Real Estate In Sofia

Moving To Sofia in Bulgaria

First Published Date: Aug 7, 2010

One of the most beautiful countries in all of Eastern Europe is Bulgaria. A country that borders several countries, as well as the Black Sea, is a sight to see and when you are thinking of moving there, you cannot do any better than the capital city itself; Sofia.

Sofia is the largest city in Bulgaria, and the 12th largest in all of the European Union, with a population of 1.4 million people. Sitting at the foot of the Mountain Vitosha, it is the center for everything economic, educational and cultural within this country.

Sofia is a great place to live because it offers several opportunities to those living in the city. It has many historical sites, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Boyana Church, which was constructed around 1,000 years ago. As well, along with many great museums, theatres and more, there is the Sofia Zoological Garden, which was created in 1888. Sofia also has a very low unemployment rate of only 2.45 percent.

If you are going to buy property in Sofia, there are some things to consider. First of all, make sure you do the research about the city and the areas within it. You want to make sure you live in an area that reflects your tastes. It is a good idea to have someone you know, or a real estate agent, find homes for you that you can look at from where you are.

Once you have chosen an area to live in, you need to do some more things to ensure that you can buy property within Sofia.

First, you need to establish a LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) within the country of Bulgaria. Foreigners can only buy property within Bulgaria if they are the owners of an LLC. However, it is important to point out that unlike in the United States where a LLC prevents you from assuming the debt of the company; in Bulgaria you do assume the debt.

Second, you need to make sure that you clear your visa with the government before you stay there for too long. You need to have a D status visa from Bulgaria if you are going to be staying there, and in the city of Sofia, for longer than 90 days.

Lastly, you need to get a notary public to oversee the transfer of the home from whoever owns it and to yourself. Only a notary can legalize a property sale within Bulgaria.

All in all, Bulgaria and especially the capital city of Sofia are great places to live. That city has some buildings that are 500 years or more in age, and the history and culture is unmatched by many other cities, not only in Eastern Europe but in the rest of the European Union as well. So, when you decide to buy a home in Sofia, Bulgaria, just make sure you do it right and get the home that you are hoping for. After that, you just have to let this city enchant you so you fall in love with it.

Tips on Buying and Selling a Real Estate Property in Canada

Canada Real Estate Home Buying and Selling Tips

First Published Date : March, 2010

Canada is a good home to many immigrants and natives. Some immigrants end up spending their lives in the country. Attractive real estate market in Canada is one of the major causes. One can buy a home or a commercial property and still have a chance to sell it later. In fact one can join in the business of buying and selling real estates any time, as long as he or she knows how to do it.

The following steps can help a potential property buyer who wishes to invest in Canada soon:

Decide on the area- Canada is a big country and each section has its merits in terms of real estate investment. Foreigners can use Internet as a source of geographic information. Visit the country if possible.

Source of finances- Canadian banks are the key source of finances. They normally demand a thirty five percent down payment on real estates. Mortgage loan is allocated over a period of twenty-five years. Evaluate several options while keeping in mind that credit is difficult to find in the country.

Locate an agent- a mortgage broker understands the nature of Canadian market and can help you lower the overall cost. International investors can still find correct brokers from home. These agents understand better the agreement of purchase document.

An attorney is vital- it is important to allow an attorney check all documents regarding the purchase process. This results to extra overheads apart from brokerage fees.

Closing the process- submit all required documents, receive mortgage documents and read them carefully. Sign or ask for extra clarification.

If a person is not buying a real estate, he or she could be interested in selling. Canada being a civilized country, immigrants and natives are always willing to buy properties. In fact within three or more months one can sell his or her property.

The following steps can help a Canadian or international real estate owner sell his or her property:

Pay a contractor- an older house requires a makeover before it can be sold. There are many certified contractors in the country that can improve the standards of older properties. Make sure the contractor of choice is a member of Home Builders Association.

Work with An attorney- selling a property is not a simple process because it has to be legal. This explains the importance of a lawyer who represents any legal formalities. A real estate agent can serve the same role too but one has to be prepared to pay a commission.

Advertise the house- one must find a way to advertise a property to attract bids. Online advertising is working amazingly nowadays. It is a good method to attract even international investors to the property on sale. One can also advertise in local papers, including the home’s image.

Even so, it is advantageous to try MLS listing organized by Canada Estate Association. This listing can be found online now and many property sellers are using it. The key requirement is a property disclosure document that should be filled in.

Handling appointments and sales after posting a property ad, interested buyers will call to set an appointment to perform evaluation. A seller can invite everyone but must be careful with offer acceptance. An attorney or an agent becomes very essential in this final step.

Ocean View Villas around the world

Understanding Ocean View Villas and Bungalows

First Published Date: Aug 21, 2010

When you want to retire, or just get away from it all, you have a choice to make. First, if you are retiring, do you want to live in an old age home as your golden years pass you by? That doesn’t sound that great, so why not consider something like an ocean view villa, where you can live your golden years in the golden sunshine in a tropical country where things like snow are non-existent. Likewise, if you enjoy taking long vacations, why would you stay in a hotel room that is going to cost you an arm and a leg? You can instead choose an ocean view bungalow that gives you your own home away from home, as well as an amazing view of the ocean.

Ocean view condos and villas are becoming increasing popular around the world because they offer you something that you can get in few other places. Relaxation, peace and quiet, and an amazing view of the ocean. Whether you are looking at the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, or Atlantic Ocean, when you see the sun go down over the sea, lighting everything in a deep red and orange, you will know that you have made the right choice.

First, let’s look at the difference between villas and bungalows as some people do not know the difference between these two types of buildings.

A villa initially came from the ancient Romans, it served as an upper-class country house that leaders and the rich could escape to when they wanted to get out of the city. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the villas became farming compounds that would be used by feudal lords and monasteries. Gradually through the Middle Ages, the villas again began to be used by the upper class. These days, a villa can mean a wide type of homes but it is generally considered a wild-land urban interface zone reference. What this means is that a villa is a place where you can go to get away from the city, while still being in an urban environment. When you are in a villa, you will feel as though you are nowhere near the city, even though you sometimes are.

A bungalow in contrast is a type of house, with many different meanings depending where in the world you are. A bungalow is sometimes considered to be a detached low-rise and a house with a veranda. The term of Bungalow came from India, where it was used to describe a small, one story, thatched roof house. The term made its way to England where it was used to describe where sailors of the East India Company would stay, and these bungalows were not considered to be very nice places. Eventually though, bungalow came to mean spacious homes or lodgings for upper class individuals.

These days a bungalow is considered to be a residential house, detached, one to two stories high, with a sloping roof. The houses are relatively small but some are larger and come with everything that you need in a house including several bathrooms.

In terms of where to buy a villa or bungalow that gives you an ocean view, you should consider these countries. We should note that we are not going to cover the United States or Europe as these areas are extremely expensive, and if you are retired you may find it difficult to afford to stay in these bungalows for an extended period of time.

·    Costa Rica: This country is actually well-developed for a country in Latin America. They have a great deal of incentives to get westerners to move there and the bungalows and villas are relatively affordable. The ocean views are stunning and you will be hard-pressed to want to leave this country.

·    Mexico: A bit more expensive, Mexico is a favourite place for villas and bungalows with ocean views by Americans and Canadians. However, it should be noted that Mexico has become a rather dangerous country to be in, and you may want to consider a different country. In addition, there are many hurdles in place for foreigners who are buying property within the country.

·    Philippines: The Philippines are an amazing country with some beautiful ocean views that you can take in while you sit on the deck of your bungalow or villa. If you want to buy property in the Philippines, there are some things to consider. To own property in the country, you must own a company within the country where a Filipino partner owns 60 percent of the company at least. You can also own property within the country if you are married to a Filipino spouse. Villas and bungalows here with an ocean view are much more affordable these days after the Indian Ocean Tsunami. It is an earthquake prone region, so you should be aware of that and take it into consideration.

·    Thailand: Just like the Philippines, Thailand has plenty of amazing places to see and visit. The locals are very nice in the country if you move there, and the views you will see will astound you. Ocean view villas and bungalows are relatively cheap in this country, making it a favourite for westerners to travel to. However, to buy a property within Thailand, you need to either own a Thai Limited Liability company, which costs about $100 per month to administer, or buy the property through a leasehold agreement.

Ocean view bungalows and villas are beautiful, cheap depending where you buy, and the perfect place to vacation and retire to. You will love seeing the sun rise or set over the ocean, and you will know you have made the right decision to move to these countries, buy a property, and enjoy your years living in a place that seems like heaven. Your biggest thought is how much you want to pay for the bungalow, and where do you want to live. Also, you need to consider whether you want a bungalow or a villa, not a bad thing to be trying to decide over.

Is Your Job More Secure, Or Less?

Canadians Feel They Have More Job Security Than Before

First Published Date: Sep 9, 2009

Nearly half of Canada’s current workforce feels more secure in their roles than they did one year ago, according to findings released this week. Although this does not technically constitute a majority, the numbers are in favour of the proposition that Canadians feel they have more job security than before, with 38 percent feeling that they were less secure compared to 46% who feel more secure. It is a sign that people are still divided on the subject of the economy and employment, but that optimism is continuing to creep upward in the light of positive noises at home and abroad. As we wait to see how the recovery continues, it would be chutzpah to suggest that the findings of the recent Harris-Decima poll proved that we were out of the woods, but good news is good news.

The positive feeling is more pronounced among people working in the public sector, of whom 53% said they felt more secure in their employment compared to 42% who felt more secure in the private sector. This is natural, as the companies which are going bankrupt and the plants and offices which are being closed down tend to be private sector entities. With a national unemployment rate of 8.6% expected to rise in the weeks to come, private sector workers still nurse understandable doubts that their jobs are safe. However, the prevailing opinion is that most companies with substantive cuts to make have already made the bulk of those cuts and have now downsized to a reasonable level.

Of the 1,009 people surveyed, some 33% said that they felt job security was the top perk in a job – nearly exactly a third of the group. Almost as many (31%) said that work/life balance was the most important thing in any job. Taking these two groups together it could be said that almost two-thirds of the Canadians surveyed felt that comfort and confidence played a big part in their reasons for doing their job. With 15% citing a secure pension and 12% a generous salary, those feeling that remuneration was the important part of a job was just over a quarter. Whether everyone responding was being entirely honest with the researcher and themselves is a question for another day, however it would appear that a sense of uncertainty in the last couple of years has caused people to reassess priorities.

Other interesting results to emerge from the survey had much to do with the divisions between public and private sector workers. When asked whether government workers were overpaid, 64% of the private sector said they were while only 39% of public sector workers agreed. The reasons for this strength of feeling among the private sector may well be that they resent their taxes being spent on workers who they very much (83%) feel do an excessive amount of “paper pushing”. 72% of public sector workers agreed that their jobs involved a lot of administrative work, but did not feel in such great numbers that it should mean they have to take a pay cut.

Two Common Rewards the American Express Gold Rewards Card Is Not Giving You

What’s The Amex Gold Rewards Card Missing?

First Published Date: November 15, 2015

Although the American Express Gold Rewards Card is a premium travel rewards card with a hefty $150 annual fee, it’s missing two common benefits that are a must for a travel rewards card. Most other premium travel credit cards that have an annual fee of $99 to $120 will provide you these important benefits.

These two benefits are:

– Trip Cancellation Insurance and

– Concierge Service

You should not go on a trip without these two, as they will be lifesavers in case you have to cancel your trip or require assistance before or during with concierge service help.

Trip Cancellation Insurance reimburses you in case a trip has to be cancelled due to covered causes like illness, death, and much more. Concierge Service is like having your own personal assistant and can help you in various scenarios in your own country or foreign lands where you don’t know anyone.

Features like these (and many others like those discussed here) aren’t provided by the American Express Gold Rewards Card, but you will find these features in many other travel rewards credit cards that have a lower annual fee than Amex gold.

Before making your rewards credit cards selections, do thorough research and visit the A Dawn Journal Credit Card Section for more tips. Here are some articles you can start with.