Invest in Land

Is at least 30% of your wealth in LAND?

“The major fortunes in America have been made in LAND” John D Rockefeller

To become and to remain truly wealthy over the long run, land is now and always has been the very best vehicle.

"90% of all Millionaires became so through real estate. More money has been made through real estate than all industrial investment combined.” Andrew Carnegie

Buy LAND, they are not making it anymore.” Mark Twain

My job is to assist you in acquiring land so that you may become truly wealthy over the long run, for generations. Think about why they call it, “playing the stock market” it is a game and it is one that the average investor rarely wins in the long run.

Investors


* Vacant parcels in high growth areas-Lake Geneva, Door County, and others
* Limited Partnerships-own a percentage interest in larger development parcels
* Cash, leveraged purchases, and IRA Accounts
* Shorter term secured investments in land developments (3-5 year notes at 8-15%)
* Land purchase, enhancement, and management programs
* No obligation one hour individual or small group consultations
* Consulting for rezones, annexations, land divisions, enhancement, development

Investing in Lots and Land

Investing in land, particularly in high growth areas, can be a wise choice. But while there are great opportunities in land investments, be aware of some common pitfalls you may face and remember, if you cannot use a land investment as intended, it's no bargain. Don't rely on photographs and vague property descriptions. Walk every square foot of the land with an eye to potential problems:

* Topography - Heavily wooded land will require expensive tree removal. Steep grades may restrict building options and impact building costs. Hidden boulders may block your path.

* Lack of infrastructure - Are there hookups for utilities including water, sewer, electricity, gas, telephone, and cable?

* Environmental issues - It is worth the expense to hire a professional to look for evidence of toxic or non-toxic waste, old wells or septic systems, underground pipelines, a burial site, or flood plain. Any of these could sabotage future land development.

* Government restrictions - Zoning ordinances, covenant restrictions, and environmental regulations all impact land use.

Many of these pitfalls are not insurmountable, but others may be. It is wise to protect your investments by working with your real estate agent and include sufficient time for discovery of any pitfalls - generally 30 to 60 days - as a contingency in sales contracts.

Investing in land is significantly different from purchasing developed real estate. Some of the advantages of investing in lots and land include:

* Buying land is usually a bargain compared to buying developed real estate.

* Purchasing land offers flexibility for the buyer. Depending on area zoning, land can be used for multiple purposes.

* When you invest in land versus rental properties, you don’t have to devote time, money, and effort to the upkeep of property or attracting and keeping a steady stream of reliable renters.

* Returns on real estate investments in land can be significant if you do your homework and invest where the demand is high or will be high in the near future. For instance, appreciation is almost guaranteed when land is purchased on the outskirts of a city in the path of development and held until the city "builds out."

* The market for second homes and vacation homes is booming, and buying a lot or land is the first step to building a second home for investment, pleasure, or retirement. When new developments open, there are often good deals for early buyers who invest in lots before construction begins.

Drawbacks to Lot and Land Investments

Before you invest in land or lots, it is important to consider the potential pitfalls of buying land:

* Due diligence is critical to ensure that your land investment can be used for the purpose intended.

* If you purchase raw land with no improvements such as utility services, sewer lines, or paved roads, you may face unexpected expenses by having to install this infrastructure which, in turn, will increase construction preparation and undermine investor profit.

* Lot and land financing options are more limited than with developed property, and hefty down payments are usually required.

* Don't expect the same tax advantages on land as on developed real estate. Check with a financial advisor or qualified tax consultant prior to purchasing land for an accurate picture of tax implications.

It's always best to partner with a professional real estate broker/agent who specializes in selling lots and land to smooth the progresses of due diligence, negotiations, financing, and closing the deal.

Investing in Land for a Vacation Home

According to the National Association of Realtors, almost 40 percent of recent real estate purchases were second/vacation homes. Baby-boomers led the market, followed closely by younger generations who see the long-term value of buying land.

If you are in the market for vacation home property, take some time to think through what you want to accomplish:

* Think location first. Look for land in areas that meet your personal interests. Do you love the seashore? Skiing pristine slopes? The solitude of nature? A resort lifestyle with non-stop activities and amenities?

* Think time frame. If you want to build tomorrow your land choice may be very different than if you want to hold the land and possibly use increased equity as a down payment for future construction. Also consider construction contingencies. Some developments in popular vacation and second home markets require that construction begin within a certain period after the lot is purchased.

* Think distance. Travel time is important if you want a weekend retreat. It is impractical to spend a day traveling to and from your vacation home if you only have a day or two to stay when you arrive. Distance is also a factor during construction or when repairs and renovation are needed. The closer the land, the easier it is to handle the logistics of building.

* Think finances. How will you finance the land for your vacation home? Are you looking at the land for ultimate retirement or as an investment for future re-sale? Also, can you afford the expense of maintaining a second home in addition to your primary home? What about renting the vacation for part of the year as a source of income and to help cover expenses.

* Finally, think professional help! When buying a lot or land for a vacation home some distance away your current home, it makes sense to use the services of a real estate professional who knows the local market. This can speed your search for the best land and will streamline negotiations and closing.

Finding Lot and Land Investment Properties

There are several strategies for finding lots and land to buy.

* Some buyers look for "For Sale" signs on undeveloped land and buy directly from the seller.
* Some buyers scour the Internet for lots and land for sale. From online listings for sale by owner (FSBO) to online auction sites, the Web offers plenty of possibilities.
* Some buyers are successful at discovering attractive tracts of land not currently on the market, tracking down the owners, making offers, and closing the deals.
* And other investors purchase undesirable developed real estate on desirable land, scrap the property, and resell or redevelop the land.

Any of these strategies may yield positive results for experienced land investors. However, buyers beware. In all these cases, the entire responsibility for property research, negotiation, and closing lies with the buyer.

It is always advisable to enlist the expertise of professionals to ensure that there are no hidden barriers to land use, determine the feasibility of development or potential for re-sale, and accurately calculate total costs associated with the land purchase and development.

Research shows that most land investors save time, effort, and money by contacting a real estate professional who specializes in land sales. A Multiple Listing Service (MLS) (link to MLS advice) member real estate agent has resources to locate land that meets investor specifications and streamlines the entire purchase process.

What to look for in Lots and Land

The old real estate maxim "location, location, location" is a good starting point when you're looking for lots or land.

Consider your short-term and long-term goals as a prospective land purchaser. What kinds of zoning restrictions are there? Is this land you want to keep and hand down to your heirs - or are you seeking to turn a quick profit on the purchase?

How big is the parcel? Size determines property usage.

It's always a good idea when thinking of land investments to enlist the aid of a professional real estate agent who is a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) (link to MLS advice). Then when you talk with your realtor, the more specific you are about your goals and requirements for land purchase, the easier it will be for him or her to tap the resources of the MLS for tracts of and that meet your needs at the best possible price.

Selling Land for a Profit

Market timing and land location play leading roles in the resale value of property. Even though the market is subject to demand, availability, and current economic climate, and you cannot relocate the land, you can take steps to protect and enhance the value of your investment.

* Stay tuned to long-range plans in the area where your land is located. When discussions about building moratoriums or re-zoning begin, it may be time to sell. Likewise, when talk of development and expansion surfaces in the area it also is probably a good time to sell.
* Especially if you are not nearby, a relationship with a broker/real estate agent who knows both the local market and your priorities can increase your odds for avoiding negative impacts and reaping the rewards of positive market changes.
* Make it easy for potential buyers: remove debris and spruce up your land by mowing and pruning. Mark boundaries so buyers can easily get an accurate picture of the property.
* Provide documentation. An original or updated survey, copies of covenants or other restrictions, and title insurance are helpful.
* Consider financing the transaction. Banks are sometimes hesitant to finance vacant property, especially raw land with no infrastructure. If you don't need immediate cash out of the deal, a reasonable down payment and monthly payments just below market interest levels can increase saleability and provide a stream of income.
* Protect yourself and gain maximum sales exposure by working with a real estate professional that specializes in lot and land investments and is a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). (link to MLS advice) Through MLS you gain access to dozens or even hundreds of agents and their prospects. Additionally, your agent should also have a well-designed real estate web site. This makes your property available to a vastly larger number of prospects.

source:
http://www.gmacrealestate.com/
http://investinlandllc.com/

The Basics of Saving and Investing 2010

Investing offers the best means to achieve your long term financial goals. But any discussion of investing must begin with this simple thruth: Investing requires taking risk. Your investment success depends in part on your ability to control those risk without passing up reasonable returns.

Your task is to create a plan that suits youand then stick with it. You can achieve this goal regardless of your current style of saving and investing. If you don't want to spend a lot of time on your finances, you should create a plan that doesn't require a lot of time.There are lots of successful investor who carefully select the assets in performance. Other investors prefer to pay close arrention to what's happening with their money.

Whichever description fits you, you can accumulate substantial sums of money by applying the following  keys to investment success.

Investor Education 2020 guide is an investor education and protection teaching guide. It was developed for high school teachers, however its content lends itself to all kinds of investor education and protection initiatives including college courses, work place education, after school programs, seminars for adults and seniors, etc.

The Basics guide is entirely focused on investor education and protection. Based on our research of current financial curriculums, the focus on investing and the inclusion of an entire unit on investor protection makes The Basics guide unique among the national curriculums available today. The Basics guide is divided into four units plus an appendix. The four unit titles are: Getting Started, Introduction to Financial Markets, Making a Financial/Investment Plan, and Investment Fraud.

It is designed to be put in a 1” presentation binder (with the plastic sleeve on the front and spine) for ease of use and includes a cover and spine label. The interior pages are black and white for easy photocopying and printing from a PDF or the website.

The compilation of all content in The Basics of Saving and Investing: Investor Education 2020© is the exclusive property of the Investor Protection Trust (IPT) and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. IPT allows teachers, librarians and other educators to download The Basics from the internet and make copies from the pdf or a printed copy as necessary for non-commercial classroom and educational purposes.

The full Basics PDF is very large (6mg), so in addition to the full Basics PDF, we’ve also posted the individual Basics sections as separate, smaller PDFs

source: Investor Protection Trust.
www.investorprotection.org

Investor Education and Protection Program in Public Libraries

In 2006, IPT launched a nationwide investor education and protection pilot program in public libraries in partnership with the American Library Association. The program brought State Securities Regulators’ offices together with local public libraries to provide investor education and protection seminars to the community through the library.

During the pilot phase of the program, State Securities Regulators’ offices partnered with libraries in 20 jurisdictions to offer free seminars on investment education. The non-commercial seminar included a 90-minute plenary session focusing on the process of investing. The seminar was followed by optional, one-on-one counseling sessions for participants.

Since the pilot phase, several States, including Michigan, Florida and Massachusetts, have launched City and even State wide programs in public libraries. These programs include seminars, small group discussions, and distribution of investor education materials. Through the program, libraries have also been able to enhance their investor education collections.

IPT worked with the Kiplinger Washington Editors to develop 7 investor education booklets to be used as part of the library program. The investor education booklets tackle the basics of several key investor topics such as stocks and bonds. They are designed for the beginning and intermediate investor, as well as the long-term investor who never learned the basics. Each booklet includes a glossary of terms used in the booklet and information on the role of State Securities Regulators and how to contact their Regulator.

In addition, IPT has partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor to distribute their “Taking the Mystery Out Of Retirement Planning” to participants.

source: Investor Protection Trust.
www.investorprotection.org

Investor Education on Campus

Investor Education on Campus™ is an IPT program that provides investor education and protection on campuses, including community college campuses, high school campuses, and universities. Investor Education on Campus uses creative ways to educate students and the community about wise and safe investing, alert investors to potential financial frauds and market place abuses, and guide them on when, where, and how to seek help. The goals of the Investor Education on Campus program are accomplished by partnering with State Securities Regulators’ offices and local and national organizations to reach out to as many people as possible.

The first Investor Education on Campus event was held at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY on Saturday, October 27, 2007. This initial Investor Education on Campus event was part of the national Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing™, co-sponsored by the AARP Foundation and Investor Protection Trust. Two more Investor Education on Campus events were held in New York State at Erie Community College in Williamsville on November 10th and at Monroe Community College on December 1st in partnership with the New York Office of the Attorney General.

source: Investor Protection Trust.
www.investorprotection.org

Campaign for Wise & Safe Investing

In 2006, the AARP Foundation and the IPT teamed up to create The Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing™, a national and state-level partnership between AARP state offices and their local State Securities Regulators in 35 states. The primary goal of the Campaign is to impact older investors and potential investors with research based investor education and protection. To date, twenty-seven AARP state offices and their respective State Securities Regulators have implemented a variety of programs to increase awareness of fraudulent practices and educate maturing investors. Since CWSI’s inception, the partnership has conservatively trained nearly 250 volunteer speakers, sponsored almost 500 events that were attended by more than 26,000 people, and raised the awareness of hundreds of thousands of investors through numerous media activities.

At the national level, the Campaign has undertaken consumer research and focus groups. Based on that research, the Campaign developed materials in a variety of formats that are customizable for use by the states. Other national activities include media outreach and promotion, sharing of research findings, and incorporating other IPT programs and relationships such as the MoneyTrack public television series and the public library program.

The programs undertaken at the State level in 27 States include a variety of “high touch” events including “Scam Jams,” lunch and learn sessions, seminars, shredding events, and educational events. Many State have also worked to train senior “Fraud Fighters,” volunteers who work with their peers to help them avoid investment fraud. Millions more Americans of all ages have seen and heard the public service announcements on radio and television.

source: Investor Protection Trust.
www.investorprotection.org

Benefits Of Using Forex Software

As the Internet grows in popularity, more and more individuals are learning about the benefits of trading currencies on the Forex market. In recent years, Forex trading has become known as a great way of investing money. But if you do decide that you want part of the action, you should do some quick research on the Forex software packages on the market. They can help you trade easily and from the comfort of your home and office.


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One great benefit about Forex software is that it can perform many tasks for you, and keep you up-to-date on the values of the currencies you are trading. If you had to do these tasks manually, you would have to spend many hours fiddling with newspaper reports, charts and graphs. But with the push of a button, you can know how and when to trade. With a general knowledge of where the currency is heading, you can allow your trades to run, or stop them as your position reverses.

But not only does Forex trading software allow you to manage your funds, it also provides you with the opportunity to withdraw or deposit money into your Forex account when you need to. This means you can leave your money in an interest bearing account until you are ready to trade. This way, you earn interest on your money and avoid having extra money sitting idly in your trading account.

Also if you want you can set up the Forex software so when the currency drops to a certain level or has reached a specified value, then it will automatically sell it for you. By doing this you are not only minimizing your risks, but it also means that you do not need to keep a constant watch and control over your profits.

However the best way of ensuring the software you are buying is right for your needs is to test it before you start investing your hard earn money. A good Forex software package will allow you to practice with the software using play money while you learn. Then once you are comfortable with trading, you can deposit some of your money into a trading account and start trading. It is best if you practice as much as possible before. This way you will be ready for any losses that may occur in the beginning. From the start it is best if you only invest small amounts of money when trading until you feel more confident with the software.

Forex software comes either as a desktop or Internet based package. The Internet software systems have several advantages over the desktop versions. One of these advantages is that you do not need to deal with maintenance issues. The software seller often looks after these technical goings-on. Security is another issue you don't have to concern yourself with.

The seller will already have in place more security measures than you can afford on a desktop version. The systems offer data encryption on a secure server and will therefore protect you for hackers and thieves. Plus, Internet based systems offer you more convenience than a desktop model. You can check your account no matter where you are in the world. All you need to do is key in your login and password information. You can then view your currency trading account in a secured environment.

Online Currency Trading Software

An Outline On What Online Currency Trading Software Is All About

Not everyone is born with the skill in online trading, but with the right online currency trading software, anyone is well on his way to being one. Having the most suitable trading structure accounts for most online trading success, and the secret is to choose one that fulfils your trading needs and preferences, no matter how particular they may be.

In the realm of currency trading, Global Forex Trading has instituted itself as a worthy leader worldwide. This top performing company has an award-winning online currency trading software that can meet most high-standard trading software needs. The trading software Deal Book 360 presents no-charge analysis instruments, automated trading, and visual online trading.

Another online currency trading software from Global Forex Trading is the DealBook WEB. This software is a web-based trading. You have the ability to access your trading account from any computer that has access to the internet. It makes use of a streamlined ordering screen, one click trading along with order confirmation and charting with a full screen.

Other online currency trading software includes DealBook Mobile which can be installed to your mobile phone and GFT Prime which is designed for high-net worth users or money managers. Online currency trading software addresses your particular needs when it comes to currency trading. Free Trials are usually given to interested individuals to better identify the most suitable software.





The market of foreign exchange currency has established itself as one of the most credible market in money investment. This is primarily the reason why online currency trading has gained in popularity. The expected ROI is significant and your investment is highly safeguarded.

Online currency traders must possess the ability to decide on the online currency trading software that provides for their distinctive trading needs and goals. It is always encouraged to choose trading providers that offer first-rate and modern quality features, along with swift precision and easy usability.

There is also another top notch online currency trading software available. Advanced Currency Markets or ACM actually does away with downloading. Its sophisticated trading policies for online traders allows for more variations. It has the ability to function although there may be firewall installations. Its technology is highly secure and stable, and offers the attributes of current charting tools and real-time market updates. The internet provides many websites that offers online currency trading software, and it is important for any web trader to decide on the best possible trading software.

Developing Your Skills For Consistent Profits

Forex Trading Tools:

There are several Forex Trading Tools available to a trader. Yet with the multitude of such tools, the number of traders that make it to consistent profits are still so few. So the question that begs to be asked is:

If it's not the forex trading tools that make a successful trader, then what does?

Some of the tools required to trade the forex currencies are obvious and basic. At the same time, there are quite a few others that aren't. Yet it is these less obvious tools, while not having a direct impact on your trading results, influence your forex trading success in very subtle and important ways.

One of the reasons why forex traders find it so difficult to find success is not having the ability to see how everything works together in the forex markets. This ability to see the bigger picture is crucial to find success as a trader, because it influences the way you would use your trading tools to pull profits out of the markets.




The difference between novice traders and season traders is this:

Most novice traders only think about the minimum things required to start trading, while the experienced, seasoned traders often strive to utilize the maximum of the tools available to them.

In the game of forex trading, retail traders are usually the least informed and hold the weakest power to determine how the forex currencies. On the other hand, while the banks and large financial institutions have access to sophisticated forex trading tools, it doesn't mean as a retail trader, you require all these tools for forex trading success. But you DO need to have all the trading tools required for forex trading success.

So what do you need to start your forex trading career?

The Basic Forex Trading Tools to Start Trading

These are the basic forex trading tools that you obviously need in order to trade the forex currencies, but these aren't the only tools required for forex trading success:

1. Your Forex Trading Account 2. Your Forex Trading Platform 3. Your Forex Trading System 4. Your Forex Trading Risk Capital

In most cases, novice forex traders tend to think that this is all they need to become hugely profitable in the forex markets. It's so simple and easy, right? It's true, this is all you need to start trading. But what is not so obvious is that while this is what you need to START trading, it's not necessarily what's needed to be trading profitably!

Forex Trading Success is a journey where you, as a trader, are on a path of learning and growth. It's a journey from point A to point B, where point B is consistent forex trading profits.

To think that a novice trader can become wildly successful with just these four trading tools alone is thinking a towering 100 story building can be constructed with only a pencil, a piece of paper, and 4 bricks. Other elements and tools are used to build your forex trading business but because they are in the background of what's going on, they can be easily missed or dismissed in terms of their importance.

If these four tools are what is required for trading success, then we would have a lot more traders being profitable and rich, wouldn't we?

Developing Your Skill To Use The Basic Forex Trading Tools

Developing your skill as a forex trader is necessary to become successful. The quality of the product is due to the quality of the craftsman. The more highly skilled you are, the more you are able to understand and utilize the nuances of forex trading tools.

On the surface, it may seem the skills required to use these forex trading tools would be the technical knowledge. Knowledge of how your trading platform works, how technical indicators are constructed, what they mean, and what would be the best ways of putting them together to create a forex trading system.

However, forex trading success isn't a two dimensional thing consisting only of your trading account and a trading system. In reality, it's a multi-dimensional thing that encompasses you not just as a trader but as a complete person. You have to learn a forex trading system suitable to you, the appropriate type of risk and money management strategies, developing a daily forex trading routine that matches what you want to accomplish in congruence with your actual life, maintaining your records and other supporting skills.

And these skills as a trader can't be bought with money. It takes time, effort and discipline to develop your trading skills. Not only that, it does require actual trading experience to understand what emotions you go through and how to manage them in your forex trading business.

While it may seem to be a lot of work and study, it's definitely possible to become a successful forex trader. Just don't expect it to happen overnight, or you will be sorely disappointed. Even the best of traders are constantly learning new things about the markets, the subtleties of trading and of themselves as traders and persons. Although with the right forex trading education and mentorship you can reduce the time taken, in most cases you'll still have to go through the experience of learning what it takes to be a successful forex trader.

Keep working on your trading skills in totality and soon you will find yourself having Consistent Forex Trading Profits.

About the author:
Ryan Lee Daniels runs a Forex Trading Education website for the Smart Forex Trader. Develop Your Forex Trading Strategy for consistent trading profits.



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Becoming A Good Forex Trader

How To Be A Good Forex Software Trader

The key to becoming a good Forex software trader often lies with putting in the necessary commitment to acquire the knowledge which would allow you to turn your investments into a success. After all, success in the Forex market would depend on your ability to make sound judgments - something which would only come about with experience and knowledge. In this respect, the route to becoming a good Forex trader would require you to take into consideration the paths taken by successful individuals who have managed to profit greatly from trading in the Forex market.

Manage Yourself

For one, it is extremely important to manage your investment psyche. This involves cutting your losses while managing your greed when your portfolio is booming. This is extremely tough for most people considering the inherent levels of risk intolerance and greed of human nature. While cutting losses might seem to most people as an ego deflator, it is necessary in order to bail you out when you make a wrong decision.

After all, it is better to lose $1,000 when things start to go awry, than to eventually lose a whole $10,000. Similarly, it is also important to know when to take your profits and exit the market. Remember, prices do not keep moving in one direction forever. Use Forex software functions such as the stop loss order and limit orders to help you with that. Being able to do this on a consistent basis will enable you to go far in the business of Forex trading.

Know Your Reality

In addition, it is important to know where you stand and not commit large amounts of money that you cannot afford to lose. Most people dream of becoming rich overnight when they first enter into any investment. However, in reality, the rich make their fortune over a period of years, some, even decades. It is important to keep this in mind before making a trade in Forex.

Recognize that what you are doing would accumulate great wealth only over a period of many years. Be patient and do not let short term goals obstruct you from worthy long term objectives. The key is to focus and grow your current position. Success in the Forex market, like all things in life requires hard work and experience before it can be achieved.

Keep Learning

Lastly, it is important for you to learn from your mistakes while repeating the successful strategies which had enabled you to make a profit in the past. Most people have a tendency to repeat their past follies and not repeat strategies which had led them to success in the past. In this respect, honest evaluation and feedback is important. Critically evaluate and write down what you have done right and what you have done wrong for your past few trades. Make sure what you have written down is easily accessible to you when you make a trade. Remind yourself not to commit the various mistakes which you have committed in the past. At the same time, examine how you can adopt past success strategies in the current context. Doing so will allow you to go far in the business of Forex trading.

To round up, it is important to adopt the right habits for success in Forex trading. Adopting the right habits and building up your level of financial literacy will definitely serve to bring you great rewards on your investments in the long run.



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