Luxury Condos Can Be Eco-Friendly, Too
These days, the ‘green’ label gets thrown around a lot. There’s no end to the list of things advertised as less harmful for the environment than their traditional counterparts. Far from following the trend, the housing industry has long been ahead of the curve. Residential development continues to sit at the forefront of this commitment to green building, with alternative insulation materials going mainstream, solar panels popping up on rooftops across the country, and water-saving technology becoming the norm. But while these additions and renovations can be great, many eco-minded homebuyers don’t realize just how efficient and environmentally friendly it can be to live in multi-unit buildings. Luxury condos are green by their very nature!
The Benefits of Population Density
The more that a single structural element, utility, or appliance can be shared, the more efficient it is. In a luxury condo, a shared wall does what two separate walls would in houses. That translates to half as much building material to construct the wall, whether it’s wood, brick, concrete, etc. It’s also common for utilities to be centralized in a condominium complex, meaning that the hot water heater serves multiple units, a far more efficient use of energy than heating multiple small water heaters. The same holds true for air-conditioning and heating, which benefit from scaling up and serving multiple residences. By combining these functions that would need to be replicated at each individual home, multi-unit homes maximize efficient use of building materials and electricity.
Space to Breathe
On the other side of the equation, minimizing sprawl by sharing structures and appliances leaves more room on the property for outdoor features. Luxury condominiums have a much smaller footprint, on a per-unit basis, than individual homes. This means that the grounds can be larger and more luxurious, with water features and even small community gardens that would not be possible on many small lots.
The Cutting Edge
While luxury condos are, by their very nature, environmentally friendly, developers are increasingly using multi-unit residential construction to push the boundaries of green living. This is owed, at least in part, to the overwhelmingly green values and trends displayed by young, hip urbanites. Young professionals have shown especially significant interest in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for buildings. LEED certification encourages developers to incorporate alternative energy sources like solar panels for electricity or hot water. Another LEED innovation is the use of so-called grey water systems to recycle sink and drain water into the landscape. This water-saving technology is especially popular in the arid West, where drought has forced cities in California and Arizona to mandate cuts in public water.
Today, many homebuyers are interested in spending on environmentally responsible housing choices. Whether it’s a first home or a retirement pad, more and more buyers should look to luxury condos as eco-friendly options.
Luxury Villas in Hyderabad
Residential real estate in Hyderabad is known for its huge higher-end luxury villas today. This cyber hub of India is flourishing well with its booming economy and NRI interest. Real estate developers are unleashing new concepts like theme based ambience to exploit the opportunities lying in the premium housing segment.
“Luxury villas in Hyderabad are designed by renowned architects and they follow certain themes such as ‘Spanish style Villas’ or ‘Italian architecture’, which really attract High Net worth Individuals (HNIs),” Anurag Maheshwari of hyderabad properties. Talking about the trends further, he said, “Under a themed project, everything from the construction material, fittings, accessories to the designing of the villa is converged to a particular theme and these villas are devised to meet international standards”.
The builders meanwhile are leaving no stone unturned to catch the attention of HNI, and NRI investors interested in Hyderabad properties. Take for instance the 100 per cent Vastu compliant higher-end villas by Landmark builders. The group after enjoying tremendous success of its ‘Fortune Villas’ have introduced this concept at its ‘Stepping Meadows’ project, near 8-lane expressway. These luxury villas in Hyderabad are designed very aesthetically and have duly caught the attention of foreign investors as they are equipped with all the comforts that HNIs expect, sources told.
Meanwhile, most of the villa projects in Hyderabad are surfacing up at the outskirt areas like Kompally and Kondapur. Developers are eyeing huge tracts of land that are available in these areas, and since the land prices are very low, builders are expecting handsome margins on their projects.
But the gold-rush has been translating into escalating price levels in these areas. According to the sources, land prices at the outskirts that were in the range of Rs 15,000 to 18,000 per square yard in 2006 have now shot up Rs 50,000 per square yard. The story does not end here. Hyderabad real estate experts forecast that the prices would increase further once the benchmark projects come to fruition.
Profiles of Timeshare Companies – Westgate, Wyndham, and Worldmark
Westgate resorts, with more than 10,000 timeshare units, is the third largest timeshare in the world. Westgate has over 400 owners and employs 6,500 people, says the Westgate website. The brainchild of David Siegel, Westgate was founded more than 40 years ago, nurtured from a garage business into an empire. Westgate has gone down into history as the largest privately owned timeshare in the world. One of the company’s proudest accomplishments is the building of PH tower, which, according to the company’s history, is the only timeshare tower connected to a casino in Las Vegas. According to the Westgate website, PH Tower will be worth over $1 billion when it is completed. Westgate also reports that the building will have more than 2,850 units.
Some of the other Westgate properties include Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa in Orlando, Westgate Miami Beach, and Westgate Towers, near Disney World in Orlando. There are also properties in Utah and Tennessee.
Wyndham Worldwide is a leader in vacation rentals and vacation exchange and ownerships. Properties range from resorts, and residence clubs to yachts. Wyndham’s vacation rentals has more than 200,000 units and 155 vacation ownership resorts. People who opt for vacation ownerships through Wyndham have the flexibility of staying in roomy condominiums around the world. There are about 820,000 owners. One of the highlights of Wyndham’s property collection is the Registry Collection, comprised of 160 high-end properties. According to Wyndham, it is the largest luxury property exchange. Destination properties are in Belize, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, and the United States.
Wyndham resorts is also a leader in vacation rentals, and according to company literature, Wyndham is the largest marketer of European vacation rentals. Some of the rental brands that Wyndham operates includes Canvas Holidays with campsite rentals, Cuendet, with villas in Europe, Hoseasons Group, with villas and cottages, Landal GreenParks, and Novasol. Wyndham resorts has been named one of Fortune Magazine’s Most Admired Companies in 2010.
Worldmark Resorts is a division of Wyndham and has 60 resort locations for vacation owners. Worldmark has both condominium-style accommodations and studios. The one and two bedroom condominiums are 60 percent larger than hotel rooms, Worldmark reports. Penthouse suites are also available to owners. Locations are in the continental United States, Hawaii and Fiji. Worldmark is also affiliated with another company, RCI and therefore can provide properties in the Caribbean, New York, Paris, Mexico, Australia, Ireland, Venice, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, China, Japan, the South Pacific, and the Cayman Islands.
Worldmark differs from other timeshare resorts because it offers its owners more flexibility. The point system isn’t tied to the size of the unit or the location, so timeshare owners can stay at any of the 60 resort locations at any time.
How a Luxury Home Rental Could Enhance Your Family Holiday
While staying in a hotel has its own benefits, if you’re going away for longer than a few days, renting a villa or holiday home will make your experience that bit more enjoyable. Not only will you have somewhere to rest your head after a day of sunbathing, swimming or seeing the sights, you will also have your own space to relax, cook and entertain in.
People often tend to steer away from renting private accommodation, fearing it will be too expensive and subsequently blow their budget. But think of all the money you’ll save by cooking your own meals in a vast and beautiful kitchen. Instead of dining out in pricey restaurants and spending money on entertainment, you can find it all inside a villa.
If money is no object, there are plenty of holiday homes that will provide extra services such as a chef to cook your food, as well as maids and butlers. These are optional and will come at an additional cost, but it goes without saying that hiring someone to care of your day-to-day chores will have a big impact on your relaxation and enjoyment levels.
Plus, if professional staff are taking care of your washing, cleaning and cooking duties then you will have more time to spend with your children and partner. This will enable you to truly take a break from the duties of your everyday life, letting you really switch off and unwind or spend more time exploring the local area as a family.
A villa rental is a great alternative for families who don’t want to stay in a hotel. Hotels typically provide little entertainment for children, and while there may be a family lounge available, you probably won’t want to spend all of your time in there. Plus, if you don’t want to eat out in restaurants every night, you may be stuck for an alternative.
What’s more, if you’re sharing a hotel room with your children, there will be little opportunity for you to spend time with your partner or friends once they have gone to sleep. By renting a holiday home with multiple rooms, you will have plenty of space to relax and entertain in, including vast dining rooms, lounge areas, stereo systems and even home cinemas.
What’s more, some luxury accommodation options include access to a pool that both you and the kids can play, swim or relax in. In some cases this offering may even extend to an outdoor bar or even a spa area. Some of the larger holiday properties may also include gyms, while others offer a full concierge service and waiting staff.
In order to truly reap the benefits of your surroundings, try to find a holiday home with a beautiful view. Depending on where you’re planning to stay, you may be able to find one up in the mountains or with an ocean view. Being able to enjoy these views will make your whole trip feel more like a break from normal life – something we all need once in a while.
A luxury rental will undoubtedly make your family holiday more enjoyable. You can rent houses, villas, condos and apartments – in some cases at a very reasonable price. Whether you opt for a small, two-bedroom property or something larger (villas can sometimes accommodate 8-10 couples) it will have a big impact on your trip.
Property for Sale and Rent – All About Property Agents
Property agents are professionals who help in connecting buyers to sellers in the property industry. Some of the property agents also do link up tenants to landlords for property rental.
How does a property agent earn money? He or she earns by linking up the two interested parties and charging them a commission when a deal is confirmed. For property sale, the commission is usually charged to the seller, whereas for rentals, the commission is charged to both parties involved in the transaction. How much does an agent charge? He or she generally calculates their fee as a percentage of the selling price and as part of the rental.
The seller of a property usually leave his or her keys with the agent so that whenever there is someone interested in it and wants to take a look, the interested party can contact the agent directly. This will save a lot of hassles for the owner.
A lot of home seekers like to seek out property agents for their good services, as well as getting properties quick. As the agents are very familiar with the real estate industry, it makes perfect sense to approach them to get an idea of the going rate for properties in that region. They will generally know the prices of various real estates of different types and at various locations in a particular region.
The real estate seller can possibly get a few thousands more for his or her property by using the sound advice provided by an agent. A good agent will analyze the needs of a home buyer or tenant and provide suggestions on what kind of home could be available to them within their budget. By servicing both the buyer and seller, property agents can earn commission by help selling the house, and if they make the buyer happy, they too can earn a good reputation and hence more businesses in the near future.
However, it is worth noting that property agents work on seller’s behalf. So, beware if they are trying too hard to sell a property. To find trustworthy agents, you can search on the Internet and locate website which lists properties in your region. For each property listed, there is usually an agent in charge of it. Some websites offer review and testimonials of the agents for the transactions that he or she has done. This will give you a rough idea whether the agent is trustworthy or just out to earn commission.
The Best Investment Decision – Multi Family Home Investing
Do you know the terms of multi family home investing? Most people may not understand this term but real estate and property investors understand it very well. Multi-family home investing is one type of investment that is very profitable today; available units have two or more separate dwellings that can be rented simultaneously. What types of buildings are included in this investment? There are many buildings that you can consider, such as duplex to large apartment complexes. Don’t get caught up in the size of a building, the most important thing is that you understand the building and find a good tenant. In essence, you must be wise when considering running this investment business.
In general, when considering multi-family home investing personally, you need to prepare more capital than buying a single-family home. This is because you have to pay for a building that contains several dwellings. To overcome the problem of large capital, all investors usually apply for mortgage loans to financial institutions such as banks. Not only that, but you also have to think about good property management so that you get good and many tenants. What if you don’t have enough capital and are too busy to manage a multi-family home building? The best way to channel your investment passion is to join property and real estate investment programs with trusted companies. Professional companies such as MarketSpace Capital usually target a 12-15% return over the investment period. The capital you invest in the company will be highly appreciated; the company will maintain and manage your capital for future mutual benefit.
Well indeed, one of the most obvious advantages of buying multifamily homes for investment is greater profits, because you will get a diverse income stream. But the risk is, when the tenants leave the rental unit, you will lose income. So, what should you do to avoid this risk? To get a stable cash flow, you should also invest in property and real estate investment companies. This can be safer than having only one housing unit. A multi-family home investing company is also very suitable for novice investors with limited capital; you can invest as passive investors or limited members. Let the company find a quality real estate investment for you. Instead of buying a building for millions of dollars alone, anyone can invest in a portfolio of millions of dollars worth of buildings in syndication.
Many companies offer multi-family home investing programs. Make sure you get the best one, which makes the process of cooperation transparent and financially painless. You can do a little research on the internet by comparing various investment offers. Look at the testimonials of clients who have taken investment programs before, make sure they give positive responses. Property and real estate investment are big businesses that involve huge capital, if you choose the wrong company then your money will not be returned.
Libra Native: Combinations Giving Luxury, Wealth, Waterfront Property and Pleasures of Bed
According toBhavartha Ratnakar, a famous Sanskrit treatise on astrology, Saturn is the yogakaraka (the creator of auspicious combinations) planet for the Libra native; though being the lord two lean positions, third and six houses, Jupiter is also a yogakaraka.
For Libra ascendant, Saturn owns the fourth and fifth houses. Being the lord of the fourth house (Capricorn), an angle, Saturn forgets its evil or malefic tendencies, and the lordship the fifth trinal house makes it fully auspicious. Hence Saturn is the fully auspicious planet for the Librans. However, the auspiciousness of Jupiter-which according to the general rule of astrology forgets its auspicious nature due to ownership of the mildly evil third house (Sagittarius), and by ownership of the sixth house (Pisces) it becomes a functional malefic. But, Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, in the Mid-heaven, tenth house-most important of the angular houses-for the Libra native; therefore, it becomes capable of creating auspicious combinations.
The presence of Saturn in ascendant in exaltation, in the sign of Libra can raise the fortunes of Librans very high. Saturn is the significator of the sixth, eighth, tenth and the twelfth house, according to most of the treatises of Indian astrology.
Therefore, for a Libra native, it influences six houses, including the fourth and fifth. In one fell swoop, only one planet (which is otherwise considered a malefic for most others) makes six houses favourable to the native! What else can you want?
In addition, the presence of the Sun (own house-Leo) and Mercury (one step away from exaltation and own sign Virgo), brings together the significator (Sun) and lord of the ninth house (Mercury) of luck. If Venus, the lord of the first and eighth lord, is also in the first house then the stage is set for luxury (represented by Venus-own house-and Saturn, the owner of the fourth house); wealth through Saturn-fifth house-and Sun, eleventh house plus Mercury, ninth house, general prosperity; waterfront property Saturn (fourth house); and pleasures of bed through Saturn (significator of twelfth) and Mercury (the lord of twelfth).
Similarly Saturn in the fifth (Aquarius), Moon and Jupiter in the tenth (own house and exaltation, respectively) with the Sun in the third (Sagittarius) and Mercury-Venus in the fourth, can create a chemistry they can give all the four captioned goodies plus more.
Presence of the Mars (own house) and Moon (tenth lord-one step from exaltation) in the seventh, aspected by Jupiter in the third (own house Sagittarius), the Sun in the eleventh and Mercury and Venus in the tenth will give the Libra native luxury, wealth, waterfront property and pleasures of bed throughout life.
Luxury Apartments – The Next Big Boom
The unpredictable nature of the real estate business has seen a lot of highs and lows in the sale of properties. While many believe the real estate industry is in a bit of a slump across the nation, certain cities have been able to defy odds and post positive results.
In India, the city Kolkata witnessed an increase in the sale of housing units in the last quarter. The city saw a 32% rise in units sold when compared to Q2 in the year 2015, based on data collected from a realty research agency.
Other reports suggested that the real estate market saw a 17% rise in the sale of properties in all the eight metros combined. Researchers stated the reason for the growth in sales over the last quarter has been due to a drop in prices of projects.
Can luxury apartments be the game changer?
While real estate marketers have tried their best to build projects which cater to most, there are a range of projects coming up which target only a handful of clients. Luxury apartments and complexes are being built by real estate developers and these projects are extremely expensive compared to the other projects but with good reason.
Real estate marketers are bringing in top designers and architects from across the world to help design and execute these projects. Most complexes falling under the luxury category feature large sized apartments and duplex flats along with a range of great amenities.
Although expensive, luxury projects are seen as a jewel in the crown for real estate developers, something that can help them stand out from the competition and hopefully bring in a lot of revenue from sales.
Kolkata is also seeing its fair share of luxury projects being constructed. These projects are changing the landscape of the city thanks to its artistic designs. Even though the luxury market hasn’t been the bestselling segment in the city, there are high hopes for the projects.
Most regular apartment complexes feature 2 BHK and 3 BHK flats but luxury projects feature larger flats having 4 BHKs and a lot more to offer to prospective buyers. These flats, depending on the city, cost anywhere between 2 crores to 50 or 60 crores and take longer to sell than non-luxury apartments. Even a single flat sold brings in a large amount of money for the real estate developer.
While residents get the best facilities and cherish the grandeur of living in these luxury apartments, it still is a risk for the real estate developer – the flats can stay unsold for long periods of time. In an industry which has so many projects coming up, the need to have a project that gives the developer a unique identity is of the utmost importance. Since the rewards for building a luxury project outweigh the risks involved, it should lead to an even greater number of such projects coming up in the future.
Realize Your Dream of Luxury Homes in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, also called the City of Angels, is the 2nd largest city in the whole of USA. It is also the entertainment hub of the country being home to Hollywood, the biggest movie industry of the world. More than 10 million people are living in this city where average prices of homes are in excess of $2 million. That tells the story about the attraction that lies in the minds of the people for having a home in Los Angeles. No wonder LA is dubbed as the hub of million dollar homes in USA. Many of these luxury homes are owned by Celebrities from Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general. But Los Angeles is not all about Hollywood though it definitely has the reputation of having some of the most luxurious homes in the country.
Los Angeles is perfect from every angle.
If you are planning to settle down in Los Angeles, it is certainly a very good idea. Los Angeles boasts of average annual temperature of 63 degrees F making it warm and sunny. It is very well connected with all nearby cities and states with highways. It also has its own airport to fly in and out easily whenever required. If you prefer to lead an active lifestyle, Los Angeles is the place to live in. Of course you must be able to afford the lavish lifestyle that matches the luxury homes of the city. If you cannot buy a luxury home right away, you can also exercise the option of renting a luxury home in the city of the stars. There are many real estate agents who can find the property according to your requirements. These luxury homes range from 1000 sq ft condominiums to palatial bungalows depending upon how much you can afford to pay per month.
Be prepared to dish out loads of money
The prices of homes in Los Angeles may appear to be too costly to you if you have been living in some other art of the country. But the thing to remember is that what you are getting in return is not just a home full of luxuries but a lifestyle that is available only to the rich and the famous. It is the quality of life promised with these Los Angeles luxury homes that is more important for those who dream about living in the neighborhood of the Hollywood stars.
Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills are the outstanding localities
Some of the most luxurious homes in Los Angeles can be seen in Hollywood Hills, the community that houses most of the people associated with the movie and entertainment industry. Another locality where you find luxury homes concentrate is Beverly Hills, the area with the most famous ZIP code in the country. Luxury homes in Hollywood Hills are architectural wonders, full of all modern amenities that you can ever imagine. Not only are the villas and mansions huge and sprawling, they have so large entryway that you can easily park 4-6 cars in your home. Most of these luxury homes in Los Angeles are a unique and beautiful mix of concrete, steel, and glass. One thing that characterizes these luxury homes is that they have really high ceilings that give you feelings of space and grandeur.
Imagine a home where you not only have living room, dining room, several bed rooms, and entertainment areas but also a foyer area where you can receive your guests. Soaking the sun and sipping on your favorite drink in your swimming pool, you can hope to live life king size when you finally buy a luxury home in Los Angeles or take one such home on rent.
Buy Luxury Properties to Invest
So, to become rice and earn money you can make good deals in properties and hold them for long period. It is better to consult with the professional broker and make the best deal in real estate industry. Never make hurry in selling the properties when the properties rates are down. You can save yourself with a great loss. It is better to wait for the right time and sell the properties which make you rich by slow income. Buying the properties and holding the investment is the best way to earn money for you.