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Low Letting Fees - Too good to be true
With the huge slow down in house sales the property market is seeing an increase in demand for rental property. Some letting agents are starting to cut their commission charges hoping to increase their property stock of which they can immediately offer to registered tenants. A high turnover of properties will result in much needed revenue flowing into your agency. Such a de-crease in charges will suit some landlords or investors amidst the credit crunch but long term this could not only damage your reputation as an agent but could put considerable strain on your agency. Landlords are well aware that a letting agent offering low fees will be cutting operational cost else where which could result in their property not being advertised properly or tenancy agreement not being executed correctly due to a junior member of staff with little experience dealing with the set up. Most agents will agree that there is a lot more to letting property than simply advertising it in the local paper. A lot of time is spent preparing brochures, conducting viewings, vetting prospective tenants, setting up agreements, conducting inventories and checking in tenants. All this of course costs money to do properly and takes a considerable amount of time & resources. Landlords will naturally want to keep their costs down and you will always find customers wanting a competitive rate. However, agents offering landlords exceptionally low fees face the risk of lower profit margins, which will make it hard if not impossible to survive the credit crunch.Generally fee cutting tends to prove unprofitable, unsustainable and even costly, which could cause your agency to fold. When landlords choose an agent they do not base their decision on price alone, but also consider experience, reputation, professionalism, qualifications, marketing budget, to ensure your agency attracts a large number of tenants through its doors and overall service. If you feel your agency needs a competitive edge try to focus on other areas of service rather than simply price. For example you could consider a sliding fee for landlords that place more than one property with your agency, or you could add value to your charges by offering a service or product that costs your agency little or nothing to set up or provide. You could even consider offering a bundle of useful information to new landlords explaining everything a landlord should know before letting their property. In the current climate with a number of non experienced home owners renting out single rooms to full houses there is no better time to create a helpful first impression of your agency; in the long run the home owner should return to you to let their property. To sum up, there is nothing wrong with healthy competition and being competitively priced, if your agency is able to offer a service towards the cheaper end of the market then do so. Bear in mind there are many companies that target high end consumers and make substantial profits. If you’re going to cut your prices then do so in moderation and avoid cutting your throat.Benjamin Perry CEO of online-lettings.co.uk The Specialist lettings website where you can find a local <a href="http://www.online-lettings.co.uk" >letting agent</a> and view <a href="http://www.online-lettings.co.uk" >flats to rent.</a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Get Your Real Estate License and Help Buyers Benefit From 8K Tax Credit
In an effort to further stimulate the housing market and address economic challenges in our country, the United States Congress has passed legislation that provides a tax credit of up to $8,000 for people purchasing their first home Now here’s where you come in - get your online real estate license with Allied Real Estate School and spread the good news for first-time home buyers! . .To qualify for the 2009 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit, which is sure to help many people make the dream of home ownership a reality, your client must purchase the home sometime between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009 In addition, the buyer or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence for at least three years prior to buying the home . .While the maximum amount of tax credit given to those who qualify is $8,000, there are two main factors involved in determining the total for each buyer: the price of the home and the annual income of the purchaser While the credit will be equivalent to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000, single buyers who make $75,000 or less, as well as married couples who earn up to $150,000, are eligible to receive the most credit . .If a buyer’s income surpasses these limits, but does not exceed the maximum, they may still qualify The credit amount decreases for single buyers who bring in between $75,000 and $95,000, and for buyers filing jointly who gross between $150,000 and $170,000 per year (Those with incomes that exceed $95,000 for singles and $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the tax credit ) . .Buyers who occupy the home for a period of at least three years are not required to repay the tax credit and, since it is fully reimbursable, can get their credit returned to them in the form of a payment . .With the recent announcement of the eagerly anticipated guidance from the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there is even more positive news for first-time buyers FHA-approved lenders have been given the okay to begin the development of bridge-loan products which will make it feasible to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront Home buyers can use these loans to help cover closing costs, buy down their interest rate, or put down more than the minimum 3 5 percent . .Many potential first time home buyers are unaware these programs exist Obtain your real estate salesperson license, educate first time buyers and transform them from renters to proud home owners - a dream they may have never thought possible Allied Real Estate School can help with100% online real estate courses that fit your unique schedule Start today, because you deserve more than a job - but a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of people you help .
Source: www.rsstnx.com