Using a Cruise Holiday As A Deal Breaker
One of the best aspects of obtaining and offering investment property deals is the creativity involved. There are no hard rules telling you how to structure financing. That is between you and the other party as long as both parties find the deal to be fair on both ends – a win-win situation. So while viewing investment financing creatively, why not have a bit of fun as well? Did you know down payments are not about cash, but more about perceived value? There are ways a brand new investor can get their feet wet by offering sweat equity to an old junker of a house, fix it up by financing the repairs and materials and either sell it for a profit or keep it for cash flow. Then do it all over again with better terms and pricing. This happens every day as long as someone is willing to do the dirty work and the other is willing to be flexible with their terms. Keeping this in mind, there are many other assets of value that could be used as down payment such as certificates of deposits (CDs), stocks, automobiles, boats, even holiday cruises. The value is determined best by what the seller wants and what the buyer can offer. Here we will use cruises as an example of first how a buyer can use a holiday package as a down payment and then how a seller can use cruises as an incentive to get a buyer to purchase quickly. But let’s take a look at cruises to see what is available. The CruisesThere are a plethora of cruise holidays available in all price ranges, packages and locales. The choices are endless and can be a bit overwhelming at first, but we will discuss how to choose the best deals for your buyer or seller shortly.
If you’re looking to truly entice and impress, then getting any trip from the following cruise liners will be sure to whet anyone’s appetite and get the attention you’ll need to close the deal:
These are the top of the line cruise companies and extremely popular in the UK. The quality of service is unmatched; they all offer hundreds of destinations worldwide with the most luxurious comfort and style. The best part – all three offer some type of deal, whether it’s last min cruises or cruises 2012! It is possible to grab great discounts by booking in advance. There are still some discounts available for cruises 2011, you’ll just have to ask. Although it will be tough to pinpoint last minute cruises, they are out there and the deals are quite significant. Planning far in advanced can work in your best interest as a seller or buyer if you wish to use these as options towards the down payment of the house. Remember, being creative in a way that positively benefits both parties is our ultimate goal. Many people, when they think of cruises tend to focus more on the location. They dream of taking cruises to Alaska or seeing some of what Europe has to offer with Mediterranean cruises. These are prime locations and are perfect in attracting the buyer or seller you want. One of the hottest excursions is cruises the Caribbean Sea and the many islands that have inspired music, love and exciting holidays! Can you imagine the look on their faces if you offered a trip to the Caribbean just for doing business with you! Their shocked minds will quickly go into an imaginary trip of their own as they think about the warm waters splashing their sand soaked feet. Feel free to share the details about the luxury room that they will stay and the delicious food that is available around the clock or the nightly entertainment after a long soak in the Sun. You’ve got their attention! 
Now let’s look at how to work these cruise incentives into a deal you are considering purchasing by viewing this from the seller’s perspective first.
Every seller has a need to sell. Most believe it is purely financial, and this could be quite accurate. But there are a few that may need to relocate, a life changing event in the family or just tired of living in that same location and want a fresh start somewhere else. You may not know the true reason unless you ask. A simple “Why are you selling” and then stay quiet as they give you the valuable pieces of information you’ll need to put this together. Listening can go a long way with anyone, especially a seller.
If any of these essential phrases pop up, you just might be in business! Talk with the seller to get a better idea of his/her needs. This alone will set you apart from all the other investors out there. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get them thinking a bit more creatively than a typical cash down payment. If you’ve ever been on a cruise before, share your story. Let them know what it was like to get away from it all, if just for a couple of weeks. You will notice their interests because they will be listening to you attentively. Be careful, however, not to make it about you. Quickly go back to focusing on their needs and desire and see if there are some creative ways to make this a reality for them as well. Sell them the idea of Celebrity cruises which makes it easy for them to work with you and make them delighted at the idea of selling their home to you while also receiving a cruise. It should be safe to say this property offers a great incentive for you already; otherwise you wouldn’t be talking to the seller or the agent. So weigh in the amount that the seller wants for a down payment and see if you can feasibility structure a deal based on those terms and simply substitute the cash with an equally perceived value cruise. Cruises as an Incentive
If you have a property you wish to sell, but you’re competing with everyone else in this buyer’s market, one way of attracting the attention of a great buyer is offering more flexible terms. As an incentive to get the buyer to close quicker, you can offer a cruise as part of the closing package. If all else makes your home a smart investment for a home buyer, then the cruise will be the icing that gets your home closed fast. Financing the Cruise and Closing the DealIf after discussing this option with the other party, you decide that the cruise is perfect for your investment needs, and then a package would need to be reserved. You may even consider purchasing an equally valued gift cruise certificate, allowing the receiver to choose their own destination from any P&O Cruises list which consists of many places throughout Europe. The reason this creates a good opportunity for a buyer is the ability to finance the cruise and pay the balance once the house is sold or make payments from the cash received from rent. As a seller, you can quickly pay the financed cruise with the proceeds from the sale. This can truly be an easy win-win situation for all. Here are two quick tips to give you an added measure of comfort. First, do your research and find out the general pricing for most cruises as well as making sure the tickets are transferable. Some travel agents, for an extra fee, will allow you to change dates or cancel for a full refund, minus the fee. The second tip is to incorporate the cruise into the contract. This way, if the deal doesn’t close as agreed, the other party does not receive the incentive. 
An interesting twist to this scenario is setting up an investment in which you can get free Cunard cruises! For example, you can as a seller structure the down payment to reflect all or part as cruise versus cash. This makes it easier for the buyer to purchase your home and you have a free holiday after the closing. That is the beauty of property investments. As long as every aspect is legal and fair to both parties, the rules are flexible and can be created by you. Be open-minded and try to keep all transactions as positive as you can. Soon you will be able to make enough money to finance your own holiday cruise anywhere in the world. |