Phone Near the Pool

Posted in Information  by: Marie
November 26th, 2008

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It would also be wise to have a phone installed within your pool area, so you can call for help immediately. Teach children how to dial 911 in case of an emergency whether it be pool-related or not.
If you are going to entertain guests or have a party at home and the pool area will be opened, post someone at the pool area so that there is one person dedicated solely to monitoring the activities and goings-on in the pool area and within its perimeter. This is especially important if you are having swimming party – in which case, you need to assign at least one responsible adult to watch three to four children in the pool.

Getting Your Vacation Home

Posted in Information  by: Marie
October 8th, 2008


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  • Demonstrate thoughtful touches. Make available delicious winter food like hot chocolate or cocoa, marshmallows, ginger cookies and the like in the kitchen 24 hours a day. Put scented candles on tables and counter tops. Put warm comforters in the rooms or fleece throw pillows
  • Prepare for snow – lots of it! A worst case scenario is if your guests get snowed in at your vacation home, but it’s no reason for your guests’ dream vacation to become a nightmare. A snow shovel, ice melt and a windshield scraper will all come handy at this time. Make sure you stock up on non perishable food, indoor and board games, books and movies.
  • The last thing you need is a houseful of cranky and hungry guests cursing at their vacation gone stale! You want your guests to ride out this unexpected incident quite pleasantly. For all you know, if your guests are enjoying themselves very much, they probably wouldn’t even notice that the weather has cleared.
  • If your vacation house could accommodate it, think of designating a room or area where guests could exercise. A treadmill or two or a bench press is an added bonus. But if you have a covered swimming pool, during the winter it can be heated and who knows – your guests will probably enjoy a few laps in it.

Overseas Properties

Posted in Information, Tips  by: editor
September 26th, 2008

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If you’re looking to buy property overseas, whether for investment or as a second home, and you don’t have the time or the inclination to travel to that country, you can search for it online. There are a lot real estate companies and broker-established sites out there that can offer a variety of property. You can just search for the area you want for you property, and the internet will come up with all the available information it has. You can even go shopping online, comparing prices and properties. You can also get good advice about the particular country’s laws on foreigners acquiring real estate.

You can even buy these properties sight unseen, just by viewing the photos online. Of course, you’ll have to make sure that you’re buying from a reputable broker or company. It’s also best though buy from a well-established real estate company if you’re planning to buy property you won’t be able to visit beforehand.

Real Estate Laws

Posted in Dubai, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Mortgage, New York, Predicitons, Tips, USA  by: Marie
August 14th, 2008


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Real estate laws vary greatly form state to state. If you are buying real estate you should understand what rights you have in the state you are in. In California you have many rights and are legally covered in many cases to have these rights.

The following list explains the basic rights every buyer has when buying real estate in California.

1. You can and should interview and compare many agents and lenders during the beginning of your process. This will help you to find the best people suited to help you. Avoid jumping right into a deal without first looking around.

2. California has a Residential Purchase Agreement called a RPA-CA. You have the right to use this document to make or accept offers.

3. California has a law that states an agent must tell you about any relationship they have with seller. There is an Agency Disclosure Form you can use for this purpose.

4. You can and should have an attorney look over all paperwork. California is an escrow state, which means there is a third party involved to help for enforce the contract. So understanding it is important.

5. The RPA-CA contract allows you to have the right to reject any offer you’ve made if you are not satisfied with the physical condition of the home or neighborhood.

How to be Smart in Attending Open Houses

Posted in Dubai, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Information, Mortgage, New York, News, Predicitons, Tips, USA  by: Marie
August 14th, 2008


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Whenever you visit an open house, jot down a few things that you like and dislike about it as soon as you arrive. What is its overall appearance from the outside? Is it close to nearby schools if that is a necessity? How about shopping malls? And how far away would it be from your job? Sometimes these are questions that home buyers fail to take into account early in the buying process.

When inside the home, be sure to check everything and take plenty of notes as you go. A few things to watch for are the condition of the cabinets, the carpet, the walls, the ceilings, and so on. Take good notes on any items if you feel may need repair.

Consider the size of all the rooms in the home, and determine if they will meet the needs of you and your family. If necessary, even take a tape rule with you to be able to measure out individual rooms and see what kind of space is available. Pay particular attention to storage and closet space, as this is an area that is quite often overlooked by new home buyers, but will become very important if you should decide to buy.

It’s also a good practice to spend a few minutes outside the home and listen for noises that could be bothersome. Perhaps there is a train that passes nearby, or freeway noise that seems excessive. Just taking the time to listen can sometimes be very illuminating, and can help you ovoid moving into a home where noises could be constantly irritating.

East Hampton, New York

Posted in New York, USA  by: Marie
July 23rd, 2008

It is the most famous town of the Hamptons. It is a town located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York. It is the easternmost town on the South Shore of Long Island. The town includes the village of East Hampton and four hamlets of Montauk, Amagansett, Wainscott and Springs.

It is the easternmost point in the state of New York and is surrounded by the ocean on three sides. The town is a peninsula forming the tip of the South Fork. On its south side you will find the Atlantic Ocean, the east by The Block Island Sound and the north by several bays such as, Gardiner’s Bay and Fort Pond Bay.

East Hampton earned its reputation as “the playground for the rich”. Living here is very expensive. In 2006, the median price of a house was $895,000. Last 2005, the cost of living in this town was 326% of the national average. Several houses in this town now sell at tens of millions of dollars.

Famous residents include: Martha Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld and Puff daddy among others. Two first ladies also spent their childhood here, Julia Gardiner Tyler and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.

The Playground for the Rich and Famous

Posted in New York, USA  by: Marie
June 23rd, 2008

If you watch Sex and the City, you will notice that Carrie and her friends spend some of their summers and weekends at what they call, “The Hamptons”. It is a three hour drive from New York City. Most New Yorkers retreat to the Hamptons after their chaotic work in the city during weekends.

The Hamptons specifically refers to the towns of East Hampton and Southampton, South Fork, Suffolk County, New York on the east end of Long Island. It is surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Anyone who has a lot financial resources aspires for the Hamptons as a weekend getaway. It has earned its reputation as the playground for the rich and famous especially for the town of East Hampton wherein two first ladies spent their childhood and resided in the area.

Buying a Second Home

Posted in Information  by: editor
May 31st, 2008

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When shopping around for financing options for your second home, realize that oyu need to make a bigger down payment on your second home than if you were buying yout first home. The reason behind this is that lenders consider second home investments as having bigger risks than primary properties. Second home investments are usually more volatile, and borrowers are more likely to take advantage of different investment opportunities instead of following through with owning a second home. When lenders ask for a higher down payment, they compensate for the bigger risk. You will also have to pay higher interest rates, but by getting adjustable rate mortgages or interest only mortgages, you can go on a sort term strategy to make lower monthly mortgage payments.

Dealing with Debt

Posted in Information  by: editor
May 30th, 2008

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Don’t let your debts stop you from purchasing your home. Here are some ways you can deal with your debt before you buy.

Renegotiate the terms. Although it might seem like your lender is trying to ruin your credit record, most will be happy to help you out by renegotiating the terms of your loan agreement. Speak to your lender when you have financial problems so you can save yourself from any more dire situations.

Get a credit counselor. There are professionals out there who are certified to help you deal with you’re going through. Credit counseling agencies are there to help you get back on your feet and present you with options for debt relief. They will act as a third party to speak to your creditors in your behalf

Manufactured Homes

Posted in Information  by: editor
May 20th, 2008

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Manufactured homes are commonly thought of as “trailer homes” or “mobile homes”. Today, however, manufactured homes come in different styles and offer more options than in previous years. Manufactured homes are usually built in a factory according to the standards of the Federal Building Code or the HUD code, as well as local codes. Made out of a non-removable steel chassis, portions of a manufactured home or the entire home itself can be moved to the site from the factory using its own wheels. Once the manufactured home reaches the site, they are assembled and the utilities are connected. An inspector looks at the work that has been done before the structure is approved. While less expensive than modular homes, the value of a manufactured home often decreases with time.

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