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Ways to Achieve Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse style evokes a homey feeling with free-flowing interiors, comfortable furnishings and the juxtaposition of warm and cool tones. And the classic farmhouse design has only gotten more popular with eclectic twists, rustic interpretations and contemporary furnishings.

This classic look never goes out of style, so here are seven ways you can bring a farmhouse feel to your own home.

Exposed beams

Typical farmhouse kitchens combine several unique finishes. Exposed beams are one classic detail that adds texture.

Perks of Solo Renting

While it can certainly be fun, living with roommates may also be chaotic at times. Figuring out how to share utility bills, the bathroom, chores — and even your Wi-Fi connection — isn’t always easy.

If you’re wondering whether you’re ready to live on your own, check out these five perks of solo renting.

1. You have control over your bills

No more fighting over the thermostat, who’s hogging the internet, or shower time limits. Keep the temperature set at your ideal 67 degrees while streaming your favorite show sans-buffering, and take all the bubble baths you want.

When you live alone, you have (almost) complete control over what you see on your billing statements at the end of the month.

2. Those passive aggressive days are over

That note on your fridge telling you to keep your music down? Gone.

And you know those dishes that pile up in the sink while everyone waits for that one roommate to get the hint and finally wash her own pots and pans? You can kiss those days goodbye.

Blast that new Taylor Swift tune, and keep your dishes in the sink as long as you’d like.

Alec Baldwin Sells Plush Greenwich Village Apartment

Actor Alec Baldwin has unloaded an 840-square-foot apartment in Greenwich Village for $2.1 million, as reported by 6sqft.

Despite hints last year that he might exit the city, the actor still owns at least one other unit in the same building, plus a place in the Hamptons.

Sneaking Storage into Small Spaces

Whether they live in large or small homes, most people wish they could find a little “extra space.” This is especially true of those whose closets, cabinets or rooms are on the small side.

One way to create more space is to practice the new trend called minimalism, which involves a clear and decisive focus on keeping what we most value and eliminating anything that distracts us.

To live like a minimalist demands rigorous review of our purchases, as well as what we create, receive and keep. Because we live in a world of “Free, free, free!” and “Buy, buy, buy!” it is very difficult to avoid collecting more things in our homes.

Some segments of our population have turned to a new kind of “forced” minimalism — living in what are known as tiny homes. Popular television shows on multiple networks cover this new lifestyle where, in some cases, folks are moving into spaces no larger than 300 square feet.

What if you’re not moving into a tiny home anytime soon and you don’t think the minimalist lifestyle is a fit for you, but still want to make the most of your small closets and storage spaces? Try using these small space organization tips to make the most of what you have.

Think vertical

For all the spaces in your home, think vertical. Tall bookcases and shelving can be the answer to your organizing dreams.

Use this prime real estate to store anything from cleansers to neatly folded clothes, knitting projects, or organized craft bins. You can double your available storage space by going up.










Go behind-the-door

It may not be the trendiest design option, but if you’re pinched for space, install behind-the-door storage with pockets or hooks to hold just about any small items you can think of, from fashion accessories to hair dryers, dog leashes, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and more.
Put it on wheels

Small homes and apartments often provide us with unique storage spaces, like closets located underneath a set of stairs.

Whether you have a normal closet or a unique storage space, using a wheeled moving dolly or storage bins with wheels allows you to store items and access them with ease.

Rather than climbing into a poorly lit closet under the stairs, where you can’t even stand up or move freely, you can create a convenient experience by opening the closet or cabinet door and sliding out the rolling storage piece to greet you — at your height, with room to move and view your belongings in plenty of light.


Adopt the dorm room approach

Bathrooms can be the most difficult space when you have no storage, but one super idea is to implement the use of a shower caddy.

Remember the days when you went to college or camp? You usually had a toilet kit or small shower caddy to carry your toiletries to and from the bathroom. Why not try this at home?

If multiple people use the same bathroom and there’s not a lot of counter space or storage, have everyone take out what they bring in. It allows each person to keep track of their favorite toiletries, and the bathroom stays more organized.

Keep it simple

Finally, you will create more space in your home by simplifying your life. Start by making a quick list of what you value most in life. I call this “organizing by your values.”


Keep it simple

Finally, you will create more space in your home by simplifying your life. Start by making a quick list of what you value most in life. I call this “organizing by your values.”

When you set priorities in your own life, your home and belongings will reflect your choices, allowing you to eliminate the less important or less valued items.

As part of this exercise, you may want to evaluate how you spend your time. Take a look at your commitments, from work to kids’ activities, volunteer projects, and friends who need favors.

Evaluating your priorities and possibly eliminating commitments which no longer make you happy may just give you the extra time you need to review and organize the items in your home.

Those small spaces may not be so small after all. They may just need a little focused attention from you to create the optimal space you need.

Foolproof Tricks for Brightening Any Room

Are you experiencing the winter doldrums? You might try adding a little more light at home. Plenty of tricks can help brighten your space through color, accessories and a mirror here and there. If you’re feeling a bit in the dark this season, check out the following uplifting tips to brighten your outlook.

Go white

While many shudder at the thought of all-white walls, the simple hue can be effective at transforming your interior and keeping a space light and bright. Prevent your room from appearing too monotone by accenting white walls with artwork, area rugs and furniture pieces that are saturated with color or pattern. The fresh white walls will also serve as a gallery wall backdrop to emphasize the styling of your furnishings.

Tips for Making Any Room Seem Larger

Plenty of people live in tiny homes, small rooms, or just diminutive spaces. No matter what your reason for living in smaller quarters, you’ll undoubtedly have to make some compromises in your decorating.

To live happily and efficiently in smaller square footage, you’ll want to get organized and make some adjustments to your lifestyle. By making the most of color, strategic furniture buying, space planning and interesting lighting, your place can feel wonderfully “you” — with all the space you need.

Expand your square footage to the outdoors

If you have large windows with beautiful views, add those colors to your room to unify the outside world with inside space and expand the look of your rooms. With the wonderful patterns and colors that outdoor fabrics offer, there is no reason to stop the “pretty party” at your interior.

Personalize Your Rental Without Painting

Trust us, we know it’s not easy to express yourself in a space that’s only décor is “renter’s beige” walls and muggy apartment-grade carpet. We’ve all been there. That’s why we’ve come up with some creative solutions to personalize your rental, all while embracing the ‘blah’ walls. From adding color elsewhere to bringing in versatility, you can easily spruce up your space, no matter the landlord.

1. Artful accents

Just because you can’t paint a wall, doesn’t mean you can’t exactly cover it up. Now that gallery walls are all the rage, it’s easier than ever to create an accent wall strictly using sticky strips and your favorite art. If you want more color, choose bright and pattern-heavy photos and paintings. For a more sophisticated tone, select black-and-white stills and abstract art uniformly hung in black frames.

Drones Now Used To Locate Homes In Coburg's Real Estate Market

 In the three years since he founded Drone Pros, a company that specializes in aerial photography and cinematography, Luke DiMarco has seen the industry lift off the ground.

What started as a side project for an engineering competition in 2013 quickly turned into a business venture for the Cobourg native, who now also runs DiMco Media, a company that markets and sells products online.

“Of course the first time I got it, I’ve got video of me flying above the CN Tower and that is just very, very stupid, but I didn’t know,” he said, sitting in his company’s office in downtown Cobourg on Aug. 27. “I was very uninformed which I think a lot of people are when they first buy (drones).”

While promoting the technology -- which features a high-definition GoPro camera mounted to the bottom of an unmanned air vehicle, or UAV for short -- to area real estate agents, he quickly realized that it would be a hard sell.

Real Estate Firm Accused Of Discrimination

A complaint filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development alleges a Brandon real estate company discriminated against black customers and encouraged white homebuyers to purchase houses in predominantly white areas.

On Sept. 10, the National Fair Housing Alliance filed a complaint with HUD’s fair housing office in Atlanta against Re/Max Alliance following a yearlong investigation in which people of both races posed as prospective buyers with similar qualifications and housing preferences.

As of Tuesday, Lee Garland, a real estate agent and director of the office, said he had not received a copy of the complaint from HUD or the housing alliance.

“Discrimination is not an option with our company,” he said. “It is not condoned, and we will not allow it.”

The complaint mentions Lorgroup, LLC, or Re/Max Alliance, and real estate agents Garland, Randy Inman, Lisa Bourgoyne and Chase Belk as respondents to the complaint. Belk and Inman referred questions to Garland, and Bourgoyne did not immediately return a request for comment.

Kochi: The Preferred Real Estate Destination

Just like their bigger counterparts, southern tier II cities have also outperformed their northern peers as top residential real estate destinations, with Kochi grabbing the top spot, according to a new report by property research firm PropEquity.

"Much like tier I cities, northern tier II cities are also marred by project delays, expensive properties and a demand and supply mismatch," said Samir Jasuja, managing director and founder, PropEquity, adding, "Southern India has traditionally been an end users market, which has kept its property prices in check and relatively affordable."

All other five southern tier II cities surveyed - Vishakapatnam (rank 3), Thiruvananthapuram (5), Mangalore (7), Goa (9) and Coimbatore (10) - featured in the top 10 cities, while only one city from the north - Jaipur (6) - managed to be in the top 10. The bottom four cities were all north Indian cities - of Agra, Lucknow, Bhiwadi and Mohali. Kochi is followed by Nashik at 2 and Vadodara at 4, both from western India. Regionally, south is at the top, followed by west and central India.

 Despite a significant slowdown in the sector across India over the last two years, from March 2013 to March 2015 the launch prices have continued to rise unabated for most tier II cities.

Chinese Investors May Pile Into Real Estate Due To Stock Market Turmoil

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada says turbulence on the Chinese stock market could send buyers from mainland China flocking to Canadian luxury real estate this fall.

The realtor predicts that sales of homes worth over $1 million will rise in Toronto and Vancouver, while Montreal’s luxury market should be balanced and Calgary’s will slow due to the effects of declining crude prices.

Sotheby’s says sales gains are expected to be highest in the over $4 million category in the Toronto and Vancouver areas this fall, although higher sales volumes are expected in the $1-million to $4-million range, as well.

The realtor lists increased demand from international investors alongside limited inventory, historically low interest rates and heightened consumer confidence as the factors expected to fuel sales growth in Canada’s two hottest real estate markets.

Real Estate Maven Buys A Luxury Flat I SoHo's Tallest

Real estate maven Jane Goldman, the daughter of late industry titan Sol Goldman, is in contract to buy a three-bedroom, 14th-floor unit at 10 Sullivan, the new luxury condo designed by Cary Tamarkin that will be the tallest residential building in SoHo.
Developed by Property Markets Group and Madison Equities, the unit — just under 3,000 square feet — is in contract for just under $10 million.

Organization Trends for Fall 2015

Looking to get organized this fall? Check out the season’s biggest closet trends below.

Top closet trends for 2015

Transparent storage materials. Transparent storage materials such as frosted doors and see-through drawers will gain popularity among homeowners and in big-box stores this year. “Closets, especially bedroom closets, are becoming more like clothing exhibitions to display purchases more as collections, making transparent materials key,” says Nina Magon, Zillow Digs designer and principal of Contour Interior Design.

Split or his-and-hers finishes. Split closets with contrasting finishes and color palates will become all the rage, especially in bedrooms. Expect to see a rise in warm white paint tones and metallic accents contrasted with dark wood or leather finishes for a clean, but personalized, look.

Real Estate ETFs And Rate Hike

Real estate ETFs amassed impressive returns in the past few years. But this year has been different. Most funds are down in 2015 and underperforming the market. So what's in store for investors going forward?

"In recent years, it's been an ideal recovery for REITs .. . a perfect positive storm," said Morningstar analyst Robert Goldsborough. "You've had low rates, but you've also had a very slow and steady growth in the economy."

The largest REIT ETF, $46.98 billionVanguard REIT ETF (VNQ ), yields 4.1% and returned from 2% to 30% from 2009 to 2014. But it's down 7% so far this year. The lowest-costSchwab U.S. REIT ETF
( SCHH ) yields 2.41% and returned about 17%, 1% and 32% in each of the past three years, respectively. It's down 4% year to date. The S&P 500 is off 2%.


In prior years, incremental demand helped push occupancy as well as rental rates higher, driving up REITs' operating income, explains Goldsborough. Low rates also made the higher REIT yields more appealing to investors. As a result, real estate funds saw massive inflow of investor money.

Former real estate director charged with 18 counts of theft

A former director of an Adelaide real estate agency will face court tomorrow charged with multiple counts of theft.

Detectives from the Major Fraud Investigation branch arrested the 61-year-old man from the north-eastern suburbs today.

Police allege he misappropriated funds entrusted to him by a number of investors between May 2010 and June 2010.

He has been charged with 18 counts of theft and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Customizing Your Closets

Closets seem to be an all-or-nothing area of the house: Either head-to-toe wire shelving that organizes your stuff within an inch of its life, or everything crammed and stuffed in willy-nilly. But both of these are no-go’s in today’s modern closet.

Forget wood paneling, wire racking and behind-the-door storage that only makes the door impossible to open. Instead, create a boutique in your own home — a functional space that inspires your day. Here’s how to get started.

Create a room

Eco-Friendly Home Updates That Save You Green

Each year, Americans save billions of dollars by employing energy-saving measures and investing in energy-efficient homes. Some upgrades — like Energy Star appliances, new hot water heaters, or geothermal pumps — can be pricey upfront, but there are plenty of small, inexpensive updates that will make a big difference in your budget over time. Here are some places to start.

Go low-flow

Thousands of gallons of water go down the drain every day. Toilet flushing and showering are the two biggest culprits. One solution is to upgrade your home’s plumbing fixtures so you use less water to accomplish the same task.

Low-flow fixtures, which are both inexpensive and easy to install, can reduce your home water consumption by as much as 50 percent, and save you up to $145 a year on electricity, according to Energy Star.

Saving Water At Home Effectively

Whether you live in a part of the country suffering from drought or just want to lower your next water bill, here are some simple tips to cut down on your water waste. Most of these recommendations cost only a few dollars, require minimal installation, and allow you to maintain your current lifestyle.

Target the toilet


Dual-flush toilets allow you to use only as much water as necessary.

Toilets account for nearly 40 percent of all the water used inside the home. If your toilet is more than 20 years old, it’s probably a conventional model that uses 3.5 to 5 or more gallons per flush. Consider replacing your older toilet with a low-flush model that uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

If possible, opt for a dual-flush system that allows you to regulate the amount of water depending on your need. You will see a considerable drop in your water use, and you will recover the investment within a few years.

If a new toilet isn’t in your budget, create a water displacement device by filling a plastic container with water or pebbles and dropping it into your toilet tank. Be sure that the device does not interfere with the function of your toilet. With this trick, you can save one gallon of water per flush with minimal cost and installation.

Switch the showerhead

Showers account for 20 percent of the water used in an average home. For less than $10, you can install a low-flow showerhead that halves your water usage during your shower.

As an added bonus, a low-flow showerhead will decrease your electric or gas bill by reducing the amount of hot water you need to heat.

Install aerators for your faucets

Faucet aerators cut the flow of water much like low-flow showerheads. You can install them on kitchen and bathroom sinks to use up to 75 percent less water every time you wash dishes or brush your teeth. Faucet aerators cost only a few dollars and are easy to install.

Get the most from your appliances

Because dishwashers generally use less water than washing by hand, let the machine do the work. Make sure it’s full before starting so you don’t waste your water on just a few plates. The same applies to the washing machine — especially if your appliance lacks a setting for smaller loads.


Target the toilet

Dual-flush toilets allow you to use only as much water as necessary.

Toilets account for nearly 40 percent of all the water used inside the home. If your toilet is more than 20 years old, it’s probably a conventional model that uses 3.5 to 5 or more gallons per flush. Consider replacing your older toilet with a low-flush model that uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

If possible, opt for a dual-flush system that allows you to regulate the amount of water depending on your need. You will see a considerable drop in your water use, and you will recover the investment within a few years.

If a new toilet isn’t in your budget, create a water displacement device by filling a plastic container with water or pebbles and dropping it into your toilet tank. Be sure that the device does not interfere with the function of your toilet. With this trick, you can save one gallon of water per flush with minimal cost and installation.



Showers account for 20 percent of the water used in an average home. For less than $10, you can install a low-flow showerhead that halves your water usage during your shower.

As an added bonus, a low-flow showerhead will decrease your electric or gas bill by reducing the amount of hot water you need to heat.

Realtors Applying 'Feng Shui' Principles To Attract Chinese Buyers

When Joseph Rand and his wife were shopping for a new home, his wife, who is of Chinese descent, insisted the stairs couldn’t face out the front door. That’s because the ancient Chinese design philosophy holds that all luck would flow out the front door. Rand, also a New York realtor, told the story as a way of underscoring the importance of learning the Chinese buyers’ cultural preferences, especially feng shui.

This year, China surpassed Canada as the foreign country spending the most on residential properties in the U.S., comprising 16% of international home buyers. Chinese buyers spent an estimated $28.6 billion on residential U.S. real estate between April 2014 and March 2015, according to the 2015 Profile of International Homebuying Activity.

The growing Chinese presence is partly why realtors selling luxury properties, in particular, are paying more attention to feng shui. A survey of 500 Chinese Americans conducted by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and the Asian Real Estate Association of America found that 86% think feng shui will make a difference in their future home buying choices. Additionally, 79% of these Chinese-American home buyers said they would pay more for a house that followed follow feng shui standards.

Feng shui is a centuries-old philosophy, originating in China, that was used in homes and urban planning to create a calm, harmonious environment and improve the flow of “qi” or positive energy, which is thought to benefit the occupants. In modern homes, this flow is achieved by the layout and placement of furniture and other decor elements. Clutter-free environments are valued, and other key considerations include placement of mirrors (not across from the bed) and complementary colors. In feng shui-styled environments, the Five Elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, are used in combination to align a building, site, or city to a healthy balance.

Crowdventure Teams Up With Equipoise Capital Partners to Deliver Real Estate Secured Investment Opportunities

Crowdventure, a real estate crowdfunding platform, has today agreed to a landmark joint venture partnership with Campbell, CA based Equipoise Capital Partners. Collaborating closely with Equipoise management and their highly experienced real estate development and project management team, Crowdventure is now able to offer accredited investors across the country a range of high-yield, short-term debt and equity investment opportunities secured by real estate assets.

Under the terms of the joint venture partnership, and leveraging their extensive experience, deal flow and operational capabilities, the Equipoise team will locate, originate and project manage each of the real estate backed debt opportunities that will be offered to accredited investors through the Crowdventure.com platform. The investment opportunities offered will include residential and commercial real estate across the United States, providing asset class and geographical diversity for investors.

Projects offered on the platform will be pre-funded by Crowdventure and its partners. As the management team only selects projects in which it is willing to make the investment itself, investors can be assured that the investment opportunities that are on offer have been through an extensive due diligence and underwriting process and are project managed by an experienced team. Investors get the added benefit that they start earning interest on their investment as soon as the project funding round closes escrow.

IRS Raises Concern on Real-Estate Spinoffs

Activist investors have been clamoring for companies to spin off real estate and unlock the value hidden in their headquarters, stores and land. This week, U.S. tax authorities weighed in with a message of their own: Not so fast.

In new guidance, the Internal Revenue Service signaled its discomfort with a range of corporate spinoffs, specifically calling out deals in which companies split their real estate and other physical assets from their mainstream operations. The agency said it was concerned that some of these transactions may violate rules meant to ensure that companies don’t disguise dividends and other taxable transactions as spinoffs to avoid paying taxes.

These spinoffs “involve significant concerns,” the IRS said, adding it will largely stop giving preapproval for such deals while it examines the issue more closely.

The increased scrutiny could apply to pending deals including Darden Restaurant Inc.’s plan to spin off most of its restaurant properties, a move championed by activist investor Starboard Value LP, which controls the company. It also could give pause to companies including Macy’s Inc. and McDonald’s Corp., which are under shareholder pressure to make similar moves.

A look At On-line real estate marketplace Compass

On-line real estate marketplace Compass has raised $US50 million ($70 million) in its latest funding round, as it seeks to expand its operations to other cities in the next year and further develop its data analytics.

The funding round, led by Institutional Venture Partners, values the New York-based startup at $800 million, says a source. That's more than double the company's value from a little more than a year ago. Its revenue grew 10 times in the last year, said the source, who asked not to be identified because the information was not public.

Compass is among technology companies including Zillow Group seeking to disrupt the real estate industry through software. Seattle-based Zillow, which bought competitor Trulia this year, provides online listings for purchase and rent all over the United States.

Like Zillow and Trulia, Compass lists properties on its web platform. Compass agents work with users looking to rent or buy properties. Agents work exclusively with Compass and receive commissions, just as they would under the traditional real estate model, said Ori Allon, Compass's co-founder and executive chairman.

Erin Brockovich Lists Home

Erin Brockovich, the woman whose tale of taking on a corporate giant became an Oscar vehicle for Julia Roberts, has listed her snazzy California home for $2.35 million.

Located more than two hours from the town of Hinkley — where Brockovich led a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for allegedly contaminating the drinking water — the home spans 5,000 square feet with six bedrooms and six bathrooms.

Local real estate company apologizes after its ad infuriates women

A local real estate ad infuriated moms, who blasted the company on Facebook. Now, the company is apologizing.

Rachel Money opened her mailbox and saw an ad depicting the chaotic life of a mom of three next to two well-dressed men in sharp suits. And the ad asks a simple question: Part-time agent vs. full-time professionals -- who would you want to represent you?

"It's 2015 and no one would ever print anything like that," Money said. "Then I turned it over and realized it had been sent out. It was in the mail in our mailbox!"

The ad is the latest marketing tactic from Issaquah real estate duo, brothers Chase and Jeff Costello.

"I sell real estate and I'm a mom and I do both of them full-time and really well," said Katlin Lee. "And I know so many women who do the same. It felt so personal.

"It's hurtful. It feels like you work so hard and not have that respect from your peers -- these are my peers. We should be supporting each other and working together and instead it's like bashing each other."

8 DIY Ways to Redo Your Bathroom

The bathroom is probably the best room in the house for a mini-makeover. When you realize how dramatically, quickly and inexpensively you can completely update the space without an actual renovation, you’ll wonder why you’ve waited so long.

Before you dive in, take a minute to consider what you’re going for in terms of style. Your bathroom should be a peaceful, relaxing space. Are you more soothed by rich, dramatic tones and style, or are you going for a more simple and serene spa-like space? Once you know what you want, take a look at these simple tips for getting the bathroom upgrade you’ve been dreaming of.


Paint

This is obviously the place to start, since doing it yourself results in such fast and dramatic change. For the simple and serene look, choose soft and soothing tones to give you a greater sense of space and light. If you’re looking for a rich, dark hideaway, choose warm saturated tones to strike the right mood.

Questions to Ask Before Renovating a Small Kitchen

By Marie Proeller Hueston

As the manager of the kitchen department in IKEA’s Paramus, NJ, location, Carol Smith is used to helping customers create their dream kitchen — even when space is limited. Here, she shares 10 things to consider before planning your own renovation.

How many people use the kitchen?

The needs of a family will inevitably be different from those of an empty nester. A family might want food storage lower or the microwave more accessible, so older children can help themselves to an after-school snack. A couple, meanwhile, might opt for an island with a cooktop and bar sink.

Common Moving Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Moving to a new home involves so many tedious tasks and crucial decisions that it can be easy to overlook an important aspect of the relocation process — and lose lots of time and money as a result.

To avoid such emotionally and financially draining missteps, it helps to be aware of the most common moving mistakes, and learn how to prevent them.

1. Not having a good moving strategy

When faced with an imminent relocation, the first thing to do is decide if you are going to perform a self-move or hire professional movers.

If you are planning to use professional moving services, you need to book them as early as possible, and decide on a beneficial moving date. If possible, avoid moving in peak season or during the last weekends of a month, when your choice of available movers will be restricted and your relocation costs will be much higher.

Create a detailed moving calendar to properly organize the time you have left until moving day. If you fail to do so, you may easily miss something important, or may not allow yourself enough time for a certain task.

However, the greatest mistake you can make when planning your move is failing to set an appropriate moving budget. Underestimating any of the crucial factors (including moving company charges, transportation expenses, and insurance and post-relocation costs) when making your moving budget will cost you dearly.

Jeb Bush Tax Plan Could Disrupt Real Estate And Small Business

Whatever the long-term effect of the Bush 2016 tax plan, there is one provision that may create something of a shock to both real estate and the financing of small business. In the “Backgrounder” for the Reform and Growth Plan, we read – “Generally, businesses would no longer be able to deduct interest payments.” The provision is seen as a corollary to another proposal

Under the proposal, businesses could fully expense all new capital investments, an approach that seeks to remove taxes on marginal investment returns. This would simplify the tax code and significantly increase incentives to invest in new machines, equipment, buildings, and other structures.

Chinese investment in Australian residential real estate Up 2 per cent

The scale of Chinese investment in the Australian residential property market continues to polarise public opinion.

Chinese buyers are often blamed for driving up house prices in Australia and causing the current affordability crisis.

However, Chinese offshore purchases are surprisingly low.

Based on Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval figures, ABS data on actual Chinese investment in commercial real estate, it is estimated Chinese residential real estate investment totals around 2 per cent of all residential real estate transactions in Australia.

In legal terms, "Chinese investors" are defined as those who require FIRB approval for their residential property purchases.

This figure is obtained by dividing estimated Chinese investment volume in residential real estate by the total volume of residential real estate transactions.

For the financial year 2013-14, based on FIRB statistics, it is estimated residential property investment by Chinese investors was $5.8 billion.

This is consistent with KPMG/University of Sydney (USYD) data on actual Chinese investment in Australia.

Home Renovations That Could Hurt Resale

Unlike the homeowner of 25 years ago, today’s typical buyers plan to live in their homes for just five to seven years. So it’s more important than ever to consider resale when making home improvements.

Even if you’re a buyer, it’s important to think like a seller, too, from the time you sign the purchase contract through any home improvement or renovation projects. The goal: Think about how your improvements might affect the sale of your home down the road.

Below are five home renovation/improvement projects that could actually hurt your home’s resale.

1. Going overboard on landscaping or gardens

A homeowner/seller may have a green thumb and be really proud of the time spent on the garden, the hedges or landscaping. But the next buyer might see it as too much maintenance, especially if you went overboard with your green thumb. Potential buyers may not be willing to pay for it (as part of the home’s overall price), hire a gardener or do the work themselves. This is especially true with Millennials and Gen X-ers. Of course, your property needs curb appeal, and nice landscaping does sell. But it could be just as easy to do a quick, inexpensive yard once-over before going on the market.

Budgeting Home Renovations

Ready for a new kitchen? Anxious to redo the bathroom? The easy part is knowing what you want to remodel and why — whether you’re trying to keep up with your growing family, add office space, or increase your home’s value.

But figuring out how to renovate without breaking the bank can be tricky. Here are five key steps in planning your home renovation project.

Estimate costs

As a general rule of thumb, you should spend no more on each room than the value of that room as a percentage of your overall house value. (Get an approximate value of your home to start with.)

For example, a kitchen generally accounts for 10 to 15 percent of the property value, so spend no more than this on a renovation. If your home is worth $200,000, for example, you’ll want to spend $30,000 or less.

Steps to Take Now for a Faster Home Sale

A home sale typically comes as a result of a life change or a major decision. These decisions don’t usually happen overnight, providing homeowners with years to plan for a successful home sale. By using your time wisely, you will maximize your home’s value when you want to list and sell.

On your way to this point, you should be open to spending money in preparation. Investing in strategic home improvements will help facilitate a quicker and more profitable sale.

Selling a home is a large financial and emotional transaction — likely the largest in a lifetime. This makes strategic planning and counsel vital. Here are some steps you should take a year or more before you plan to list your home.

Connect with a local real estate agent

Real estate agents shouldn’t just show up, list a home, hold an open house and move on. Instead, they should be valuable assets to you years before listing. Connecting with a local agent and developing a relationship well in advance allows you to start learning the market and transitioning from the mindset of a homeowner to that of a seller.

3 Strategies for Getting Your Home Off the Market Fast

Most sellers have a specific goal when it comes to their transaction: a quick sale and top dollar. But sometimes fast action doesn’t align with achieving the highest and best value.

There are multiple schools of thought on this subject, and the perspective varies not only with where you are in the country, but also by price point, neighborhood and even down to the block. When it comes to pricing and the search for a quick sale, it’s always best to get help from a local agent.

Here are some strategies you can use to get offers fast.

The theory of under-pricing

Under-pricing means that you go to market with a list price that is just below what the comparable sales in your area support.

You can’t pinpoint the exact market value of a home until it sells. But before you list, there’s always a range. If you price your house at or below the bottom of the value range, you are under-pricing the home.

Ready to Sell Your Home?

Selling a home does not happen overnight. Typical sellers reach out to a real estate agent or start researching their home’s value online many months — sometimes even years — before they are ready to put the “For Sale” sign in their yard.

Often, a home sale is the result of some life event: a marriage, divorce, death in the family, retirement or another child. It’s typically hard to “time” these events; therefore, it’s not easy to time a real estate transaction. Here are some points a potential home seller should consider before deciding to list their home.

If you’re not certain, you’re not ready

If you don’t have a new home to move into or a plan once you sell your home, it’s not a good time to list your home for sale. Sellers without a real and concrete plan are not serious sellers, but only opportunistic.

A seller without a plan will likely be “testing” the market, and that translates into overpricing the home. If the seller overprices the home, it’s not going to do her any good. The market is smart, and rarely will a knowledgeable and active buyer overpay for a home.

Ask yourself, “If I get an offer and sign a contract for a 45-day close, do I know what I will do?” If the answer is no, you should simply not list, or you will do yourself more harm than good in the long run.

Planning For Open House Visits

Open houses are the gold standard in real estate. They’ve been around for decades and will be ingrained in the buying and selling of homes for years to come. But as a buyer, are you making the most of your open house visits?

Here are some best practices and helpful questions for buyers at all ends of the home-buying spectrum.

Use the open house to learn the market without committing

For the most part, open houses are just that — open. They make it possible for anyone to see a property in a certain time period, without an appointment or even being a very serious buyer.

New buyers should leverage the open house opportunity to get a feel for the market. In today’s world, using online search tools, mobile apps and the open house, a buyer can start to get a feel for pricing and the market before committing to an agent. Most importantly, open houses are some of the best ways for buyer and agent relationships to start.

Planning For A Temporary Move

When planning a temporary move, you know that your destination will not be your real home, but just a provisional shelter. This interim period, however, may last from several days to a few months or even years, so you need to be well prepared. Exactly what that preparation entails depends on the reason for your move.

Temporary relocation for work. If you have found seasonal work away from your hometown, or if you need to go to another city on a short-term assignment, you will need adequate temporary housing close to your workplace. A hotel stay is definitely the most convenient option for spending a few days or weeks in unfamiliar surroundings. You will only need a suitcase packed with your personal essentials and a few electronic devices – your phone, laptop, and camera. But, if your assignment is going to last for several years, you will probably plan a temporary move with your entire family and most of your belongings. In this case, the only logical option is to move into an appropriate rented property and take most of your personal possessions with you, or place them in temporary storage while your own home is leased out to tenants.
College or other academic pursuits. When you’re moving to study, you will only need to take a number of personal possessions. Your parents will probably keep the rest of your belongings at home, and you will likely return on a regular basis to enjoy the comfort of familiar surroundings and the company of family and friends. Even if you forget to pack something you need or enjoy, you can always take it on one of these visits back home, or have your parents send it.

How To Plan For A Stress Free Vacation

Before your vacation: Plan more

To get your vacation planning underway, think about your home security first. More than half of Americans will go on vacation this summer. The FBI says most neighborhoods will experience an increase of 10 percent to 18 percent in home burglaries during July and August. Many of these break-ins  can be prevented by taking some basic security steps.

Here are a few ways to secure your home before you leave.

Tell a trusted family member or friend where your important papers are located.
Set a timer on a lamp in a visible window so that your house seems lived in while you are gone.
Have your newspapers and mail put on vacation hold or ask your neighbor to bring them in for you.
Examine your house from the street like you are a nosy neighbor to make sure no valuables (like expensive electronics or artwork) are visible from the street. If a neighbor can see it, you can be sure a burglar can, too.
Once you have secured your home, it’s time to secure your suitcase. These tips will keep all your belongings in order while you’re on the road, and ensure smooth sailing.

What You Can Do To Prevent Forest Fires

There’s something magical about escaping to a cabin or a fire lookout in the woods. For many, summer isn’t complete without an annual trip off the grid.

But this year’s wildfire season has been particularly dire, with firefighters working around the clock — and some losing their lives — to keep our favorite spots safe.

If you’re looking for ways to protect your home or support firefighting efforts, here are a few places to start:

Learn about fire prevention and safety

When it comes to preventing forest fires, abiding by these three “don’ts” can go a long way.

How To Get Your Home Sold Fast

In a strong market, if a home is priced right and shows well, it should sell within the first six weeks. If it doesn’t, many sellers become frustrated, especially if their agent begins pushing for a price reduction.

It’s a common rub: the seller thinks the agent just wants a quick sale, but the agent sincerely wants to help the seller get action. Agents understand that a listing loses momentum and excitement soon after being listed. Buyers will think of a home as stale, tired, or flawed if it sits on the market too long. Here are some ways to get more traction if your home is not generating offers.

Location, price and condition are key

You can’t change your home’s location, but you do have some control over the other two important buyer considerations. If the home is still sitting on the market after a few months, and especially if it has had no showings or offers, you need to look at the price and the condition.

Ways Families Can Ease the Stress of Moving Day

Moving is stressful. So stressful, in fact, that mental health experts rank it right up there alongside divorce, death of a loved one, job loss and major illness as one of the most stress-inducing life changes people encounter.

Sure, there’s the thrill of a new house, but that’s often partnered with the uncertainty of new jobs, schools and social circles.

While no one can promise your transition will go without hiccups, a little extra planning can help relieve some of the stress. Before the moving truck pulls up to your house, consider these tips to ensure your moving day goes as smoothly as possible:

1. Make it a kid- and pet-free day

You love your children. You adore your puppy. You’ll love them even more if they’re not underfoot on moving day. Hire a sitter to watch your children, preferably off-site. Pets need to be put in a room where they will not be in the way of the loading process; even better, board them. This alleviates stress for your kids and pets, and you’ll feel better knowing they are somewhere safe so you can focus on the move.

Getting To Know Your Neighbours

For many of us, leaving friends and neighbors behind can be the toughest part of moving to a new home. These five tips will help you make connections and settle into your new community in no time.

1. Knock, knock

For an extrovert, walking over to a neighbor’s home to say hello may feel like a no-brainer. But for more reserved personalities, this tried-and-true method usually requires a bit of warmup. Start with a friendly wave as you drive by, then work your way up to a face-to-face introduction. Remember, timing is everything. You don’t want to disturb your neighbors in the middle of dinner or while they’re struggling to get a fussy toddler down for the night. Try to catch them when they’re already outside, or aim for a weekend afternoon when everyone is much more likely to be relaxed and open to a brief, friendly chat.

For Rent: $65,000 a Month for Melanie Griffith's & Antonio Banderas' Aspen Hideaway

Live with  a view of the Rockies and your own private ski run — for just $65,000 per month in rent.

That’s how much former Hollywood power couple Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, who divorced this summer, are asking for the 8,121-square-foot Aspen retreat they haven’t been able to sell.

Better Income: Real Estate or Stocks?

Over the years, I’ve met quite a few friends and relatives who need regular income but are afraid of the stock market, especially when it plunges from time to time (like it did on Monday, Aug. 24). They prefer to invest in income-producing real estate.

Several years ago, one of my relatives sold his business for several million dollars and attended FreedomFest to decide what to do with his cash. He and his wife attended several sessions led by investment experts on a variety of choices — income and growth stocks, offshore investing, venture capital (pre-initial public offering private placements) and real estate.

They told me that they had never owned bonds or stocks (other than their own company) and felt uncomfortable investing in them. They decided to stick with “what we know best” — commercial and residential real estate. They had invested in various rental properties over the decades and decided to stick with this strategy. They kept the properties they owned, paid off their mortgages and lived off the income stream (earning tax advantages to boot). They used the remaining funds to acquire more properties — a strip mall, a car wash, an event center, storage units, resort condos, luxury homes, mountain cabins and lodges. The husband manages the properties and the wife does the paperwork, which keeps them plenty busy.

He told me, “Most properties are paid for, producing income and growing in value — partly because we improve, upgrade and maintain our properties impeccably.”

Real Estate Investment Trusts — the Stock Market’s Alternative

Like any investment, there is a downside to investing in rental properties directly — the paperwork, repairs and upkeep, bad tenants who suddenly stop paying their rent, choosing the wrong location, changing trends, dealing with government regulations and taxes, potential lawsuits and an illiquid market. You may have to wait months if not years to sell your property in a down market.

China Moves To Encourage Foreigners To Purchase More Real Estate Properties

China has relaxed rules on property sales to foreigners, in a move seen as aimed at boosting the country’s real estate sector amid a slowing economy.

Rules that required foreigners to live in the country for a year before they could invest in property are to be abolished, the country’s commerce ministry said late Thursday. Limits on the number of properties foreign indviduals and businesses can purchase will also be relaxed, according to state media. Since 2010, foreign buyers have only been allowed to own one property for their personal use.

The new rules would also make foreign businesses exempt from paying their company’s full registered capital to the Chinese authorities before taking out loans to buy real estate.

LeBron Sells His Miami Palace

Proving his King status, LeBron James has sold his Miami home for $13.4 million after buying the place for $9 million five years ago.

Now that LeBron James has gone home to play basketball for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he sold his other home — in Miami.

Safety Upgrades That Could Save Renters Money

When renting an apartment, townhouse, condo or home, you might not realize how vital it is to have renters insurance. Sure, your landlord has insurance, but that policy likely only covers the structure of the building. This means that if anything happens to your belongings inside your rented space, you’ll have to pay to replace everything on your own.

Renters insurance is affordable and will protect your belongings from perils such as fire, wind or theft. It’s important to shop around for your renters insurance policy to ensure that you’re getting the best deal — and that doesn’t just mean the lowest price. You have to make sure you have the coverage you need, as well as a low price.

It’s equally important to ask about discounts. Different providers offer varying discounts, but all offer price reductions for safety features. When you’ve taken steps to reduce the risk of a disaster occurring in your pad, you’re a safer bet for insurance companies.

Online Vacation Rental Sites: What You Should Know..

While short-term home rental sites such as Airbnb and HomeAway have made finding and listing vacation properties and alternative lodging fast, easy and convenient both for hosts and guests, there are risks involved for both parties.

Here are a few ways to mitigate those risks, whether you’re renting a vacation villa or making some extra cash by welcoming paying guests into your home.

Subletting Tips For Renters

For many tenants, the demands of family, career or military responsibilities make it difficult to stick to a strict one-year lease agreement — making a sublease or sublet an attractive alternative to paying the balance of the agreement.

A sublease is an “assignment” of the original lease agreement terms to a third-party who was not involved in the original agreement. This means that the subletter is not only responsible for the duties and obligations listed in the lease, but enjoys the rights and amenities as well. Accordingly, it is almost always necessary to run this plan past the landlord.

Here’s how to manage a subletting arrangement legally and effectively.

Notify your landlord and get them onboard

Nearly all residential leases contain a clause pertaining to subleasing. Some forbid it outright. Others take a more liberal approach and allow tenants to freely sublease. Most common, however, is the middle-of-the-road option that gives the landlord final say over whether a sublease arrangement is allowed.

In most scenarios, signed written consent will be required from the landlord prior to subleasing with a third-party. Legally speaking, this protects the landlord from damage caused by unknown, unapproved subletters, and also protects the tenant from an attempt by the landlord to avoid damage liability by a subletter he “knew nothing about.”

Some states forbid a landlord from arbitrarily or unreasonably withholding consent to a sublease. If you’re facing an uphill battle with a landlord who is refusing to allow a sublease to a great candidate, a landlord and tenant lawyer may be able to help.

Understand the legal relationship and obligations

As a tenant, it may seem like you can wipe your hands of the lease agreement once a sublessee is securely in place. After all, damage or late rent is on them — right?

Probably not.

Because of ancient property interest laws — and a concept known as “privity of contract” — the original legal agreement between the tenant and the landlord remains alive and well, even with a signed sublease.

By agreeing to sublease, the landlord has agreed to collect rent from the subletter first, and ask the subletter to make necessary repairs to the unit. But if the subletter skips town or refuses to comply, the landlord can seek reimbursement from the original tenant — even if she had nothing to do with the damage.

So if you’re choosing to sublease, be sure to find a reliable and dependable person to take over the balance of the lease.

Sign a sublease agreement

Signing a sublease agreement is a smart way to protect the original renter from liability caused by the subletter. The landlord can still come after the original tenant for late rent or damage to the unit if the subletter falls down on their duties, as discussed above. But a proper sublease can give the tenant some legal ground to stand on if they want to then seek compensation from the subletter.

Likewise, the sublease agreement can also protect the subletter from unreasonable claims by the original tenant, including damage that occurred before the subletter moved in.

Collect a security deposit

For extra protection, the original tenant may want to require a security deposit from the subletter. Tenants should request enough for at least two months’ rent, and the amount should be kept in a non-interest-bearing escrow account.

The security deposit can be used in the event the landlord demands repayment for damage to the unit or unpaid rent. And, of course, the tenant should return all funds to the subletter if/when the sublease term ends without incident.

What You Should Have In Your Emergency Evacuation Kits

From hurricanes to earthquakes and wildfires, natural disasters can be frightening. While these emergencies come in many forms and may require anything from a brief absence to permanent evacuation, there’s one thing you can do to ensure your safety — prepare.

If you’re forced to leave your home, you may have less than a minute to get out. Having an emergency evacuation kit packed and ready to go could mean the difference between your wellbeing and hardship.

“You can’t control disasters, but you can control how prepared you are for them,” said Rafael Lemaitre, director of public  for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The outlook for the coming Atlantic hurricane season, for example, looks to be quieter than normal, but all it takes is one to affect you and your community. It only takes one disaster to change your entire life, so it makes sense to prepare.”

Some Of The Things For Negotiation During Lease Agreement

When you factor in the formulaic legal documents, generic 20-minute interview, and perfunctory tour of the apartment and its amenities, it’s not unusual for renters to feel like they must either take it or leave it. It may not seem like there is room to negotiate the residential lease agreement.

That might be true — sometimes. But renters may actually be in a better bargaining position than they realize. Often, potential renters are able to negotiate some aspects of the lease agreement, especially when the landlord is eager to rent a particular unit.

Here are five aspects of your lease agreement you may have more control over than you think.

Joint Venture To Develop $250M Hotel Property In Ghana

Singapore-based-and-listed firm Perennial Real Estate has formed a joint venture with Shangri-La Asia to develop a mixed-use development including a hotel property in Ghana, estimated to be worth $250 million, DealStreetAsia reports.
The development in Accra is expected to include a hotel, shopping mall, residential towers, office tower, and serviced apartments, according to statements from Perennial.

Perennial is a real estate owner, developer and manager listed on the Singapore Exchange that focuses on large, mixed-use developments primarily in China and Singapore. It also manages a 4-million-square-foot (371612 square meter) waterfront development in Penang, Malaysia.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Asia is an investment holding company that owns and operates hotels and associated properties worldwide under the brand names Shangri-La, Hotel Jen, Traders, Kerry, Rasa, Summer Palace, and Shang Palace.
Perennial paid $15.2 million for a 55 percent stake of the site in Accra from Shangri-La Asia, which owns the 12.3 acre plot, according to DealStreet.
Management will be jointly by Perennial and Shangri-la Asia, though the hotel property will be solely managed by a subsidiary of Shangri-La Asia.
The development is expected to be complete in 2019, according to DealStreetAsia.