Blog Assignment #7 - Real Estate Trend

Here is an article on an interesting new real estate trend:

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107865

This article shows the recent popular "storage container" real estate. Large shipping containers are being purchased after industrial use, and are being converted into homes.

I chose this example because I find these properties very neat and intriguing. Human beings contribute unfathomable quantities of waste every year, and these properties could be one step closer to conserving our beautiful planet.

Not only man these containers save money for consumers, but it may also save resources for Mother Earth.

Blog Assignment #6 - Investing Activity

Living in League City, Texas, gives investors many opportunities to make a profit. If I were personally able to make an investment in real estate, I would make mine in Galveston, Texas. 

Here is some market analysis done by www.city-data.com

Since Hurricane Ike, Galveston Island has been making a strong recovery. Many attractions, shops, and restaurants flood the island. Tourism lately has been kept domestic, and Galveston is one of Texas' most popular beaches.

My investment decision would either be in small fishing communities, or retail buildings.

My family personally owned a beach house in Galveston. We only owned the property for 9 months before it got wiped out by a hurricane. Keeping this in mind, I would invest in smaller "fishing shack" types of properties for people like my family. It is very frustrating to start all over again and another hurricane destroy another investment.

Blog Assignment #5 - Foreclosures

Here is an article over a woman who loses her home over a measly amount:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-22/news/os-lk-lauren-ritchie-home-foreclosure-20120122_1_homeowner-korean-war-clermont-house

This was a strict foreclosure case.

An unfortunate event of a heart attack and gallbladder removal made it very difficult to make one house payment.

Blog Assignment #4 - My Home Town

The place where I call home is League City, Texas. League City is a beautiful suburban town twenty minutes south of Houston. The location of my hometown is wonderful because it takes roughly twenty minutes to get to the beach of Galveston, and twenty minutes to get to the downtown city life of Houston.

Here is some data courtesy of www.city-data.com on League City, Texas.

My lifestyle characteristics in League City include golf, boating, fishing and going to the beach. It is a very laid back city that rests near the water.

Here is a picture of our neighborhood marina

Another popular spot upon many locals is the Kemah Boardwalk:

Blog Assignment #3 - 1/28 Guest Speaker

Task #1:

On Monday, January 28th, Dr. Harrison and Mr. Gentry came to speak to our FINC 371 class. Both speakers previously graduated from Texas A&M. Dr. Harrison is a medical doctor while Mr. Gentry is an attorney.

The two speakers mentioned above are both currently working on a development project that is in the vicinity of Briarcrest and Highway 6. The project is expected to be done by August 2013, and has a dollar value of approximately 4.7 million dollars.



The most interesting part of the lecture came from Dr. Harrison. His grandfather won this piece of land in a poker game, and now it is the beginning of a 4.7 million dollar project.

Blog Assignment #2 - Private & Public Restrictions

Private & Public Restrictions on Real Estate

Private Restrictions:

These are private encumbrances that limit the way a property owner can use a property. Deed restrictions are created by the developer. Different examples of these restrictions include:

1. Liens: claim on the property as a security for debt for a fulfillment of monetary charge or obligation. An example of a voluntary lien is a mortgage.

2. Easements: Are the rights given to one party by a landowner to use the land in a specified manner.

• Utilities
• Oil
• Gas
• Ranch Access

3. Profit a prende: A nonpossessory interest in property that permits the holder to remove a party of the soil or produce of the land. 

• Remove wild animals off land
• Remove shrubbery 

4. Adverse Possession: Allows individuals to acquire title to land that they do not own because they have openly possessed it for a statutory period of time

• Usually 7 to 20 years
• Someone moving in an abandoned house and claiming it as their own after at least 7 years
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w22EOq7IsTk

5. Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs): These limit the way a property owner can use the property. 

Public Restrictions:

These are limitations that the government creates on the ownership of real estate. The government has 4 powers over real property: 

1. Eminent Domain: The government can acquire someone's property and use it publicly as long as the owner receives fair/just compensation. This doesn't necessarily mean market value, but whatever the government feels is just. 

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loDA8DI_pzg

2. Police Powers: Government has the power of regulation. This gives them the ability to protect public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. 

3. Escheat: If a landowner dies without leaving a will, the state government becomes the owner of the property. 

4. Taxations: Property taxes, and ad valoren taxes, are levied as a percentage of the value of the property. The value isn't necessarily based off of market value either, but the assessed value. With this law, there are a lot of controversial points that are made. 

Blog Assignment #1 - Introduction

Andrew Rogas
Finance Major
2014
League City, Texas

• My hobbies include sports, and hanging out with friends & family. I am very interested in music and the entertainment industry. 
• I hope to gain a broad knowledge of real estate out of Finance 371. I think every astute businessman should understand real estate. 
• I have short term goals of a financial internship that will set me up for my long term goals of one day owning my own business. 
• One unique thing about me that people would never guess, is that I am a radio DJ. I mix on air Monday through Friday, on 101.9 The Beat, at 5 p.m. (KBXT) 
• While I'm young, I would like to skydive and travel to as many countries as possible. 

Favorite links:

www.facebook.com

www.twitter.com

www.1019thebeatonline.com

Task #2

In my opinion, Bill Gates' property is the most fascinating piece of residential real estate that I have ever seen. His home is located in Washington, and overlooks Lake Washington. The home is 66,000 square foot and incorporates unbelievable technology. Upon entering the home, guests will be surveyed and given a microchip. This chip then sends signals throughout the house to accompany their preferences.  This property took 7 years to construct, and cost around $63,000,000. However, with land and property, the Gates' estate has a worth of a whopping $113,000,000. The mansion is a modern designed estate in the Pacific lodge style. This style features a large private library with a dome shaped roof and oculus.

A virtual tour of the home can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9738CIiY41k