Nov 29, 2009 A 28-YEAR-OLD DIVORCEE sought help from a religious association president, only to be held captive and repeatedly raped by the man for a week.

The woman was locked in a room at a condominium unit in Pandan Indah where the man, who claims to be the president of a private religious welfare association, lived.

She was rescued by neighbours, who heard her cries for help on Friday, after he had left the house, Ampang police chief Asst Comm Abdul Jalil Hassan said on Saturday.

The woman had wanted to begin a new life with her eight-year-old daughter after leaving her husband, and the 38-year-old man promised to help when she approached him on Nov 20. He assured her that he would get her a job and a house and offered his place for her to stay. He had told her his mother was staying with him. He then brought her and the child to his condominium unit located nearby.

She suspected something amiss when she did not see the man’s mother. When she questioned him, he said his mother was away for a few days. Later that night, the man told her he wanted to talk to her alone and said it would be best if the daughter slept in another room. Once they were alone, he forced himself on her. He also threatened to harm the daughter if she tried to escape.

ACP Abdul Jalil said the woman began screaming when the man left the house on Friday. ‘A neighbour broke into the house and rescued her and then accompanied the two to the police station… A suspect was arrested at the Puduraya bus station.’ — THE STAR/ANN

The Provincial Government has announced that it will combine the 8% PST and the 5% GST creating a 13% Harmonized Sales Tax.  So, how will this affect the real estate market and investors?  My opinion is that this tax is going to have a large impact on the real estate market in the coming months.  Here are some important points on the HST that we know right now. 

• The HST is NOT YET IN EFFECT. The provincial government has indicated that it intends to bring the HST into effect beginning on July 1, 2010; however, there will be a transition period where HST begins being charged.
• HST will not apply on the purchase price of re-sale homes.
• HST would apply to services such as moving cost, legal fees, home inspection fees, and REALTOR® commissions.
• HST will apply to the purchase price of newly constructed homes. However, the Province is proposing a rebate so that new homes across all price ranges would receive a 75 per cent rebate of the provincial portion of the single sales tax on the first $400,000. For new homes under $400,000, this would mean, on average, no additional tax amount compared to the current system.

So what will all of this stuff mean to you?  I don’t know what will happen in the market tomorrow; if I did I wouldn’t be writing this blog…I would probably be relaxing on my own tropical island!).  What I do know is, this new tax is coming and is going to bring new expenses for everyone that didn’t exist before.

If you knew that the cost for everything were going up on a certain day what would you do?  Most people would stock up before the price goes up.  If things follow this logic we may see a spike in demand due to people trying to beat the tax man.  With rumors of an increase in interest rates, and the finance minister stating that the government of Canada may require a higher minimum down payment in the future, and the HST coming into effect on July 1st, we may be in for a crazy summer in the real estate market.

If you want disagree with what I am saying or you just have questions, send me an email at info@liveonyonge.com or fill in the form at the bottom of the page to schedule a free 1 on 1 consultation with me.

Frank

Trump Royale oceanfront condos, located in ultra-chic Sunny Isles Beach soars 167.64 meters high on the white sandy beaches of North Miami Beach directly on the Atlantic Ocean.

Crowned as THE most sophisticated address to live in Southeast Florida, Trump Royale is an architectural masterpiece, with spacious, well-thought-through floor plans, expansive sea vistas and a palette of superior amenities, including but not limited to lit tennis courts and various motorized water sports activities.

The Brosda and Bentley website features more than 50,000 real estate listings. Users can search the MLS for free for the most comprehensive real estate data available.

The Brosda and Bentley website features more than 50,000 real estate listings. Users can search the MLS for free for the most comprehensive real estate data available. Jade Ocean Listings are also available on BrosdaandBentley.com.

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Click here for more information: Miami Real Estate

About Brosda & Bentley Realtors®

Brosda & Bentley Realtors® is the premier Miami real estate authority for home buying, home selling, financing and property listings. Whether it’s a house an estate, beachfront mansion, luxurious oceanfront condo, pristine pre-construction, commercial or any other type of property, a Brosda & Bentley™ Real Estate Consultants can assist you with all your real estate needs in the Greater Miami area and the Beaches. Brosda & Bentley Realtors® is specialized in luxurious developments like Acqualina, Apogee South Beach, Continuum Towers SoBe, Fisher Island, Fontainebleau, Gansevoort SoBe, ICON South Beach, Jade Beach, Jade Ocean Sunny Isles, Ocean IV, Trump Palace, Trump Royale, Trump Hollywood, Trump Towers Miami, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Ten Museum Park, St. Regis Bal Harbour, Portofino Tower, St. Tropez Condo Sunny Isles Beach and many, many more.

On a worldwide scale Brosda & Bentley™ is a leading professional real estate services firm specializing in marketing planned unit developments, residential and commercial properties located in exclusive real estate markets throughout the globe.

Miami Luxury Penthouses

(786) 406-1757

We believe this is a truly rare opportunity.

Green Hills is a premier location with world class shopping, entertainment, and restaurants.

This Condominium Development – Four Seasons – rest atop the hill over-looking Green Hills – Built in 1978 and renovated on the exteriors in the past 4 years with Concrete Composite Siding.

The community offers all the amenities you would love including pool and tennis courts.

The value here is unbelievable . . . A great opportunity to live in the heart of the most affluent area of the city for under $130,000

This particular unit has even more appeal because of the unique floor plan change offering a separate Dining Room OR a 2nd Bedroom . . . Thereby making it a great option for room-mate scenario.

CLICK HERE for a link to additional pictures and the MLS Data

The owner has replaced ALL of the flooring with great looking tile in the Kitchen, Foyer, and bath . . . Bamboo Hardwood in the Living Room and Dining Room . . . Laminate Hardwood in the Bedroom – the bathroom is completely redone.

There’s nothing left to be done – Move right in and enjoy!

This property would make a great investment property or in-town 2nd residence for folks who visit Nashville often.

Inquire within!

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 – Green Hills

Call me:                615-568-2123
Text me: http://www.mycricket.com/sendtextmessage/ 6155682123
email me: barryowen@kw.com
Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com
Barry Owen’s Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks
http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

Many people want a formula that will give a definite answer on which is better, buying a pre-construction condo or one that is existing on the resale market.  The answer is (drum roll please)…it depends.

Choosing which to buy is going to depend on your life situation.  We should start out by asking a few questions:

• When do you want to move in?
• How much do you have saved for a down payment?
• How willing are you to take risks?
• Are you comfortable buying based on plans alone or would you prefer buying a finished product?

Buying a pre-construction condo comes with risks but with risk comes an opportunity for great reward.  If you believe in the area, the builder, the proposed project, and the time-line it may make sense for you to buy a pre-construction condo.

Delays in pre-construction projects can and will happen, if you want to move in quickly you should be looking at an existing resale property.

I will list the pros and cons of each type of property and then you can decide what is best depending on your personal situation.

Pre-Construction Condos

Pros:

• Brand new suite.
• Can get good rates of return if you buy early on when the building is released for sale.
• No need to worry about multiple offer situations or bidding wars.
• Builders provide valuable incentives during the preview releases.

Cons:

• No tangible property to visit, you have to purchase based upon floor plans and artist renderings which may not reflect the end product.
• Ties up your money and may experience delays in completion.
• Long term financing, interest rates may rise or your personal situation may change when closing time comes.
• Additional costs on closing.

Resale Condos

Pros:

• See what you are getting.
• Quick possession.
• Some owners put upgrades in their condo that you can take advantage of.
• Only require minimum 5% down payment.
• Can get a good deal if you find a motivated seller.

Cons:

• Getting a lived in unit, may require repairs.
• May experience bidding war or multiple offers on highly valued units.
• Subject to what is available on the market.  Less selection.

If you are interested in talking about some resale condominiums or want to learn about some newly released pre-construction condos fill in the form at the bottom of the page for a no obligation 1 on 1 consultation with me or email me at info@liveonyonge.com.

Regards,

Frank

To buy a home you need some up-front money (the down payment) and the ability to make monthly mortgage payments.

Before you start searching for a new home you should figure out the most expensive home you can buy given your particular financial situation.  This doesn’t mean that you HAVE to buy a home for this much, but it gives you a upper limit for the homes you are going to search for.  It is a shame when people fall in love with homes they can’t afford or pass up on homes you thought you couldn’t afford but may actually be in reach.

Here is a simple formula to determine how much home you can afford:

Down payment + Biggest loan you can get = How much home you can afford

Now let’s this formula into pieces to understand each in more detail.

Down Payment: This is the total amount coming from your savings that you are willing to put towards your home.  The minimum amount required in Canada legally is 5% (people who tell you that you can buy with no money down are using creative financing techniques, don’t do this unless you are an experienced real estate investor and know what you are doing).  If you are making a down payment that is less than 20%, you will be required to pay a mortgage insurance premium.  For information about mortgage insurance premiums visit the CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Table for more information.

Biggest Loan you can get: This is a little trickier to determine because there are several factors that affect this.  The lender will take many things into account such as your household income, employment status (do you work for a company or are you self-employed?), your down payment amount, credit score, assets, liabilities, and other factors.  I am not a mortgage professional so I won’t go into great detail on the lending process. I suggest contacting a professional mortgage broker or going to your bank for more information.

My insights on how much home you can afford

• Putting 20% or more allows you to avoid paying costly insurance premiums
• Work on decreasing your debt before you buy a home so that your debt ratio is lower
• You need to have about 3% available for closing costs on your home purchase
• Always work with a Licensed professional because they can provide you with valuable insights and you are covered by their errors & ommissions insurance.

As always if you have questions or comments email me at info@liveonyonge.com or fill in the form at the bottom of the page to book a free consultation with me in person.

Regards,

Frank

Congratulations on deciding to take the leap into property ownership! This process can be like an emotional roller-coaster. You may feel excitement, fear, joy, doubt, anger all in one day. You should take the time to educate yourself on the home buying process so you don’t get overwhelmed. What is great is that there is unlimited information available at your fingertips online to help prepare you. I have taken the time to prepare a cd for buyers that has all the information you need when making a real estate purchase. Fill in the form at the bottom of the page and I will give this cd to you for free. So what are the key benefits for first time buyers?

1. Land transfer tax refund (the maximum amount of the refund is $2000). For details visit the Ontario Ministry of Revenue site here.
2. You can withdraw up to $25,000 from your RRSP and your partner’s RRSP up to a maximum of $50,000 to buy or build a home. For details visit the Canada Revenue Agency site here.
3. First time home buyers tax credit (maximum amount is $750). For details visit the CRA site here.

If you have any questions or comments fill in the form at the bottom of the page for a free 1 on 1 consultation or email me at info@liveonyonge.com.

Frank

GTA vacancy rate up as many opt to buy homes

(Source: Toronto Star)

Renters lured by low interest rates into home ownership and a proliferation of condominiums competing with purpose-built apartments in the Toronto area have seen vacancy rates jump to 3.1 per cent from 2 per cent last year.

“The GTA rental market experienced softer conditions in 2009,” says Shaun Hildebrand, senior market analyst at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in a report released today. “This is a fairly significant increase.”

After a slow start to the year sales in new and existing homes are expected to surpass last year as the teaser of low interest rates have renters moving out.

First-time buyers represent a 57 per cent share of the market this year compared to 33 per cent in 2008, according to the federal housing agency.

“The flip side to home ownership is that you are going to have more vacancies,” says Hildebrand.

Many of those first-time buyers are moving into the condominium market, which currently has an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 units under construction. About half of that figure is expected to come on line next year, meaning that vacancy rates are forecast to be bumped up to 3.3 per cent in 2010.

Although condos are typically priced 40 per cent higher, “their new features, prime locations and high-quality amenities create competition,” said the CMHC. About 16 per cent more condos were added to the rental stock this year.

Another reason that vacancies are on the rise is that a high unemployment rate among younger workers means that many have opted to stay at home and out of the rental market.

Read the entire article “GTA vacancy rate up as many opt to buy homes” from the Toronto Star

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In the beginning

Before the 70’s the word “condominium” wasn’t known in Austin.  During the 70’s a few condominium complexes were built as “condos” and not “apartments”, the difference being they were better built (especially in sound & thermal insulation) and condos started including washer/dryer connections that most apartments did not.  Most of these early condominiums were really more townhomes (typically 2 story with no neighbor above or below) than what most people think of as condominiums.  Austin was in a serious growth mode during the 70’s.  In the central part of the city, land was just starting to get expensive.  It no longer made sense to built single or multi-family properties on these plots of land. Then in 1977, Orange Tree Condominiums was the first condo complex built in the west campus of the University of Texas.  These were the first “condos” like most people think of condominiums – larger, many unit, multi-storied (typically 3), more modern styled, with upscaled common facilities like pools, covered parking, etc.  It wasn’t long after that Austin started to experience it’s first ‘condo boom’.  Every year brought more redevelopment of existing housing being torn down to build condominium communities, not without conflict.  These were the growing pains of a city on the move.  Even though interest rates were sky high during the late 70’s, these condominium projects met with considerable success. 

The 80’s were THE decade of condos…..until the bust

By 80’s the boom was on.  Some of the earlier communities were Encinal and de Saligney (still one of my favorites) near downtown, West End and Villa West slightly further west, Edgecliff in NW, Brandywine in north, many complexes started in the campus area like Seton Ave & Palmetto & Elms & Gazebo & Hyde Park & Nueces Park & Nueces Corner & many others.  The interesting thing about a lot of these early condos are the locations they were able to purchase in those early days for “reasonable” prices that allowed the developers to sell moderately priced housing in very good areas.  These days those areas are so expensive that either the prices of the individual units has to be much higher or the development has to go higher, as in hi-rise, to make the land cost a reasonable investment.  It’s still evident in the prices that you can get these earlier condo projects for compared to more modern condos in the same area.  Then in 1985 it all came to a screeching halt.  The economy of Texas was dealt the triple whammy of deregulation of banking and oil and the tax laws changed to make investment real estate support itself on its true cash flow instead of the false profit of tax deductions.  Several communities were already in construction by the time the handwriting was on the wall.  Many of these late projects ended up in foreclosure along with many other single family properties after real estate values dropped to 50% or more of the values they had been selling at only a year or two or three ago.  Condominiums were considered some of the worst excess in this recession. 

The 90’s were a slow rebuilding

In 1986 there were zero condominium projects built in Austin and then for the next 10 years until 1996 there were no significant condo communities built.  The first few tenative steps after the recession were Brigadoon in far NW Austin (at least it was then), upscale Liberty Park & Treemont and other luxury communities in Westlake, a large affordable complex in far north Austin at Reflections of Walnut Creek, and Centennial and Bristol Channel near UT.  Either they were upscale or affordable further out to work in that economy and where bankers were willing to loan the money.  The late 90’s saw the condo market starting up again, and by 2000 in was back in full swing. 

2000 and beyond

The early 2000’s saw the first “loft” projects downtown with conversions of older office buildings like Avenue & Brazos Lofts.  Then the march was on.  Condominiums in Austin no longer were a “bad word”.  They became the first preferred choice of many of the younger, more mobile, upscale people that were calling Austin home.  It became a lifestyle and not just a type of property.  Land values were becoming so high in the center part of the city that the only way most people could afford to have home that wasn’t a major commute was to own a condominium were the land value was divided among the many owners on that property.  Additionally, there were community amenities likes pools and work out facilities that became more common place in addition to affordable prices and good locations.  In 2005 the City of Austin granted approval for the first hi-rise condominium project in downtown, the Spring Condominiums.  The emphasis at the time was to re-concentrate downtown into a desirable living area and the march was on.  The construction of 360 Condos, The Shore, Austin City Lofts, The Plaza, and others soon followed.  Did the developers do what they did back in the early 80’s and overbuild?  If the “tech wreck” “dot bomb” and other unfortunate incidents of the early decade had not happened, then we probably would have right on target.  As it is, the early projects sold out completely and quickly while later projects had a slower time of it.  Will prices drop precipitously on the unsold condos?  No way.  Some projects that were in planning stages have been pulled back, so there are less than what would have been.  The fact that you can see these properties all in one place makes it appear like it is overbuilt, but if you took all the unsold homes in suburbia and stacked them in one spot, it would be a lot larger, but people don’t talk about an overbuilding of the suburbs (at least not as much).  No, as I write this at the end of 2009, it appears we have turned a corner on the condo market.  There will be no decline like there was in the late 80’s.  Instead in a couple of years, we will need to get more projects going to keep up with demand.  If you are waiting for better prices, wait no more.  The time is now.  With the current low interest rates in the 5.00-5.50% range and the tax credit stimulus plan, this is it.  This is the best and the bottom.  It’s time to move!

If you wanted to have a house that is both beautiful inside and out, then nothing can showcase that exquisite taste and glam but adding some windows to your home. Bear in mind that windows are true from its form of being the eye to the external word and door to the soul, same principle applies to our own home making it an extension to the outside world. Presented below are just some of the most common and very easy to follow tips and tricks given by Niklas Group which is a well known home builder across the globe to make that home window renovation exciting rather than boring.

1. Windows can create large or small space of room – putting a window depending on its size, can actually make your room look bigger and bolder. Putting an oversize window on your room can make it look like much of a large space rather than small and compact. A small window on the other hand, can bring ample amount of lights being too private on your space. Your options may vary so choose the right one for you.
2. Windows can bring nature to your house – if you have a beautiful and well set garden, then it is time to bring it inside the house by having a large clear window by the garden. In this way, rest assured that flowers and greens are also illuminated inside your house.
3. Windows can save you daylight electricity – by providing large windows to your house, you actually don’t need to put on those daylight fixtures saving you more on electricity and money in time. Putting large windows on living room, study room and dining area can mean lighter and brighter rooms.
4. Window materials – you also need to consider the quality of the window you are buying should you shop for one. Always bear in mind that windows are made using different materials and you have to make sure that the materials fit to your needs well. Examine it closely and make sure that it can resist hard blows, strong winds and heavy rain falls for a safer home at all times.
5. Windows and nature – heat and heavy rainfalls can sometimes break the window and turn it into a big disaster. Always remember to check the natural resistance of the window to certain things like heat and water to make sure that they are made to withstand natural calamities like typhoons and fires.
6. Consider your budget – always make sure that you have enough money to shop for a quality window that can serve you in many varied ways being functional and appealing both at the same time. Make sure that you canvass materials first before beginning that project to ensure a smooth flow of work and renovation meant to be finished on time.

It is also wise and helpful to ask your home builders suggestion like Niklas Group which may be helpful and handy on most times. Visit them at Niklasgroup.com for more related information. Remember that go for trusted and reliable home builders to make that window a true eye to the external world.

Nothing can be so exciting and very challenging than rebuilding or building your own home. Just imagine that you will personally choose the design that you want, play with colors and ideas all running on your mind, visualize a dream place for your house and watch it built over time and some other issues that you can conceptualize and apply provided that you are on the right track in this business. Bear in mind that the plan and concept you want for the house will never be possible without good and reliable home builders like Niklas Group. They are the life and blood of your dream house, one mistake from them can mean a lifetime of mourning days on your side. So it is always wise and very applicable to select a home builder that can cater to all your needs being reliable and trustworthy on all aspects of home building. To avoid hoax and fraud home builders, take a look at some of the tips given below.

If you wanted to avoid scams and nothing but pure bogus home builders, the first thing that you need to take a look at is the authenticity of the company or said group. Make sure that you ask and check all their certificates and credentials to make sure that they are legitimate home builders and you are not dealing with scammers that can only bring nightmares on your dream house. Ask for related documents like operating permit, license if there is any, certificates, trainings, seminars, home builder license and the likes to ensure peace of mind wanting to build your dream house in no time.

The next thing that you need to consider is to check related feedbacks and reviews amongst them. It is always wise to search the internet if the company owns a website or not that can be very positive on our side should they have one. By having their own website, we can see for any customer feedbacks or reviews as well as before and after pictures that most company provides. It will be also helpful to use third party websites that can be seen mostly on the internet to check first hand information about their services and quality of work. Remember that there is nothing more important and reliable than firsthand information coming from a reliable source. You may also contact past or previous customers and try to solicit for their comments and feedbacks regarding the company.

The last thing that you need to take a look at is the effectiveness of their warranty. There are companies that can offer you 10 years of home warranty but after you will find out that these warranties are useless and non existence. Make sure that you scrutinize the warranty they offer and look for special keys like free installation, free labor or even free materials should it be found factory defective. It is always best to go for trusted and well known home builders like Niklas Group that has been in the business long enough to be tagged as reliable and honest to avoid hoax and fraud things to happen. You may want to visit them at Niklasgroup.com for more related information and details about their products and services.

Home renovation can be very fun and exciting to most of us. Just imagine that your aged and worn out house can now be magical and full of life once again. Many of us get too excited planning or visualizing our home renovation, but not for most. What we didn’t know is that home renovation can be tricky and challenging if you don’t know the things you need to do and things you have to do. Luckily, Niklas Group which is a premier home builder across the globe is here to share with us some home renovation tips and tricks to get that project started with much ease and comfort on our side.

1. Paint – if you wanted your home to be new and feeling fresh once again, then don’t hesitate to splash wonderful array of colors into your wall. Nothing can beat painting your wall based from the latest and hottest color selection available in town. Painting is easy and affordable to do; you don’t need infrastructures and fixations to make it work. Just a little imagination is all you need to make that house warm and illuminating all over again.
2. Floor renovations – if you wanted a lift and sudden comfort inside your home, replacing your floor can do the trick. You can choose from different carpet colors and design or from wooden tiles to marble granite, your choice will truly depend on what you want and want you need. Tiles and marbles are not advisable to homes with children because they can get slippery when wet. On the other hand, vinyl floorings can suit any home easily.
3. Bathroom and kitchen – before renovating your bathroom and kitchen, make sure that you have enough money or budget to keep it going well. Bathroom and kitchen are one of the most expensive renovating ideas you can have because you need to consider floorings, wall, equipments and furniture all at once. You need to bear in mind that canvassing the materials you will need in advance can make your project affordable yet beautiful. But if you have limited budget, using tile paints will make your bathroom and kitchen live and gleaming once again without the need to re-tile it that can hamper affordable renovating ideas.
4. Accessories – your total home renovation would be very incomplete without accessories on your home. The most powerful home accessories you can use that don’t require much budget on it are light fixtures. Light fixtures are very budget friendly; it can make your room shine and glitter all the time without spending much on it. Putting them on corners of your house with simple vase of flowers and dark colored antique stand will be enough to make it look like a million box.
5. Garden – if you have extra space on your house, putting up or renovating your garden is a great idea to enjoy nature at its best. Make it relaxing and very soothing by putting water fountains may it be small or big.

If you wanted these dreams to happen and be cheerful with the result, go for trusted home builders like Niklas Group. They can assist you turn that boring house into a home of beauty taking quality and affordability on its side. Visit them at Niklasgroup.com for more information about them.

If you wanted a beautiful and well made home, then a thorough planning must be executed to make these things possible rather than a dream alone. Planning your dream house can be fun and very exciting but going over the finances can be a real headache on your part. Just imagine the big cost that you will be facing when the house is settled or already finished, sounds a big headache on your pocket? Not anymore because Niklas Group which is a premier home builder is here to share with us some helpful tips and tricks on how to cut that oozing high and extremely towering home building costs.

1. Don’t plan your home using pen and paper only – sure that planning your dream home requires you to write down and note for appliances, furniture, fixtures, cabinets, floorings and other things that you want. But that doesn’t stop there, you need to take control and personally check these items one by one for proper pricing that can help you sum up the total bill rather than visualizing it on the air. Also, you may want to set the budget first then from there, derive what suits your needs best based from your maximum amount of budget. In this way, you are ensuring yourself that no over cost will be made upon carrying out the plan that you wanted.
2. Specify the materials you want to use on your house – if you wanted to take total control over your finances, it is wise to specify each and every material you want to use for your house with your contractor. It is a bad idea to say things in general like “I wanted a hard wood floor” or “I wanted a glittery tile”. Make sure that you determine each material specifically to get an overhead estimation of its price.
3. Do not do change of orders – as much as possible do not try to change orders for this will only heighten up your cost making unplanned change of products. Remember that product prices may vary according to the season so it is wise to plan accordingly for what you want then stick to it no matter what.
4. Plan the size, style and shape of your home – there are some structures that cost higher than the other like for example cornered and angles homes are far more expensive that ordinary box type home. Plan these things accordingly as well as the size and style to make a good approximation of the cost that is worth preparing for before the project begins.
5. Go for trusted contractors – nothing can beat overly priced homes but going into trusted and reliable home builders like Niklas Group. Bear in mind that not all contractors are equally the same with regards to labor and quality of service. If you wanted a good house, then it will be possible thru experienced and well known home builders.

Visit Niklasgroup.com for more building or rebuilding tips and tricks to ensure a maximum control over money yet well made quality houses.

It is true that our home reflects what type of personality we have inside. The colors of the walls, the kinds of design, the furniture pieces and other things are just a mere resemblance of our inner beauty. That is why many of us wanted to keep our homes as great looking as possible, beautifully crafted and wonderfully planned all the time. But through the years of usage and every day wear and tear conditions, our own house needs to be face lifted or better yet renovated to entail its true beauty taking modern and fashionable styles up to date. Niklas Group which is a premier and very known house builder shares with us valuable tips and trick on how to make that home renovation project successful and cost effective.

If you wanted to renovate your home, there are many aspects you need to consider first for you to save thousands of dollars before making them. Bear in mind that house renovations are not small time cheap projects like building your cabinet or fixing your lightings. House renovation calls for great preparation and certain amount of budget to make it materialize and be possible to achieve. Take a look at some of the things you need to consider strictly before you begin that exciting house transformation.

1. Hire a professional – you wanted your house to be beautifully crafted but you also need to consider saving some pieces or places on your house that doesn’t need to be replaced totally. This helps you lower down the total renovation cost making less value on different things. The only way to do this strategically is by having some experts on your side, you need professional people to help you decide which part of the house needs total renovation and which one needs a minor one. Consider hiring them if you want to have a beautifully crafted house.
2. Consider the cost – one of the most important things you need to consider when starting a home renovation is the total damage it can bring on your pockets. By giving your full budget on the makers, they will be able to help you conceptualize things and details according to your budget. Don’t expect a glass house when you have a budget meant for wooden walls. Try to be fair and expect a certain type of design that is well feasible on your given budget.
3. Invest on the materials – if there is one thing that will make or break your house, that is none other than the materials being or will be used. Certain materials create this wonderful feel on the house making it more glamorous and very attractive. Choose wisely and be considerate for quality and performance.

If you wanted the real beauty of home renovation, it is best to go for trusted providers like Niklas Group that has been tried and tested many times to be considered as reliable and magnificent. To discover more about their offers and services, why not take a visit at Niklasgroup.com and see what’s in store for you.

We all wanted our house to be mansion and castle-like all the time. We wanted them to be beautiful and attention catcher most of the time, that’s is why many of us would continuously try to renovate each and every place of our house just to make it feel always brand new and newly bought as ever. This is very exciting and so fun for most of us but not for many of us, because for them it means great financial challenge and paramount number of concerns renovating their homes. Due to this alarming reason, Niklas Group which is a premier and most sought after home builder shares with us different things we need to know about renovating a home to change that dreadful idea into a pleasant nightmare.

If you wanted to renovate your home but you are afraid of the consequences like budget, design and idea; these basic things about home renovation may do wonders for you.

1. Following trends – most of us wanted that glass and contemporary look on our living room or masters bedroom. Many would stick to traditional and heavy wood design that entails classic and very artistic taste of art. Whatever your choice is, always bear in mind that in the world of fashion and design “what’s in for today has been the choice in the past”. It means that everything is evolving and designs are always changing, but then old designs can be up to date and modern just by adding some twist on them. What you need to look for is a high quality material that can withstand even the aging years of your life.
2. Always open possibilities – remember that a successful house renovation always starts with a good planning. That beautiful mansion cannot be called a home without specific and detailed planning. Reading some valuable resources like those on the internet or magazine can help you a lot envisioning what you want and what you need for your home.
3. Simplicity is the key – if you wanted to be safe from all dilemmas and fashion critics of your neighbors, then maintaining your plan simple and elegant can do the trick. It is always advisable to be plain and simple than be exaggerated and overly decorated. For in being plain and simple adding contents to liven up or to add drama on your space is much easier and cost effective rather than removing old pieces due to overly decorated space which is very time consuming and money wasting.
4. Look for the best contractor – it is always how the plan was carried out to make that dream come true. Go for trusted home builders like Niklas Group that has been in the business long enough and has been proven to be reliable and trustworthy. Going into accurate providers like them would make your house a dream home to own.

Renovating your house is always fun and admirable if you just know the things you need to do and the things you need to learn. If you want to read more about great home renovation ideas, going to sites like Niklasgroup.com can be of great help on your side.

We all wanted to have a nice and beautifully crafted home; we wanted it to be exquisite and highly personalize as much as possible. Each and every one of us wanted it to be perfect for our dreams and for our lifestyle as well. Building or rebuilding your own home can be more of a challenge rather than an easy laid back activity that you can do without thinking much of it. They always say that a good outcome will never be possible without a great plan. That is why it is very important to plan your home building ideas first before making it a reality. But seeing those floor plans, material choices, framework support ideas and other stuffs might turn your dream house into a big horror house of disaster. If you see home building as a big challenge on your part, then you don’t have to give up because Niklas Group is here to share with us some tips and tricks on how to make home building more of a simple activity rather than vague and complicated.

The first and most important thing that you need to consider amongst all is to know and determine what you need and what you want. Needs and wants are always two opposing ideas in terms of everything. You may want a palace under the sky but what if you only need a two story home meant for 5 people? You need to focus more on what you need then afterwards you can try little by little to add in some what you want ideas. It might be fresh to start your plan by visiting magazine stores or online pictures of some houses you want then try to modify it based from what you need. It is also best to consider the needs of the whole family rather than yours alone. Remember that a house cannot be called a home without tender loving care from the whole family that is why their opinions and ideas are also welcome.

Sticking to the plan is the next thing you need to learn to make things easier on your side. Not just because a new wall color went out on the market doesn’t mean you have to apply it on your own home, it will only make great changes thru your original plan costing much on your budget and time as well. It is always wise and very applicable to follow what is written on your plan to make things not complicated and well formatted before you begin carrying it out.

The final thing that you need to do is to look and seek for help. After you have planned and created the vision of your house, then it’s time to make those ideas and thoughts feasible and working. You need to get a home builder that is trusted and well established like Niklas Group. Don’t go for contractors that are not expert on this field because you might end up having an experimental job embodied right thru your own house. Visit Niklasgroup.com for innovative and fresh building or rebuilding home ideas.

Home renovations can be very daunting and tiring, not to mention that it requires huge amount of money and paramount determination to make things happen. There are various things you need to consider when doing home renovations, some might excite you and some might cause headache or dilemmas. For you to prevent these things from happening, take a look at some these essential home renovation tips and tricks shared by Niklas Group which is a well known renovation company across the globe.

If you wanted to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars when renovating your home, a good planning is never enough to make things happen. You need to couple it with quality materials, trusted contractors and excellent intervention to make things work. Take a look at some of the tips given below to make that home renovation such a beautiful dream to achieve.

1. Good planning – it is always best and very wise to plan things ahead of time. Depending on the work that should be done, minimum of six months is all you need to make home renovations such a breeze to perform instead of nightmare to conclude. Remember that beautiful houses are not made overnight, they are planned years before execution to make things possible and highly excellent.
2. Quality materials – even if you have a great and wonderful house, using low quality materials will just ruin everything. Houses are made to be live in for years and not only by months thus you need to ensure that all materials and structures inside it are made using high quality materials to make it durable and tough to remain standing forever. This can also save you from untimely repairs and costly damages. Choose only the best and high quality materials to ensure the sturdy built of your house perfect for your present family as well as future generations to enjoy.
3. Proper execution – if planning makes the foundation of your house and materials helps it to be sturdy and strong, proper execution makes these things possible. Without good execution all those things will be a total crap. Be mindful that even if you have a great plan and excellent materials, without proper execution, all of them will just remain dreams far away from reality. Make sure that proper execution is always being practiced to make your dream house a true house to live in.
4. Right contractors – to make the above thing feasible and very much achievable, you need to have a good set of contractors willingly able to help you built that dream house factual and existing. Review different companies and take a look at their feedbacks and testimonials to make sure that they are qualified enough to carry out the work properly. Remember that always go to trusted companies like Niklas Group that has been in the business long enough to be tagged as trusted and reliable. You may want to visit them at Niklasgroup.com to discover more about their products and services.

Follow these tips and tricks if you wanted that dream house alive and tangible, after all it will be your own sanctuary so be sure to make the most out of it!

Home renovations can be fun and exciting, just imagine that you will be personally choosing the right color for your walls, proper materials meant for your floors and different things that can let you shop and be creative once again. But if these things excite you most, home renovations can be very frustrating and depressing especially if all those things you’d plan ahead of time will turn out. to be a big mess.  Why don’t you take a look at these home renovation tips and tricks shared by Niklas Group to help you achieve that dream house of yours wonderful and easy to accomplish

1. Interior paintings – if you wanted to renovate your home easy and affordable but you lack on financial budget, a fresh coat of pain is all you need to make that old and boring home alive and kicking once again. Painting the interior walls and parts of your house can totally give it a whole new look at a fraction of its cost. Remember that painting your house personally can be exciting and very challenging as well as it can help you save hundreds of dollars for making it yourself. Choose live colors and try to experiment as much as possible to avoid boring and mundane house looks.
2. Replacing your existing floors – if you wanted your house to be brand new and very fresh once again, replacing your existing floor can also do the trick. You can try to replace that carpeted room and give it a nice wood paneling or you can change your current vinyl and turn it into an amazing ceramic work of art. Whatever your choice is, just remember to choose high quality materials and go for trusted contractors to make that floor shinning and glittering once again.
3. Bathroom and kitchen renovations – if you have ample budget but not large enough to totally renovate your whole house, starting to renovate your bathroom and kitchen matters most. Remember that these rooms are very much used and often functional to most of your family members so renovating them will create a big impact. Note that you don’t need to throw away all those door handles, kitchen sink and related materials because if they are still in good condition save them up and save your pockets as well.
4. Gardens – now if you are an outside person and loves to roam around beyond the four walls of your home, garden renovation might be of big help. Garden renovations are very exciting because you can totally create a whole new look at a fraction of its cost. You can also extend your creativeness by visualizing modern garden looks like those being advertise on different magazines and execute them perfectly in your house. Just remember not to overdo it because compacted and too busy garden may not be relaxing at all.

Be mindful that if you need professional help, go to trusted companies like Niklas Group to help you carry out that plan perfect and wonderful. Visit them at Niklasgroup.com to discover more about their products and services.

Today the condominium is in contract to be sold.

Goldworth is living with his father in Manhattan and grateful to be back at the Corcoran Group selling homes again.

Source:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/11/news/madoff_victims/index.htm?cnn=yes

For almost ten years, the Niklas Group has been building homes that are high in quality and comfort, yet are affordable and budget-friendly. Their homes are perfect for families and single individuals as well. They have a number of successful developments that are mostly modern and minimalist in design and architecture, making them the perfect place to come home to every day and to entertain even the most discriminating guests.

Recently, the Niklas Group has developed the Calgary condominiums. This particular development consists of modern one to two bedroom units that are perfect for the modern and urban city-dweller or family. There are fifty-six residential units up for sale all in all, divided between nine storeys. The first floor is a retail area while the second floor provides office spaces for rent.

The wonderful thing about the Calgary is its affordability. You can get a one-bedroom unit for as low as two hundred ninety-nine thousand and nine hundred dollars. While a two bedroom unit can be owned for as low as three hundred seventy nine and nine hundred dollars. You can start by paying a five percent down payment and their company will match it up to thirty four thousand and three hundred twenty five dollars.

Not only are you getting the best of modern living at the Calgary, but a breathtaking view of the mountains as well. Where else will you find a great deal like this? Additionally, the Calgary is located near the downtown district; it is a mere five minutes away!

Meanwhile, on 17^th Avenue and 24^th Street SW is the Casel. The Casel is a nine story building with fifty-six unites and it also offers a gorgeous view of the mountains on one side, and a city line view on the other side.  Casel sounds like “Castle” and rightly so. The development is truly for those who deserve the best in life and will not take anything less. This building is literally a glass castle, and you will see the light and airiness that this future residential building will provide.

What makes this Niklas Group development unique? First of all it is that the units are furnished with Corian countertops. You also have the option of upgrading the countertops to Quartz, should you wish to do so. Also, they all have tiled backsplash and hardwood features in the kitchens. Should you wish to have hardwood finishes in your living room as well, you can inform your agent and they will make the necessary upgrades.

Another development is the Marda Loop, which is a group of sixteen town houses. The town homes feature two to three bedroom units. The prices for these town homes range from four hundred and eighty nine thousand dollars to six hundred and twenty nine thousand dollars. These town houses are for the most discriminating buyers as they are furnished with brick wall accents, European style moldings and castings. They have fireplaces, gorgeous plumbing fixtures and light fixtures that will amaze and awe. The walnut wood accents in the kitchens are not to be missed as well.

This is certainly high living at a low price. Only something that the Niklas Group can provide. Visit their nearest showroom today.

Sagging economy puts Ashford Terrace condo development on hold

(Source: Oakville Beaver )

The development of Ashford Terrace may have slowed because of the economic downturn, but it has not stopped.

Patrick Berne, general manager of The Pemberton Group, vigorously denied rumors the condominium building company has abandoned its plans to build 300 residential units on the land formerly called Shell House/Palm Place, located along the Oakville waterfront between Burloak Drive and Great Lakes Boulevard.

The company plans to house the 300 units within three condo structures ranging from five to eight storeys in height.

“We have not abandoned the site and we will not abandon the site,” said Berne.

Berne said because of the recession the on-site Pemberton sales centre has been temporarily closed and deposits have been returned to the existing unit purchasers.

Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson said providing the unit purchasers with the option of getting their deposits back is something that is required under the Condominium Act when a development’s completion schedule has not been met.

However, the returning of the deposits does not mean a development has been abandoned.

Read the entire article “Sagging economy puts Ashford Terrace development on hold” by David Lea of the Oakville Beaver (Dec. 9, 2009)

This studio apartment in Bedok Court we are marketing, is none you ever seen in other development.

Lets check out what this apartment in this project.

This unit is well decorated and most importantly, every inch of space is utilised to the max.

The owner spent more than 100k on renovation. Its condition is not only in very good condition, it is in fact in 100% move in condition.

Viewing to believe it!!! So pick up the phone and call us now to arrange for viwing!!!

Studio apartment, high floor, NS facing, well renovated, well maintained, built-in area 1194 sqft.

Call us now @ 9011 5500 / 9450 3855to view this unit! If you like what you see, bring along your baggages and check to own this apartment!

In the October issue of Florida Community Association Journal, Ocean View Windows & Doors was featured with an article outlining elements of a successful large scale window replacement project. 

http://www.flcaj.com/pdfdocs/A%20Tiger%20by%20the%20Tail%20by%20Frank%20Holmes.pdf