Almost every individual has already experienced buying a home or a land property, or perhaps rented an apartment. As long as you know how it feels to be a homeowner or renter, you can already think about becoming a property investor. Typically, the property investor will purchase several houses and become a landlord. Within 30 years, all the mortgage loans can be repaid and the value of the properties has already doubled. The rental prices at this point have also increased and so you see how much money you can make.

The situation seems so easy and inspiring but once you’re already there, it becomes daunting. For instance, if one property cost you $80,000, you can pay off the mortgage within thirty years. During that point in time, the property will amount to around $350,000 and you can get gross rents of $12,000! So you see, you can definitely generate wealth through property investments.

You need to be aware that many investors fail because they lack cash flow. While you are busy as a landlord, you can also purchase houses or properties and flip them to other investors. For every property, you can get $5,000 to $20,000 that can help in providing for your cash flow.

The property investor should know how to manage properties especially if he plans to hold it for the long term. As a landlord, you will need to manage your properties that you have rented out. This can be a smelly and dirty business but as long as you’re equipped with the right knowledge, you can earn profits from it. Learn the basics of land-lording and with the right strategies, you can pull it off.

If you decide to become a landlord, you should be free from other major debts. With a significant amount of starting capital, you can succeed in this kind of business. If you think that this kind of set up will work for you, go ahead and become a landlord but if you’re having second thoughts, you might as well stick with flipping properties.

The country of Cyprus is unique in another way too, back in 2004 the citizens of North Cyprus voted yes to reunification and to this day efforts are being made to reunite the Northern third of the island with the Southern two thirds. All Cypriot citizens have lived in peace for so long that it is seen as only a matter of time before some form of settlement to rejoin the two sides of the island is found.

In the meantime Southern Cyprus is in the European Union, it is about to join the Euro Zone and adopt the Euro as its official currency while only the citizens of Northern Cyprus are classed as European – their land and homes are not actually considered to be in Europe!

This slightly bizarre and unusual situation has created something of a short term opportunity for property investors astute enough to realise that property in Southern Cyprus, because it is in Europe and because it is on such a beautiful Mediterranean island, is selling for a healthy premium and actually increasing in value annually.

At the same time property in Northern Cyprus is as well constructed, as well located and actually benefits from being in a less over developed and populated part of the island, and yet – property in Northern Cyprus sells for a third of the price of the exact same specification of property in the South!

Admittedly Southern Cyprus is far better developed then the Northern third of the island, it benefits from millions of Euros worth of assistance from the European Union every year, it has a well established tourism market and economically it is far stronger than Northern Cyprus. However, all this is beginning to change quite dramatically. Firstly the EU are giving millions of Euros worth of aid and assistance to Northern Cyprus for the improvements of its basic infrastructure, secondly the fledgling tourism market in North Cyprus is going from strength to strength as the nation successfully markets itself as the last unspoiled destination in the Med, and finally the wider world is starting to sit up and take notice of the fact that in North Cyprus you can buy a duplex apartment right on an international golf course, across the road from an unspoiled beach for just GBP 60,000!!!

Indeed, where else in the world can you find such a desirable commodity for such a low price? The answer is only in North Cyprus – but because economically North Cyprus is catching up with South Cyprus and because the government in the North are considering adopting the Euro as well, prices of property in the North will not remain so subdued for so long.

Those who have already bought villa and apartment property in Northern Cyprus are enjoying capital gains, they are enjoying rental income and above all else they are enjoying the stunning natural beauty of an island unspoiled by commerce and greed.

North Cyprus is exceptional, it is beautiful, it is affordable and it is not going to remain a secret for very much longer! Astute investors are getting in on the market now and buying investment properties as fly to lets and for the capital appreciation they know their assets will enjoy.

Many people believe that the world’s most beautiful locations are the countries in and around the Mediterranean Sea – think Spain, Malta, Turkey, Egypt, Sardinia, Italy, Morocco and Tunisia. All are nations synonymous with a fantastic climate, a wonderful quality of life, excellent cuisine, friendly and laid back people…naturally enough the Mediterranean countries are the most popular with those looking for a sun drenched holiday, a beautiful place to retire to or the perfect place to buy a property that will go up in value, be easy to rent and easy to resell. But many have already missed the affordability boat.

Properties on the most popular islands in the Mediterranean Sea and in the most desirable locations start from a quarter of a million pounds and go up to tens of millions. So the average property investor, second home seeker or retiree looking for an affordable place in the sun is going to be sadly disappointed then?

That is unless they discover the secret delights of Northern Cyprus…

North Cyprus is the secret and undiscovered third of the island of Cyprus that has been left untouched, unspoiled and unsullied by the greed of the 1970s and 1980s, it has escaped the overdevelopment and mass tourism of the 1990s and it has emerged in the new Millennium as a gem in an otherwise saturated, over priced market.

Properties in Northern Cyprus start from just GBP 60,000 for a duplex apartment in a resort on a championship golf course! North Cyprus truly is the very last Mediterranean property investment hotspot and it will not remain undiscovered for long. While the government are committed to preserving the beauty and culture of the island and determined to prevent it being overdeveloped and sullied, the properties that are being built sympathetically are catching the eye of international property investors, retirees, second homers and those looking to afford to start a brand new and exciting life in the sun.

The number of visitors coming to Cyprus is increasing rapidly; large international developers are discussing many projects from seven star hotels and luxurious resorts to more golf courses, marinas and even a furthering of the higher education establishments that North Cyprus is already famous for. Demand for property for sale and rent is coming from the large student base but more importantly it is coming from retiring Europeans, young families and couples, holiday makers, those needing a second home and even corporate investors.

Northern Cyprus property will not remain so affordable for so long – firstly the demand for property for sale is outstripping current supply and builders cannot keep up with demand, secondly prices are already increasing and finance is being made available privately broadening the numbers of those who will be able to enter the market. As demand soars and supply remains steady and restricted by the government’s high standards, prices are rising and are going to keep on rising…making North Cyprus’s property market one of the hottest in the world.

This makes the situation very unpleasant and dangerous for the credit records of such persons. These incidents seem to leave the property investor or homeowner stuck, panicked and very emotional about the situation.

There are however a few solutions that come from the most unexpected place – the banks.

Even though the banks are harsh and procedural and have deep pockets to easily and swiftly take legal action, they are also interested in solving problems. It is costing the bank money to take legal action and repossess a property, not to mention the time, which in corporate terms equals money.

Though more properties in execution are on the banks lists and some people have not found solutions, we are hoping that this article will give some ideas on how to go about getting help from the lenders themselves.

One may find that the banks are willing to help some bond holders experiencing temporary financial problems. Above all, property investors and homeowners must remember that the banks are smart and fully aware of the fact that rising interest rates have a negative impact on repayments.

But it is not that easy to get help from the bank. May factors needs to be taken into consideration, including factors that are part of the willingness profile of the borrower. The banks job is to keep the bank in business and will not extend help to just anyone asking for help, instead they would rather evaluate each case on its’ merits.

Before we dive into some solutions that the banks may provide, lets look at some guidelines that one needs to remember if approaching the bank for help.

The borrower should contact the bank as soon as they see a problem on the horizon. The issue here is simple. Most borrowers wait far too long before acting on a problem or even informing the bank that a problem exists. This is true for all credit forms not only mortgage bonds.

There are two main reasons for this that are purely emotional:

1) Borrowers are afraid to approach the bank. The bank is big and powerful and seems non-emotional and very threatening. When faced with this fear, one always must remember that humans work in the banks, not monsters or aliens. When talking to a bank, one is actually talking to a person. Though not all people are nice, most can be understanding, as they are also human.

2) Living in denial. This reason is the worst possible as no one can help a person that does not believe a problem exists. In this case, it is very likely that the borrower may be repossessed and never know what hit them.

The borrower should show willingness to find solutions to their problem. In other words, when calling the bank, screaming and yelling doesn’t help. It is not their fault you are in this situation. If you are frustrated, you must be emotionally intelligent enough to be nice and polite and kick your punching bag afterwards to let your frustrations out.

It is very important to remember the points above before even looking at the solutions that the banks may be able to extend. If the borrower manages to upset people at the bank, they won’t even get to a person willing to help, which could make things even worse.

Now we will discuss some ways in which you may find that a bank may be willing to help a financially struggling property investor or homeowner, if the case merits such help.

When falling behind on payments, each bank has certain procedures, however most of them are similar in nature and each case will be evaluated on merit.

All the banks have something called a Collection and Recoveries Department and a Customer Debt Managing Department some also call these Voluntary Restructuring or Loan Modification or Moratorium.

Here are the procedures of what will happen if a borrower falls in arrears:

Pre Legal Section: 0 – +/- 6 payments in arrears. The borrower will get a call whereby they will try and get a promise to pay and arrangements can be made. If these arrangements are broken 3 times in a row, it will be handed to another dept, some call it ICU. Yes, like in hospital. The borrower will be called again and be given +/- 30 days to rectify his/her promises. If nothing happens, its over to the Legal department.

Legal Dept: This is where the borrower will get the option to sign a Power of Attorney to the bank to market/sell his property through listed agents or he or she can arrange to list the property independently.

Depending on each bank these departments may have the following options for arrangements to help a struggling borrowers:

Extension of loan term, 20 to 30 years. Not favourable for homeowners at all, because the savings are not really that much compared to the additional interest. The opposite may be true for a property investor that receives rental income. This option can spell “heaven” as the interest is paid by the income received and the cash flow improves. Many investors choose this option regardless of any financial difficulties, just to boost the cash flow.

The borrower must ask or apply for a Breather Period (this is often called “Holiday”) and it entails no payment for a period of 3 to 6 months. The period would depend on the borrowers profile.

The borrower also has the option of asking for a reduction in payment, usually not less than 50% but it is negotiable.

To conclude, the borrower has to call the bank, and explain the situation in detail and they will offer some options based on personal profile. But remember, the borrower has to call the bank; not any other 3rd party.

This whole process can take quite a bit of time, and by the time, all avenues have been tried and exhausted, one can be sure that once a property is being sold on auction the bank has tried everything.

As a last word for closing. Many people listen to hear say. They have either heard or been close to person that has had a run in with a bank and lost their home. As a result of this they have already judged the bank and hold a perception that the bank is the problem and the enemy. For such people, one can only ask that they put such stories and perceptions aside. Each case is judged individually upon its’ merits, it is worthwhile to giving the bank the benefit of the doubt and working with them. Your case always stands a good chance of having a completely different and perhaps better outcome than those you have heard of.

What Makes Portugal a Hot Investment Destination?To be precise, the major USP of Portugal is its sporting history and culture. Golf is a big hit in the country with hundreds of picturesque golf resorts dotting the countrys landscape. With tournaments organized all the year round, the country is always abuzz with golfing news and views.

Part of the success of golf in Portugal is also due to the fact that the country is largely seen as a great retirement destination. People with ample time on their hands indulge in leisure activities including golf, and the younger generation benefit by picking up the skills required to play the game from their seniors. Resultantly, Portugal attracts large-scale investment from golfing enthusiasts who are looking for an ideal outlet to satisfy their golfing enthusiasm.

Another sport that has become synonymous with Portugal is football. Portugal is home to the legendary footballer, Luis Figo, and every football enthusiast and aspiring player worships Figo and his skills all around the world. Europe is mad about football and a football crazy nation is always on the radar as far as investing in property is concerned.

Besides sports, Portugal is also a hot investment destination due to its long coastline full of pristine sandy beaches and the offering of a relaxed coastal lifestyle. The coastal towns boast of luxurious holiday homes and resorts, including the infamous golf resorts.

Weather is another major factor that prompts investors from UK and other colder northern countries to flock to Portugal. Thanks to its pleasant climate, Portugal is now the third favourite second-home destination for the British, after Spain and France.

Portugal is very well connected with regular flights to and from the capital city of Lisbon. Major airlines have increased the frequency of flights due to tremendous demand from frequent as well as potential property buyers.

Portugal is a modern country with a rich heritage. The warm and friendly people signify the importance to hospitality, so much valued by the Portuguese. Since Portugal had so many colonies all around the world, the people from these colonial countries make it a point to visit the country at least once in their lifetime. This is because the Portuguese are known to have left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of these colonial countries, and people have a unique connection with the place, which ruled them in the not-so-distant past.

Hottest Investment Destinations in Portugal

When it comes to property investment hotspots in Portugal, the southern coastal region of the Algarve wins hands down. Though the capital Lisbon remains a much sought after destination due to its cosmopolitan culture, the availability of property here is diminishing with an upward pricing structure and demand for property outstripping the supply in most major Portuguese cities.

Again, Algarve also owes its popularity to the golf enthusiasts, as it is their efforts that have borne fruit in the form of the prestigious ‘golden triangle’ of luxurious golf resorts like – Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vila Sol. This pampered region of Portugal attracts investors galore in the £1-million-plus villas segment. Many rich and famous have bought prime properties in the region, including the celebrity DJ Chris Evans who boasts of a £2-million property here. If you are a small investor, there are apartments available on the Algarve with prices ranging from £50,000 – £70,000.

The Silver Coast in Central Portugal is a fast emerging property destination and is alluring the property investor from all over Europe. Since it is an emerging tourist destination, it makes a lot of sense in investing here, as the prices have not yet reached their peak. Situated between Lisbon and Porto, the Silver Coast region (or Lisbon Coast, as it is popularly called) has some gorgeous beaches and unspoilt countryside, and the authorities here are drawing up elaborate plans to develop this part of Portugal into the next decade.

Portugal also has tremendous opportunities for the budding DIY investors looking for renovation properties to develop as holiday homes. The old towns of Obidos, Leiria and Coimbra offer some great bargains on renovation properties, where you can strike a deal from as little as £20,000. The luxurious villas in these historic towns can be yours for anywhere between £100,000 and £150,000.

Some of the other places worth exploring for property investment purposes include resorts like Nazare and Figueira da Foz, Sao Martinho do Porto beach, and the stretch of coast running north from Porto to the Spanish border, known as the Green Coast.

The time to invest in Portugal real estate property is now as prices have witnessed a sharp increase since 2000, and experts have predicated stiff competition among Portuguese investors in the near future, as demand will gradually outstrip the supply of land.