Posts tagged: homes

This science is complete in itself.

Happiness to the whole world it can bring

All the four benefits it bestows on you

Rightful living, money, fulfillment of desires and bliss

Are all available in this world itself”.

Vaastu is the ancient Indian science of architecture man-made structures and a part of the Vedas specifies the word ‘Vastu’ in Sanskrit as the earth, and in the modern context it covers all types of constructions. Vaastu pertains to the physical, psychological and spiritual order of the built environment, in consonance with the cosmic energies. It is a study of planetary influences on buildings and the people who live in them, and aims at providing guidelines for proper construction.

The ancient Hindus believed that for peace, happiness, health and wealth one should abide by the guidelines while building a dwelling. It tells us how to avoid diseases, depression and disasters by living in structures, which allow the presence of a positive cosmic field.

The layout of your residence or work place is very similar to an Horoscope. In astrology one cannot tame the baneful planets whereas the science of Vaastu prescribes that the Earth being one of the nine planets is the best approach to configure to our needs and get the best results and get beneficial results from such ill effects of the planets.

Since Vedic wisdom is considered to be synonymous with divine knowledge of the cosmic mind obtained by sages in deep states of meditation, Vaastu Shastra or the science of Vaastu is thought to contain the guidelines given by the Supreme Being.

The principles of of this wonder science had been explained in ancient Hindu scriptures. Fundamental premise of this science rests on the assumption that the earth is a living organism, out of which other living creatures and organic forms emerge, and so every particle on earth and space possesses ‘live energy’.

According to Vaastu shastra five elements – Earth, Fire, Water, Air or atmosphere and Sky or space – governs the principles of creation. These forces act for or against each other to create harmony and disharmony. It also says that everything on earth – in some form or the other – is influenced by the planets, and each of these planets guards a direction. So our dwellings are under the influence of the five elements and the nine planets.

If the structure of your house is so designed that the positive forces override the negative forces then there is a beneficial release of bio-energy, which helps you and your family members to live a happy and healthy life. A positive cosmic field prevails in a house as per the principales laid down, where the atmosphere is congenial for a smooth and happy life. Contrary to this, if the same structure is built in a manner that the negative forces override the positive, the overbearing negative field makes your actions, efforts and thoughts negative. Herein comes the benefits of Vaastu, which guides you to have a positive atmosphere at home.

Evidently, Vaastu is akin to the science of geopathy, the study of the diseases of the earth. Geopathy recognizes that electromagnetic radiations that are cosmic in origin surrounds the globe, and that radiation distortions can make a site unsafe for construction. Geopathic stress may also attack the immune system and cause health related problems.

There are also a lot of similarities between Vaastu and its Chinese counterpart Feng Shui, in that they recognize the existence of positive and negative forces (Yin and Yang) except for the fact that the latter attaches too much importance to gadgets, like flutes, mirrors etc. In Fend Shui the nine year cycle in a human beings causes a problem by shifting one to a different place which is not practicle, hence Vaastu is gaining rapid popularity in India and abroad.

Does this wonder art make any sense? While many people still strongly believe in Vaastu, the common consense is that it is an ancient science, which was useful in conditions prevailing in ancient times, but nowadays, the modern theory of Vaastu is sweeping across the Western World due to the benefits people derive from this Science of Movement and Placement.

Hence, rediscovered again the Modern Science of Vaastu came into practice in residence and industries.

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

Insurance TopUp is the most affordable online insurance firm in UAE that is partnered with the best insurance providers worldwide. From providing car insurance comparison to streamlining the insurance process for you, Insurance TopUp is reliable source to trust on.

Looking for the most affordable insurance services? Get your free car insurance quote from insurance TopUp right now.

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.

Everyone wants to live in a place where there are peace and calmness. A person always desires to have a big house with lawns and all modern conveniences, best schools nearby and of course good markets at walking distance. Living in a dream home is a real pleasure.

Owning an accommodation is a big dream for many people, but it is not possible that all can afford it. Situations may be different for everyone. It depends on your age, how much you can invest, and where and why you want to live. Therefore, it is better to rent a home.

It’s easy and more comfortable with Housetrue.com. Whatever your requirement is, we are here to fulfill your needs related to property. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6+ bhk flats on rent in Lutyens New Delhi (South) are available at Housetrue.com.

Moreover, if you have a transferable job, then you might need to move from one city to another, and then it’s wise to hire a rented apartment. There are many reasons for renting accommodation. Some of these are as follows:-

Taxes

If you have rented accommodation, there is no burden of property tax. Income tax is already a load, and after that, if you have to pay house tax, then what? So this is a plus point in the case of rented apartments.

Flexible

You know about the pros and cons of living in a particular area, only after the experience. So in case you are not happy with the neighbors or other amenities, you can change your house very quickly. It means you are not bound to stay in one place only. You can relocate independent houses and apartments on rent, Lutyens’ at Housetrue.com.

The most significant opportunity that you get is freedom of movement.

Maintenance

When you own a house, you have to take care of all the maintenance work. But there is no such headache in the case of rental properties. Ownership is a long term investment. House is a place that needs a lot of care, and unforeseen expenditures can come at any time.

House rent allowance

Moreover, many government and private companies provide a facility for house rent allowance. This HRA is given if the employee is living in a rented house.

Now it’s easy to understand that hiring places on rent is better than owning them.

What could be better than renting a home in an exclusive location, like Lutyens?

Far away from the crowded parts of Delhi, Lutyens’ covers a vast area with Lodi gardens to the South, Nehru Park in the West. It is one of the most snobbish regions in Delhi. As you spend time in the city, you will find that Lutyens is a pollution-free, safe and noise-free area.

Lutyens’ is one such area in Delhi where every facility is present. A lot of people want to live in Lutyens since it houses a wide range of luxury properties to rent . It is an expensive zone in Delhi. The prices of cottages in this area are quite high. And ordinary people can’t own a house here. So, why not opt for rented homes and apartments.

Don’t worry! We will help you with this.

Lutyens’s houses and flats on rent are a bit higher than in other areas in Delhi. It is a posh area where luxurious houses and apartments are available to let. These houses are laden with all modern amenities, best schools, full-proof security systems, and much more.

This is the place where you can get an excellent and delightful environment. Breathtaking views of the area will seduce you. The social circle is also excellent here. High ranked officials, leading business people, army officers, judges, lawyers, and doctors from different parts of the country live here.

It offers an incredible blend of the ancient side with a modern feel. A lush green lawn and wide-open terrace are available in most houses in the posh area of south Delhi. You can sit and enjoy with your family in nature’s lap. To talk about housekeeping and other services, qualified maids and drivers are available at a phone call.

Renting in urban areas is a necessity as people go to different places due to jobs or studies. Renting also allows for spreading your earnings and savings over different types of investments. Even you don’t have to worry about depreciating values of property due to various reasons.

While most investors have got involved in property investing because they understand the opportunities to make money through leverage and capital growth or high yields, I still see and hear of many who do not fully understand opportunity cost.

Remember anyone that gets into property is usually in it to generate money or income – how many deals/properties you own is insignificant.

So what does opportunity cost mean?

Well according to the encyclopedia, “Opportunity cost is a term used in economics, to mean the cost of something in terms of an opportunity foregone (and the benefits that could be received from that opportunity), or the most valuable foregone alternative. For example, if a city decides to build a hospital on vacant land that it owns, the opportunity cost is some other thing that might have been done with the land and construction funds instead. In building the hospital, the city has forgone the opportunity to build a sporting center on that land, or a parking lot, or the ability to sell the land to reduce the city’s debt, and so on.”

So in property investing terms, if an investor decides to invest £50k in a property in for example Wales, the opportunity cost would be what he could have made by investing in Spain, Ireland or Dubai. Or similarly if an investor decides to keep equity of 50k in a property, the opportunity cost is what he/she could alternatively have invested this money in and the resultant value.

Now again this will depend on your specific strategy – and many people are not too concerned about opportunity cost, they are just keen to buy 1-2 properties that can hold onto for 15-25 years to use as a pension. That is fine if that is your strategy – but for me that is too broad a strategy, carries risks and is not maximising the opportunities available.

For me I have always had a philosophy, rightly or wrongly, that I should always be working my money hard. What does this mean? Well as soon as I feel my money has made a significant return and the returns are likely to drop off, compared to other possibilities, then I will look at realising my profits and investing elsewhere ie when I feel the opportunity elsewhere is greater than the current opportunity.

The great thing with property is this does not necessarily mean selling, as you can refinance, and invest money elsewhere.

This is no different to any other type of investing, such as buying stocks and shares – you make/lose your money depending on what price you paid, and what price you sold at – although clearly with property is good opportunity to earn a regular income as well – if hold onto for 15-25 years you should make money, but most likely will be a few scares along the way!

To be a successful investor, must know when to enter the market, and leave the market. And the people that do best buy low, and sell high!

I’ll give an example – while buying off plan has now got a bit of stick in the UK – I have done it successfully over the last few years – but the key is having a clear strategy.

For example, by doing all my due diligence I have managed to buy property at the right price in right location, but then sold on within a year of completion as I felt that was the period I would see the maximum returns in – and opportunities would be greater elsewhere over the next 3 years.

So to go through the numbers, I have just sold one that I bought off plan last year 12 months before completion. I bought at a price that was already £10k below market value based on my research in an area that had little buy to let competition. This was secured with only a £5k deposit. On completion, I put another £28k into deposit – so tied up £33k of my own money. There was no stamp duty in this area.

I then put on market on completion, now even with things slowing down in the area, I have just sold it for a £23k profit. So I tied up £5k for 1 year, and a further £28k for 6 months, to get back £56k.

Why did I sell? Did I consider refinancing?

My first choice would have been to refinance and let out, but the rental would not have stacked up. So while the rental would have stacked up at the price I paid for the property, I would have had 56k in equity sat not doing very much for me. So as I do not forecast huge capital growth in the area over the next 3-5 years, and the yield was not attractive enough for me it was best for me to release this equity and find another investment – ie I felt there were better opportunities for me to spend my £56,000 on, to generate more money.

Now clearly when are looking into the future is element of risk and speculation and are no definite answers – so you are having to forecast as well as you can with the data currently available ie how you forecast interest rates, buying/selling costs, supply and demand, employment, the overall economy and market sentiment over the next time period in the markets/regions you are investing/looking to invest in.

Although opportunity cost can be hard to quantify, its effect is universal and very real on the individual level. The principle behind the economic concept of opportunity cost applies to all decisions, not just economic ones, for example when Steven Gerrard decided to stay with Liverpool last summer, his home club and where he is captain, the opportunity cost was what he could have achieved if he had moved to Chelsea. It will be interesting to see what he decides this summer- he may now feel the opportunity cost is too great to turn down.

Hope this makes sense, and remember to consider opportunity cost when next making an investment decision.

Dubai conjures up images of tall buildings, stunningly shaped and spectacular. The first image that comes to mind is of course the Burj Khalifa. The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, is the epitome of all that Dubai symbolises – the motivation for creating bigger, faster, bolder structures, icons of power, class, wealth and sophistication.

• The Burj Khalifa stands at a height of 829.8 m, and a trip to the observation deck on the 124^th floor is a must-do when you get to Dubai. You can see the spectacular skyline of the city.
• Talking about Dubai and architecture, how can one ignore the Burj Al-Arab? Standing at 321 m, it is the largest hotel in the world, and the iconic structure catches the eye because it has been designed to look like a billowing sail. When the Al-Arab is lit up at night, it is a sight that is worth travelling all the way to Dubai and capturing!
• Another property that is also symbolic of Dubai’s iconic architectural sights is the Palm Jumeirah. The project off the Jumeirah coast is designed in the shape of a palm leaf. Palm Jumeirah is one of the trio of manmade Palm Islands. The World Islands are a group of 300 man-made islands that form into a map of the world when you see I fro the air.
• Take a tour of Dubai Marina, and you will realise that all the buildings here are jostling for your mindspace and attention. For instance, the Cayan Tower, which has a 90-degree twist. The building looks like some force has twisted it along its length. Also launched is a structure called the Sparkle Towers, which has been inspired by Swarovski crystals. The building is a take on the luxury and glitz that has now come to symbolise Dubai.
• The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, designed to look like the dhow. It is symbolic of the fishing and harbour heritage of Dubai.
• If you are still looking for more examples of Dubai’s iconic structures, you should check out the Al Yaqoub Tower, also called the Big Ben of Dubai. The building looks like the Big Ben of the UK, and has 69 floors and is among the top 15 tallest buildings in Dubai.
• Have you seen the Swiss cheese building in Dubai? If not, you should. The building has been designed to look like cheese, with the outer wall resembling the Arabian mashrabiya or veil/screen to keep the building cool!
• Last but certainly not the least, make a trip to the Dubai Mall. Not just for the shopping, but to enjoy the architectural design of the biggest shopping mall in the world.

There are many architecture walks organised for tourists in Dubai, so you could opt for one of them and enjoy the architectural marvels. In terms of accommodation, there are many Dubai hotels for you to choose from. Hotels in Dubai belong to many categories, to suit various pockets. Pamper yourself at one of these hotels equipped with some of the finest amenities.

Cyprus is extremely generous when it comes to offering either a romantic memory, a historical adventure or just a sun filled stay. It has that affect on people that once you have been, you just have the urge to go back year after year. It forms part of peoples life to such a degree that they can’t resist the temptation of buying their own villa in the sun. If you are still thinking about it, well Cyprus is still a booming property investment island as growth is abundant and the bubble doesn’t look like bursting yet like it has in Spain or the UK.

I was a lucky man during the boom years in the UK as I was able to purchase several properties and I really made a killing. I have always rented them out successfully and that is why I thing Cyprus is currently offering better conditions to do the same. If we compare Cyprus to the UK, well the weather is better for a start and the cost of living is a lot lower. The cost of property is much more interesting and there are always people looking for rentals in Cyprus, so you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the benefits.

So are you ready to see how much you can make through property investment in Cyprus? Well you might be amazed to know that a normal 3 bedroom villa can rake in an average of 800 Euro in the peak season. Easy money and than to top that there is great long term rentals in the off season as many Brits seek to get away from the nasty UK winters, which all in all will make a tidy little sum from all year round rental income.

If you want to see an all year round average monthly income, it would be about 2000 Euro making this property venture a very profitable one as the mortgage payments would work out to less than half of that. Don’t miss the boat as the time is right now, although it is advisable to do some good research before you decide on buying your own dream villa in Cyprus.

You can count on a problem free purchase in Cyprus as everything is in your favour. Firstly English is spoken by almost everyone on the island which helps, and you will be impressed with some extremely enthusiastic banks which will put themselves out to get you the mortgage you need. A non-resident can get up to a 70% mortgage and interest rates are much lower than they are in the UK. You will be assisted by a bilingual solicitor throughout the purchase process and they will make sure that all debts are cleared before you sign under the dotted line. They charge a very moderate fee of around 600 Euro and you will certainly feel that it has been money well spent when it’s all over.

You really can’t go wrong at the moment if you buy a villa in Cyprus both as an investment and as an ideal holiday home. You could rent it out to earn high rental income during the peak season and then spend the winter in more sunnier parts. What are you waiting for? If you think this could be for you then I suggest you check out the cyprusinformer blog for further investment tips for buying Cyprus Villas.