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When people begin to lose their homes, they want to find a way to make the process go away. No one wants to face repossession. However, it is a growing problem for homeowners everywhere. When people get behind on their mortgage payments, they need the help of businesses that can help people stop repossession. Some cash property buying networks can help their customers with this, but it is important to understand what to look for, as some are better than others.

There are a lot of companies available that claim they can help their clients with this. However, they are not all legitimate. That is why it is so important to complete the necessary steps in order to ensure that the proper company is selected.

When using a cash property buying network, people need to find a company that will go over all of their options with them. They do not need to use a company that is only interested in purchasing their property. They need to find a company that is willing to evaluate their situation and then help them figure out what to do. That will allow people to get the best service available so they can stop repossession.

Sometimes, selling is not the only thing that can help the process. There are cases where the property owner is able to avoid selling the home. When a home owner is in a situation where he does not know if he should sell or not, it is important that he finds an honest company that will tell him the truth.

It is important that people choose a company that has been involved in the business for a long time. There are a lot of legal issues involved in repossession, and people want to make sure they have picked a company that understands the legality of the issue. That will keep problems from arising during the process.

If there is not a way to stop repossession without selling the property, it is then important that the company that has been chosen can offer a fair price for the property. Customers should look for a company that will offer them around 80% of the market value of their home. That is a very fair price considering it is a cash sale.

Some companies also give people the option to stay in their property. It is a good idea for people to look for those companies, as they will allow for people to keep their lives as normal as possible. Some companies charge fair rental fees for their customers, so that is something to look for when finding a company.

Beese Properties offers all of this to their customers. They offer advice on ways to stop repossession. They have six years of experience, so they are able to handle the legal issues. They give their customers around 80% of the market value of their home and they also allow their vendors to stay in their home for a fair rental price. For more information, visit them online at http://www.beeseproperties.com.

Beese Properties is a reputable company with a dedicated team around the country that will buy your home. Be assured there will be no fees, no HIPs needed, a quick offer, a fast completion time and cash on completion. For more information on stop repossession visit http://www.beeseproperties.com.

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Many people are facing desperate times in the current housing market. Because of these desperate times, they are putting their homes on the market. After they have found a buyer, they often do not know where to go. Some are left homeless, while others have to go live in sub standard housing. It is important for these people to realize that there are companies that allow owners to sell and rent back.

First, it is important to understand what this means. There are cash buyers available that are looking for investment property. Certain companies match people with the cash buyers, who then purchase the home. After the home is purchased, they can then rent it back to the former occupant. This creates a situation where everyone can win. The buyer has investment property, and the person who did own the home still has a place to live.

Most property is available for this type of transaction. In fact, a lot of companies will buy properties “as is,” so owners do not have to worry about getting property ready for a sale. Also, they do not have to worry about moving in many cases. It allows for a situation that is not nearly as demanding as the typical real estate transaction, as there is less preparation and little hassle. That makes it very enticing for many people who are facing financial trouble and need help.

When looking for a company that will allows customers to sell and rent back, it is important to find a company that charges fair fees. Some businesses take advantage of the situation and charge high prices to their tenants. As people who are using this service already had to sell because they were in a financial situation, this is not a good idea. It is not going to help the people get back on their feet.

It is also important to find out how long the company will allow their tenants to stay in the property. Some places will evict their tenants after as little as six months. For many people, that is not long enough to get their finances in order. Other companies will allow people to stay indefinitely.

When searching for a company that allows people to sell and rent back, it is also important that an agreement is offered. When tenants have the option of putting it in writing, they know that they do not have to worry about being evicted. It makes the process much more secure for the tenants. A legitimate company is going to give their tenants the option of having an agreement in writing.

Beese Properties offers all of this to their customers and more. They base their fees on the market value, so they do not overcharge their tenants. They work with their tenants so they can stay on the property as long as they wish. Tenants also have the option of signing an agreement with them. For more information on how to sell and rent back, visit them online at http://www.beeseproperties.com.

Beese Properties is a reputable company with a dedicated team around the country that will buy your home. Be assured there will be no fees, no HIPs needed, a quick offer and a fast completion time. For information on sell and rent back properties visit http://www.beeseproperties.com.

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Situated in the Aquitaine region, the Dordogne is one of the largest departments in France (a department is the equivalent of a county in the UK) and its wondrous qualities set it apart from the rest. There are many benefits to buying a Dordogne property.

From North to South and East to West the Dordogne offers breathtaking views as well as some hidden gems, not to mention the Dordogne River itself. ‘La Vallee de la Vezere’ is a fantastically kept secret, with its underground caves and connecting chambers, it is a treasure trove for the adventurous. The Dordogne has held onto its ancient history, managing to preserve a sense of authentic France.

Going back further in history, the Dordogne is the site of the famous caves of ‘Lascaux’, discovered in the 1940’s; today you can see pictures drawn by men 16,000 years ago!

The Dordogne is steeped in history and can cater for a diversity of cultural interests. Of course, the Dordogne is famous for the many historical ‘Chateaux’ that are found in the region- including ‘le Chateau de Hautefort’.

Perhaps you don’t want to live in a Chateau; but there are still many properties to suit every potential buyer’s pocket. For those of you looking for a challenge you can snap up, for a fair price, houses in need of refurbishment. Labour in France is a lot cheaper than the UK, and for those wishing to try their hands at DIY, the materials are often half the price.

On the other hand those looking for a little luxury will find a range of properties built in the fashion of the region, with ornate and beautiful swimming pools, although if you buy near the river you may not want or need the swimming pool!

The Dordogne is world renowned for its culinary delights, with simple tastes and high quality produce. Amongst the most famous delicacies are the foies gras d’oie (goose liver pate) for which you will pay very dearly anywhere else in the world, and truffles - again very delicate, rare and elsewhere expensive.

Local producers are more than happy to show you around their production sites, but they will be reluctant to part with their secrets! Settling into a small community will allow you to get to know the locals and give you more insight into the local foods.

Dordogne is a handy region for transport links to the United Kingdom. By air, the Dordogne is accessible via low cost airlines to Bergerac Dordogne airport. By sea, Brittany Ferries offer sea links to St. Malo connecting to Dordogne and the South West of France.

For people who want to experience a new way of life, the Dordogne is for you; little is changed by tourism, it will offer you a genuine experience of the French way of life. Living in France will require you to integrate into the local communities, it will be expected that you will learn the language and explore the culture; in the Dordogne you will not see a ‘fish and chip‘ shop in sight.

In short, the Dordogne will offer you an unusual but refreshing change to your way of life that will be impossible to receive anywhere else!

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK and French businesses. He recommends Premier French Property, a leading Dordogne Estate Agent with offices in Eymet, Castillonnes, Villereal and Issigeac for advice on buying Dordogne Property.

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In the corner of South West France, is a secret spot known as Lot-et-Garonne. The area is a little-known gem just beneath the picturesque region of the Dordogne. This is a tiny corner of France; only forty kilometres square in total but it offers some of the greatest benefits to living within the French countryside.

The Times newspaper described this area as ‘France in the raw’. Its authentic sense of ‘real’ France lures many foreigners to join its inhabitants living a truly French rural way of life. Of course, you would be expected to learn the language, but in exchange you get a region famous for its laid-back lifestyle, fine local produce, fantastic restaurants and genuine French charm.

Property prices in the Dordogne have risen steeply in recent years. But, properties in the area have always been expensive compared with other areas of France. For those looking for the challenge, there are barn and town house renovation opportunities still readily available across the area from around twenty thousand pounds. There are less conversion prospects throughout this area than one might find in other parts of France. However, the perfect picture postcard restoration project is still available if you’re willing to search for it.

Land prices are still very affordable in Lot-et-Garonne with the cost of labour and materials significantly cheaper than those throughout the UK. This can make building your own dream property in the Dordogne region much cheaper than building your own home in the UK. Good land prices start from around twenty-five thousand euro (about nineteen thousand pounds) and stretch as far as the budget can go.

Properties available throughout the area include town houses, manor houses, gites, chalets and of course, for those with big pockets, the odd chateau or two.

A large two-bedroom manor house could cost as little as a hundred and sixty thousand pounds, although smaller houses of this type are plentiful in the region. For around the same price as the large manor house, one can purchase a four-bedroom village house with a swimming pool and lots of development opportunities.

Bungalows are increasingly popular in the area. A well-located two-bedroom bungalow can be purchased for prices that make the UK property market look very expensive indeed. For the more adventurous holiday-home buyer, a newly built wooden vacation chalet is as little as sixty thousand pounds.

If you’re in the market for a luxury property, Lot-et-Garonne is perfect. There are lots of magnificent large new and restored properties with swimming pools, impressive grounds and stunning views of the countryside. Of course, whilst many of these homes fetch upwards of between five hundred to a million euro, the quality of the homes and what you get for the price is simply incomparable with British properties.

With great transport links, this part of France is highly accessible. The closest international airports include Bergerac, Bordeaux and Toulouse. Easyjet, Ryanair, Flybe and British Airways operate a number of regular flights from the UK. Paris is only four hours away on the TGV, which makes this area a great holiday home for those living in the UK.

Discover the marvellous lifestyle, beautiful scenery and relaxed quality of life that makes Lot-et-Garonne France’s best kept secret.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK and French businesses. He recommends Premier French Property, a leading Dordogne Estate Agent with offices in Eymet, Castillonnes, Villereal and Issigeac for advice on buying Dordogne Property.

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After months of negotiation, the Russian parliament (Duma) has voted to approve a double taxation treaty with Cyprus, making it easier for Russian citizens to buy property in the country.

The new treaty replaces the one signed between the two countries in 1998. In the past decade, Cyprus has signed several double taxation treaties in an effort to make the country attractive to off-shore enterprises and property investors. Cyprus is clearly benefiting from the present arrangement which allows it to become a base through which foreign companies can do business in Russia. However, Russian officials have expressed their intention to amend the treaty. This is the third round of talks between the two parties and negotiations are expected to continue.

Cyprus is putting great efforts into attracting offshore collective investment funds. The corporation tax rate for offshore companies of 4.25%, and the increasing number of double tax agreements with other countries, are two strong reasons for establishing a collective investment fund in Cyprus. Current legislation creates no problems for close-ended funds. A study has been commissioned by the government for drafting the appropriate legislation for open-ended funds.

Under the double tax treaty with Cyprus, investors can enjoy a 5% withholding tax rate on dividends distributed by a Russian subsidiary, rather than the regular 15% rate. Therefore, using Cypriot holding companies is one of the most typical vehicles to structure inbound investments in Russia.

Despite having numerous treaties, the signature from the Russian parliament is perhaps viewed as the most important one on the list. Scores of Western businesses have established a presence in Cyprus to trade with Russian companies and Russians are now viewed alongside the British as the most important international buyer group on the island.

Cyprus is one of the most advantageous places of residency for Russian and Ukrainian companies. It offers a high level of banking, auditing, accounting and legal services, as well as its real estates, which developed Cyprus into a successful international business and financial centre.

Some of the main factors and advantages which secure Cyprus ‘ attractiveness to international businesses and investments are the following: 10% corporate tax rate for business profits; No withholding taxes imposed on dividends, interest and royalties for non-residents (whether a company or an individual); Income from dividends is exempt from income or corporation tax; The attractive platform and tax regime that Cyprus provides for a holding company (i.e. subject to certain conditions full exemption from local taxation in respect of dividends received by a holding company from its local and foreign subsidiaries); The attractive platform and tax regime that Cyprus provides for international trusts; The network of favorable double taxation treaties that Cyprus maintains with more than 40 countries including Russia and most of the ex Soviet Union Republics; Tax advantages available to non-residents including non - E.U. residents; Cypriot tax regime permits losses to be carried forward indefinitely; The geographic location of Cyprus, located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Ukraine balks from treaty

Although the Russian government ratified the treaty, the Ukrainian parliament has rejected a similar agreement between itself and Cyprus. The Ukrainian government believes that the old treaty between the Soviet Union, of which the Ukraine was a member, and Cyprus in the 1980s, was too generous and allowed private individuals and companies to avoid paying the appropriate level of taxes in their home country.

It has since rejected the new treaty with Cyprus and is likely to take a further six months for it to be altered and put before the country’s government again. The Cypriot parliament is also unsure of the treaty’s composition and believes that it goes against the nature of the original agreement.

Linda Cartwright is an expert on the property market in North Cyprus, currently writing for Meridies Homes

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If you bought a home in the last five years there is a one out of three chance that you now owe more on your mortgage loan than your home is worth. Yipes! Could that possibly be true?

That bad news comes from Zillow.com. Zillow.com is the online service that offers residential property valuations based on tax assessments. The company reports that in 2008 2nd quarter home prices fell by almost 10%. The crash in home values was the largest on a year-over-year basis in 12 years. It brought the median home price down to $206,919.

Here’s the real shock in this report. That drop put almost 30% of the people who bought homes since 2002 into a negative equity position!

Zillow.com says that the year 2006 was the very top of the real estate market. 45% of those who had the misfortune of buying in that year are now underwater - they owe more than the market value of their homes.

If you are one of those people looking at negative equity, but you plan on living in your home for the next 10 to 20 years, no problem. Inflation alone will save you.

The trouble starts if when of those homeowners find they must sell for some urgent reason. How can you sell a home when you owe more on the mortgage than the market value of the home?

Oh sure, for a while every owner hopes they can price their home at breakeven and find a buyer. The problem is that a breakeven price will be thousands above the selling price of other homes in the neighborhood. Your chances of selling are about the same as winning the lottery.

If you absolutely must sell you could bite the bullet and keep the home as a rental investment. But wait, there are so many homes now on the rental market that you will never be able charge enough rent to cover your monthly mortgage payment. You will have what real estate investors call an “alligator”. That’s a property that will slowly devour your capital.

If your income is high enough you may be willing to feed your alligator for a few months - come out of pocket for the difference in rental income and mortgage payments. Your hope is that there will be an increase in the market value of you home during those months and you will be able to sell your home at an acceptable price.

Oh my, you are now a landlord with all the associated problems. If you have moved out of the area you are an absentee landlord and that multiplies the problems. Hire a property manager? That simply increases your alligator’s appetite.

Jingle Mail

That brings us to an expected increase in “jingle mail”. Jingle mail is a phrase that has recently been coined by companies that collect mortgage payments. They are receiving envelopes in the mail that contain the keys to the house rather than a check for the mortgage payments. The keys jingle as the envelope is delivered.

Homeowners who can’t make their mortgage payments face foreclosure. They can soften the blow some by offering their mortgage lender a deed in lieu of foreclosure. That saves the lender the expense of a formal foreclosure. It is still a black market on your credit history, but not quite as bad as a full out foreclosure. Oh yes, not all lenders will accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

The bottom line? Thousands more vacant homes coming into the market and increased supply resulting in lower real estate prices for everyone.

What can we learn from all this? Booms don’t last forever and the last ones to the party end up with the mess.

Mark Walters is a third generation real estate investor and founder of CreatingWealthClub.com. For a limited time Mark is offering his big guide to finding hard money loans for real estate investing free. Free guide to private money loans. http://www.FindPrivateMoney.info

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After a rather neutral start in 2008, the real estate market for residential homes in Austin has increased its inventory of homes for sale, according to statistics from the Austin MLS. This is happening despite a continuation of one of the highest metropolitan growth rates in the country and a strong and growing local economy.

According to different Austin real estate agents, bad economic news from other parts of the country are causing prospective buyers to hold off as they wait and see what the economy might do. Some of them may be hoping that prices will fall even more before they buy, even though buying prospects are strong right now. Current mortgage rates are the lowest they have been in 35 years. The last time rates were this low during a buyer’s market was in 1973.

This wait-and-see approach has caused a slight drop in prices in some areas, but most area properties are holding steady in value. The market is slow right now, but is not depressed like it is in some other areas of the country.

Statistics from the U.S. Census bureau and compiled by the Texas A&M Real Estate Center and published on July 3 this year in the Texas Real Estate Market Reports show that the population in the Austin/Round Rock metropolitan area has increased by about 43% since 1997. Almost 1,600,000 people now live in the area. The city of Austin expects this growth trend to continue as far ahead as 2020, according to the report.

Experts also expect an increase in jobs and a low unemployment rate to continue during the next ten years. Austin and the Texas Hill Country will continue to be one of the fastest growing areas of the nation and is expected to enjoy one of the healthiest economies as well.

Some experts have pointed out that the rise in real estate values in Austin has remained steady over the years. The area has not seen increases in property value of 200% to 2000% as has been seen in some areas of California and Florida, for example. This, coupled with an equally consistent growth in jobs and a high rate of population increase, has worked to protect real estate from attaining overly inflated values which make it vulnerable to bubble bursting in times of economic difficulty.

The Texas Real Estate Market Report shows that Austin/Round Rock led the state in population growth between 1997 and 2007. The area consistently ranks in national top 10 lists for growth. For example, from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007, Austin was the 5th fastest growing metropolitan area in the US, according to Census Bureau population estimates.

All these new people moving into the city and its outlying areas(more than 65,000 of them from 2006 to 2007) need a place to live. Many will buy homes. It is this kind of growth that is helping to keep Austin real estate values from falling as much as they are in other parts of the country.

However, ironically, it may be that Austin’s tech recession in the early 2000’s that is helping to bolster the market today. According to a report published by the demographics department of the city of Austin, “We never had a housing bubble here because of the lingering effects of the tech recession, and ironically it was the depth of our local recession that then gave us protection from the ruinous fallout from a bursting bubble in residential real estate that has dramatically altered the economic landscapes of Florida, California, Arizona, New England and the Midwest.”

One thing seems certain; the Austin real estate market remains one of the surest and safest in any of the metropolitan areas in the country. That coupled with the nationally recognized quality of life that the city offers makes Austin one of the “sexiest” urban areas in the country.

Ki helps homes buyers and investors interested in Austin real estate. His site has market statistics on his Austin real estate blog along with a search of the Austin MLS.

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When you realize the prices that homes in your neighborhood are selling for, you may realize that you have a lot of equity built up in your home. This is especially true of homeowners in the UK, where the prices of homes have been consistently rising over the past few years. As a homeowner, you could be sitting on a sizeable nest egg if you were to sell your home with the profit you could make. You could pay off your mortgage and have enough money left over to make a down payment on another home or be able to do quite a bit of traveling. Many homeowners have decided to sell to cash in on their investments and downgrade to a smaller property when their children have grown and left home. However, there are factors that you have to take into consideration when selling your home because you have to view it through the eyes of a potential buyer.

You should start by disassociating yourself from your home. Walk through it as if you were a buyer rather than a seller. To prepare your home for sale, you have to depersonalize it for showing. This means you should try to reduce the number of personal mementos and pictures you have around the home. You want the buyer to imagine his/her own photos or artwork on the walls or on the fireplace.

Think about the amazing amount of junk you have accumulated during your years of living in the house. Buyers who come to see the home don’t want to see clutter. They will have a difficult time seeing past this and imagining themselves living here. Sort through everything you have to distinguish the old from the new. If you don’t use it and it hasn’t any monetary value, the best thing to do is to throw it out. Make sure your kitchen counter is clean and if necessary place essential items in a box in a closet. Try not to have any knickknacks around the house. You can think of it as preliminary packing because you will have to pack it all up anyway when you sell the home.

Buyers will look in closets and open cabinet doors. You should try to have the things inside arranged neatly. When buyers see that you are organized they will also have the feeling that they won’t have much cleaning to do after you move out and they take possession of the home. If you know that you have too much furniture in some rooms but you don’t have anywhere to store it, you can rent a storage unit. Then you have the furniture ready for another place when you do sell. You can also have a flea market and sell off some of your used furniture especially if you plan to move to a smaller property where you will have even less space.

If there are any window coverings that you want to keep, remove them before you show the house. When a buyer looks through the home, if there are window coverings, they will be included in the sale. So if you remove them first, the buyer will not insist on them being part of the sale agreement. This also includes such things as removable rugs on the floor or a fireplace.

The next step in making sure your house is ready to put on the market is to make any necessary repairs that may turn off potential buyers. This includes replacing any cracked or broken tiles, making sure any holes in the walls are repaired properly, there are no leaky faucets or cabinet doors that don’t close properly. Neutral colors work best because the d?cor you choose may not be in the same taste as the buyer. You can repaint the walls a neutral color. Remember that what was in fashion when you moved into the home may not still be in fashion now, such as flowery wallpaper. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to remove any wallpaper and paint the walls.

The house must be sparkling clean before potential buyers come to call. Prepare a checklist of things you need to do and then check them off when they are completed. Wash the windows, dust all the furniture, wash the floors, make sure there are fresh towels in the bathroom and that the beds are made. You should not have any clothing lying around the bedrooms. Put everything in the drawers or hang it in the closet so that the rooms look neat and tidy.

Once you’ve carefully scrutinized, repaired and cleaned the interior of the home, then its time to tackle the exterior. Make sure that all the doors open and close properly and that the outside of the home is clean and tidy. If there is any peeling paint on the windowsills, scrape it off and repaint. Trim the brush or hedge around the lawn and make sure the lawn is mowed.

Peter Kenny has been writing financial articles for 10 years and is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at Remortgage Loan and Personal Loans Visit Credit Card

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Budget self catering Cyprus apartments are a well-liked type of Cyprus property for sale for both personal use and as an investment. Cyprus property for sale have been averaging 20% per annum in capital growth over the past five years, this is why investors love it - buying a discount Cyprus apartment and renting it out can be a smart move.

One of the prime areas to buy budget self catering Cyprus apartments is in the Famagusta district , known locally as Ammochostos which takes in the tourist centres of Agia Napa and Protaras.

The actual city of Famagusta was the favourite place for holiday makers in the 1960s, but is currently abandoned in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. Holiday makers then moved to the sleepy villages of Agia Napa, Protaras and Paralimni, as there are extensive sandy beaches, rocky coves and clear blue sea, many of which have been awarded ‘Blue Flags’. As would be expected with such an attractive coastline, every type of water sport is available here.

Purchasers interested in property investment looking at Cyprus property for sale, should understand that the holiday season is quite short in the Famagusta area, so the high rents will only be payable from the end of May to mid September. The area all but closes down in the winter months and therefore this should be taken into account when working out the finances if the property is to pay for itself, don’t be seduced by the promise of high year round short-term lets.

Another major place for budget self catering Cyprus apartments is Paphos, specifically around the Tomb of the Kings area, known locally as the Universal Area as the land once belonged to the Universal Bank, there are many restaurants, bars and clubs within walking distance, so there is no need for taxis to get back home after a night out. Kato Paphos is another area where the discount Cyprus apartment is very sought after, the focal point being the fishing harbour and adjacent port. The rental market here is more year round and has proved over many years to be a great place to buy Cyprus property for sale.

Budget self catering Cyprus apartments are especially appealing to families who can have the relaxing atmosphere of a discount Cyprus apartment for holidays while not having the restrictions or cost of a hotel. There are so many restaurants and tavernas that budget self catering Cyprus apartments rarely see any serious cooking, but it’s great to have proper facilities for snacks and sandwiches in between trips to the beach.

Famugusta and Paphos are probably the most popular locations for budget self catering Cyprus apartments, but Cyprus property for sale is moving fast in other districts such as Larnaca with the proposed PGA golf course and marina and upgrading of the coastal areas from Dhekelia to Mackenzie Beach. Limassol with its new marina having been approved and construction beginning soon will have an even greater market share. The choice is really yours, but wherever you buy you can be sure of great holidays in the sun and an investment that will increase in value.

Kate Deas-Smith says budget self catering Cyprus apartments are great Cyprus property for sale investments.

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Would you buy homes if you could get them for 31-cents on the dollar? I mean, would you pay $62,000 for a home worth $200,000?

I know that sounds crazy, but I also know it’s happening right now, today!

“Fortunes are made when blood is in the streets.” You’ve heard that one, right. Well, when it comes to the housing crisis in the U.S., blood is in the streets and fortunes are not being made, but augmented.

It’s the folks who already have fortunes that are buying American real estate at “dollar store” prices. I’m talking about sovereign wealth funds. Let me remind you of exactly what a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) is. A SWF is a state-owned investment fund composed of financial assets and pools of money derived from a country’s reserves, which are set aside for investment purposes that will benefit the country’s economy and citizens.

We Buy, But Don’t Sell

The funding for a SWF comes from central bank reserves that accumulate as a result of budget and trade surpluses, and even from revenue generated from the exports of natural resources.

It boils down to this: The U.S. has been buying way more from other countries then they have been buying from us. We have all that stuff that we purchased through Wal-Mart… and they have all our money. In our modern world all that wealth is really just a few digital computer blips. If it were actual thousand dollar bills they would have enough to fill China’s Bird Nest Stadium to overflowing.

We are experiencing the greatest transfer of wealth the world has ever seen. For those of us in the U.S. the wealth is traveling in the wrong direction.

Billions and Billions and Billions…

The amount of money in these funds is mind boggling. As of May 2007, the UAE’s (an oil producer) fund alone was worth more than $875 billion. The estimated value of all SWF cash is estimated to be $2.5 trillion and growing.

Due to those Washington politician’s self-serving fiscal policies the value of the dollar has been dropping faster then a speeding bullet. No one with the slightest understanding of economics wants to own something that continues to drop in value, and that includes managers of the sovereign wealth funds.

The SWFs are using our dollars to buy up assets with appreciating value around the world. In the U.S. that includes valuable real estate like the Chrysler Building purchased by an Abu Dhabi fund.

The Big News

But here’s the big news. The funds are now ready to grab tens of thousands of foreclosed homes in the U.S.

When a bank takes back a home it goes into their REO account. REO stand for real estate owned and banks have thousands and thousands of owned homes sitting vacant. They have far more homes available then interested buyers… until now. The SWFs are to turning those depreciating Wal-Mart dollars into solid real estate assets.

When you have the cash you can make killer deals. In previous articles I have suggested that investors band together and buy bank owned homes by the dozen. That’s how you sift fortunes from the blood flowing in the streets. Do you suppose someone in Saudi Arabia read that?

The sovereign wealth funds are operated by smart guys and they can recognize opportunity when they see it. American bankers are desperate and the SWFs have big money. Do you think some sweet deals are going down? You bet your FICO score they are. These are cash deals that may save some banks from going under.

One buyer representing a SWF is now willing to pay 50 cents to 60 cents on the dollar for a collection of California REOs worth, at a minimum, $500 million.

It is reported that this same buyer negotiated a $2 billion package mixed with homes across the country for 31 cents on the dollar.

Here’s where you should ask, “So what? Why should I care?” Well, those funds must profit from their investment by offering those homes for sale.

Since they purchased them at deep discounts they can sell them at discount prices. When you under cut market prices you bring down the value of all homes in the market. That means even more people will find they owe more on their mortgage then their home is worth.

Does that mean more foreclosures, more homes offered at discount prices and a further drop in value for all homes? Darned if I know, but I am sure glad that I sold my investment property two years ago.

Mark Walters is a third generation real estate investor and founder of CreatingWealthClub.com. For a limited time Mark is offering his big guide to finding hard money loans for real estate investing free. Free guide to private money loans. http://www.FindPrivateMoney.info

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