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How to Buy Fixers for Profit

Do you dream of becoming a multi-millionaire real estate investor? Here's how to get started: find a bargain "fixer-upper" owned by a worried seller. The hardest house for a homeowner to sell is a "doghouse," "dump," or "fixer-upper." These run-down houses turn off most home buyers, who don't have the money to cover the down payment, plus closing costs, new furniture, carpeting, appliances, roof repairs, and other deferred maintenance required to bring the home back into top condition.

As you look through the classified ads or at real estate listings, keep an eye out for terms like "handyman special," "as is," "fixer," or other tell-tale phrase. Ask your buyers agent to list these words when scanning the Multiple Listing Service for you.

Why Home Sellers Accept Rock-Bottom Prices

Home owners' troubles often keep them from staying on top of their home's maintenance. Circumstances such as divorce, job loss, devastating illness, assorted addictions, or other personal problems quickly overcome distraught home owners, forcing them to sell. These home owners can't keep up with monthly mortgage payments and/or repairs because of financial or physical limitations. When these troubles arise, their home becomes a low priority and sometimes goes into foreclosure.

Find "Triple-D" Deals

Home sellers with three problems offer breaks to beginning real estate investors. A "Triple-D" deal is a Doghouse, involved in a Divorce, and in Default. The label "doghouse" comes from Southern California real estate agents who described the worst fixers this way. You may have seen ads for "ugly" houses. Often these "tired" houses need only cosmetic work in order to compete for resale with other homes in the area.

How to Compete in a Seller's Market

Once you've found a property that you can turn from doghouse to dollhouse, find out the seller's problem and then offer a solution. Distraught sellers commonly experience financial difficulties and need cash as soon as possible. Therefore, if you're ready to close rapidly, you'll be set to negotiate a lower sales price. Sellers with problems love it when an offer to purchase says "close in 10-14 days."

How to Complete a Fast Sale

Find an experienced lender and get yourself not only "pre-qualified," but also "pre-approved." Taking that second step assures worried sellers that you already have your loan in place for their property, and this puts you well ahead of other potential buyers.

Use a trusted closing or escrow agent who knows what they're doing; one not over-worked. Even in todays busy market, you can find an officer who can help you close in two weeks, when your financing is prearranged.

Real estate investing should be fun as well as profitable. Keep in mind that you're seeing potential when you view fixers. Enjoy your property search!

Copyright (c) 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 9:15 PM 0 comments

League One Betting Review - 26 February 2006

Huddersfield Town edged into the second automatic promotion spot after earning a draw against fellow promotion chasers Swansea City. Lee Trundle and Leon Britton fired the Swans into a 2-0 lead by half-time before late goals from Martin McIntosh and David Graham secured a draw at odds of 9/4.

Southend United missed the chance to stretch their lead at the top of League One as Walsall, under new boss Kevan Broadhurst, held them to a goalless draw. Shrimpers captain Spencer Prior went off injured after five minutes as the two sides played out an 11/4 stalemate.

Following last weekends FA Cup glamour tie against Chelsea, Colchester United were brought back down to earth with a bump against Barnsley. Tykes midfielder Brian Howard scored the only goal of the game after 72 minutes to seal a 13/10 home win.

Brentford suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of 4/1 outsiders Port Vale. A long range effort from Jeff Smith nine minutes before the break was enough to keep the Valiants slender play-off hopes alive.

Play-off hopefuls Oldham Athletic secured a narrow 20/21 win against Tranmere Rovers at Boundary Park. Richie Wellens struck the decisive goal 10 minutes before half time.

Nottingham Forest were the safest bet of the day by crushing Swindon Town 7-1 at the City Ground. Nicky Southall broke the deadlock for 8/11 Forest after three minutes before Wes Morgan and Iain Breckin added further goals before the break. Southall completed his hat-trick with goals after 51 and 55 minutes before Morgan and Lester completed the rout. Trevor Benjamin gave the Robins some pride on 76.

Rotherham Uniteds survival hopes took a turn for the worse as they crashed 4-0 at home against Chesterfield. Three goals in a nine minute spell for Glynn Hurst just before half time and David Niven and Mark Allott early in the second period ended the Millers mini revival. Jamie OHara added a fourth for the 9/5 Spireites three minutes from time.

Rock-bottom Milton Keynes Dons sealed a precious victory at 13/8 against visitors Bradford City. Ben Harding opened the scoring for the Dons after 58 minutes but Steve Claridge ended a 17-match barren run six minutes later. A last gasp winner from Dean Lewington took the Dons to within four points from safety.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 6:10 PM 0 comments

Vancouver, Hidden Jewel Of The Pacific Northwest

Vancouver will receive a lot of attention as the 2010 Olympics approach, but why wait to visit during the most crowded, tourist deluged period since they hosted Expo 86?

Skiing and winter sports will receive the lion's share of attention during the 2010 Olympics - it is the Winter Olympics, after all - but summer is Vancouver's best season.

After a fall and winter of grey skies and rainy days, Vancouver emerges to a summer of endless blue skies, gorgeous ocean views and warm but fairly dry climate. This is when you want to come to Vancouver!

There are 5 star hotels available on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver, but there are two great hostels, one just off the famous gay area of Davie Street - its maybe six blocks of the shopping area of Robson Street as well - or another across from Jericho beach, looking across at downtown Vancouver. Very well run, situated in spectacular spots, and cheap!

Vancouver is famous for international cuisine. Sushi, Thai food, Greek, Italian, French, Indian, Chinese - but not just run of the mill varieties - some world class representatives of every type of cuisine. Hy's Steak House is a venerable, 50 year old steak house. Cioppinno's has the kind of Italian cooking where everyone at the table raved about having the best______ they'd ever had. C Restaurant on the water has the best seafood. Bishop's has been rated the best restaurant for years, but Rob Feenie at Lumiere has won the Iron Chef competition. There are probably 300 outstanding restaurants in Vancouver!

What to do? Stanley Park is second only to Central Park in new York for size of an urban park - and it is simply spectacular, surrounded by the ocean. Over in North Vancouver, cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, swinging side to side, 300 feet over the Capilano River. There are 3 ski hills poised overlooking Vancouver, so great sightseeing - take the gondola up to the top of Grouse Mountain. Storeum in Gastown is a new tourist attraction - find out about BC's history. See Vancouver Canucks hockey, BC Lions football, Whitecaps Soccer and catch a "nooner" at Nat bailey Stadium and watch Vancouver Canadians baseball.

Granville Street is the entertainment district, with bars lined on both sides of the street, including the Yale, Vancouver's old time blues bar. There is a gay district with most gay bars on Davie Street. There is a Pride Parade in August, and four nights of the Symphony of Fire fireworks competition - just you and 400,000 of your closest friends watching fireworks timed to music!

Though you'd never need to leave Vancouver, there are great side trips to Victoria (more English than England), Tofino, Vancouver Island and smaller Gulf Islands, Whistler, and the always scorching hot Okanagan Lake. Believe me, you WILL find lots to do!

posted by aasdas38493 @ 3:05 PM 0 comments

A Day in the West with a Western Themed Party

A western themed party could be the perfect idea for your next special event. Whether its a birthday party, an anniversary or retirement, follow a cowboy/ cowgirl theme. For an outdoor party, hay bales can be turned into a wonderful accessory. They can serve as extra seating benches and the mess wont be a concern since youre outside. Place coffee cans around like old fashioned spittoons.

A great party favor would be a plastic cowboy hat for each child or adult. Mini plastic toy guns can also add to the ambience for Western guests. Use the construction paper to complete a cowboy costume. Cut out stars personalized with Sheriff Tommy or whatever the guests name is on the badge. Cut out holsters, spurs, chaps or anything you can think of and then simply attach with safety pins to create a quick and easy costume.

Depending on the size of your budget, live animals can add excitement to your party. You can only imagine the thrill of child getting a surprise pony ride or getting to pet a horse. Hire someone to play the role of a bad guy and let them walk around in all black.

As with any party, the food is always one of the main attractions. With this type of theme you can serve what they would have on a chuck wagon or on the ranch: baked beans, jerky and coleslaw. Modern conveniences like hamburgers, hot dogs and condiments can also be snuck in! Get fancy and roast shish- ka- bobs over an open fire. If children are old enough, let them roast their own hot dogs over the fire. Activities like this are sure to create a memorable day.

Party supply stores will have all the accessories you need to finish off your theme party: plates, cups, napkins and decorations. Get moving pardner and invite some guests today.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 2:42 PM 0 comments