Across the country homes are taking longer to sell. If you have a home for sale, you might consider making a few changes to attract buyers in the cooling real estate market. Not only is the market cooling, so will the weather. It may feel hot to you right now, but in a few weeks, the evenings will get chilly.

You CAN sell your home yourself. It just takes time, diligence, and attention to detail.

If you're looking to get started investing in real estate by fixing and flipping houses, you'll want to know what to type of property to buy. Many real estate investors make millions turning ugly houses into dollhouses. On the other hand, some inexperienced investors lose money buying houses that just don't turn a profit. Three tips to help you find the perfect fixer.

By Jeanette Joy Fisher

Depending upon where you live, it may be time for you to rethink your investment strategy if you're a real estate investor, because many areas of the country appear to be on the verge of a price downturn. The indicators are there, beginning with the fact that it's taking significantly longer to market homes when compared to last year. When coupled with rising interest rates, it's likely that the recent real estate boom may be coming to an end.

One of the most startling statistics can be found in Los Angeles, where the median home currently sells for ten times the area's median income. That trend can't continue, regardless of interest rates or the kinds of creative financing options banks come up with.

LA's trend isn't unique, however, and home prices will probably continue to fall as 2006 progresses, and will decrease even more dramatically in 2007, especially if interest rates continue to rise. That trend will be more pronounced in areas of the country that have seen dramatic price increases in recent years. Some economists even predict double-digit declines in Miami and Las Vegas, two of America's hotspots during the recent real estate boom.

However, those sorts of declines aren't expected to be countrywide. Some areas of the country may actually see real estate values continue to grow, but at more modest rates, including most of the Midwest, parts of Texas, and even some larger cities like Atlanta.

As an investor, you'll need to be aware of the trend in your area and invest accordingly. For example, if you're a builder, the combination of higher home prices, higher interest rates, and higher gas prices will make it harder to sell high-end homes that are built some distance away from major cities.

Homes are also getting smaller, after increasing in size for the past thirty years (peaking at 2,430 square feet) and the things people want to see in their homes are changing. For example, luxury kitchens and deluxe bathrooms have gained in popularity while the demand for formal dining rooms has decreased.

If you're an investor who depends on flipping houses, your profit margins may be shrinking and your flipping time may be increasing. Therefore, you may want to begin thinking in terms of income and not capital gains. Although being a landlord isn't for everyone, if real estate values continue to decline and on-market times continue to increase, you may want to think about renting your homes as you wait for the market to improve.
 
You may also want to look at properties closer to downtown areas, since many renters are attracted by easy proximity to their jobs and to the amenities offered by cities. Rental units near office complexes or near several main highways can be especially attractive investments in a market that is showing signs of slowing down. If you're really not cut out to be a landlord, you can always turn the details over to a property management company, assuming you make enough on the rental to cover their 5-10 percent fee.

Regardless of your previous real estate investment strategy, you may want to begin rethinking your options as the real estate boom begins to slow down in most areas of the country.

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Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Over the years, the ranch style home has become almost reviled for its lack of character. Critics have said it's just a single-story box, with no uncomplicated angles, a low roof, and a picture window facing the street. Since ranches were built in such abundance in the mid-twentieth century and were often thrown up as quickly as possible without regard for decoration or individuality, they came to represent the worst of American architecture in many people's minds. However, the humble ranch does have its boosters...

As America's economy begins to cool, a number of economists have begun to predict only modest gains in the prices of single-family homes during the next year. The consensus is that home prices will rise between 3 and 4%, which is a respectable increase, but well below the 10% nationwide average over the past five years. However, many successful investors make a lot of money in cities labeled "the bottom ten." No matter what happens in the home market, smart investors know how to make money in real estate.

It may not actually be the beginning of the end of America's real estate boom, but one of the first indications of a slowdown in the housing market is when homes begin to take longer to sell. Although the National Association of Realtors doesn't keep track of the nation's overall home marketing times, but there has been a dramatic rise in the number of homes on the market in the past six months. With the supply of available houses rising, buyers have more homes to choose from, and according to the laws of supply and demand, that means prices in many areas of the country may begin to come down. Let's look at some areas of the country to examine trends.

Although interests remain relatively low, the number of home foreclosures across the country is on the rise up, which means that investors in REOs are beginning to have more opportunities to make money.

In a search for "Home Buyer's Checklist," I found articles, spread sheets, and tips with differing advice. It seems that the real estate websites want you to choose a home and blindly put your money in escrow. These home buying tips should include more information for home buyers to make a solid home purchase.

Home sellers who learn about marketing psychology and home staging can take advantage of unconventional selling strategies. If you're selling a home or investment house, you might need some extra help to generate a speedy, top-dollar sale. Here are three cutting edge home selling concepts to help you.