During the housing boom, mortgage lenders were allowing just about anyone to buy a house or refinance their existing house. We have seen the result of such liberal lending practices in the form of the largest foreclosure crisis in history. Many real estate investors take a careless approach in times like these; buying houses anywhere, certain that appreciation is right around the corner to make them instant millionaires. Before you go on a buying binge, you’ll want to note some sobering indicators of what the market is actually doing as of April 2010: One in 14 mortgages (3.5 million) are at least 90 days delinquent as homeowners have realized that banks are more willing to reclaim their homes than modify their loans. These homeowners are literally walking away from their homes, and their mortgages, as two million of these mortgaged homes are over 180 days delinquent. If you thought that the real estate market was on the brink of improvement, think again. The delinquency rate of mortgaged homes is 65% greater now than just a year ago.

These numbers are a telling reminder that prospective homeowners and active investors will need to hold on for several years before the market cleanses itself, causing prices to rise again. Current foreclosures will take years to work through the system and hit the market. Banks are overloaded with inventory and we have already seen evidence of banks “price fixing” by intentionally withholding foreclosures from the marketplace in an attempt to rake in top dollar for home inventories. Current foreclosure victims of the recent past will have marred credit; keeping them from buying a new house for several years. Their inability to buy, among various other factors such as high unemployment, tightening of credit guidelines and lower wages to working families will continue to defer home value appreciation. Real estate prices are low and will continue to stay that way for several years; but this doesn’t mean homeowners and investors should stay away from the real estate market altogether. It just means that they need make calculated decisions when buying a home so that the coming wave appreciation will exponentially enhance their wealth. One such decision is picking where to buy a house.

Urban areas/inner cities

Lifelong renters, many of which receive government housing subsidies like Section 8 or FIA, make up a large portion of inner city populations. It’s important to note that the sub-prime meltdown began in large cities as mass amounts of liberal credit was given to people who would normally be renters. Credit was also extended to investors who personally bought dozens of homes and walked away from them as the market began to digest itself. We see evidence of the foreclosure crisis in the form of boarded up homes, high unemployment rates and crime.

If your plan is to purchase homes to flip in inner city areas, there are several obstacles standing in your way. For starters, credit guidelines to potential buyers are next to impossible to overcome right now. How can you flip a house if potential buyers can’t get a mortgage? Secondly, even if you have a qualified buyer in hand who wants to buy your home, chances are the appraisal will come in much lower than expected, killing your deal. Lenders will make up any excuse to not lend in areas with a high “F-score”, which is lender terminology for the percentage of foreclosures in any given area. Another problem for urban investors is that qualified inner city home buyers are now migrating to the suburbs versus staying in high crime areas like inner cities. This increases the amount of vacant homes on any given urban block; and vacant homes breed crime. An investor’s inner city rehab project may very well be broken into multiple times during the renovation process. Thieves love new hot water tanks, furnaces, carpeting and kitchen cabinets; I know this from experience.

Even buying in urban areas or inner cities right now for rental cash flow is an oxymoron. People are coming from all over the world to buy houses in cities like Detroit, Indianapolis and Cleveland for under $2,000 knowing that these houses will easily cash flow; or so they think. Where is a landlord’s cash flow going to come from with unemployment so high? Also, houses that sell for the price of a mountain bike are usually in horrifying areas; the numbers look great on paper, but reality is different. Investors who believe government subsidized tenants are the way to go should note that many of these potential tenants are leaving inner cities for the safer suburbs. On the other hand, many permanent inner city renters live like nomadic animals and literally trash a landlord’s house before moving on to their next unsuspecting victim. Good luck suing tenants like this for damages; many low income inner city tenants aren’t collectible because they don’t work.

With appreciation years away, stay away from inner cities unless you plan to wholesale houses to cash investors who don’t pay attention to the above risk factors. Be a middleman in the inner cities without owning anything. Continually market to find desperate sellers and hungry buyers, then link the two together for commissions you set per deal. Banks hate lending in inner cities right now, therefore seller financing reigns supreme on homes with nothing owed. Only practice seller financing if you have experience as a real estate investor or you truly understand the process with legal counsel handy. Some investors are buying houses dirt cheap and setting seller financing terms of $500 down, with a $500 mortgage payment per month, and buyer makes all repairs. Contrarily, street-smart landlords who have years of investing experience can survive via tenants with subsidized housing vouchers and time tested skills. New investors should stay away from owning anything inside inner cities at all costs until times get better.

Suburbs

The foreclosure crisis will continue to unfold in the suburbs as banks continue to be reluctant to modify homeowner’s loans. Frustrated homeowners are simply walking away, knowing their personal efforts to save their houses are futile. This is spelling out “opportunity” for some wise investors who are buying properties at county courthouses while the delinquent homeowners are still living in them. Once an investor makes the purchase for a price far below what the homeowner owes the bank, the investor then contacts the homeowner and explains that he is the new owner of their home. Terms are reached and monthly payments are set in these “lease to own” transactions. In time, the homeowner can opt to purchase the house back from the investor for prices up to 40% below their former outstanding loan balances. This strategy not only saves the mortgagee’s home, but also saves their credit. Investors who are practicing this strategy are forming partnerships, money pools or already have cash/credit lines to make these acquisitions.

Investors need to be aware that banks are intentionally withholding foreclosures from the marketplace, creating a fake supply/demand curve. One of the nation’s top REO agents reported to us that homes listed for just a day sometimes receive more than 20 offers; while millions of other homes sit on various bank’s books. One reputable insider explained that banks are expected to start releasing these homes in August 2010, which will drive suburban home values down further. This doesn’t mean to avoid buying in the suburbs; it just means to be very careful. Only settle for the best deal, just in case a flood of foreclosed homes hits the market, driving prices lower.

Though buyers will have to pay more for a house in the suburbs versus the inner cities, finding good tenants is hardly a problem. Many suburban tenants are past foreclosure victims who are killing time until they can become buyers again. Others are government housing subsidized tenants escaping the inner city. No matter the case, buying to hold in suburbia seems to be safe; but with appreciation years away, landlords are going to have to be patient and select only the best long term tenants.

Young, new home buyers are fueling real estate and they all want a good deal in the suburbs. If you can purchase really low as compared to other homes in the neighborhood, rehab the home to standards much higher than other listed homes, and price them better than other homes in the area, you can do well. Several talented investors are staging homes with furniture and even throwing in items like TV’s, or in some cases new appliances to entice buyers. Even though the suburbs allow for rehab flips as an exit strategy, many neighborhoods have sellers trying to short sell their homes. This creates price competition for investors looking to sell for profit. Watch the numbers on every deal you do and be aware of what other sellers are trying to do in the areas you invest in.

The decision to build a home can be very crucial especially when it can affect your future. There are things to gather and you also have to think about saving energy. Energy can be consumed in various procedures such as the building process itself, or otherwise in the transportation or assembly of material. That is why you may find the modular home prices quite reasonable, especially because such structures are constructed while keeping in view the principle of saving energy. That is why they are sometimes known as green houses.

As for the ideal house, it is the one in which energy consumption is minimum, not only during construction but also after it has been erected. For instance, a house that can comfortably meet the energy requirements of its inhabitants without wasting too much energy can be actually classified as greener house. Here are some steps that can assist you in erecting such a house.

Purchase Local Materials

In most countries, some local materials, which are environmentally friendly, are available. These include renewable trees and straws. The best part is that they do not need much processing, and their transportation costs are quite low. Using inexhaustible and abundant supplies such as rocks and sand can be used to construct beautiful buildings that can blend well with their surroundings. The best part is that they are also locally available.

Erect Long-lasting Structure

Though the structure is constructed from sustainable materials, it still needs to be durable. Speaking of durability, the structure should last long against all odds. Builders believe that the house should be constructed to last for a few decades, after which it would be decimated to make a better one. With this approach in mind, they utilize bad construction material. The buyers, however, desire a house that can last longer, so you should always inspect the material being used.

Use Sustainable Energy Only

The replacement of fossil fuels with natural resources can be a way to go. You can efficiently conserve energy by using renewable resources for electricity generation. The most practical and the most popular renewable energy resources are, of course, wind solar and water. Solar panels and wind turbines can be fitted to your rooftops. Moreover, you can further conserve energy by using energy efficient appliances, energy saver bulbs, and of course turning off your appliances completely rather than leaving them on standby.

Small Is Better

There is a common misconception that big is beautiful. This is not completely true. A well proportioned house is the one that looks spacious even if it is small. Thus, you must curb the urge to construct a large mansion! Normally such houses use huge amounts of energy, and the combustion of fossil fuel usually result in the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. While planning your house, do not forget to think about the space you really need.

The plan for a greener house is a reality now. If you are stuck on making crucial decisions in this regard, then you can contact a local authority to get relevant information. It might take some extra work and money from your side but at the end of the day you will find living in such a house very economical.