World of Estates

2006-11-29T14:53:00.000-04:00

Holiday Stresses can Force Sales

While this is traditionally the time of year where we celebrate with family and friends, it has increasingly been more financially and emotionally stressful for a variety of reasons. One reason is the commercialization of Christmas and the whole season which starts earlier and stretches out longer than ever before. We're bombarded now even before Thanksgiving, as advertisers try to get in as much pre-holiday pursuasion as possible.

The result can be more pressure on buyers, and if you're already overstretched financially, it can lead to times of poor decision. We hear of more impulse purchases, buying gifts that are beyond our means, and letting our financial pursestrings stretch far beyond the limits we would normally set for ourselves.

In extreme cases, those having financial difficulties can find themselves in pre-foreclosure or a situation which they really cannot remedy themselves. If you find yourself needing to sell a property in order to salvage your financial health, give World of Estates a call or send me an e-mail. Don't wait until it's too late and you've lost equity or lost control of the situation. We can help. Our dealings are fast, confidential and fair. Write me at pam@worldofestates.com.

2006-11-13T06:57:00.000-04:00

The Perils of On-Line Auction Buying

Seems as if people are either all in favor of on-line sites like eBay or they're pessimistic about the whole process of on-line purchasing from anyone other than established businesses, if even that. And, it seems as if there can be just cause for concern if your not a careful consumer. Julia Wilkinson, author of "The eBay Price Guide" reports that you can save 30% to 50% off retail prices by shopping eBay. There is plenty of room for potential rip-offs.

Everyone agrees that you should be familiar with the values of items that you are bidding on. You should do your homework before you do any bidding, and know what your limits will be. Don't get caught up in emotional buying. It is easy to get carried away by the adrenaline rush when making bids on an item, and unless you've set your maximum ahead of time, you may find yourself spending much more than the item is worth.

It's relatively easy to find out what the going rates are for items by checking our comparison shopping sites such as www.NexTag.com or www.PriceGrabber.com for most any type of retail item, or www.KelleyBlueBook.com for autos.

Andrea White, co-owner of Motorheads Performance, a classic car restoration and performance shop in Texas, warns buyers of autos to be very careful purchasing items on-line and especially out-of-state. "In these cases, it really pays to hire a reputable shop or appraisal company to give the car a thorough inspection," says Andrea. "If you're purchasing a car for show and want numbers-matching authenticity, it's especially needed. There are many people out there who have had clones passed off for the real things. Not only hurts the pride but your pocketbook as well, as you've probably paid too much." Visit www.motorheadsperformance.com for more information on restoring or upgrading vintage, classic or antique cars and trucks. Motorheads Performance does not sell vehicles. They do offer unbiased appraisal and inspection services for those interested in vehicles from the 1920's to 1970's.

SmartMoney.com also warns buyers to be wary of hot-trend items which you can actually pay more than retail for. They warn that "sold out" claims are often exaggerated, "fakes" can abound, and you need to pay attention to shipping costs, which sometimes can surpass the cost of the item you're bidding on!

Bottom-line: shopping on sites such as eBay can be a thrilling and money-saving experience but it pays to take the time to prepare yourself. Know the true value of the item you want, know your maximum, be able to authenticate the item, and be certain of your total cost.

What does all this have to do with luxury estates? Whether you're on the selling or purchasing end of items, I think everyone has at one time considered eBay or a similar site. It's common to see a wide selection of low and high-end items - whether Rolex watches or even Rolls Royce or collectible cars. I think this is sage advice for all. Happy shopping!

2006-11-10T13:25:00.000-04:00

America's Best Places to Live

CNNMoney.com released lists of the best places to live in the United States for 2006. Ft. Collins, CO topped the list, followed by: Naperville, IL; Sugar Land, TX; Columbia, MD and Cary, NC. Lists of Best for High Earners, Fastest Job Growth, Shortest Commutes, Most Educated, Best Rural, Best Retirement, Best for Singles, Career & Business were rated, as well as Coolest, Hottest, Cleanest Air, Youngest and Skinniest. You can also check out state-by-state results. Check out the website at www.CNNMoney.com.

Some highlights:

Most Educated: 1) Arlington, VA 2) Davis, CA 3) Brookline, MA
Short commutes: 1) Dubuque, IA 2) Bismark, ND 3) Ames, IA
Fastest Job Growth: 1) Surprize, AZ 2) Allen, TX 3) Avondale, AZ
Best for High Earners: 1) Greenwich, CT 2) Cupertino, CA 3) San Ramon, CA
Best Rural: 1) Ontario County, NY 2) Union City, SD 3) Ononee County, GA
Careers & Business: 1) Albuquerque, NM 2) Raleigh, NC 3) Houston, TX
Best to Retire: 1) Walla Wall, WA 2) St Simons Island, GA 3) Prescott, AZ
Cleanest Air: 1) Lake Havasu City, AZ 2) Santa Fe, NM 3) Richmond, VA

One of the fun things you can explore on their site (www.CNNMoney.com) is taking a short survey and seeing what locations best suite your lifestyle wishes.

And, if you're interested in worldly ratings, check out the newly-released stats reported by Reuters on November 10. Countries around the world were ranked according to income, health, education and literacy. Search for the AOL article entitled Norway Named Best Nation to Live In, authored by Evelyn Leopold, Reuters.

Liquidating Holdings Within the United States While Living Outside the Continental U.S.A.

2006-01-03T14:34:00.000-04:00

This geographical predicament puts many property owners in a position requiring total reliance on other people. Relying on a handful or more persons to handle the sale of assets in another country puts you at risk. Simply put, you no longer have complete control over decisions they will need to make on your behalf. This can lead to expensive delays, disadvantages and misunderstandings.

I can provide you with a far more suitable solution. As a private investor I buy all types of assets associated with real estate. Among these are furniture, furnishings, collections, art, jewelry, automobiles, yachts, private jets and more.

Choosing to sell directly to one Buyer makes this an easy decision. Together we will decide on a price to be paid, a date to be paid and the account(s) to be wired. Your concerns are behind you.

I welcome you to visit my website www.WorldOfEstates.com

Reflecting On Time Since 9/11

2005-12-03T19:09:00.000-04:00

What a ride it’s been. There is not a business in this country that has not felt some kind of impact since that date. Many are still feeling the repercussions; some positively, some negatively.

Security related businesses, personnel, security training, paid covert operations personnel and equipment, law enforcement and protection devices have all skyrocketed with enormous success.

Many new businesses started prior to 9/11 are no longer in existence. Many people lost their jobs. Many have had to surrender their homes to foreclosure. If you find yourself close to deciding to walk away from this debt, call me. I am a good listener and may be able to help. Getting on with your life in a better financial position than you are imagining your future to be right now is obtainable.

Contact me at pam@worldofestates.com or visit http://www.worldofestates.com/.

Increasing Interest Rates & Real Estate

2005-11-26T04:47:00.000-04:00

The inevitable escalation of the prime interest rate will have an impact on everyone in many situations. Some real estate situations will need to be resolved quickly. Planning ahead for this will be critical.

Inspect real estate assets to determine the winners and potential losers. Identify properties where marginal gains, or losses, are. Speak with the professional that handles these matters for you. Or, do the math yourself. The real estate that is not serving you, or would put you suddenly at risk of being in the red is the one that is far better off belonging to someone else. Property that will be eaten alive by these increasing interest rates may well be better off sold. Holding can be costly. Streamlining may be a necessary move to protect other properties from a whiplash effect.

The time-value of money is an important consideration. No one is well served by holding and spending on real estate that brings no immediate value or short-term accrual of value.

Ballooning payments can jeopardize credit rating if payments are not made in a timely manner. Sometimes the benefits of selling at a loss will far outweigh holding for the sake of holding. These are situations that can be fixed with time. Sentimentality does not belong here. Do not wait for the effect. Get on the cutting edge and make these decisions now.

Visit http://www.worldofestates.com/ for more information.

Hurt By Poor Credit

2005-11-19T17:55:00.000-04:00

The power of impeccable credit is unmistakable. Some never have it. Some have had it and then do not. The loss can be devastating. It does affect the way we all do business and keep our businesses going.

This is a situation that occurs over and over in real estate. Finding yourself owing more than you are making can happen extremely fast. Sometimes due to a family member’s illness or death, loss of income, decreasing income, divorce, alimony… the list goes on and on. Tormenting to be sure.

Hard lessons are learned when the virtues of an excellent credit rating are taken away. Long-term consequences are present. A normal timeline of seven years is common knowledge for the “history” to “disappear”.

You can pick yourself up by the bootstraps. If a credit rating is good, even starting over from zero is easy. If your credit is good, keep it that way. If you find yourself near the bottom and still own property that you can sell even with little or no equity or profit, or even close to the courthouse steps, there may be help for you. Contact pam@worldofestates.com. Let’s see what we can do, together.

Divorce

2005-11-12T08:24:00.000-04:00

Divorce is an incredibly common commodity these days. No longer a taboo in our culture. The stigma that used to be attached to this formal end to a marriage no longer exists. Nevertheless, still shocking, painful and devastating to those involved. An abrupt end to promises made with the intention of lasting a lifetime.

The decision to divorce is the beginning of a long list of “last” compromises that are needed to divide those assets accrued together or separately. Memories are short. Hurts are long. Talking is hard. Listening is harder.

The division of real estate can sometimes be the most difficult to talk about. It is normally one of the very largest valued single purchases made. It was also decided upon by both of you; size, location, style, etc. Not just a house, contributions were to a “home”. It is a place where a family is started and nurtured. Somewhere safe from the world outside.

The pain does go away when you grasp and make your future. Letting go is the first and biggest step. Deciding what to do with it is the next. Whatever decision is made will bring you that much closer to your next happiness, it will come.

Contact me when the time is right and you are ready to sell. mailto:pam@worldofestates.com

Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-13T19:29:00.000-03:00

This devistating natural disaster has left it's mark on countless people. Displaced, uncertain of futures, souls searching for their future place in this world. Some will question their ability or will to continue in what will be a monumental clean-up, personally and professionally. Many will find themselves under-insured or not insured at all.

Do you start over in the same place? Do you look at the opportunities available elsewhere? Around and around. These decisions will effect the rest of peoples lives.

Those searching for buyers for their real estate will have a tough road ahead. Clean-up costs by themselves will be astronomical. Rebuilding will cost more. Financial institutions holding mortgages to some of these homes will find owners willing to walk away from these money pits, very willing to give up what they have invested. Some people even sacrificing their valuable credit to do so.

We are here to assist. We purchase residential, commercial, vacant land, all types of real estate world-wide. We look forward to assisting private sellers, banks, attorneys, title companys, Realtors.

Because we are private real estate investors, we are able to be extremely flexible in all types of deals.

Please call or e-mail to see if we can help you. Visit www.worldofestates.com for more information.

Visit My Website

2005-09-05T13:14:00.000-03:00

I invite you to find more concise information on the types of real estate/properties we purchase. We are a group of private investors, not Realtors. We are able to bring in any member of our group who holds expertise in specific areas that would benefit and expedite your particular real estate situation. We welcome all types of property. We are able to freely create workable purchasing conditions. Our ability to meet every situation open-minded is welcomed by our clientele. Purchases and our criteria are unique to every situation.

We hold the belief that we are all, essentially, here to help each other in ways that are mutually beneficial. There is no situation too private, too large, too small, too complicated. We are able to handle real estate others may take years to conclude.

We are open to and welcome inquiry to all types of real estate. Please see what we can do for you. Visit www.worldofestates.com for more information.

Welcome

2005-09-04T15:51:00.000-03:00

I'd like to welcome you to World of Estates, with news for the discriminating home seller. Look for information on creative selling answers.