Wealthy home buyers who buy multi-million dollar homes are typically self-made millionaires with new money, according to a recent online survey of 683 Coldwell Banker Previews International property specialists. The study revealed the top professions of these affluent customers. According to the respondents, 88 % of their customers are business or corporate executives, 37 % are physicians, 31 % are lawyers, 30 % are financial professional and 14 % are entertainers, entertainment executives or professional athletes.

Wealthy home buyers require their real estate agents to be equipped with special skills, according to the Coldwell Banker’s survey. Given the magnitude of the financial transactions involved in luxury home purchases, 78 % of sales associates said that the top most need their clients require from their real estate agents is privacy and confidentiality. The luxury customers also want their real estate agents to exercise discretion while dealing with their multi-million dollar transactions. Almost 70 % of respondents polled that their wealthy clients want their real estate professionals to offer customized services while 44 % said that the luxury home buyers want their agents to have good network and work relationship with executive assistants, CPAs and attorneys.

Wealthy home buyers also want their agents to know the inside scoop on the real estate market, according to 36 % of the respondents in the Coldwell Banker’s survey. Seventeen percent of the sales associates surveyed indicated that one of the necessary skills for real estate professionals working with affluent customers was the ability to provide emotional support to their clients. And according to 11 % of respondents, luxury customers want their real estate agents to establish personal rapport with their clients.

The study also included queries on the “must have” amenities that the affluent clientele want in their luxury homes. Wealthy home buyers want media rooms in their homes, according to 60 % of respondents and another 60 % polled that their affluent customers want “wired” homes. However, there are a few home design elements that are out among luxury home buyers. Gourmet kitchens, granite countertops and wet bars are no longer counted as luxuries by wealthy home buyers, according to the survey respondents.

The survey also found that the multi-million dollar home buyer pays a typical down payment of 20 % to 30 %, while a quarter of clients put down 30 % to 50 % of the sale price.

On any given day, people can easily find articles and news stories describing an impending bust of the so-called real estate bubble. Despite this gloomy prediction, many experts believe that the recent slowdown in housing will be a gradual and modest readjustment rather than sharp bust or decline. These experts believe that factors that lead to a sharp decline in the real estate market are just not present in the current economic outlook. In fact, a recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University noted that “despite the current cool-down, the long-term outlook for housing is bright.”

The rise and fall of the real estate market is subject to the forces of supply and demand, and these factors point to stable and positive growth in the real estate segment.

SUPPLY FACTORS

Limited supply of real estate makes it scarce and usually pushes home prices up. In contrast, an oversupply of real estate tends to put downward pressure on home prices. Despite the current slow down in the real estate market, factors that impact limited supply favor continued growth in the real estate market. Some of these factors include:

1. Builders have readjusted growth plans in regions that have an oversupply of new housing. Over time, any excess inventory is likely to be depleted and equilibrium achieved between supply and demand.

2. The availability of land in certain regions, as well land use regulations and associated compliance costs will continue to restrict the supply of new homes.

DEMAND FACTORS:

Housing located in regions with high demand tend to be more expensive than homes in regions with low demand. Factors that impact the demand for housing suggests a favorable long-term housing outlook. Some of these factors include:

1. No current evidence of significant and across-the-board job losses; forecasts of relatively low unemployment rates.

2. Long-term increased demand for second homes, vacation homes and senior housing by baby boomers.

3. Long-term increased demand for entry-level homes by the children of baby boomers.

4. Long-term increased demand for entry-level homes by immigrants.

5. Long-term increased demand for entry-level homes by second-generation Americans.

6. Forecasts that the outflows and inflows of the U.S. population in and out different regions will not significantly impact the overall U.S. real estate housing market.

7. Relative stability in interest rates.

8. Continued stability in long-term home appreciation rates.

9. Overall, rising rate of wealth across all age groups.

SUMMARY

In summary, strong household growth, overall rising incomes and wealth, and a stable economy all bode well for continued long-term growth in the real estate market. While the overall housing outlook is favorable, affordability will continue to be a challenge, as wages, especially in the lower income levels, have not kept up with housing costs.

Real estate photography is a new, exclusive initiative to promote international property business to inspire by the theme Development, Nature and Architecture. Real estate photography leads to increased competition in the photographic market. Most of time people would likely visit their property for sale because of the attractive images.

Tips of good real estate photography
- A good source of light.
- Wide angle lenses make real estate photos appear spacious, inspirational and motivational
- Digital formats cut down on printing and developing expenditures and makes photos available immediately.
- Same images should be available in different sizes so that according to the specifications you can provide it.
- take a shot of every part of house for sale including living room, kitchen, dining room, and other parts of the house.
- highlight the best features of your house.
- clean the entire house before taking its photos.
- hire a professional real estate photographer.

Real estate photography is of following kinds:
- Standard real estate photography,
- Elevated pole real estate photography,
- Exterior twilight real estate photography,
- Interior real estate photography services,
- Real estate photography for builders and architects.

Real estate firms have totally booming nowadays. If you are a property agent, you have probably faced a lot of competitions. Over few older years, when all you require is a well written advertisement to sell a real estate. Currently in order to fully publish your listings, you need to attach a good real estate photographs. With the emergence of digital cameras, the realestate that you are selling can be photographed and placed online. Potential purchasers from different parts of the world can actually see your listings with the images in it. Don’t underestimate the value of these photographs because a purchaser can definitely decide to check out the real estate based on the pictures that you have.

Real estate photography makes the property images impressive. If you have a house which looks unattractive and you want to sell that but because of appearance no good investor wants to buy it. Through the technique of real estate photography you can make your house to appear better and most of the investors search online for real estate images to buy it. Based on recent estimations, the number of individual searching home for sale online has increased. Almost half of these property seekers found their dream property instantly online through the help of real estate photography. An image is worth a thousand words. Especially when your words may be limited by the Multiple Listing Service use real estate photography techniques to express your quality difference in properties.

Cyprus property is booming right now and Paphos real estate in particular is showing some great returns on investment. Buyers are virtually lining up to grab a piece of the action. This is of course pushing prices up even higher and Paphos real estate is amongst some of the most expensive in Cyprus. That said, there are still some great deals to be found particularly in regards to some of the new off plan apartment developments. As the prices in the area have risen luxury villas have slipped beyond the reach of the average holiday home buyer. This type of Paphos real estate is fast becoming the domain of the big investors who are buying them with the sole intention of renting them out to holiday makers. This Cyprus holiday rental market has seen some impressive growth over the last few years and looks set to expand even further.

Anyone looking to invest some money in Paphos real estate has the opportunity to profit from this lucrative source of income. Holiday makers to Cyprus or anywhere else for that matter are changing their booking habits. Instead of relying on the travel agents to arrange a traditional package tour they are instead making their own arrangements. Thanks to the incredible growth of on line booking facilities the internet has leveled the playing field and customers can now compare prices at the click of the mouse. It is now real easy to book separate flights, accommodation and vehicle hire. You may be wondering what any of this has to do with Paphos real estate and holiday rentals, so read on. These folks booking online are tapping into the growing villa and luxury apartment rental market. This is good news for prospective buyers of Paphos real estate looking to make a return on their investment. In fact some owners are managing to virtually self finance their Cyprus properties.

For the smaller investor looking to eventually turn there Paphos real estate into a holiday home of their own its good news too. Many buyers are getting in early before even apartments in Paphos are priced beyond their reach and buying now. Even though they were not planning to buy that place in the sun for another few years by moving now they have made huge future savings. Not ony have they bought before any further price hikes but they will be financing most of the project through holiday rentals. The chances are that by the time they are ready to retire in the Cyprus sun their investment will have been brought and paid for by holiday makers. It really is a win win situation for all concerned and all the time they can sit back watching their investment grow.

There are some losers however in this growing private rental market and they are the traditional holiday apartment complex owners. In fact even some Cyprus hotels are reporting a downturn in bookings over the last few years. The fear among many holiday apartment owners is that as new development continues and more people book private apartments they will continue to suffer. Whilst this may be true many of these businesses are adopting the “if you can’t beat them join them” approach. They are buying themselves into the Paphos real estate market and refurbishing whole apartment complexes into resale luxury condos. This is brilliant accommodation for the Cyprus holiday rental market complete with a reception area and communal pool its perfect to rent.

So in the end even the losers can be winners in Paphos real estate.

Welcome to La Costa Destinations International Realty (http://www.GoPuntaCanaRealEstate.com), your full service source for Dominican Republic, Punta Cana Real Estate and Punta Cana Apartments For Sale. Headquarters located in Punta Cana Bavaro, the most popular and fastest growing tourist and investment area in the Caribbean and representatives in USA, Puerto Rico, France, Russian and Spain. We offer exclusive homes, villas, apartments, condos, land and commercial opportunities on or within walking distance to the beach and golf courses. The Dominican Republic, specifically Punta Cana, has become a haven for vacationers and investors who are seeking a beach chair, a cold Presidente beer, a good read and high returns on their investments. 

Punta Cana Real Estate has experienced tremendous growth over the past 10 years.  Low prices, low taxation and a solid, growing economy making it a strong investment location.  Punta Cana is one of the hottest spots for investing in the Caribbean with investors from around the world looking for high return on investment along with steady rising rates of appreciation. The options are endless: apartments, condos, luxury homes, beach-front properties, vacant land, and more.

The Dominican Republic has often been labeled the best value for money real estate destination in the Caribbean, but this is not the only appeal.  The DR is the second largest island in the Caribbean which offers buyers a rich diversity of natural beauty.  White sandy beaches and crystalline waters, to cool moutain breezes.  Punta Cana and Dominican Republic Real Estate offer equal diversity to suit all tastes and all at affordable prices.

Here are just a few reasons why Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic is a great place to Live, Play, and Invest:

Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Shakira, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ricky Martin, are just a few of the famous who visit and make Punta Cana their home. It’s all about the beach, undeniably breathtaking with tall swaying palms scattered along 35 Km (22 miles) of some of the whitest and finest coral sand beaches in the world.  Ocean front golf courses by Tom Fazio and P.B. Dye, a Six Senses Spa, 5 Star hotels and restaurants, and the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation make this exclusive community the perfect retreat.

Punta Cana, named after a local cape, is a region in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. Covering about 4,200,000 m2 (1,100 acres), the region is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches and to a town of the same name.

Located in the province of La Altagracia the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders the village of Bavaro and El Cortecito Beach. Areas bordering Punta Cana include Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and, further west, Juanillo. North to South the main beaches are: Playa Arena Gorda, Playa Bavaro, Playa Uvero Alto, Playa Macao, Playa El Cortecito – all north of the cape – and Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño, Punta Cana, Juanillo – south of the cape.

The entire Bávaro-Punta Cana region entered a fast-paced growth phase in early 2004. With the establishment and initiation of foreign investment projects such as Cap Cana and The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, the development of new marinas, resorts, and housing complexes have been developed.

For the past 10 years foreign investment has had sustained levels of consistent growth, turning into one of the most important economic sectors for the country, and responsible for employment in many different sectors of the local economy.  Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, is the fastest growing tourist and investment area in the entire Caribbean by U.S. citizens, Canadian and European investors.

Needless to say, Punta Cana Real Estate many say is highly under-valued.  In November 2008 pre construction apartment prices started at $88,000 Punta Cana Bavaro an increase of 18% from November 2007.  There are still real estate deals in this great seaside community but you need a local market expert to help you.  La Costa Destinations International Realty are experienced real estate professional who have many years of home buying and selling experience in the Punta Cana area.  For true local and knowledgeable service in the Punta Cana Real Estate market, contact La Costa Destianations International Realty (http://www.GoPuntaCanaRealEstate.com),  Info@GoPuntaCanaRealEstate.com 829 341 4532 Dominican Republic  866 605 9473 Toll Free USA PR or 305 261 2666 USA.

Dominican Hospitality & Market Knowledge with American Business Standards.