Property Index sell a range of villas and apartments, take a look at their site if you are looking for overseas property investment, click here to view the properties.

Despite the fact that the Property Index service is only a rather young bureau, starting their business only in March of 2007, they were very swift to attain to expert status. De facto, they are a unbelievably hip bureau focused on catering to everyone dedicated to rent, buy, etc. property in a wide selection of areas across the globe. Their guarantee is to aid you uncover exactly what’s required very quickly plus, obviously, without pain. Property can be purchased just about anywhere currently, certainly the elite area being property available in Italy. It should be straightforward to tally the phenomenal estate you can purchase in Italy, the reason for looking into properties here is a combination of the houses and apartments available for sale and the great option to live right amid such a pulsating populace.

This is one of the most trendy property markets currently, and considering the scenic beauty and climate that surrounds you all year, how could you conceivably go wrong. Property in Italy is steeped in history, art and culture, this part of the world has long been home to a good number of indigenous cultures. Just twenty years ago you would find just a small number of Britishers who are looking for estate in Italy. Just ask any one single person who has relocated to Italy and they are certain to back it up. Quite a few people would see it as a fad and others see it as a that’s quite an infatuation… People who will actually repair to this place may extend from young families keen on a challenge in life to seniors planning on relaxation and enjoyment.

Note that there might be snags when looking to buy estate abroad: there are normally 100s of disparate procedures whether brainstorming, calling in or buying and completing. If you miss out on but a single procedure that can create sweeping snags as well as, even more important, money loss. Naturally, as is to be supposed with this trendy destination, estate may be incredibly upscale in this location and that is plainly caused by the growing buyer demand. Notwithstanding the customer is pretty spoilt for choice in a location full of pleasant land and vista. It’s really got the whole lot any of us might really need, and plenty more.

One of the best roads to wealth in America has always been the acclimation and development of good, solid, income-producing real estate. Real estate ownership is one of the best ways to achieve financial independence for the average person. But in order to be a successful real estate investor, you are must become above-average in your knowledge and understanding of how the real estate market works.

There are five basic requirements that you must follow to succeed in real estate.

1. Write out clear and specific goals that have time lines on them. Set a goal for the exact type of property you are looking for. Do want a single family property? A duplex? A four-unit property. You must be specific. Set a goal for getting the money you’ll need to purchase the property. Always make sure your goal has a time line for when you will acquire the property. Will it be six months or a year? Set goals for the amount of real estate you intend to purchase in the next three, five, and ten years. The very act of writing out set goals for yourself in real estate will make it much more likely that you’ll have the success you are aiming for.

2. Write out a detailed plan of action, listing everything you are going to do, organized by priority. The combination of goals plus detailed plans will give you a blueprint for real estate accumulation that you can begin to follow on a day to day basis.

3. Make a plan to learn every detail of the real estate business. Because the potential rewards are so high in real estate, they will go to those who have done their homework and paid their dues. It’s very important for you to become an expert at real estate before you begin investing your time and savings in real estate acquisition.

4. Be prepared to back your plans with hard work, sacrifice, and persistence. Going into real estate is very much like starting a business. There is a tremendous amount that you have to learn and you can only learn by experience. There will be ups and downs, successes and failures, and you must be willing to persist patiently throughout, knowing that you will be successful in the end.

5. If you are really serious about building something lasting and worthwhile in real estate, resolve to get into real estate for the long term, for a minimum of ten to twenty years. Real estate investment is not something that you jump into and out of. It is something that you step into very carefully, and should be prepared to hold onto for a long time.

Many people who purchase real estate, hold it for a long time and then sell it just before it starts to rise rapidly in value. They become impatient when they hear about other people making quick or easy money by flipping real estate properties.

The definition of investment real estate in its simplest term is: “Real estate is its future earning power.” Let me put this another way: “Real estate is nothing more and nothing less than its future earning power, its value at some future date.” In other words, the value of any piece of real estate is determined by the income that can be generated by that property when it is at its highest and best use, from today and on into the indefinite future.

An important question that you should always ask when you are considering any real estate investment is, “When and how will income or wealth be generated on or by this piece of property, and in what amount?” The correct answer to that question tells you how much the property is worth today and how much it is likely to be worth in the future.

Even though interest rates are at all time lows and property values are increasing at record levels, there are still foreclosures happening at record levels today, because of so many people losing their jobs. Having said this as a warning, there are many things that you can learn and do, starting with very little money, to begin building your financial independence in real estate.

If you do not have much money but have lots of time, and you sincerely desire to enter into the real estate field, the simplest way for you to start is to buy homes that need work and fix them up, thereby increasing their value. This is where many successful real estate investors and entrepreneurs begin their careers.

Here are six basic steps you need to follow if you are going to buy properties and fix them up.

1. Do your market research thoroughly and look at houses until you find one that is under priced relative to the neighborhood, because it is run down and needs a lot of work. A house that is under priced is one that is selling for 20% or more below what similar houses are selling for in the same area, based on the cost or sales price per square foot. For you, this type of home could be what is called a “Sleeper.” It can be more valuable than it appears on the outside.

2. Purchase the house at the lowest possible cash down-payment and get the seller to carry back a second mortgage or deed of trust for the property. Your ideal purchase of investment real estate is always to get the very best price and terms. Price and terms are often more important than any other single factor. If you can get a low enough price and generous terms you can make almost any property into a successful investment.

3. Move into the house and begin working on it on the weekends to renovate and refurbish it, doing all or most of the work yourself. Many husbands and wives have launched themselves toward financial independence by working as a team to buy and fix up houses, approaching this as a family project.

4. When you have fixed up the house and yard so that it is attractive again, you can then do one of three things. You can sell the house for more than you paid and take the profit from the sale and buy another house to renovate. You can rent out the house at a rate that covers your mortgage payment and hopefully gives you extra cash flow. Or you can rent out the renovated house and then refinance the property, often for as much as you paid for it, based on the higher earning power of the property when you rented it.

5. You can then repeat this process with another house, again doing the renovations yourself until you have fixed it up and you are ready to sell, rent, or refinance the second house as well.

6. As you increase your assets, your cash flow, and your experience, you move up to buying and fixing duplexes and eventually apartment buildings.

There are two main advantages to buying properties and then fixing them up yourself: First, you can do it while you keep your full-time job, continuing to generate cash flow from your job for repairs and renovation. Second, you can start small, with little or no money, little or no risk, and expand your activities as you gain more knowledge and experience.

Making money in anything, especially real estate, is hard work and requires persistence. Everyone with a property for sale wants to get as much of your money for it as he or she possibly can. Your job is to see that they don’t. So, if you are willing to do your homework and take your time, you can make prudent and profitable real estate purchases and sales.

You make your money when you buy real estate, not when you sell. You make your profit in real estate by buying right, by buying the right property at the right price and at the right terms. When you sell, you simply realize the profit that you made at the time of the purchase. Another important rule for investing in real estate is this: don’t become emotional about a property that you are purchasing for investment. Always look at the property from the viewpoint of a critical purchaser.

Purchasing real estate of any kind requires careful thought and analysis. Just remember that you are buying the long-term future earning power of a piece of property. You are purchasing the property as an asset and nothing more. Always remember, real estate is only an asset if it puts money into your pocket.

These rules are all food for thought if your are planning to become a real estate investor. These are some basics that you need to know to get started in the field of real estate. Read books and attend seminars on a regular basis in the field of real estate. Go out and look at properties every week that are for sale, even if you are not ready to buy. By doing this you will be gaining valuable experience. Nothing can take the place of knowledge and experience, especially in the field of real estate.

Millions of men and women have become financially independent by investing in real estate, and with the proper knowledge and experience, there is no reason why you cannot do it as well.

Copyright© 2005 by Joe Love & JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. He is the founder and CEO of JLM & Associates, a consulting and training organization, specializing in personal and business development. Through his seminars and lectures, Joe Love addresses thousands of men and women each year, including the executives and staffs of many of America’s largest corporations, on the subjects of leadership, self-esteem, goals, achievement, and success psychology.

Reach Joe at: joe@jlmandassociates.com

Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com

While homeowners are flocking to this new website to find out how much their house is worth, appraisers and the lending community advise caution. Zillow may not always yield the most reliable results. The buzz on this topic seems to indicate that the most accurate results are being returned for homes located in active urban metro markets weheras the least accurate results are being returned for homes located in less populated areas with less transaction activity.

Although Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) like Zillow.com use complex mathematical algorithms to predict home values, their results are ultimately only as good as the quality and quantity of current market data. As the old computer programmer adage goes, “garbage in = garbage out”.

We wanted to take a glance at Zillow’s results compared to actual residential appraisals we have performed in the past few months; so, we asked Eben Bryant to look into it. Now, this was no scientific study. We simply took a small sample of 12 appraisals we performed of single-family homes and condos located in the East Bay just to get an inkling of Zillow’s accuracy.

Appraised Values vs Zillow Zestimates
Zillow provides a data coverage and accuracy table. They rate the San Francisco-Oakland area as one of their top metro areas and give it a four-star rating for accuracy. They say that an historical test of their database showed that 76% of the time, their Zestimated value was within 10% of the selling price.

Based on our in-house sample, Zillow’s results were within 10% of the selling price (or in this case, our appraised value) only 50% of the time. That is, the Zillow estimated values for 6 out of the 12 appraisals we compared were within 10% of our value opinions. Not exactly the 76% accuracy they report; but, actually not too bad. Again, remember too though that this was a very small sampling and not really very scientifically significant.

What is most disturbing is where Zillow results did not come near our estimates of value or in some cases where Zillow had incorrect data for the home itself. In one instance, Zillow reported a house size that was half as large at it really is. Two other home sizes were 15% to 17% off their actual size. Keep in mind that we physically measure every house whereas Zillow relies mostly on assessor data that is not always accurate.

On average, Zillow’s reported house sizes differed about 10% either way compared to our measurements and values on average differed within the same range. In one instance though, the difference between our value opinion and Zillow’s was about 27 percent most likely due to the 15 percent difference in size they reported. In one-third of the sample (4 out of 12), our value opinions were about 11 to 16 percent higher than Zillow’s estimates.

Do Appraisers Fear Zillow?
Valuation Services, LLC is primarily engaged in the appraisal of residential and commercial real estate. Naturally, we don’t like to see more competition and some appraisers may feel that Zillow presents a a real threat to our livelihood. The fact of the matter is though that no Automated Valuation Model can replace a hands-on appraisal.

In fact, Jorrit Van der Meulen - VP, Partner Relations for Zillow says, “The Zestimate is not intended to take the place of a professional CMA nor appraisal. It is intended to help consumers become more informed and educated in the process [of home buying or selling].” As more and more counties go live with their assessment data, this type of service was inevitable anyway. It is our jobs as appraisers to be sure that consumers interpret the data correctly. AVMs and mathematical algorithms are not always the best answer. Remember “garbage in = garbage out”.

For more information on the reliability of Zillow and to see what Richard Powers, president of the Appraisal Institute has to say, read this article published by the Appraisal Institute:

http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/publications/ano/default_past_issues.asp?volume=7%20&numbr=3/4#2200

Eben Bryant is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute and MAI candidate. He has performed appraisals of residential and commercial property in over thirty states since 1994. Mr. Bryant is Senior Director of Valuation Services, LLC of Walnut Creek, California. Visit their website at http://www.ValueSvc.com

Seasoned mortgage brokers and lenders know they must always be working with up-to-date, accurate and qualified home purchase leads, refinance leads, debt consolidation leads, second mortgage leads, home equity leads, and other loan prospects to generate a constant stream of new clients and remain successful. However, in today’s volatile mortgage lead generation market, lenders today are concerned with the quality of their leads.

Here are some factors to consider when evaluating mortgage leads:

• Age and Accuracy of Leads

Common complaints among lenders are that leads they purchase are outdated or inaccurate, including such things as outdated addresses, phone numbers, borrower credit ratings and whether or not the borrower still owns the home. Internet leads are generated by loan shoppers themselves, so the information will more accurately depict each borrower’s most current status, address, phone numbers and other contact information, making it much easier for the lender to follow up and close the loan.

• Lead Exclusivity

Many times, telemarketing leads are non-exclusive, meaning that a large number of brokers are buying the same leads. With more and more people avoiding telemarketers, it’s hard for them to generate fresh, exclusive leads. ExplainPlease.com states that people are joining “Do Not Call” registries and using caller ID and privacy managers to avoid telemarketers. On the other hand, borrowers themselves constantly generate online leads by filling out forms at mortgage loan websites at all hours of the day and night. With fresh leads always being generated, it’s easier for lenders to get exclusive leads. While exclusive leads cost more, the probability of closing is greatly increased due to the lack of competition for the lead.

• Lead Delivery Time

If a lead is not delivered within a 24-48 hour time period, the lead loses value and the closing percentage drops dramatically. Internet leads are typically real-time mortgage leads. For example, LeadPlanet.com delivers its leads instantly. Lenders work with LeadPlanet.com lead representatives to set up custom filters in LeadPlanet.com’s database. The lead is e-mailed to the lender immediately when a borrower that meets the lender’s criteria fills out the online application.

• Lead Source

It is best if the mortgage lead makes the initial contact. For example, on the LendingTree.com site, buyers initiate contact by completing a simple form. Then, they get up to four competitive loan offers from major, national, regional, and local lenders across the U.S.

The Internet is gaining popularity as a way to shop for mortgage loan products, as people are getting more wary of telemarketers. Lenders are also enjoying cost effective online leads that are constantly delivered to them in real time right after they are generated.

It has been hard to miss the boom in home refinancing that has been happening in recent years. Record low interest rates, coupled with record high home prices, have spurred many homeowners to take advantage of various refinancing deals.

There are a number of important reasons for refinancing a home, but it is important to ask your self - is it time to refinance? The answer to this question will have a profound impact on your financial future, and the value of your most important asset.

The interest rate is king
When considering whether or not to refinance, the interest rate is of course the most important consideration of all. A lower interest rate is the number one reason why people refinance their homes, and it should be your primary consideration as well. If it has been more than a few years since you bought your home, chances are that interest rates are lower now than they were then, and this can make home refinancing an attractive option.

Of course it is important to remember that the interest rate for which you qualify will be greatly affected by your own credit history. Any negative events in your credit history since you purchased your home could cause those super low rates to be unavailable to you. For this reason, it is always a good idea to review your own credit report prior to exploring any refinancing offer.

What about fees and closing costs?
It is also important to pay attention to any fees and closing costs you may be asked to pay in order to refinance your mortgage loan. In some cases the mortgage company or bank may be willing to waive certain fees and expenses, but they may charge a higher interest rate. It is important to compare the various refinancing offers you receive to determine which one is truly the best deal.

It is also a good idea to consider using a refinancing offer to shorten the term of your home mortgage loan. Many homeowners assume that the only reason to refinance is to get a lower interest rate, but the fact is that a mortgage refinancing deal can be a great way to shorten the length of the mortgage as well. If paying off your mortgage in half the time appeals to you, it may be a good idea to consider such an option. No matter what your reason for refinancing, it is important to act quickly. These record low interest rates will not last forever, and it is important to act while they are still around.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.loan-mortgage-auto.com. For more information on real estate and mortgage finance, check out http://www.loan-mortgage-auto.com.

Sellers need to keep their safety in mind when prospecting potential buyers. The real estate industry has seen a problematic climb in assaults towards realtors, and so is the concern for those who are selling their own homes.

Here are just seven ways designed specifically to protect you, your family, and your home, from being victimized:

1. Fully screen callers before allowing them an appointment for seeing your home. Ask all the questions: name, existing address, and telephone number. Where are they employed? Why are they looking to buy? Do they have a family in the area? Any children? Ask as many questions until you feel comfortable with this person.

2. Do not let unannounced visitors into your home unless you have their information first. If you are alone in the house, have them come back later when there are others home. There is no reason why someone cannot be professional and make an appointment with you. Make sure there is more than one person in your home when showing your property. Remember, safety in numbers.

3. If you must show your home alone keep a cell phone with you. If you are in danger of a potential buyer, you can easily call 911 for help. In the event in needing to get away from someone run out of the house into your vehicle or neighbor’s house. Remember, your life is more important than any property. Most criminals interviewed say they do not want to harm anyone when taking valuables, prescription drugs or money. But if the home owner puts up a fight, so will they. Let it go. Property and things in your home can be replaced, your life cannot!

4. Tell your children, even if they are older to not let anyone in the house unless you are there. Even teenage children should not let anyone into the house. More assaults are committed on young people from the ages of 15- 25 years of age than any other age group.

5. Be very aware of virtual tours. If a virtual tour is an option for selling your home, make sure there are no expensive objects in the room(s). Criminals look for opportunities such as these to target homes to burglarize.

6. Let neighbors know you are selling your home. Check with them on a regular basis to see if anyone has been around the house when you are not there. Criminals will use an open house, or a walk-through to pose as a potential buyer to scope out properties to burglarize later.

7. Keeping the curb appeal not only adds value when you are selling a home, but adds to the safety of your home as well. After searching a home during an open house, criminals interviewed say they look for high bushes near windows, not well-lit areas of a home, and concealed entrances to come back and gain access to a home. Keep bushes trimmed low, repair or add higher wattage light bulbs to existing lights, and keep entrances well lit for theft prevention.

Don’t hesitate. If you’re serious about selling your home yourself, just make sure your safety plan is just as serious to protect you and your family’s future.

Michelle Annese is a 3rd degree black belt with 15+ years experience teaching industry specific self defense and safety for women and children. She is author of ‘the Realtor Survival Guide”, ‘Protection for Women’, and ‘The SafeGuard System for Kids’. For more information on how to protect yourself and your family go to http://www.michelleannese.com and check out other articles and sign up for a free safety tips e-newsletter.

If you don’t know what a reverse mortgage is, or if you qualify, please read our other articles first before proceeding.

Reasons to get a reverse mortgage:

You can’t keep up with your high medical bills.

Your company let you go before you were eligible for the pension plan.

Your children are financially sound, but you don’t have enough money left after paying the bills to do anything fun or buy anything that’s not a necessity.

These are your golden years and you would like to travel and travel well and often, not a few budget trips.

Your house is in desperate need of repair, but you don’t want the additional monthly bill of a home equity loan or line of credit.

Social Security isn’t enough to pay your bills with.

You lost a lot of money in the stock market and your savings are pretty small.

Your children could use major financial help and your savings aren’t that big.

You have no children to leave your house to and your nieces and nephews are well taken care of.

You or your spouse didn’t have a life insurance policy and now you’re on your own and in trouble financially.

You retired early or had to retire for various reasons, but you don’t yet quality for Social Security or want to wait a few years to get a larger monthly payment.

Whatever the reason is for wanting a reverse mortgage, be sure to read our article on advantages and disadvantages of reverse mortgages so you’ll be better informed.

Sandra Wellman is the owner of http://www.freefinanceinfo.org, a web site where you’ll find over 50 articles on all aspects of credit, how to get out of debt, identity theft, refinancing, reverse mortgage information, student loans, auto loans and personal and business finance. There are also links to help you find the companies we refer to in our articles.