This Realtor is big on Real Estate as an investment.  Since 1974, Hal has been active in property management with both residential and commercial products.

This type of investment is not for everybody. It is a business that requires patience and tenacity. Many investors have turned to Real Estate to protect their savings. Unlike the stock market, real estate is a long term investment vehicle and over time is historically secure.

Western Ventura County can offer excellent returns on investment due to low housing prices and stable rents.. As prices have dropped, investment opportunities are better than ever. The "SOAR" initiative (Save Our Agricultural Resources), passed by the voters a few years back, requires that conversion of  agricultural land to residential use requires a vote of the people. This initiative does, in effect, limit growth and tends to result in ever increasing property values over the long run.

The Economy

 Ventura County has historically shown growth above the national average and unemployment below.  The Port of Hueneme, with BMW and DOLE as important employers, flourishes.  High tech, Bio-tech, import-export and the Military provide a strong, diversified economic base county wide.  

For more on this, go the 

University of California Santa Barbara Economic Forecast

For information about economic opportunities in Oxnard & Port Hueneme, go to:

City of Oxnard-The Bottom Line

The Greater Oxnard Economic  Development Corporation

City of Port Hueneme

What makes safe & manageable investments?

The answer is not the same for everyone.  A potential investor must determine their own "comfort" level, both in the value of the investment and the size of the management function. Certainly Real property should be only a portion of any well rounded portfolio.

This Realtor still feels strongly that one's primary residence should also be the initial investment property.  The value of a primary residence has benefits including large income tax deductions from mortgage interest and property tax payments and a means of building tax free equity*.

Types of investments

A simple one unit residential rental is the simplest way to begin.  Ventura County lends itself very well to this sort of vehicle since the rental market is exceptionally strong, but requires a large cash down to avoid a negative cash flow situation. A decision, up front, should be made as to whether one intends to purchase a long term rental or a property that may, at some point, be a primary residence as well.

"Flipping" a "fixer",  not for the faint-hearted, can also yield a good return.  This kind of investment involves the purchase of a property in poor condition, then a quick cleanup and sale.  The recent drop in the market has made this sort of endeavor difficult. In years past buying and holding over time made the most sense and we seem to be returning to that more traditional type of investing.

Multi-Unit Residential, This type of property is in very short supply. This Realtor will be happy to consult with you directly & confidentially regarding your specific needs.  

The 1031 Exchange

A 1031 exchange refers to the income tax code by which an owner of income property can defer the tax liability upon selling the property through a Real Estate exchange*. This Realtor has direct experience in managing this type of tax deferred transaction.  When handled properly with the right team of agents, escrow, title and exchange facilitators, this type of transaction generally goes well.  This agent will be happy to speak with you directly about this type of transaction.

*Tax benefits vary with individuals, so a decision to buy or sell real  property should include a consultation with a tax professional.

Hal's Tip!

Check out south Oxnard/Port Hueneme! 

This area, long the city's problem area is undergoing a huge redevelopment. Several projects, the largest, a 320 acre project known as SouthShore are still in the planning stage. Numerous smaller new home tracts and imminent construction of others are transforming this area right before your eyes making this area a "best buy" choice for the smart investor.

For more about redevelopment, click here!

More about neighborhoods & prices

RENTAL RATES!

Contact Information

Telephone

business:      805-984-1995

home office: 805-984-4199

           cell:          805-377-1090

FAX

business:       805-986-1242

home office: 805-984-0438

Postal address

        Surfside-Anacapa Real Estate

        127 N. Ventura Road

        Port Hueneme, CA 93041

        MAP IT!

Electronic mail

General Information, Sales & support:

hal.cutler@verizon.net

Send mail to hal.cutler@verizon.net with questions or comments about this web site. Surfside-Anacapa Real Estate is independently Owned and Operated. Harold "Hal" Cutler is licensed by the California Department of Real Estate #01138681.  Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.  References to size or square footage is taken from public records but is not verified. If your property is listed with a Broker, this site is not intended as a solicitation of  the listing.  Property offered is subject to prior sale.  Consult a qualified specialist for legal or tax issues.
Copyright © 2001 HAL CUTLER - Realtor
Last modified: May 09, 2010 11:44