Buying U.S. Real Estate

<p>Foreword xiii</p>
<p>Introduction 1</p>
<p>PART I: THE DECISION TO INVEST 7</p>
<p>Insight 1: The Economics Behind the US Market 9</p>
<p>Insight 2: Finding the Treasure with the Property Goldmine Scorecard 18</p>
<p>Insight 3: Let Quality Research Drive the System 21</p>
<p>Insight 4: Dig for Specific Information and Ignore Generalities 26</p>
<p>Insight 5: Jobs, Infrastructure, and Gentrification 29</p>
<p>Insight 6: A Closer Look at Three States 36</p>
<p>PART II: THE DISTRESSED PROPERTY MARKET 45</p>
<p>Insight 7: Learn to Identify a Distressed Property 47</p>
<p>Insight 8: Understand the Fundamentals of the US Foreclosure Process 52</p>
<p>Insight 9: Commit to the Number One Rule, Then Get Your Options Straight 55</p>
<p>Insight 10: More on Due Diligence 61</p>
<p>Insight 11: Avoid the Snake–Oil Salesman 66</p>
<p>Insight 12: Recognize That a Bad Area in the United States Is Very Different from a Bad Area Elsewhere 75</p>
<p>Insight 13: Look for the Stability of a Good Neighborhood and Follow First–Time Homebuyers 80</p>
<p>Insight 14: Choose Your Exit Strategy Before You Make the Deal 84</p>
<p>Insight 15: Know Your Financing Options and Obstacles 91</p>
<p>Insight 16: Understand the Real Estate Cycle 96</p>
<p>Insight 17: Find the People Who Can Help You Find Foreclosures 105</p>
<p>Insight 18: Benefi t from the Five Profi t Centers of Real Estate 113</p>
<p>Insight 19: What a Full–Service Real Estate Investment Group Offers 118</p>
<p>Insight 20: Analyze Your Deal 123</p>
<p>PART III: RENOVATIONS AND MANAGEMENT 135</p>
<p>Insight 21: Work Smartly with Contractors and Subcontractors 137</p>
<p>Insight 22: Weigh Reno Must–Haves with Nice–to–Haves 143</p>
<p>Insight 23: Dial Up the Intellect (Dial Down the Emotions) 148</p>
<p>Insight 24: Do the Big Four Renos on a Rental Property Now 152</p>
<p>Insight 25: Get Everything in Writing 157</p>
<p>Insight 26: Curb Appeal: You′ve Got Seven Seconds to Impress Me 161</p>
<p>Insight 27: Run If You Spot Any of the Top Three Reno Red Flags 165</p>
<p>Insight 28: Hire the Right Property Manager 172</p>
<p>Insight 29: Make Money by Delegating to Your Property Manager 177</p>
<p>Insight 30: Set the Rules Up Front with Your Property Manager 180</p>
<p>Insight 31: Be Smart about Rent Collection 184</p>
<p>PART IV: CROSS–BORDER TAX PLANNING 189</p>
<p>Insight 32: Understanding US Tax Laws 191</p>
<p>Insight 33: Taking Title to Your US Property Investments 197</p>
<p>Insight 34: Deal with Depreciation 202</p>
<p>PART V: LEGAL PLANNING 213</p>
<p>Insight 36: The Three Pillars of Real Estate Asset Protection 215</p>
<p>Insight 37: Develop an Asset Protection Plan and Be Prepared to Avoid Lawsuits 219</p>
<p>Insight 38: Counter Threats to Your Wealth with Foresight 222</p>
<p>Insight 39: Draw Up a Blueprint for Your Estate Plan 226</p>
<p>Insight 40: Steer Clear of Asset Protection Fakes, Scams, and Planning Errors 233</p>
<p>PART VI: CROSS–BORDER BANKING AND FINANCING 239</p>
<p>Insight 41: Understand Cross–Border Issues 241</p>
<p>Insight 42: Familiarize Yourself with US Mortgage Financing 245</p>
<p>Insight 43: Buy US Real Estate Property with Other People′s Money 248</p>
<p>PART VII: INSURANCE AND INVESTMENTS 253</p>
<p>Insight 44: Insure Your Investment 255</p>
<p>Insight 45: Carry Insurance Beyond the Property Line: Medical, Auto, and Third–Party Liability 262</p>
<p>Appendix: Considerations for Buying a Second Home 266</p>
<p>Index 269</p>
<p>About the Authors 274</p>