Replace old thermostats with newer, programmable models that allow you to set a lower temperature while you are away or asleep and raise the temperature only when you need it. #Home #Renovated
continue readingRecent changes to the way Fair Isaac computes people’s credit score are welcomed, long overdue and benefit borrowers, creditors and real estate markets across the country. The revision to the credit score algorithm that eliminates medical bills from consideration is especially appropriate given the high incidence of mistakes and miscommunication. What a lot of people don’t know is that creditors report information to the 3 major credit reporting agencies on a voluntary and inconsistent basis which unfortunately means that mistakes are made all the time; AND the 3 big credit reporting agencies : Experian, Transunion and Equifax, really don’t have much of an incentive to fix mistakes on your credit report. The good news is that you can take control […]
continue readingRule of 72s: You can quickly calculate the number of years it will take for your real estate investment to double in value by dividing the annual % growth rate by 72: # years to double in value = 72/Rate of Growth. For example: At an 8% annual growth rate, your real estate investment will double in about 9 years (72/8=9) At an 12% annual growth rate, your real estate investment will double in about 6 years (72/12=6) At an 24% annual growth rate, your real estate investment will double in about 3 years (72/24=3)
continue readingThe Capitalization or Cap Rate for a property is the ratio between its net operating income (NOI) and the property’s value: Capitalization Rate = Net Operating Income/Value You can transpose the formula to solve for property value or net operating income: Property Value = Net Operating Income/Capitalization Rate Net Operating Income = Property Value*Capitalization Rate
continue readingUntapped home equity can be a dangerous temptation for homeowners and real estate investors. You have to be careful before you take on additional debt, even if it’s mortgage debt which is normally considered to be good debt, because when you do, you increase your monthly fixed payments. People often tap home equity to renovate or upgrade a property. This may be a very good idea if you’re renovating an income-generating property so that it earns more money for you. However, I have seen many people over-renovate their primary residence spending tens of thousands of dollars on over-the-top kitchens and bathrooms that they didn’t need and didn’t really increase the value of their home!—also, don’t forget, you’re supposed to pay […]
continue readingSalt used to remove ice during winter is often harmful to concrete surfaces.
continue readingThe recent cooling of the US housing market is as much the result of unrealistic earlier expectations of another impending real estate boom as anything else. The first signs of increased real estate activity sent journalists into a frenzy. Economic fundamentals not media hype drive real estate, as all economic activity ultimately is driven by demand. Also, every residential property market is different and some markets aren’t cooling right now. Housing affordability in many places has gone down which obviously has a dampening effect on demand particularly for first time home buyers who are essential to all residential real estate markets. Click here for the full article!
continue readingClassifying real estate expenditures as repairs rather than capital improvements often results in tax savings.
continue readingMore foreign buyers of US real estate is a natural consequence of increased global trade. In addition, housing bubbles in places like China make US real estate investment more attractive. The percentage of foreign buyer-driven real estate transactions throughout the United States is exaggerated. Foreign buyers are only buying in big numbers in a small select group of markets and they are only buying certain types of properties so their impact on US real estate in general is not as high as you may think. Ultimately, income and household formation are bigger drivers of real estate demand than foreign buyers. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingLandlords normally must deposit security deposits into an interest bearing account within 30 days of the receipt of the security deposit.
continue readingUse low-flow toilets to reduce your water bill or make your existing toilet more efficient by dropping a soda bottle filled with sand or water into the tank. It will use less water each time it flushes. -Gerald
continue readingQ: Gerald, we had a really rough winter and just when I caught a break from record heating bills, the summer is in full swing. Do you have any tips to lower my utility bills in the summer? Charlie, Chicago, Illinois A: Great question, Charlie. I’m going to give you 3 tips to lower your utility bills during the summer: 1) Clean air-conditioning filters every month and check your air conditioner once a year to make sure that it’s functioning property. People often ignore their air conditioning system until something goes wrong, then they end up having to buy a new unit instead of making minor fixes. 2) If you need a new air conditioner, buy an energy-efficient one—it’ll lower […]
continue readingReal Estate Tip: Use logic and never let emotions affect real estate investing decisions. -Gerald
continue readingThis latest data that shows a record low in real-estate-linked debt’s share of bank assets highlights the mortgage lending reluctance that we’ve been seeing in US real estate for quite some time. Unfortunately, good borrowers today are being penalized for the sins of the past. In a typical knee-jerk reaction, the pendulum has swung way too far in the other direction locking many responsible buyers, particularly younger, first time buyers out of the real estate market. The fact that Wells Fargo is cutting its minimum credit scores for loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac however is a welcome sign. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingQ: Gerald, I’m looking at buying a home and because I’ve never seemed to have much luck negotiating when I bought a car, I’m nervous about the negotiation side of purchasing a property. Do you have any tips you can give me? – Larry, Sparta NJ A: That’s a great question, Larry and by the way it’s normal to be nervous about negotiating especially if you don’t have a lot of experience doing it-this applies to most people. There’s a myth about effective negotiating that a lot of people hold which is that being a good negotiator is about one person dominating and getting his or her way over the other person-that couldn’t be further from the truth. Effective negotiation […]
continue readingReal Estate Tip: Know when to walk away in a negotiation to purchase a property. When you walk away, a lot of times the other party will come back to you later on–and if and when they do, you’ll have an even stronger negotiating position to work from. -Gerald
continue readingCrowdsourcing, the practice of obtaining services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially from an on line community is shaking up the economic status quo in many ways. Crowdsourcing in commercial real estate is providing access to major real estate developments for individual investors previously locked out of that sector. As with any investment, there are risks, particularly now as these new crowdsourcing models evolve. Nevertheless, why should accredited investors have all the fun? A truly free market should allow access to these kinds of investments to regular people too. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingQ: Gerald, We are selling our home. Our Realtor wants to do a Sunday open house—with 3 small children a dog and a cat, it’s a real inconvenience but I don’t want to get in the way of selling our home. How important is holding an open house to selling a home? (Are open houses necessary?) Maryann, Bethesda, MD A: Hi Maryann, that’s a great question. Realtors normally just do open houses to please home sellers or because they just buy into the misguided conventional wisdom that open houses are effective. Open houses are normally a huge waste of time. The truth is that houses sell primarily based on 2 factors: 1) a home buyer’s preference and 2) a home […]
continue readingBefore you make offers to buy property, look at as many similar properties in that area as possible so you’ll have a solid frame of reference to make a reasonable bid. -Gerald
continue readingA lot has been written recently about the changing attitudes among Millenials regarding home ownership. This change is obviously driven primarily by current economic and credit realities in the US. The desire for home ownership is high among Millenials like previous generations, however, current economic circumstances make buying more difficult. Income ultimately drives everything in our economy—the American Dream of home ownership is alive and well but for many in the Millenial generation it is a dream deferred. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingIn a real estate transaction, don’t accept any piece of important data that is provided to you until you’ve gotten third party confirmation of it (i.e. lease-verified rental income numbers) -Gerald
continue readingOne of the main reasons real estate prices throughout much of the US have risen so precipitously recently is because of the lack of supply of houses to buy. That shortage of supply is due in large measure to the millions of homeowners whose mortgages are still underwater and are unable to sell. The ‘technical’ end to the recession occurred a long time ago but the mortgage crisis still looms large in many places particularly in working class and lower-income neighborhoods. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingMake clear to your home inspector that you’d never hire him to do repair work on your property. Otherwise, he may try to inflate or invent problems with your property in his inspection report and then try to get you to hire him to do the repair work. -Gerald
continue readingThe percentage of 1st time home buyers is shrinking. Tight lending standards are partially to blame. As a result of improved technology and globalization, the US economy requires fewer workers—this in turn is contributing to high unemployment among young adults. We’re still missing 1.3 million people working since the beginning of the recession and many of the jobs that have been created are low wage service jobs. Increasing job opportunities and income among young people is critical for the overall economy and is critical for sustaining a real estate recovery. When a young person buys their first home from someone who’s outgrown that home, the purchase and sale triggers another purchase and sale of a higher priced home—this is what […]
continue readingQ: Gerald, I just had twins and it’s clear to me and my husband that we need a bigger place to live. We were thinking about putting in a new bathroom before we sell our current house so we can fetch a higher price. How much will a new bathroom increase our home’s property value?
continue readingBefore you buy a previously owned property, call the local utility companies to try to get historical gas, electrical and water usage info. This will help you more accurately predict your operating expenses.
continue readingWe’re not out of the woods yet with respect to people being upside down on their mortgages. This is particularly true in many coastal real estate markets that tend to experience bigger price swings. In New Jersey, my home state, home prices tend to increase between 4-5% annually. Based on that average appreciation, New Jersey home prices at the height of the real estate market bubble in 2005 reached 2020 price levels! We have a ways to go, but I’m an eternal optimist and things are getting better. Click here for the original article!
continue readingDo a thorough title search before you buy a property to make sure that you get clear title free of outstanding liens or other encumbrances. -Gerald
continue readingRent-versus-buy declarations like this one from Trulia’s chief economist often paint a misleading picture for people trying to decide whether it’s time to purchase a home. The actual mortgage rate a borrower will pay depends on many factors that averaged mortgage rates don’t capture. In addition, rent prices, property taxes and home insurance rates vary greatly from place to place. If you’re buying property in a flood zone, you’ll have to add the additional cost of flood insurance to your calculation. It’s important that any prospective homeowner do their own individual rent-versus-buy determination based on their credit profile and local housing market. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingWhen you renovate a property, get multiple bids from several contractors–prepare a set of bidding instructions with a detailed scope of work, a start and finish date so you can compare bids effectively. -Gerald
continue readingNew Jersey is among several ‘judicial’ states in the US that process foreclosures in the court system. This judicial review provides a layer of protection for struggling homeowners, giving them more time to avoid foreclosure by working out loan modifications or by selling their homes via a negotiated settlement called a short sale. One consequence of this policy is much higher numbers of New Jersey homes in active or pre-foreclosure. The actual number of distressed homes varies enormously from city to city within New Jersey based on income and unemployment levels as well as local housing demand. The higher number of distressed homes also provides buying opportunities for savvy buyers and investors. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingHousing inventory is low in many real estate markets across the US now due to a number of factors: 1) many homeowners who bought or refinanced at the height of the real estate market are still upside down on their mortgages which prevents them from selling without doing a short sale 2) there is still substantial “shadow inventory” from unresolved pre-foreclosures particularly in states like New Jersey that adjudicate foreclosures in the court system 3) Many builders are reluctant to start new construction projects because of fear of tepid demand -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingBefore you sign the closing documents for a mortgage, compare the settlement statement with the Good Faith Estimate to make sure there are no errors–these errors coincidentally favor the lender in most cases. Caveat Emptor 🙂 -Gerald
continue readingIt is often said that people make buying decisions with emotion and then justify them with logic. This is especially true for home purchases. This unfortunate tendency can be particularly destructive if you fall in love with a property that is intended strictly for investment and end up overpaying for it. Emotions must be held in check, and subdued with cold, calculated, logic when you are making buying decisions on investment property. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingGet a thorough home inspection before you buy real estate and get one before you pay for an appraisal just in case the inspection reveals something so major you decide against buying the property.
continue readingReal estate has always been a predictable way to build wealth. Real estate is also a good hedge against inflation. Other financial benefits of real estate investing include cash flow, tax benefits and leveraged asset appreciation. After a banner year on Wall Street, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that many stock investors are taking some of their profits off the table and looking to park them in a real, tangible asset like real estate. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingWhen you get a mortgage loan to buy a home, ask for a Good Faith Estimate so you can review all the terms on your loan offer and see the interest rate, payment and closing costs. -Gerald
continue readingWe’re still anxiously awaiting Congress’ extension of the Mortgage Forgiveness & Debt Relief Act (MFDRA) for 2014. I am optimistic that Congress will extend the MFDRA to provide relief to homeowners. Even without the extension of the MFDRA, the IRS allows exceptions that may eliminate any tax burden after the cancellation of mortgage debt. Ask your accountant about IRS Publication 908. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingShop for a mortgage before you shop for a home. By applying for and getting pre-approved for a home loan, you’ll figure out the price range of homes you can afford to buy. -Gerald
continue readingReal Estate Tip: Avoid poorly designed homes–this is often referred to as functional obsolescence. Functional obsolescence reduces the desirability of your home and makes it more difficult to sell. Here are some examples that you should steer clear of: 1) No bathrooms on first floor 2) Bedrooms with no closest 3) Knob-and-tube wiring or fuses instead of a circuit breaker box 4) One outlet per room -Gerald
continue readingThe Mortgage Forgiveness and Debt Relief Act has provided tax relief to homeowners upside down on their mortgage facing foreclosure who would otherwise have owed taxes on forgiven mortgage debt. The original Mortgage Forgiveness and Debt Relief Act was introduced in Congress in 2007 and after first expiring in 2009 has been extended by Congress each year since 2009. The Act expires again this month (January 2014). With millions of homeowners around the country still upside down on their mortgage and facing foreclosure, hopefully Congress will extend the Act again for at least another year. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingStaging helps make a home easier to sell because people buy on emotion and staging makes it easier for potential buyers to picture themselves in a home. When staging, little things matter (odors, appearance and lighting all count). Also, less is often more—you don’t have to go overboard furnishing every inch of a home, just the basics, neat and presentable—it’s a good idea to leave enough empty space for your buyers to imagine their belongings in the house. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingYour mortgage must be secured and recorded to be tax deductible. If you borrow from a big financial institution to buy a home like most of us do, you shouldn’t have to worry about your lender making sure their collateral is safe and your interest payments are deductible. Your lender should send you a statement every year indicating the amount of mortgage interest you paid—it’s a good idea to check that statement to make sure it matches the scheduled interest to be paid for that year on your mortgage loan’s amortization schedule. There are some politicians who have recently suggested we reconsider the powerful mortgage interest deduction that property owners benefit from. Eliminating or restricting the mortgage interest deduction would […]
continue readingThe ultimate cost of owning a house unfortunately goes well beyond the initial money required to purchase a home. There are regular maintenance, upkeep and replacement costs you’ll have to pay for over time, particularly if you do not purchase a new home. Home ownership is a worthy goal and in order to maintain your home, make certain you put aside enough reserves to pay for unexpected repairs and replacement of major items like a roof. In order to do this, it’s a good idea not to spend your last dime when you purchase your property–leave some money left over for unanticipated costs which almost always occur. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingThe new micro-housing trend seen in cities across America underscores broader demographic changes that will affect the US economy and urban real estate markets for many years to come. More than 2/3rds of all households have no children and housing demand in general is becoming more concentrated in areas where there are jobs. In addition, people are living longer and seniors normally require less living space after they retire. Smaller households require less living space which is why this micro-housing trend will continue. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingThis letter sent by 13 Senators, one of whom is my Senator from New Jersey is a welcome sign that at least some of our representatives in Congress are paying attention to something other than raising money to get re-elected. While encouraging private growth in the mortgage market is an admirable goal, as the saying goes: the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Lowering the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan limits may turn out to be a dangerous experiment that we can ill afford right now in the middle of an encouraging yet fragile real estate recovery. -Gerald Click here for the original article!
continue readingYour credit score has an enormous influence on your ability to borrow money to buy a home or even to qualify to rent an apartment. Your credit score also has a profound impact on many other aspects of your life like the qualifying to get a job, qualifying to get student loans, car loans or credit cards as well as the amount of interest you’ll ultimately pay on those loans. There’s only one true credit score that is used by lenders to decide whether you qualify for a home loan, a car loan or some other kind of credit–that one true credit score is your FICO score; FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation. Proof of the fact that your FICO […]
continue readingDefaulting on your mortgage payments is rarely what you have in mind when you buy a property—but if you don’t have the money, then you can’t pay. As the saying goes, you can’t get blood from a turnip. The good news for people who did default on their mortgage during the financial crisis is that there are lots of other people who found themselves in this identical position. With millions of people in the same unfortunate situation, it’s in the best interest of both banks and the federal government to find a responsible way to lend to previously foreclosed-upon homeowners who have since recovered financially. It will most likely take more time and require more paperwork to get approved for […]
continue readingYou should always have a home inspection contingency in a real estate contract you sign to protect yourself from unforeseen problems with a property like termites, a leaky underground oil tank or major structural defects. In a hot real estate market where there is lots of competition between buyers, people often get frustrated are often tempted to cut corners just to win a bid and make a home purchase–this is a huge mistake that may come back to haunt you later. You have the most control in a transaction when you buy, if you waive the inspection contingency in real estate contract you sign, you may end up stuck purchasing a property with major problems that make the property uninhabitable […]
continue readingGerald Lucas was recently seen on NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX network affiliates around the country as an expert guest on the TV show, America’s PremierExperts® Jersey City, NJ – October 11, 2013 – Gerald Lucas, Managing Director of Performance Property, LLC., was recently featured on the hit TV show “America’s PremierExperts®” which aired on NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX network affiliates around the country. “America’s PremierExperts®” host Nick Nanton interviews the best business, marketing and financial minds from around the world. In the interview, Gerald described how he accidentally began his career as a real estate investor and how he has shared his knowledge and many years of experience with hundreds of his students throughout the United States and […]
continue readingReal estate is always a good investment if you know what you are doing regardless of whether the writer of this article says it’s the next hottest investment or not. Also, you should not use averages and macro trends like # of housing starts or # of new permits to make an individual real estate buying decision. There are people who make money and people who lose money in EVERY real estate market–you just want to make sure you are one of the former. The writer does give two good pieces of advice: 1) “Investors should should filter opportunities based on the project partner and project’s ability to generate yield & 2) investors should come in with an understanding that […]
continue readingHeadlines like RED HOT HOUSING MARKETS are compelling and attention-grabbing, but it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that banks are still saddled with tons of foreclosures and pre-foreclosure properties. Because there are still so many homeowners upside down on the mortgages or behind on their mortgage payments, banks are deliberately manipulating housing inventories giving the impression that a housing recovery is happening. Ultimately, income drives everything and a long sustained housing recovery is not going to happen until the economy and people’s incomes start rising again. Do your homework and get intimately familiar with your local real estate market because every residential real estate market is different—each local market has its own property characteristics, its own regulations […]
continue readingBy the reducing the waiting period for a government-backed mortgage, this new FHA rule change represents a huge benefit to homeowners who’ve experienced financial hardship and found themselves unable to meet their mortgage obligations. The welcomed change incentivizes homeowners in mortgage default to resolve their current financial hardship quickly rather than languishing in pre-foreclosure limbo. The rule change should help homeowners in crisis to get back on the road to financial solvency and homeownership more quickly which is a boon for the real estate industry, the banking industry as well as the overall US economy. -Gerald Click Here to Read The Original Article!
continue readingProper due diligence is critical to making wise real estate buying decisions. While nobody can predict the future, you should always take the time to do your homework before you sign a purchase contract to buy real estate. Unexpected surprises that can affect your property are not limited to homeowner association documentation. Towns, gated communities and condominium associations may also have rules or ordinances that can have an enormous impact on your real estate investment. Here are 5 additional questions you should answer before you buy a property: 1. Are there any deed restrictions on the property you want to purchase? (Control) 2. What is crime rate in your property’s neighborhood? Are there any registered sex offenders in the neighborhood? […]
continue readingYou can listen to the Podcast here!
continue readingGerald Lucas is currently featured in the July/August Edition of Fast Company as one of “America’s Top Business Leaders.” Jersey City, NJ – July 3rd, 2013 – Gerald Lucas, Managing Director of Performance Property, LLC., can be seen on newsstands across the United States in the current edition of Fast Company magazine. In a full-page feature, Gerald Lucas is being recognized by America’s PremierExperts® as one of “America’s Top Business Leaders.” The July/August edition of Fast Company hit store shelves on June 25, 2013. Here’s what the Fast Company feature had to say about Gerald Lucas: Gerald Lucas is a real estate investor, author, coach and professional speaker. Gerald has developed numerous condominium complexes, owned and managed apartment buildings and […]
continue readingQ: I’m a new landlord. I’m preparing to rent out an apartment in my new property. A friend of mine told me to avoid section 8 tenants. Can I refuse to rent to a tenant if he or she gets section 8 assistance? John, New Brunswick, New Jersey Gerald: Hi John. In New Jersey you cannot discriminate based on a person’s source of income, thus refusing to rent your apartment to a tenant because they receive section 8 assistance would certainly violate that rule. Landlord tenant laws vary a great deal from place to place, so always consult the rules in the area where your property is located. As a landlord, it’s best to have a thorough written rental policy […]
continue readingThe crackdown by US regulators on banks charging exhorbitant ‘forced placed’ insurance fees is long overdue. US lenders have already been exposed for forging borrower signatures. ‘Forced placed’ insurance, which is typically more than double the cost of regular homeowner’s insurance has been a lucrative scam for banks in the wake of the housing crisis. In some cases, banks have charged more than 10 times the regular voluntary home insurance rates–and yes, banks often receive commissions for their unholy alliance with insurers. Obviously banks once again have been preying on homeowners by colluding with insurers to artificially inflate these ‘forced placed’ insurance premiums. Homeowners often don’t even know they’ve been had until their bill doubles, triples or quadruples. I’ve personally […]
continue readingThe fact that more and more big money investors are betting on real estate is certainly a good and welcomed sign after several years of pessimism in housing. I can confirm this increased interest firsthand, myself having helped raise over $100 million for a residential REIT that I was Chief Investment Officer for in 2011 and 2012. I’ve even seen a few attention-seeking prognosticators predicting another real estate bubble in the making. Before we get way ahead of ourselves, lets do a quick reality check. The fact is that we’ve still got plenty of real and shadow inventory out there to go through before we can realistically start talking about another real estate bull market. On top of that, residential […]
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