Bypass Real Estate Agents and Save? – Motley Fool

Bypass Real Estate Agents and Save? – Motley Fool
After soaring for years, home prices have fallen sharply, and sellers want to get as much as they can for their homes. Sometimes, they mull over the idea of going it alone. After all, you can go to any open houses on your own, and you can make an

Xinyuan Real Estate Subsidiary Acquires Two Parcels of Land in – Forbes
BEIJING, April 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ — Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (“Xinyuan” or “the Company”) (NYSE: XIN), a fast-growing residential real estate developer with a focus on strategically selected Tier II cities in China, today announced that

High-end real estate sales still – Sonoma Index Tribune
May 6th, 2008 Ginger Martin and Carol Sebastiani, of Martin & Sebastiani Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty Wine Country Brokerage, reported last week that properties at the high end of the real estate market are selling well as the local and

Investing in Indian Real Estate

>

Indian Real Estate: “Undeniably tremendous!”

And, that is the undeniable verdict of a Price Waterhouse Coopers study conducted on the investment environment in terms of Indian real estate. Ever since the Government of India gave its stamp of approval to 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in housing and real estate, NRIs, overseas real estate developers, hoteliers, and others have been tracking a path to the sub-continent. Sensing the business potential for developing serviced plots, constructing residential / commercial complexes, business centres / offices, mini-townships, investments in infrastructure facilities e.g. roads, bridges, manufacture of building materials, etc., FDI is flooding in to take advantage of the tremendous real estate opportunities.

Indian Real Estate: Growing Potential

The increasing demand for Indian real estate has not only generated employment, it has also been instrumental in the growth of steel, cement, bricks and other related industries. Estimated to be in the region of US $12-billion, real estate development in India is growing by as much as 30% each year. Already, eighty percent of Indian real estate has been developed for residential space, and 20% comprises of shopping malls, office space, hospitals and hotels. Fuelled largely due to off-shoring / outsourcing of BPOs, call centres, high-end technology consulting and software development and programming firms, real estate growth in India has great investment prospectives.

Indian Real Estate: Investment Opportunities

Tax reform measures in the last few years have ensured real estate in India is one of the most productive investment sectors, with money invested in real estate offering regular returns on investment including appreciating in value. And, the Government of India by opening up 100% foreign direct investment, and fiscal reforms like stamp duty and property tax reductions, setting up real estate mutual funds has turned real estate into a promising investment option.

Already, it has approved the first Rs. 100-crore FDI project in Gurgaon. With urban populations expected to grow from 290-million to 600-million by 2021, housing requirements are expected to top 68-million by 2021, which means India’s urban housing sector could do with an investment of US $25-billion over a 5-year period. Poised for rapid urbanisation, 3 out of 10 of the world’s largest cities are in India. An influx of jobs due to off-shoring / outsourcing has resulted in rising disposable incomes, increased consumerism, factors responsible for changing the face of residential and commercial real estate in India.

Wishing to take advantage of real estate investment opportunities, banks and housing finance companies are falling over themselves to tie-up with developers or offer project loans at competitive rates.

Indian Real Estate: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Recent government policies have seen to it that inbound FDI for housing, commercial premises, hotels, resorts, hospitals, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city and regional level infrastructure, no longer requires prior government approval, with the exception of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is important that all inward remittances or issues of shares to NRIs are reported to RBI within 30-days, and all FDI in the above areas is subject to the following conditions:

Minimum area for development under each project is as under: Serviced housing plots, minimum requirement of 10 hectares. Construction-development projects, minimum built-up area requirement of 50,000 sq. metres. Combination project, either of the above two conditions suffices. Investment is further subject to the following conditions: Minimum capital investment = US$10 million for a wholly owned subsidiary, and US$5 million for joint ventures with Indian partners. Further, the funds have to be brought in within six months of commencing business.

It is not permissible to repatriate original investment before a period of three years from the date of minimum capital investment. However, if the investor gets prior approval from the Government through FIPB, early exit is permitted.

Fifty percent of the project is to be completed within 5-years from the date of obtaining all legal clearances. No undeveloped plots can be sold where roads, street lighting, water supply, drainage, sewerage and other conveniences are not available. Serviced housing plots can only be sold if the investor has provided infrastructure and obtained a completion certificate from the concerned local body / service agency.

Development has to be in accordance with town master plans, planning norms, standards, and local bye-laws.

The investor is responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals, including building / layout plans, internal / external / peripheral area development, infrastructure facilities, payment for development and other charges. All development has to be in compliance with State Government / Municipal / Local Body requirements that are prescribed under applicable rules / bye-laws / regulations. Further, Non Resident Indians (NRIs) are allowed investment under the Automatic Route of FDI in the following Housing and Real Estate Sector:

Services plot development and construction of built-up residential premises.

Real estate investment covering construction of residential / commercial premises including business centres, offices, etc. Development of townships.

City / regional level urban infrastructure facilities, including roads and bridges.

Investment in manufacture of building materials. Investment in participatory ventures in (i) to (v) above

Investment in housing finance institutions.

Permissible FDI private / joint / state investment in construction in the export processing zones (EPZS) / special economic zones (SEZS) is as follows:

100% FDI real estate investment within Special Economic Zone (SEZ). 100% FDI for developing a township within the SEZ i.e. residential areas, markets, playgrounds, clubs, recreation centres etc.

Standard Design Factory (SDF) building development in existing Special Economic Zones. SEZ land may be leased or sub-leased to developers as per relevant guidelines for this purpose.

Full freedom to allocate developed plots to approved SEZ units on commercial basis including competent authorities for provision of water, electricity, security, restaurants, recreation centres etc. along commercial lines.

As you read this, a wide spectrum of changes are and have taken place in Indian real estate. Various proposed reforms e.g. removal of tenancy laws, computerization of land records, correction in taxation structure etc., are ensuring India emerges as a favoured and profitable destination for real estate developers / investors, both domestic and international.

This article is sponsored by: www.indiarealestateblog.com

About the Author

We are in real estate business also and wants to provide information about hte India Real Estate.

Should I Be A Real Estate Investor

Should I Be A Real Estate Investor

by: Bruce Hughbanks

Should I Be A Real Estate Investor?

People are always looking for ways to improve their financial situation, and one of the most commonly thought of methods is to go into business for yourself. And many people who decide to open their business consider real estate investing. After all, weve all seen the late night infomercials that show rich investors driving their Cadillacs and sipping fruit drinks by the poolside, right? It cant be that difficult to spot good properties and resell them, huh? And renting out a property must be a breeze!

Back up. If you talked to most professional real estate investors, they may argue with those television commercials that try to sell people on the concept. The truth is, real estate investing is a tough business, and even tougher if youre not fully aware of the time and commitment that youll have to put into it in order to make it a success.

Before you put all of your hard-earned savings in this potentially lucrative business, you should know the facts. After all, as in any investment, it will only be as good as your research and knowledge of the facts.

If you are considering real estate investment as a way to improve your financial situation, you should first read the most common myths associated with it.

Real Estate Investing Leads To Instant Riches!

The reality is that most real estate investors spend an average of five years running their business before they ever see a good income. Whats more, a full 95 percent of people who take those get-rich quick programs quit the business after just three months. Why? Because theyd fallen victim to the scheme, and when it didnt play out, they became disillusioned. Think about any other business that you can invest in and runwould it be feasible to turn a profit instantly? Of course not! And it isnt possible with real estate investing either!

I Can Do This Part Time!

Thats true, but your income will be limitedjust as it would in any other part time business. The business of investing in real estate takes a lot of hours. You have to search for properties, negotiate a deal that will work with your numbers, do any repairs required on the property, and then either sell it, or rent it. Thats not something you can do on Saturday afternoons!

Its Not A Business, But Just My Hobby!

Sure, if you want to earn about as much as a hobby would pay you. In fact, if you are going to invest your money in a real estate business, you must treat it like a business. Youll have to print professional business cards, make contacts in the industry and overall conduct yourself as a professional. Whens the last time you heard a hobbyist closing $150,000 deals?
Can real estate investing turn a good profit? Absolutely! Can it be done in fifteen minutes a day? Not in this lifetime!

About The Author

Bruce Hughbanks is Dedicated to the Success of Business Minded Entrepreneurs World Wide. His In-Depth Views, Techniques and Dedication to helping others is second to none. Contributed to the Advancement of Internet Marketing Success, Copywriting and Joint Venture Affiliations. Find out how he can help you: http://www.ProfitZilla.com (Another TeagINC Network Production)

Friends and Family Should be Priority!
Experience True Freedom! The Employment Alternative Group
http://www.TheEmploymentAlternativeGroup.com