Thursday 27 February 2014

Pros and Cons of Rehabbing Properties




Rehabbing properties is more or less like flipping properties to earn profits. Flipping involves buying assets below market prices and sells it on higher prices to earn commissions. Real estate investors usually purchase residential units for this purpose as prospective home buyers prefer to choose a house that is spacious and well equipped with all modern life amenities. The process involves quick fixing of major structural issues followed by selling flipped residential unit as soon as possible. In contrast rehabbing involves more efforts and thorough renovation of house. The process starts with choosing a right house, which has strong potential to make good profits.

Real estate investors purchase a residential unit with the aim to evaluate total cost to improve property before finalizing the deal. Experienced investors who are good at making such investments sometimes prefer to carry out minor home improvement work themselves but in some cases they pay money to handyman professionals to renovate residential units for them. At the end, when all major issues are fixed, investors can start searching for potential buyers by making online advertisements or in news papers.  Both the processes are little bit risky and it is not a simple shortcut for everyone to become a real estate investor. But only those who have right skills of making profits with such real estate property deals will get success with such property deals.

Rehabbing residential units has become a hot choice among real estate investors in last few years. Media and online marketing campaigns also play an active role to make it famous across the world. Like all other real estate investments, house rehabbing also has its pros and cons. Following are common advantages and disadvantages of Rehabbing properties.


Advantages of Rehabbing Houses

Amusing and Healing Experience
Several people might not consider it as an advantage but it will always gives you good feeling and excitement to move the house from a condition where it need some touch-ups to a house that contain elegance and comfort. If you are professional real estate investor who love to decorate houses in unique style and design then it will be a great opportunity for you.
Chances of huge profits
The activity also enables investors to make huge profits as compared to wholesaling properties. As well as it also let them earn big lump of money as compared of fixed rental earnings.
Flexible for multiple Markets
Another major advantage of choosing rehabbing houses is that an investor can implement this process in any real estate property market whether the market is progressing or in loss. This real estate investment has different approach as compared to others that are made to earn profits when market is in fast progressing phase. Usually investors purchase property units with the aim to earn profits when the market shows good profit earning opportunities. Whereas investing in rehabbing properties, investors are adding value to residential units to improve profits rather sitting idle and wait till market recovers.
Flexible for multiple Markets
Another major advantage of choosing rehabbing houses is that an investor can implement this process in any real estate property market whether the market is progressing or in loss. This real estate investment has different approach as compared to others that are made to earn profits when market is in fast progressing phase. Usually investors purchase property units with the aim to earn profits when the market shows good profit earning opportunities. Whereas investing in rehabbing properties, investors are adding value to residential units to improve profits rather sitting idle and wait till market recovers.

Disadvantages of Rehabbing Houses

High Risks
It is considerably risky as compared to other real estate investment options because real estate investors are spending extra money to improve appearance and standard of living of a residential unit you have purchased for rehabbing. You have to be very careful in choosing residential unit in order to avoid failures.
Extra Money is involved
Rehabbing properties means you are going to spend considerable amounts of money. Investors have to spend money on renovating homes in addition to price of purchase of residential unit. The best way before making such type of real estate investments is to find what types of rehab loans are provided by financial institutions. Check whether you are qualifying for it or not. Try to obtain big reserve of funds in form of loan because you may not be able to calculate total cost of home rehabbing unless you will start the project.
Time Involved
Real estate investors always try to reduce time bracket of investments they are making. Especially if they are planning to purchase a house for flipping or rehabbing, they attempt to complete all essential maintenance and renovation work as soon as possible. Their primary aim is to make profits, but usually such projects need more time from purchase to sale. It may be possible you will not get any profits for six months or more as it always takes more time to rebuild or renovate parts of houses.
Making investments in real estate sector has gained tremendous popularity among investors across the world. Market offers several types of real estate investments for investors. But investors have to consider few important things like capital amount they can invest and type or real estate investment. The best way to choose making a real estate investment is to do a little search about its pros and cons. It will really help them to avoid risky investments.

Thursday 20 February 2014

Real Estate Trends 2014 for UAE



After being recovered in year 2013 market had regained its confidence. Gradual rises in asset prices were observed for both selling and rental prices. Prices were increased up to 20-30 percent. High price rises had drawn attention of Governmental authorities to design and implement regulatory initiatives to control market. New mortgage cap for local and overseas property buyers and rental caps for landlords and tenants are few important regulatory initiatives that are benefiting the whole market. However, market is showing good progress after recovery the successful bid to host EXPO 2020 further increases market sentiment. Whereas business and trade sectors also showed significant rises in activity. After observing market and investment trends Jones Lang LaSalle’s an international real estate consultancy firm has declared possible UAE real estate trends for 2014. 

EXPO 2020 win to become the host is predicted to boost up hospitality, logistics and retail sectors in long run while real estate sector is said to get benefited temporarily. Sudden rises in buying and renting prices especially around Dubai World Central which is the exhibition site for this event. 

Avoid creating another bubble


Having considered the uncertain increases in residential property prices and insecure investment practices have enabled experts to predict the danger of another property bubble. In actual market is seems to be smarter this time as investors are more concerned. Investors are not showing dependency over, pre-sales and sub-developers. Moreover, better regulation and construction of huge property developments on demand efficiently maintain new supply without creating bubble.

Mega construction projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi



Number of mega projects has been started upon buyers demand. Most of them are huge projects that were stalled during global financial crisis. After careful planning the leading UAE emirates’ Dubai and Abu Dhabi have decided to start projects to fuel the market. Dubai Canal, Dubai Waterfront and Mohammad Bin Rashid are the few remarkable projects in year 2014. Whereas in Abu Dhabi, Yass Island, Saadiyat Island and Capital District (Zayed City) are the mega projects which are expected to be the execute demands. 

Major construction sites in year 2014

According to recently approved Dubai Urban Planning frame work, massive construction work in coming years will be clustered in south region with Dubai World Central. Upcoming projects are exhibition site for EXPO 2020 and Al Maktoum Airport. Likewise, substantial construction work is planned for central Dubai to fill out gaps amid scattered developments. Mohammed Bin Rashid City is good example of this trend. Moreover, Abu Dhabi has identified strategic locations to start mega construction projects to upgrade city’s infrastructure to execute its vision for year 2030. 

2014 is said to be less impacted by EXPO 2020 


Despite excitement and expectations associated with the mega success of EXPO 2020, 2014 will be less impacted. Limited activity is expected especially in real estate sector. On the other hand, the world event is supposed to benefit hospitality, logistics and retail in long run. To better manage excessive supply of new units careful management is required till 2020. 

New funding approach

Most preferred funding options for real estate sector in year 2014 include equity, REITs and IPOs. Pre-sales will fund residential sector whereas pre-leases and build to suit will be funding new office projects. UAE banks have become more cautious and avoid funding real estate purchases. It has been predicted that IPO’s and bond will only limited to few major investors in UAE real estate. 

Local and regional investors will be ruling investor

Total transactions of more than AED162 billion were recorded for year 2013 by Dubai Land Department. For the recent year it has been predicted that local and regional investors will be showing strong interest in investing whereas western institutional investors are expected to show less interest in investing in Dubai property. Rather they are more focused to secure income as compared to taking risks of failure. 

Significant corporate growth

Corporate sector is showing significant increase in demand of office space as most of the companies are showing their interest in investing more capitals for their business expansion. Rise in demand is expected to continue as organizations are looking for more innovative workplace solutions to transform their workplace environment. The real estate is showing little growth as compared to employment levels.  Organizations are showing remarkable interest in transforming their work place with open floor spaces and hot desking. 

Greener building trends


Being the major discussion during year 2013, green building will be the major focus of Dubai and Abu Dhabi developers. They are now focusing on sustainability while constructing commercial and residential buildings. Abu Dhabi government has enforced Estidama pearl rating for new constructions whereas in Dubai developers are required to obtain LEED certification for their project. Primary aim behind implementing these regulations to achieve sustainability certificate is to rank Dubai among ten most sustainable cities by the end of 2020.  Constructing greener buildings will be the major trend in 2014. 

Implementation of new property measurement standards

In September 2013, new international property measurement standards (IPMS) were implemented for better market regulation. Newly implemented measurement of standards efficiently aligned difference among calculations of rentable and saleable areas. Another regulatory change is which is going to be implemented in April 2014 is strict restrictions to entitle for valuation work. 

Investment in hotel sector

It is expected that hotel sector will receive huge investments this year across UAE. The hospitality sector is expected to perform strongly. Investors are willing to make huge investments after considering the enormous interest of travelers and holiday makers to visit Dubai. More sales are expected as compared to last year.

Dubai property investors with realistic approach can efficiently plan their investment strategy after considering the UAE real estate trends for year 2014. This will enable them to avoid showing unnecessary enthusiasm and help them to better maintain market without making property bubbles.