The Digital Media City Landmark Building

Digital Media City Landmark Tower, Korea

First Published Date : July 11, 2010

When we think about skyscrapers, we usually only think of how tall they are, but the Digital Media City Landmark Building in South Korea shows that it is about what is inside the skyscraper, not how tall it is in many cases. This building, which will be 640 metres tall and has 133 floors, will be the third tallest building in the world and the tallest building in Korea and East Asia. With construction beginning last October, it is expected that it will be completed by April 2015, for the low cost of $2.9 billion.

The skyscraper itself will feature a wide assortment of things within it including an observation deck on the 133rd floor that will allow everyone to see all of Seoul, and as far away as Gaeseong, North Korea. This will be the tallest observation deck in the world, a full 11 floors ahead of the observation deck on the tallest building in the world; Burj Khalifa. From the 108th floor to the 130th floor, there will be several six and eight-star hotels, which surpasses the Park Hyatt Hotel for the highest hotel rooms on the planet.

It does not stop there though. The building will also house high-tech offices, apartments, a department store, shopping malls, a convention center, restaurants, media facilities and an interactive aquarium. The aquarium will be an 110,000 square feet and will be the largest of its kind in the world. This aquarium will be extremely high-tech and interactive, costing over one billion dollars over the course of the next five years.

The rundown of the floors for this building is as follows:

·    132nd to 133rd Floors: Observation deck and media art center

·    131st Floor: An open studio and broadcasting facility

·    128th to 130rd Floors: Concert restaurant

·    108th to 130rd Floors: six to eight star Hotels

·    85th to 107th Floors: Family and business hotels

·    46th to 84th Floors: First class apartments

·    9th to 45th Floors: High tech offices

·    7th to 8th Floors: Convention centers

·    1st to 7th Floors: Department stores and shopping malls

·    Basement Sixth to First Floors: Aquarium

The skyscraper will have windows that will look like windows in traditional Korean houses, and the exterior of the skyscraper will have 40,000 LED panels that will emit light at various colors. The middle of the building will be empty, which allows the structure to move and improves the resistance to bending roughly three-fold. Like many skyscrapers these days, being environmentally friendly is also important and this skyscraper will feature a green roof, and automatic ventilation windows. Mirrors will also be used to direct light throughout the building, helping to save energy on powering lights within the skyscraper. The Digital Media Tower shows that skyscrapers these days are not being built with being the tallest in mind, but having the most in them and being the most environmentally-friendly.  This tower is truly going to be a sight to see and experience.

What to know before buying a home in Canada

Home Buying Tips in Canada

First Published Date: Feb 21, 2010

Canada is not for the weary or those that do not love nature and all of the beauty of a winter wonderland. Everyone has heard of Niagara Falls, and all of the night life that Canadian cities have to offer. There is hunting, hiking, skiing and more. Those that do enjoy the outdoor life would really appreciate the picturesque beauty of any city in Canada.

There are some things to know before you buy a home in Canada and here we will review a few of the items to get you better acquainted.

If you’re looking for good home in Canada you may choose to live in Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, there you will find the Laurentian Mountains and you will never be left wanting more. This is the place to be if you’re looking to be close to a place where you can enjoy your favourite sport.

If you’re more of a night life person, buying a home in Toronto might be the best choice for you. Toronto has great nightlife and can keep you busy for years to come. In fact, living in any of the Canadian cities is a wholesome experience.

If you’re looking for a city that prides itself on family, you may choose to live in a place like Quebec City. The school systems there is the best around and it’s a great place to raise the family.

Now that you know abou t the ambiance that is available keep in mind some other things before you go shopping.

Never get emotionally attached to the home you’re looking at. You could end up paying a price that is just not the best for your wallet especially when you choose a home with only your heart, be practical and choose carefully.

Keep in close contact with your realtor or estate agent and make sure he or she is not pushing a property on you. You have to check properly before you buy. Again, mind the kind of agent you’re dealing with. Make sure he or she is properly licensed to avoid being duped of your resources.

Keep the price you want to pay in the forefront. Always look for the best home at the price you can afford and you will save yourself a lot of worry in the long run.

Another thing to remember when you’re buying your home is not to worry if the first bid is not accepted. There are many beautiful homes in Canada and the one that is right for you and your family will come along. Remember this is still a business transaction so keep your emotions out of it and think ahead. If you can afford the home and it is a good feel for you then don’t be afraid to make a fair offer to win the bid in the end.

Know the area where you are choosing to live and don’t forget that the right house is there, just around the corner. Know what you want and where you want it and you will be a happy homeowner in the end. Your house will be a home no matter where you choose to live in Canada.

Canada Gets New Credit Card Rules

Understanding the New Credit Card Laws

First Published Date: Oct 17, 2010

In an effort to make it easier for customers to pay back their credit cards and not fall behind to the point where they are swimming in debt. These rules actually came in effect on Sept. 1, but many residents of Canada do not know about them. To help educate people on the new rules, here is a brief rundown of what you need to know.

1.    There is a minimum grace period now of 21 days that are interest free on all new credit card purchases when a customer pays the outstanding balance completely.

2.    When a customer pays the minimum payment in excess, meaning they pay more than the minimum payment, the credit card company must allocate the excess so that it is put on the balance with the higher interest rate first, and then distributed proportionally to all other types of balance such as cash advances.

3.    Credit card issuers must inform consumers of their monthly statement and how long it will take to fully repay the balance if only the minimum payment is paid. This gives you a better understanding of how much time it is going to take for you to pay it off if you make no purchases on it.

4.    Another rule is that there must be a complete disclosure of interest-rate increases prior to those rates taking effect at all.

The biggest problem with these rules is that the Canadian public has not been educated on them, so many do not even know that they exist. The main reason is the government has not worked hard enough to publicize the rules, which means that many credit card companies can break the rules illegally, and consumers will not even know that their rights are being stepped on. It is very important that consumers learn these rules and pay attention to their credit cards so they can know whether or not they are being cheated out of the regulations put in effect to help them.

There was a voluntary code in place that would help to stop merchants from paying higher and higher costs from credit card companies but the problem was that credit card companies chose not to comply with it. As a result, those temporary rules became permanent and credit card companies are now forced to follow them, including allow merchants to cancel contracts without a penalty.

Credit card debt can literally sink a household and make it impossible for the house to pay their bills and survive day to day on what they have left. As a result, Canada is making it much easier for consumers to pay their credit card bills by ensuring that there are rules in place to protect the consumer. However, it is up to you as the consumer to know the rules and to make sure that the credit card companies are following them when they are dealing with you. It is your right as a Canadian citizen, so do not let credit card companies off the hook.

Real Estate In Saudi Arabia

Taking Advantage of Property in Saudi Arabia

First Published Date: July 19, 2010

For the first time ever, Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to foreigners who want to buy property in the oil-rich Middle Eastern country. Now unlike many other countries that allow foreigners to buy property within their borders, Saudi Arabia is going about things a bit differently. Instead of giving foreigners the ability to buy in places like Dubai, and other major cities in the country, Saudi Arabia is building a new city where it will allow foreigners to own property.

The city, which will be called, King Abdullah Economic City, will be the first freehold city located within Saudi Arabia and it is being built by the government-owned company Emaar Economic City. Named after the head of state for Saudi Arabia, the entire city is going to cost an estimated $27 billion to build, and it should be completed by around 2025. This means that if you want to own property in Saudi Arabia, you are going to have to wait about 15 years. That should give you enough time to buy property in the city, which will surely be expensive.

The city itself will be located near the city of Jeddah, and it will house roughly two million people in total. King Abdullah Economic City is just one of four cities that are being planned under a $400 billion plan created by the Saudi government to house a growing population. However, only King Abdullah Economic City will allow foreigners to own property within it.

The city is currently the home for 400 families and as the years go by, more and more families will begin to move in as the towers and buildings are completed. At this moment, mostly middle-income homeowners have bought property within the city, which lies on the shores of the Red Sea, making it one of the key points in future trade within the Middle East.

In regards to how one goes about buying property within this new Saudi Arabian city, those rules and regulations are going to be issued within the next few months. According to most reports, the new regulations for foreigners buying property within the city will cover things like foreclosures and repossessions, as well as the creation of a land registry.

If you are planning to live in one of the richest countries in the world, but also one of the strictest, then this new city may be the place for you. It will have all the modern conveniences and be incredibly high-tech. Families are already buying up property in it and it is expected that the waiting list will become quite long for the city. As a foreigner, there will be various rules and regulations you will have to agree to and follow while living in the country. As for what those are, you will simply have to stay tuned for the next couple months as the Saudi Arabian government begins to put that information together for foreigners wanting to live and/or invest in this new city.

Real Estate In Bulgaria

Buying Property in Bulgaria

First Published Date : July 24, 2010

When you think of Bulgaria, you probably don’t think about buying property, but instead think about the fact that it is in Eastern Europe and you probably don’t know too much about it. However, did you know that home prices in Bulgaria are incredibly cheap, and the country itself is quite beautiful, with a border along the majestic Black Sea?

Bulgaria is located in south-east Europe, with borders against Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. The country is the 16th largest in Europe, and there are several majestic mountain ranges that make their way through this beautiful country. If mountains are not your thing, then you can relax along the coast of the Black Sea, or stay on the Danubian Plain to the north, and the Upper Thracian Plain to the south. The largest city in Bulgaria is Sofia, where roughly 1,405,000 people live.

Bulgaria is also very diverse in terms of climate. There is snow along the mountains of the Rila, Balkan and Pirin mountain ranges, mild and sunny temperatures along the Black Sea, and a Mediterranean climate along the plains to the north and the south. No matter what type of weather you like, you will be able to find it somewhere in Bulgaria.

In terms of the type of country you are thinking of buying property in, Bulgaria is not as ranked highly as other countries in Europe, but it ranks much better than countries in Asia, South America and Africa. On the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index, Bulgaria ranks 56 out of 144. On the Human Development Index, the country is 61 out of 182. On the Corruption Perception Index, Bulgaria sits at 71 out of 180, while on the Global Competitiveness Report it is 76th out of 133.

So as you can see, Bulgaria ranks higher than most countries in the world, plus it is a place where you can literally buy a house with nothing more than a credit card. It should come as no surprise then that Bulgaria is growing in popularity as a place to buy a home, with 100 percent capital growth on property investments in the country in just the past year. As a result, prices are beginning to rise, especially in places like Barovets and Pamporovo, two very popular ski resorts within the country. Some areas have seen their housing prices double in just one year, so it is very important that you take advantage of buying a home in Bulgaria before prices get to high. In cities like Varna, Sofia and Barovets, prices are starting to get high, but you can still find plenty of deals if you go out to rural Bulgaria and buy a nice old cottage or home that just needs a bit of renovation. This can be a great investment if it is what you are looking for in Bulgaria.

If you do decide that you want to buy property in Bulgaria, for yourself or as an investment, then the process is pretty much the same as buying a property anywhere else within Europe. You find properties online, have someone you know check out the place, and then make an offer for the place. However, to help with the process, here is quick rundown for you:

1.    You should know the reasons that you want to buy a property in Bulgaria. Are you buying property for yourself as a holiday home, is it an investment, or do you just want to have more assets under your name? Once you know why you are buying a home, you can choose the area in Bulgaria that you want to buy the home in.

2.    At this point, you will need to establish a Limited Liability Corporation within Bulgaria. The reason for this is that only foreigners who own an LLC can own and buy property within Bulgaria. It is pretty easy to do this within Bulgaria but it should be noted that while in the United States, an LLC prevents you from incurring the debt; this is not the case in Bulgaria. You will be liable for the debts your company incurs.

3.    You will need to talk with the Bulgarian government and clear your tourist/visa status with them before you begin to buy the property. You will need to secure a D visa from Bulgaria if you are going to be staying longer than 90 days.

4.    Now, you should get a notary public that can oversee the entire transfer of the property. In Bulgaria only notaries can legalize a property sale. In Bulgaria, you will have to pay a two percent tax on the price of the property, and you will have to pay three percent commission. In addition, you will also have to pay lawyer fees so that you can make sure that the entire transfer is legal and proper in Bulgaria.

If you are going to buy property in Bulgaria, you always want to make sure you spend the time and money to get it done right. This is why a lawyer and someone you know in Bulgaria can be very beneficial because they will be able to check out properties for you and help you find a property. If you are buying a home for yourself in Bulgaria, then you will want to check out the property yourself to make sure it meets your needs. Come out to Bulgaria and look at the home and see what it is like. Sending someone to look at the home can help, but they may not look at the things you want them to look at. If you are buying it as an investment, then you do not need to go to Bulgaria to see the home, because you can have a proxy do that for you who knows what people within Bulgaria will want out of their home.

Bulgaria is a beautiful country that you can easily fall in love with given the chance. Check it out and you will not be sorry.