Every standard investment advice consists of making a big purchase in the shape of a house, as it’s generally viewed as one of the best ways to get a good return, or if you ask for another item to invest in, most people will say get another property! But are there other options for investment that don’t involve four walls and a roof? Well, surprisingly enough, there are!

Precious Metals

Precious metals like gold are considered to be quite controversial assets. Some people see them as a no-brainer and are a foolproof investment, and while others may view them as a nightmare, the fact is that the truth is neither here nor there, but they are responsive to certain market conditions. Precious metals appear to gain value when the dollar is weak, and then weaken when the dollar is strong in value. However, this is not an exact science. And of course, we don’t know when this will occur, so it’s best to have some precious metals available at all times. The great thing about items like gold bullion is that you can purchase them and keep them safely at home.

A Boat

A lot of people would consider a boat to be a terrible investment. However, this is largely due to the upkeep and maintenance of the boat. The financing alone can be crippling, but there are sites like boatfinancing.co that can show you the best options for getting a loan to purchase a boat. As time goes on, and the concerns about rising water levels and the threat of natural disaster at every corner, it would be very sensible to own a boat. So not only is it a sensible investment right now, but it’s something that is going to be highly desirable in the coming years.

Peer To Peer Lending

As a way to remove the middleman out of the equation, this is a great way to get a higher rate of return. It benefits both sides, the investor, and the borrower, as the borrower gets a lower rate. Many organizations specialize in peer to peer lending, such as ratesetter.com, but there are plenty of other peer to peer lending platforms that have a decent return on investment, you just need to look for them. But you need to beware that with certain lending platforms, you may be required to invest more than $50!

Wine

Yes, believe it or not, wine is a great product to invest in because it can increase in value as it ages. With the right type of vintages, these can be highly sought after, and you can make a decent amount of money. Of course, to make the most out of this investment, you need to have a good understanding of wine generally, but you also need a room to store them in that is temperature-controlled. To get a substantial profit from your wine, you will also need to buy in bulk. In addition, you need to keep notes of when you bought certain vintages and where from, as these are vital trinkets of information to wine connoisseurs.

You see? There are more investment ideas than a house. So take some of these ideas on board and start investing!

Share to Explore !!

Facebook

Digg

Pinterest

Twitter

Reddit

Linkedin

StumbleUpon

Tumblr

Print

email

Yummly

Buffer

When a person invests in real estate, he or she doesn’t go to an auction. Usually, they find a realtor, view a variety of properties, and make a few bids. There is nothing wrong with this method. In fact, it’s a tried and tested technique which has provided excellent results on many occasions. But, that doesn’t mean that an investor only has one path to walk. Regardless of how you feel, auctions provide a range of benefits which make them a no-brainer. For the non-believers, below are the reasons why they are great places to find cheap properties.

Seller’s Circumstances

No one likes to address this topic, but the conditions of the seller play a significant role in the price. Anyone who can afford to wait doesn’t have to go to auction. Instead, they can put their house up for sale and go through the normal channels. By definition, people at auction can’t do the same thing. They either have to make a quick sale for financial reasons or have gone bankrupt. Again, it isn’t nice to admit, but this is an opportunity. Because people need an immediate injection of cash, they will accept lower offers and you can pick up a bargain. Sometimes, the bank will set the price and that will reduce the value further.

Less Popular

There is no doubt that the majority of people use the method above to find an investment property. Therefore, auctions are less attractive and not as well frequented. The reason this is important is due to a lack of competition. If there are fewer people at an auction, the price is bound to stay steady. When that happens, you pay less for the building than normal. Yes, auctions are usually packed, but not every person bids on every lot. For the most part, you will have competition from one or two people and that will keep the price low.

Perceived Risks

Another reason an average investor stays away from traditional and online auctions is the risk factor. In their eyes, the negatives outweigh the positives. Yes, there are risks and you will have to take a gamble of sorts. Still, the dangers aren’t as big as people like to imagine. After all, everything is in document form, signed and accounted for. Plus, there is a description of the house flaws. By reading this, you can get an idea of what to expect. Ultimately, the stigma keeps investors away and increases the chances of a bargain.

Play The Game

Think of an auction like a game of poker. By bluffing the other people in the room, you can keep your cards close to your chest. If they don’t know which properties you find appealing, they won’t up bid and increase the price. For example, a great trick is to bid on lots which aren’t attractive. This will get the ball rolling and people thinking the property is a keeper. When it comes to the one you want to buy, the competition will be less as everyone will have made their bids.

As you can see, an auction is an excellent place to find an investment property.

Share to Explore !!

Facebook

Digg

Pinterest

Twitter

Reddit

Linkedin

StumbleUpon

Tumblr

Print

email

Yummly

Buffer

The heritage and history of a country is a very important thing. It shapes the attitudes and lifestyles of the people that live there, and it is a great source of pride for so many people. Remembering where we came from is the best way to decide where to go next, and respecting the sacrifices of those that went before us helps us to appreciate the things that we normally take for granted. Heritage has an incredible emotional and spiritual value, but have you ever considered its financial value? These are the ways that the heritage of a country brings lots of significant financial benefits to its government and its citizens.

Tourism

The most obvious way that heritage benefits a country financially is tourism. Some countries depend on their natural features like beaches and hot weather to attract tourists, but when you don’t have that to offer, history and heritage can be just as big an attraction. Europe is the perfect example of this. There are still some European countries that are the perfect beach destination but for the most part, the continent doesn’t have that asset. It does, however, have a rich history that you can see in the form of tourist attractions. There are lots of museums dedicated to the continent’s history during the world wars. People come from all over the globe to see these kinds of attractions and it brings huge amounts of money to the countries.

Collectibles

You can use the heritage of your country to make yourself money personally as well. Lots of important historical events have been immortalized in the form of collectibles that will be worth a lot of money a few years down the line. Sites like www.lpm.hk sell special collectible coins dedicated to historical events. These kinds of collectibles will appreciate in value very quickly and can be sold on for a big profit in the future. Collectibles are a great investment that you can start at home fairly easily. As well as coins, you can invest in commemorative plates or even actual relics from historical periods. Items of interest from historical periods are worth lots of money to collectors and the longer you keep them, the rarer they will become as similar items fall into disrepair. The condition is one of the most important things to consider when you’re investing in these items because it hugely affects the value of them.

Trade

Countries hold grudges for a long time. The history and heritage of countries often dictate the relationship they have with other countries. Having a rocky past with another country is going to hugely affect any trade deals that they might try to make with one another. Countries may find themselves involved in unfavorable trade deals with other governments that they have had disputes with in the past. Regardless of the many years that have passed, bad blood runs deep and it can have far reaching effects on the economy of a country.

The heritage of a country is a hugely important part of life for its citizens, but it also brings serious financial benefits.

Share to Explore !!

Facebook

Digg

Pinterest

Twitter

Reddit

Linkedin

StumbleUpon

Tumblr

Print

email

Yummly

Buffer

Many people consider self-building a home, rather than buying a property on the market. If they haven’t been able to find their dream home elsewhere, it makes sense to build something from scratch, with all the features they have been looking for. However, you need to consider the costs. On average, it costs around $300,000 to build a home, so weigh this against the cost of buying pre-existing property on the market before you make a decision.

If building a home is something you have set your heart on, these are the steps you should take, and how they affect your finances.

1: Set a budget

You need to set a realistic figure before you begin, factoring in the cost of the land, building costs, loan repayments, and a contingency to deal with those unexpected costs. Use a construction cost calculator to give you an idea of the costs involved, as you don’t want to run out of money midway through the project.

2: Find the right location

You don’t want to build in an area that is inadequate for your needs, so think ahead. It is often cheaper to buy land on the fringes of a town or city, rather than the middle, so factor that into your choice. Wherever you choose, pay for the services of environmental consultants to make sure the land is safe, and free from hazardous materials and pollutants.

3: Speak to your lender

You need funding in place before the project can begin, so once you have chosen a plot to build your property, speak to your bank or another lender about arranging a construction loan. Funds will be released in stages, so you will only be paying interest on the amounts you have already drawn.

4. Know what you want

You need to have a clear idea of what you want your home to look like before you call in the builders. Your budget will dictate some of this, so speak to the experts, including architects and home designers who will help turn your dream into a reality.

5. Get planning permission

Before you start to build, you need to know that you are legally allowed to do so. Speak to your local authority for advice, and they will let you know the regulations attached to building property on the land you have chosen.

6. Factor in the hidden costs

Have a look at this article that will give you an idea of what to expect. There are costs you will expect to pay for, but it is good to be prepared for hidden and extra costs before building work commences.

7. Begin building

Should you choose a building firm, be sure to find somebody reputable. Be wary of those offering lower prices, as you don’t want anybody cutting corners on your project. There is some helpful advice here on keeping costs down in the construction process, whether you hire contractors or take on the building work yourself.

8. Enjoy your home

Finally, you will be able to enjoy your home, and spend whatever you think is necessary on the finishing touches. You could create the perfect home for you, or add value to sell later on. Enjoy.

Share to Explore !!

Facebook

Digg

Pinterest

Twitter

Reddit

Linkedin

StumbleUpon

Tumblr

Print

email

Yummly

Buffer

For many people who have the funds available, buying a second property is the ideal way to channel their money effectively. But before you get swept away with the amount of rental money that will provide a boost to your earnings or the funds that you will make from renovating it, you should think about all the other costs and factors that are not so apparent. To give you a helping hand, here are a few of the main things that you should consider before taking the plunge and buying that property.

Create a Clear Plan

First of all, you need to have a clear idea in your mind about what you are actually going to do with the property as this will massively influence your overall decision. If you are planning on renting it, you need to choose a place that is an attractive place to live for your target renters – whether they are students, young professionals or families. If you are planning on selling the place, you need to carefully do your sums so you identify a property that can be renovated for a good cost, while still providing you with a healthy return on your investment.

Select a Good Location

Just like choosing your own house to live in, location is everything. We have already talked about how this could affect renters, but you also need to consider how easy it is to get to your new home. This is especially important if you are planning on taking a ‘hands on’ role in the rental or development. If this is not the case, it may not be so much of an issue, but you still need to choose a location that is going to be appealing for people. Also, consider whether you will be buying land with the property as well – check out this guide for more info about house and land packages. Consider all factors including public transport links, proximity to schools and other facilities and the type of neighbourhood it is.

Budget for Unforeseen Costs

Any sort of big investment like this has the potential for unforeseen costs. Aside from the mortgage and taxes, you should also think about maintenance costs, which will play a major role regardless of whether you are planning on renting the place out or selling it on. Decoration and repair bills should all be factored in as well. Many first-time investors fall into the trap of underestimating how much it will be to get their new property up to code, so make sure that this doesn’t happen to you.

Plan Your Involvement

Decide whether you will be heavily involved in all aspects of the project or whether you will be leaving the job to external agencies. If it is the latter, you need to make sure that you choose some organisations that you trust to handle any issues along the way. Personal recommendations are always going to be the best way of ensuring you have the right people for the job. Each approach has its pros and cons, so make sure that you are fully aware of all of these before committing either way.

Share to Explore !!

Facebook

Digg

Pinterest

Twitter

Reddit

Linkedin

StumbleUpon

Tumblr

Print

email

Yummly

Buffer