Realty and personal property terms have often been confused as to what they exactly mean. Here we will clear that right up for you. We will look at the terms personal property, realty, land, real estate, and lastly real property.

Let’s begin with personal property. Personal property also known as chattel is everything that is not real property. Example couches, TVs things of this nature. Emblements pronounced (M-blee-ments) are things like crops, apples, oranges, and berries. Emblements are also personal property. So when you go to sell your house, flip, or wholesale deal, you sell or transfer ownership by a bill of sale with personal property.

Realty.

Realty is the broad definition for land, real estate, and real property.

Land

Land is everything mother nature gave to us like whats below the ground, above the ground and the airspace. Also called subsurface (underground), surface (the dirt) and airspace. So when you buy land that’s what you get, keep in mind our government owns a lot of our air space.

Real Estate

Real estate is defined as land plus its man made improvements added to it. You know things like fences, houses, and driveways. So when you buy real estate this is what you can expect to be getting.

Real property

Real property is land, real estate, and what’s call the bundle of rights. The bundle of rights consist of five rights, the right to possess, control, enjoy, exclude, and lastly dispose. So basically you can possess, take control, enjoy, exclude others, and then dispose of your real property as you wish as long as you do not break state and federal laws.

Lastly there are two other types of property we should mention.

Fixture

Fixture is personal property which has been attached realty and by that now is considered real property. So you would ask yourself upon selling to determine value “did you attach it to make it permanent?” The exceptions to this rule are the garage door opener and door key, these are not considered fixtures.

Trade Fixtures

Trade fixtures are those fixtures installed by say a commercial tenant or can be the property of the commercial tenant.

I hope this clears up some misconceptions about personal property, realty, land and real estate and now fixtures and trade fixtures!

Since, for the vast majority of Americans, their home’s value, represents their single – biggest, individual, financial asset, doesn’t it make sense, when one makes the decision, to sell his house, to hire the individual, who will offer, the most value, and QUALITY? However, in the vast number of instances, we witness, homeowners, use less focus and care, in selecting the best real estate agent, for their specific needs, and circumstances. While, it might be helpful, to listen to the recommendations of others, remember, every house is different, and your specific needs, goals, priorities, and set of circumstances, might be different, and thus, someone, who might have been great, for someone else, may not be for you! Interview, carefully, prospective agents, and consider, your decision, carefully, thoroughly, and in a focused way! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why, it’s in your best interest, to carefully proceed, and make your best selection.

1. Quest; questions: Do you feel, a bond, and believe, your quest, and theirs, align, in way, which will benefit you? Ask as many questions, as possible, so, you feel comfortable, and, are able to proceed, on the same page!

2. Useful; unique; urge: Who do you believe, might offer, the most useful representation? What unique characteristics, etc, does a specific agent, offer, which will serve your best interests? Choose someone, who will urge you, to do, what you must do, so you, and your agent, may be great team – mates!

3. Attitude; aptitude; attention: When you and your representative, proceed, with a genuine, positive, can – do, attitude, and your agent, develops a relevant, quality, aptitude and skill – set, the process, becomes a better one! You, and your agent, must pay attention, to what, might provide the finest results!

4. Listen; learn: Hire someone, who is willing to effectively listen, to you, and potential customers/ buyers, rather than constantly speaking, and assuming! Quality representations requires a willingness, and ability to constantly learn, from every conversation, and experience!

5. Integrity; imagination; ideas: You must demand, and expect, the utmost degree, of genuine, absolute integrity, from anyone, you hire! You need someone, with the imagination, to introduce relevant ideas, which will help your process!

6, Trust; timely: Agent and client, must proceed, with mutual trust, so their relationship, works for the client’s best interests! There is a need for well – considered, timely action, if you hope, to get the finest, possible results!

7. Yes; you; yours: You and your agent, must work together, if you hope, to get, the, yes, you seek! It’s all about teamwork!

Homeowners, seeking to sell their houses, must seek QUALITY real estate agents! Will you take the time, and make the efforts, to become your own ally?

Frequently sellers insist that their agents put ads in the local paper. Is this means of advertising still legit? While newspapers are still running For Sale and Open House ads in the paper, these sections are not what they used to be a few years ago. Buyers just are not utilizing the newspaper classifieds like they used to.

Reasons? Here are two reasons that I've come up with based on what I've seen and done. First, newspapers have a definite shelf-life. Newspapers are very current and only last for that day. If you do not see the paper on a given day, chances are you will not see it at all, unless you take a trip to your local library or newspaper archive. And who looks for a new house in their newspaper archive? Online advertising, however, has a much longer applicable period. With good search engine optimization, a single site can draw many visitors … for as long as you keep the site up. I've heard agents say that they sometimes get inquiries after a home has sold as the website is still live.

Second, if I were looking to purchase a home, I would want as much information about the property as I could find. A newspaper ad might show a photo of the home (if that) and the basic details: bedrooms, baths, sq. ft., etc. The internet allows Realtors to put up a multitude of information about a listing, and allows prospective buyers a chance to "see" the property automatically through photos and 360 ° panoramic shots.

Having said all that, sometimes print ads are beneficial. Occasionally, newspapers run special sections just for real estate ads, open houses, etc. and you can reach a large, targeted market that way. A person who typically does not search the paper for real estate will purchase the paper on that day for the special section.

So, when you do create a print ad, whether for a newspaper or a magazine, here are some things you definitely want to do:

• Address: Make sure to give the address of the home in the ad. If you have a website URL that is the house address, use that here …. double duty!
• Photo: At least display an exterior shot of the house, and a good one of the inside if you can.
• Description: The room for a description is rapid shrinking, but at least get the vitals (bedrooms, baths, sq. Ft., Etc.) in. A good sentence incorporating a key selling point or two is ideal.
• Price: Be open and honest about the listing price of the home. Hiding prices to force folks to contact you is not worth it.
• Contact: Of course you want your name and phone number. But make sure your website is there too!

For my part, if the above information is not in an advertisement, I will not bother to look any further. In doing research on a property, buyers want to know where it is (address), see it (photo), know how much (price), and learn more about it (website). The rest is just icing on the cake.

A Public Improvement District (“PID”) is a financing tool created by the Public Improvement District Assessment Act as found in Chapter 372 of the Texas Local Government Code. The PID enables any city to levy and collect special assessments on property that is within the city or within the city’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (“ETJ”). A county may also form a PID,but must obtain approval from a city if the proposed PID is within the city’s ETJ. The PID establishes a mechanism to finance improvement projects through the issuance of bonds secured by special assessments levied on all benefited properties. Because PID bonds can be used to reimburse the developer for eligible infrastructure early in the development process, often before the closing of the first home.

Public Improvements Eligible for PID Financing are; Acquisition of Right of Ways, Art, Creation of pedestrian malls, Erection of foundations, Landscaping and other aesthetics, Library, Mass transit, Parks & Recreational or Cultural Facilities, Parking, Street and sidewalk. Supplemental safety services for the improvement of the district, including public safety and security services. Supplemental business-related services for the improvement of the district. Water, wastewater, health and sanitation or drainage.

Benefits of a PID

A PID may be established early in the development process allowing the developer to be a reimbursed upon completion of the public infrastructure. Furthermore, unlike a Municipal Utility District (“MUD”), Water Control and Improvement District (“WCID”), or Fresh Water District (“FWSD”), PIDs do not require TCEQ approval, and are governed by the governing body of the city or county, thereby alleviating concerns regarding board turnover and the integrity of the board. If the city chooses to annex property that is within the boundaries of a PID, the city is not forced to pay off the assessments, and the assessments do not affect the city’s debt capacity or rating.

Although, most financial planners, advise their clients, real property investing, should be, a core, component, of an overall, investment strategy, it is important, to fully, consider, personal needs, limitations, goals, and priorities, pursue the best paths, to proceed, and invest wisely, for one’s personal, overall, financial situation. Some invest in real estate, in a passive way, by purchasing, shares of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), but, it must be understood, all of these are not created equal, and there are challenges, and limitations. Others become a shareholder, or minor/ limited partner, in someone else’s project. Another approach is investing in real estate, by purchasing specific, smaller, investment properties, such as two – families houses, and/ or, smaller single – family homes, A few participate in larger projects, because they are able and willing to. Regardless of, how one proceeds, it’s important to do so, smartly, and, in a well – considered, focus manner. With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, what this means, and represents, and a smart approach to investing and participating in real estate.

1. Personal home/ residence: Although, most people buy a home, because it make sense, to them, and, many consider, it, a part of the so – called, American Dream, it would be wise, to consider, the price, neighborhood, and other relevant financial considerations.

2. Real estate investment trust (REIT): Some get involved, by purchasing shares in a Real Estate Investment Trust, which is often referred to, as a, REIT. These vehicles are somewhat similar to stocks, and, other securities, but, with certain, significant differences. First rule should be, to realize, every project is not the same, and some sponsors, have far better, track records, than others. Also, past performance is no guarantee, into the future. Another issue is, there is often, very limited liquidity, for these, during specific periods, so, if one needs, liquidity, these are probably, not for them. An REIT should be considered, when it right for an individual, after he carefully, realizes the advantages and disadvantages, as well as potential risks, and rewards. Buying these, means, one is buying a partial, or limited, ownership position, in a specific project.

3. Investment, residential property: Some are attracted to participate in residential, investment property, either multi – family houses, or, a single unit, which is being purchased, to rent, for investment purposes. Consider cash flow, rate of return, up – front funds, needed, reserve funds, and personal comfort zone, issues, related to the responsibilities of being a landlord.

4. Larger projects: Wealthier individuals often, participate, by larger investments. However, the same considerations, and what the risks, versus the rewards, may be, should be thoroughly, considered, from the onset!

For most, investing in real estate, as a component of one’s financial/ investment portfolio, is worth considering. However, before doing so, it’s important to do so, in a smart, well – considered, way!

In most areas of this country, qualified, potential home buyers, as well as those, hoping to sell their house, have many options, in terms, of the best way, to proceed. While some sellers attempt to For Sale, By Owner (FSBO), approach, nearly every study, indicates, not only, is this an emotionally draining, time – consuming way, but, in most instances, the selling price, is lower, than when one, takes advantage of using a real estate agent. Buyers have the choice, in most areas, of either using a Buyer Broker, or Seller Agent. How a homeowner chooses, the best agent, to hire, often, makes a world of difference! With that in mind, this article will briefly consider, examine, review, and discuss, a way, to consider, the best way, to make this determination.

1. Buying A Home: The real estate transaction period, is often, stressful, and tense! Hiring the right agent, for you, often, reduces this angst, and anxiety, and helps ease the transaction. Generally, I recommend, qualified buyers, opt for a Buyer Representative, rather than a Sellers Agent, because, doesn’t it make sense, to hire someone, who works for you, rather than the homeowner? In the vast number of circumstances, the commission is derived from the transaction, so it is included, as a part of the price, and costs nothing more. In addition, if you hire the right person, he can create a competitive, comparison, so you understand, a range of values, in the area, you seek, and price range, you are comfortable with. Seek someone, who will offer a few recommendations, of specific professionals, for your home ownership needs, based on their knowledge, and experience. You should be provided with at least 3 options/ choices, for each category, and your real estate professional, should be ready, willing and able, to hold your hands, throughout the process.

2. Selling Your House: We develop an emotional connection, with our homes, and this often, works against our self – interests, by incorrectly, pricing, and marketing our houses. The right representative, for you, who, is someone, who will listen to you closely, understand your needs, answer your questions thoroughly, and to your satisfaction, and explain, how he will proceed, and mutual responsibilities, and teamwork. He should, objectively, look at your home, and identify strengths and weaknesses, providing a plan, to take advantage of its strengths, while addressing areas of weakness. You should price your property, based on a professionally prepared, realistic, objective, Competitive Market Analysis (CMA), so you price your house, right, from the start!

The real estate transaction period, does not have to, be stressful, if you hire the right professional, for you. Since, for most of us, our house represents our single, biggest, financial asset, doesn’t this approach, make sense?

Using an assistant agreement is vital when hiring a real estate assistant. It should describe the working relationship between you and the assistant. The first thing you should consider is whether he or she is an employee or working as an independent contractor. If you choose to have an employee you have to deduct taxes, social security and unemployment insurance from their pay. This involves a lot of record keeping on your part plus the added expenses you incur by having an employee…

So after consideration most agents that hire assistants choose the independent contractor status. You do not have to do any of the withholding. You just have to provide a 1099 form. There is no salary only a commission or fee as payment or services rendered payment. This fee will also be deductible on your taxes as an expense.. It would be wise to check with your accountant to see how to handle the payment schedule.

You should hire an assistant that has an active real estate license because if they don’t have one it will limit them to doing only what an unlicensed person can do. This will make a very big difference because there are many tasks that need a licensed agent to perform. Some of the requirements you should consider when interviewing an assistant would be having computer skills in programs such as Microsoft word, excel or comparable programs. If they don’t have a laptop computer you may have to provide one. Although it’s an expense the investment will prove well worth it.

Let’s talk about what else an agreement should do.

• Define the work hours
• Define commission or payment services
• Explain what duties you expect from an assistant
• Assist with showings
• Assist with market value reports
• Go on market value report appointments with you
• Set Appointments
• Do open houses
• Record keeping
• Mailings
• Hand out flyers
• Place signs for open houses
• Make phone calls on your behalf
• Prospecting for new business
• Review the daily updates on the MLS
• Preview new listings
• Meet all of your clients and customers
• A team player attitude

You must determine a payment schedule of how much, when and how often the assistant should expect payment. Your business growth should have a direct effect on commission increases for the assistant. A confidentially clause is important to have in your agreement. The assistant must know that what goes on between both of you stays confidential. Having this all on paper will set the guidelines. Your assistant will know their job description and their duties.. A real estate assistant agreement should protect both parties.

Although, we, often, refer to the dream, of owning, a home, of one’s own, many of us, fail to fully consider, what doing so, actually, means, and represents. to you, personally, rather than, what others, prioritize, and/ or seem to care about! One fact, which should be, important, is, a house, is one, meaningful, form of owning, and possessing, real estate, and why, this experiencing is truly, REAL. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly review, consider, and explain, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it matters.

1. Relevant; responsibility; responds; region; research; real estate: Why do we call it, real estate? Of course, it is tangible, viable, and has a value, but, until/ unless, it becomes truly relevant, to you, and your needs, lifestyle, etc, it isn’t necessarily, right, for you! Are you ready, willing, and able, to take, and assume the responsibility of home ownership? How does, doing so, respond to you? Why do you wish to live in this particular, region, neighborhood, area, and specific block? Have you done your research, in order to make, the best decisions, for you, personally?

2. Empathy; emphasis; enrich; examine: Look objectively, and introspectively, in order to have as much understanding, about you, as you realize, you need, to have empathy, when others, are involved! Will your primary emphasis, be, keeping – up, with, the Jones’, or behaving responsibly, and doing what’s best, for you, in the longer – run? Will home ownership, enrich, your life experiences, and will you thoroughly examine, and consider, the best options and alternatives, for you?

3. Attitude; attention; aspirations; actions: Closely examine your personal attitude, and how, the stresses and strains, of home ownership, will impact you? Are you capable of fully, paying, attention, to the necessary details and responsibilities, and will it meet, and exceed, your aspirations? What actions are you willing to do, in order to become, a happy owner, of real estate?

4. Listen; learn; limitations; learning: Are you able to objectively, consider, your personal limitations, financially, and emotionally, and is it right, for you?Will you consistently, learn, from what others have experiences, and, discovered, in order to make the best decisions? Real estate becomes truly, real, only, when, you recognize, both the risks, as well as the rewards!

Smart home buyers, proceed, carefully, and with their eyes, wide – open, in order to make the right decisions, and ensuring, pleasure, rather than regret! Are you prepared, to be disciplined, etc?

Many potential homeowners, as well as qualified potential home buyers, declare, the process, and transaction period, is often, far from pleasant! Unfortunately, in many cases, the same individuals, appear, to want to only hear, what they hope to be, rather, than, what they need to know! While, this, might, temporarily, feel comforting, and permit, a false sense of security/ confidence (sometimes), it rarely, achieves the finest objectives, and/ or purposes! When interviewing agents, to determine, which might be the one, for you, to hire, instead of, merely, telling you, what you want to hear, focus on which ones, keep it REAL! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, why this is, what’s most needed, by customers and clients, during the real estate transaction period.

1. Reasons; reasoning; rationale; realistic; responsive: If parties, to this process, whether buyers or sellers, who seriously consider their reasons, and reasoning, and seek professional, honest, ethical representation, they would reduce the tension and stress, which often is involved. Question your agent, and listen carefully, to their reasoning, and whether, the rationale, rings true! It benefits clients, when their agent, is, both, realistic, as well as truly, responsive, to your needs, goals, priorities, and perceptions/ concerns.

2. Examine; excellence; endurance; evaluate: When you interview potential agents, pay close attention, and examine, how, and why, someone recommends a specific price, and strategy, regarding pricing, marketing, staging, etc! Evaluate, whether, someone answers your questions, and/ or addresses your concerns, to your satisfaction, rather than, merely, theirs! Is the agent focused on genuine excellence, rather than, good – enough? Since the transaction period, often takes some period of time, does he have what it takes, in terms of quality and endurance, to best serve your needs, throughout the entire process?

3. Attitude; attention; aptitude; articulate: Seek someone with a true, positive, can – do, attitude, who sees obstacles, merely, as challenges, to overcome, rather than, as problems! You need, and deserve someone, with a well – developed, relevant aptitude, and skill – set, who pays keen attention, to how, to best serve you! Remember, quality representation is enhanced, when an agent is capable of effectively articulate the best, inspiring message, etc.

4. Listen; learn; leading: Quality agents take control of the selling and marketing process, by leading, proactively, based on listening to every conversation, and learning from every experience!

Don’t become fooled, by a false message, and empty rhetoric/ promises. You need a real estate agent, who is ready, willing, and able, to keep it, REAL!

While there is no such thing, as a, one – size – fits – all, formula/ approach, to marketing a house, for sale, there, usually, are, certain basics, which professional, real estate agents, take advantage of, in order to provide, reliable, quality service and representation, for their client’s best – interests! Since most home – sellers, share certain objectives, including, receiving the highest possible price, in the shortest period of time, with a minimum of hassle/ stress, quality, real estate agents will focus on, perceive and conceive, create, develop, and implement, a customized, marketing plan, which addresses his clients needs, and priorities. With that in mind, this article will consider, examine, and review, some of the basics of marketing a house.

1. Know strengths and weaknesses: Accentuate the positive, but, simultaneously, address areas of weakness, so the property, is capable of being shown, in its best – light! One must be able to be objective, and see things, from the perspective, of prospective, qualified buyers. You should hire an agent, who will tell you what you need to know, instead of, only, what you want to hear! When agent and client, proceed, on – the – same – page, it becomes far easier, to effectively, successfully, market a home.

2. Niche market: Nearly, each house, is more suitable, for one niche, than others! How one markets, should be based on, which niche, might be, more enticed, by some qualities of the property and home! Sometimes, this is based on number of bedrooms, size of lot, potential to expand, conveniences, etc. For example, one with more bedrooms, will probably be more desired by those with larger families, perhaps. Location, in terms of convenience to transportation, may be a priority, to those commuters. Perhaps, the lot has good – bones, but needs work, upgrading, or renovation. Will the size of the lot, and the houses, in the neighborhood, make this a feasible idea/ approach?

3. Demographics: Does the area, attract certain demographics, for one reason, or another? What might you do, to emphasize this, while being careful, to avoid, any restricting, and/ or unethical promoting/ marketing?

4. How will you balance, media which makes sense?: Studies indicate, certain age – groups, and socio – economic groups, might look at some media, more than others. How one balances using media, often, depends on, who, you feel, might look at one, or another? Potential vehicles include: newspaper/ magazines; social media; websites/ internet; or some combination.

5. Focus on niche, but be savvy: As a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, for over a decade, I have seen houses sold, outside of the supposed, niche, which was anticipated. For that reason, one must use a variety of marketing vehicles, in a logical, cost – effective, focused manner, which provides the best chance, to get, the most bang – for – the – buck.

Homeowners should hire an agent, with the knowledge, experience, expertise, and focus, to get you, the best possible results. Since, for most, their house represents their single – biggest, financial asset, doesn’t that make sense?