Posts tagged: properties in dubai

There are many people that are deathly afraid of funeral homes. They can barely stand to drive past one and having to plan out a funeral for someone else can make them hyperventilate. It is perfectly normal to have a fear of mortuaries. If this is something that has been bothering you there is no more need to fear. Here is how to get rid of the fear in just five simple steps. At the very least, these steps will bring you some relief. People do not like to be overrun and driven by fear. Follow these easy steps to master your phobia.

The first step is to determine in your mind that the fear you are suffering is going to be gone. If you do not actively choose to get rid of your fear then no remedy will work. The funeral of the person that past away is important to you. If you are the one responsible for planning the funeral, it is an even more important event for you. Decide now that you are not going to let this or any other fears stop you from doing what you know you must.

The next step is a bit more complicated. You have to try and figure out what it is about it that bothers you. Some people may find this an easy task, but that is not true for everybody. There are many people who do not know how to associate reasons with their fears. If this is a problem for you, sit down with a pen and sheet of paper and write down everything that comes to mind when you think about funeral homes.

The third step is to gain the support of someone that knows you well and whom you trust. You may need them to help you out as you work to stamp out your fear. Ask them to go with you to a funeral home then take a trip to your local parlor. Let them hold your hand if need be. Take your time when there and breathe deeply when you begin feeling nervous. Remember that overcoming this fear may take some time and requires persistence. Practice visiting funeral homes often until the fear subsides

Similar to the third step, the fourth step requires you to contact a mental health expert. Do not be embarrassed by this step. They can also do a lot to help you overcome the fear. There is a good chance that such services are offered for free in your local area. These experts can help you with such things as meditation and hypnosis.

Finally, turn to the funeral home itself. Being that you have a fear of funeral parlors you may be unaware of the fact that directors of funeral homes are often licensed to give grief counseling. As such, they can help you with your fear; especially since your fear evolves around their workplace. Tell them that you are having this problem and also that you need to plan out a funeral. They can help you both to deal with your fear and learn more about funeral homes so that you will not feel so afraid.

If you were looking at real estate ads and saw one that stated “green homes for sale”, you may at first wonder why anyone would a listing stating the color of their home. This is not what this type of ad means. It is just stating that the homes for sale are earth friendly and energy efficient. Green homes for sale are being built in an effort to less the carbon footprints we leave behind.

When you purchase a green home they will contains all or some of the following features that are earth friendly.

• Fiber cement siding
• Alternative power system like wind and solar
• Recycled building insulation
• No VOC stains and paints, which stands for volatile organic compound. It is any compound that is carbon-based and will vaporize at standard room temperatures. Some of the more prevalent ones are formaldehyde, acetone, and methane.
• Solar powered hot water heating

Even if you do not live in a green home, there are things that you can do to increase your energy conservation. It will even help contribute to saving our environment. Making your home a green home can help to reduce global warning and save the homeowner money. It will significantly better the environment and require little effort for the homeowner.

Making a green home

• Instead of using the standard incandescent light bulbs start to use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). When you switch to the CFL’s you can save per year over a hundred dollars. You can find these lights in the same aisle as your regular bulbs but they are little more expensive. In the United States, if every house switches the type of light bulbs they were using to CFL’s there would be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of one trillion pounds.
• Install a thermostat that is programmable-with this type of thermostat the homeowner can program the thermostat so that the air conditioner or heater is off when homeowners are not at home. The programmable thermostat can be programmed so that it will cool or heat your home shortly before the homeowner arrives home. This change could save the homeowner ten percent or more on cooling and heating costs
• Plug air leaks-this will help the homeowner save money and practice conservation. You can do this by installing weather stripping, keep the temperature in your home from rapidly fluctuating, and caulk windows correctly to stop air drafts.
• Energy Star® rated appliances-these reduce the amount of electricity that is needed to operate them so they have less of an impact on the environment. They will also save on your energy bill.

If you are buying a home, choose energy efficient green homes for sale.

You’re selling your home as a FSBO (for sale by owner) and you get annoyed when real estate brokers call you, right? That’s a reasonable response when you’re doing all the work to market your property to save thousands of dollars in broker commissions. However, when a “buyer broker” calls, you might want to listen.

Why Listen

To understand why I say that, we need to understand the functions of “listing brokers” and “buyer brokers.” Real estate brokers can and do serve both functions, though some specialize.

Some brokers who call you are interested in listing your home. They want to market your home for you. The amount of commission charged for this service varies, but where I live, most brokers list homes for a commission of 6 percent of the sales price. When the home sells, if another brokerage firm has brought the buyer to the deal, the listing broker pays the selling broker half or 3 percent.

When you’re successfully operating as a FSBO, you’re getting folks to come and look at your house, or condo, or whatever, and you don’t need a listing agent. However, what if you’ve been doing this for a while and none of the lookers has been converted to a buyer? What then?

Well, if a broker calls you and says he or she is working with buyers and they’d like to be able to show your home, maybe you should consider it. They probably only expect about half the typical listing commission. That still allows you to save serious money. Perhaps you can even negotiate down a bit from half. This is especially true if your home is appropriately priced above the average price for a home in your area. In my area where 3 percent to a selling broker is frequently acceptable, I’ve seen brokers accept 2.5 or even 2 percent. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

As a bonus in that situation, you get someone who is knowledgeable about the process with an interest in getting the deal to settlement. True, they don’t represent you. They represent the buyer, but the buyer wants your home and the broker wants a payday. In short, the buyer broker has incentive to put an oar in when problems arise.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not for one second suggesting that you pay more than is necessary to sell your home. At first, take names and phone numbers of “buyer brokers” who call you. Then, if you find you need to, call back the ones who impressed you.

There is a middle ground between going it alone and listing with a broker. If you find you need to, this middle ground can be worth exploring through buyer brokers.

Youth sport tournaments are popular in most large US cities. Sports teams on the go now include everything from soccer to softball, volleyball to cheerleading. Team leaders and organizers often face the challenge of where to house their team. Unless reservations are made far in advance, hotels and motels are almost always booked. They also lack the youth-friendly accommodations that these events need for kids and teens to feel at home. All the more reason why youth sport organizers increasingly choose vacation homes for their teams to stay for any away activities, competitions and tournaments.

Close Proximity to Tournament Venues

Vacation homes are often just as conveniently located to tournament and sports venues as hotels and motels. For kids, teens and event leaders/organizers, being just minutes away from where events are held can be a key factor. Such homes are not only close to arenas, ball parks and convention centers, but they’re also very often just minutes from major entertainment attractions that allow kids, teens and their charges to unwind.

There’s No Place like Home

Tournament organizers and team managers are discovering that vacation homes can be very accommodating to youth sport teams. Many such homes feature kids/bunk rooms, two or three bunk beds and two trundles, which offer the extra convenience of allowing many kids to share the same bedroom. Some four-bedroom vacation homes can sleep as many as 16. And most have a sofa sleeper in the family room that sleeps an additional two.

Entertainment for Kids, Teens and their Charges

Many vacation homes are designed to keep kids, teens and their charges entertained, something they need after a day of physically and mentally challenging competition. These homes typically have smart TVs, action-packed gaming systems like X-Box, DVD players, Foosball, Netflix, and Wi-Fi access for smartphones, tablets and laptops. Such connectivity options also help keep everyone up to date on both local tournament activities and sports events throughout the world.

Pools, Spas and BBQs

After a busy day of tryouts and tough challenges, kids, teens and their charges need to unwind. Vacation homes let guests do something they usually can’t do in a hotel or motel-prepare hot dogs, burgers or steaks on a BBQ in the privacy of their own backyard. No waiting for BBQs to be available or sharing yard space with strange hotel/motel guests. Each home usually includes a large outdoor dining table and chairs, plus a comfortable seating area. Most homes also have an in-ground, private, gated pool and a relaxing spa or hot tub. Here, adults can de-stress with their fellow charges while youth swim competitors can practice their techniques, again all in the privacy of people they know.

Three Square Meals

Staying in a vacation home lets guests enjoy healthy, economical meals for kids and teens–three times a day. Unlike hotels and motels, which offer inflexible menus, most vacation homes allow guests to prepare unique meals that fit their teams’ health and taste preferences. Each home features fully equipped kitchens with stainless steel appliances (dishwasher, fridge, microwave and double oven), granite counters, and large breakfast bars. The kitchens also come with pots, pans, bakeware, cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, even kitchen towels and paper towels-just like home.

Economical Cleaning Services

Youth sports teams can be hard on clothes and uniforms. Hotel/motel laundry services can be very expensive for an entire team. Most vacation homes include a washing machine and dryer for economical in-home convenience. Cleaning up after kids and teens can also be a chore, which is why most homes also have available housekeeping services.

I’m asked the question at least once a month: Why are there so many houses in Oaxaca started and apparently not finished? It’s one of the most remarkable sights in this southern Mexico colonial city, as well as in the towns on its outskirts and further beyond. The phenomenon is clearly visible while traversing connecting highways throughout the central valleys.

The brickwork on homes is completed, but there are no panes on the windows, and it otherwise appears obvious that no one is living in these cash cows, edifices which have obviously had a considerable amount invested in them. And even if the homes are finished, and inhabited, the rebar still extends skyward from the roofs. Why is it left there, an eyesore by western standards?

It is a fallacy that leaving the reinforced steel bars intact on the top of your roof signifies that your home is not finished and thus you do not have to pay realty taxes. In fact, at least in the city of Oaxaca and suburbs, in the early 2000s tax reform began to be implemented, whereby you became assessed based on both your land, and your livable space, at different rates. Curiously any structure with a concrete roof was considered livable space, and thus taxed at the higher rate. Even a carport used only for vehicles. You see, many Oaxacans tile their carports and use them more for living and entertaining, than for parking vehicles, and some residents don’t even have cars or trucks. Many residents get around the regulation by constructing a ceiling of river reed known as carrizo, thereby keeping their vehicles shaded and not having to pay the increased rate. In our case, our concrete roof is used only for our vehicles, so we had to negotiate the issue with the tax department.

Because many homeowners are of modest means, you are given the option of having a government authorized architect come to your home to do the measurements with a view to then calculating the increase, or, defer the process. If selecting the latter, the new rate only becomes effective upon your death, or sale of the home, with penalties, interest and back taxes passed on to your heirs or purchasers. Let the negotiations begin! We elected to take the bull by the horns, have the reassessment done, and immediately began paying about ten times more than we had previously been paying, still a bargain relative to what we were paying as homeowners in Toronto, even without the bonus of now being taxed at the seniors’ rate (over 60), that is, 50% of the regular rate of taxation for a principal residence. At the end of the day our daughter will inherit will a bit less to tax the transition.

Then why the rebar? Upon their demise and earlier, most Oaxacans have little to offer their children other than their homes, or better put where their existing homes are situate. Thus, there is always in contemplation building a second or a third level onto a home, when funds become available at a snail’s pace, and when the time it right. If you cut off the extending rebar upon completion of your initial construction, and later decide to build another level, it’s more costly; rather than simply tie into the old rebar, you have to break concrete to access the bare rebar used in earlier construction. There is a different sense of aesthetics, or, more likely, a priority placed upon economics. Hence it is prudent to leave the rebar.

Returning to all those partially finished homes, it all relates back to the cost of borrowing in Mexico, and the fact that Oaxaca is one of the poorest states in the country with most residents lacking savings. Only the non-astute or the very wealthy have mortgages (for that matter, buy anything on credit). I’ve seen interest rates as low as 9% and as high as 65%, for secured loans. Regarding the latter, a couple of years ago I was contemplating buying a scooter for our favourite god-daughter. Buying on credit would have cost us 65% per annum.

So, the norm is to buy when you have cash on hand. This means if you want to build on a piece of land, you buy 1,000 bricks, then another thousand, then block, then rebar, and then cement. You hire your bricklayers, and your plumber who roughs in the below-ground installations. You build, then save, then build more. You can leave your “obra negra” as it’s termed, indefinitely, without concern for theft because there is nothing to steal.

You can then have your electrician break the interior concrete, brick and block, to install the wire and connections for switches and the like. Once those installations and the rest of the home have been covered with concrete, again your future abode is secure from vandalism and theft (yes acknowledging that copper can still be accessed, yet it’s rather difficult with cement covering it). That’s your “obra gris.” It, as well, can then be left, unattended, indefinitely.

The foregoing are the two most common completed stages of home construction one encounters driving the roads and highways around the city of Oaxaca, its central valleys and beyond. It all makes economic sense while at the same time affords the homeowner-in-progress a reasonable degree of security. While delaying home completion, it avoids being saddled with prohibitive rates of mortgage interest.

Family members often provide some of the labour involved in advancing with these two stages of construction. However, home completion often requires more specialized trades, and along with that much more significant financial outlay. Thus, we find many homes at the “obra gris” stage, remaining there for years if not a decade or longer.

The final construction phase involves finishes such as more detailed and finer tile work, painting, door and window frames and glasswork, electrical fixtures and plumbing installations, and so on. Especially regarding the latter, one generally does not leave a partially completed home unattended at this state of construction, and so most often a night watchman or “velador” will be hired to ensure security. Only then is the family ready to move in, and the home from all outward appearances will appear completed – with rebar nevertheless extended skyward.

So just remember, an unfinished home is likely a sign of a hard-working family struggling to get it all together, for itself and its individual members, without yielding to the pressure to borrow at an often exorbitant rate of interest.

Purchasing a foreclosure home may appear to be a deal of a lifetime. What could be better than buying a home for a portion of the market value? Many individuals believe that some of these homes may even be too good to believe. Although these homes may appear to be the deal of a lifetime, there are many underground hazards in purchasing these homes that have been disclosed by a foreclosure defense that many individuals are not aware of. When pursuing the course of purchasing your new home, be aware to look out for some of the obscure costs.

• Property Destruction

Although individuals have lived in that home, generally when they have lost their home they purposely destroy their home. Some individuals may do this out of anger and frustration and others because of carelessness once they recognize their home is going to be lost after so many missed mortgage payments.

• No Upkeep

Generally speaking, if the homeowner was unable to manage their mortgage payments, they usually did not have the financial stability to perform routine maintenance on the home.

• Possibility of Uncleanness

Any property that is left uninhabited for a momentous period of time has the possibility of being unclean. This happens either from the prior homeowners or normal depreciation to the property due to the fact that is was left unoccupied with nobody to look after the home.

• Unwanted Renovations

There are times in which the homeowners prior to losing their home were renovating a part of the home, which then causes you to be stuck with the project that is half finished.

• No Electricity

If the prior homeowners could not afford to pay the mortgage there is a high probability that the electricity will also be unavailable, making it difficult for you to view the property in which you are purchasing.

• Personal Belongings Left Behind

Many individuals leave personal belongings behind due to the fact that they do not have a location to store them, or have been locked out of the house prior to having the ability to retrieve their items.

• No Disclosure

Due to the fact that no individual has lived in that home because the owner is a bank, they may are unaware of the problems that may be associated with the home and have zero obligation to discuss them with you regardless if they did have any knowledge on the issues.

• Liens and Judgments

There are times where the property is associated with titles overburdened by judgments or liens that you may have to pay off in order to close the deal.

Although purchasing a foreclosed home may be a great way to save money, it is important to look at all of the possible costs prior to making the final decision. Calculate all of the expenses you may be facing in order to determine if you are actually saving rather than costing you.

Rustic country decor and how to decorate cottage style homes are extensions of American country style decorating. In addition, traditions are borrowed from French, English and some Swedish country looks. Rustic country decor can be defined as coarse, charmingly simple, unfussy, unfinished and yet with endearing qualities. Rustic country decorating includes the use of natural woods, aged surfaces, rough finishes and simple lines. Cottage style homes are comfortable, modest, quaint homes that can be made of thick stone or log wood.

Floors in rustic country decor and cottage style homes are made with stone or wood materials. Wooden floors were traditionally constructed with boards that were bare and simply waxed and hand-polished (high-gloss varnishes did not exist). Sometimes the boards were painted with light colors. If you like floor coverings, use oriental rugs and throws for visual warmth and color. Rustic country decor is about handcrafted objects, simplicity, furnishings that you enjoy and connecting back to nature.

Rustic cottage furniture is commonly made with pine and perhaps painted with hand-painted designs such as flowers, birds, animals, country scenery or leaves. Use ladderback chairs, rocking chairs, benches, wicker furniture and Windsor chairs. A large rectangular table made of pine is a good option for your kitchen or dining room table. To give your furniture a rustic look, brush a coat of paint on the furniture piece, then rub most of the paint off. After it dries, apply wood stain unevenly for an older weathered appearance. It will be perfect and rustic looking!

Baskets can be used to store wood, pine cones, flowers, plants and needlework. Brass candle holders, oil or kerosene lamps, sconces, hurricane lamps, tin lanterns, recessed ceiling fixtures or a vintage wrought-iron or metal chandelier provide successful lighting for rustic country decor and cottage style homes. Colors used in rustic country decor or cottage style homes are neutral tones ranging from white to bone, earth tones, red barn, blues and greens.

For rustic country decor in the kitchen, use open shelves, hutches, buffets, plate racks and cupboards for storage. Often, country kitchen storage is crammed with stoneware pots, plain glazed earthenware and glass jars. Kitchen pots should be made of copper, steel or cast iron — cookware tends to be large and plain. Use open shelving in the rustic country kitchen to display plates, dishes and dinnerware collections. Natural woods, light colors and bright fabrics work great for window treatments. Adding a rustic butcher block island creates a wonderful visual effect as well as provides useful functionality.

A rustic country decor bathroom has neutral tones or soft colored walls, antique-looking lighting, and wooden antiques or antique reproduction cabinets and vanity. Knowing how to decorate cottage style homes and bathrooms can result in creating a calm and elegant atmosphere. Clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, country style antique brass faucets and old-fashioned country cabinets provide the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to spend time there. Plain white towels are recommended instead of patterned or bright modern patterns. Use wicker or wire baskets to keep your sponges, loofas and shampoos handy near the tub or shower.

Understanding how to decorate cottage style homes means including items like quilts, antique furniture or reproductions, flea-market pieces, trunks, chests, armoires, stenciling, wallpaper, adirondack chairs, flower wreaths and bistro chairs. These types of elements give cottage style homes the kind of rustic country decor that is simpler, very personal and warmly inviting.

Whether in a seaside setting, an urban environment, a countryside location or a wooded mountain retreat, cottage style homes are cozy and unassuming, combining the past with the present. Read all you can find and learn what creating the rustic country cottage means to you no matter where it’s located. Enjoy expressing your personality and showing what the definition of home means to you.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

For people who maybe can’t afford a second home or the many thousands of dollars it often takes to buy a vacation home, there are options for extraordinary accommodations and vacation experience all around the world anyways. Vacation homes are very cool and can afford a lot of different experiences and opportunities, but they aren’t for everyone. Here are a few alternatives to vacation homes to consider if you are looking around for a different kind of vacation experience.

1. Shares of hotels and resorts. This is a new idea called fractional ownership, which means people purchase (for a range of prices) a fraction of a property in exchange for being able to stay there for a few weeks a year. Much like a timeshare- which we’ll touch on later- this gives you the chance to take advantage of the resort experience with the benefits of being able to show up when you want, get the room you want, and enjoy the pampering. The perks of fractional ownership are that you get all the fun parts of owning a second home without having to pay all the costs year after year. This eliminates mortgage payments and allows you to live without the fear of a real estate market slump.

2. Vacation clubs. Vacation clubs are being marketed as the next big thing in vacation experiences. For a hefty fee certain popular brands or companies offer a vacation experience to exclusive customers. While they aren’t super common yet vacation clubs often require reservations, and you might not make the cut. If you do, however, you can take advantage of the amazing properties, excursions and amenities that come from being in the club. While the fees can be expensive it still might be less pricy than owning a vacation home, depending on the location you want to be in.

3. Timeshares. Often associated with condos in Hawaii or Mexico, timeshares are like fractional buying opportunities. You pay for a certain amount of the cost of maintaining an apartment, home or condo in a location and are then able to book it for a certain amount of time throughout the year when you can take a vacation and live in the property like it is your second home. You share the costs of the property with other people who get to visit the property just like you do, at different times of the year. This can work well for participants and landlords, except when the housing market tanks or people realize they can’t keep buying expensive airplane tickets.

4. Vacation rentals. Companies such as AirBnB and others are making a splash with apartment, home and condo rentals around the world. Vacationers can go on the website and pick a property they want to stay in, pay the fee and show up to their home away from home in whatever location they choose. The benefits of this are that it is definitely cheaper than many other options including owning a vacation home, you still have the benefits of your own private space, and you can move around quickly and easily from city to city.

Manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes, are factory-produced homes that can be transported anywhere and installed at a selected site with or without a permanent foundation. Manufactured homes have revolutionized the American housing market by providing affordability and flexibility to potential buyers.

During the past few years, nearly 1 out of 3 new homes sold has been a manufactured home. With increasing home costs, many buyers prefer manufactured homes, which meet basic housing needs at a lower price. Instead of constructing a house in 3 to 5 months from scratch, you can get a ready home within 5 to 10 days. Today, manufactured homes are spacious, well-designed and affordable. The main advantage is that these homes are thoroughly inspected to meet the construction standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the design, energy efficiency, durability, strength, and fire resistance protocols.

Manufactured home dealers provide manufactured homes that fit almost everyone?s tastes and pocket. Some are designed for those on a limited budget. Other models offer luxurious features at a higher price. The home can be a single-section unit or a large multi-section unit. You have the option of choosing from a wide variety of home styles. There are more than a hundred and fifty companies dealing with manufactured homes and more than four hundred factories located throughout the United States which manufacture them.

When buying a manufactured home, you have to keep the prices in mind. The sales price for a new manufactured home ranges from under $25,000 for a single-section home with basic features to prices in excess of $100,000 for a deluxe multi-section home. Depending on the location and excluding the cost of land, construction cost per square foot for a new manufactured home averages anywhere from 10 to 35 percent less than a comparable site-built home. A manufactured home is the answer if you are looking for a first home, a larger home for your growing family, or the perfect retirement home.

New luxury homes for sale may not be for everyone, but many people continue to strive for more spacious and more lavish homes. Not even the economic recession stopped homebuyers from wanting to go big. This is why there are many new luxury home builders offering roomy custom-built homes for competitive prices.

The definition of luxury real estate is changing. Back in the day, a luxury home or real estate is a property priced at the upper 5-10% of the real estate market. This may be true today, as not everyone can afford deluxe cottages and extravagant mansions that new luxury home builders create. These builders simply extended their services to accommodate the growing demand for bigger homes. Today, they offer to build quality custom single-family homes and townhomes as well.

New luxury homes for sale are perfect for those who can afford it because you will be getting only the highest quality. Most luxury home builders have their own in-house architect that design energy-efficient yet still comfortable houses. They also offer extensive warranty for each property they build. They will conduct repairs for free during the first year, fix mechanical systems such as electrical wiring and plumbing the next, and offer warranty for structural elements by the tenth year.

New luxury home builders follow a strict process when offering their services to homebuyers. Familiarize yourself with some of the basic steps to acquiring your own lavish property.

Selection and Financing. The first step to finding any home is shopping around for builders and their designs. You will choose your own site and floor plan at the beginning. Their in-house architects will then ask about the customizations you want. You will then discuss financing options. Many builders offer their own in-house mortgage, making their company a one-stop shop for homebuyers.

Pre-construction Planning. Your builder will assign a project manager who will guide you through the entire process. Together, you will create a schedule and set different milestones. You will use these milestones later on to gauge whether or not the construction is going on time. They will ask you to review your selections one final time before beginning the building process. Part of the pre-construction planning is taking you to the site. They will explain your layout and give you an initial idea of how big your luxury house will be.

Pre-Drywall Inspection. You will not have to be there for the inspections the law requires, but builders will ask you to inspect the framing before they install the drywall and any mechanical systems. You will see the quality of construction and get a feel of your home for the first time. Visiting the site at this stage of construction lets you adjust the design and make changes easily.

Pre-Settlement Walkthrough and Delivery. The next time you will see your home is when it is complete. Your project manager will familiarize you on the features of your new home, as well as address any questions and issues you may raise. You can move into your new home after the closing process with your contractors.

Post-settlement reviews. Respected home builders will not stop their service after they finish building your new abode. They will visit after a specific period of time has passed and check how you are settling in. You can ask them any questions regarding your home’s construction and features, which they will address promptly.