Inflation cometh

Inflation cometh

On Saturday morning at the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett warned that the purchasing power of the dollar may fall as policymakers stretch to finance expensive rescue plans. He warned that efforts such as the Treasury's $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and the $787 billion fiscal stimulus plan passed this year by Congress will have to be paid for, one way or another.

While this may seem obvious to most of us, it's not the problem of the moment so the media hasn't bothered talking about it much. As Buffett says, with political leaders showing little inclination to raise taxes, one sure way to pay for excess spending is to inflate the value of the currency. The biggest losers in a surge of inflation, he added, would include holders of bonds and other fixed-income assets. "I haven't had my taxes raised; my guess is the ultimate price will be paid by a shrinkage of the value of the dollar."

And the saga continues, is the end anywhere in sight?

Despite all this Right now is the best time to BUY and or Invest in Real Estate. Texas is one of the nation's strongest markets.

www.TexasHomesAndLoans.com and www.RealEstateMagician.net

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

Will BOA try to raise 10 Billion?

Will BOA try to raise 10 Billion?

Ahead of the stress test results, Bank of America and Citigroup are both launching last-ditch attempts to convince the U.S. government they don't need to bolster their balance sheets, but the Financial Times reported that Bank of America is working on plans to raise more than $10 billion in fresh capital (BOA denied the rumor this morning). Wells Fargo and PNC Financial will also need to raise more capital unless they can persuade the administration their findings were wrong, the paper reported, citing people close to the situation. Analysts believe the government will say all 19 banks are solvent when the results are announced on May 7, but that some banks need to raise more capital than others to cushion themselves if the recession worsens.

Prices are low & it's the best time to Buy and or Invest in Real Estate. www.TexasHomesAndLoans.com or RealEstateMagician.net

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

Finding the Best Home for Maximum Profit PART 2

Posting Continued....

3. Shop for a well-maintained home in a well-maintained neighborhood.

When you’re looking for a good home to retain resale value and realize a profit if you sale, you need to find a well-maintained home in a well-maintained neighborhood. Property values are dependent upon homes being well-cared-for, with modern amenities and a well-maintained structure and lot.

However, if you have an immaculate house surrounded by a bunch of slobs, your property values may actually decline because the neighborhood is in poor repair. Look for a well-maintained property in a well-maintained neighborhood to maximize your investment.

4. Look out for busy streets.

While being near transportation is valuable, being located directly on a busy street can actually hurt your property values and resale possibilities of your home. People with children or pets are less likely to buy homes directly on busy streets. Even people who value peace and quiet, or don’t want to have to fight to pull out of the driveway, avoid buying on busy streets. Therefore, if you want to maximize your resale possibilities – avoid busy streets.

One very real downside of living in a busy street is the potential for development. If a developer decides your location is desirable for a store or shop, it might buy out your neighbors. If you refuse to sell, you could end up living next to a convenience store; a proposition which could hurt your property values even further. You could also fall victim to a road expansion eating away at your lot size. Avoid buying homes directly on busy roads to avoid a potential decline in property values.

5. Consider the ready availability of homes in the area.

If you want to buy a home and maximize your profits, avoid buying in an area that is undergoing heavy residential development. The ready availability of homes in the area can actually hurt property values; especially for existing homes; due to the simple laws of supply and demand.

If a home buyer could buy a new home for the same price or less than an existing home, many home buyers would opt for the new home. Avoid buying in an area that is undergoing heavy residential development, unless commercial development is also likely to occur and render the location more desirable.

Put your new found knowledge into practice and find the perfect home to invest in your future! Contact Texas Homes and Loans to get an opportunity to get not only your dream home, but a home that could provide for your kids’ college educations, the upgrades you want to make to the home in ten years or even your retirement!

Visit out website for ALL your real estate needs at Texas Homes and Loans.

Carlos Salinas
Real Estate Magician

How to Find the Best Home for Maximum Profit PART 1

Most people don’t have a lot of requirements for finding a good home. They want a nice place, with the amenities and the space that they need, for a price they can afford. Ideally, this place will be reasonably located near work, or shopping, or other popular destinations.

There’s no reason you can’t get all that, and still find a home that will give you the maximum profit in the long run.

Buying a home is an investment. If you invest wisely, you get a good return on investment, because your home will appreciate in value. The more your home value appreciates, the more you earn on your investment if you ever sell your home, and the more flexible you can be in terms of getting home equity loans and refinancing. So how can you get the best home for maximum profit?

1. Buy a home near planned amenities.

Anyone can buy a home near shopping, and pay a high price because it’s a desirable location. However, if you keep an eye out for planned amenities, by searching for areas on the verge of development, you can realize a huge profit between buying the home and selling a few years later when the development is complete.

Before development occurs, home prices are typically affordable and even inexpensive. After development begins, though, prices increase. When an area is fully developed, property values can soar. The key is to get a home near planned amenities, but not too near – no-one wants to live next to a parking lot, but five minutes away can be a great location.

2. Find a home with easy access to highways or interstates.

Many people commute between 30-90 minutes every day between home and work. Living in the city isn’t always a desirable option; especially for families raising children; so many people choose to live in the suburbs and commute back and forth to work. If you find a home with easy access to highways or interstates, your property values will be higher than if the home is in the middle of nowhere, and people have to drive 40 minutes to the highway.

TOBE CONTINUED....

Come back or subscribe for Part 2 of this post.

Visit out website for ALL your realestate needs at Texas Homes and Loans.

Carlos Salinas
Real Estate Magician

Green Your Home I

Green Your Home I

With the emphasis on renewable energy, Green driving and travel and general Green living, many people are finding that having Green homes is a great selling tool. While some Green energy techniques require expensive upgrades, some simple tips can help make your home more Green and actually save you money, too! Part One of this series on Greening Your Home focuses on one of the easiest and most useful ways you can Green your home: switch to energy efficient appliances.

Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy efficient appliances run the gamut from slightly cost-saving to truly green. You may find energy efficient air conditions that require less electricity to run than regular power-guzzling models. Energy Star ratings can give you an idea of how much electricity your appliances will use, and help you find the most energy-efficient appliance for your needs.

Finding the most energy efficient appliances is a win-win situation. Not only can energy efficient appliances help you along the path toward creating a Green home, but they save you money every month on your utility bills. Energy efficient appliances help the environment AND they save you money; they’re a logical upgrade when the time comes to replace your appliances. Practically any appliance can be energy efficient; from a dishwasher to a furnace to an air conditioner, and even your lighting fixtures. Energy efficient appliances can even help you qualify for an energy efficiency tax credit!

However, energy efficiency is only one aspect of Green appliances. For maximum impact, you can also switch to low-flow appliances that don’t waste a lot of water. Low-flow washers and dishwashers use drastically less water than traditional models; up to 15 gallons less per load of laundry in the case of a low-flow clothes washer. You can also purchase low-flow showerheads, sink fixtures and toilets to maximize water conservation and make your home more environmentally-friendly.


Your local REALTOR at Texas Homes and Loans.com can help you find a Green Home near you.


Carlos Salinas
Real Estate Magician

Recession Tip 101: Don't Waste Money on Entertainment - See Free Stuff

Recession Tip 101: Don't Waste Money on Entertainment - See Free Stuff

With the recession causing people to pinch pennies in every way they can, the entertainment budget is often one of the most expendable ways to cut costs. However, going without entertainment altogether is a bad idea; people are more likely to splurge if they feel they’ve been deprived, and this can lead to even more expenses. Therefore, one of the best ways you can cut your entertainment budget and still be happy is to look for free stuff to see in your local area!

Most big cities constantly have free stuff going on. You can attend guest signings at local bookstores. Academic institutions often host free lectures on interesting subjects. Many organizations hold free outdoor concerts in the summer. You might even join a local church or look for a local community center to discover and help plan free events.

One of the best ways to find free stuff is to check your local newspaper. The arts and entertainment section, or the lifestyle section, often contains information about local events, including free stuff. You can also sign up for mailing lists at your local bookstores and libraries. Many organizations are happy to notify you of upcoming events if you sign up for a mailing list.

Finally, the Internet is a great source for free stuff. Websites like Going.com and Yelp.com include event listings for many local events, including free events. Even Craigslist.org has an event listing section. There are plenty of free events out there to keep you entertained; all you have to do is be a little resourceful in finding these events.

Don’t waste a lot of money on your entertainment budget, but don’t deprive yourself, either. Use this recession to learn how to find free events, and expand your horizons for the type of events you’ll attend. You can learn a lot attending a lecture, and may discover a passion for a new and interesting hobby. You can also meet great people in your area by attending local events; it’s a win-win proposition!

Carlos Salinas

Real Estate Magician