Hiring A Home Inspector

What To Know When hiring A Home Inspector

First Published Date: June 3, 2016

When you are buying a home, it is extremely important that you hire a home inspector. A good home inspector will ensure that you are not given any surprises when you move into your new home, and a bad home inspector can cost you thousands in things you never knew you would have to repair or replace in your home.

First things first, the realtor will probably give you a home inspector and you can use them, but do not rely on them. They probably are associated with the realty agency somehow, are being paid through them somehow and are not likely to stop a home sale. Always get a second opinion.

When you are looking at hiring a home inspector, make sure you ask them open-ended questions about their experience and training. You want them to explain their experience, rather than just answering yes or no to your questions. Your inspect needs to have training in construction and maintenance because that will give them a proper background for what you need. An inspector who also knows, or is, a structural engineer is also very important.

When you are interviewing the home inspector, find out what they will inspect and what they will not. If the inspector only looks at the interior of the house, rather than the roof and the outside as well, then you should not hire them.

Most inspectors should be able to provide you with a report template, or a sample report, which you can use to see what they are going to look on, how much detail goes into it and whether or not they will provide a lot of information in the report.

It goes without saying, but you need to get references for your home inspection. A lack of references means you could end up getting a bad home inspector. Once you have the references, call the people on the list and ask them about their experience with the home inspector and how satisfied they were. Talk to individuals who had a home inspection a year or more ago because some problems may not show up right away when a person buys a home. Mold is a good example of this.

Ask the home inspector what the policy is for mistakes or omissions that they make. No home inspector can catch everything, so you want a home inspector who can admit to mistakes and have something in place to remedy any problems that surface down the road. This will protect you in case something is found that the home inspector did not tell you about.

Lastly, find out if the home inspector is a member of any association. When a home inspector is a member of a home inspector’s association, they will be held accountable by the standards of that association. It also gives you an avenue for complaint if something goes wrong with the inspection, or the home inspector.

Home inspections are great, if you get one that is qualified.

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Credit Card: Should You Keep It?

Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card Review

First Published Date: September 13, 2016

Disclosure: Information provided here may not be accurate and no longer valid. The mentioned card provider is not related to A Dawn Journal and neither monitor this site nor responsible for any inaccurate information. Contact the card company directly for accurate and updated information. A Dawn Journal or my YouTube Channel are not compensated by or affiliated with any credit card companies. All credit card articles are 100% unbiased and honest.

The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite card is a cash back rewards credit card that lets you earn cash rewards for everyday purchases, which can be credited to your account balance at the end of each 12-month period once a year in November.

The Cost

Annual Fee = $99. Additional cards = $30

Minimum annual income required = $60,000 (or household income = $100,000)

Rewards Points Snapshot

– Earn 4 percent at eligible gas stations and grocery stores Canada.

– Earn 2 percent on eligible drug store purchases and recurring bill payments.

– Earn 1 percent on everything else.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

First Time Bonus

From time to time, Scotia runs a promotional $100 bonus. Also, the annual fee is waived for the first year.

Anniversary Bonus

None.

Features & Benefits

– Visa Infinite benefits, including Concierge Services.

– Emergency Medical Insurance (15 days <65, none if 65 or older, Amount: $1 million).

– Travel Accident Insurance (Up to $500,000 CAD)

– Auto Rental Theft and Collision/Loss Damage Insurance.

– Trip Interruption Insurance ($2,000 each, maximum $10,000)

– Flight Delay Insurance (After 4 hrs, $500 per trip).

– Lost and Delayed Luggage ($500 maximum)

– Purchase Security (For 90 days, up to $60,000 lifetime)

– Extended Warranty Insurance (1 additional year)

What’s Missing

Because this is not a travel rewards credit card, I can’t mention anything here like I do for a travel credit cards review.

My Take

It’s almost impossible to beat the high cash back return the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite card provides. These days, investors are having a hard time generating 4 percent return from investments, so a credit card that provides 4 percent rewards on groceries is a big deal. However, if your grocery spending is not that high, but spending on another category (that provides 1 percent return) is high, this card won’t make sense and you should probably look for another card.

Although this is not a travel rewards credit card, it offers many travel insurances and provides the option to add Trip Cancellation Insurance, which is a good thing. But don’t forget that travel spending will attract a low 1 percent return.

The $99 annual fee is very reasonable, although Scotiabank could have charged a $120 annual fee – which is standard for Visa Infinite cards.

The only thing I can complain about is that the cash back rewards are awarded only once a year. I have seen other cash back cards that have done a better job at this. For example, some award cash back every month or when you reach a certain amount.

The Tallest Skyscraper in Israel

The Tallest Building in Israel

First Published Date: September 16, 2016

Israel is getting a new skyscraper – which will become its tallest building with a height of 241 meters (790 feet). The Tel Aviv Regional Planning and Building Commission approved the plan. The Infrastructure work has already started and construction will start in the coming weeks.

Currently, Israel’s tallest skyscraper is the 68-floor Ramat Gan Moshe Aviv Tower, which stands 235 meters (770 feet) tall. At that time when it was built in 2003, it was the tallest tower building in the Middle East. Today, it is the 3rd tallest building in the Middle East.

The new tower, called The Eurocom Building, will be built by Eurocom Global Real Estate Ltd and its partners. Its architect is Amnon Schwartz. Its location will be on the corner of Shefa Tal and Arvei Nahal streets. It will be connected to the Tel Aviv Central Railway Station and the Ramat Gan Diamond Exchange via pedestrian and bicycle bridges and light rail.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

The Eurocom building will have offices, a conference centre, a shopping mall, a hotel, and the Givatayim Municipality offices. The price tag to build will be approximately $270 million and will require five years to complete.

Currently, Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world’s tallest skyscraper. It’s 830 meters (2723 feet) tall and has 163 floors. Recently, Saudi Arabia announced that it would build the world’s tallest building reaching 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) tall.

Donald Trump - A True Real Estate Entrepreneur

Donald Trump and Real Estate

First Published Date: Mar 1, 2011

Even in these days of severe recession it is only the likes of Donald Trump who can say, “Well, real estate is always good, as far as I’m concerned.” For him it has always been “It’s tangible, it’s solid, it’s beautiful. It’s artistic, from my standpoint, and I just love real estate.”

Being born to Fred Trump, a New York property developer on June 14th, 1946, Donald Trump began his journey in the real estate industry quite early in his life and went on to stamp the Trump brand name on many prestigious properties in New York. Many prime properties including fine hotels, building complexes and casinos in New York City bear Trump’s name.

Since a young age, Donald was strongly influenced by his father’s business sense and he acknowledges the same by stating that his father was his mentor and that he learned tremendous knowledge from him especially in the construction industry. Donald Trump completed his studies at Wharton Business School and subsequently joined the real estate business developed by his father. During the 5 years that he worked in the family business under his father, Donald Trump made numerous profitable deals to an extent where his father even admitted to Donald’s having a Midas touch and said that whatever Donald touched seemed to turn to gold. Donald gained invaluable business skills under his father and then moved on to test the waters of the Manhattan real estate market. He successfully acquired numerous exclusive properties here, including Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Trump Casino, Trump Tower, Trump Marina Hotel, Trump International Hotel, etc. Donald’s portfolio of prestigious properties just seemed to grow exponentially. All the real estate properties that become a part of the Trump Empire proudly carry the Trump name prominently, not only in their titles but also by the symbolic “T” displayed on distinctly visible areas of the building.

The Trump organization has been responsible for recognized developments across the world and also happens to be the only luxury super brand in global real estate. Its leadership in developing real estate, sales and marketing as well as property management is unparalleled. They have been able to maintain a high level of excellence and luxury in all their real estate projects that range from retail and office properties to residential complexes. Trump properties have been sought after for the quality and excellence they stand for. The Trump organization demands superior quality and perfection in minute details no matter what the project is; whether it is a hotel or a residential project, a luxury resort or a golf course, or even if it is a commercial and retail office – they all get the Trump treatment. The lifestyle and experience that Trump offers on owning one of their properties is unparalleled. The standard of perfection is visible in every aspect, from the design-driven facades created with cutting edge technology by renowned architects and the flawless interiors in which no detail is considered trivial. These are specifically designed to consistently maintain the world-class service that Trump is so renowned for.

The Trump organization owns 26 domestic properties in the U.S.A and 6 international properties. One such domestic property is the Trump International Golf Club and residences in Puerto Rico. This property has been developed to combine a beach resort with a world-class golfing facility and lavish residences over one thousand acres on a private peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean. The highlights of the property are pristine beaches and exquisite landscapes with an oceanic view in the front and the lush greenery of El Yunque Rainforest creating an appealing background. The property houses 3- and 4-bedroom residences, two world-class 18-hole golf courses, a 46,000 square-ft. clubhouse with an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a spa and many restaurants.

The Trump organization’s investment in global real estate encompasses Capcana in Dominican Republic, Dubai, Israel, Istanbul in Turkey, Panama City, Seoul in South Korea and Toronto in Canada. The Trump Farallon Estates in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic has been one of the most significant real estate developments in the Caribbean. The white sands, the crystal blue water, the coral reefs, the palm trees, the wildlife sanctuaries that all make up the mesmerizing Caribbean attract investors from across the world to the Trump Farallon Estates. This complex has more than 1000 residential units, a 350-room Club Hotel, an international golf course and 2 condominium residential units.

Future plans of the Trump organization include real estate development through hotels in Scotland’s Aberdeen, New Orleans, LA, Cap Cana in Dominican Republic and in Dubai, UAE. Almost all the hotels developed by Trump have luxurious guestrooms and suites, with most of them providing stunning oceanic views, golf courses and golf villas, private access to beaches, exclusive beach club, boutique shopping and fine dining.

The organization is not limited to only development and sales of properties but also has a division dedicated to providing real estate brokerage services in both commercial and residential sectors. They provide discreet, professional and quality service. Through a simple form on their website, the team of brokers dealing directly with Trump apartment owners or Greenthal managed buildings help provide the best brokerage in any area that one may be looking for. Their other services include portfolio expansion through ground-up development projects, existing property redevelopment, repositioning of properties that are under-performing as well as reflagging of currently operational hotels. The Trump organization has a stake in almost every aspect of real estate property development and with its 35-year history in hotel development and management they have proved themselves to be an unparalleled leader in the industry.

Trump has not only been successful as a real estate developer but in other areas of businesses too. Apart from this, he even bears a celebrity personality with many magazines and gossip columns frequently reporting news about him. He has also been the inspiration for television programs and he even starred in his own 2004 reality program, The Apprentice.

Never Settle for Cash Back Rewards Credit Cards Except for This One Reason

Maximize Rewards with Travel Credit Cards

First Published Date: June 8, 2016

Those who are for cash back credit cards will often tell you that cash back cards are the best rewards credit cards because they are simple to understand and easy to deal with. And you don’t need to spend endless hours mastering hotel points and flight miles. However, what many cash back credit card users don’t realize that even though you don’t want to deal with points and miles, there is no need to shy away from travel rewards credit cards, as they provide the best returns possible among all types of rewards cards.

So how is it possible to enjoy a travel rewards credit card without going into the hassle of miles and points? The answer lies on the types of travel credit cards you are dealing with. Proprietary rewards travel credit cards offer simple rewards points that are proprietary to the credit card company that just work like a cash back credit card. You will receive proprietary points that will offset your travel costs charged by your card. For example, The ScotiaBank Gold American Express travel rewards card provides 4 points per dollar spend on selected categories that translates into 4 percent return. The only difference here from a cash back card is that you have to use these points to offset travel costs, instead of getting cash back.

Cash back credit cards can never beat travel credit cards because of the benefits and rewards travel credit cards can provide. And you can choose a propitiatory travel rewards credit card if you don’t want to go into points and miles. That begs the question: what is the only reason you should not use travel rewards credit cards? The answer is when you do not travel at all and not planning to travel ever.

For most of the population, travel happens often or will happen at one point in our lives. So to get the most out of your credit cards, go with a travel rewards credit card and enjoy the highest return credit cards provide among with other wide array of perks that no other types of cards can provide.