2007 Real Estate Property Investment Prediction Series

2006 has been an exciting year for real estate speculation in many of the world’s emerging nations with a good few pleasing surprises emerging from some of the more established countries in the world as well.

Furthermore, as more people become aware of the attraction of real estate as an investment commodity and as an alternative to pension planning for example, so an increasing number of property investors have been born in 2006.

So, in 2006 profits have been made by many investors and these people have reaped the financial rewards of their efforts – but still, don’t we all wish that we could see into the future and be able to second guess governments and policy makers’ decisions that could affect the economy of a nation or its overall attraction for a property investor?

What if we’d all had a crystal ball that foretold London winning the 2012 Olympic Games Bid – prior to the decision we could all have bought properties in the run down areas of the city that are now benefiting from millions and millions of pounds worth of regeneration investment and we could have made ourselves property millionaires overnight!

Well, the good news is that the forthcoming 25 part 2007 Real Estate Property Investment Prediction Series will offer property investors and potential real estate speculators insight into the likely 2007 residential and commercial property market movements in Australia, Bahrain, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dubai, Egypt, Estonia, Ghana, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Cyprus, Poland, Romania, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine.

Each of the single nation focused reports in the 25 part series will cover everything from developments affecting the foreign freehold ownership of real estate in each given country, it will highlight relevant recent, current and future expected or forecast political, economic and social developments likely to affect the attraction of a country’s residential and commercial property markets and specific advice will then be given relating to factors likely to create property investment hotspots on a country by country basis.

Finally, each of the 25 reports in the 2007 Real Estate Property Investment Prediction Series to be published throughout December will give speculators, investors and interested readers an overview of the property investment potential of each country meaning that each report is applicable even for an investor at the initial stages of their research into the viability of a given country for their own personal real estate property investment objectives.

2007 Real Estate Property Investment Prediction Series

Wearing Gold - Savvy Investors Get Olympic-Size Hedge

After the recent jobless claims and reports in unemployment swung the Consumer Confidence Index to depressing record lows (the Index plummeted over 10 points, to 46, reportedly the lowest it’s been since last April), our hopeful and averted eyes turned toward the OLYMPICS, and talk of gold.

Gold Vault Metals Chief Executive Mark Walker is not surprised at the Vancouver B.C. Olympics spurring on an increased amount of interest in precious metal commodities, stating: “Our advisors have had an upswing in the amount of inquiries’ by new clientele regarding Gold and Silver, bars and coins. I believe it is due in part to the fact that precious metals are a tangible investment, a solid complement to an investment portfolio. The fact that it’s available in many increments also appeals to all levels of investors-the nearly rare and finite supply of it-makes it desirable. “

Recent investment shop-talk has gold (the commodity, not the medal) paired up in a kind-of-competitive race with the US dollar. You could say the two are in an Olympic event together, with the dollar on all charts gunning quickly toward bottom and the value of gold, well, winning the medal in a nice even plateau thanks in part to the nature of the event. Like the Olympics, gold trade is international, involving global currencies. So when the EURO contender is thrown in to the competitive mix alongside the Dollar… gold continues to come out as champion.

Take for instance recent Olympic news at Vancouver, B.C. where Bode Miller, US Men’s Ski Team, had his speedy race to finish first place in the downhill super-combined event. When Miller completed the slalom portion of the event, you could see him strain forward as if by sheer will to push a little harder to cross the finish line but the excursion of the winding course proved difficult for other European contenders.

Miller’s aggressive race style, known as “high-risk, high-reward” is what earned him the gold. Gold bullion investment on the other hand is steadier, with its historic safety record and a reliable investment. After all, designers of our Constitution dubbed gold and silver as the bar to which all paper currency would be measured. Says Mark Walker, “Precious metals investing always seems to take on more interest with the Olympic Games, maybe because seeing Gold, Silver and Bronze MEDALS causes people to want to have something they too can hold on to “.

And if ask Bode Miller, he would tell you, “it’s how the race is run”, which also translates to good investment practice.

Source by Dawn R. Walker

Wearing Gold - Savvy Investors Get Olympic-Size Hedge

Virginia Housing Market Booming Despite Heavy Foreclosures

There is widespread concern over the U.S. economy. For over a year now, the media has bombarded us with news of the declining housing market, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and predictions of recession. But we sometimes tend to forget that the U.S. economy is the largest in the world and is remarkably resilient. This resiliency is reflected in the fact that overall performance in the second quarter of 2008 was strong. Net exports were high, consumer spending was strong, and the economy grew by more than 3%.

A thorough analysis of market trends over the past 30+ years demonstrates that the latest U.S. housing market crash was inevitable. The severity of the crash, however, came as a surprise to many experts. After the 2001-2003 recession, the housing market experienced phenomenal growth as evidenced by huge demand from buyers willing to pay significantly more for houses than they would have paid between 2001 and 2003.

In mid 2007, the bubble burst as the sub-prime market fell apart. As a result, housing prices have fallen and it’s been more difficult for consumers to obtain mortgage loans. Particularly hard hit by the declining housing market are areas like California and Florida. However, this decline in the market is not an across the board trend. There are a number of markets across the country which remain strong and Virginia is one of them.

Although Virginia did experience a rise in foreclosures and a decline in home sales in early 2008, housing prices did not vary significantly. According the Virginia Association of Realtors and the GMU Center for Regional Analysis, a comparison of average home sales prices in the first quarter of 2007 and 2008 revealed very little change; average home sales prices remained at about $300,000.

According to the Office of Federal Housing Oversight, home prices in Virginia showed steady growth between the mid-1970’s and 2007. During the 2001-2003 recessions, home prices in Virginia actually rose. In 2007, housing prices were up from the previous year’s levels, despite a decrease in the rate of appreciation. If these trends are any indication of what’s to come over the next 18 months or so, home prices in Virginia should remain steady in 2008 and may begin to rise in 2009.

Northern Virginia in particular seems to have been unaffected by the current housing crisis. Statistics show a rise in sales volume in the early part of 2008 and a notable decline in the number of days homes were on the market before selling.

As dismal as things may seem, in the right market, many people are finding great deals.

Copyright 1998-2008 – All rights reserved

Virginia Housing Market Booming Despite Heavy Foreclosures

Identifying Gold Hallmarks

The history of hallmarking dates back to around 1300 when a Statute of Edward I instituted the assaying (testing) and marking of precious metals. The original aim of the system (which remains the same today) was to protect the public against fraud. Markings on gold are typically made up of two pieces of information. The first, which most people are familiar with is the “hallmark” or “karat marking” (sometimes referred to as a “stamp”) which denotes the amount of actual gold the item contains. The most common markings used in the U.S. to identify the purity of gold items are karat hallmarks (i.e. 10k, 14k, 18k, etc.). Many other countries hallmark gold using the three-digit millesimal fineness number (as shown below) to indicate the purity of a gold item.

The second type of mark which is sometimes found on gold items (but not always) is the jewelers or manufacturers mark (which identifies who made the item). The jeweler’s or manufacturer’s mark is sometimes just a single letter, or sometimes a combination of multiple letters. These marks may even be some type of symbol (such as a lion’s head) which is more commonly found on older gold items.

Many hallmarks on gold are very small and hard to read; and with the use of laser etching techniques many items are hallmarked with very tiny print and sometimes in very unique (and hard to find) locations. This is why it is important to use a jeweler’s loupe or some other type of magnifying devise of at least 20x magnification or better when you are looking for gold hallmarks which will make it much easier to find and identify them correctly!

Below is a list of the most common purity hallmarks that you are likely to find on your gold items:

North American Markings:

9k or 9kt

10k or 10kt

14k or 14kt

18k or 18kt

22k or 22kt

24k or 24kt

European Millesimal Fineness Markings:

375

416 or 417

583 or 585

750

916 or 917

999

British Markings:

9ct or 9kt

10ct or 10kt

14ct or 14kt

18ct or 18kt

22ct or 22kt

24ct or 24kt

While the laws regulating gold hallmarking tend to vary throughout the world, gold hallmarking is still regulated in one way or another by law in most countries. Gold hallmarking in the United States is governed by the laws of U.S. Code, Title 15, Chapter 8 — Falsely Stamped Gold or Silver or Goods Manufactured Therefrom. While this helps to curb fraud and other illegal activity when it comes to hallmarks found on gold items, it does not guarantee that the hallmarks found on items are always 100% accurate! Gold items are made all over the world, many in places where the “laws” are either very lax (to say the least) or in some cases may not exist at all! Therefore, while the hallmark on a gold item can be, and for the most part is universally accepted as an indication of the amount of gold the item contains; again, it may not ALWAYS be 100% accurate! It is for this reason that it is a VERY good idea to confirm any hallmarks found on your gold items by having them tested!

Source by Chris L. Rossi

Identifying Gold Hallmarks

15 Types of Traditional African Jewelry

Precious stones, such as diamonds and jade, as well as precious metals, such as gold and silver, are common in jewelry around the world. What about in Africa? How many types of African jewelry – jewelry originating in Africa, or made in Africa, or worn in Africa – do you know?

1. Beads

Beadwork is common across Africa. Famous for their beadwork, made into necklaces and bangles or arm bands, are the Maasai and the Samburu of Kenya, as well as South Africans.

2. Bone

Bone is an excellent material for carving earrings, necklaces and even bangles. Bone is usually animal bone, readily available from slaughter houses. Bone is an excellent replacement for ivory, the use of which endangers the existence of elephants.

3. Clay

Red or white clay can be formed into beads, to make earrings, necklaces and arm bands. Clay jewelry can also be painted into any colours of choice.

4. Animal Teeth

Like bone, animal teeth are an excellent replacement for ivory, and are readily available at slaughter houses.

5. Metals

Many African cultures do have a tradition of metal work. The Hima women of southern Africa, for example, wear heavy metal bands around the feet and the arms. Metals used for jewelry in Africa include copper, iron, bronze, gold or silver. In west Africa, gold smithing is a well-developed art, with elaborate pieces of jewelry being fashioned out of gold.

Bronze was also used for forms of art such as statues.

6. Plant Material

Plant material is a favourite source of jewelry, because the materials are cheap and readily available. Earrings and arm bands can be plaited or woven out of straw, rushes or banana leaves.

My favourite earrings ever (and they have lasted over 25 years!) are made of neatly plaited banana leaf.

7. Stone

Sandstone is a type of stone found mainly in eastern Kenya. It is soft and easy to carve, into figures and statures, but also into earrings and arm bands. Sandstone can be painted into colours of choice after carving.

8. Horn

Animal horn is a favourite material for making jewelry in Africa, because the colour of earrings or necklaces carved from horn is distinctive, and varies in an unpredictable – and therefore interesting – way. Additionally, animal horn is readily available at a low cost.

9. Wood

Wooden jewelry is common and beloved in Africa. Wood can be painted or varnished at will, after carving. Wood makes beautiful wide arm bands or bangles, large but light earrings and elegant necklaces.

10. Leather

Leather work is well-developed in Africa, especially for making furnishings and bags. But leather is also used to fashion arm bands, woven necklaces and even earrings. The leather comes from domestic animals, and occasionally, wild life.

12. Feathers

Birds such as peacocks, cranes, flamingoes and ostriches have beautiful feathers in uniques colours and quality, which are occasionally fashioned into earrings. Caution is in order, however, so as not to endanger the various bird species.

13. Animal Hair

Earrings and arm bands made of plaited wild life hair, such as elephant or giraffe hair are rare, and valued accordingly.

14. Ivory

Despite all international effort to deter it, ivory does find its way into the hands of artisans, who fashion figures and jewelry out of it, sometimes illegally. When one considers the cost in elephant lives and suffering, it is clear that horn, animal teeth and bone are better alternatives.

15. Precious stone

Of course there is precious stone in Africa too. Diamonds, tanzanite, jasper, opals, topaz and quarz, out of which beautiful jewelry are made.

Most African jewelry tends to be flamboyant and inexpensive, however, in keeping with the colourful outfits worn all over the continent.

Source by Lamaro Schoenleber

15 Types of Traditional African Jewelry

Santa Monica Real Estate Market Comparison Report (February 2009 Vs February 2010)

We analyze several housing market indicators in order to present an in-depth breakdown of Santa Monica Real Estate Market comparing February 2009 to February 2010.

Summary of Key Points

Santa Monica Real Estate has not yet shown any signs of improvement with median sales price dropping and median days on market going up. Sellers received 94% of asking price as compared to 96% last year. Units sold is not a great indicator since number of units involved is not large.

Key Statistics, Santa Monica, CA: Median Sales Price (-44.74%), Median Days on Market (58.64%), and Number of Units Sold (140.00%), Sales Price to List Price Ratio (Feb 09 96% – Feb 10 94%)

Santa Monica Real Estate

The city experienced a 44.74% decrease in median sales price from last year going down from $2,107,000 (Feb. 09) to $1,164,292 (Feb. 2010). Median days on market data for Santa Monica show that houses are selling slower than Feb 09. It took 49 days in Feb 09 for a house to sell and for Feb 10 that number has gone up to 77 days (a58.64% deterioration). Another important factor to consider is total number of units sold. In the month of Feb 09, 5 units were sold compared to 12 for Feb 10 (140.00% change). Lastly we are going to take a look at the Sales Price to List Price Ratio for Santa Monica. SP/LP ratio for Feb 09 was 96% compared to 94% for Feb 10.

Let’s take a brief look at neighbors Culver City and Torrance. Culver City Real Estate featured a 9.33% decrease in median sales price ($720,333 Feb 09 – $653,125 Feb 10) and Torrance Real Estate saw a 2.53% increase ($534,655 Feb 09 – $548,179 Feb 10). Are houses in Culver City and Torrance selling faster or slower this year? Well, Culver City experienced a 171.47% increase (31 to 83 days) in median days on market and Torrance saw a 41.54% increase (49 to 69 days). In the units sold category, Culver City sold 5 units more (166.67%) in Feb 2010 than 09 and Torrance sold 1 unit more (2.63%) in Feb 2010 than Feb 09.

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Santa Monica Real Estate Market Comparison Report (February 2009 Vs February 2010)

Silver, Gold and Platinum Credit Cards

Aside from all being precious metals; silver, gold and platinum also signify the difference between the various strata of credit cards available to cardholders. So, what’s the difference between you having silver, gold and platinum credit cards?

Besides the kudos of having a metallic covered card in a stratum higher than the one below it, with silver being considered the lowest, gold next and platinum at the peak, these days there really is little difference between each of these cards. Two noticeable exceptions are:

Spending Limit

Although the cards are supposed to signify a higher credit limit and spending power, in fact what they do is act as a signal as to you supposed income. This is because as you go up in the line of colors, so (supposedly) should your income – and thus your spending limit. The only problem with this is that while the platinum card used to be an ‘invite’ only card, these days the qualifying salaries for each of these cards are set so close together that you do not really need to earning that much in order to qualify for a platinum card!

Membership Fees

These days the amount you need to pay in annual membership fees to card providers is the biggest difference between these types of credit cards. In part due to kudos element, card issuer feel at liberty to charge cardholders of platinum cards far more than they do to those who hold silver cards, which may, indeed, even be free of a membership fee!

So, while your spending limit may not be that significantly higher having a platinum card rather than a silver card, your membership fee almost certain will. The decision that you have to make, assuming you qualify, is whether you are willing to pay that extra amount in membership fees to have a higher ranking card. And by adopting a policy of silver, gold and platinum credit cards, the issuers are banking on you doing wanting just that!

Source by Joseph Kenny

Silver, Gold and Platinum Credit Cards