Although the problems regarding subprime mortgage may seem numerous, they are not that complicated. The core of this situation has its roots in the fact that many consumers were able to buy houses that exceeded their financial condition or worse, they could hardly afford any kind of house. The consequences of these actions were rapidly noticed and the results turned out in a level of the interest rate that is considered as unusual and hard to control and, thus an expensive mortgage payment was created.

All these subprime mortgage problems are also affecting people’s lives and the explanation is very simple. Even if the home loan of many consumers has increased quickly, their budget has not changed. But they still must look for solutions to find the necessary money and keep paying their bills. There are times when solutions are easy to be found, but there are times when answers and right decision are critical. Plus, when you are being affected by the mortgage crisis that as lowered the house value and your mortgage costs are increasing, the solutions are not so easy to be determined. This phenomenon is all over the country and what is worse is that a situation considered insignificant is now getting out of control.

Most homeowners are afraid that their homes could be caught into foreclosure. Because many lenders are stiff and not willing to cope with borrowers, until now there were millions of borrowers who have been displaced from their homes. Having this in mind, we can find many examples of problems everywhere in the country and with no matter for race or gender. Although in some parts of the country the crisis seems to have ended, there are cases in which the mortgage crisis spreading could discover older victims that had once been displaced.

The most common examples of subprime mortgage problems imply middle class borrowers, but there were also cases of upper class borrowers who have encountered problems. Some changes as the decrease of the currency and dollar value, the price of gas and many other usual household necessities have increased, but the budgets have stayed the same and do not cover the excess spending. Therefore, more and more borrowers are in the facing the difficult situation of not having the possibility to pay their payments and must find rapidly solutions to save their homes. For this reason, there are families who are trying their best to juggle payments and increasing their credit debts in order to survive.

The reality is a cruel one and in which there are many borrowers from all over the country converted into victims by the strong impact of subprime mortgage crisis. You can find examples of subprime mortgage crisis everywhere and its effects are even deeper. Besides the fact that there are a lot of homes in foreclosure, more dramatically is the case of those homeowners which been left without a roof over their heads and are struggling to find a new place so that their family could continue living. How much time this situation will last it is still uncertain, but answers are starting to be found and for homeowners, hopefully it will soon end.



Quick House Sale

 

Can you imagine paying 8 month’s rent just to move into an apartment? Oh, and none of it will be returned! Well if you come to Japan and want an apartment this is a fact. That is where this other option comes in “Gaijin Houses” also known as Guest Houses!

A guest house or “gaijin house” as we say in Japan is an inexpensive type of accommodation for foreigners, who stay in Japan for one month or longer, and who want to avoid the hassle and the expense of renting and furnishing a regular apartment.

Renting an apartment in Japan not as expensive as most people think. But there are many fees applied when you move in. This is where it becomes a hassle. There is the realtor fee, deposit, gift money to the landlord, and a few others thrown in for fun. Each fee is equal to one month’s rent. Therefore your first month’s rent could be anywhere from 4-10 times the amount of rent. Only the deposit will be returned…hopefully.

There are many guesthouses in Tokyo, but they are sprouting up all across Japan. Guest houses are a much better deal. With only a small deposit and no extra fees, they provide safe, clean, affordable accommodation while searching for a long term apartment or on a short term stay. They come equipped with kitchen facilities, Internet access and laundry facilities, and each room is usually furnished with a small fridge, TV and a futon or bed. Since the actual features and overall quality of each guest house can vary enormously, however, a resource like Gaijin House Japan can make the difference between a successful and a miserable stay in Japan.

When trying to find a guest house it can be a dreary task not all guest houses have great English websites. And not knowing the country well you may have a hard time knowing where to look. Enter “Gaijin House Japan!” Gaijin House Japan’s main feature is a continually updated series of articles on every guest house across the length and breadth of Japan. Allowing travelers to comment on the guest houses they have stayed in, thus providing an “in person” view of Japanese guest houses – the good, the bad, and the dirty!

Features of Gaijin House Japan include:



Guest House FAQ – All the common questions asked about Guest Houses.

Guest House Articles – Detailed articles on every guest house across Japan, including photos, videos and travelers comments.

Gaijin House Lounge – A friendly forum where members can talk about travel in Japan and share helpful tips.

100% FREE Classifieds – Look for share-mates, roommates, rooms, and even “sayonara sales” for selling your stuff when you leave Japan or buying stuff when you arrive.

Useful Links - Learn even more at other recommended websites about Japan.



 

 

If you are planning on visiting Japan then this is a must bookmark website!

Helping travelers find the best guest houses across Japan as easy and quickly as possible. http://gaijinhousejapan.com

 



Sell and Rent Back

Reasons can vary as to what landed you in a financially crunch situation and you may be looking for a quick remedy out of it. House sale is one of most viable solutions to take care of your cash-shortage. At such times, quick house sale gives you the facility of a guaranteed sale that is quick as which meets the time-bound demands of the situation.

In cases of contingency, it so often happens that you cannot afford to wait for too long to get a house sale. However, this is precisely what happens in traditional house selling. The affairs usually drag on for months. Unpredictability sets in upon the deal, and frustration sets in upon your mind. Such uncertainty of situation needs to be avoided in today’s dynamic times where things move fast and you ought to move fast along with it.

You can contact the quick house sale firms that not only possess the requisite expertise for the job but are also equipped with the tools to help you carry out a smooth and easy sale process. Since they negotiate directly with you, keeping the third parties out of the affair, you are ensured of a quick deal anyway, because you are effectively saved from the long sale chain which drags on the processes in conventional house sale, with the further unpleasant prospects of a chain collapse at any time due to failure in communication or a disagreement over simple things.

It is advisable thus to avoid traditional selling methodologies and to avail to Quick House Sale facilities offered by these special quick sale agencies who can be contacted over the Internet. The online method renders the process even more convenient and faster. After these professional agents estimate your property, they come up with a offer of purchase, in keeping with the current property prices in the market.



Passive Income

It has been a dismal year for house prices, according to the Global Property Guide’s latest survey of publicly-available house-price time-series for the year 2008. And seen from a global perspective, the downturn is still accelerating.

The collapse of the world’s housing markets can be seen from three points of view, and unfortunately, all of them reinforce the bad news.

During 2008, the downward price momentum accelerated, as compared to 2007.

Only 2 countries saw positive momentum in 2008 (a slower downward house price movement than last year, or faster upward movement), while 28 countries saw their housing market momentum deteriorating, compared to the previous year. The two countries with a positive momentum were Germany and Switzerland.



During 2008, house prices fell in most countries.

During 2008 only 8 out of 32 countries saw house prices rise, after adjustment for inflation, while 20 countries experienced house price falls.

In contrast, during the year 2007, the downturn was just beginning, and only 6 countries saw house prices fall, while 24 countries saw house prices rise (all figures inflation-adjusted).

Many house-price falls during 2008 were extremely severe. Countries with house price falls of over 10% during 2008 were Latvia (Riga) (37%), Lithuania (Vilnius) (27%), the US (20%), the UK (18%), Iceland (16%), Ireland (12%), and the Ukraine (Kiev) (12%) (all figures inflation-adjusted).

During the final quarter (Q4) of 2008, the downward price momentum significantly accelerated, as compared to Q3, suggesting that the situation is deteriorating.

During 2008’s final quarter, 9 countries saw house price falls of 5% or more during just that quarter. Price drops of more than 10% during this single quarter occurred in three countries – in Latvia (Riga), which saw price falls of 15%, in Ukraine (Kiev) (13%), and in Hong Kong (15%). Other countries with Q4 house-price falls of 5% and over, included the UAE (8%), Lithuania (7%), Iceland (7%), Singapore (6%), Bulgaria (5%), and the UK (5%) (all figures inflation-adjusted, except UAE).

These price falls were much greater than during the previous quarter, Q3. During that previous quarter, only two countries experienced house-price falls (inflation-adjusted) of 5% or more, and no countries experienced house-price falls of more than 10%.

REGIONAL SURVEY BY GLOBAL PROPERTY GUIDE

Europe has major problems

The Baltic countries of Latvia and Lithuania suffered the hardest price falls both in nominal and real terms. In Riga, Latvia, the average price of standard-type apartments plunged 37% during 2008. Prices have been going down in Latvia since late 2007, after a remarkable increase of about 70% in 2006. The most alarming decline took place in the 4th quarter, when prices declined by 15%, the steepest quarterly drop in real terms in any country. These price falls were triggered by increased interest rates, and by the tightened credit rules which Latvia imposed in 2007.

Average prices of apartments in Vilnius, Lithuania, fell by 27% during 2008. House prices started slowing in mid-2007, and crashed in early 2008.

House prices in the UK plummeted by 18% in 2008. Although mortgage interest rates dropped slightly, to 4.48% in December 2008, the number of loan approvals for house purchases fell 58% in 2008.

There is serious trouble in Iceland (house price fall of 16% during 2008), Ireland (12%), Ukraine (12%), Malta (9%), Portugal (8%), France (8%) Finland (7%), Norway (6%) and in Spain (6%).

North America’s woes

In the US, the centre of the global financial crisis, in 2008 house prices fell 20% according to the Case-Shiller house price index, which emphasizes urban areas. OFHEO and FHFB figures, which are associated with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans and have somewhat lost credibility, suggest a smaller decline of 6% and 3% respectively, during 2008. The US government recently approved a $ 787 billion economic stimulus package, of which $275 billion will be allocated to rescue the ailing housing market.

Canada has been much less affected than the US.

Pacific heads down

Both Australia and New Zealand saw house price declines during 2008, of 7% and 8% respectively.

Asia no longer insulated

Housing markets in Asia have not been insulated. Singapore, Hong Kong and Philippines recorded house price falls during 2008.

Singapore’s private residential prices dropped 9% during 2008, in sharp contrast to the 26% price increase of experienced during 2007. The developed countries’ economic troubles adversely affected Singapore’s exports, and during 2008, output in the manufacturing sector, particularly of electronics, precision engineering and chemicals, shrank by 10.7%. Singapore was officially in recession in Q3 2008.

Hong Kong has been badly hit by the crisis. House prices were down by an average of 6% in 2008. But during the last quarter, Hong Kong experienced a severe decline in prices of 14%.

In Makati, Philippines, prime 3-bedroom condominium prices fell by 2% during 2008, after an 11% price rise during 2007. Nevertheless construction of high-rise residential buildings continues, with residential condominium stock rising by 7% during 2008, according to Colliers Philippines.

Japan recorded modest Tokyo condominium price rises of 1.2% during 2008. On the other hand, land prices in Japan’s six major cities fell by 6% y-o-y to Sep-2008.

In Shanghai, China, house price rises slowed to 5% y-o-y by the end of 2008, after peaking at 30% y-o-y to May 2008. However Shanghai is likely to be somewhat exceptional, and Xinhua News Agency reported house prices declines in 70 major cities during 2008. Shenzhen suffered the hardest fall, with prices down by 18% during 2008

UAE on shaky ground

In Dubai, UAE, despite the bleak global picture, saw surprisingly large dwelling price rises of 41% during 2008. However during the year’s final quarter, prices fell by 8% in nominal terms. This downturn is attributable to strongly tightening lending criteria, an increase in interest rates, multiple layoffs, and alarm among buyers.

Forecast: No recovery in 2009

History suggests that in a crash, housing markets take many years from peak year to full recovery. In view of this and of the pessimistic IMF forecast for the global economy, no real recovery is likely in the global housing markets this year.

The IMF has predicted that the world economy will grow by 0.5% in 2009, the lowest level in 60 years. GDP in advanced economies is expected to decline by 2% during 2009. The United Kingdom and Japan will be hit the hardest. Output in the UK may contract by 2.8%, while Japan’s may fall by 2.6%.

Growth in emerging economies is expected to slow to 3.3% in 2009, down from 6.3% in 2008. Developing Asia is forecast to be the least affected, with growth of 5.5%. China’s economy is predicted grow by 6.7% in 2009, but this is a substantial decline from 9% growth during 2008.

We cannot be optimistic for five reasons:

• Valuations still clearly remain stretched in most countries, in terms of price/rent ratios.

• Economic growth is slowing or negative in many countries, which is negative for housing values.

• There are no signs that banks are becoming more willing to lend.

• The unprecedented nature of the financial system’s collapse has greatly added to the difficulties facing the world’s housing markets.

• Some national governments are experiencing difficulty in refinancing their national debt, putting their currencies under pressure. Currency instability is likely to aggravate housing sector problems in countries where many loans were taken out in a foreign currency.

The positive news is that the US government and several others are acting with vigour, as has the IMF. Nevertheless, there is a long tough road ahead.

###

Description of the Global Property Guide:

The Global Property Guide (http://www.globalpropertyguide.com) is an on-line property research house, specializing in analyzing residential property valuations around the world.

Terms of Use:

On-line newspapers, magazines, sites, etc wishing to use material from this press release MUST provide a clickable link to www.globalpropertyguide.com Sites and newspapers found not to be providing a link to us will be removed from our press list.

Requests for Comments:

Requests for comments are best made by telephone to +(63) 917 321 7073. UK-based callers should telephone before lunchtime. Our local time is Hong Kong time, i.e., standard time + 8.00

Economics Team:

Prince Christian Cruz, Senior Economist

Phone: (+632) 750 0560

Email: prince@globalpropertyguide.com

Publisher and Strategist:

Matthew Montagu-Pollock

Phone: (+632) 867 4220

Cell: (+63) 917 321 7073

Email: editor@globalpropertyguide.com

Address:

Global Property Guide

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com

5F Electra House Building

115-117 Esteban Street

Legaspi Village, Makati City

Philippines 1229

info@globalpropertyguide.com



Sell House Quick

If your pension is under performing and the stock market is just costing you cash, then maybe property letting is the route you should take to secure your financial future.

Buying a house and doing it up could be a sensible thing to do – especially if you have relevant building or decorating skills that you can use to keep the costs of the project down.

Buy to lets are very important to the UK property market. In the last week, the British Property Federation has said that property letting is key to solving the perceived housing crisis in the UK.

It says that government research shows demand for rented property is now 25 per cent higher than for houses purchased privately. And it believes that difference will continue to rise if prices increase further.

The BPF believes that it is only by renting a home that millions of people who can’t afford to buy a home are going to find somewhere to live. It points to a similar development of property letting in the United States and Germany.

While the BPF believes the solution is a professional rental sector where property managers run domestic lets on a large scale, as with commercial property now, this situation presents clear opportunities for small investors – you.

So if you decide to go down that route, or indeed you already have a home that you rent out to others, how can you make sure that you and the tenant are perfect for each other?

Estate agent Knight Frank recently issued a series of tips for both landlords and their tenants to help them get along.

For you, the key thing to remember is that property letting is a business. And that means if you give the customer (the tenant) what they want, you will maximize your profit from your investment. It’s as simple as that and the reason why it is key to research your intended market thoroughly. Ensure you understand the kind of people you hope to rent to, and the lifestyle they lead.

Families renting a four bedroomed house want space, a garden, safety and no fancy features that could be broken by the children. Professional couples might want more of a show home and will be willing to pay a little extra for the perfect location or feature in the home.

Next up, you must remember to make your property neutral but not bland. To impress tenants you need to declutter and depersonalize the house before viewings. Unless they are renting it furnished, they need to be able to imagine that they will be happy there.

Next in the list of property letting tips is to keep the house in an excellent state of repair. A house in an excellent condition is much more likely to be returned to you that way, whereas if it’s a bit tatty, tenants are less likely to take care of it.

You are legally required to get the boiler serviced each year, and you should ensure the electrics are up to scratch too.

Finally, ensure you tell your mortgage provider and buildings insurer what you are doing. It may seem tempting to keep it quiet and save a little money, but any claims you have to put in may be rejected if they discover you are property letting and haven’t told them.

For your tenants, the estate agent recommends they have references ready in plenty of time, ask for any improvements to the property to be done before signing the lease, and commit to at least a year’s rental, so as to be more attractive to landlords.



Sell and Rent Back