publication available in 5 Star hotels, club class air lounges, hotel spas etc where we have an editorial and page dedicated to showcasing clients’ properties. As a result of the success of the Over 50’s show we are now looking into further exhibitions next year in Belfast, Dublin and the Spanish show again next year. It’s been a big year for everyone at Property Direct From The Owner and most importantly a successful one where the company has gone from strength to strength and our property portfolio has increased every things next calendar month. We obviously hope to improve on things next year and we see no reason why this will not happen with an even greater property portfolio and demand for customers looking to buy and rent property in the countries of the world in which we feature’.

 

Advertising your property with Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com couldn’t be simpler. Visit the website and on the top right hand corner of the Home page, ‘Create Account’. Once you have created your account, select your advertising package and pay uploading your property details. We, of course, are able to upload any property information you may have free of charge should you wish us to do that for you. Contact us by telephone or email and send through your property information, along with up to 21 photographs, so as to be able to create your advert.

 

For more information on how Property Direct From The Owner can help you receive the exposure your property needs visit the website at http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com and contact us today.

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Selling A Property With Property Direct From The Owner

Monday, November 9th, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | 1 Comment

When it comes to sales, real estate can be difficult. Once you learn how to get a hold of some property, you may feel like the hardest part of being a real estate investor is now behind you. However, there is another key part to real estate investing that you cannot afford to overlook: Knowing how to sell high in a bad real estate market.


Now, when the going is good, as they say, then you may have no trouble flipping properties, selling for big profits and generally turning most – if not all – of your real estate deals into gold. In fact, many real estate investing ‘gurus’ recall the market of just a few years ago very fondly because, in one guru’s words, ‘You could mess up big time and still make money. People did not even have to really know what they were doing’.


In tougher markets, however, you can find yourself spending a great deal of time and energy just trying to get rid of properties once you have obtained them. While you may feel like you are investing full time, you may not be showing the full-time investing profits you envisioned when you got involved in real estate investing. This is because you have begun to focus on getting rid of properties rather than generating wealth with them. The key to generating wealth with properties in any market is knowing how to sell high. Now, the word high may mean different things to different people, but it should always ultimately mean that you walk away with significantly more wealth than you went into a deal with. Understanding all your options in any given market will help you be flexible enough to meet buyers’ needs – even when you cannot trust conventional options to pull them through.

 

In a market where many buyers describe buying houses as ‘stealing’ them because the prices are so low, you must learn to cater to buyers who are good risks, but may not have the ability to buy conventionally. By doing this, you will be able to create your own mini-market in which you can set your own prices.

For more information on selling your property visit the Property Direct From The Owner website at http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

 

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Advertising Property On The Internet - Property Direct From The Owner

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | No Comments

The internet technology boom never ceases to slow down and the internet is accessed by millions of people on a daily basis. The internet is considered to be a fine method of advertising and offers you the wisdom to advertise whatever you desire to sell on the net to ensure scores of people get to see it. It is now becoming practical and more and more appealing to sell homes on the internet than through the traditional estate agent route. There are now a large number of property web portals which offer estate agent like services with no fees to have to incur. Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com are a leading web based property portal allowing owners of international property to advertise their property for sale and/ or rent with no commissions or fees to have to pay once the property is sold or rented.

 

There is no need to worry if you wish to sell your home because web based property portals can make the entire sales procedure extremely simple for you. Putting your property on the internet for sale attracts a number of interested parties thus increasing the opportunities of being sold at a fine price. Over 70% of property buyers first see the home they end up buying on the internet in the first instance. Unlike some online estate agents which fix their commission, Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com do not charge any commissions or fees to the vendor once the property is sold.

 

You will encounter a large number of formalities in selling your home; however going through a web based property portal will lessen these difficulties greatly. Keep in mind the factor of consistency in web based property portals when going to sell your property. Always opt for a reputable and well recognised web based property portal for selling your property. Internet based property portals can offer the best type of exposure for your property.

Check the customer comments on several sites about online property portals. If comments are positive about web based property portals, it indicates that the website in question has a fine dealing with its customers and a good chance that they would do you proud too when coming to sell your property. The main advantage of choosing a web based property portal as opposed to the high street estate agent is the exposure that your property will get on the internet.

Property web portals have made simple the task of selling your home. Approximately 90% of people start searching for a home on the internet to begin with. Make the most of this internet boom and get your house sold at a high price with the least amount of effort by using the services of professional property web portal.

For more information on how you can sell your property privately on the internet visit Property Direct From The Owner at http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

 

 

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Sell Your Property With Property Direct From The Owner

Friday, October 23rd, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | No Comments

SELL YOUR PROPERTY WITH PROPERTY DIRECT FROM THE OWNER

 

If you own a property and you would like to sell your property then advertising with Property Direct From The Owner is a must - exposure for your property with NO sales commission! We advertise property for sale direct from the property owner so, as an owner, you can receive enquiries from prospective buyers and cut out the need for an estate agent. Deduct the sales commission an agent would take from your asking price and make the property you are trying to sell an even more attractive proposition for a buyer. Save thousands in agent commission after all, you know your property best!

 

Commissions on overseas properties, whether off plan, resale, brand new etc can be very high. In Spain, Portugal and many other countries in Europe, estate agent commissions generally vary between 5%-8% of the property price. In some countries they can be as much as 10% of the purchase price, so owners and buyers can save a considerable amount of money by dealing direct. The internet has become a fantastic medium to advertise your property for sale with over 70% of property buyers actually first viewing the property they end up buying on the internet. Advertising your property on the Property Direct From The Owner website gives it much greater exposure, making the property more accessible to a greater spectrum of buyers thereby increasing its chances of being sold. Selling property couldn’t be any easier or cheaper!

 

The process of selling your property with Property Direct From The Owner is a simple one. Firstly create an account and then put together a detailed description about your property. You can upload up to 21 photographs in order to show off your property and its surrounding area as well as a google map to pin point the location of the property. Alternatively send us your property information and we will happily create the advert for you free of charge. Base your asking price on the value of similar properties in the same development or in and around the area that your property is located in. The internet is an excellent medium for obtaining current market sales price information.

 

Once your advert is live you, as the owner, can decide how you wish to receive enquiries for your property (by telephone and/ or email). Once contacted by an interested party you are in the best position to describe the qualities your property possesses and to arrange any such viewings. If you do not live in the country where your property is perhaps a friend or a property management company would be available to grant access for viewings. Once you have negotiated your sale price with your prospective buyer it is essential you get a lawyer involved in order to conclude the sales transaction. Your lawyer will be able to provide you with the necessary information on selling your property along with tax information. Once your property sale has been concluded you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have saved thousands of pounds an agent would otherwise have taken.

 

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Invest In Property Overseas - www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | No Comments

Property investors who want to buy property abroad are looking to benefit from the global recession. Dubai, earlier deemed unaffordable for most, is now being looked at as the most sought after destination for purchasing one’s dream home. United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand are other places already established as hubs for the investor - inviting professionals to invest with the intention of finally settling down there.

 

1 Clarity of purpose. However, it has to be clarified that the law nowhere provides that possession of property abroad would be a conclusive passport for purposes of immigration. Under the laws of UK and Australia, there are no guarantees for a visa or citizenship for an outsider buying property. Thus, realising the purpose of such an investment is important. If it’s for immigration, it is certainly not the most viable option. However, if your children study abroad or you have a business to manage there and are a frequent visitor abroad (for some reason), then investing makes absolute sense.

 

2 Personal due diligence via the internet should be adopted at the initial stages to collect information about the countries one is considering, that is, their climate, cost of travel, frequency of flights, stability of economy and other factors.

 

3 The taxation law implications of different nations vary considerably. There are four main considerations here, namely, taxes payable upon purchase of property, ongoing ownership of property, renting of property, including income tax and sometimes extra non-resident tax and disposal of property. Certain jurisdictions impose heavier taxes on commercial properties, while for purchase of a holiday home or home for rental income, one may have to pay just the domestic taxes. Moreover, there are countries where failure to pay taxes can lead to court action and possible seizure of the property. Thus, a resident interested in purchasing overseas property should declare the income earned from such investment in income tax returns. The purchaser may also have to file a tax return in the country where the assets are held if the local laws so require.

 

These are just some worthwhile pointers when looking to invest in property overseas. A proven place to start when looking to invest in property is the internet. A recent study showed that over 70% of buyers of international property first see their dream investment on the internet. Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com are internet based property portal allowing owners of international property to sell or rent their property with no agent involved during the process allowing the vendor to save thousands of sales fees and rental commissions. Visit their site http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com in order to view property currently available or to find out how you, as a property owner, can list your property today.

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Buy Property Abroad - Selling Property Abroad - www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com At Property Exhibition In November 2009

It is a big decision to buy property abroad, whether it’s for a holiday home or a retirement home. There are many factors to consider, such as, what is the ideal overseas property for you, what type of property is there for sale that suits your needs, and how do you go about actually buying properties overseas. One of the most important matters to consider is in which location you want to buy property abroad and are particularly attracted to. It might be that you have already made the decision on whereabouts you want to buy property abroad or you may still be deciding on location. Whatever phase you are at, it is good advice to complete detailed research into the area and country you are thinking about, looking at topics such as exchange rates and the climate. There is a range of information you can use when buying overseas property.

Websites and Internet

Overseas property websites such as Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com are a great way to find information on how to buy overseas property and also to search for properties abroad for sale and/ or rent. Owners of worldwide property list their property on the Property Direct From The Owner website for sale and/ or rent and prospective buyers/ renters can then search the site for a property that suits their criteria before contacting the owner directly to arrange a viewing. You’ll need to know about the buying process, tax implications, legal and financial information, likely costs when buying property overseas and visa and emigration rules depending on where you decide to buy property abroad.

Shows and Events

There are many property shows and events that will give you information and advice to buy property overseas. Paul Wilson, Marketing Manager at Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com says, ‘We have a stand booked at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Estepona (exhibition and Congress Centre at Estepona) at the end of November for a lifestyle show aimed at the ex pat community on the south coast of Spain. At the show we shall be showcasing a number of our Spanish properties to prospective buyers whilst at the same time being available to clients looking to list properties they may have for rent or sale’. When you visit these events, experts are there to answer questions and advise you. These property shows will also have a range of experts in one place, making it easier for you to do your research.

 

Overseas Property Publications

There is also a whole range of property publications. These include supplements in National and Local newspapers, with details of properties abroad for sale by country and region. There are also a host of glossy magazines that feature property overseas for sale, and in-depth articles focusing on particular countries and regions. Magazines can specialise in general information or specific areas, such as Cyprus, Turkey, USA, New Zealand or the Caribbean to name a few. These offer detailed information about the location you are interested in and they may give you some new ideas about what is to be expected from the area. For example you may learn more about the culture and then be able to assess whether this is what you are actually looking for. Paul continues, ‘At Property Direct From The Owner, we are committed to advertising the properties that we showcase on our website through the media for our clients and we regularly appear in ‘The Good Property and Holiday Guide’ along with featuring in the autumn 2009 edition of ‘Living Spain’ magazine, which is available in high street newsagents in the UK’.

For more information on Property Direct From The Owner visit their website at http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

 

 

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Buying Property Abroad - Buying Overseas Property - www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | No Comments

Two million Britons have left the UK over the past decade, according to recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics. According to the ONS, in 2008, more than 200,000 people emigrated from the UK, which means the total number who have left British shores between 1997 and 2008 stands at over 2million.

Although this is the biggest emigration wave in real figures, a larger percentage of people left during the 1930s and the middle of the 19th century. Many of those who have left the UK have retired abroad; the most popular destination for Brits was Australia; estimates suggest that there are currently 5.5million British citizens living abroad. The emigration has been more than balanced though immigration; 3.9million foreigners have arrived in the UK during the same period, including more than half a million in 2006 alone.

 

Many Brits who originally purchased investment properties abroad are selling up their UK homes to live abroad permanently, and a recent survey revealed that 44 per cent of first time buyers would consider buying their first property abroad, while eight per cent said they had already done so.

 

Taking this into consideration, this is the reason why people in the UK have been advised to consider the benefits of buying property in another country. According to Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com a growing number of British nationals are buying second homes overseas. Paul Wilson, Marketing Manager said this is because they are keen to take advantage of the lifestyle benefits that buying abroad offers, such as the better climate and healthier way of living. Paul also adds that many Britons are also enjoying the lower cost of living in many foreign countries, as well as the investment potential the property itself can provide. Paul continues, ‘Buying property overseas is still an excellent investment and a great opportunity for a better quality of life’.

 

Brits who move abroad also reap the benefits of an active social life - leaving nearly half of the UK’s ex-pats wishing they’d left the country earlier. New research suggests more than a third claim quality of life significantly improved once they left Britain behind.

 

One in four also claim their move abroad has resulted in a better work and life balance - with most suffering less stress and enjoying more downtime in the sun compared to life back in the UK. And far from being brash and bold, many Brits want nothing more than to live quietly and enjoy both the lower cost of living and the sunshine. Paul continues, ‘With social, physical and now financial benefits being presented from foreign markets to the British investor, it appears that an increasing number of Brits are taking up the offer to seek the solace of a second home abroad. Buying property overseas is still an excellent investment and a great opportunity for a better quality of life’.

 

For more information on buying overseas property or indeed how to sell property overseas visit the Property Direct From The Owner website at http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

 

 

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Selling Property Abroad - Selling A Property

Thursday, September 17th, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | No Comments

Selling Property Abroad

 

Selling a property without an agent is not for everyone but for those with determination it can be the best way to sell a home. FSBO (For Sale By Owner) companies such as Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com allow owners of worldwide property to sell property without an agent and therefore save on commissions and fees normally associated with a sale via an agent. The internet is now one of the first ports of calls for a buyer to ascertain certain property types before arranging a viewing and websites such as Property Direct From The Owner give vendors additional exposure that they might not normally associate when listing with an estate agent. Here are a number of reasons and advice in how to sell your home without an estate agent.

1.No agency fees or commissions. This is the top of anyone’s list to sell your home yourself. You can save thousands of pounds or euros by selling your home privately without going through an agent.

2.You can value your home correctly, without the aid of an agent. This will take a little bit of research, but if you sell your home through an agent many people will do this anyway to make sure the home is properly valued and if they don’t  they should. Many agents do one of two things: Value your home too high to get your business or value your home too low to make a quick sale. Either way, you end up on the short end - it takes too long to sell, or you lose money on the sale.

3.Advertise anywhere you want - local print ads, real estate websites such as Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com and even international web portals. Depending on your home and where you live, you can target the ideal potential buyer.

4.You make the first impression - it takes only a few seconds to impress or turn off a potential buyer. You don’t have to worry if your agent is having a bad day, or wants to sell a bigger, more expensive home. You get to impress the buyer, which leads to the next reason.

5.You know your home better than any agent ever will. No matter how much time an agent gets to know you, he or she can never know all there is to help sell your property.

6.You know the area. Many agents are local and can do a good job of selling a neighborhood, but having lived there you certainly have an advantage in talking about all the reasons to move into an area.

7.You do the negotiating. For some people this is definitely a plus, and for others it isn’t. Those who like to get the best deal will be able to negotiate in their favour and get exactly what they want for the house. There is no one pressuring you to make the deal and therefore they can get their commission. It’s all up to you.

8.Choose your own solicitor. You will need a solicitor to close the deal, and you can choose whomever you want or know rather than an associate of the agent. There are plenty of good ones you can find for reasonable rates, and you don’t have to use the one the agent knows or steers your towards.

9.Show your house when you want to. You don’t have to be on an agent’s schedule. You can show your home whenever you want, depending on your schedule. Of course, the more flexible you are the better chance you have to sell, but it’s your choice.

10.Set your own timeline. All too often, you are at the beck and call of an agent or solicitor when it comes to finalising the deal and conveying the property. When you are the one in charge, you make sure the timeline works for you and your buyer. You can make sure everything is done in a timely manner and that all parties are satisfied.

For further information on selling property abroad or selling your home privately visit the Property Direct From The Owner website http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com for further details.

 

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Overseas Property, Selling Property Overseas, Selling Property Abroad

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 | Press Releases | No Comments

Overseas Property

 

With some experts projecting that many property markets worldwide are either at, or near the bottom of the cyclical downturn, many more people are starting to look at the idea of buying property overseas again. Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com are an internet based real estate company, allowing worldwide property owners the opportunity to list their property for sale and/ or rent via the website with no commissions or fees to have to pay upon the property being sold or rented. The company launched in 2008 in an attempt to provide property owners with an alternative means of selling or renting their property from the traditional estate agent route.

The volume of people logging onto Property Direct From The Owner, to search the property listings, for example, has jumped up by close to 60 per cent over the past couple of months. With overseas property prices having suffered huge falls around the globe, due to the economic crisis, now is increasingly seen as a potentially great time to negotiate a once in a lifetime overseas property bargain. But this can sometimes be easier said than done.

 

Local property knowledge
Negotiating techniques can often vary from country to country, and that which may seem cheap abroad, compared to UK property values, may not be inexpensive, in contrast with local property prices. This is why it is important to have good local market knowledge, or access to someone who does, in order to secure the best possible deal.

 

Local property market value
But how do we determine what is genuine market value?

Paul Wilson, Marketing Manager of Property Direct From The Owner says, ‘Prospective buyers should always look at comparable property prices within the given area that they are looking to buy, as this will give them a greater idea of local market value, and place them in a stronger negotiating position’.  Comparables sale prices should be as up to date as possible, and it may be necessary to factor in recent price falls, as well as potential future capital depreciation. For example, there are certain real estate companies currently offering homes for sale in Spain with the option of paying an initial deposit now and the rest of the balance in two years time. This would effectively tie a buyer into purchasing a residential unit at today’s sale price.

However, recent data from BBVA, Spain’s second largest bank, estimates that average Spanish property values will depreciate by around 20 per cent between now and the end of next year.

If BBVA’s projection is accurate, anyone buying a home in Spain now, could find himself or herself seriously out of pocket, and potentially in negative equity, by the start of 2011. It is essential therefore to factor in future property price growth or losses and not just today’s market value.

The art of negotiation
A buyer that is not in a property chain, has finance, ideally cash in place will always be in a position of strength. Assess your strengths before entering into negotiations and take advantage if you are in a position of power. Paul continues, ‘Consider the current economic climate, the availability of similar properties in the area and any offers other agents or developers may be running. With so many empty homes - both old and new - on the market, it’s worth negotiating as hard as you can with the vendor’. Those people prepared to buy properties overseas in bulk will also be looked upon favourably, although single unit buyers do remain invaluable to sellers. ‘An estate agent is unlikely to disclose all the information to the prospective purchaser and so it is important that the potential buyer finds out as much information as they can about the vendor, and their motivation for selling. Paul says, ‘There are some sellers that are in a very stressful position and desperate to sell, due to their poor financial state, and this is where some of the best value for money deals can be secured. Therefore don’t be afraid to pitch a low offer’.

Make an offer
There are lots of people looking to haggle asking overseas property prices, particularly in the current economic climate. When making an offer on a property, do not be afraid to offer way below the asking price, even if bordering upon the ridiculous, particularly in the current buyers’ market. After all, a property is only actually worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Paul continues, ‘We have many visitors to our site looking to buy and are happy to deal direct with the owner. Many buyers believe they are in a stronger position this way and can secure themselves a bargain given the fact that the vendor will pay no fees to an agent on the asking price. It is not uncommon for a buyer to negotiate upto €100,000 off the asking price in this way as each vendor’s circumstances will be different’.

Time on the market
It is a wise idea to try and spot homes that have been on the market for quite some time as vendors are likely to be more willing to negotiate downwards on the price. Paul continues, ‘Unfortunately for some overseas vendors right now, properties can often take years to sell.  The longer the home has been on the market, the greater the likelihood the owner will be willing to sell at a reduced price. It is for this reason and the subsequent demise of many real estate companies overseas that we set ourselves up to offer owners what we now offer’.

Extras
When negotiating a property purchase, you may want to try and get a few extras thrown into the deal. Is not uncommon for a buyer to request that furniture is included into a deal, while other purchasers like to request a contribution towards their purchasing costs, such as legal fees.

 

Location, location, location
‘Location really is the key’, says Paul. ‘Prospective purchasers buying overseas property need to ensure the property will be of interest to locals, because tourist rental and second home markets can often fluctuate, and do not offer year-round rental opportunities’. Furthermore, there have been examples over the years of  a mark-up in the price of homes aimed at foreigners which effectively reduces one’s potential exit strategy, when selling up in the future.
Paul says, ‘Locals are often priced out of buying homes located in tourist areas, which do not always offer value for money. This is one of the first signs of where a market begins to collapse’.

Off-plan property
Buying off-plan property abroad has traditionally presented an opportunity to secure a residential unit at a discount on the retail price, particularly during the first and second phases of the release of a development. This is often because developers typically want, or need, to sell a proportion of their stock even before commencing building work in order to raise funds and boost their cash flow and to satisfy their lenders. However, there is a greater risk element to buying property this way, most notably the fact that there are no guarantees that a project will ever be completed. There have been many stories written in the press about overseas developers going bust and investors losing their money. Paul says, ‘There have been instances of unscrupulous constructors, or the fact that they may have run out of money while there is always the possibility that legislation may change, which may affect the planning consent. Some developers are now offering bank guarantees in an attempt to convince buyers their money is safe throughout the build process’.

 

Ghost town
Another concern with buying property off-plan is the possibility that the development will be left standing virtually empty, once it is finished, due to a lack of buyers. In Spain, for example, government data shows that there are over a million new-build homes lying vacant. It is not uncommon to find areas in Spain which consist of tens of thousands of empty homes, causing the local community, or lack of it, to collapse. Paul says, ‘Personally, I would only buy into an off-plan project if at least 60 per cent of the scheme had already been sold’.

Property oversupply
There are still developers with large portfolios that one would think be willing to accept significantly reduced offers for their unsold property. However there are still a number of developers who remain stubborn in that they are refusing to adjust to current market conditions, by pricing their homes accordingly. Consequently potential purchasers interested in distressed residential stock, to go straight to those banks that have large inventories of foreclosed homes for sale on their books.

 

Distressed sales
Because banks are not, or should not be, in the property business, having large property stock is proving a huge burden, and so many of them are keen to liquidate their growing residential supply, by selling at below market value. Paul warns, ‘Be cautious of the fact that banks and auctioneers do sometimes offer an extremely low guide price on a property, in order to generate interest, and encourage multiple bids. This can sometimes push values higher, often above what they are worth’.

Exchange rates
Exchange rates should always be taken into consideration when buying property overseas. A shift in the value of the UK pound against foreign currencies such as the euro, and US dollar, can have an enormous impact on the price of a home abroad. Paul continues, ‘It is important to remember that exchange rates can move a large amount in a relatively short period of time. Against the pound we have seen the price of the euro increase by nearly 30 per cent in the last 18 months making a €150,000 property about €45,000 more expensive which demonstrates the effect that exchange rate fluctuations can have on the price of a property overseas’. However, if at the time of making an offer on a home, you feel that sterling’s value looks favourable, then it may be worth taking out a ‘forward contact’, which fixes the exchange rate for a given period of time. Paul adds, ‘Forward contracts are widely used by property buyers as transactions often take weeks to conclude, leaving buyers exposed to a volatile currency market. Fixing the exchange rate in times of uncertainty will protect your property price and budget against exchange rate fluctuations between now and when the funds are required’.

 

Legal
Anyone buying property abroad may wish to seek legal advice from at least two different solicitors – one based in the UK and one in the given country where the property is located. The two solicitors should always come up with the same answers. Always ensure that legal documents are in English, and appoint a trusted translator, if there is a language barrier.

Due diligence
Wherever you choose to buy property overseas, always ensure that you undertake your own careful planning and due diligence prior to parting with your money.

For further information on Property Direct From The Owner and to find how you can list your property or indeed look for a property to buy then view their website http://wwwpropertydirectfromtheowner.com

 

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Selling Property - Property Direct From The Owner

Monday, September 14th, 2009 | Property Direct From The Owner News | No Comments

Property Direct From The Owner http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com are a leading web based FSBO (For Sale By Owner) company, allowing worldwide property owners to list their property for rent or sale and undertake commission fee rentals and sales. When you put your house on the market, it’s important for you to consider how you’re going to get pertinent information to your potential buyers. A tried and true fact; having attractive flyers with the right information works. Actually, you need four types of flyers and there are three points to consider when deciding on your FSBO flyers.

Where should you put your flyers? What are the locations that will get your information to the buyers who need it?

1. In the house - Obviously you’ll want to have flyers on display in the house.
We recommend placing a guest book near the front door, asking agents and buyers to sign in. If you’re dealing with an agent, you’ll want a record of which ones showed your house. Place your flyers next to the guest book in a spot where they are highly visible.

2. Sale Sign - You’ll most likely have a for sale sign in the garden so buy a flyer box and put flyers outside so that people driving by can easily pick up your information.
3. Agents - If you’re dealing with an agent, take flyers to each office and distribute them.
Let agents know you’re willing to work with them.

What kind of flyers?
1. A photo feature flyer - A total of two photos is probably enough. You definitely need one photo of the exterior; one of the garden if it is attractively landscaped, or the kitchen or the living room. Do not try to display a photo of every room. It’s just too much. You can create a virtual tour or have one created. If you choose to use a company such as Property Direct From The Owner
http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com
then put the page link of your advert on your flyer. That way a buyer can go to the Property Direct From The Owner web site and view everything. There is not enough room on a flyer to do that.
2. A features flyer - List the top five to ten features of the house. What makes it special? Here again don’t try to list every feature, just the top five to ten.

3. A floor plan flyer - Buyers love floor plans, so if possible put a floor plan on the back of your photo feature flyer. Include room sizes as the buyer will mentally start moving in. They will try to visualize where their furniture will go.

4. A financial flyer - Call one or two lenders. Ask them to prepare a financing flyer for you. This gives the buyer a picture of how they might finance the purchase. It’s a great free service for you and the lender gets free advertising. It’s a win-win.

5. Area Services - A really nice touch is to list the name and phone number of local services such as SKY TV, utilities, phone etc. Help your buyer to mentally move in.

 

How to create your flyers:
1. You can make them yourself.
2. There are lots of online services that will create professional flyers for you. The fees vary but are usually reasonable.

3. Check for some local services that specialise in that type of advertising.
4. Call a title company; many of them will provide free flyers; they get advertising and expect you to do the closing through them.
5. The lender who did your financial flyer may also create an information flyer. Many of them provide this service. Ask them.

 

To summarise, flyers are important to your sale. So it’s imperative that you put the right information on the flyer. It is a fact, FSBO’S who do the homework of preparing for the market, sell houses faster than those who don’t. So prepare the right kind of flyers and let the buyer take away information that continues selling your house long after the showing.

 

For further information on how Property Direct From The Owner can help expose and ultimately sell your property, visit their website http://www.propertydirectfromtheowner.com

 

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