The Real Estate Professional

Long-term, passive real estate investments are typically sought out by those looking to plan for their heirs. Normally, the principal owner is a sophisticated real estate investor who wants to simplify asset holdings for the future.

Moreover, beneficiaries may be better served by owning an asset that provides a steady income stream along with the benefits of owning real estate. But estate planning can be complicated, and the transfer of assets to an estate must be handled by a qualified professional who is familiar with state and federal tax laws.

“Those looking for safer assets for their beneficiaries should be cognizant of various factors,” says Benjamin Hanan, shareholder at Sarasota law firm Abel Band Chartered. “Using net leased investments as an estate planning tool can be highly beneficial to both the investor and their beneficiaries. ”

Should a particular investor purchase and maintain their net leased investment until death, the investor’s estate will receive a step-up in basis to its fair market value as of the date of the investor’s death, thereby eliminating all of the deferred income tax on that investment. Thereafter, the investor’s beneficiaries receive the following benefits: a real estate investment; an income stream; and an asset in which they possess a relatively high basis such that if they sell the asset in the future, they can minimize the taxes paid in connection with a read more

Foreclosure Real Estate Investing: How NOT To Lose Your Shirt At The Foreclosure Sale For real estate professionals, this past year has been one of the most painful in recent times — defaults are up, homeownership is down, foreclosures have soared and the poorly performing housing sector is starting to create negative ripple effects in the broader national economy. Since all projections indicate that 2008 will be equally as challenging, should property investors run for the hills, put all their money in AAA rated munis, and ride out the storm until the next boom? Absolutely not! There’s no question that 2008 will bring reduced housing demand, lower prices in some areas, and fewer loan options, yet 2008 looks strong for treasure hunters. At HMB, we’ve been seeing investors scoop up bank REO’s for 40 to 50 cents on the dollar and selling them off at nice profits. After all, people will always buy property if they can get a great deal, no matter what the market conditions. Your job is to simply find the best deals. Many great deals will most certainly come from foreclosures over the next 24 months.

If you intend to jump into foreclosure auctions, follow these tips to help insure a profitable transaction: A� Do your homework: I recently had one of my investors call me and ask me if he would be risking anything greater than his security deposit if he simply walked away from a house he purchased at auction. Because he was intimately read more

At the Government level many new policy initiatives have been taken recently to boost the real estate Property in India . These policy decisions will lend a stimulus and impetus to the industry. It is beyond doubt that the new initiatives will unlock the potential of the sector. Also, along with the stimulus package announced by the Government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a definitive step whereby banks are allowed to devise new schemes beneficial to the property sector.

As part of the Government initiatives to boost real estate boom sector India, RBI has declared concessional schemes for the real estate sector. Such initiatives include:* Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 (ULCRA) repealed by increasingly larger number of states. * In case of integrated townships, the minimum area to be developed has been brought down to 25 acres from 100 acres. * 51 per cent FDI allowed in single-brand retail outlets and 100 per cent in cash-and-carry through the automatic route. * Full repatriation of original investment after three years. * Minimum capital investment for wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures stands at US$ 10 million and US$ 5 million, respectively. * 100 per cent FDI allowed in realty projects through the automatic route.

Further, in its endeavour to initiate new policies to boost the real estate sector in India, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has taken steps to reduce the time read more