Real Estate In Phuket

Buying Property in Phuket

First Published Date : May 8, 2010

One of the most beautiful regions of Thailand is Phuket. Sitting on Phuket Island, the third largest island in Thailand, the capital city of the Phuket Province is Phuket City, with 75,000 inhabitants. This region is highly sought after for real estate investment and for vacation homes for the simple fact that it lies close to the equator, giving an average temperature of 32C/90F, while only going down to an average low of 24C/75F. While the region is dry from December to March, it can be very wet in the monsoon time of year from April to November.

When you are looking to buy property within Phuket, you should look along the Hat Patong, which is the most-developed beach on the island. Situated in a three-kilometer long-bay, you can enjoy windsurfing, sailing, swimming or just sun-tanning during the day, while taking in the restaurants and thriving nightlife at night.

Phuket is currently going through a real estate boom with a great deal of development going on in the area of condos, homes for retired individuals, rental homes and luxury housing. With over 4,000,000 people visiting the island each year as part of their vacation, there are many who want to have a home they can go to while on this beautiful island.

If you are thinking of moving to Phuket, you should first be commended for deciding to live somewhere this beautiful. Choosing a place, whether it is a condo, villa, or house, will depend greatly on what you are looking for. If you want to live in a remote area, you can look in the Rawai area or the Naiharn area. However, if you want to be close to golf courses, hospitals, shopping areas and urban centers, then the Kathu area of the island is a good idea.

When people talk about the benefits that come from living in the Phuket province, or in Phuket City, it often revolves around the traditions, food and local life of this amazing area.

When you are looking for condos, villas, or homes within Phuket, there are some things to consider, including:

1.    Make sure you choose a reputable real estate company. This is true if you are buying over the phone, or from your current country. You want to make sure the company you go through is going to make sure that you get a home you not only want, but that you can afford as well.

2.    If you need to, get some legal advice on how to buy a home in Phuket.

3.    Do as much research as you can into Phuket because you want to live in an area that is conducive to your lifestyle. If you are young, you may want to be in an urban area where there is a night life. If you are looking for some place quiet, then a villa in a remote village may be a better choice. If you have children, a villa on a cliff may not be a good idea because of the dangers presented by the cliff.

The time is now to buy in Phuket. The financial crisis has made many luxury homes affordable on the island and they are starting to be snapped up by foreigners. In the past few years alone, the number of condos has doubled on the island and all these islands are also selling quickly. Most of the people interested in buying homes in Phuket are from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Scandinavia, so don’t let them snap up your home on Phuket Island.

This is a beautiful island that is quickly becoming the go-to destination for many individuals in the Western World who are tired of the snow, cold and day-to-day grind.

Now, it should be noted that under Thailand’s laws, it is forbidden for a foreigner to own land within the Kingdom of Thailand. Now, you are allowed to buy a condo under your own name if the condo is a freehold title. If the condo is not a freehold title, then you can lease it for 30 years, with an extension of 30 years on top of that.

If you want to get cheap property within Phuket, you can look at two places; auction and banks. If you are planning to buy a property at auction, you need to get research done on the title before you do. You need to have a friend based in Thai ask the right sorts of questions for you if you do this and you need to be able to move quickly as someone else may take your property from you. Most newspapers within Phuket will have auction notices so all you need is someone in Phuket to let you know about possible properties. Let them know what you want to spend and what you are looking for and your Thai friend can make things much easier for you when you are shopping for a home in Phuket. Buying through auction can save you a lot of money but again make sure you research the property and have a lawyer ensure there are no problems with the property and to ensure that the title is completely free and clear.

If you decide to go through a bank, look for property that has gone through repossession. Banks will sell at a discount because they do not want to go to auction, where they will lose more money. You can find many properties through banks on the internet in Phuket, which have gone through foreclosure. Although, if you can’t read Thai, you may have some trouble so a Thai friend again comes in handy. Having a Thai friend can also aid you in seeing the hoe and because banks will often hold special open houses when your Thai friend can check out the home for you.

The Moving Skyscraper of Dubai

Moving Towers

First Published Date: May 22, 2010

No, you did not read that wrong. There is indeed a skyscraper being built, which will be completed this year, which moves. It doesn’t move around the city but each floor within the skyscraper does move, giving the skyscraper a consistently changing shape. Called the Dynamic Tower, it is the first such skyscraper in the world to be called a moving skyscraper.

Designed by David Fisher, the tower has 80 floors and each floor spins on a central column for a total of 360 degrees. Each apartment in the tower is expected to cost between $3.7 million and $36 million, with the total cost of the Dynamic Tower reaching roughly $800 million.

Each floor of the tower rotates independently of other floors, completing a full rotation in the space of about 90 minutes. Each floor rotates at the speed of roughly 20 feet per minute. One of the more interesting aspects of this tower is that it is the world’s first prefabricated skyscraper. What this means is that the tower is made up of 40 factory-built modules for each floor and 90 percent of The Dynamic Tower will be built in a factory and shipped to Dubai. Amazingly, this allows the tower to be built in the space of just under two years, which is truly monumental and 30 percent faster than what a typical 80 storey skyscraper takes to be built. The only part that is built at the construction site is the central core that the floors all spin on.

This also makes construction of the tower much safer for workers since most workers will be located in factories where they preinstall kitchen and bathroom fixtures, along with pretty much everything else that the apartments in the tower need.

Now, the really cool thing about The Dynamic Tower is that it is extremely environmentally-friendly. Water is recycled within the tower and the entire tower is powered by wind turbines and solar panels. This gives enough surplus electricity for Dubai to power five other 80-story buildings within the vicinity of The Dynamic Tower. Each floor will have turbines hooked up to harvest the high winds located well-above ground level. In theory, these turbines could generate 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of energy. Each floor will also have solar panels attached to the roof.

For the people who live near the tower, they will never be bored by the look of it. The designers say that the tower will never have the same look at any time in its life. So, when you see it, you are seeing something that will never look that way again. A truly revolutionary concept that could change how skyscrapers look, are powered and are made from now on.

This concept of moving towers has proven to be so popular that there are already plans for a 70-story moving tower to be built in Moscow. It won’t be long before these moving skyscrapers are being made across the United States either.

To streamline and minimize blog maintenance, I will be discontinuing maintaining the realestateexpedition.com website (however, I will still hold the domain). I will gradually move all articles from this site to A Dawn Journal. This article originally published on the above website on May 22, 2010.

How To Buy Property in Thailand

Buying Property in Thailand

Published Date : May 29, 2010

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world. Every year, millions of people venture to this nation in order to take advantage of the amazing beaches and stunning landscapes. Some people love Thailand so much that they begin to look for ways to stay in Thailand as residents, rather than tourists. When this is a consideration in your life, you need to begin thinking about buying property in Thailand.

However, it is not always so simple to do this because under Thai law, foreigners are not allowed to buy property within the country. So, as a foreigner, what are your options for owning a property in Thailand that you can go to and stay at for months at a time? Many travellers prefer this option to staying in a hotel, so here is how you can make it happen.

1.    The first thing you should do is actually go out to Thailand. It is of no use to buy land in Thailand if you are not there. This is why you should fly out to Thailand and take a look at the real estate market. When you decide to fly out there, make sure you take time to meet with real estate agents so that you can learn what you need to do in order to buy land in this stunning country.

2.    Once you have made appointments with real estate agents, ask them questions about the land that you are going to be looking at and what amenities these bits of land offer you. You want to know about water quality, air quality, air conditioning, electricity, type of areas, beach access and more.

3.    In Thailand, if you are a foreigner you can only buy land if you qualify in two areas. The first is if you enter into a long-term lease that ensures you will not just buy property and then sell it soon after. The second is that you form a company with a Thai person. It is best to speak with a lawyer about this to ensure that you do what is required with purchasing property in Thailand.

4.    You will want to pick a few properties that you are going to check out and visit. If you are having a home built, then you need to have a surveyor check out the property and that will cost you a bit more, but if you are just looking at a home you can go along with the real estate agent.

5.    If you are building on land, it is important to understand land titles. In Thailand, there are five types of land titles, but foreigners only use three types, which are Chanote, Nor Sor Sam Gor and Nor So Sam. Of all of these, you will want to go with Chanote because it gives full land rights and the property boundaries are clearly defined. Again, talk with your lawyer before proceeding.

Thailand is a beautiful country that has many wonderful people in it, beautiful countryside, and affordable prices. If you are going to buy property in Thailand, ensure you follow these tips.

Top Three Countries in Caribbean to Buy Real Estate

Caribbean Real Estate

First Published Date: June 6, 2010

Thinking of buying real estate for investments or because you want a second home to go to when the day-to-day grind simply becomes too much? Well, here are the best places in Caribbean to buy real estate so that you can make the best choice possible.

1.    Trinidad and Tobago: This nation has an economy that is reliant on two major things; oil and tourism. Thanks to both of these, the entire island nation has a low unemployment rate and a decent per capita GDP of $19,800. In addition, the country has a growing economy and its middle class is growing, lifting many out of poverty. On top of that, the country is out of the hurricane belt so you do not have to worry about your home being blown away by a hurricane. Sadly, the black mark on this country is its rising crime rate, which can be a liability depending on where you choose to live. That being said, it is by far one of the most beautiful countries on the entire planet.

2.    Aruba: Called “One Happy Island” the country has a very prosperous economy that ensures many are out of poverty and the tourism industry is one of the strongest in the world. Over 1.5 million come here every year for vacation and services make up two-thirds of the country’s GDP. The country also has the second-highest per capita GDP after the Cayman Islands. In contrast to Trinidad and Tobago, the country has a very low crime rate and is not at risk of hurricanes. This means it could be the perfect place for you to go if you want to buy real estate someplace other than your country.

3.    Bonaire and Curacao: Known as the Netherlands Antilles, these two islands are located off the coast of Venezuela, which puts them well below the hurricane belt. The islands have a good infrastructure and a rising per capita GDP, as well as many new developments including an airport and hotels. If you love diving, then these islands may be perfect for you. As of 2008, the countries have changed their status. Curacao is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while Bonaire will be a municipality under the Netherlands. Even with these changes, the islands remain very popular with tourists and you can bet that there are going to be many people like you looking to buy a home here. The islands have amazing beaches, stunning landscapes and easy to purchase homes thanks to the Dutch law that operates on the islands.

If you are thinking of moving to the Caribbean, then you should look to these three countries. A growing economy, good resources, strong infrastructures and easy to purchase properties make them the perfect choice for anyone who wants to relax under the sun in their own home. All it takes is you deciding which paradise you want to move to, and how much you want to pay.

Real Estate in Australia

Real Estate and Property in Australia

First Published Date: June 11, 2010

Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it is a common tourist destination. Some travellers go to the country so often, that they begin to think about actually moving to Australia, or buying property that they can go to for a few months each year.

It is not hard to see why Australia is so popular among travellers and potential foreign homeowners. The country, completely surrounded by water, is the sixth largest country on Earth but only has a population of 22,000,000. Australia is also one of the best places to live on the planet according to several studies:

·    The United Nations Human Development Index ranked Australia second in the world, behind only Norway, in terms of Life Expectancy, Education and per-capita GDP.

·    Transparency International ranked Australia eight overall in terms of the level of corruption in the country. This means that Australia is one of the least corrupt countries on the entire planet.

·    The United Nations Education Index ranked Australia first in the entire world in terms of the level of and quality of education within the country.

All of these things come together to make Australia an excellent place to live, or vacation to for months at a time.

Most people buy homes in Eastern Australia, which is where most of the larger cities are located. The interior of Australia is known for its extensive desert, often termed the Outback by those in Australia and outside of Australia. If you are planning on moving to Australia from a foreign country, you will most likely be looking along the coast, or in the major cities. Currently, the three major hot spots for foreigners purchasing properties in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, as well as Brisbane and the Gold Cost. These are popular tourist destinations and with the current economic downturn around the world, real estate prices within Australia have fallen, making some larger homes much more affordable.

That being said, homes are still expensive because Australia has seen its housing market rebound impressively. The average prices for homes in Australia are:

·    Sydney:  $577,000

·    Melbourne: $492,000

·    Perth:  $475,000

·    Brisbane: $452,000

If that is more than you can afford, you may look at sharing the property with someone who lives in Australia, who you can use to help pay the mortgage when you are not using the property.

If you live overseas and are not a citizen of Australia, you can only purchase property within Australia that is Off the Plan, New or is vacant land that is going to be developed within the past year.

Property values in Australia will often move up and down in cycles. When property prices go up, it is typically during times of high economic prosperity. As we saw in 2009, when the market was suffering significantly, the housing market fell dramatically in its prices. However, once again, it moved up as time went on and the world moved out of the recession that was gripping it.

If you are thinking of buying real estate in Australia, there are two main methods. These methods are buying at auction and buying through the conventional manner.

·    Buying property in Australia through auction requires a 10 percent deposit available the day of the auction. It is important to remember that if you buy a home in Australia through auction, the deposit is non-refundable, even if you change your mind. This is why it is highly important that you have someone visit the property for you to determine whether or not it is the right place for you to move to. You do not want to buy a home that is in bad shape, as you will end up paying more to fix up the home than you would have if you just bought the home through conventional means. Inspections are always important because they will find things that you may not.

·    Buying property by conventional means in Australia, you pretty much go the same route as you would in any other developed country. You will find a property that you like, put in an offer and if the offer is accepted, you will have the home inspected and then you can move there. If your offer is accepted, you need to pay a holding deposit while the Contract of Sale is being produced. Your holding deposit is completely refundable during the period when the Contract of Sale is being drafted. The Contract of Sale in Australia will outline all the conditions and restrictions of the sale and usually you will pay a 10 percent deposit that is not refundable. In terms of fees, you will typically pay about five percent on the purchase price as well as mortgage arrangement fees and legal fees.

Australia is a stunning country that gets lots of sunshine, is very safe to live in and has a high standard of living. Thousands of people every year decide that they want to leave their cold countries and live in a place where the sun always shines, the people are friendly and the ocean is everywhere. People who love relaxing on the beach, surfing, or just checking out amazing natural sights choose to go to Australia. They may not live there all the time, but they do live there some of the time and they cannot be happier.

As a foreigner, you do have to go through a few hoops to purchase the property but generally it is much easier to buy a property in Australia than it is anywhere in places in Southeast Asia. For many, buying a property in Australia is a better alternative when you want to live in the South Pacific, without moving to developing countries like Thailand or the Philippines.

So, why not think about moving to the Land Down Under, where the sun shines and the surf is nice and warm.