What do you do when the news tells you that the Real Estate market is in shambles? Change your spending habits. Become a ‘Cash Buyer’, wait to buy your next home until you can really afford it, and evaluate your own happiness with what you currently have.

Years ago when credit was not so readily available, people would rent, save, and buy a home in cash. To supplement the purchase price and increase in monthly expenses many would take on ‘boarders’ (as my Grandma has always called them).

Obviously current home prices are well beyond most people’s ability to buy in ‘cash’. But by buying a home with a significant down payment, you save thousands on interest and insurance costs, all the while making you less vulnerable to credit crises like the one we’re experiencing today.

Becoming a ‘Cash Buyer’ requires patience of course. Although credit card companies have conditioned us to buy now, pay later, we still have the ability to choose our own financial health. The first step is to learn how to wait for good things to come.

By waiting you leave yourself open to endless possibilities that can result in your own financial wellbeing. Just think, instead of buying that big mortgage, I mean home (oops), last year, you could have waited until now to buy at a significant cash savings!

While money is an extremely important part of our lives, happiness is still number one. If you’re not happy in your current home, what makes you think an extra 500 square feet will make it so? Look at what you have and what you can afford.

If your family is growing in size or your income has increased over the past year, then of course you could probably use a new home. But if you already have luxuries you don’t use and feel you have to move to show off to your friends, the extra costs of your new home will only be a burden on your self and your family.

Ultimately the credit crunch has put many people in a tough situation. Many are homeless and have lost their life savings all while destroying their credit history. By becoming a ‘Cash Buyer’, exercising patience, and doing only what truly makes you happy, you can only benefit from times like this.

With cash in your pocket and low monthly bills you and your family will be able to weather any storm. So enjoy your life, and make the decisions that suit you best. And try not to get caught up in the promises of instant gratification.

Moving from an apartment into your own two story home is a liberating experience. You have more free space than ever before, have room to entertain guests, and can play the TV as loud as you want all night long. But is there a price to be paid? I say yes. It takes away my precious time.

In a recent article a fellow blogger pointed out,

“In the case of larger homes, we sometimes work all weekend long, too — on home improvements, renovations and maintenance.”

While having a large, beautifully renovated home provides the private sanctuary you well deserve, spending all weekend keeping it in shape really defeats the purpose. Seriously, who wants to spend 90% of their free time working to make the other 10% only a little bit better? Not me!

Can you spend a little bit more on your remodel to have it built for you in less time than you could do it yourself? Hiring an expert to do something that enhances your life is the best use of your time. That way you can actually enjoy your new room rather than spend all summer building it.

I opt for buying smaller homes, and choosing only the home projects that will bring meaning to your life and take less time to maintain. When making major life decisions (like buying a new home) consider both the benefit and the sacrifice it takes to enjoy it.

By choosing the right home projects for you, you can improve your life without taking away your precious time. Think of it this way, you may not have the biggest home on the block, but you’re family will appreciate having you around to enjoy it.

A recent blog post about Extreme Makeover recipients going into foreclosure sparked a discussion about a healthy topic that is rarely debated – the fairness of property tax.

As one commenter stated,

“I’ve always maintained that property tax is one of the worst taxes this nation ever devised because it is not based on a property owner’s ability to pay.”

I couldn’t agree more. Let’s take a look at both sides of the debate and see whether property tax is necessary, or just an abuse of government power.

In Favor of Property Tax:

1. The land we live on belongs to our government. We are given the right to own property of our choosing and pay for that right through property taxes.
2. Property taxes pay for public government programs that could not be funded through other means. Education, infrastructure, and public service is all funded through your property tax.
3. If property tax were abolished, we would see a significant increase in sales and income taxes to make up the lost revenue.
4. With the government running a consistent deficit and the economy in the shape it is currently in, removing that tax would cause more harm than good. Is it not better for some unfortunate residents to lose their home than the United States Government losing its ability to pay its debt load? The consequences could be dire.

Against Property Tax:

1. Americans are given the right to own property, but as John Anderson stated, “In the current system, we’re all renters.” Although I could pay off my home today, a significant tax increase could force me to leave my property and possibly go into foreclosure. Not only would it leave me with a tax bill I could not afford, but it would also steer away many potential buyers for my home.
2. Many people in this country have jobs less than average pay, and lack the experience or skills required to earn more. Why should they be punished for wanting to own a home? Leaving property tax valuation in the hands of third parties leaves these families at great risk of foreclosure, as seemingly insignificant increase can be the difference between owning a home and being out on the street.
3. For many citizens, housing is the greatest investment of their lives. Many pay down their mortgage throughout their working lives in the promise of having a comfortable retirement. With increases in infrastructure and living costs constantly on the rise, it is certain that property taxes will rise continuously throughout a homeowner’s life. But what happens when they’re retired and living on fixed incomes? Do they then have to choose between eating and paying their tax bill?

Clearly the argument is inconclusive. On one hand, property taxes fund some of the most basic needs of a functioning society. It gives the government a consistent source of income to supplement sales and income taxes based on the land that it owns. On the other hand, property taxes are not based on the citizen’s ability to pay, therefore leaving their fates in the hands of the government.

The only truth in the matter is that property taxes will not disappear without a supplemental increase in income and sales taxes. So what is a homeowner to do but keep paying and hope tax rates stay within reason? I can promise you, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

10 Reasons to Move to Vancouver

Author: Tyler Fawcett

Located in beautiful British Columbia, Vancouver is one of Canada’s premier cities and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The rugged mountain that frame the north shore are a picturesque contrast to the splendor of the Pacific Ocean and beaches. This is one of the few places where you can go windsurfing in the morning and skiing in the evening. But, there are more than just a few reasons to consider a move to Vancouver.

1. Beautiful Homes - Homes in Vancouver are simply stunning. Whether you are looking for a home or condo, the design of homes in Vancouver is without equal. Many of Vancouver’s homes feature beautiful views of both the mountains and the ocean. Also many of the homes in the downtown area showcase views of the famous Stanley Park.

2. People - Vancouver is one of the friendliest cities you will find. There is a great sense of community and it does not take long to to merge into any of Vancouver’s neighborhoods.

3. Investment - In the past years the value of Vancouver real estate has been soaring and there is no indication that this trend will stop. Vancouver is a popular location for real estate investment as the rental market is very strong.

4. Recreation - Vancouver offers a huge variety of recreational options. There are few places in the world that can showcase such a range of activities and pastimes. The great weather is one of the factors that contributes to the year-round recreation choices.

5. Education - The city of Vancouver offers a great system of schools both public and private. The public school system along provides education to over 56,000 students every year. In addition there are fantastic post secondary options such as the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design as well as a host of community and specialty colleges.

6. Employment - Vancouver is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to work. Vancouver is a port city and as such is a hub of shipping and industry. There is also a thriving tourist and accommodation industry that is one of the strongest in Canada.

7. Climate - Vancouver is famous for its temperate climate. The beautiful weather of the Pacific Northwest is a major selling point in and of itself. This area is one of the last temperate rainforest ecosystems left in North America.

8. Expansion - Over the past years Vancouver has grown exponentially and with the coming of the Winter Olympics in 2010 the city is undergoing numerous upgrades. This is expanding upon an already impressive array of amenities and services.

9. Shopping - The City of Vancouver is host to some of the best shopping in Canada. A great fashion district centered on Robson Street is also host to a lively arts culture. There are a large variety of malls and shops including the historic and trendy Granville Island Public Market.

10. Scenery - Simply put, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The contrast of the ocean and mountains is a scenic value that is hard to beat. The addition of the lush forests and parks that surround the city only add to a visual package that is unrivaled.

Article Source
About the Author:
M Shane is a member of the REW Writers Team. A collective publication network facilitated by  Real Estate Webmasters.  Each article is contributed by a member of our  real estate community . This particular article was submitted on behalf of  Jay Banks. For more info on Vancouver homes and condos contact Jay today!

Canadian Real Estate Think Vancouver City

Author: Nicholas Marr

Overseas property buyers seeking a place to buy in Canada need to have a good look at Vancouver. This city seems to be the place for sound investment and relocation to Canada. It has been rated as one of the best places to live, a 2007 report by Mercer Human Resource Consulting tied the city with Vienna as having the third highest quality of living in the world, after Z’h and Geneva. The good news does not stop there a strong economy and a housing market that is robust are other reasons why Vancouver is my tip for the top.

Vancouver has traditionally relied on British Columbia’s resource sectors: forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture. It has diversified over time, however, and Vancouver today has a vibrant service industry, a growing tourism industry.

As United States and some Canadian real estate markets have been hit by the slowdown in housing sales, Vancouver continues to shine. While things might look to slow a little, prices will still increase and the city in western Canada expects to be doing a brisk business throughout this year and into the foreseeable future.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which serves as the country’s national housing agency, is predicting an 8% increase in home prices for the metro Vancouver area. That’s in comparison to an 11% increase for all of 2007, and will still leave the city with the highest prices in the country. Evidence suggested that Vancouver house prices are going to continue to increase.

Vancouver is an attractive city to many people across the globe, not just in Canada. Its moderate climate and location on the water make it a nice place to live year round, and many of the new home buyers are coming from overseas. The current low US dollar has led to an increase in buyers from Europe and Asia, where the currencies are stronger. Additionally, western Canada is experiencing a boom in its economy. High oil and commodities prices are good for this part of the country, and unemployment is very low.

Vancouver has a great future as it movie making reputation grows, it has become the third-largest film production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York City, earning it the nickname Hollywood North.

Many of the buyers in Vancouver are going after high-end condominiums in or near downtown. There are many new condo towers that are under construction, but four in particular are doing much better than anticipated. These four luxury hotel-condominium towers now under construction are the Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La, Fairmont Pacific Rim and Hotel Georgia. They are getting prices of more than $3,000 per square foot, compared with an average for downtown condos of $725 per square foot.

With an attractive location, strong economy and many other advantages, Vancouver looks to continue to be a hot market for some time to come.

Article Source

About the Author:
Author Nicholas Marr has a passion for international real estate and has gained his unique perspective in his capacity as director of the international property websites at http://www.homesgofast.com and http://canada.homesgofast.com

With the advent of the Internet, people across the country have direct access to anything they want to know or buy, including real estate. Here are five methods that you can use to find Realtors in the information age:

1. Look in the phone book (or YellowPages.com):
Tried and true, you can search a directory of advertisements to find Realtors you want to interview. 5 - 10 phone calls later and you’ll have your appointments booked, ready to learn what potential Realtors can do for you.

2. Online Search (like Google):
Some search for “Realtors in (insert your city here)” and come up with a wide range of Realtor websites, along with services from Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow. Occasionally a Realtor’s website will make it to the front page, so you may be able to find a Realtor to sell your home.

3. Referrals from friends and family:
The easiest and quickest way to find a Realtor is to ask a trusted family member. It’s much easier to trust a testimonial from a family member compared to published reviews on a Realtor’s website. Just make sure that your Mom’s Realtor can suit your specific needs, otherwise start at #1 again!

4. Vertical Search Engines (like Trulia):
Can’t find a Realtor to sell your home? Search the listings to find a house similar to yours and contact the listing agent. At the very least, you will be talking with someone who knows your area and can give you an educated market evaluation. Just be sure to ask the right questions. Just because he works in your area doesn’t mean you’ll want to work with him.

5. Social search (like GoGlobe.org):
If you’re a member of GoGlobe.org, you probably have a couple Realtors as ‘Contacts’. Send them a private message and see if they can meet with you about your home. If not, ask them if they can refer you to a Realtor in your area. If you trust your ‘Contact’ then it can be just as rewarding as a family referral.

So when you’re looking to sell your home, finding the right Realtor will make the process much less stressful. Use the way that works for you and just be sure to ask the right questions! You will be happy you did when it comes time to close escrow.

How can GoGlobe.org help out with my Home Projects, you ask? Tap into your GoGlobe Community to find out.

Get Advice from experienced Professionals by posting a question in the Q&A or by messaging Professionals privately.

Find out how much your Project will likely cost, how long it should take, what steps are involved, which Professionals you need to hire and what options you have for completing it. Don’t waste your time sifting through information that doesn’t apply to you, get real answers from real people.

Get Ideas for your own Home Projects by browsing Home Projects in your Community, or by searching for recently completed Projects that you’re interested in.

See what your neighbor’s new kitchen looks like without even going for dinner! Check out fabulous ideas on bathroom renovations or see the newest tricks on landscaping. When you find a Project you like, you can view click to view the Portfolios of the Professionals that worked on that Home Project for even more inspiration.

Get Involved by meeting other people in your community and attending events that interest you.

Send messages to your neighbours, host an event to help clean up your streets or visit the Parade of Homes near by. GoGlobe.org is all about people helping each other, so don’t be shy, just say hi!

Use the Interactive GoGlobe Project Management System to help your Home Projects run smoothly. Don’t worry, it’s not a bunch of complicated technology stuff. It’s just a way for you to stay in touch with all of the people involved in the Project and keep important dates in mind.

Step 1. Post your Home Project. Fill out the details and set your status to seeking Professional.

Step 2. When you find Professionals that you want to hire, add them to your contacts list. Then, go into your Projects and click ‘Add Professional’. Select the Professionals from your contact list that you want to work on your Home Project.

Step 3. Organize when each person should be doing what and input the dates and times on the Project Calendar.

Step 4. Use the Project Message Board to get your messages out to all members of the Project. The window guy can’t make it today? Easily change your dates and let everyone know, without a hundred phone calls.

Step 5. Set the status of your Project to Completed once the project is wrapped up. Upload “After” pictures and notes to share with your friends, and leave references for the Professionals that you’d recommend.

The next generation of homeowners will start their search for Professional services online. This proposes a unique challenge for you: trying to be where your customers are looking.

It’s no longer as simple as buying an advertisement in the local real estate news or asking your friends for referrals. You need to be tapped in, even on top of the Internet in order to reach customers who are in the market for your services. This means that you have to spend your time, money and mental health on things like building websites, SEO and getting involved in social media.

Let’s face it, you’re not a website developers or a graphic designer; you’re hard working Home Professional that needs to spend your time helping and serving your clients. And we created GoGlobe.org because we think that’s exactly what you should be doing.

When you join GoGlobe.org you’ll get a free Professional Profile with your own URL to display with your Portfolio of work, References from past clients, and information on what separates you from your competitors. Then you can begin communicating with local consumers, getting involved in your community and meeting other people with similar interests and careers.

All you have to do is complete our quick registration and fill out your easy to use Profile.

You’ll also be able to:

1. Manage Home Projects with all people involved
2. Keep in touch with all of your contacts in seconds
3. Promote Events and Promotions you’re offering

Visit our website for your to get your pre-release invitation to use GoGlobe.org!

Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?

Here’s how it works: Homeowners use GoGlobe.org to get help with their Home Projects and to find Home Professionals to work on them. You can help those Homeowners out with advice, tips and even by offering them your services.

Here are a few ways to get the most exposure in your community:

Fill Up That Profile!
Our search engine picks up on content that you put into your profile. If you don’t have anything there, you won’t appear near the top of the search results. Don’t be frugal about adding your own personal touch as well. Homeowners use keywords to find Professionals that will be best suited to their needs, so describe yourself richly!

Getting your past clients or colleagues to leave your References can also help you get more business. When Homeowners can verify that a variety of people think you do good work, they’ll be more likely to want to work with you. Similarly, beefing up your Portfolio of Home Projects can only help. Add Home Projects that you’ve completed, and one’s that you’re still working on. Even better, add the Professionals you worked with and the Homeowners you worked for to the Project so you show up on even more Profiles.

Add Your Contacts
As described above, adding your clients and associates can help you fill up your profile with References and Home Projects. Homeowners also look at who you’re associated with in your community. The more reputable people that you’re associated with, the more trust worthy you look.

Answer Questions in the Q&A
Everyone has their expertise, and sharing yours can help you get more business. Most Homeowners will gather information and ask for advice before starting their own Home Projects. If you offer solid advice in their pre-development stage of the Project, you’re more likely to get their business.

You can also search for Home Projects in your community that are seeking professionals to work on them and offer your advice to the Homeowners.

Upgrade to Premium
Get more profile capabilities to show off your experience to potential clients. To learn more about Premium Membership view our post on it.