Better Information Retention

 

 Rent To Own Homes

Rent-to-own homes are available to help those who are unable to afford a traditional home purchase. Rent-to-own properties, sometimes called "rent forward" or "lease with purchase" programs, allow you the luxury of home ownership sooner and with significantly less money up front.

There are many benefits to rent-to-own houses. For example, monthly payments may be lower than renting because the buyer is making a long term commitment and has time for appreciation in prices; this means buyers can afford more house than they would be able to on a rental program. Renting also offers no opportunity for tax deductions that are associated with owning property or building equity over time.

Rent-to-own homes have many advantages over traditional home purchases. Rent to own homes save you money in the long run, but they also offer benefits such as:

Certainty of possession: If you are buying a home through a buy-to-own program, you know exactly when and how much time it will take for your dream home to come to life. There are no questions regarding the status of the transaction or your part in the process, such as whether or not you are in a position to close within the time allowed by your lender. This simplify the entire process and gives you peace of mind that you will be living in your new home shortly after closing at an affordable price.

No money down: Rent-to-own homes give you the opportunity to save money through low monthly payments, and do not require you to come up with a large sum of money before moving in. Buying through a rent to own program gives you much more freedom over how you want to pay for your home, as well as the option of paying in full at any time.

No lengthy and drawn-out contract negotiations: If you are buying a home through a rent to own program, it will be much easier for you if you have already found your perfect house. The terms of the lease will be set and clear, and there will be no need to sit down for pointless contract negotiations.

Avoid a large down payment: Buying through a rent to own program allows you to avoid putting a large sum of money in escrow before purchasing your home, which makes it easier for those who have a tight budget.

Borrow on your own property: You may have already owned another home or property that you can borrow against. Rent-to-own homes can help you save money on this as well, though there may be legal implications that some lenders will not allow, such as using someone else's home as collateral for the loan.

Encourages positive home ownership: Rent-to-own homes are great for those who are considering buying a home in the long term. You will be able to see your house increase in value over time, which is a great motivator for homeownership.

Over time, most rent-to-own home buyers eventually buy their home at market price. If you choose the right program and pay your rent on time, you may only have to pay a little more each month than you would be required to pay on an apartment lease. Some rent-to-own companies also offer a military discount, so there are programs out there that are designed to help you if you are in the military.

One important note is that rent-to-own homes are not always the best choice for everyone. They may be a good fit for some people who have never purchased a house before, but they may not be the best solution if you are ready to own your home now and do not want to wait several months or years before buying your home. You should also be aware that to buy your home at the end of your lease and avoid paying anything out of pocket at all, you need a very high credit score and good income.

You may want to consider buying a used home instead of a rent-to-own house. Buying a home is like any major purchase; it is important to have the right information and education on the subject. Rent-to-own homes can be a good way to get your foot in the door, but if you are ready to buy as soon as possible, you may be better off with a traditional home purchase.

Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/08/are-rent-to-own-homes-worth-it.htm

Title: Mixed-Use Development

Mixed-Use Development Creates More Intelligent Communities

August 1, 2012 By Christopher Langston on Aug. 1, 2012, under News 2011 (If you missed this in the following year)

Photo courtesy of BOMA International. A 3D model of a mixed-use development. Photo courtesy of BOMA International. A 3D model of a mixed-use development.

We all know what “mixed use” is supposed to mean in real estate parlance – multi-use developments containing retail and residential elements that create a walkable community with less need for cars – but rarely do we see it implemented correctly.

Those of us in the industry are painfully familiar with the status quo: strip malls, auto-oriented office parks, and other single-use properties. Yes, they sure are easy to build – just sign a bunch of leases and throw some cash at the problem – but it’s easy to forget that we are community builders.

We create places for people to live, work and play. And that requires a little extra effort; a new way of thinking about commercial real estate.

It’s time for us to embrace mixed-use development on a broader scale so we can create not just environments where people want to live, but also ones they want to visit and enjoy.

Development is a long-term process, but here, we’ve created an infographic comparing the creation of mixed-use developments with auto-oriented development that provide no pedestrian access – resulting in undesirable “dead zones” that contribute to economic decline and social breakdown.

This is a change we need in order to rebuild our communities for the 21st century.

Source: http://www.commercialre.com/site/article.asp?id=361956&title=mixed_use_development_creates_more_intelligent_communities.

Conclusion

Real estate is evolving and real estate development has been folded into all types of business model. There is no denying that the business will get more personal in the future.

We have to be aware of our ourselves, as human beings, and not only as properties being sold and rented.

We also need to know what we want out of a community we live in. Every life form needs a habitat where it can thrive, grow and be happy. And that same habitat should be provided to other living beings as well, so they can share for their own benefit on this planet we call home.