Low risk investments are those investments that historically have proven to rise over time with low downside volatility.

Many people believe that the lower the risk the lower the return, however there are exceptions to the rule and one of these is investing in land.

UK Land – A Low Risk Investment

When most investors think about low risk investments they don’t think about land - they normally think of bonds, money market funds, savings accounts, and blue chip stock mutual funds.

Land however has proved itself as a low risk investment, and in the right location, land can yield a return far above traditional low risk investments.

With a 920% average growth over twenty years, UK land values have provided much better returns for astute investors than most discretionary asset advisors - even in high-risk investments such as growth mutual funds.

The Advantages of Buying UK Land

The advantage of buying UK land is that demand is out stripping supply and this scenario looks set to remain in place for the near future.

Many international investors are now buying into UK land - here are five reasons why:

1. The UK needs 4,400,000 new homes over the next 20 years.

2. Houses in 90% of towns in the UK are unaffordable for first time buyers, and low cost housing can rectify this.

3. The UK is the second most densely populated country in Europe and has a fast rising migrant population creating strong demand.

4. Over the last 30 years, the demand for new homes has increased by 30%, whereas over the same period house building rates have dropped by over 50%.

5. Action is now urgently required to address the acute shortfall in affordable housing.

Low Risk Investments and Diversification

Most asset advisors recommend spreading your investment portfolio into several different asset classes to maximize income and capital growth potential, and land can provide the perfect diversification.

Land is an easy to understand investment, unlike stocks or equities, you own something that’s real, and it has historically risen in value. Many investors believe that buying land is expensive and in the past, this was true, but now there are many companies catering for the smaller investor.

What’s the Catch?

All investors want to make big money and get rich quick, but most sensible investors know there is no such thing as money for nothing and they are correct.

The location of the land provides the risk in land investing - to make capital growth from land investment and maximise capital gains you need to buy land that is ripe for development. This means the land to built on is located in a sought after area. This requires research and homework, but there are many reputable companies offering this service so you can rely on expert advice in planning your land investment strategy.

Maximising Risk and Reward

Of course, a hedge fund investment could provide you with greater growth potential, but land, taking into account the risk / reward, makes it a very attractive addition to your portfolio.

We quoted an average gain of 920% in UK Land values over twenty years, and the important point here is that this was the average. With careful selection of the location in which you buy your land, gains could of course be much larger.

In conclusion, land gives you above average gains combined with low downside risk, and you should consider making land a part of your low risk investments strategy.

To learn more about investing in UK land and other low risk high return land investments please visit our web site: http://www.lpgroupinternational.com

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Buy the Best House in the Market

Buying a house marks a new beginning. How do you know that you’re getting your dream house and not straining your credit limit?

Get yourself a “pre-approved” certificate from a lender. This certificate gives the seller the assurance that you have enough money to buy their property. Securing a Pre-Approved certificate would range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the status if the request. But it’s worth the trouble of waiting. It increases the chances of you getting the best deal in the market.

Selling up a property if you have one before acquiring a new one would also help. It is because paying for the property upfront could get you into a great deal of getting a discount. It is because some property owners think of either letting a prospective buyer who would buy the property at once or waiting for a buyer to sell his present property before buying the new one. And in most cases, the seller would not pass up on the chance on having their property bought up at once.

Know what you want. It is always knowing what you wanted matters. Sticking to these is the key of successfully acquiring your dream house. Upon seeing different houses, you will see a whole new picture of everything. But do you want these in the first place? At the on set, you may seem enamored by the beautifully manicured lawns of a certain estate but attached to it is a responsibility of maintenance. More so if you’re not really into gardening. It would only cost you more to pay for someone to look after it or suffer the sight of drying lawn. Stick to the basics and what you really have planned on buying.

Don’t be misled by advertisements. Advertisements only contain positive things about a property. That is why it’s called an advertisement. Many things are left out in putting up an ad. It would not say that crime rates have been high recently or the neighborhood is plagued by gangsters. Check out the house itself. Does it suit your needs? Is it well ventilated? Is the house well-built? It would be your haven for a number of years so be sure that the house would be comfortable to the occupant.

Consider the resale value of the estate. Things change. Most likely there will come a time that you will have to sell your home. Know how long it will take to sell the estate for the future. Knowing how long the “for sale” sign has been sitting by the front yard would give you enough knowledge about the market pacing.

Find out more about houses and homes at Leeds property sale

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Gather around children for a tale of royal power. Far back in history the king owned everything. (Does that remind you of Donald Trump?). Occasionally the king would grant property to a duke. Property ownership meant wealth, so the king would demand that the duke pay yearly taxes. To this very day much of the money that supports government comes from property taxes, for you see children, government is still king.

If the property owner fails to pay the tax the county government places a lien on that property. Every year property tax liens are sold at auction to the highest bidder. If the property owner fails to satisfy that tax lien the new owner of the lien can begin foreclosure and acquire the property. That seldom happens, but it is possible. Usually the liens are redeemed (paid) before the time limit expires.

You’ve probably seen the TV infomercial extolling the benefits of buying property tax liens. It’s true, property tax liens usually pay an above average rate of interest (it varies from state to state) and the lien is secured by some kind of real estate.
Because of the infomercial and real estate seminars, tax lien investing has became very popular. There was a time in some counties when few people would show up at the property tax lien auction. These days the seminar gurus often arrive with bus loads of students ready to bid.

A good investment, yes, but there are some surprises for the uninformed. Because property tax sales occur each year, there may be liens on the same property, for different tax years held by different investors. Like this… Bill bought the 1980 lien; Hillary bought the 1981 lien and George was the successful bidder the next year when the 1982 liens were offered.

Here in Arizona the law is very clear that tax liens for different tax years held by different private parties have parity among themselves. So if the redemption period for Bill’s 1980 tax lien had expired without being paid he could foreclose on the property, but his foreclosure would not wipeout the liens held by Hillary and George. Bill might have a right to the property, but he could not get clear title until he pays off Hillary and George.

If Hillary and George had been influenced by that infomercial and thought that they could scoop up ownership of property for the simple price of a tax lien, well they are more than a little disappointed.

Oh, there could be one more surprise. Sometimes the state owns tax liens. When the state government forecloses all other privately held property tax liens are turned into waste paper.

Property tax liens certainly can be a good investment if you always keep one fact one mind… You are the duke and the government is the king!

Mark Walters teaches real estate investing from his web site… http://www.CashFlowInstitute.com

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August 17, 2006

How to Make Home Buying Fun

Fun and purchasing a home are probably two concepts that cannot be further apart.

Instead of being fun, purchasing a home might prove to be nerve-wracking and stressful. This is understandably so since this is an investment that spans a lifetime – a whole set of generations even.

Buyers are intimidated by the various dimensions that make purchasing a home troublesome – the legal aspects, the financial aspects, dealing with brokers, agents, insurance, and others purchase concerns.

But dissecting these roadblocks and adding some spice to you choice of property could make this life-changing decision an enjoyable one.

Step 1: Assess your finances

The question here is can the buyer actually afford payments for a home. The buyer may want to consult a financial adviser as to the strategy he or she may employ in paying for a home. This is imperative especially if the buyer has a troublesome credit history and other financial obligations. The buyer must also reach a compromise between payment capability and desired property.

Step 2: Survey

With the explosion of information in today’s age, it becomes more exciting to search for possible properties. Newspapers, advertisements, referrals, brochures, and even the internet all give the buyer more choices and better options. Buyers should take full advantage of this information glut to facilitate his or her decision regarding a house.

Step 3: Learn from Others

If the buyer is a first-timer, he or she does not have to make the common mistakes newbies commit. He or she should contact people who have been in the same circumstance and learn from their experience. This will save the buyer from a great deal of grief later.

Even grizzled veterans of such purchases would do well to seek advice from trusted colleagues on the matter.

Step 4: Find an Suitable Agent

This is one of the most underestimated, yet important aspects of home buying. Most buyers end up with an agent by sheer accident. It would do well for the buyer to do research and contact an agent whose strategy and skills fit the buyer’s needs.

A skillful agent can save the buyer a great deal of trouble and is instrumental in a successful sale.

Step 5: Close the deal

A great deal of discussion and paperwork in involved in closing a deal. However, if the preceding steps were accomplished well, this step will most probably be exciting instead of worrying. Here, the buyer and the seller come to terms with the financial details, paperwork, and other details vital to the sale. If this comes up right, the buyer can now come home to an exciting new home.

Find out more about houses and homes at Leeds property sale

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Buying and financing a home today can be overwhelming. Here are some questions to ask your lender so that you can make informed decisions.

Are both fixed-rate and adjustable mortgage loans available? What is the interest rate?

How long can I “lock-in” the financing at the current interest rate?

Is a float down lock available in case rates drop after I have locked in?

What are the other fees a lender may charge me in conjunction with my loan?

Are funds for a second mortgage available?

On adjustable loans:

How often will the interest rate be adjusted?
Is there a maximum limit on each rate change?
How often will the monthly payment be adjusted?
Is there a ceiling on payment adjustments?
Can the term of the loan be extended?
What is the maximum rate that can be charged over the life of the loan?
Is there any potential for negative amortization?
Is there a pre-payment penalty clause?

This involves extra charges for paying off the loan before maturity. About 80% of all loans in the United States are paid off early.

What is the “grace” period? How late can a monthly payment be made before a late charge is assessed?
What will happen if a payment is missed?
If you sell your house, will the new buyer (if he/she qualifies) be able to assume your mortgage at the same interest rate?
Do you have to pay “points” to get your new mortgage? Usually lenders charge points for the cost of giving you a mortgage loan. A “point” is 1% of the loan.
Will the lender require mortgage insurance?
Is the loan serviced locally or is the servicing sold?
Ask for a written “good faith deposit”.

Leanna Meyer is a Realtor with Re/Max Cross Country and can help you find Lewisville Texas Real Estate. Find homes for sale and area information for Flower Mound Texas, Lantana, and Dallas, TX.

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