How often, when you hear a song on the radio, do you instantly recognize the singer or the music? The most successful singers and composers have a unique sound or style that registers in your heart and mind, tells you who it is immediately. When you look at a Picasso painting or an Annie Leibovitz  photo, you know who the artist is without even glancing for confirmation. The signature is in the inimitable style.

Working in creative arts is a life-long journey, with success as only one of many destinations. To make the dream of a journey come true, artists need a place to polish their craft, a space that expands their vision. There’s such a space in The Lyric at Carleton Place being realized.

“The Lab” will be a performance space where residents will be able to experiment and create, where they can find their voice and entertain their audiences. The Lab will feature a stage area, lighting equipment, a sound board and control room. There is a sliding wall, so that pre-event activities will be able to be enjoyed separately. It’s a space unique to The Lyric.

In downtown St Paul, there’s an event held the first Wednesday of each month that has the feeling of what I envision The Lab could be. The History Theatre is home to “Sample Night Live”. Audiences can preview a dozen arts events in one evening. The next show is January 6, 2010, a veritable smorgasbord of dance, theater, comedy and performance art.

Experimentation, talent, inspiration and creativity are only some of the ingredients in the recipe to making great art. The Lyric at Carleton Place is about to put its stamp on what an arts-inspired apartment community can truly be … a home for the artist in each of us.

Author: Graham Baylis
Source: articledashboard.com

With Valentine’s Day just, incense
, around the corner, Debbie and Matt are planning a well-deserved romantic break. February can be a dreary time of year, so what better excuse than to get away from it all, just, incense
, the two of them, to somewhere really special – somewhere to unwind and spoil themselves, for a change.

Having weighed up all the possibilities,, incense
, Debbie and Matt decide that a serviced apartment will provide exactly, incense
, the luxury they’re looking for; space, flexibility and privacy, combined with all the comforts and service of a hotel. Browsing through the website, discovering the host of, incense
, locations, incense
, available, they finally opt to treat each, incense
, other to a spa, incense
, break in the stunningly beautiful, sleepy Cotswolds. Spa breaks are becoming more and more popular with young and old alike, offering the ultimate in pure self-indulgence and relaxation, incense
, – and the perfect antidote to modern-day,,, incense
, incense
, incense
, stress! Booking, incense
, the apartment through the company is a total breeze – this is an organisation totally, incense
, focused on customer care and it seems that nothing is too much trouble for its friendly and helpful staff to, incense
, ensure that Debbie and Matt will have a great time.

Driving up through the Cotswolds countryside, with its gently sloping hills and honeyed limestone cottages, Matt starts to have just a couple of reservations. Debbie laughs, incense
, as she reassures him that ‘all this spa business’ isn’t just a ‘girlie thing’, and that his macho image will remain intact. After all, pampering isn’t, incense
, just the prerogative of the female of the species. And, incense
, she, incense
, promises, incense
,, incense
, that, no – she will not let on to his workmates. Matt remains, incense
, unconvinced, but any doubts that he may have harboured soon begin to melt away, as they arrive at the apartment.

Their ‘home from home’ is, incense
, everything they both expected and were promised, and more; light, airy, spacious, superbly-equipped, tastefully decorated and impeccably clean throughout. Awaiting them is a luxury hamper, tempting chocolates and, in the fridge, a, incense
, selection of ‘nibbles’, whilst a bottle of chilled bubbly beckons invitingly.

The apartment is not far from the wonderful city of Cheltenham, and there’s plenty of time for Debbie and Matt to take in the atmosphere and do a little shopping, before heading back to the apartment to prepare for their spa treatment while sipping their champagne and sampling the ‘light, incense
, bites’,, incense
, incense
, from the fridge.

A little while later, highly skilled, trained and experienced therapists arrive at the apartment to deliver the spa treatment. Armed with all the necessary equipment, it seems that they’ve forgotten nothing, even providing restful music, mood lighting and incense to add to the peaceful ambience. Already savouring the effects, incense
, of the champagne and the cosiness of the apartment, Debbie and Matt each settle down to enjoy an incredibly, incense
, loosening back, neck and shoulder massage, a relaxing facial and an amazing hand and foot ritual. Just the thing to restore the equilibrium. What bliss!

When the therapists have, incense
, said their goodbyes, incense
, and after a heavenly snooze, Debbie and, incense
, Matt, incense
, get changed and round off a wonderful evening with a first class dinner at a nearby Japanese restaurant. The meal is delicious, incense
, and the service is faultless. Somehow, given the entire perfection of the weekend so far, that doesn’t surprise them.

In the morning, refreshed and invigorated and keen to make the most of the rest of their break, the happy couple emerge from the comfort of their sumptuous king size bed to explore the local market, before partaking of a hearty breakfast, incense
, and heading for home.

As they make their, incense
, way, energised and rejuvenated, Matt has to admit that this has been just the break that they both needed. Debbie is relaxed and happy, and he feels ten years younger. He’ll be sure to tell the lads at work all about it, when he gets back – one or two of them could do with a bit of chilling out, too – not to mention a facial., incense
, ..

Someone must have done a lot of drugs to come up with the idea for this place.

If you go to Manchester city and you do not have where to sleep do not hesitate to book an apartment in Manchester.
Apartments are really cheap and if you come with your friends or family it will be much cheaper.

The NYC transit is cold in side and out:
I ride the 6 line to get to Washington heights  just to show an apartment…boy it’s cold!
but i love the business.

I’ve been following the whole TWITTER phenomenon very closely. At first, I was VERY confused. Who would use twitter and why? More importantly, why would I use twitter, and what would I tweet? After months of following tweeters, tweeting, searching tweets, reading tweets, re-tweeting, something dawned on me: Not all twitter users are created equal! In order to best understand and utilize twitter, I had to decide what kind of twitter user I was or wanted to be.

Most twitter users fell in the following 4 categories:

Tweeters – These guys have something to say, and they are out there sharing IT with the world, or at least, the twitterverse. In the real world, these would be your authors, writers, politicians, radio personalities, teachers, educators, speakers, advocates, socialites, personalities, class clowns, etc. Instead of a book, magazine, stage, forum, class, radio, soapbox, etc. – they use twitter to get their message out.

Followers – are exactly that. They follow the tweeters. They are the audience. In the real world, these would be readers, subscribers, students, supporters, etc. In the twitterverse, there is more opportunity to INTERACT with their tweeters than in the real world. AND, almost more importantly, that INTERACTION is shared with all fellow followers AND the twitterverse.

These are the TOP 2 types of twitter users. In the business world, and in our multi-family apartment industry, the following 2 lesser known types are KEY to marketing and sales:

Listeners – these are not just followers – these twitter users are out there listening for very specific topics or trends. In the apartment industry, we must learn to listen on twitter. Find out what our customers, clients, competitors are saying – especially what they are saying about our apartment communities, our markets, and our competitors! That’s a LOT of listening! Listening is one of the KEY components to effective communication, and as an interactive communication tool, it PAYS to listen on twitter. Listening is akin to being in a busy restaurant and overhearing someone at the next table talking about your apartment community! Except on twitter, the next table is the entire twitterverse. Listeners who are active and respond to the needs of their customers can help in strengthening an apartment community’s brand, image or message and extending the customer service arm. You listen, you respond = YOU CARE. Now THAT’s something to tweet about!

Miners – these are the most diligent and proactive business users. These guys, not only listen for specific topics or trends, they are mining the twitterverse to FIND prospects and leads! In the real world, this would be similar to standing in a busy restaurant and hoping to hear someone mention they are looking for an apartment – being the diligent manager/leasing agent you are, you quip in and let them know that you work for an apartment community down the road and give them your card and contact info. On twitter, you don’t have to be anywhere and wait for the stars to aline to catch this conversation. You can use twitter search engines to mine for prospects and leads by searching for key words such as “apartment hunting new york,” – and then sending those prospects a direct message with a link to your property’s website.

I should mention: I don’t think mining for prospects should be an apartment community’s only marketing plan – however, there probably aren’t that many prospects out there who just happen to mention your key words “apartment hunting new youk,” but if your traffic is slow or nonexistent, being proactive and mining instead of waiting for propsects to walk in the door, might not be a bad option.

I’m still learning more and more about twitter every day, and have learned to LOVE it. Love how fast it moves, LOVE all the random and not so random things I have learned following others, listening for trends, and when it DOES happen, finding those leads.

The most active twitter users participate in all 4 categories. Everyone is focused on tweeting and following. For apartment marketers & leasors (or any business’ marketing/sales personnel for that matter!) the biggest opportunities are in listening & mining.

How have you used twitter for marketing your business, apartment community or services? What type of twitter user are you?

tweet tweet? RENT SODA. GET IT!

-Daisy Nguyen in Minneapolis, MN

CEO

Web: RentSoda.com   Email: Daisy@RentSoda.com

Become a fan of RENTSODA on facebook.  Connect with RENTSODA on LinkedIn!

Follow RENTSODA on Twitter!

It truly is better to give than to receive… unless you are an apartment owner.  Even owners with the largest of hearts don’t find virtue in concessions, such as “3 months free rent” or “free plasma TV,” decreasing rents and a lack of liquidity in the market.

As the apartment market continues its “slide” (for reasons both real and perceived), the Jansen Multifamily Team is reminded of the classic scene in A Christmas Story when Ralphie “chokes” on Santa’s lap, unable to request the gift he covets; rather, he simply nods “yes” to “a football” as Santa’s crass elves attempt to hastily push Ralphie down the “Santa slide.”  In an instant, Ralphie snaps out of his trance, plants his feet into the slide to halt his descent and blurts out, “No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!”  This is the Jansen Multifamily Team’s “moment on the slide.”

Our 2009 Holiday Wish List:

Increased Liquidity in the Market (particularly from local banks rather than agency lenders)

Over the past year, it was abundantly clear that the only viable lenders in the apartment finance game were government sponsored entities – Fannie, Freddie, and, to a lesser extent, FHA.  These lending sources have provided liquidity to would-be apartment buyers, but have not been immune to the increasingly strict underwriting criteria pervasive in the capital markets, for both properties and the borrowers attempting to purchase them.  Had it not been for the GSEs, it is safe to say that the number of units sold in 2009 (already the lowest amount since 1976) would have been reduced by at least half.  Simply put, leverage drives returns, making finance the most critical component of the apartment investment market.  In order for a 2010 rebound to take place, lending must become more accessible to prospective buyers, particularly individual investors and local investment groups.  “Accessible financing” must manifest itself in the form of competitive portfolio loans from local banks that understand the fundamentals of their local markets.  The Fed has announced it will stop purchasing GSE securities by the end of March 2010, thereby eliminating many of the subsidies that are keeping agency loans competitive.  Fannie and Freddie have already projected they will have lower volumes in 2010, and without an appropriate response by local banks to fill the void left by GSE contraction, apartment investments will grind to a screeching halt.

Absorption of New Units

Another crucial element to any recovery will be the absorption of both existing and new units on the market.  The rental market is fundamentally governed by the laws of supply and demand, and stability depends on the equilibrium of the two.  Puget Sound apartment owners have been contending with an oversupply of units over the past year, spurred by overdevelopment of multifamily units (particularly in core King County markets) and reconversion of failed condo projects to apartments.  When supply so drastically outpaces demand, the result is downward pressure on rents and occupancy.  The only path to equilibrium – and the sanity of apartment owners – requires filling the existing supply of units, a move that will be possible with the fulfillment of our next wish.

Job Growth

The clearest path to recovery in the apartment rental market, and the economy in general, is job growth.  Job growth brings people to the Puget Sound region and provides them with income.  Job growth creates demand for all the things an employed population needs, such as housing and durable goods, and is the key to reversing the current market trends of concessions, falling rents and decreasing occupancy.

Bridging of the “CAP Gap”

Aside from the realities of the capital markets, the next largest obstacle to putting a successful transaction together is the “CAP gap” between buyers and sellers.  Essentially, this refers to the difference in the conception of property value between buyers and sellers.  Many sellers are unwilling to accept the fact that their property values are not what they were in 2007/8 as credit has tightened, converters have gone out of business, and buyers require positive financial leverage, thereby driving up CAP rates.  Many buyers, on the other hand, are looking to “steal” properties by using fear and market uncertainty in an attempt to drive CAP rates to levels seen only in Detroit or other markets that lack the Seattle MSA’s strong fundamentals.  The “sweet spot” is somewhere in between these two extremes, and closings will not take place until both buyers and sellers can get realistic about what a “market” transaction looks like.

Social Darwinism

Real estate professionals, be they investors, lenders, or brokers, need to be proactive.  In an ever-changing market, proactive professionals will separate themselves from the “herd” through superior education, expertise, strategy, vision and execution.  The Puget Sound apartment market is filled with immense opportunity, which is why the Jansen Multifamily Team wishes for lenders to lend, investors to invest, owners to reevaluate their current holdings, and brokers to intelligently advise and educate their clients.  Those in the real estate industry who take a proactive approach to tackling market realities will “rise to the top,” while those who take a passive approach to the market are not likely to survive.  As a result, the best investors, lenders and brokers in the business will thrive, thereby reestablishing a solid foundation upon which our market can again grow.

Initially, Ralphie’s Red-Ryder holiday wish went unfilled in A Christmas Story. It seemed that all hope was lost for the main character of this holiday classic as St. Nick responded, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” However, when Christmas morning came, Ralphie got his wish.  Similarly, our 2009 Holiday Wish List may be nothing more than “wishful thinking” in the short term.  Eventually, however, banks will start lending, employers will start hiring, new hires will rent apartments and buyers and sellers will agree on market realities.  Most importantly, those real estate investors, lenders and brokers who proactively pushed through the market downturn will be poised to capitalize on the market’s eventual recovery.

The Jansen Multifamily Team wishes you and your families a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year.

It’s a staple of my childhood. My former college roommate and I can still reduce each other to laughing, gasping tears by declaring, “She’s a witch, I hate ‘ah!” It’s “The Twelve Pains of Christmas,” for those of you who have never had the pleasure of listening. And thanks to YouTube, there are several visual versions to choose from.

The one I’m posting here brought smiles to my face, as I hope it will do for you. This can be a challenging time of year, on a personal level as well as a professional level when we may be dealing with residents who are stressed, upset, stretched to their emotional and financial limits, and who need a target at which to hurl all that “Stuff.”

Despite all the additional challenges, now is a time to shine with your good humor, professionalism and increased focus on service delivery. Return that call or email immediately. Ensure Mrs. Smith’s oven is indeed in working order before you leave for the evening. Give grumpy Mr. Evans a smile. It may be the only one he’s seen for too long.

And as the holidays hit us like a tidal wave that we may or may not be expecting, take a moment to recognize the ones in your life who make things a little nicer, a little brighter, a little easier. It could be your encouragement or “Thank You” that brings the holiday spirit to that person.

Happy Holidays and I’ll see you next year!

I like making lists, I really do. They help me stay organized and I feel a since of accomplishment when I see boxes checked off as I complete my daily tasks. I’m really irked today though because I went through all the trouble of making a list of things I needed to do today only to have my plans thrown off by my boyfriend who took me to the store (which I planned for) then decided he was going to make side trips (that I didn’t plan for) and here I am 5 hours later with a list of things I have to get done and only 2 hours to do them, because I really want to go to bed at 1opm, but it’s 8pm and if I eat dinner, I couldn’t go to bed until at least 11, so I don’t know if I’m going to eat or not, it’s left over spaghetti and garlic bread.

I’m just irritated that he planned those side trips but didn’t consult with me. RAWR!!

I didn’t eat breakfast, I ate lunch. I really want to reverse that habit, eating breakfast and skipping lunch.

Posted by Halle Eavelyn

The big thing I hear typical real estate investors complain about today is that the banks won’t give them enough property.  They’re stingy with REOs, they’re holding property back, and worse, they won’t loan, even when they say they will.  What’s a real estate investor to do?

Well, for starters, get creative!  Don’t consider the banks as a source of money, or even property if they won’t play ball.  Here is a list of five ways to finance your properties in today’s market (and these work pretty well any time!):

1. Use the house. If there’s equity in it, see if you can pull the equity out.  Perhaps cash back at closing won’t work any longer, but sometimes you can get creative, like using the equity as security against a private loan.  If you already own properties with equity, use the equity in one to buy another property.  With houses in Atlanta and Cleveland going for $25K-$35K, do you have to buy another house down the street from the ones you’ve got, or can you consider going to a new market where you can turn that equity into a cash purchase?

2. Use the owner. Owner-carry financing is often overlooked or rejected, but it’s one of the first questions I always ask.  Why? Because it’s a buyer’s market, and the seller may be in need of next month’s mortgage payment, causing him to be more flexible than the ad you’re answering indicates. Always ask the seller if they are willing to carry all or part of the note.

3. Use hard money.  If the deal is good enough, and if you have some cash, consider hard money as a source.  However, make sure you are going to flip the deal, AND that you have a back-up.  People who end up with hard money loans that they pay on longer than 6 months almost always lose.

4. Use private money.  If you don’t have any cash, consider offering a good rate of return to someone you know who’s losing money in the stock market or grumbling about the lousy rates of return the bank is getting.  Offering someone 8% when they’re used to getting 3% is very interesting!  Just make sure you have an excellent business plan to back up your expectations, and multiple exit strategies so that you can make your payments.

BONUS: Private money lenders are often willing to be flexible, like not taking monthly payments, perhaps in exchange for a slightly higher rate of return.

5. Use the tenants.  What was that one?  Am I crazy? Well, in higher-end markets, lease option or rent-to-own tenants often have cash to put down, but no credit, especially now due to foreclosure.  So if you can get a house under contract for 30 days, you may be able to get a tenant into the property on a rent-to-own basis and give part or all of their down payment to you to the seller.  This one works best if you’re doing subject-to deals, or there’s a lot of cash flow after you close on the property.  Otherwise, there won’t be enough cash to create the down payment, or you’ll be left without a cushion, which are both reasons not to do the deal.

A word of caution: in this market especially, but in all your dealings, disclose, tell the truth, be forthcoming, did I mention disclose? Make sure the seller knows you’re flipping the deal, the lease option tenant knows you’re not on title, etc. Much of this market is uncharted territory and the laws change daily.  So long as you are honest and straightforward, you’ll have happy clients with no excuse to make trouble.  Now go buy some houses!

Some clothing labels we encounter here at the cleaners look like they’ve been abroad to far-off, exotic places. We see care instructions in nearly every language and the labels keep growing longer and longer to accommodate all the do’s and don’ts of caring for the garment.

Someone cleverly tried to create a “universal” care language using pictures instead of words. The outlined figures look like they were carved on a wall in pre-historic times and remind me that it should be so easy “a caveman could read it,” but I still receive a lot of confusion from our customers regarding these symbols.

I’ve included this chart developed by The Soap and Detergent Association in today’s blog as a reference guide for your laundering needs. Feel free to keep it handy so the next time you have a question about how to treat your garment, you’ll have this “language guide” to help you out.

The symbols I consider to be the most important are the “X” and the “O.” The “X” is there to tell you NOT to treat a garment in a certain way, so anytime you see it drawn through a symbol, please heed it’s warning. The “O” is to indicate “dry clean only,” something that when not followed can end in the destruction of your favorite garment.

The dots inside the wash water indicate which temperature you should wash your garments in. The right temperature is a crucial part of cleaning your clothing while keeping the fabric intact. Hot water can fade your clothes or make them bleed color onto your other garments. Water that is too cold won’t destroy bacteria (like that found on bedding), nor will it do the best job removing stains. When trying to save electricity, many people set their wash water to COLD and wash every load with that setting.

Consider that if cold water won’t remove stains or bacteria as effectively a warm or hot water (with garments that are manufactured to handle the heat), that you may be losing money in other ways, such as shortening the life of your garments and fabrics.

Do you read care instructions when doing laundry? Have you encountered these symbols on your clothing’s labels?

Acme Hills is in Goregaon East, Mumbai .  Some of the other Apartments in the area include Mantri Park, Rustomjee Raag, Prakriti Apartments and Oberoi Woods.

Merry Christmas from Apartments Balansat and a happy new year 2010.

Lots fo special offers for the newyear through our website San Miguel Ibiza for summer 2010 holidays.

Best wishes..

Apartment hunting in New York City is very much like another kind of hunting–dating.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve helped a friend with his apartment search. We’ve looked at dozens of apartments, from cramped railroad-style walkups to airy two-bedrooms. As with dating, this has been an exercise in frustration. It’s not surprising that these two types of searches share many common features.

With the multitude of options available, you have to narrow down what you’re interested in. How many bedrooms? Walkup or elevator building? Age? How do they feel about pets? Kids? And with both, the three magic words: location, location, location.

Once you know what you want, it’s time to start looking. Both apartment hunting and dating nowadays start in the same place–the internet. For the majority of my friend’s search, we used Craigslist. It’s much better for apartments than it is for dating, but one should still approach the results with caution. A good ad requires photos, however, if something sounds good enough, it might be worth it to roll the dice and see it anyway. Don’t build something up too much in your head based on the photos. A little anticipation is a good sign, but don’t assume the photos are 100 percent accurate or you’ll set yourself up for disappointment. If you suspect any Photoshop trickery, you’re probably right, and you should think twice. Those rooms [or your date] might not be the size you want.

It’s always better to test things out in person as soon as possible. NYC brokers are flexible; they’ll meet you at a moment’s notice. Most online daters are not as willing to drop everything, but the best dates I’ve had have been those where I’ve met someone within 24 hours of the first contact. In both cases, the offline litmus test can make or break it. My friend and I saw several apartments that looked great online but turned out to be busts in the real world. I’ve experienced many similar disappointments in dating.

There are also things that you won’t find out in the ad. One apartment looked just like it did in the photos. We walked up and down the length of the place several times, exchanging hopeful glances. The location was right, the price was right, the rooms were good. And then we saw the bathroom. It was so small that you could barely turn around. Sitting on the toilet was nearly impossible with the door closed. That teeny-tiny bathroom was a dealbreaker.

At least we found out sooner rather than later. If only dates could be that transparent.

Sometimes you find a place that wows you. On a Friday, we looked at one apartment that was potentially The One. We got excited and started planning for the future, thinking about where the furniture would go and move-in dates. When the broker finally got back to my friend after the weekend he said that the current tenant decided to stay. Great. An apartment with a clingy ex. We got to this point with another apartment, but the management company wanted to renovate first and then rent it for more later. Perhaps that’s the real estate equivalent of emotional unavailability.

With apartments and dating, it seems like all the good ones are taken. After an intense period of searching, my friend decided to renew his current lease. Sometimes, you’ve just got to love the one you’re with.

Can leasing apartments in Phuket be as good as purchasing freehold? Many people believe that because it has many apartments recently. The current Thailand law allows you to rent an apartment for 30 years and two extensions. This allows the purchaser to maintain the property in their name for 90 years.

Ownership means that you can buy your house in your name. This is achieved by an apartment project in Phuket, only the sale made up to 49% ofApartments in foreign owners. If a project of 50 units, developers of the project would have sold 24 and 26, such as rent or own condominiums in Thailand. It seems a little complicated, but setting this is really very simple.

Leasing a piece of land is a different story. For the lease must be registered with local or-Bor-Tor office and it's a good idea to report them at the office of the territory. Some people, like a lease, because it can not commit tooMoney. The terms are able to pay each year. This may turn against the lease, if you never build on the ground and then tried to sell the property.

Rental property as an apartment is usually very different. If you rent through an agent or broker, usually have a standard contract for a lease. By an attorney for advice concerning the signing of a lease. This is to ensure that protects your rights and interests.

One of the main disadvantages of a lease, iscould be difficult if the contract expired after the first 30 years. This is because the law states that you must extend the lease every 30 years from the original owners. It 'also aware that the original property owner can rent the second 30 years, even though they promised in the first contract.

One way to rent the land was their own country to create a society and society. In my opinion, this option is no longer viable because the country is the office that shaky controlCompanies that have no purpose other than Earth. Keep the door of houses and apartments in Thai society is no longer open.

Condominiums Phuket can be purchased if you have a property that can still buy the condominium. Most properties like these are sold in PRECONSTRUCTION and Jonnie has come recently on what the positioning unit right to the left if necessary. If your plan is a unit that moves 100% finished and ready to buy you will see the veryWorse units in the project. These units may not be available as a property and leasing may be the only option.

If the real estate investor is willing to take high risks, you can buy a unit of Nice PRECONSTRUCTION. The risk you take when the project will begin and, more importantly, it will be the end forever. If the project sells well and ends in a year or two of the expected date of completion, the investor is lucky and has a nice unit to be proud of.

In conclusion, Apartmentsin Phuket can be a good investment, if the owner is a careful buyer and weigh all factors when buying a home. Not only location, quality of construction and profile are important. Should be considered the property and the value that you can have them, or 30 years down the road. Leasing to Phuket instead of the owner of a condominium unit apartment can be an option for the investor who is willing to take some calculated risk.

Consider these 2 statements:

1.) Things happen to me. 2.) I make things happen.

A small change in a statement can make a STATEMENT! A very subtle change to the sentence, but the way you FEEL when you say sentence #1 vs sentence #2 makes a WORLD of difference.

We are all so concentrated on the BIG picture and global problems of our businesses that many times, the little details can become forgotten or lost. Everyone is worried about their vacancy rate and their cash flow. You might have 20 apartments to lease, you’re thinking about how to stretch your budget, put together a resident party and conduct employee reviews. Who would have time for the little details – especially RIGHT NOW?

But, consider this: It IS the little details that can get you from good to GREAT, it is the little details that can make you FEEL good or feel NOT so good. If a small change in a sentence can make you FEEL so different, what kind of small changes can you make in your business that can make you, your customers, your vendors, and your staff FEEL as empowered as statement#2: I MAKE THINGS HAPPEN ?

The most basic detail we are overlooking is how we feel. Take a fresh look at everything that effects your business, and ask the question, “How do I feel when I look at this?” Because if you ask that question and can find a truthful answer, how you feel may very well be how others feel when they look at you, your product, your office, your apartment community, your business.

Let’s take for example your office/leasing space. Clear your mind and stop thinking about the million of things you have to do, need to get to, or wish you could do. Instead, clear your mind and walk into the front door of your leasing office and ask yourself, “how does it make me feel?” Does it feel warm and inviting? Does it feel cluttered? Does it feel peaceful? Is it noisey?

Take a look at these three pictures of leasing offices and see how you feel about the office and desk:

PIC#1:

 If this looks like your desk, we need to talk. The good news is, some small changes can make a HUGE difference. When I look at this picture, I feel ANXIOUS, CLUTTERED, claustrophobic, disorganized, overwhelmed. What do you feel? If your office looks even remotely like this, just think how difficult it is to lease apartments when your prospect feels anxious and disorganized when sitting in your office? Additionally, they could be thinking, “If I turn in my rent check, is she going to loose it? If I have a maintenance request, will it get completed on time?”

PIC#2:

This office looks better, but only when you compare it to office #1. There is good lighting (which makes a HUGE difference on how a space FEELS), there is seating available for prospects, BUT, the seat is covered with “stuff.” When look at this picture, I feel UNWELCOMED, BUSY, confused. This person clearly knows what they are doing, as it is somewhat organized, but it makes me feel like an intruder, as I’m not sure how I fit into this setting. (Where do I sit? If I DO get to sit in the green chair, I feel like I could be disrupting this person’s “organized chaos.” If I am a resident here, I would still feel unwelcome in this office. This is not how a prospect OR resident should feel when sitting in your office.

Pic#3:

This office is the best one of the bunch. Any clutter is neatly organized in drawers or behind screened cubes. The color pallet is soothing. The lighting is good. When I look at this picture, I FEEL calm, organized, welcome. This would be a great office to ask for that sale, sign leases, meet with residents. You can’t tell from this picture, as this office is so small that we had to get into the closet to take this picture – there IS a desk that fits and feel as calming and soothing as this office wall. There are a few small details I would recommend on this office to create an even greater sense of calm and welcome – 1.) Paint the wall space between the credenza and upper cabinets the same calming blue/teal color that is in the upper cabinets. This will create a focal point away from the printer/scanner, and away from the overhead files. 2.) Hide the wireless router. It’s wireless, it should still work in a drawer or even under the credneza. 3.) Hang the art horizontally along that wall – centered between the upper cabinets and the credenza. Again, to create a calm, soothing focal point that leads the eye away from anything that can be percieved as not calm – i.e. the printer & scanner & hole punch. Just think how many apartments can get leased in this office vs #1 or #2?

Do this exercise with your models, your print ads, your curb appeal. How do these things make you FEEL when you are looking at it? However YOU feel, you can expect your prospects, residents, visitors, and vendors to feel the same way when they walk in. It’s hard to do business, conduct business, sign leases, if people feel anxious, confused or unwelcome. Make the changes necessary for your business to be successful.

If you are having a hard time clearing your mind and doing this exercise, take pictures of the space in question, and show it to your friends, co-workers, business network, and ask them how THEY feel. From there, work on making some small adjustments to get your spaces feeling calm, inviting and soothing. If all else fails, call in an expert like an interior decorator or feng shui expert. It is amazing how some inexpensive adjustments like rearranging furniture, creating focal points, creating mood with paint, hiding/organizing clutter in drawers/behind screens, etc can make you feel. This doesn’t need to be an expensive exercise by any means.

If you still don’t believe me, repeat these statements again:

1.) Things happen to me.

2.) I make things happen.

How do you feel? What will you choose? Make something happen TODAY!

Don’t Get it? RENT SODA. GET IT!

-Daisy Nguyen in Minneapolis, MN

CEO

Web: RentSoda.com   Email: Daisy@RentSoda.com

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Leave your heat at on all times in the winter time. If you live in an area that has temperatures below 30 degrees, keep your heat/thermostat set at least in the 50’s and never turn your heat off. Guess what happens to pipes that carry water to your apartment if you don’t keep them heated…..like a elementary school experiment, when water freezes it expands, when heated it contracts and that process often times is too much on the pipes that house it. That creates cracks in the pipes that demand constant pressure to get you precious water instantly. Pressure + water + crack means big mess that can be avoided very easily. Most insurance providers consider turning your heat off in the winter time an act of negligence and will pursue the person responsible for trying to cut corners in the winter. Keep your place heated. Don’t turn your heat off in the day while you are gone and then turn it on when you arrive home, this recipe always leads to big problems.
Make sure you always set your thermostat to “AUTO” rather than “ON”. The “AUTO” setting will regulate the temperature in your dwelling and turn off once the desired temperature is obtained. The “ON” setting tells the furnace/air-conditioning to run all the time regardless of the actual temperature in the dwelling. The AUTO setting will save you money and prolong the life of your furnace or Air Conditioner in the summer time.

Wells Fargo Provides a $531,485,000 Freddie Mac Loan to Refinance Starrett City 

From: PRNewswire.com 

5,881 affordable housing units saved in Brooklyn

NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) are pleased to announce the closing of a $531,485,000 Freddie Mac Capital Markets Execution loan for Spring Creek Towers, more commonly known as Starrett City, located in Brooklyn, New York. Built as a Mitchell-Lama rental in the 1970s, Starrett City has provided high quality, safe, affordable housing in New York City for approximately 35 years. Through this innovative refinancing, the owners of the property, Starrett City Associates, will be able to extend the affordability of all of the units for another 30 years. Freddie Mac has committed to purchase the loan, which Wells Fargo originated, on the country’s largest federally-assisted property.

The development, which houses more than 12,000 residents in 46 buildings, is located on 140 acres of landscaped grounds. It is a full and vibrant community, with programs for early education, after-school, teens, parents and seniors. There is also a state-of-the-art health and fitness facility, the Brooklyn Sports Club, as well as several schools, community centers and parks, parking garages and an onsite power plant.

“This was a large and complex transaction, which required cooperation among numerous government agencies and private companies to bring to closing. We appreciate Wells Fargo and Freddie Mac working with us to complete this financing which preserves affordability for our tenants for 30 more years,” said Robert Poll, president of Starrett City, Inc.

Over the past several years, many buildings originally developed under the affordable Mitchell-Lama program began the process of opting out of the program and converting to market rate rentals. When a Mitchell-Lama converts from affordable to market rent, many low to moderate income tenants are displaced. As a result of this refinancing, affordability has been maintained and over $40 million will be reserved for capital improvements to the already well-maintained complex.

“We are proud to be part of such an important development. By working together with government officials from HUD, New York State and New York City, this loan has met Starrett City Associates’ needs while keeping 5,881 units affordable to New York City residents,” said Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital managing director Alan Wiener, who oversaw the transaction.

“The refinancing is a winning situation for the thousands of families who call Starrett City home. It puts to rest current residents’ fears that the property would be sold, rents would increase and they would be forced to find alternative housing,” stated Mike May, senior vice president of Multifamily for Freddie Mac. “We are proud of how all parties worked together to help ensure that the property remains affordable.”

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital specializes in providing permanent financing for multifamily properties, healthcare facilities, and affordable housing through the programs of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores, over 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally.

About Freddie Mac

Since the launch of Freddie Mac’s multifamily business in 1993, it has provided more than $214 billion in financing for approximately 56,000 multifamily properties.

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation’s residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than five million renters.

SOURCE Freddie Mac

Viva Vrindavan Township is in Virar West, Mumbai .  Some of the other Apartments in the area include Siddhivinayak Tower, Krishna Vrindavan, Siddharth Castle and Krishna Yashodhan.

Bangalore developers offers Apartments NBR Lake view is a BMRDA Approved (Under Process). 2 BHK Luxury Apartment is located in the Hub of IT Companies and its just 1 Km from Hosur Main Road, just half Km for Electronic city and surrounded by IT giants like Infosys, HP, Satyam, TCL, Wipro etc. All flats are Vastu Compliant and away from the Pollution and deafening noise of the city from nbrdevelopers.com.

Special Features :
•  BMRDA Approved project
•  Never before amenities within your budget.
•  Costing 2 BHK ranging from 18 Lakhs
•  Hassle free Loan approvals
1.5 km from electronic city

•  1 km Ebenezer international school

•  1.5 km from Narayana hrudalaya hospital

•  1 km from fruits market

•  1 km from proposed ring road

•  Kitchen are provided with utility area

•  Open kitchen for all flats

•  A large sliding door in living room leading to balcony

•  Generator backup as per specification

•  More lawn area on the frontage for ambience

•  Foyers at the entrance for improved functionality of apace.

Contact us:

Lalit-9739405514
Manish-9241326668
shashidhar-9242600098
NBR LAND DEVELOPERS & BUILDERS
#88/3,Ist Floor ,Chikkabegur Gate,Singasandra
Hosur main road,begur hobli,bangalore-560068
E-mail: nbr@nbrdevelopers.com
Website: www.nbrdevelopers.com

http://www.nbrdevelopers.com/nbr-lake-view-apartments.html

Keyword: Apartments, nbrdevelopers.com

5. Plots
Title: Plots for sale at Hosur from Bangalore developers, nbrdevelopers.com

Content: Bangalore developers offers Plots is the close vicinity of IT Park, SEZ, Proposed 300 ft Ring Road behind second SIPCOT Industrial Zone, well developed layouts and villas, schools, colleges, Hospitals, Police Station, Taluk office, Registration office, Shopping complex, Star hotels, Market place, Engineering College and Medical College. Additionally, NBR Homes is situated about 5 km from the Singapore Type Hosur Bus Stop and railway station, 10kms from TAAL and Kingfisher airport and is only 45 minutes away from the Bangalore International Airport from nbrdevelopers.com.

Special Features :
•  Situated behind 2nd SIPCOT
•  Located Close to the IT Park & SEZ
•  20 Mins. Drive from Electronic City
•  Well connected with developed Residential Layouts & Industrial Sectors
•  10 Kms from Domestic Airport
•  Works of Residential Villas already started
•  Just 4.5 Kms from Hosur City & Bus Stand
•  2.5 Kms from Adiamman Engineering College

Contact us:

Lalit-9739405514
Manish-9241326668
shashidhar-9242600098
NBR LAND DEVELOPERS & BUILDERS
#88/3,Ist Floor ,Chikkabegur Gate,Singasandra
Hosur main road,begur hobli,bangalore-560068
E-mail: nbr@nbrdevelopers.com
Website: www.nbrdevelopers.com

http://www.nbrdevelopers.com/project-nbr-homes-overview.html

The Spanish name for the Royal Square is Plaza Real, also called Plaça Reial in Catalan. This square is rounded by neoclassical buildings and high palm trees cast a shadow on the romantic and most popular centre of the city.

It was designed and constructed according the project of Daniel Molina. There are two lampposts extremely original which are ones of Gaudí’s first conceptions. On Sundays there is a stamp and coin market. Around the square it is possible to find several bars, restaurants and nice holiday apartments in Barcelona city.

Thanks to my new RE partner and straight shootin’ neighborhood dude, Ion Birch, it’s as if the plumage of the superb bird of paradise has unfurled before me.

Your Greenpoint paradise hideaway-nest awaits your elaborate mating dance:

- Dropped back and yet, sticks out somehow.

- Look, we’re not here to discuss design, taste, art, or artistry so let’s keep it simple – this space is 16′x12′ = 192sf of living room.

- I do like some lucite things.  Kitchen.  DoucheDishwasher too!

- The first of two bathrooms!  Always remember to keep the seats down, please.

- The first of three bedrooms. 12′x9′ = 108sf

- Bedroom number two (huh-huh). 10′x15′ = 150sf of number two!

- The Supreme Master Bedroom with ergonomic office chair. 11′x15′ = 165sf of chair rolling fun.

- I’m pretty sure those nipple spouty things in the tub are jets for [cue the Price is Right theme song] YOUR NEW JACUZZI TUB!

- [Price is Right theme still going] [BARKER] Tell ‘em what else they get, Rod! [RODDY] You and guest will be staying at the GRAND CLOSET hotel and casino in beautiful sunny Acapulco, Mexicoooooo!  It’s the only place in town where you’ll find a GRAND CLOSET, in every room.

- [RODDY] All that tubbin’ and scrub-a-dubbin’ will make you wanna do your laundry… IN YOUR NEW WASHER AND DRYER!!!

- Hey, cool out Jack!  A hulking massive floating AC zips that whole house cold when it’s hot.  Baseboard heaters are there for when it’s not.

- Where?

- OH HERE! Next to the Marshall’s impound lot only a short block away from where this apartment lies.  “See ya later honey, I’m goin’ to play pinball down by the car pound!”  Brilliance, in life, although fleeting, exists.

- Heat IS YES ABSOLUTELY INDEED included.

- Gas and electric are not.

- Landlord wants a direct monthly deposit set up in order to receive the benefit of the rent reduction from 3400 to the now 2800.  I know that sounds like bullshit but it’s actually true.

- Available Jan 1, 2010.  HAPPY NEW DECADE!

- Map here.

Obviously we must be respectful of the kind individuals living there now so weekday afternoons around 2p is good to view and so are weekends around 11a.

Comment here and througheth thou shall pass.

We can’t decide. Winter is usually something in the middle here in southern Sweden, though it was a pleasantly snowy day today. It will probably be gone by tomorrow and then we’ll be thinking about going all the way with the winter wonderland thing, which is why we’re thinking we should check out some of our new apartments in St. Petersburg. Or maybe icy Helsinki might satisfy our craving for hot design.

That said, we also opened Cannes last month and a French Riviera Christmas might be just the cure for the winter blues. It’s low season down there, but for anyone coming from points North, it could very well feel like a tropical vacation. Come festival season these apartments go for thousands of euros a night, but now they’re a steal, starting at 113 euros. I think I could handle having my Christmas morning coffee by this open window with a touch of Mediterranean breeze.

We’re not not types to stay home for Christmas, but it’s nice to think about having a comfortable apartment to settle into during the holidays while we’re traveling, whether it’s in Kiev, Amsterdam or Milan, which is why we we’re doing everything we can to promote the apartment concept. To be honest, spending Christmas in a hotel room is pretty depressing prospect.

We’ve still got availability during the holidays in 20 European cities, so if you’re feeling like a last minute escape, we might tempt you with a impulse booking at our website! Red Apple Apartments: feels just like home for the holidays.