Florida Concrete Homes

Most home buyers know that homes built of hard certain are stronger than homes built of most other edifice supplies. While that is a reliable lead of selling or structure a specific home, there are many other payback to edifice with physical, and especially steel reinforced, poured definite, that the median Florida home buyer may not be awake of.

Aside from obtaining the refuge, durability and defense that only hard things can impart, real homes are also able to resist typhoon and twister force winds, are hardy to part, fire, water wound, copse rot and insect infestation.

Maximum energy efficiency could be obtained in a pure real home; you can do your part to help the environment and demote the strain on swiftly depleting true funds simply by purchasing a stable certain home.

Built fanatical for the alarmed Florida home buyer

With very active twister seasons in 2004-2005, and yet another active spell probable in 2006, it is not surprising that the common of Florida residents and those seeking to re-locate to Florida have hurricanes at the vanguard of their minds. It is smart and responsible to be troubled about, and arranged for hurricanes. Nevertheless this doesn't mean that you have to evade living in Florida to be nontoxic from severe survive.

Its no coincidence that genuine, steel reinforced existing is the most usually worn house textile for nontoxic rooms and tragedy shelters. If you erect or acquire a home made with steel-reinforced specific, you are awfully increasing the chances of your home withstanding a Category 4 twister like Katrina or Rita.

Recent tests conducted in simulated 250 mile per hour winds, with projectiles itinerant at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, showed that fixed tangible homes were able to withstand these conditions and linger structurally intact.

Solid existing construction offers water dense protection against leaks and toadstool that are regularly a consequence of storm spoil.

Fire shelter

Solid, poured existing homes are also defiant to section and fire. This form of firm will not burn, soften or bend. Solid, poured actual parapet are dense and combined released, which prevents the mushroom of fire. Concrete offers a colossal gain over woodland framed homes in the occasion of a fire, as fire is not able to hang as promptly through a real home. The gives the distinct home holder priceless time to get themselves and their loved ones to safety should a fire rout out.

A better for the environment and your wallet

Energy expenses have spiked to unprecedented levels of belatedly, and there is no relief in view. A firm actual home uses thermal group and light reflectivity to expand energy efficiency. By absorbing intensity during the upper daytime temperatures and releasing the accumulated cook during the cooler nightfall hours, the tangible home will be less costly to cool in the summer and reheat in the chill. If you want a home that is environmentally gracious, then textile is the structure notes for you!

If you are concerned about the environment, then poured distinct is the building relevant for you. Concrete is made from some of the most plentiful property on this globe, and there are no lethal bi-food. The solid industry also recycles and reclaims equipment throughout the real manufacturing manage.

Due to global need for woodland and an imperfect fund, timber prices for builders and home buyers are some of the peak ever. Using a material that is in high query but has a slow darn means also has a larger effect on the total environment. Concrete solves this hindrance by using abundant and gladly unfilled resources!

Minimal misuse generated by the construction of distinct homes also reduces the brunt on part landfills.

Minimal maintenance costs

With a solid material home, the home landlord never has to disquiet about copse rot. This is often a very steep repair for copse framed homeowners. Since actual is an unappealing material to insects such as termites, existing homes will not require costly extermination treatments due to insect infestation.

Pouring actual: the beauty of depth

Since solid can be poured into any smooth, the construct possibilities for your new Florida home are endless. Concrete could also be enclosed with you're excellent of superb outside resources, with wood, gemstone, brick, siding and stucco. Interior bulwark and floors can be roofed with all paradigm carpet and barrage cover resources.

Energy effective, environmentally sociable certain construction makes for a sound investment in you're upcoming and your environment. Tough, resilient, well made, powerful, hard irksome, enduring concrete provides the safety, security and protection that home buyers are looking for.

Lake Travis Texas

Lake Travis is a man made lake getting its water from the Colorado River via Mansfield Dam. The construction of Mansfield Dam started in 1936. Lake Travis is over 63 miles long and its maximum width is 4.5 miles. The lake encompasses close to 19,000 acres. With this much room you can enjoy many different aspects of water sports, homes, restaurants, 11 county parks some with camping areas, water parks and hiking trails. Lake Travis is a short drive to downtown Austin with many communities and towns surrounding this beautiful lake.

Lakeway, TX is located on the eastern part of the lake with home prices ranging from the mid-$180,000 to well over $3,000,000. The Lakeway area has many amenities to offer its homeowners including a tennis club, marinas, golf clubs, swim center, many local retail centers, grocery stores and restaurants. Lakeway is home to the Lakeway Resort and Spa. The school district is Lake Travis ISD.

Bee Cave, TX, just a few years ago, had a population of just over 200. With the growth heading toward the Hill Country it now boasts over 700 residents. Not only has its population expanded but it now has the Hill Country Galleria with over 1,000,000 square feet of retail, municipal, and residential space. Across Hwy 71 is also a great shopping center, the Shops at the Galleria that has over 500,000 square feet of retail space. Several other businesses make Bee Cave a unique area including The Backyard, which has two outdoor venues for live music. This popular Austin music spot has hosted numerous musicians including David Bowie, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Widespread Panic and many other national and local acts. Homes in Bee Cave range from $300,000 to over $2,000,000. Lake Travis ISD is the school district for the Bee Caves area.

Traveling west past Bee Cave your next town will be Spicewood, TX. Spicewood is home to many wineries, restaurants, natural springs, and recreation parks with one including a canopy tour where you can zip thru the trees! Several communities are located conveniently on Lake Travis with marinas, lake access and golf courses. Homes in Spicewood range from $100,000 to $13,000,000. There are four school districts within the Spicewood area: Lake Travis ISD, Marble Falls ISD, Dripping Springs ISD and Johnson City ISD

Briarcliff, Texas is also located on the Southwestern side of Lake Travis. Briarcliff has a community center, tennis courts, golf course, marina and park area with a play ground, basketball courts, pavilion and picnic area. Homes range from $120,000 to $1,600,000 and are in the Lake Travis ISD.

On the North side of Lake Travis you have the City of LagoVista, TX. This area is abundant with many attractions including boating, fishing, golfing and many parks for hiking, biking and family recreation. Homes in Lago Vista range from $98,000 to over $5,000,000. The school district is Lago Vista ISD.

Point Venture, TX is located on the north shore of Lake Travis. Amenities include a fifty acre water front park with three boat ramps including tennis courts, marina, restaurants, and golf course. Lago Vista ISD is the school district. Homes range from $100,000 to $900,000.

San Francisco Foreclosure Homes are Wise Investments

Talk about aiming to seize opportunities in California and buying San Francisco foreclosure homes will be on the agenda. The city of San Francisco is simply one of the finest and best cities to live in. Aside from the sophisticated urbanization, the economy is always vibrant and there are just too many lucrative and attractive job opportunities. It is thus not surprising that San Francisco is one of the main destinations for relocation and migration in the US.

The housing industry is down and the prices tend to fall. However, you will find that home prices are still high. Worse, it is the worst time to acquire a new home as the economic crisis looms and banks regulate the volume of loans approved and trim the possible approved amounts of credit facilities they provide. Thus, many homebuyers and investors are disappointed. However, the piling of inventory of San Francisco foreclosure homes has opened more and new opportunities.

It is wise to invest in San Francisco foreclosure homes. That is because the prices are significantly much lower especially these days because of the glut. In the foreclosure market, it is just normal to realize huge savings of about 50% off the actual values of homes in the market when you decide to buy San Francisco foreclosure homes.

You could opt to live in any foreclosed home you buy. This way, you will not spend on rentals, which could also be high in the city. If you aim to make the purchase an investment, you can sell the houses at higher prices in the future or lease them to generate monthly income from rentals.

How to Find the Perfect US Office Space For Rent

As your business continues to expand the need to find an affordable office space is imperative. Often times many will go begin looking at office space to rent without considering several factors before they see the commercial property for lease. This can lead to many different problems down the road such as paying to much for rent, not having the space you need to grow your business or having a bad location. Below are several factors you should consider when looking at an office space rental for your business.

Is there room to expand in the future: There is fine line between renting office space that you will not use and having enough to be able to easily expand your business in the future without any complications. What you want to do is have sufficient space to meet your current needs and the ability to have access to additional space available as your business grows long term. This will help you easily be able to give your growing business the space it needs to increase your profits.

How much does the office space to rent cost: This is major factor in determining how and in what way your business will be successful. During times of economic prosperity many business people rent commercial property that is more than they can afford. When business doesn't go as planned or there are some financial set backs this expense puts their business in jeopardy. To avoid this kind of situation means that you must have a maximum ceiling that you can spend on a monthly basis for rent on the office space. A good way to determine this is to calculate your current and projected income for the next several months then multiply that number by 30%. This is the total amount that you can spend on the commercial property that will allow you to keep your business afloat during times of financial or economic challenges.

Where is the location of the office space: For many businesses a key factor that plays a major role in their success is where they are located. Meaning is the office space located at place where people can easily find it and are you are a in community that will help as well as support your business. Often times many people open their businesses in locations where they can not be seen or in neighborhoods where there is no demand for that type of business. To increase your odds of success you want to be able to find a commercial property for lease at a busy location and in community that can easily support the business for years to come.

By finding the right office space you can help your business to grow at a steady long term pace. To be able to see this happen requires that you make sure that you have enough room for the business to expand in the future, make certain that you can afford the rent during challenging times and pick a location on a busy street as well as a business friendly community. Using these steps you will find the right commercial property to help your business grow over the long term.

Dave Walker - Operations Manager of Office Space Local. He has over 20 years experience in the US office space and commercial property marketplace. Office Space Local US is a search service for office space rental and commercial property for lease. Major cities covered including office space in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago.

How to Find the Perfect US Office Space For Rent

As your business continues to expand the need to find an affordable office space is imperative. Often times many will go begin looking at office space to rent without considering several factors before they see the commercial property for lease. This can lead to many different problems down the road such as paying to much for rent, not having the space you need to grow your business or having a bad location. Below are several factors you should consider when looking at an office space rental for your business.

Is there room to expand in the future: There is fine line between renting office space that you will not use and having enough to be able to easily expand your business in the future without any complications. What you want to do is have sufficient space to meet your current needs and the ability to have access to additional space available as your business grows long term. This will help you easily be able to give your growing business the space it needs to increase your profits.

How much does the office space to rent cost: This is major factor in determining how and in what way your business will be successful. During times of economic prosperity many business people rent commercial property that is more than they can afford. When business doesn't go as planned or there are some financial set backs this expense puts their business in jeopardy. To avoid this kind of situation means that you must have a maximum ceiling that you can spend on a monthly basis for rent on the office space. A good way to determine this is to calculate your current and projected income for the next several months then multiply that number by 30%. This is the total amount that you can spend on the commercial property that will allow you to keep your business afloat during times of financial or economic challenges.

Where is the location of the office space: For many businesses a key factor that plays a major role in their success is where they are located. Meaning is the office space located at place where people can easily find it and are you are a in community that will help as well as support your business. Often times many people open their businesses in locations where they can not be seen or in neighborhoods where there is no demand for that type of business. To increase your odds of success you want to be able to find a commercial property for lease at a busy location and in community that can easily support the business for years to come.

By finding the right office space you can help your business to grow at a steady long term pace. To be able to see this happen requires that you make sure that you have enough room for the business to expand in the future, make certain that you can afford the rent during challenging times and pick a location on a busy street as well as a business friendly community. Using these steps you will find the right commercial property to help your business grow over the long term.

Dave Walker - Operations Manager of Office Space Local. He has over 20 years experience in the US office space and commercial property marketplace. Office Space Local US is a search service for office space rental and commercial property for lease. Major cities covered including office space in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago.

Best US States For Commercial Property

In these economic times, it seems as if decisions about leasing or purchasing commercial property for business use would be chancy or risky at best. Yet, there are abundance opportunities nationwide for gaining amazing areas and deals for office space to rent or lease. Throughout the Northeastern United States in such place like New Jersey and Minnesota, commercial property opportunities abound.

A mere few hours from Manhattan, New Jersey boasts a multitude of pluses to attract new business. High-tech, pharmaceutical and research companies are plentiful throughout a state that can still lay claim to pristine wilderness that's just outside urban settings with historic universities such as Princeton and Rutgers a mere stone's throw away. Locations throughout the state are easily accessible to the excitement and speed of New York making New Jersey even more attractive to working populations with its more affordable housing and good schools than its more glamorous neighbor.

Minnesota exists as more than just the twin cites of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Within the state, there has been continued strong job growth that bucks national trends. The twin cities area plus its suburbs are attracting young and vibrant companies that have increased the prestige of the entire state. Coupled with affordable housing and good schools, Minnesota's business development is expected to grow throughout the year.

As cheerful, wide and sweeping as its unofficial state song 'The yellow rose of Texas' attests, Texas has seen great economic growth with the entry of high tech firms such as Dell and IBM creating an atmosphere of affordable housing and good schools whose high graduation rates guarantee important future positive returns on business development and creation.

Boasting a mid tempered climate, Texas also has abundance nightlife, affordable housing, rich cultural history all within a state that is as grand and wide as a Texas smile.

With a growing Bioscience industry and a landscape that includes truly spectacular scenery, Colorado is a cutting edge location for office space rentals. High tech industries such as Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Tech paired with firms like Kodax make the rocky mountain state attractive to potential employees. Green technology and business is set to grow within the state due to Colorado's recent Federal contract for their Solar energy project make the area even more appealing to new business. Colorado has a graduation rate above the national average creating a knowledgeable pool of potential employees.

Virginia boast abundance amenities within its spacious green land, great schools, a youthful population and high college graduation rate coupled with low affordable housing makes the Virginia area attractive in creating new business. Strong opportunities in Medical care partnered with good racial diversity make the state a strong draw for people of all ages and races. Abundance wide open spaces are ripe for potential business development as well.

These states are well timed to lead in commercial property development within the new year. They are areas that will increase in prestige and business development creating jobs while providing a high standard of living for several years to come.

Dave Walker - Operations Manager of Office Space Local. He has over 20 years experience in the US office space and commercial property marketplace. Office Space Local US is a search service for office space rental and commercial property for lease. Major cities covered including office space in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago.

Guide to Buying Office Space in Houston

According to Collier's International's first quarter 2008 office overviews report, Houston's commercial real estate closed the first quarter with optimal results. Houston's office market has continued to profit from stable job growth and a demanding need for office space. The citywide occupancy rate is up at an impressive 87.7% rate, which is an increase from 85.4% this time last year. Leading suburban office regions have continued to surpass the market's average with six sectors reporting occupancy levels at 90% or higher in the first quarter, including The Medica Center, The Woodlands, South Felipe-Voss, The Galleria/West Loop, Kingwood and The Katy Freeway/Energy Coridor. A strong tenant demand, increasing numbers in employment base and minimal available space imply that the local commercial real estate region will yet again obtain a clear-cut contradiction to the shrinking national market expected this year.

If you're thinking of buying commercial real estate office buildings, especially in the Houston area as an investment, this can create a positive cash flow, however, business owners in need of office space just to run a successful business, may want to consider leasing rather than purchasing., Potential property investment could consist of a modest single tenant domicile to the metropolitan high-rises that represents the cities sky-line. You must first decide which type of property is going to be both cost effective and profitable to your assets. For those who are new to this domain, it can be a complex exertion full of unfamiliar and innovative terms. With adequate research and diligence, however, it is possible to become articulate in office space lingo and prepared for your first deal.

It is essential to know the ABC's of office buildings which are sorted into three distinct groups, recognized as Class A, B and C. Buildings are given a Class A identification, if the construction and overall appearance is of the highest essence, they are appealing to superb occupants and professionally managed. Class A structures are located in predominant areas that require the most expensive payments in the market. Imagine an exquisite glass skyscraper in the financial district occupied by prestigious law firms, stock brokers and other distinguished tenants all longing to achieve unmeasured success- that is a Class A building. Class B buildings are merely an older version of Class A buildings. These structures, although often well preserved and custom designed, tend to offer lower rental rates than Class A buildings and may be located in less expensive business parks or districts. The third and final group is the Class C buildings, which have the tendency to be more efficient than inventive and are typically over 20 years old; however, they are steady occupied. They are often located in mixed used buildings, on an upper level above retail or service type businesses as well as industrial parks. Class C buildings are generally 20 percent lower in rent than any given market. It is important to note, that there are many requirements to be categorized within a specific building class, however, no formula is used to determine the classification and a judgment call may be made in the final analysis.

The following components if applicable to your situation, may lead you to conclude that unless you are an investor, leasing office space rather than purchasing office space in Houston would make better sense. Your current cash flow is vital, and leasing a space to operate your business successfully, may me a much more practical than purchasing from a cash flow outlook. This is because upfront expenses associated with an office space lease are usually much less than those required with a property purchase. With leasing the commercial property, your main outlay should only be a security deposit and the first month rent, however, with a purchase, you have to pay the negotiated purchase price or at least a down payment on a mortgage. You will also be responsible for all maintenance duties that provide prolong durability to your structure as well as any renovations to improve the overall appearance of your facility.

The most important thing to do in buying or leasing any office space in Houston, is to hire a reputable and professional commercial real estate agent that will work diligently to provide you with the proper information and resources needed based on your specific needs.

Dave Walker - Operations Manager of Office Space Local. He has over 20 years experience in the US office space and commercial property marketplace. Office Space Local US is a search service for office space rental and commercial property for lease. Major cities covered including office space in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

Changes in the Orlando Florida Property Market

The professionals in the Orlando Florida property scene, the Orlando Regional Realtors Association, tell the story of market conditions in their February 11th 2009 report, extracts of which are:

"The median price of Orlando homes sold in January ($148,274) decreased by 33.06 percent compared to January 2008." "Buyers are responding to lower prices and mortgage rates but uncertainty about the economy is creating hesitancy and pent-up demand." "Homes of all types spent an average of 104 days on the market before being sold in January 2009" "There are currently 22,613 homes available for purchase through the MLS." "The inventory level reflects a 23.63-month supply at the current pace of sales."

What a difference a few years makes. In December 2005 we wrote a newsletter to our clients containing the following views of the Orlando real estate market:

"After Disney-area property prices built to a frenzy by the late 1990s, the only significant slowdown happened around the year 2000 with the US economic downturn followed by the Sept 11th 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. This resulted in approximately 12 to 18 months of virtually no growth in home price.

The past 2 years have certainly reversed that flat growth - and then some! Individual accounts of buyers purchasing a new home to be built, then selling it for a $50,000-$100,000 profit or more at closing, are commonplace.

However, this recent period is one that we would be surprised to see ever repeated. Orlando Florida property builders ran out of building lots, home prices spiked by $50,000-$100,000 and the inventory of available re-sale homes almost went to zero. This caused a seller's market and multiple bidding, which resulted in homes selling for above the asking price.

It has now finally slowed down to a more manageable level. Although no one has a crystal ball and can say what home appreciation will be next year, it appears that it may maintain a lower, more reasonable but still positive pace. We believe that this is a very welcome event: if the appreciation rate of last year continued, home prices would soon reach the million dollar level and the discrepancy between personal incomes and home prices would become unsustainable.

Somewhere between the talk of a real estate bubble and corrections in real estate prices are the middle ground opinions, which suggest that Florida real estate will continue to fare well. Florida is one of the top states in job growth and approximately 1000 people per day are relocating here. The most recent statistics show apartment rental occupancy at 96%, which represents virtually full occupancy and is indicative of housing demand here.

So our overall view of the Florida real estate market? Opportunities to make money still exist and we remain bullish on real estate investment with one caveat. Last year, a purchaser almost anywhere in Florida, and of any type of property, could hardly go wrong. With the market returning to normal, buyers need to use more discretion in their selection process - for example, does the property represent good value for money, is it the right property in the right place, and so on. In addition, we believe that real estate purchases should again be viewed as minimum 2 year if not 3-10 year investments. Although last year saw individuals flipping properties in 6 months, this is usually not the formula that works most successfully in normal markets."

At that time, there was effectively no inventory available because buyers snapped up almost whatever they could the moment it was listed. Builders became addicted to monthly price increase running into the thousands of dollars. And buyers and investors suspended any doubts about how long the party could last in a frantic effort to join in the riches that seemed to be unending. Clearly it could not last, as our newsletter predicted, but even we didn't see the fall being so fierce or long lasting.

Will it ever recover? Well, just like the good times appeared to be never-ending, so do the bad ones now. But things will change. It may take the rest of this year or even longer, but almost inevitably we are convinced that we will eventually return to the sort ot situation described in the newsletter - when Orlando Florida property will represent good value for money if viewed as a medium to long term investment. That will benefit both buyers and sellers!

Changes in the Orlando Florida Property Market

The professionals in the Orlando Florida property scene, the Orlando Regional Realtors Association, tell the story of market conditions in their February 11th 2009 report, extracts of which are:

"The median price of Orlando homes sold in January ($148,274) decreased by 33.06 percent compared to January 2008." "Buyers are responding to lower prices and mortgage rates but uncertainty about the economy is creating hesitancy and pent-up demand." "Homes of all types spent an average of 104 days on the market before being sold in January 2009" "There are currently 22,613 homes available for purchase through the MLS." "The inventory level reflects a 23.63-month supply at the current pace of sales."

What a difference a few years makes. In December 2005 we wrote a newsletter to our clients containing the following views of the Orlando real estate market:

"After Disney-area property prices built to a frenzy by the late 1990s, the only significant slowdown happened around the year 2000 with the US economic downturn followed by the Sept 11th 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. This resulted in approximately 12 to 18 months of virtually no growth in home price.

The past 2 years have certainly reversed that flat growth - and then some! Individual accounts of buyers purchasing a new home to be built, then selling it for a $50,000-$100,000 profit or more at closing, are commonplace.

However, this recent period is one that we would be surprised to see ever repeated. Orlando Florida property builders ran out of building lots, home prices spiked by $50,000-$100,000 and the inventory of available re-sale homes almost went to zero. This caused a seller's market and multiple bidding, which resulted in homes selling for above the asking price.

It has now finally slowed down to a more manageable level. Although no one has a crystal ball and can say what home appreciation will be next year, it appears that it may maintain a lower, more reasonable but still positive pace. We believe that this is a very welcome event: if the appreciation rate of last year continued, home prices would soon reach the million dollar level and the discrepancy between personal incomes and home prices would become unsustainable.

Somewhere between the talk of a real estate bubble and corrections in real estate prices are the middle ground opinions, which suggest that Florida real estate will continue to fare well. Florida is one of the top states in job growth and approximately 1000 people per day are relocating here. The most recent statistics show apartment rental occupancy at 96%, which represents virtually full occupancy and is indicative of housing demand here.

So our overall view of the Florida real estate market? Opportunities to make money still exist and we remain bullish on real estate investment with one caveat. Last year, a purchaser almost anywhere in Florida, and of any type of property, could hardly go wrong. With the market returning to normal, buyers need to use more discretion in their selection process - for example, does the property represent good value for money, is it the right property in the right place, and so on. In addition, we believe that real estate purchases should again be viewed as minimum 2 year if not 3-10 year investments. Although last year saw individuals flipping properties in 6 months, this is usually not the formula that works most successfully in normal markets."

At that time, there was effectively no inventory available because buyers snapped up almost whatever they could the moment it was listed. Builders became addicted to monthly price increase running into the thousands of dollars. And buyers and investors suspended any doubts about how long the party could last in a frantic effort to join in the riches that seemed to be unending. Clearly it could not last, as our newsletter predicted, but even we didn't see the fall being so fierce or long lasting.

Will it ever recover? Well, just like the good times appeared to be never-ending, so do the bad ones now. But things will change. It may take the rest of this year or even longer, but almost inevitably we are convinced that we will eventually return to the sort ot situation described in the newsletter - when Orlando Florida property will represent good value for money if viewed as a medium to long term investment. That will benefit both buyers and sellers!

London's Diamond Properties

If you own a pad in the west end or central London, hold onto it, because it's probably the most sought after property in the world. To buy one of the best flats in the city's centre, you should be willing to fork out over £100 million.

Last year, a flat in St James square, converted from a 1930s office block, officially broke the record for the most expensive flat in London, hitting the market at £115 million. Previously, the most expensive apartments were the four 'One Hyde Park' penthouses in Knightsbridge, developed by Candy and Candy. They come complete with bullet proof glass and panic rooms, making them the perfect places for high-profilers. These exclusive pent-houses are, ironically, increasing in value during the property recession.

"The super-prime sector of £10million and up has become completely detached from the rest of the market," says Liam Bailey, head of residential research at the property consultants, Knight Frank. This just goes to show that the super-rich have been relatively unaffected by the credit crunch. Bailey attributes this to spiraling commodities and oil prices as well as hedge funds that all serve to further enrich the moneyed.

The one million and above market has also not been as affected by the recession as much as the middle of the range sector. If olde worlde is not for you, you might be more interested in the something a little to the east, where prices tend to be lower and exclusive apartments are springing up all the time. New Atlas Wharf on the Isle of Dogs is retro-chic at its best. Designer Richard Evans combines Asian artistry with opulent wood features, and for the price of £1.65 million you have access to sport facilities and a concierge. The Japanese garden and hot tub will certainly attract many interested buyers in the future.

Bailey warns that the high-end properties might begin to become less immune to the recession in the future, which bodes well for those looking for a London penthouse at a cut, later this year. The charms of St Paul's Cathedral at night and the gleaming Gherkin have obviously not worn off yet for foreign property investors, though, as they are still scrambling for the most expensive west-end properties at whatever the cost.

Frances wrote this article for Kay and Co Real Estate Agents Kay and co specialises in high quality London and International real estate

Mill Valley's Appeal to San Francisco Bay Area Home Buyers

Mill Valley is a beautiful small town of approximately 13,000 people in northern California, nestled in redwood forests that surround nearby Mount Tamalpais. Mill Valley's appeal to San Francisco Bay area home buyers is easy to see once you've witnessed the beauty and pace of this small town. It is close enough to take a trip to the big city, while tucked far enough away to allow families to grow up in a more relaxed pace, quaint small town setting.

The town of Mill Valley has a fascinating history, as it was named after an old saw mill started by an Irish settler who became a Mexican citizen and started the town. That was a long time ago, and few could have imagined what Marin County, and Mill Valley, would become.

There are several reasons why a home buyer in the San Francisco area would find Mill Valley appealing.

1. Proximity. Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge in Southern Marin County, the town offers extremely convenient access to the city of San Francisco for both work and play. For beachgoers, Mill Valley offers excellent access to Stinson Beach, Tennessee Cove, and several other beaches throughout West Marin.
2. The culture. In addition to this, the public schools are excellent, crime is low, and Mill Valley is seen as a very progressive and artsy town that holds many famous annual events like the Mill Valley Shakespeare in the Old Park Amphitheatre, the Fall Arts Festival, or the Mill Valley Film Festival.
3. The climate. For those people looking for a move from further away, Mill Valley has a very pleasant climate that can be described as "Mediterranean." There are very few times where the temperature is below freezing in winter, and in summer it's mild enough that most homes don't bother with air conditioning.
4. Space. Unlike some other very crowded areas in San Francisco and Marin County, Mill Valley has space for citizens to spread out, and an incredible assortment of nature trails for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
5. People. This isn't a young person's town, an old person's town, or a college town. This is a town that has a very even population, with an equal percentage in almost every decade group from toddlers to octogenarians. No group is left behind any other.
6. The price. Real estate in Mill Valley ranges from affordable condominiums and starter homes to multi-million dollar estates. While most home buyers assume real estate in Mill Valley is expensive like so many other towns in Southern Marin, there are good values to be had. Working with an experienced realtor can help you identify these unique buying opportunities.

These are just a few of the many reasons that help explain Mill Valley's appeal to San Francisco Bay area home buyers.

Renee Adelmann is a San Francisco Bay Area Realtor with Marin and San Francisco Modern who assists buyers and sellers of Mill Valley homes as well as Mill Valley condos

Are World Property Prices Good For the UK?

With houses prices falling all over the world are world property prices good for the UK? This is becoming a real benefit for people who have the money and want to buy. A resent survey has revealed that house prices have fell all over the world as the recession starts to take a real grip.

Looking at rate house prices are falling in the UK it can be seen that it's not as serve as some other parts of the world. For example in Latvia's capital houses prices have fallen by 37 percent. This is a much higher decline than in the UK where house prices have fallen by 18 percent.

If you have the money to spend then this can be good news to you as you can get some real bargains and really the only way property prices can go is up. This will see a great return on your investment in the future.

Following the Bank of England making further cuts to interest rates some people are paying no interest at all on their mortgage another great reason to buy now. If you have a tracker mortgage you will have been enjoying a cut in your mortgage for the last 6 months.

The bad news is that not all banks are passing on the interest rates. So this may not be good news for everyone. This is somewhat understandable considering the mess financially banks are in. Though considering the taxpayer is helping these banks out it does seem somewhat unfair that some banks are not prepared to pass the savings on to their customers. This all makes the British public more skeptical about banks its just unfortunate that we depend on banks so much. Things really need to be done to ensure that the correct lessons are learned from this which will help avoid this situation in the future.

SO to recap if you are in the lucky position where you have some money then there has never been such a good time to buy and with interest rates so low this will make your investment far more attractive. However not everyone is going to be in this situation as many people are being made redundant and buying a home is more likely the last thing on their mind.

Smart Locations to Invest in Land

In America, people can invest in land in different states and catchment areas. There are some places which are considered much better than others. We call these regions "Smart Locations". Our definition of smart locations is areas which are friendly and calm. The location need to supply with all necessary utilities and facilities for a proper living. Furthermore, it is important that the area can successfully provide leisure activities for a health and modern living.

These four locations match the criteria of smart locations:

1. Candlewood Lakes Subdivision, TN
Candlewood Lake is a region where peace and harmony can be experienced. The whimsical environment comprises of hills and green landscape. At Candlewood Lakes recreational activities can be fulfilled during long days. It is possible to fish and hunt for those who want some sport or leisure activities. Others can explore the beauty of the natural wildlife. The neighborhood is friendly and serene.
2. Grand Valley Lakes, TN
Grand Valley Lakes is a highly accessible area. The nearby regions Memphis and city of Bolivar are just around the corner. The region is considered absolutely safe, with a hospital and other emergency services available. The environment itself is joyful, with lakes with plenty of fish and nearby woods. It is thus feasible to indulge in fishing, rowing in the river or why not hunting. Furthermore, in the region there is a golf course. The ranges of leisure activities available are unlimited. The utility required for your housing accommodation can be made available at standard cost. This is an accessible, cheap and safe environment to live and invest.
3. Hilltop Lakes, TX
Hilltop Lakes is a region of unique features. At Hilltop lakes there is a large golf course which is incredibly breathtaking to look at. There are also two lakes which can be used for leisure activities. The land in this region is prone to rise as businessmen are attracted to the beauty and peaceful atmosphere that has been established in the area. The land is at the moment cheap. Hilltop Lakes has even an airstrip where private plans can land. This is something extremely rare but beneficial to the surrounding.
4. Newcastle, Washington

Newcastle, Washington is a region which provides you with accessibility to an unlimited variation of services. This makes it an ideal area for families and businessmen to settle-down. The comfort and security have been engraved from the history of the region. The civil development of the area has led to the creation of wonderful surrounding with peaceful families and business. Families can find access to schools and all other necessary institution for the well-being of their family. The values of parcels of land in this region are certainly worth its price.

The above 4 locations do fully meet the criteria of SMART LOCATIONS, people cannot expect much more. The prices are competitive and it is worth buying land in the mentioned regions. The specification of your needs will certainly fit into one of the location based on hobbies, desire, occupation prospects and your future.

The Best US Cities For Commercial Property

Some of the best cities for commercial property truly do belong in states that are dependent upon the shipping industry. Cities like Bellevue and Seattle, Washington are two of the best cities to do business in. This is why companies like Costco and Amazon have maintained their main headquarters in Washington state. Businessmen like Howard Schultz love all the movers and shakers in Seattle as they grab their coffee on the go. People can spend more on coffee and items that they want their because there is no personal income tax in Washington State as well.

Obviously the best places for commercial properties would be cities with a lot of population growth and the majority of that growth is coming from people with plenty of disposable income. Cities like Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax in northern Virginia continue to expand. A lot of these folks have come down from Maryland to work for a technology, pharmaceutical or government firm around Washington D.C. and have plenty of money to spend. If someone has the resources to galvanize a venture down there, opening a deli or some quick sandwich shop where you can get a lot of these commuters as they go to work could be a very lucrative idea.

Setting up a venture such as a retirement home in a states like Texas or Florida may not be a bad move. You have a wide array of candidates to pick from in the workforces of these two states as well. Another advantage to setting up these types of businesses is that Florida and Texas do not tax retirement income. This obviously already draws a lot of seniors to cities like Boca Raton, Palm Beach or Galveston and Forth Worth respectively.

Cities like Tucson and Phoenix will continue to thrive because of their passionate sports fan base. Plenty of people love to shop or eat before they go to the game to root for their Arizona Wildcats and beloved Phoenix Suns. It all comes down to the fact that commercial property taxes have to remain in a growth minded assessor and mayor's hands given that commercial property taxes are assessed locally.

One of the best cities in the state of Alabama to do business in is the city of Montgomery. A tax package was recently passed in the city that allowed businesses like Wal-Mart to come in to the city and create plenty of local commerce around it. If you can set up shop near a Wal-Mart and offer a service that they are sub par in, the benefits can be tremendous. The formula is simple if you keep property taxes low in cities businesses will come there and people will have money to purchase items with. Cities like Montgomery are dependent upon the sales tax and tourism like the city zoo for most of their revenue in any event.

Kids love the zoo so it wouldn't be a bad idea to set up a toy store or some kind of food and beverage stand near by if you can get the permit. That is what is most important when it comes to commercial property. Set up shop as close to people as you can and offer an affordable product; the rest should take care of itself.

Dave Walker - Operations Manager of Office Space Local. He has over 20 years experience in the US office space and commercial property marketplace. Office Space Local US is a search service for office space rental and commercial property for lease. Major cities covered including office space in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago