International Real Estate, Justin Trudeau and the Price of Rice in China

As real-estate grows more global along with the improved transparency and potential of the constantly evolving internet, real estate brokers have vast potential to gain profitable international, cross country business to which they did not until now have access to.

The business of dealing international real estate is on the rise, mostly as a result of the connectivity of the globe and the Internet.

International buyers acquired $153 billion of USA residential real estate in the twelve months thru March 2017, a jump of virtually 50% through the last twelve months and over ten percent of the market by sales volume! These stats are sourced from the National Association of Realtors and have got to be considered a fantastic barometer of what the future holds for real estate deals to foreign buyers.

A really appealing factor to sourcing your own international real estate buyers is how lucrative it is typically for the agency. Another consideration here is the actuality that countless international investors are likely to be high networth people hoping to grow their wealth as a result of making sensible investments outside their nation of origin.

I’ve been in real estate for many years but before that I was involved in politics as a MP of Canada. This video is me taking on the current Prime Minister of Canada in a boxing match.

Yet introducing the foreign investor to your repertoire isn’t going to be as simple as finding them can be complicated.

Approaching this segment of the industry however will involve overcoming a couple hurdles including language and currency to name a couple. Commonly though many international buyers are not likely to invest in to a country without doing their research and having steps in place to reduce any “lost in translation” problems.

As an example, China — a nation with a much different customs, language and real estate etiquette than the USA — dominated the U.S. international marketplace with $75.6 billion in activity in 2017, basically half of all USA real estate sold to international buyers that year.

So is there a better method for real estate professionals to position themselves for this sizeable, lucrative market?

CPROP’s end-to-end electronic transaction management system was made to expose real estate professionals to international prospects and help them to safely and transparently close deals. Don Halbert, CEO of TRESEO, uses this SaaS system to great success.

“We’ve used it now for just over a year and can definitively say it’s increased our exposure and bottom line with respect to international investors.” said Curry.

Technology is definitely crucial for any deal from start to finish. The following are a few of the different ways any broker can be part of this flourishing component of the real estate marketplace.

Sign up to a clear international program

Now do not go believing it will be easy to get in to the international real estate sector. Don’t go getting all dollars signs in your eyes rather than completely researching where on the net these communities may exist. Once you’ve found them you’ll have to hedge inwards and gain trust within the international real estate buyer community.

If the platform includes a provider directory with unfiltered market ratings and recommendations and additionally automated translations, better still.

Think reliability and security

Language barriers need to be expected and taken care of in order to have any international real estate transaction complete devoid of difficulties like fraud.

Preparing is vital to winning international real estate opportunities and included in planning one must consider trust and security.

Technology moves at an astonishing pace and today blockchain technology has entered the mix and forever changed the manner in which real estate agents do business online. Each time a contract is completed and executed, it could be registered to the blockchain, generating an immutable delivered record verified by a system of perhaps thousands of computers, therefore effectively protecting against any unnoticed changes to a contract.

In addition, realtors can use smart contracts to execute escrow, which supplies a secure method for home buyers to put up earnest cash. This is how many transactions are beginning to unfold with a little known company in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Real Estate (CRREC) is the top agency in that country and of their leading Costa Rica real estate agents, Gina had this to say.

“We seen a noticable rise in transactions of real estate within the country where people are choosing cryptocurrency over traditional methods. It’s interesting to say the least.”

Get accountable, efficient cooperation

One thing is closing offers inside of the country but it’s always a completely different thing when finalizing international transactions and these sales require even more care to ensure a clean closing. You will require a knowledgable lawyer in electronic transactions. One such attorney is Fernando Lopez, a Costa Rica lawyer specializing in these sorts of transactions.

Recognizing all the moving parts to your pending contacts, prospects and deals is vital to your success. Have you any idea about the real time status of anybody in your pipeline at the moment? If you’re not you really should.

All this being said, couldn’t you agree with the fact that an all inclusive electronic transactions SaaS system built to support international real estate transactions from start to finish, certainly be a welcome improvement to all real estate agents? Transactional clearness during any real estate deal is essential however couple that with a technology that can enhance your flow like assuring security, would forever transform the industry.

Pre-House Moving Tips

Moving into a new home has everyone exciting. Some people find a lot of fun in the whole process of moving to a new place.

While many also face confusions due to the hassle. The move can span of a few days where you have to plan, pack, clean and move altogether.

 

On top of that, there are new challenges ready for you upon arriving at your new home. It may be anything from deciding the color for the living room walls or where to fit the new sofa you bought, but having something new to worry about is irritating.

 

There can’t be any issues with the move if you follow these simple tips before making the move:

Painting:

Getting done with all the painting work before you move stuff is very helpful. That way, you won’t have to make space to protect your furniture and other items while painting.

Painting an empty house and not worrying to protect the furniture and closets is less time consuming than doing it later on.

Paint jobs in houses full of stuff also take more time because other activities may keep you occupied. Hiring someone or doing it yourself is your choice.

 

Key Management:

Counting all the keys in a house is impossible. One or two of them always disappear and you have to get them made again.

Check on the status of all the locks and keys before you move into the new house. Also, check for lock maintenance and strength.

Moreover, the previous owner might have given a spare to his watchman or gardener, so it is suggested that you replace all the locks before moving.

 

Electrical Modifications:

Not having electrical outlets where you need them can be one of the most frustrating things.

You can place your appliances where you pictured them without the right placement of electrical outlets. Homes with older builds can be a little frustrating for outlet distribution.

Also, if you have any maintenance issues in the future, your electrician must have nearby access to electricity so he can power his tools.

6 Things You Need to Know About Homeowners’ Associations Before You Buy Your New Home

Many complexes, apartment buildings, and condos have homeowners’ associations. These associations are responsible for maintaining these complexes. In such areas, the people who live here need to take joint responsibility for taking care of the communal areas and amenities. These associations also have rules that all homeowners must abide by. Here are a few things to consider by renowned Tallahassee real estate agent Suzanne McGhee.

1. Know the Rules

Find the relevant documentation online or from the estate agent. Make sure you know and understand all rules. Pay attention to rules that involve fines and non-payment.

2. Check That the House You are Looking at is Compliant

Before deciding to buy the house, check that the house is compliant to the rules of the homeowners’ association. If it is not, you might have a lot of problems when you move in. Find out what you need to do to make the house compliant.

3. Can You Deal With Being Told What to Do?

If you do not particularly like being told what you may and may not do, you might want to reconsider living where there are homeowners’ associations. Having to comply with the rules, might frustrate you. You might not enjoy your new home because of this.

4. Ask About Fees

Find out what the fees paid to the homeowners’ association covers. This way you will know which extras you will have to pay, for example, cable. Find out how often they increase the fees. Keep in mind that you will be paying fees for facilities like a swimming pool whether you use it or not. Ask yourself whether you will be using these facilities.

5. Attend a Homeowners’ Association Meeting

Try to attend a meeting or get the minutes of previous meetings before buying. This will indicate how the policies work, what drama is happening, etc. If you feel that the current board of the association is not managing the association well, reconsider buying a house there.

6. Look for Signs of Under-Management

The opposite of over managed areas is under-managed ones. Sometimes no-one cares enough or no-one is interested in maintaining the buildings and communal areas. In these areas, resident complaints are not addressed.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding What Type of Home You Want to Buy

If you are thinking about buying a new home, you are probably unsure about what to buy. There are so many options, how do you decide? Answer these 5 questions to get a better idea of what type of home will suit you best.

1. Do You Mind Communal Areas and Shared Walls?

If you do not like living close to other people a condo or apartment is not for you. You will be sharing walls, parking spaces, and communal areas. You will not have control of the property as you will be bound by rules set out by the homeowners’ association.

2. Not Ready for a House, But a Condo is too small?

Townhouses are somewhere between a house and a condo. It is bigger than a condo but has more privacy and less sharing. Some townhouses have small gardens and attached garages. They cost a bit less than houses and might be ideal for a small family.

3. Are You Ready for the Commitment of a House?

Buying a house might be one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. It is a huge expense in terms of the mortgage as well as maintenance. However, if you are prepared for this and you want to have privacy, buying a house will be ideal for you.

4. What Types of Rooms Do I Need?

Apart from the type of home, you also need to decide what your needs for the inside are. How many bedrooms and bathrooms your family needs are very important. The size of the kitchen might influence your decision if you need a big one.

5. Do I Want a Garden?

Another important question is whether you want or need a garden. If you have children or pets, you probably need space for them to run and play. A garden will then be a necessity. Homes with gardens might be more expensive depending on the size.

10 Things You Should Do the Day You Move Into Your New Dream Home

You just bought your dream home in Tallahassee and you are excited to get everything where you want it. Before you can, however, there are a few things that need to be done to get you settled and ready to unpack.

1. Get Your Utilities Up and Running

You probably already had all the utilities connected. Make a note of the meter readings for electricity and water in case of later disputes.

2. Unpack the Essentials

Your boxes for kitchen and bedding should be clearly marked. Unpack the bedding, shower essentials, and kitchen basics. You will want a comfy bed and a cup of coffee after the long day.

3. Inspect Everything

Take a very close look at everything in your new house. Look for damage of any kind, leaks, water stains, etc. Make a note of them all and even take photos. Remember to also check things in the garden and outer buildings.

4. Change the Locks

Change the locks to all outside doors to make sure that you and your family are the only ones with access.

5. Childproofing

If you have a baby or small children, childproofing is the next step. Make sure that all potential dangers are out of reach to keep your little ones safe.

6. Connect Fridge and Other Important Appliances

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house – it’s where the food is made. Connect the fridge, freezer, stove, washing machine and dishwasher. Unpack all the things that will make the kitchen the heart of your home.

7. Unpack

Finish unpacking your house and get everything in place.

8. Cleaning

Clean your house so it will feel fresh and new and homey.

9. Help Your Pets Adjust

The new environment will be strange and sometimes seem threatening to your pets. Help them adjust by making sure they are comfortable. Keep your cats in a single room for a few days and then let them explore the inside of the house. Watch your pets for signs of distress.

10. Change Your Address

Change your address and make the new home officially yours.