Buying and Selling Property

By Martin Davis

In recent months the housing market in the UK has seen a substantial decline in price. In fact, in January 2009 the value of properties fell by a further 1.3% this taking the total decline to 16.6%.

As you will soon discover when you search online, there is much being written about the economic crisis that we are all currently facing. It is thought that the housing market in the UK will drop even further and sales of properties are not likely to increase for some time yet.

In fact, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the UK are predicting that in 2009 we will see a further 10% decrease in the number of homes being sold. They are currently reporting that less than one home is being sold each week, which is the worst condition the housing market has faced in the last 30 years.

When it comes to the UK property market, only those sellers who are prepared to accept that their home is worth far less than it was last year are going to benefit. As mentioned; although house values are going to fall another 10% in the coming year. The RICS predicts that sales of homes will begin to pick up once more in 2011.

The UK housing market has been damaged by the current economic climate therefore a number of houses are being repossessed and resold at a far cheaper rate, therefore it is a very good time to purchase, for first time buyers and people looking to invest in property alike. However, it is not such a good time to sell property within the United Kingdom.

During the rest of 2009 it is expected that a further 34,000 homes will be repossessed. Housing repossession is currently at an all time high, this owing mainly to the current economic climate. People are finding it ever more difficult to keep up with their mortgage and rent repayments.

Below are a few reasons why the UK property market has seen a fall over the last year.

(1) Mortgage companies are lending less and less, so people are finding it very difficult to find a mortgage.

(2) In order to obtain a mortgage, finance companies require the buyer to provide a much larger deposit. So for first time buyers, being able to get a mortgage to buy their first home has virtually become impossible.

(3) Many people expect house prices to fall further making them hold off buying now.

(4) Bank base rate cuts still have not changed peoples minds in remortgaging, even with the cuts the average mortgage has not altered within the 2-3 years.

The property industry is not at its healthiest at the moment, many construction workers are becoming out of work and many estate agents are closing by the day. As stated above, it is a very difficult time for this industry. - 23212

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Discover Why Typical Covered Call Writing Strategies Don't Work In A Declining Stock Market

By Marc Abrams

Many websites and e-books on investment training strategies promise you incredible things. Writing Covered call options on stock is one of the most popular trading strategies taught today. These websites promise that you can earn up to 10% monthly returns using that very strategy. Sound good? Read on.

I will be the first to admit that selling out-of-the-money covered calls can bring lucrative monthly returns under the right circumstances. I have successfully used this very strategy. However, this strategy is not without its disadvantages. Website and e-book marketers of this strategy fail to educate you properly. They market this strategy as conservative with little risk. They also leave you hanging when it all goes wrong.

When the stock market is rising in value selling out of the money covered calls works well. Additionally, when the stock market is neutral (not going up or down by any meaningful amount), this strategy also works well. Please tell me when the last time was that the stock market remained neutral for any length of time?

We are currently in the midst of an extremely volatile market. The Dow frequently moves as much as 200 points either way in a single day. Hardly a profitable market for an out-of-the-money covered call writer. Your profits will start to evaporate once the stock you are holding starts to decline. I can assure you that profits can evaporate very quickly. I have seen the value of a stock drop from $10 to $1 over night! There is never enough premium on an option sale to cover that kind of decline.

The key to out-of-the-money covered call writing is to select stocks that will get called. Too many advocates of this strategy do not want the stock to get called. They want you to keep the stock so you can sell a covered call option on it the next month. This is a flawed strategy. You need to select stocks that are trending up in value, hence, a rising market. Those are the stocks that will maximize your profit. If the stock gets called, I know I ended up making my maximum anticipated return.

What if the stock shoots way up in value? If the stock shoots up through the strike price and remains there at expiration, it simply gets called away. Isn't that what you wanted to begin with? You may think you left money on the table by not being able to participate in those gains. If that upsets you then just buy the stock outright and don't sell covered call options on that stock. Instead, let the stock get called away and take your profit for the month. Then look for another stock to buy and sell calls on for the next month.

Remember, selling out-of-the-money covered calls can provide an excellent source if income in a rising stock market. However, this strategy is less than ideal in a stock market like the one we find ourselves in today. There are, however, other strategies that will offer significant protection in a volatile or declining stock market. - 23212

About the Author:

Marc Abrams Is A Certified Public Accountant With Over 15 Years of Financial And Investing Experience. Visit Marc's Website at http://www.rebuildingmyfuture.com To Learn More About Writing Covered Calls In Today's Stock Market

Buying in Parker Colorado with the Help of Parker Realtors

By Bruce Durrell

It's always a good idea to talk to Parker realtors before you decide to purchase a new home in the area. 20 miles Southeast of Denver is Parker Colorado which has attracted new residents for a number of years. Its small, family community is preferable for many people traveling to the area, but it still provides all of the entertainment and shopping you are searching for nearby. New home owners will also be fascinated by the fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery that the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

Parker realtors can tell you all about the cities fascinating history, which started out as a stage stop and railroad depot for trains from Denver in 1863. Parker is no longer just a small train depot as it houses more than 45,000 people. The town replaced the Pine Grove Way Station with Parker Station which still continues operations. Parker still offers its trademark 5 globe street lights that you can view while walking downtown.

Your new home in Parker will have to take into consideration your budget and what type of home you want. Parker realtors will know exactly where to look to find the house that is best for you. Parker has several communities that offer multiple styles of homes such as conventional smaller homes and larger ranch style homes. Homes in Parker average around $300,000 and condos average out to be about $150,000. Compared to living in Denver you may find this to fit your budget better.

You should also ask Parker realtors about the amenities each community has to offer. The city is home to The University Center at Chaparral and Arapahoe Community College, but the University of Phoenix - Colorado Campus and Community College of Aurora are only 15 miles away as well. The Parker recreational department is often praised for its veracious parks, paved trails, and the well known H2O'Brien water park. Parker also offers public activities that your family can enroll in. Children may find the in-line skating rink and indoor turf field a great place to go. There is also a area hospital that is located just outside of the city.

There are multiple local festivities in which residents are encouraged to take part in. Once settled in you can go to the Parker County Festival, the Parker Mainstreet Omnium, or the special Business Expo. The city also puts on a special Christmas Carriage Parade and multiple concerts in the park. With so much to experience you should ask Parker realtors for information about the events that interest you.

All in all, Parker is a great town dedicated to a quiet family lifestyle. If you have children then you may want to ask Parker realtors about the 15 schools that the city offers. With new residents always arriving you can expect to meet multiple people as well as be warmly welcomed into the Parker community. - 23212

About the Author:

Bruce Durrell is a Parker realtor who helps customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in all corners of the Greater Denver area, Aurora and the southern suburbs. Find more and get in contact with them today by visiting Parker Realtors which is full of great information about Parker homes before you make any decisions!

Tips on Conducting Rental Property Move-In Reports

By Dana Powell

When the time comes for your tenant to move out of your rental property, you will need to be prepared to complete a security deposit reconciliation; which is when you compare how the tenant left the residence versus the condition it was rented to them in.

This is why conducting a complete and comprehensive move-in report is so indispensable. Having signed, written proof of the condition of the residence prior to the tenant moving in will relieve you of any confusion come move out time.

Don't be too hasty when performing the move-in. A little time allotted for precise and meticulous documentation, will go a long way in the end.

Having an established route you take when performing move-ins or outs help prevent any oversights. Many landlords start with the first room they come to when entering the house. Often it will be an entryway or living room. Now is the time where details matter; marking the entire living room as okay is severely lacking details.

Start from the ceiling and work your way down to the floors. Are there hooks or cracks in the ceiling? Is the popcorn crumbling in some areas? Check to see if the ceiling fan works properly. Make sure all the lights are all working properly

As soon as you finish one area (ceiling, walls, ceiling fans, etc.) move on to the next. Does the room have a sliding glass door? Is it in proper working order? Are there any blinds or drapes? Is the screen door free from dents or holes?

Proceed in the same manner throughout the rest of the home. Go through each and every bedroom and bathroom. Examine ever cupboard in the kitchen, open the stove, and check for leaks in the sinks or showers. Don't forget any extra rooms like an attic or laundry room.

Time and again the exterior of home gets ignored. The exterior has many components to it; yard, fences, sprinklers, stairs, walkways, driveways, mailboxes, and the list goes on. If there is damage to one of these components and you do not have proof of its condition prior to move in, you will be stuck with the repair bill. Do not forget the exterior of the home.

When you have completed the move-in report; have your tenant look it over and check the information, make sure they sign and date it. Provide them a copy of the report and allow them a defined set of days to come back with anything that may have been missed. A hole in the wall reported two months later is not acceptable.

Thorough and well documented move-in reports are a necessary evil as a landlord, but it is one that benefits both you and your tenant. Your tenant will be protected from incurring any costs from damage that was present at the time of their move-in; and you will have documented proof of any new damage to your rental property. - 23212

About the Author:

If you are looking for the best Red Bluff Property Management or Red Bluff Rentals? Northern California Property Management is the premier property management in the area. Click on the previous links to learn more about us.

Finding the Best Value For Your Property Investment

By Susana Perez

If you are trying to sell your home, you might have a difficult time getting a great price for it unless it is in tip-top condition. Buyers these days want the home they purchase to be picture perfect and ready for occupancy immediately. Unless you have painted the entire home inside and out, replaced aging electrical appliances, and footed the bill for a new roof, you may not get your asking price.

It can be difficult to get potential buyers to see what a gem your home is unless it looks absolutely perfect. They cant see and dont care how great the living room would look with a different colored carpet. They arent interested in how much safer the yard would be for their kids if it was surrounded by a chain-link fence. They are bringing their hard-earned money to the table and expect to get something thats already suited to their wants and needs.

Before putting your home on the market, you must correct every flaw if you expect to get top dollar for it. Paint the inside and outside, replace the roof if its worn, re-carpet where necessary, and enhance every little detail. Look at your home through a potential buyers eyes to determine what things they would like to see in place. You should expect to spend some money getting your home in order before you sell it.

Some people just dont have the time or money required to prepare their houses for the real estate market. They may be forced to move unexpectedly due to a job transfer or they may be in financial trouble, which pretty much prevents them from investing any more money into their homes.

If you are in any of the above circumstances, then you need to consider selling your home to a private real estate investor or real estate investment firm. If you can get one of them interested in purchasing your home, you will be able to move right away without having to make any further mortgage payments. Of course, you might not get top dollar for it but you wont get it anyway unless you are willing to pay the price ahead of time by repainting, re-carpeting, re-roofing, and fixing anything that needs repair.

Real estate investors can see beyond the normal wear and tear your home has undergone. They will not expect you to sink thousands of dollars into the home so that it will look perfect. They will buy your home the way it is and do all the work before putting it out there on the real estate market.

Selling to a real estate investor will be your best option if you need to sell your home as quickly as possible. He or she will buy it outright and you will not have to make any special arrangements, make any more payments, correct any of the problems it has, or pay anyone a commission. All you must do is find an interested investor and your - 23212

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Discover today how you can find the best construction lawyer in you area, when ever you are looking to Purchase a house in Australia.