What is Real Estate

Writen by Martin Dell

Only 20 minutes from the coastal resort of Salobrena, this is Moorish Spain at its best. With the ancient Muslim terracing and irrigation system still used to this day, Los Guajares is sandwiched between the mountain ranges of Sierra del Chaparral and Sierra de Los Guajares.

This area boasts spectacular scenery, an abundance of wildlife, and is one of the most unspoilt environments in Granada. Running away to the south is the Sierra Nevada, stretching to the Costa Tropical, a 100 kilometres stretch of relatively undiscovered coastline that's full of hidden coves and resorts such as Salobrena, Motril and Almunecar. For those seeking low prices and a rural retreat, Los Guajares is ideal.

Why buy there?
This stunning valley offers a temperate climate that's warm during the winter months but slightly cooler than inland areas due to its proximity to the coast. There are many species of deer, birds and mountain goats, along with a number of hiking and walking trails.

The valleys abound with orange, chirimoya (custard apples), almond and olive groves, while the narrow streets and houses are covered in geraniums. The area is also easily accessible, only 20 minutes from the coast and Motril, and only an hour from Granada, which now receives direct flights from the UK.

This is an old part of Andalucia where the villages are whitewashed and the streets are narrow and winding. There's culture and history at every turn, with the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Alpujarras, the swathe of coastal towns, and the ruined Arab castle in Los Guajares itself. Add authentic tapas and fresh seafood, and you've got an unspoilt slice of traditional Andalucian life.

Where to buy
In Los Guajares itself, you have the three villages of Guajar Faraguit, Guajar Fondon and Guajar Alto. This old rural community offers a handful of bars and restaurants, and spectacular scenery. A two bedroom house can be picked up for a mere 67,000 euros, while 72,000 euros can secure you a fully renovated, traditional townhouse.

Further to the southeast is the whitewashed hilltop town of Salobrena. Surrounded by sugar cane fields, Salobrena is a picturesque seaside town, with many shops and resturants. Its maze of cobbled streets are overlooked by the ruins of a Moorish castle. Spend 145,000 euros and you can pick up a four bedroom apartment in the centre of Salobrena, while 155,000 euros will buy you a traditional house in the old town.

Molvizar is another traditional village. Situated on the edge of the Sierra del Chaparral, it lies in the stunning Lecrin valley, which is covered with almond and olive groves, and enjoys stunning views.

Molvizar is becoming popular with people looking for a quite village location but with access to the lively coastal town of Salobrena. There are many pretty, typically Spanish town houses for sale. A two bedroom cortijo here costs 284,000 euros, while a three bedroom townhouse is 106,000 euros.

Located near Motril, the village of Velez de Benaudalla nestles at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and is a typical mountain village, with sugar cube houses, mountain views and a traditional church. A new feature to Velez is the newly constructed dam, which promises water sports, picnic areas and more. In the not-too-distant future it will also be a haven for bird watchers and walkers, providing many aspects of rural tourism.

Property here starts at 116,000 euros for a one bedroom townhouse, while a two bedroom townhouse requiring some work can be purchased for 99,000 euros.

The property market
Granada is relatively unknown compared to much of Andalucia. Currently, over 48 per cent of property here sells for between 50,000 euros and 150,000 euros, and a quarter of all homes sold are village houses. On average, property sells for 85,000 euros less than the national average price of 245,000 euros.

The market in Los Guajares is very different from that of a few years ago, when people were buying everything from renovation projects to off plan investments and luxury villas. Over the last five years, prices have increased dramatically, at a rate of 15 to 20 per cent per annum. A property such as a cortijo, or village home, has risen in price from 30,000 euros to over 100,000 euros. Nevertheless, there are still bargains to be had, especially in villages such as Jete and Otivar.

There has also been an increase in the number of people buying and investing in the area. The market is very international, although recent months have seen more properties being sold to Spanish clients than in previous years, more city based Spaniards are looking to the Costa Tropical and inland areas of Los Guajares for second homes, especially those from Madrid and Barcelona.

This has helped to keep the market for 2005 successful in what appears to otherwise be a sluggish year, particularly in terms of the number of British buyers. 2005 is seeing a mix of buyers seeking both property to let and also property for permanent relocation. Although there are still bargains to be had, this could all change when the motorways are finished and Los Guajares becomes more easily accessible.

The lettings market
Due to the longer winter season than in the coastal areas, the short term lettings season in Los Guajares is shorter than it is in much of Andalucia. The region is more suited to those looking for a walking holiday, rather than a beach vacation. However, some owners do let their property during the summer, and most do this privately via the internet. This shows the quieter nature of the lettings market.

The income generated is less than you'd expect along the Costa del Sol, although prices are rising in conjunction with increased interest. There has also been a significant turnaround in the number of clients looking to secure a long term rental in the Los Guajares area prior to buying. This trend started in 2004 and has grown significantly over the last eight months.

In terms of rental returns, a one bedroom traditional property in Guajar Alto can generate 210 euros per week in low season and 320 euros in peak season. A two bedroom townhouse in Velez de Benaudalla can secure between 205 euros to 365 euros. In the more popular coastal area of Salobrena, a three bedroom villa can generate between 500 euros and 850 euros per week, depending on the season.

Living in Los Guajares
There is much to recommend this area, not least the tradition, culture and awesome scenery. However, there are negatives too. The region has a limited infrastructure and the remote location of many villages means limited resources, such as schools and hospitals.

The streets are often steep and narrow, which can hamper access by car, and the weather can also be harsher during the winter months than on the coast. If you're looking to buy here, you must be prepared to learn Spanish, and to respect the locals and their traditional way of life.

There is a strong local presence here, with a growth of Spanish second home buyers investing in the area. Foreign buyers tend to be semi retired couples and middle aged families who are looking to escape the busy coastal resorts. There are still relatively few British people here, and the foreigners who have bought property are a cosmopolitan mix of Canadians, Scandinavians and Americans. There's also a thriving artistic community keen to take advantage of the area's natural beauty.

Salobrena and the surrounding resorts are more touristy and built up than the inland villages, but the level of development remains acceptable. There's more of an expat community here, and certainly more attractions, but again, it hardly reaches the levels seen further west in the Costa del Sol.

Granada in figures
Unemployment: 19%
Total EU population: 8,032 (35% of which are British)
Language: Castilian Spanish
Average property price: 160,000 Euros
Total area of Granada: 12,635km2
Population of Granada Province: 818,959
Population density: 64.82km2
Tallest peak, Mulhacen: 3,481m
Length of coastline: 100km

Martin Dell is Managing Director of Kyero Media S.L. - publisher of the largest English-language property portal in Spain, http://www.kyero.com

Writen by Alan Taylor

Today everyone is looking for the easiest way to learn for how to buy commercial properties. Most people keep asking as what they should do, so that they can buy their commercial property. Well the answer to all such questions could be that: you should be aware of all the rules and regulations of the game. By becoming a commercial mortgage broker, you can solve a lot of your problem while buying a commercial property for yourself.

Now the question may arises that what will I gain if I become a commercial mortgage broker?

Unless you have a lot of money, you will need to borrow money in order to buy commercial properties. Well if you are a commercial mortgage broker then you will certainly have good working relationship with a lender. This will help you in having a better chance for you loan approval. And also you are not breaking any rule for this special treatment. It is only because you have worked with the lender. You will be aware of what are the property types they lend loan on and what are the applicable conditions. You will also be aware of what are the criteria you need to satisfy. Remember the clients may have different needs from yours you are required to know different programs for the same. Your knowledge about the different programs should be up to date as the programs differ with different needs. Also if you are working with a borrower, you will know what are the properties you should own and which type of properties can benefit you.

Now that you are a commercial mortgage broker you will be able to have contacts in the commercial appraisal industry, also with commercial realtors and with commercial property managers too. This can help tremendously. It helps you in judging the properties as which one are good and which one is bad. And these contacts are not only restricted to your place you can develop a network across the country. So you can increase the number of options for yourself.

Obviously if you are working as a commercial mortgage broker and you are providing a good service to clients by getting the best financing for their projects then you are paid handsomely for it. Commercial mortgage broker's fee generally depends on the complexity of the loan and the level of the services you are providing. He/ She can earn anywhere from 0.5 to 3 points.

There are different points that can help you buy a commercial property if you are a commercial broker yourself as you will be able to know all the facts and the ground reality for the property you are looking for. It would be easier for you to manage the loan, as you will be having different contacts. And as you are working in the same field and earning handsomely funds are no problem. So if you are looking for a commercial property be in the same field to be aware of all the facts.

Alan Taylor is editor of http://www.realbighome.com and http://www.hotelmotel.in

Writen by Joel Teo

Real estate investment is one of the best long term forms of investment anyone can do and is readily understood by most of us. Some of us may be interested in buying properties that we can fix and flip, others might be interested in buying rental properties and make money from them. This article is for both kinds of investors and highlights three simple things you can do to make more money from your real estate investment whether it be in terms of rental or capital appreciation.

Tip #1 - Paint it up

Spend some money to paint up the fence and the rest of the property. You will be surprised at the difference this makes to the buyer of the property. Which would you rather see when you visit a property, a drab old looking building or a nice newly painted building? In addition, you might consider buying a nice front door to match the newly painted building.

On paint choices, depending on who you intend to sell the property to. For residential properties, try to get neutral colours and choose colours that make the place look welcoming. Colours that make someone upon seeing it say to themselves, "yes this is home". This would increase your chances of getting a tenant for your property and thus the price of your real estate investment will rise accordingly.

Tip #2- Fix the windows

Another simple trick, when residential viewers come into the house they love to look out of their house into the vista that surrounds your property. Thus you would want to work on the windows a bit so that they look nice and new and complement your new coat of paint.

Another thing that you can do is to install grilles in high crime areas and highlight it as a feature to your prospective buyers and tenants and tell them that you have considered their security when installing the grilles. But always check if they want the improvements unless it comes with the property when you first bought it.

Tip #3- Mow the lawn

This trick comes along with the neighbourhood. Let me explain what I mean by this. If you are investing into a residential property in a neighbourhood, take a look at the surroundings. If the properties in the area are in a state of disrepair, avoid even purchasing the property since you might be buying into a neighbourhood where the property prices will not increase by much.

If you have found a good neighbourhood with well maintained lawns and the real estate investment that you found is not well maintained, spend some time looking to see if the soil and the foundations of the building are good. If you think all is well, call in the professionals to re turf and mow the lawn and do some basic landscaping. You will be surprised at how much more a property with a well kept garden will fetch over a normal unkempt property within the same vicinity.

In conclusion, we have highlighted three simple steps anyone can take to make more money from their real estate investment. Try doing them today and hopefully it makes you more money along the way. Take massive steps and action and you will find that your real estate riches will start coming your way.

By Joel Teo 2006 All Rights Reserved

Joel Teo is the owner of several websites and takes a keen interest in real estate investment. For more real estate investment resources go to: http://www.realestateinvestment101.info/Investment_Resources.html

Writen by Luigi Frascati

Combining the advantages of apartment occupancy with those of home ownership has long been a dream of urban dwellers. But there are times, however, when dreams turn into nightmares. Throughout my plurannual Real Estate career, I think I have seen my fair share of horror stories when it comes to people who bought apartment units. So much so, in fact, that I have decided to lay out in brief the foundations of condo-buying, which every responsible and prudent condominium Purchaser should always follow, irrespective of price, location and taste.

Here we go:

[ ] Strata Documentation: Read It Like The Bible

Why? Because it is your Bible, as a condo-purchaser. Yes, the law says that your Agent, during the course of the fulfillment of his/her duties, is responsible for reading all the Minutes, reports, bylaws, condominium rules, the Strata regulations ... and raise all sorts of red flags, should something not be the way it is supposed to be. Which is all very fine, fair and dandy. But in practicality, it is you the one that will move in, come Possession Date, not your Agent.

You may discover things that your Agent is not under any obligation to disclose, and which nevertheless will have an impact on the quiet possession and enjoyment of the unit you are set to buy. For example, you may find out that the owner next door has been fined repeatedly for playing the drums at midnight. Or that the fellow two floors up has this habit of tossing cigarette butts out the window, which will invariably land on your balcony. Or that there is no clothes washing and drying allowed from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Even an unusual number of noise complaints involving stereo and television sets will affect the quality of life in your new apartment.

When you move in and make the place you bought your home, it is the little things that count, not the legal garble - as much as that is also very important. So, if you discover that hanging red drapes is forbidden and you are just so crazy for red drapes - well, you may want to think twice about finalizing the purchase.

[ ] Do Condos Need Inspections? You Betcha!

In fact I am always fond of telling my Clients that condos need triple inspections: the ordinary professional home inspection to cover the elements of the unit you are about to purchase, such as electrical system, plumbing and heating components. The extraordinary professional inspection to establish the condition of the exterior upkeep of the building, roof, basement, recreational facilities if any, parking and storage areas and ventilation system as well as fire exits and hallways. Your own inspection of the building envelope and rainscreen, if any, by going through and understanding all Strata Minutes and Engineering reports commissioned by Strata, and by having your Agent do exactly the same.

It must be remembered that a strata development consists of strata lots, common property and common assets. Every strata owner owns a proportionate interest in the common property and common assets of the strata corporation. The owner cannot separate his or her interest in the strata lot from the proportionate interest in the common property and common assets, which means that the owner is liable for their maintenance, upkeep and eventual replacement. So therefore, get a professional to inspect them all.

[ ] Stay Away From High-Rent Developments

If you buy a house, you want to make sure that your neighbourhood is made up of people like you, who really make a commitment to the upkeep of their homes and to maintain the safety of the streets. This is the reason why it is not the best idea in the world to move into a street where most homes are rented. The same goes for condos.

When buying into a condo development, find out the ‘rental rate', that is the percentage of units that are rented out. The higher the percentage, the more concerned you should be. This is so, because the more tenants - and landlord/owners - there are in the building, the fewer people you will see willing to pitch in for long term improvements and ameliorations which, in ultimate analysis, will be counterproductive to the appreciation and stability of your investment.

If the rental rate is over 50 percent, do yourself a favour: go buy somewhere else.

[ ] Share As Few Walls As Possible

The rule of thumb in residential condominiums purchasing is that the more walls you share with other units, the more you will feel like being on Main Street on the Fourth of July - every single day for the rest of your life. The same goes for the floor and ceiling. It is going to be quieter, much quieter, to have only someone below you than to have people above and below you. This is the reason why corner suites are usually more expensive, and why top floor corner suites are ‘la crème de la crème'.

[ ] Check For Signs Of Aging

Old apartment buildings can be charming indeed, especially when the new high-rises look like big blob of concrete to you. But there are times when the old fashioned ‘character' can put you all the way back to prehistory, at the time when Homo was scavenging and foraging in the high plains of the East African savannah. Alright, I confess - I am not the ‘character' type of buyer, as I like everything new and ultra modern. However, if you are entertaining the idea of taking a leap into prehistory and buying a condo in an old apartment building, check for signs of dilapidation such as crumbling walls or roof, as well as verify whether the heating, cooling and ventilation systems are regularly serviced. If they are not, you may soon be paying extra monthly maintenance fees to fix breakdowns.

And do not disturb the ghost ...

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle at http://wwwrealestatechronicle.blogspot.com where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Writen by Brandon Bruce

San Diego is home to millions of beautiful apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes. Depending on the type of living arrangement you're looking for, and how much space you'll need, you should look at the appropriate San Diego real estate listings that fit your preferences and budget. Here are some of the San Diego real estate listing options you'll find:

Condo listings. The majority of the condos for in San Diego are for sale rather than for rent. Buying a condo could be a good financial move for you; condos are more affordable than homes but they still allow you to build equity and build credit. Condos in the San Diego area range in price from about $200,000 to $800,000. Although this may sound pricey, it is much more affordable than most of the area's real estate. Additionally, many of the condominiums in San Diego real estate are in gated communities, and you can find condos in just about every area of San Diego, from North County Inland and North County Coastal, to Central San Diego and South Bay. And if you have a family, you can still consider a condo—some of them have just as much space as a single-family home, if not more. There are also at least 5 schools in close proximity to each condominium complex, and some neighborhoods even have a community center that will keep you posted on the types of activities that are going on close to the neighborhood, including concerts, fine restaurants, and theater events. Some of the most well-known condo neighborhoods in San Diego include Mission Valley Condos, Cortez Hill, Nestor, and Lemon Grove.

Apartment Listings. When you're looking for apartment listings, set up a price range for yourself, and decide how many bedrooms you want. Be prepared to pay more if you want more space. Prices usually range from about $795-$2300 per month, and you can find studio, one, two, and three bedroom apartments within these price ranges. Of course, there are plenty of apartments to choose from in San Diego real estate listings, but surrounding cities such as Chula Vista, Oceanside, and Solana Beach can provide you with affordable luxury apartments that are outside the hustle and bustle of the big city, but close enough for you to get to any major sports or arts events you may want to attend.

Home Listings. You'll most likely have to go through similar procedures to search through San Diego real estate home listings as you would in any other area. However, after you have searched for some San Diego real estate listings online and via snail mail, you should contact a few real estate agents in the area to ask general questions about the area's real estate options for single family homes, neighborhood demographics, and local school district information. San Diego real estate gives you plenty to choose from, since it's a big city with lots of options for living arrangements. Be sure to work with a trustworthy local real estate agent that has sufficient experience, and schedule a visit to San Diego before finalizing anything—nothing can tell you for sure whether you really want to live somewhere besides seeing it.

With all the options that San Diego real estate has to offer, you'll be sure to find a home—or condo or apartment—that you'll enjoy. Good luck!

Inside Real Estate in a network entirely devoted to real estate information. Our staff of nationwide writers has provided a library of over 25,000 real estate articles. Inside-Real-Estate covers several topics from the basic "how to's" of real estate to city specific real estate information.