Right Time For Investment

Stock markets are bouncing back, interest rates have come down from this peak, properties are cheaper than what they were a year ago and GDP is again on the move up. Does this indicate that, it's time to invest in real estate? Real estate investment involves the commitment of funds to property with an aim to generate income through rental and to achieve capital growth. When a person acquires real estate, he or she also acquires a set of rights, including possession, control and transfer rights etc. It is important to understand the dynamics of the real estate investment because it usually involves the locking of large capital over a period of time. On comparing investing in stock market with real estate investment you will find, both, stock investing and real estate investing have the same basic financial objectives: People invest money in both instruments to make money from growth and income. Both sectors have merits and demerits and are suitable for different sections of people. We believe real estate sector has an edge when it comes to security and leverage.

* An investment in property is considered a safer bet as you are investing in a "real" asset.

* Investors can borrow substantially to invest in a property, in certain cases upto 90 percent of the cost of the property.

It is very important to note that, awareness is the key to maximize returns in any investment. If you are good at identifying, managing and financing real estate properties you will undoubtedly do much better as an investor in real estate! Traditionally many of us are comfortable with real estate investing because (we see it every day and better understand the factors that affect the real estate prices around us). Real estate properties have historically gone up in value without many violent downswings. The stock market usually experiences a greater degree of volatility.

'Although the real estate sector has started showing some signs of revival, a majority of the industry experts expect the residential segment to recover by the end of 2009 with a 25-30 percent renewal in demand, said the survey report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Demand for houses in the range of Rs. 15 - Rs. 25 lakh will go up by 26 percent, while those in the bracket of Rs. 25 - Rs. 40 lakh will see demand rising 22 percent, the chamber said. In another survey report by FICCI, the future of Indian retail industry bright in the coming six months as implied by the data, real estate rates in India will go up by 10-15 percent over the next four to six months.

For those planning to take a loan to buy their house, there is good news too. Several banks have slashed home loan rates recently to promote financing making it more lucrative for the buyers to invest in real estate.

Real estate prices across the nation were observed to have corrected earlier this year, however considering the last financial quarters' performance the demand for real estate investment has certainly inched upwards.

Considering the availability of various real estate options to invest in at the right price, along with best rate home loans and the future growth predicted, by FICCI, there has not been a better time to invest in real estate than now!

Places to live in California

There are many very beautiful places in California, but the topic is where are the best places to live. In the north around San Francisco, it is extremely beautiful and many sites to behold, but extremely expensive and unless you have a huge high paying job, it would be a difficult place to say it was the best. I do think it is one of the best vacation spots though.

California has much to offer in the way of living happy and comfortable. It has warm free beaches, pleasnt climate and good paying jobs. Put all of this together and you get the absolutely perfect place to live. Choosing the best place to live would definitely be down south. It has reasonably priced housing and it is easily accessible to everything.

Huntington Beach:
Huntington Beach is the honeymoon capital of California and a truly beautiful place to live. It has everything. Just north of San Diego and within a short drive to Los Angeles. The homes are beautiful and medium priced and the schools are excellent. Huntington beach is in the middle of some very exclusive neighborshoods such as Laguna Beach, San Clemente and Costa Mesa. Just north a little you run into Seal Beach. These are upper end communities and you will need a little more money to buy in these areas.

San Diego:
San Diego has it all from the Sea World attraction, the world famous zoo to the many ports of call. San Diego has many jobs. Many jobs mean that you can afford to live. San Diego has beautiful beaches, tree lined streets, and lots of good food. Many of the local communities are only a few steps away and just add to the beauty of the splendorous life in San Diego.San Diego is not far from the border of Mexico also, so for a quick visit and some cheap Mexican food, Tijuanna is close by. Some of the best communities close by are: La Jolla, Oceanside, Carlsbad and Escondido.

Santa Monica and Venice:
For those who just love to smell the beach morning noon and night, these are the towns for you. They are more expensive than the Downey and Lakewood areas, but they have many amenities. Santa Monica is famous for its peirs and Venice has its walk ways and bicycle trails. They are more metropolitan compared to Downey and Lakewood.Downey and Lakewood are more home town USA type areas and Santa Monica and Venice are more of the type of places where people like excitement and the night life.

Malibu and Santa Barbara:
These last two cities are the cream of the crop. They are where celebrities live and vacation. They are next to the ocean with the best view and they are very expensive. Malibu has small lots and right on the ocean and Santa Barbara is off the ocean trail, but it has huge tree lined lots.

Why even Oprah and Barbara Streisand live there. They are extremely beautiful cities and extremely desired. A home in Santa Barbara is a home next to heaven.No matter where you decide to "hang your hat," California welcomes you with open arms. Beautiful beaches, nice climate and plenty of jobs. All the necessities of life.

Lakewood, Long Beach and Downey:
Some of the best places to live in California is here. The homes are very reasonable in price, the schools are very good and these are safe areas to live. Whether you want to take a walk to the park or go have a hamburger late at night, anyone at any age will feel free to roam. There are certain areas of North Long Beach to stay away from, but the majority of Long Beach is upper class and very good to spend the rest of your life there.

Downey is the best of them all. It is a beautiful and safe community. It is surrounded by the I-5 and the I-10 on each border, a skip and a hop from downtown Los Angeles. It has Stonewood Mall and many large hotels that are easily accessible. Embassy suites has nightly happy hour with free coctails and live entertainment.

Many restaurants from Papa John's Pizza to Marie Callender's Restaurant. Richard Carpenter's home was in Downey for years and recently sold for over two million dollars, not the norm for sure. It is a place of comfort and a place to send your children to some of the best schools.