Investing In Property In Canada

Canada has long been recognised as a cheap yet secure country in which to buy property.

Although Canada is often overlooked as a suitable location for investment purposes, those looking for an investment away from the usual European options should certainly delve deeper into what this beautiful country has to offer.

Canada offers a unique blend of cultures which incorporate a bit of British, North American and even French influences which appeals to many investors and holidaymakers alike. Due to the vast expanses of land that Canada boasts, house prices are incredibly variable, starting at a very reasonable £45,000/US$85,000.

Weather in Canada is certainly not as warm as some of the Californian areas but it more than makes up for it with glorious winters perfect for ski fanatics!

With such a sprawling country it is not surprising that there is a wide variety of property opportunities including lakeside rural properties and downtown apartments in some of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Prices are substantially higher in the cities where job prospects and affluence are generally much greater. In some of the larger cities such as Toronto and Montreal, a two bedroom property can cost as much as £200,000/US$390,000.

On top of the higher purchase price, there are also high maintenance fees that have to be taken into account. Despite these added costs, it is still worth considering investing in city properties in Canada.

Vancouver, in particular, is recognised as a beautiful location and is regularly voted the best city in the world for quality of life, with a wonderful mix of ski resorts, national parks and even the world’s most photographed lake, Lake Louise.

The Canadian real estate property market is extremely well established and is often seen as a great way to diversify a portfolio with a long-term low risk investment. Generally, Canadian property is considered to be a long-term investment, although it is possible to make gains quickly, depending on the position of the property cycle.

As with many of the more developed property markets, one of the best ways to make a short- term profit is to anticipate where the next geographical boom area is likely to be.

Some investors make a point of purchasing off-plan properties in developing areas and then selling them on as soon as the properties are completed. By flipping properties in that way, it is possible to make annual gains of over 20 percent in some of the faster growing regions.

One of the main driving forces of the Canadian market is actually the number of wealthy ex-pats who are moving to take up employment opportunities as part of the skilled workers’ programme or moving to Canada to enjoy their retirement.

In total, 3.3 million British citizens have already moved to Canada, permanently. These people bring a considerable amount of wealth to the property market and tracking the regions that are popular with this group of individuals will assist in ensuring that you achieve maximum returns.

About the Author: Providing essential information on buying property abroad, Tem Pearson is dedicated to offering all the necessary information for people looking to buy property in different countries. Visit www.buying-property-abroad.info for all the best info.

Six Surefire Ways Of Saving On Home Insurance

Home insurance has become a necessity in today's society especially for homeowners. In fact, most mortgage lenders make it a condition of lending you money to purchase real estate. There are many home insurance companies offering competitive rates for all types of homes regardless of where you live. Getting homeowners insurance need not be a painful and expensive process. There are many things you can do to reduce on your insurance costs. Here are seven tips you can apply in order to secure the cheapest rates available.

1. Shop around - Initially most people use their mortgage provider for home insurance. Although, home insurance may be a requirement set out by your lender, there is nothing preventing you from getting a better quote elsewhere. Shop around and compare both premium and level cover to find the most suitable. It is important to read the small print as the cheapest option may not necessarily be the best. There is nothing worse than a policy that does not deliver when you need it. Shopping around and comparing prices can potentially save you a lot.

2. Multiple policies - We have different insurance needs including coverage for our cars, motorcycles, life, health and many more. There are many homeowners insurance companies who offer other insurance coverage as well. For instance, a company such as Geico USAA offers auto insurance and business insurance as well. It more than likely that you will get a discount on your home insurance if you take out all these other policies with them as well. These discounts can be obtained if you negotiate and put your case across. Most reasonable insurance companies would not like to loose a customer to the competition.

3. Home Security - The more secure your home is, the less insurance you pay. So it is wise to have approved alarms, extra secure locks on doors and windows installed. Extra security measures that can be added include security cameras and joining neighbourhood watch schemes can significantly lower your premiums. It is important to point out these changes to your insurers so they are taken into consideration.

4. Review Your Home Contents - Periodic re-evaluation helps especially if you purchase valuable goods from time to time. Regularly reviewing your possesions against your policy helps to determine if you are still covered in case of emergency. In addition, you do not want to pay for cover you do not need. If you do not have the possessions you were initially covered for, then contact your insurance for a review and a discount.

5. Voluntary Increase Your Deductibles - Increasing the level of excess on your insurance policy may reduce your premiums. Most, if not all insurance policies come with a level of excess that everyone pays if a claim is made. Some insurers will reduce the amount you pay if you voluntarily increase this level.

6. Understand Your Policy - Obtaining an insurance coverage is a legally-binding contract. Unfortunately most of these "contracts" come with a lot of legal-speak. It is important to understand exactly what your policy covers before you sign on the dotted line. Understanding your policy will ensure that any future claims you make will be backed by well-educated knowledge of what your policy covers or not and you can argue your case if the insurance company is dragging their feet.

About the Author: By Ian Iowek Credit Repair Advisor. Find Free Credit Repair information, Apply Online For Credit Cards and Auto Insurance USAA

Home Ownership Benefits U.S. Society by Real Estate Advisor

Several studies have evaluated the impact of the rising U.S. home ownership rate on American’s society. Besides boosting the economy (in 2005 alone, 16 % of total economic activity was from the housing sector), home ownership also provides other social benefits. A study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that home ownership positively impacts the U.S. society in at least five areas: social stability, educational achievement, civic participation, crime rates and participation in public assistance.

1. Promotes Social Stability: Homeownership has been found to contribute towards social stability. Since homeowners have greater financial stake in their neighborhoods, they typically remain in their homes for a longer period than renters, thus indirectly contributing to the stability to their neighborhoods. When compared to homeowners, renters are five times more likely to move.

The U.S. Census Bureau found that even between a homeowner and a renter of equal age, income and marital status, the renter is more likely to move out of his/her residence in a given year than a homeowner. Residential stability has been found to indirectly strengthen local social ties. The NAR Research concludes that homeownership does bring positive social outcomes with respect to housing stability or less frequent change of residence.

2. Improves Educational Achievement: NAR Research reveals that homeownership has a significant positive impact on educational achievement of children. Although it is difficult to point at one particular factor as the reason for better educational outcomes, many studies indicate homeownership as having a positive effect on the educational outcome of children.

3. Increases Civil Participation: Many studies reveal that homeowners have greater community involvement than renters. They are more politically active, participate in elections more frequently, and have greater awareness of the political process when compared to renters. Church attendance and membership in voluntary organizations were also found to be higher among homeowners.

4. Contributes Toward Lower Crime Rates: Homeownership and a stable housing helps contribute toward lowering crime rates. Homeowners have a greater financial stake than do renters especially in the case of property crimes or other crimes in their neighborhood. Hence, homeowners have more reason to prevent crime by working with the society and participating in crime prevention programs. The research also states that homeowners are less likely to become crime victims.

5. Lowers Dependency on Public Assistance: Homeownership and stable housing in a stable neighborhood brought down the rate of teenage pregnancy consecutively reducing the use of public assistance. Another research points out that homeowners are able to cope better after being laid off from their jobs because they can access their home equity credit lines rather than turn to public assistance.

Thus, besides improving the homeowner’s financial status, increased homeownership brings in these numerous benefits to the American society.

About the Author: San Diego Homes, Scripps Ranch Homes, Scripps Ranch Condos

Best Places To Buy A Second Home In The United States by Real Estate Advisor

For those of you who are wary of buying a second home given the current slow down in the U.S. real estate market, a recent report by RealEstateJournal.com provides some encouraging information.

The journal has come up with the top twelve locations for second homes based on data from Economy.com. The editors selected various locales across the country based on factors that were appealing for second homebuyers. Locales where home prices rose at a much lower rate than the national average of 84.3 % over the past ten years from 1996 to 2006 were chosen. Other criteria that were taken into consideration include favorable employment opportunities, availability and choices of vacation homes and proximity to recreational and cultural opportunities.

The following are the top 12 metro areas for buying a second home.

At the number one position is Bath, located in Beaufort County, North Carolina (Greenville, N.C. metro area). With a metro median home price of $118,100 and a very low price change of 35.7 % over the last decade, this locale is the most attractive place right now to invest in a second home. The Greenville metro area will have a projected increase in employment by 13.1 % in the next 5 years to come, which is almost double the national average of 6.4 %.

The second best location for second homes is Blairsville, Georgia of the greater metro area of Cleveland, Tennessee. The metro median home price is $117,300 and the area saw a price change of 50.7 %. It is forecasted that the metro employment rate will increase by 9.8 % in the next 5 years.

The third on the list of top 12 second home locations is Clarksville, Virginia (Durham, N.C. metro area). The metro median home price at the second quarter of 2006 was $175,300. The area had a price change of 58.1 % over the last 10 years and is expected to have a 10 % increase in employment.

Cloudcroft, New Mexico (Las Cruces, N.M. metro area), at fourth position has a median home price of $128,600 and experienced a price change of 58.7 %. The area is to have a projected metro employment increase by 15.7 % much above the national average of 6.4 %.

Dadeville, Alabama (Auburn-Opelika, Ala.) comes next with a metro median home price of $128,600 and a price change of 57.8 % over the last 10 years. The general metro area's employment prospects are expected to increase by 11.5 % in the next 5 years.

Driggs, Idaho (Idaho Falls, Idaho) is at sixth position with a median home price of $118,600 and a price change of 46.9 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 9.6 %.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas (Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.-Mo.) is the 7th best locale with a median home price of $133,800 and a price change of 59.1 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 10.8 %.

Heber City, Utah (Provo-Orem, Utah) at 8th position has a median home price of $181,000 and a price change of 37.7 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 9.9 %.

Helen, Georgia (Gainesville, Ga.) is at 9th position with a median home price of $156,600 and a price change of 58.9 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 8.9 %.

At 10th position is Jemez Springs, New Mexico (Albuquerque, N.M.) with a median home price of $179,600 and a price change of 53.1 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 11.7 %.

South Padre Island, Texas (Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas) is at 11th position with a median home price of $631600 and a price change of 29.6 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 14.6 %.

Rounding out the top 12 places to buy a second home is Steamboat Springs, Colorado, (Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.) with a median home price of $196,100 and a price change of 52.5 %. The projected metro employment increase for the next 5 years is at 11 %.

If you are interested in buying a second home, be sure to seek out the services of a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about local market conditions and trends.

About the Author: San Diego Condos, University City Real Estate, Carmel Mountain Homes

Invest In Property In Spain by Clinton Maxwell

If you are looking for an excellent place to invest in properties than look no further than Benidorm, Spain. The real estate Benidorm market has been booming in the past few years and if you are looking for a rental property for summer or any season this could also be a great place to look. You have to remember that the areas with the highest demand also have the highest rental price. If you are looking in Benidorm to purchase property than you should look for an apartment. Apartments require cheaper maintenance and there are many buildings with individual units for sale. You can use your apartment as a home away from home or as a property to rent.

If you look for an apartment then make sure you choose the features that are most important to you, such as beach proximity or amenities. Many of the newer buildings have gardens or communal swimming pools, which can be a lovely feature. If you pick a building with more amenities it will be more expensive.

Don’t just think about the rental property value when you are looking to purchase a home or apartment in Benidorm. You also need to think about what you would like in a home, since chances are that you will be using this home some of the time.

You should think of the features that will be important in your home depending on the season. If you will be spending the summers there then you may want to consider air conditioning. If you will be using it during the fall and winter than you might want a good heating system.

If you want to rent out your property in Benidorm you should consider using it yourself in the off-season and renting it out in the peak season. If you do this you can still have a lovely home for yourself during the winter, but get the most money for your investment when you rent it out during the summer. If you do want to rent your property in the winter you shouldn’t have any problem renting it out to Northern Europeans during this time of year. You will have to expect to be making less money than you will in the wintertime, but you will still have people willing to rent it.

When you are choosing your location you should pick something that may appeal to Spaniards as well as tourists. You can rent it out to locals during some of the off-season. You may not get as much income as you do from tourists, but you will still be able to cover some of the mortgage during this time. It may also be easier to sell your property to locals later if you pick a spot that they like too.

About the Author: Clinton Maxwell pens principally for http://www.alicante-spain.com , an internet site on Alicante . You might find out more about his writings on benidorm real estate over at http://www.alicante-spain.com.