Up Market - Down Market - Opportunity Thrives in any Real Estate Market

Real estate is a local business. National and regional trends mean little compared to what is happening locally in real estate.

The housing industry in the United States continues to provide great opportunities for foreign nationals wanting to buy a home in the U.S. for personal use or investment. Changes and reforms in the real estate and lending industries will continue to supply foreclosures, bank owned properties, short sales and motivated sellers for at least another 18 months. The best opportunities for savvy buyers and investors will be over the next 12 months.

Many real estate investors became multi-millionaires buying U.S. real estate in the 1980’s. The current declining market conditions are ripe for those with investment cash to do the same. We wrote about opportunities in Brentwood and Antioch, California and even positive cash flow opportunities now possible in the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you’re thinking of investing in real estate for the first time:

• Carefully evaluate your financial position
• Create a personal income statement & balance sheet
• Know how much down payment you can afford
• Know your maximum monthly payment
• Establish your investment objectives and timeline

When you have a clear understanding of your finances and personal objectives, it’s time to look at investment opportunities.

• Research investment opportunities carefully
• Be prepared for short-term loses
• Be prepared to walk away from a deal
• Be ready to write a check
• Crunch the numbers
• Hire a professional to help

Foreign nationals with strong currencies, like the Euro, are in a doubly favorable position. With U.S. mortgage interest rates still at historical lows and depressed housing prices, the exchange rate can make the deal even sweeter.

Contact HarperMees & Associates for information on buying real estate in Northern California and the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.