How to Become a Real Estate Agent in New York?

May 28, 2009  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: NY Real Estate


Working as a real estate salesperson is one of those careers where someone can work at their own pace. Generally, real estate salespersons don’t work 9-5 /day – they set their own schedules and goals. Their earnings reflect the efforts they put in. A real estate agent position is usually considered as a first step of entering into the real estate world.

In this article, we will guide you on how to enter into the lucrative world of New York real estate – a state which is full of real estate wealth and amazing profits.

Getting a real estate agent’s license in New York is not a very complicated process. Individuals who meet certain criteria can easily get the real estate salesperson license in this state.

Eligibility Requirements

An individual who is interested in obtaining a license must be over 18 years of age and a legal resident of the United States. They must not have a felony conviction in New York or any other state – this rule may be bypassed in certain circumstances.

Educational Requirements

To get a real estate salesperson’s license, an applicant must complete 75 hours of approved courses successfully – prior to July 1, 2008, 45 hours were sufficient to complete the requirement. Those individuals who completed only 45 hours (prior to July 1, 2008) courses may take 30 hours remedial course to complete this requirement.

Exemption on Basis of Degree

If an applicant has a college degree in real estate, he/she is exempted from this 75 hours courses requirement. To get this exemption, the applicant must have to provide the proof that he has taken all the required courses in the college and passed them successfully – 75 hours attendance in the courses is mandatory.

After completing the courses (75 hours), all applicants have to pass the qualifying examination administered by the department. The state department charges $15 as the examination (written exam) fee.

Child Support Statement

All applicants must have to provide child support statements that show the number of children and any other support obligations.

Reciprocal Real Estate License

Ten states have a reciprocity agreement with New York. Applicants who want to get the benefit of this agreement must furnish the two required certificates and the application fee.

The certificates must be issued by the state where they are licensed. One certificate should state that they are in good standing and the other one is of irrevocable consent.

Individuals who are interested in getting a reciprocal real estate salesperson’s license, they must proof the sponsorship of their home-state broker. In addition, all real estate salespersons must be working under the sponsorship of a broker who holds a current New York State broker’s license.

Apply for License

Once an applicant meets the eligibility criteria and complete all the courses and required examination, he/she may apply for the real estate salesperson license. The applicant has to provide the notification of the cleared examination along with the license application and fee. The state department charges $50 (for two years) as the license fee.

It is important to remember that after getting the license, the individual has to furnish the proof of a New York’s broker’s sponsorship. Otherwise, he/she can’t work as a real estate agent in the New York state.

To cut a long story short, an individual who wants to get the license of a real estate salesperson in New York, he/she must be:

* 18 years or older;
* legal resident of the US;
* have a good character;
* completed 75 hours approved courses; and
* successfully completed the state department’s written examination.

By: Syed Rehan

About the Author:
Syed Rehan is associated with AgentCampus.com. Get your New York Continuing Education from AgentCampus.com



Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress

Investment Property Seminars – Empowering Investors

May 28, 2009  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Property Investment


It was back in the early 70s when only half of the UK’s population owned a property. However, people came to realise that property investments tended to be fairly stable for extended periods of time, while other types of investments tended to lag behind in growth or fluctuate somewhat. Compared to stocks and shares, property investments provide a real and tangible asset and are considered very dependable.

With the value of land rising nearly tenfold in the last two decades, and the profits earned in the value of the housing market even more impressive, investing in property has become a more lucrative option. Now, property investment has become a far more conventional investment vehicle that’s easily accessible to investors with understanding and insight to recognize solid medium to long term investments.

However, despite all these positive aspects of investing in property, the road to being successful in this arena is littered with individuals who have committed investment mistakes and paid dearly for them. Thus, accomplishing your property investment goals necessitates that you fully equip yourself with the right arsenal of tools needed to help you survive the journey to successful property investment. There are many resources out there that can guide you in the right direction. One of them is the investment property seminar.

An investment property seminar is your portal to the world of the property market. It is where you gain knowledge on the ins and outs of property investments. Aside from educating you on the investor rules of thumb, property investment seminars aim to teach you how to: recognize the different types of investment property and identify which one suits you best, analyze property for cash flow, buy property to make money, buy with no money down, determine when it’s a good time to buy, and avoid mistakes other investors frequently make.

These seminars are often conducted by property investment managers, specialists and teachers who impart their knowledge to those who can benefit from it. Key people with extensive knowledge and broad experience in property investments are usually invited by these discussion groups to share their know-how and expertise that could help steer the property investor hopefuls on to the right track and keep them there.

If you are keen on moving up the property investment chain, then you should look into investment property seminars. Such colloquial typically attract prospective clients, property investment company managers, investors and other key people. These individuals, who themselves are looking to network and develop new business contracts, would be instrumental in the success of your endeavor.

Investing in property is almost certainly the largest financial decision and commitment you will likely take on. Because of the enormity of the decision, the need for you to get yourself fully prepped up should not be overlooked. With investment property seminar opportunities offered in the UK, investing with the correct strategy for your specific needs could soon become a reality.

By: Parmdeep Vadesha

About the Author:
Parmdeep Vadesha is a property investment expert and founder of the largest community of property entrepreneurs on the web who buy below market value properties from distressed homeowners facing repossession, divorce and bankruptcy. He writes a monthly newsletter for over 70,000 property investors worldwide – http://www.Property-System.com.



Kansieo.com

Property Management Software – Protect Your Rental Property

May 27, 2009  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Property Management


As your rental property business grows, so does the need for a property management software system. Historically it has been the desire for more in-depth financial information that drives a property manager or landlord to abandon simple accounting software for property management software.

Today it is more important than ever for all property managers to use the same type of web based property management software as the larger asset management companies. There is more pressure to find reliable, rent paying tenants, with the possibility of an increased need for tenant debt collections, and the ever-looming threat of tenant landlord litigation.

Even with the best market outlook, the need to screen your prospective tenants is the top priority. Today’s online tenant credit screening services allow you to access credit and criminal background information in minutes. With an integrated system, tenant screening information is automatically downloaded into your residential property management database. Later, you can review tenant payment history and property maintenance history and make smart decisions about lease management.

Providing tenants with online rent payment options, such as ACH or credit cards, helps to lower delinquencies and keep rental income at its optimum level. With integrated rental property management software, electronic rent payments reduce accounting errors and data entry, and trips to the bank. Automatic scheduled rent payments ensure that rent is received on time and eliminate past due balances.

With bad debt potentially on the rise, automated tenant debt collection services will also prove invaluable to property managers and landlords. The best property management softwares offer integrated access to national debt collections companies. These are the same programs that larger apartment management companies have been using for years.

Of course, some of these online property management services are available separately. Yet integrating all of these tools with one point of data entry can protect you from another, even more alarming threat-tenant landlord litigation. No matter how unjustified, the mere whisper of a lawsuit is enough to terrify any property manager. While litigation is a serious concern for real estate firms of all sizes, it can be particularly frightening for the small property management company which lacks the legal team of a regional or national real estate management firm.

Tenant credit screening services provide a valuable resource by providing a consistent, accepted process for making the best decisions. When you use quantitative tools for rejecting a tenant, you can be more confident in the leasing decisions you make. More importantly, having one database will help ensure all rental application data is captured and no mistakes are made.

What about cost? Historically cost has been a barrier to this type of software used by larger companies; today the web makes access to new online solutions much more cost effective. In many cases these online services, as well as services like internet listings and electronic rent payments, can be included in one low monthly fee. Hardware, server, upgrades, extra licenses, and other costs are eliminated as well, leading to considerable cost and time savings.

As the internet has been the great leveler across many industries, all rental property managers can now afford the property management accounting software that larger real estate management companies have been using for decades. The affordability of web based software is a trend with a positive impact on all professional property managers and owners. Property management systems no longer have to be reserved for the larger companies with deep pockets. They can be used by anyone with a computer and an internet connection who wants to protect their real estate investment.

By: Alison Cavano

About the Author:
Alison Cavano is Director of Customer Support at DIY Real Estate Solutions, developer of affordable property management software for property managers and landlords. DIY’s online property management provides complete leasing and tenant management, including property maintenance requests, fully integrated accounting, credit and background screening and electronic rent payments services, along with personalized websites and resident portals. Visit the website at http://www.diyresolutions.com.



Caffeinated Content

Various Services Available From Property Management Firms

May 14, 2009  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Property Management


Denver’s housing market is growing steadily and shows definite signs of recovery. This is good news for you homeowners who may have to leave the area, be it temporarily or permanently, but are not willing to sell your home quite yet. Maybe the value of your home is not yet at a level that you are comfortable with or maybe you just can’t quite seem to let go of the memories yet, regardless of the reasons, if you intend to keep your house, but would like to find a safe and professional manner of receiving some revenue while you are away, then you should definitely consider working with a qualified Denver property manager.

Perhaps you are a little unfamiliar with the concept? Basically, a reputable and knowledgeable property management firm will take on the responsibility of advertising, showing your property, screening prospective tenants, collecting the rent, inspecting your property, ensuring that maid service and snow removal services are available and will also make sure that your home is well taken care of and that the maintenance is up to date.

These are the services that are offered to you. However, you, as the homeowners, have the flexibility of picking and choosing the services that you require. The goal of the property manager is to help you find the right tenant for you, but also to facilitate and make the selection process as painless and smooth as possible.

You might consider enlisting our services for the “front end” part of the process. The property manager will market your home, screen the candidates and do credit and background checks. We then recommend the best possible candidate. Once they sign the lease directly with you, the business relationship is ended.

However, if you are planning on leaving Denver completely, you may consider the second option which is for the property manager to manage the process from beginning to end and to continue the monitoring process over the long term. The company would be responsible for putting the property on the market, for screening all applicants and doing credit and background checks. They would handle all the legalities such as signing the lease and they would be the contact person in case any issues of questions arise. They would also manage your property, collect the rent (and send you the proceeds) and make sure that your house is well maintained. They can also renegotiate any rental renewals on your behalf.

Renting out your home can be an emotionally difficult thing to do, so why not enlist the help of caring and trained professionals to make the transition a little easier?

http://www.denvercohomerentals.com

By: Tina Avon

About the Author:
Tina Avon



Property Management