The United Kingdom Is The World’s Most Real Estate Transparent Country

Global Real Estate Transparency Getting Better

First Published Date: August 27, 2016

International property advisers Jones Lang Lasallo, or JLL, recently released their Global Real Estate Property Index for 2016. Today, I will provide some highlights from the report.

– Transparency scores seem to be improving, as there was an average 2.4 percent increase from 2014 to 2016.

– New legislation easing red tape, setting higher ethical standards, and enhancing transaction process to make it smooth and transparent are some of the reasons behind the progress.

– Some of the top transparent countries are Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States.

– Some of the Sub-Saharan countries such as Botswana and Zambia are showing significant improvements.

– Some of the least transparent countries are Libya, Honduras, Djibouti, Senegal, Venezuela, and Ivory Coast.

– In the Middle East and North Africa region, Dubai (48) is the most transparent followed by Abu Dhabi (59).

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

– Saudi Arabia (63) and Egypt (65) have shown strong advancement and moved into the Semi-Transparent group.

– The top ten highly transparent countries account for 75 percent of the global commercial real estate investment.

– Capital injection into global real estate is rapidly increasing. The amount is $700 billion now, but is expected to exceed $1 trillion within the next decade.

– Panama Papers revelations have forced greater real estate transparency and helped fight international political corruption.

– Technology continues to help bring more transparency. Some of the countries that have used technology successfully to bring more transparency are Kenya, Ghana, and Ecuador.

– Six of the top transparent countries are in Europe.

– The United Kingdom is the world’s most transparent real estate country.

Can A Minor Open An RRSP?

Minor RRSP

First Published Date: September 25, 2016

Contrary to popular belief, there is no age restriction to open an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan).
Here are the requirements to open an RRSP for minors:

– A SIN (Social Insurance Number)

– Legitimate earned income

– Recorded income with proper documents

– Filed T1 tax return

Advantages of a Minor RRSP

There are lifelong advantages of opening an early age RRSP. Here are some of them:

– There is no need to make contributions right away. Contributions can be made anytime later – with no time limit.

– RRSP room keeps accumulating, which can be carried forward indefinitely

– Increases lifetime contribution limits

– Allows minors to contribute to RRSP right after starting in the work force because of the available contribution room.

– RRSP deduction can be claimed later on when there is enough taxable income.

– Provides income-splitting opportunity for business-owner parents. Kids can work as an
employee for their parents’ business and salary paid to them will be tax deductible and it will create contribution room for kids.

– Provides an opportunity to teach kids about personal finances.

– Contributions start growing tax free inside an RRSP.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Disadvantages of a Minor RRSP

– Not all financial institutions offer minor RRSP.

– A co-signer may be required.

– Financial institutions may limit what types of products can be purchased.

The best thing to do would be shop around and find the right institutions that suit your needs. Minor RRSP can be a great investment vehicle towards a better financial future with lifelong benefits for kids.

Real Estate in Vietnam

Vietnam Real Estate

First Published Date: October 1, 2016

Vietnam has come out a long way from the dark chapter of the Vietnam War. In a survey done by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate, Vietnam ranks as the fourth emerging global real estate market after Brazil, China, and India. With its strong economy, growing middle class, growing urban population, rising tourists numbers, Vietnam real estate market will grow at a fast pace and no wonder global real estate investors are paying more attention to Vietnam real estate than ever before.

Before 1990, Vietnam had no real estate market as everything was owned by the state. As a result of the "Doi Moi" reform that was introduced in 1986, the first laws recognizing the concept of private ownership came into effect in 1990 and 1998. From 1998 to 2004, there were several revisions and reforms took place. Due to these new reforms and revisions, starting in 2004 the real estate market in Vietnam started to attract foreign interests and investments.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Starting in 2009, legal foreign residents (after meeting certain conditions set by the government) in Vietnam are allowed to purchase property in certain areas under a 50-year leasehold. The property can also be resold after 12 months of ownership. Vietnam does not allow foreigners to have freehold property.

Vietnam is home to about 90 million people. The majority of its population live in the countryside. However, the residential sector is currently showing strong growth due to the rising income of the middle class and their willingness to purchase their own residential places. Demand for Vietnam’s two major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is strong and it is estimated that the properties that are coming to the market will not be enough to meet its demand. The office market also shows strong demand for quality spaces, as the occupancy rate is around 95 percent. The leisure and resort markets are also going through strong demand. Vietnam has 3,000 kilometers coastline and its tourist numbers and accommodations have increased significantly. Hotels, resorts, and villas have high occupancy rates in this sector and real estate demands will increase in the coming years. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that Vietnam will be one of the top ten tourist destinations in the next ten years.

The property market in Vietnam still offers low entry prices with growth potential in the future. However, because it is an emerging market, transparency still can be an issue. Having a local partner or agent is a huge advantage dealing with real estate issues in Vietnam. Also, keep in mind that all real estate transactions are carried out in pure gold. Real estate investors need to pay close attention to gold prices and conversion rates.

How to Properly Destroy Credit Cards

Don’t Just Trash Your Cards in the Garbage

First Published Date: October 8, 2016

Our credit cards are getting smarter with embedded microchips and other security features, and so are credit card scammers and con artists. The magnetic strip and microchip on credit cards hold vital information and they can cause a serious data breach if they end up in the wrong hands.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. I have created a short video demonstrating how to destroy credit cards properly so scammers aren’t able to extract any information out of them. You can follow those steps I showed in the video to cut your credit cards properly. Here are some highlights you need to keep in mind:

– Never get rid of credit cards if everything is intact.

– Cut them into small pieces as shown in the video.

– Make sure the microchip, magnetic strip, name, numbers, and signature are completely destroyed.

– When you are done destroying, do not put them in one garbage bag or bin.

– Place the cards into several garbage bags over the course of several days.

– This way, no single person can obtain all the pieces and arrange them together.

Am I being overly paranoid? You may say so. However, if you talk to those who had their identity stolen, they will tell you that it turned their lives upside down and these little steps of precaution are nothing compared to the consequences you would face had your personal information ended up in the wrong hands.

To safeguard your valuable personal information, online and otherwise, always be cautious and use vigilance. Use your common sense as your first line of defence and then some.

Start Saving For Retirement Now If Just Started Your First Job

Retirement Saving Now

First Published Date: October 11, 2016

If you are new to the workforce or in the workforce for a while and still haven’t thought of retirement, follow these simple tips to start your retirement planning journey.

The Time is Now – It is never too late or too early to start your retirement saving journey. Start now if you haven’t started already. You need to get rid of your all excuses to start saving. Don’t wait.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Start With Any Amount – If you are putting off saving because you can’t contribute large amounts, change your approach. As a start, don’t worry about how small or big the amounts are. Start with anything you can right now, even if it’s $25 a month. And gradually increase your monthly contributions.

Stick to It Like Crazy Glue – Use automatic electronic deductions from your bank account to invest for your future. Stick to investing like crazy glue and make it a lifetime habit. Do not allow yourself to take out money from your retirement savings, regardless of how urgently you need the money.