Archive for June, 2009

Foreign Currency Direct, the leading UK currency broker, has launched a new overseas property portal for UK buyers looking overseas. The portal is at www.Propertyline.co.uk and is part of the Eataz Network, with traffic of over 300,000 users per month and 17,000 properties around the world already online.

Unlike most property portals on the web today, Propertyline also has the unique attraction of combining private sellers, agents and developers from multiple countries, and connecting them with buyers across the world. There is also a Property Hunt facility – simply fill in details of your ideal purchase abroad and we can put you in touch with sellers directly according to your preferences.

If you’re buying in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Dubai, the USA or almost anywhere in the world, we’ll help you find your ideal property today.

In addition, property agents can take advantage of free advertising across the network, by vitrue of a partnership with FCD for currency referrals for their clients. This has already proved successful with many agents reporting a good volume of quality enquiries, at no incremental cost to them and with no commission to pay on sales.

Robin Haynes, FCD Director responsible for the Propertyline project, said: “Foreign Currency Direct is the only UK currency broker committed to adding value to agents’ businesses by providing genuine property enquiries to enhance the sales process. The resulting property portal site is in turn a useful tool for UK citizens looking at overseas purchases – meaning we can help them find their dream home and then save them money with the currency transfers too.”

Notes for Editors

Contact Details:

Foreign Currency Direct ((www.currencies.co.uk) and Propertyline ((www.propertyline.co.uk ) can be contacted on 0845 177 1001 (or +44 1494 787478 from abroad). Email info@currencies.co.uk or info@propertyline.co.uk.

Foreign Currency Direct plc has provided currency exchange services for the overseas property market since 2000. It charges no fees or commissions on its services and was top of recent surveys by the Sunday Times and Money Observer for best exchange rates and currency deals.

Propertyline.co.uk was launched in 2006 in partnership with the Eataz Network which has been offering online property marketing websites since 2004.

Machiya (町屋/町家?) are traditional wooden townhouses found throughout Japan and typified in the historical capital of Kyoto. Machiya (townhouses) originated as early as the Heian period and continued to develop through to the Edo period and even into the Meiji period. Machiya housed urban merchants and craftsmen, a class collectively referred to as chōnin (townspeople). The word machiya is written using two kanji: machi (町) meaning town, and ya (家or 屋) meaning house (家) or shop (屋) depending on the kanji used to express it.

Lower Normandy is located on the North Coast of France. To the North is the English Channel and on the East Upper Normandy. To the South, Lower Normandy borders Brittany, Western Loire and Centre regions. A predominantly rural area favoured by British buyers. There are 3 departments: Orne, Manche and Calvados.

Lower Normandy Landscape
With about 600 kilometres of coastline there is a wonderful mixture of cliffs, pebbly coves and long stretches of golden sands – this has always been a popular destination for holidaymakers. The Cherbourg peninsula is renowned for family holidays – the most top destinations being Deauville, Trouville, and Cabourg. The Gulf Stream warms the sea here!
Inland the sparsely populated rural area is home to apple orchards (Calvados) and other fruits. There are many sleepy market towns to wander around and enjoy the local foods – including fresh bread, cheeses, fruits and a glass or two of calvados!

Lower Normandy Attractions
Apart from the many and varied beaches around the coastline, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The D-Day landings in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 were the focus of the largest and most complex invasion ever attempted. There are many D-Day sites to be visited including:
Memorial at Caen
Remnants of “Port Winston” – an artificial harbour built in England and floated to the bay at Arromanches.
Longues-sur-Mer – fortified German gun emplacements.

Bayeux Tapestry – is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts scenes commemorating the Battle of Hastings in 1066, with annotations in Latin. The tapestry presently exhibited in a museum in Bayeux.

Other lovely coastal attractions are Honfleur and Deauville. In particular, Honfleur is a popular destination. A quaint fishing port with a thriving “artist” element and lovely small shops. The restaurants are well frequented too!

Mont-Saint-Michel
This is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area, the wide bay of Mont- Saint-Michel, abutting Brittany and Lower Normandy, claims the strongest tides in Europe. This “Wonder of the Western World” towers above the vast mud-flats that surround it.
Do not miss : Visit to the abbey.

Weather/Climate
Weather is similar to the South of England with distinct seasons. Perhaps slightly warmer and sunnier in the Summer! The countryside is green so it does rain.

Getting there
By road:
From Calais ferry port / Eurostar driving times are about 5 hours. You can travel by Autoroute (tolls) all the way.
By Ferry:
Caen and Cherbourg ports are located in Lower Normandy so you can arrive in the heart of Lower Normandy from the UK. St Malo, Dieppe and Le Havre are also close by.
By Plane:
Dinard (Brittany) – flights arrive form East Midlands, Stansted and Luton. You can also fly to Paris and get to Lower Normandy in 3 hours.

Population
Just under 1.5 million inhabitants

Major Towns
Caen
Caen is famous for its historical buildings built in the time of William the Conqueror, who was buried here, and for the Battle for Caen – fighting that took place around Caen during the Battle of Normandy.
Cherbourg
Cherbourg is a commercial and military port, but none the less one of the most popular ports in France.
Deauville
Deauville is a glamorous seaside resort, symbolising elegance, prestige and sophistication. Nearby the Polo and Horse Racing re-enforces its tradition.
Alencon
Alencon is synonymous with lace and once was the lace capital of Europe. The industry has long since departed and Alencon is now the centre of manufacture for Moulinex! North of Alencon is Sees with its gothic cathedral
Saint Lo
Saint-Lo is perched on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Cotentin peninsular. The town is surrounded by ramparts and overlooked by the Notre Dame cathedral.

Prices
(August 2006)
Coastal properties are more expensive. Inland village, town and rural properties are much cheaper. Unfortunately the days of bargain barns for renovation are long gone. There is still a strong demand for properties at the cheaper end of the market.

Price Guideline
Apartments: 60,000 euros (Coast)
Farmhouses: 30,000 euros (needs renovation)
Townhouses: 30,000 euros
Coastal Houses: 100,000 + euros
Land: from 6 euros per sq. m

If you own real estate or are considering buying real estate, then you’ve probably run across terms such as townhouse, townhome, row house, condo and condominium. So what exactly are these terms and is it better to own one type of property over another?

Let’s begin by defining these words. The confusion surrounding these terms has to do with the distinction of how people legally own property vs. the type of property owned. While there are many ways to legally own property, the two most common methods are Fee Simple (sometimes called Fee Simple Absolute) and Condominium.

Although a through description of the benefits of owing property in Fee Simple is beyond the scope of this article, a brief definition is, having an unqualified ownership interest in a property or other real estate. In most cases, people who own a home in Fee Simple not only own the home’s interior and exterior, but they also own the land beneath, and in front and back of the property, as well as having some rights to the air space above the property. In contrast, people who own property as a Condominium, only own the inside of the unit itself. The land below the property, the air space above the property, the front and back yards (if any), the exterior of the unit, the stairs outside of the unit (if any), are all owned collectively by all the unit owners within the Condominium development.

So now that we’ve discussed how property is typically owned, let’s review briefly the various property types. The most common type of property in the United States is a single-family home (SFH). SFHs are detached structures that usually have one or two levels, a front and back yard, and are designed to meet the needs of a single family. SFHs are typically sold as Fee Simple.

A Condominium, Condo for short, is a single unit that is attached to other units within a larger complex. Condo owners only own the inside of an individual unit. Collectively, all unit owners within a development own all the structures and land outside of the individual units. Condos usually share common walls with the units above, below, and to either side, and all owners share the costs of maintaining the structures and land external to the units. You might be interest to know that many buildings that look like apartment complexes, actually sell individual units as Condos instead of renting the units.

The terms townhome, row house, and townhouse are often used interchangeably. These terms describe a consecutive series of similar residential units that may or may not share common walls with the adjacent units. These properties unusually have two or more levels, may or may not sit on individual lots, and may or may not have front or backyards. These types of properties are sold either as Fee Simple or Condos, so it’s important to know what you’re getting.

The confusion then lies in what term is being used in what way. A townhouse, townhome, or row house could be either Fee Simple or a Condominium. If a property is advertised as a condo, then the method of ownership is readily obvious, condominium ownership. In contrast, single-family homes are typically sold as Fee Simple.

Each of the ownership methods and property types above has advantages and disadvantages. If you’re considering buying real estate, be sure to talk to your Real Estate Agent and legal advisor about the pros and cons of various ownership methods and different property types.

• 100% cotton
• Wash cold; dry low
• Imported

Product Description
Rekindle your love for Doug with this lightweight tee that features Doug and Patti!… More >>

Doug And Patti Tee Plus Size 4XL Size : 4X

See why everyone is talking about (and moving to) Texas! The Texaplex has been featured on NBC News and in The Economist and was produced by David Winans, the self appointed cheerleader for Texas. Follow David on Twitter at www.twitter.com/texaplex

Brittany is a region located to the North-West of France. The English Channel on its Northern coast, and the Atlantic on the West and South. To the East, Brittany borders Lower Normandy and the Western Loire.

Landscape:
Brittany is a cacophony of diverse landscapes. Never far from the sea, walkers have an abundance of coastal paths to explore stretching north to south. Long golden sandy beaches are guarded by rugged cliffs where a myriad of wildlife play and nest including some species of rare birds.

Inland pinewoods cast a glance over gently rolling green valleys whilst rivers meander through farmland untroubled by the passing of time. Unspoilt wide-open spaces together with charming villages wait to be discovered and extend a warm welcome to travellers.

Attractions:

Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel has evolved from a mere oratory in the 8th century to the breath taking magnificent monastery and national monument that towers above the sea today. Linked to the mainland by a causeway accessible only at low tide adds to its enchantment. The tides around Mont-Saint-Michel are renowned for their strength and are particularly treacherous in the spring when speeds of 18 mph have been recorded. .

Saint-Malo
Saint Malo was named after a welsh monk who landed here in the 6th century. It is an important port and ferry terminal as well as an excellent tourist resort. The old walled city is particularly interesting with cobbled streets, small souvenir shops, studios of local artisans and excellent restaurants.

Children would enjoy a visit to the local aquarium where helpful staff are only too happy to explain the exhibits and encourage hands on participation.

Dinan
The mediaeval town of Dinan is one of the oldest in Brittany. Standing proud atop a hillside overlooking the Rance valley it has an abundance of attractions; walk along the ramparts and enjoy spectacular views, visit the museum and mediaeval church, enjoy a delicious lunch at numerous restaurants using local produce. The fish restaurants are particularly good.

Josselin
Josselin sits at the edge of the Oust canal and is dominated by an impressive medieval chateau, which has been the home of the Rohan family since the 13th century.

Although the interior has been renovated many of its bygone splendours remain and tours of the Chateau are well worth taking.There is a fascinating museum in the former stables housing the families collection of dolls.

Foret de Paimpont
Also known as the Foret de Broceliande, is all that remains of a primeval wood. Legend has it that King Arthur and Merlin the sorcerer have connections with this area. A visit to the enchanting village of Paimpont is an excellent starting point to explore the myths further.

Weather/Climate
The weather in Brittany does not suffer from huge variations in temperature. However, it does have a propensity to change from gentle showers of rain to bright blue skies within a few hours. On average the climate on the coast tends to be milder than inland.

Average temperatures in Brittany
Cities:
Rennes Jan=8 April=15 July=24 Oct=17°C
Brest Jan=9 April=13 July=20 Oct=16°C

Getting there
By rail
If travelling from the United Kingdom, why not use the Eurotunnel? Catch the train with your car at the Folkestone Kent Terminal and arrive at Calais/Coquelles 35 minutes later. This is a fast and exciting way to visit France and beyond. The service is frequent and operates round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The EUROSTAR train also operates a foot passenger only service either from Waterloo Station London or Ashford Kent International Terminal directly to Paris. The Eurostar is an ultra modern high-speed service with a journey time of only 3 hours from London. Paris and Rennes in Brittany are linked by the Atlantic TGV service, which takes 2 hours. Trains usually leave every hour between 7am and 1pm from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes. You can also catch the TGV train to Brest or Quimper and this journey takes four hours.

It is possible to travel to Brittany avoiding Paris altogether. The TGV service operates directly between Lille (3 hr 50 min) and Lyon (4 hr 30 min) to Rennes.
It is also possible to travel by coach to the main tourist resorts in Brittany. Regular coach services connect with all major railway stations throughout the year.

By Air
A number of low cost air-lines operate from various locations in the U.K. directly to Rennes / Brest.

By Ferry
Ferry services are frequent with direct routes to the ports of St Malo and Roscoff.

Population
With just over 3 million inhabitants – the major towns are Rennes (half a million) and Brest (300,000). Inland generally is sparsely populated with most residents around the coastline.

Major Towns

St. Malo
St. Malo is a major port and ferry terminal as well as a tourist resort. Discover the old walled city with its narrow cobbled streets. Visit the Cathedral of St. Vincent and marvel at the modern stained glass window of the Chancel. Do not miss the Chateau de St Malo. Steeped in history the chateau dates from the 14th-15th centuries.

Brest
Brest is a naval port with a rich and varied maritime history. For the inquisitive there is a museum depicting the important episodes in its history together with model boats and rare maritime maps. With the constant flow of cargo vessels from all over the world coupled with local fishing boats, Brest is indeed a modern city that has retained its charm.

Quimper
Quimper is a busy town with attractive half-timbered houses. Famous for its hand painted pottery and Breton traditions you can find little shops selling costumes and the most delicious crepes and cider.

Prices
(August 2006)
There are large variations in prices. The most expensive area is around Vannes on the southern Brittany coast. Coastal properties are more expensive. Inland property prices drop dramatically – Central Brittany and Ille-et-Vilaine offer the cheapest prices.

Price Guideline
Apartments: 80,000 euros (Coast)
Farmhouses: 50,000 euros (needs renovation)
Townhouses: 40,000 euros
Villas: 300,000 euros
Land: from 5 euros per sq. m

Second part of the introduction to logarithm properties.

Mansions

Product Description
Through this guide you will learn what is necessary to become successful in investing in real estate. You will acquire a knowledge of helpful tips to utilize which will increase your chance of success as well as profitability when investing in real estate…. More >>

Investing in Real Estate Investment Property: A Guide to Make You Profitable

Product Description
In Video #14: Multiple Dwellings, Garden Apartments, and Townhouses, John Norman outlines the issues and tactics specific to these types of fires. Fires in multiple dwellings are an all too common occurrence, and they present a very great hazard to occupants and firefighters alike. Although garden apartments and townhouses share many common characteristics with other residential occupancies, Chief Norman outlines the tactical differences to help ensure a positive ou… More >>

Fire OfficerÂ’s Handbook of Tactics Video Series #14: Multiple Dwellings, Garden Apartments and Townhouses

Watch aljazeera live click here dubaiinvestments.tk http arablivetv.blogspot.com

Dubai property has fast become a top choice for expats buying overseas luxury properties. Guide available at www.prycewarner.com Good advice for buying in the UAE and Europe.

Product Description
Quit your day job! Make a million in real estate! It’s easier than you think! A few years ago, Matthew Martinez was a lot like you – he worked hard to make as big a salary as he could. But it wasn’t enough. He worked by the clock, and yearned to be his own boss. With a small amount of savings, he acquired his first rental property. Two years later, he was making more from his rentals than he was working 9 to 5, so he quit his day… More >>

2 Years to a Million in Real Estate

Join me for a cold morning look at luxury living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. Go to Design2Share.com for home design tips, videos, blogs, diaries, scrapbooks, and other features.