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Many people share the same fantasy of owning island property. The idea of a tropical island is alluring to almost anybody; the sand, sea and sun right outside your window, relaxing days spent by the beach and a perfect escape from the stress of modern city life. Nestled in the South Pacific between New Caledonia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu offers a lifestyle less commonly led, but frequently fantasized about. You could purchase a piece of Vanuatu property for sale or even your own island for the price of a nice home in a well to do area of New Zealand or Australia. A relaxing, dream lifestyle comes a lot cheaper than you might imagine.

Vanuatu is steeped in history and unique island culture. The islands were first discovered by Europeans in 1606 but have been inhabited for four thousand years. The archipelago is comprised of over eighty islands and where more than 113 languages are spoken. Like many island cultures, the notions of property and ownership were far different to the Europeans. Land was sold or given away for use and was not something that could be owned. After 300 years, by 1960, 30% of the land in Vanuatu had been claimed by Europeans.

Both the British and French had stakes in the country. The two powers came together to rule the country under, what was called, the ‘British-French Condominium’. The condominium lasted from 1906 through to 1980. During this period Vanuatu was known as New Hebrides. During World War II the arrival of Americans would see new wealth introduced to the archipelago, which was essential to the indigenous peoples’ feelings of identity.

From the late 1960s, political movements began and political parties started to form. For the next two decades the Vanua’aku Pati party started to push for independence and in 1980 the Republic of Vanuatu was born.

After years of being a colony of the British and French, Vanuatu became an independent country and an independent people. Many French landowners left the country, compensated for land by the French government, and ownership was reverted back to the indigenous people of Vanuatu.

Getting that relaxed, laid back lifestyle is not impossible. Vanuatu is a beautiful country, with a rich culture. Whether you are looking to run a resort or just own a little place for yourself, Vanuatu is a great place for an investment. Look to Vanuatu for one of the most positive lifestyle changes you can make. Don’t just invest in a property; invest in a new way of life in Vanuatu.

According to a report, there have been more than 3000 accidents reported per year in UAE which is quite terrible. Due to this rate of accidents, UAE RTA laws have become more gripping around to provide more safety to the motorists.

Today, car insurance has become mandatory in UAE. So if you do not want to lose on a large amount of Dirhams, it would be wise to spend a small amount right now in the form of your car insurance policy.

Before going further, you must peek into the scenarios in which you are eligible to claim for your car insurance in UAE

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Here we have broken down the categories of vehicle insurance in UAE. We assure you that through this car insurance comparison, you would be able to pick up the most appropriate policy.

Have a look!

What is Third Party Liability (TPL) Insurance?

Starting from the most basic vehicle insurance policy, 3rd party car insurance in Dubai is the cheapest policy that you can opt for. It offers very limited services in case of an accident, this is why it is cheaper than the other one.

Under this policy coverage, your insurance company only pays for the damage that occurs to the other vehicle or property due to your negligence. Keep it in mind that it doesn’t pay for your lose. No medical expenses, no repairs, nothing else.

In case an insured vehicle causes damage to the third person, the driver may contact his insurance provider to remunerate the injury or repair expenses of the other side.

So why does people pick up this policy over the other one? The answer lies in its cost effectiveness.

Also those who are confident on their excellent diving skills mostly go for this type of policy.

Precisely quoting, if you are purchasing this policy from car insurance company in UAE, you have to pay your repair expenses from your own pocket.

If you want to enjoy some extra add-ons like fire or theft coverage, you have to pay some extra amount.

What is Comprehensive Car Insurance?

Simply put, Comprehensive car insurance covers third party car insurance plus the medical and repair expenses which are caused to your belongings as a result of an accident.

Sounds more beneficial? Yes, it is!

As it provides a wide coverage, so this policy is an expensive yet more recommended option. It is better to invest some extra Dirhams now rather than regretting over a larger financial lose later.

It covers a broad spectrum of expenses, from medical to repairs to windshield replacement, every finance comes under comprehensive car insurance in Dubai. This policy is in the driver’s favor whether the driver is at fault or in case of fire or theft, this is a go-to policy.

Fix in mind:

• Comprehensive insurance is a necessity in case of car loan. The bank requires you to purchase it at least for the duration of the loan term in order to make your car protected. You can leverage various other benefits depending upon the bank policies.
• Comprehensive insurance in Dubai does not cover the damages which are caused under Alcohol consumption.
• Make sure to fully understand the clauses, terms and conditions of the policy you intend to purchase.
• Make sure to compare vehicle insurance in UAE.

In the end, it all depends upon you that how much you are willing to pay for the policy of your choice. In order to take guidelines regarding insurance policies, feel free to contact Insurance TopUp or Just Call or WhatsApp +971565543022

We are here whenever you need us!

For a decade I have had friends from around the world who have visited Dubai and spoken to me about Emiratis – the natives of United Arab Emirates. Most of what I have heard were unpleasant and negative comments about the Emiratis. These have ranged from remarks about their hypocrisy, greed and vanity to outright accusations of racism, religious intolerance and corrupt nature.

And for a year now, I have lived in Dubai hoping to meet these Emiratis who have been inspiring such tales. And surprising, they don’t seem to exist. My fascination with the culture, tradition, language, religion and people of this region has made me observe, analyse and present these facts about the Emirati people. To me they are a nation of well meaning but heavily misunderstood people. Here is why.

They are not arrogant: Emiratis are no more arrogant than a Filipino, Indian or American in the UAE. What they are is that they are very private people. When it comes to their family and personal lives, we would rarely find an Emirati person open up for discussions. The respect for their family, culture, value system and traditions has often led people to think of them as being aloof, secluded and therefore arrogant. What may surprise you is that a warm smile, a greeting and handshake is all that it takes to start a conversation with an Emirati. Dubai today is the business hub of the world. And that would not have happened if the natives of the land were arrogant and anything but welcoming.

They are not floating in money: A popular belief is that Emiratis are very privileged and lead a lavish life without their feet touching their ground. This is one of the most common misconceptions created both by the expats who live in the UAE and those who come to tour. You may often hear unverified statements passing around about an Emirati who is so rich, does not need to work and takes his or her country’s benefits for granted. However, if you took some time to observe the Emirati people, you would find them doing everything the way anyone else does. They wait in lines at a Starbucks, board the metros and walk around with their families in the many malls and. And the privileged few of the society are not restricted to the Emirati people alone. Many of the rich people in the UAE today are the expats, some of them are Arabs from other countries.

They do focus on education: At any rate, an average Emirati seems to have more education than an average westerner. I have heard some comments on the sly that Emiratis do not learn much and rely on their connections and influence to climb the ladder. Understandably in a country where the basic rules and laws are drafted in Arabic and English – it is but natural to see the citizens of that country preferred for top ranking jobs by its Government. Any one who believes Emiratis with very less education are given preference for jobs are wrongly informed. Every high ranking Emirati official we meet would have studied in one of the top colleges in the middle east or in the world.

They do have a sense of fashion: Yes the men prefer the Kandura and the women wear the Abhaya. But no, they don’t do it because they don’t have any other clothes! Wake up expats. The Emiratis respect their traditions and culture to a great extent and believe in continuing them through the ages. It is infact a crying shame that most Asian countries have forgotten or hide their traditional costumes and opt for western attires. As for the doubts about their fashion sense that doesn’t adhere to the western tastes, do observe where the Emiratis shop for their non traditional clothes, watch a fashion show showing Emirati designers or just take a moment to notice the Emirati youth hanging out at the malls and you will never doubt again!

They do love mixing with other cultures: Although the Emiratis culture is traditionally influenced by culture of the Persian empire, the modern Emirati is a perfect mix of cultures from both the east and west. From India to America, Emiratis have taken cultural lessons and blended them into their modern lifestyles. This is apparent from many aspects of their day to day work and personal life. They wear traditional outfits, drive the most modern cars, eat Chinese food, watch an Indian film and hang out with their American friends. Now, if that is not mixing up cultures, then what is?

I believe the Emiratis are poorly understood in their own land. I have of late heard of Emiratis being discriminated in the UAE purely because of their appearance and the perceptions, prejudice and apprehensions the expats have towards them. In a land which is open to the entire world to come and profit and live peacefully, being a misunderstood native is not an easy thing. It may eerily resemble the story of the new world – the Americas, where everyone migrated to live and prosper and slowly the misunderstood native American Indian tribes faded out of existence. However, with a modernizer like Sheikh Mohammed steering this great nation that is an unlikely possibility. What could become possible one day is that the misguided ideas about the locals may end up pushing them further inward into this bubbling society, forcing them to live in its center rather than branching out everywhere. This would create newer challenges for the government and people. Will such things come to pass? Will the misconceptions never be broken? Will the day come when the local Emirati is understood and appreciated in his own country by everyone else?

Only time will tell.

The transfer tax and stamp duty are fees that are attached to your cost when you are involved in a transaction for houses for sale in Jamaica is usually at a percentage value of the land. Normally the value is in line with the sale price.

The transfer act states that transfer tax is 7.5%. There is a relief an amount of $10,000.00 relief where the value of the land is $150,000.00 or less. The type of home does not matter. It is usually a misconception that Jamaica beachfront houses for sale attract a much higher transfer. This is simply not true. However there are some exemptions to these Jamaican property taxes.

Exemptions

1. Transfers of property by Jamaican Government and Local Authorities.

2. Transfers to government or Local Authorities of Jamaican land for purposes such as roadways and other reservations in sub-divisions.

3. Transfers by way of gifts to approved institutions of property to be used exclusively for charitable purposes.

4. The Principal place of dwelling of spouses (Joint Tenancy or Tenancy in Common) In the event of death only.

Stamp Duty – Payment of Stamp Duty is governed by the Stamp Duty Act. The stamp duty payable on land is approximately 5.5% of the full value of the land/dwelling.

Certification of title:

Once a property is registered it is given identification by way of Volume and Folio numbers in the Register Book of Titles. The original Title is kept at the Office of Titles and entries are made thereon whenever something affecting any interest in the land is brought to the attention of the Registrar of Titles. For example, a transfer, a mortgage, death of a part owner, grants of easement and so on. This is standard for all houses for sale in Jamaica.

The land owner gets the duplicate Certificate of Title on Registration. Duplicate Certificate of Title has to be submitted to the Registrar for endorsement of all transactions affecting the land.

The Conveyance or Transfer of Houses In Jamaica For Sale Exercise

This normally begins either between seller (vendor) and buyer (purchaser) or between either one of the aforementioned parties and a Jamaica real estate dealer or Jamaica property agent. Purchaser or an attorney should inspect the Duplicate Certificate of Title. This is vital as some homes in Jamaica for sale come without sale agreements and hence no transfer might have taken place. A title proves exactly who the owner of the land is.

The usual form of Purchase and Sale Agreement sets out inter alia:-

(1) The legal names, registered address and gainful occupation of the contracting parties.

(2) Full description of the house in Jamaica for sale – including size or actual dimensions, registered location, and the identifying folio and volume numbers of the Certificate of Title, in the case of both registered Jamaican buildings and land. In the case of land with a Common Law Title, the size, description, boundaries and other relevant details.

(3) Purchase Price – in words and figures to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.

(4) Completion – the effective date when the final payment for transaction is anticipated to be collected and the full sale completed, that is, transfer effected, cheque and titles exchanged.

(5) Cost of transfer – unless otherwise agreed, this usually states that each party should bear half the cost of Stamp Duty, Registration Fee and Attorneys Costs.

Payment of Jamaica real estate agents commission – paid on the Completion of the transfer of title and the closing of the transaction.

Fees on sale and purchase of land

1. Transfer tax – 7.5% of market value (Vendor only)

2. Stamp duty – approximately 5.5% of Market Value

3. Registration fee – Approximately 2% of Market Value (or $2.00 per 1,000)

4. Attorney’s costs – As per Scale – Jamaican Bar Association (effective 1st June 1991)

5. Surveyors Identification Fees:

(i) Values up to $500,000.00 = $1,500.00, thereafter, 0.1% up to 1 million, thereafter, $1,000 per million. Plus Research and Title fee/charge of $400.00.

(ii) Properties in excess of 1 acre or Irregular Boundaries a traversing fee is added. Fee depends on length of traverse.

(iii) If land is outside the corporate area $6.00 per mile.

6. Valuation Fees:

Kingston Jamaica Corporate Area

Corporate Area: Cost $3.00 per 1000 of the market value and $150.00 for travelling and incidental expenses. Minimum fee of $1,000.00 plus travelling and incidentals $1,150.00

Outside Corporate Area – (Beyond 15 miles from Kingston Jamaica) 3.50 per 1,000 of the market value plus travelling @ $3.50 per mile minimum fee of $1,500.00 plus travelling.

7. Mortgage Costs: (Building Societies)

(1) 1% application fee (Saver)

(2) 2% application fee (non Saver)

(3) Life Insurance – amount differs according to age.

NB. No longer will Compulsory Society take an assignment of Existing Policy.

(4) Mortgage Indemnity: 7% of sum being Insured applies when Mortgage in excess of the standard two thirds – 90% Mortgage.

(5) Stamp duty on Mortgage

(6) Registration Fees on the Mortgage

(7) Attorneys Costs

(8) Valuation Fee

(9) Surveyors Identification

(10) First Month Mortgage Payment

Mortgages: – $1.00 per 200 x 25% or 0.65%

These outline all the costs associated with buying houses for sale in Jamaica. It is important that both the vendor and purchaser understand the fees associated with this Jamaica real estate transaction.

It goes without saying, that making the decision to sell your home is a huge deal. Besides, there is a lot of work that goes into putting your house on the market. Furthermore, it is vital that you sell it for the best possible price. After all, the more money you get from the sale the better it is for buying a new home or using the money for some other purposes. Sometimes, selling your property now and for the maximum possible price can also put extra cash into your pocket. However, selling a home for top dollar is no cakewalk.

Nonetheless, with a little know-how, you will be able to sell your home for the best possible price. Read on to find out four tips to get top dollar when selling your home.

1. Negotiate effectively- When it comes to selling your home at the highest possible price, effectively negotiating with the buyer is vital. Furthermore, sellers can maximize their margins by going into negotiations equipped with the right information about their house as well as the local market.

2. Timing is key- Timing can make a big difference in terms of selling your home quickly and for the most cash. Furthermore, the housing market ebbs and flows throughout the year on a pretty set schedule. While it is not impossible to sell a house in November or December, you are much more likely to sell your house at the best possible price in the spring, when more buyers are out looking.

3. Invest in minor repairs- While making repairs may seem like an unnecessary expense when selling your house, these repairs, especially to rooms like the bathrooms and kitchen can really increase the asking price of your property and maximize your profits. Not to mention, having your home in move-in condition will increase the interest in your home and will help you sell your house quickly and for the best possible price.

4. Presentation is key- The way your house looks can make or break a sale! Furthermore, consider staging your house for possible buyers. Furthermore, give it a less cluttered look to make it spacious and more appealing to the home buyers.

5. Steer clear of bargain hunters-You should not waste your time with the bargain hunters or the low-budget buyers considering the fact that these people will never pay you the reasonable amount for your home.

While these were some of the tips and tricks for getting top dollar when selling your home, there are many others, such as price your house right, keep your home clean among many others.