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Dunedin Real Estate Your Dream Property Is Within Your Reach

Sometimes referred to as the southern gem, Dunedin is the South Islands second biggest city, characterised by a unique Scottish feel and architecture imposed on it during the time of New Zealands colonisation. Surround by beaches, forests and dramatic scenery, Dunedin is noted for its youthful and charismatic population being attracted by the educational and tertiary facilities contained within. With a population of just over 125,000, the city is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Becoming a desired location for students, families and businesses alike, the demand for Dunedin real estate is increasing at above average rates.

According to the latest Quotable Value New Zealand figures, southern Dunedin real estate figures have surged, recording the highest percentage increase in the country. The southern region extends from Waverley to Green Island, including the suburbs of St Kilda and St Clair. The figures illustrate that the area has experienced an increase in home values by 8.7% with an average sale price of $264,000. Likewise, Dunedin overall, showed a 4.9% increase in property values with the average sale price rising to over $276,000.

The increasing prices are a direct result of increasing demand. As many of the main centres in New Zealand are experiencing continued growth in house prices and valuations, Dunedin is presenting itself to many as an attractive option. With the average house price in New Zealand just a little under $410,000, properties in Dunedin represent real value in the marketplace where many families are struggling to find suitable and affordable housing options. According to Glenda Whitehead from QV Valuations, some of the increase in market activity in Dunedin is due to a rise in purchases by existing homeowners, who realise the benefits of purchasing prime real estate at well below national averages.

There are many advantages to purchasing Dunedin real estate, apart from the scenic and natural beauty that the city is surrounded by. With the security of tenure, you will be able to enjoy the cycle of the real estate market, accessing capital gain as the property naturally appreciates. If, like most kiwis, you enjoy a little do it yourself (DIY), then additional capital gains can be achieved through renovations. There is nothing like the sense of pride that comes with homeownership. The freedom and ability to personalise your property to suit your tastes and requirements has long been an aspiration of nearly all New Zealanders. However, with the current price hikes in property prices, renting is fast becoming a reality for many who cannot afford the deposit or repayments on their first home. However, Dunedin is offering the consumer real value and choice. Why not consider a move to a new place, where the people are friendly, the amenities are first class and most of all, your dream property is within your reach.

Thai Real Estate Investment Soared On Back Of Property Fund Activity

KTAM Aims to Become Thailand’s Leading Property Fund,Increasing Assets Under Management to 11.3 Billion

The Bangkok Post reported on Thursday, 22 February that real estate investment in Thailand soared by 81.8 percent to $2 billion (1.3 billion)in 2012, nearly double the $1.1 billion (720 million) in 2011, as property funds markedly increased their investment activity.

According to property consultant DTZ, Thailand’s real estate market was boosted by the listing of major property funds and a high number of acquisitions, particularly in the office and hotel sectors. Some $1.1 billion (720 million), or 55 percent of total real estate investment, came from transactions by real estate funds or public funds for public offerings (PFPOs).

Investment activity received a major boost from the listing of Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold (TLGF) in the beginning of January 2012, which proved to bethe largest property fund listing for the year. The $594-million (389 million) fund purchased 17 Tesco Lotus shopping malls in prime locations across Thailand in a deal which by itself exceeded half of the real estate investments in the country in 2011.

Other notable property fund investments in 2012 included the purchase during the first quarter of three serviced apartment complexesand residences for $106 million (69 million) by the listed Land and Houses Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund (LHPF). Additionally, the Quality Houses Hotel and Residence Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund (QHHR) bought three Centre Point serviced apartments in the third quarter, for some $107 million (70 million).

KTAM Eyes Real Estate Market

Krung Thai Asset Management (KTAM) has the ambition to lead the market in property funds and,more specifically, to increase its assets under management by 20 percent in 2013 to 516 billion baht (11.3 billion), said chief executive officer Somchai Boonnamsiri, citing the positive overall investment climate.

The Bangkok Post reports that Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi plans to raise funds through the funds managed by KTAM, with the subsequent capital increase being dedicated to turning KTAM into the global leader of this type of fund.

KTAM is considering entering new markets including Mexico, Brazil and some European countries. Annualised return for short-term investments in these regions is forecast at 3.5 percent or about one percent higher than returns in the Thai domestic market.

The Thai fund intends to boost the capital of property funds under the direction Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC group to as high as 50 billion baht (1.1 billion) this year. The fund also plans to launch ETFs on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in sectors such as food, energy, ICT and the commercial sector.

2013 will be the last year in which Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission will allow investments in what has been known as property type 1, with introduction a new type of property fund, the internationally recognised real estate investment trust, set to replace the old structure.

The Many Advantages Of Buying A Condominium Unit

One of the most popular type of housing in the Philippines today are condominiums. Compared to other forms of housing, such as townhouses, apartments, and most specifically houses, condominiums have grown to become a very popular type of housing because of its many advantages and benefits. So what are its advantages over other types of housing?

Affordability
Compared to townhouses and houses, condominiums are much more affordable in terms of permanent residence. Houses and townhouses available in the Philippine market today ranges from hundreds of thousands to millions, depending on the city as well as with its location. Houses available in Manila today can go up from P1,000,000 Philippine Pesos to as much as P10,000,000 Philippine Pesos. Condominium units, on the other hand, would only cost half the original price of houses and townhouses, only ranging from P500,000 Philippine Pesos to a million.

Location
Another advantage of owning a condominium unit is its location. Most condominium available in the market today are those found inside a major city, such as in Makati City. According to Real estate Philippines experts, this allows it to be within walking or mass transit distance of business and industrial areas of the city. Another popular location of condominiums are those found outside of major cities, particularly those found in provincial areas such as Tagaytay.

The advantage of these types of condominiums (these types of condominiums are usually known as condominium complexes) are the luxury it provides as well as amenities which could cost a lot if installed in houses. Though townhouse complexes are also known for its amenities, condominium complexes are usually more affordable.

Amenities
The advantage of most condominium complexes are its amenities. These amenities include resort facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, parks and playground equipment. Installing such amenities in houses or buying houses with the same amenities could cost millions of Pesos. Although townhouse complexes has the same amenities, condominium units are usually more affordable.

According to Real estate Philippines experts, such amenities are usually available in condominium complexes. However, some condominium buildings are also known for its amenities such as pools, gyms, and other popular functions.

Permanent residence
In terms of affordability, apartments are usually more affordable. However, the advantage of condominiums are its ownership. According to Real estate Philippines experts, a condominium building and an apartment building are usually the same. The only difference are its form of ownership in which condominiums are usually sold to individual owners while apartment units are leased or rented to tenants.

Current Mortgage Rates Canada

Mortgage rates in Canada are becoming lower than ever before, as the interest rates on a 7 year mortgage or loan sits at 5.25%. There are many online companies that offer the lowest of current mortgage rates Canada has to offer. Some of these online companies offer services such as tools and management information. These services also include a referral so that you are connected to loan officers that are competing for your business as a home buyer.

For the company Servus Credit Union, the lowest current mortgage rates Canada offers for a 10 year mortgage is 5.90%, however the very lowest current mortgage rates Canada offers is with the company FirstLine Mortgages, with a rate on a 10 year mortgage of 5.70%. The highest mortgage rates offered on a 10 year mortgage at this time is through Bank of Nova Scotia, with a whopping 6.95% APR on a closed term loan.

With the current mortgage rates Canada based companies offer, it is apparent why so many are trying to buy homes or refinance at this time. Refinancing to get the lower current mortgage rates, Canada businesses are seeing an influx of these homeowners trying to save money. Current mortgage rates are affected by whether they are fixed rate or variable rates.

Variable rate mortgages are directly affected by your lenders prime rate, and this is based solely on the Bank of Canada rate. Since Bank of Canada is the central bank, it uses its rates to keep the government funding and public debt at a minimum. The central bank sets short term interest rates and short term mortgage rates and lines of credit, even rates paid on investments and deposits. Fixed term rates like most long term mortgages are based on bond markets. Since a bond is a debt that a person promises to pay back along with interest, bonds are commonly given by a government to businesses such as Canada Savings Bonds. Any long term mortgage that is longer than 3 years is based on bond yields. Bond yields are as follows: the yield of a bond is the rate of return annually, most of the time shown as a percentage rate. These yields fluctuate based on inflation and unemployment and even stock market results. When bond yields are higher, the funding costs for banks go up and then the long term fixed rates are set. When lower bond yields are seen, the banks costs go down and there are lower long term mortgages.

The current mortgage rates Canada businesses offer are directly affected by the economy as well as the needs of Canadian government and the costs banks are facing. Deciding which type of mortgage you will use, fixed or variable rate, will mean a difference in the interest rates that are used for the mortgage. If you are refinancing, it is best to use a fixed rate mortgage. Your payments will stay the same on a regular basis, but you will have a higher interest rate. If you are more interested in saving money on payments, this is the route to take. If you are simply interested in a lower interest rate, it is best to refinance with a variable rate mortgage, but your monthly payments will vary based on the interest rate.

Advantages of the Modern Condominium

Although condominiums were only recently introduced in the Philippine market, these types of housing have significantly gained a lot of popularity among many Filipinos. Many of them even consider these condominiums as a type of modern housing because it provided them with the kind of necessities they are looking for, particularly in today’s modern and fast-paced lifestyles.

Advantages of living in a condo unit The main advantage of condominiums, according to many real estate experts, is its location. Because of today’s lifestyles, many Filipinos are seeking for a refuge they can easily access from their work, or a home which can provide them the accessibility they needed to get to work without having to go through the hassles of rush hour.

Those are the reasons why condominiums became popular in the Philippines. Because most condo in Philippines are found in business and commercial districts, such as in Makati City or in Ortigas, Pasig City, residents are given the luxury of living within mass transit distance of withing walking distance from their workplaces, allowing them to avoid the hassles of rush hour.

In addition to its location, condominiums are also known for its maintainability and security. With its maintainability, residents would only have to worry about their own units, while their garage, hallways, elevators, and cooling systems are properly maintained by hired personnel. Their security, on the other hand, assures the safety of their residents.

These are some of the reasons why condominiums became a very popular type of housing in the Philippines. But this is not the only reason why it is considered as one of the best types of modern housing in the Philippines. This is because of the new condominiums introduced in the country known as condominium complexes.

A condominium for the family According to many real estate experts, the only disadvantage of condominiums were its incapability to provide the necessary environment for a growing family. Because most condominiums are found in busy districts, many Filipino families considered these unsuitable for their family, particularly for their growing children.

However, when condominium complexes were introduced in the Philippine market, many Filipino families found a modern housing for their modern needs. This is because these types of condo in Philippines are mostly found in the outskirts or even in provincial districts.

Because of its location, along with its wide open spaces, many Filipino families found it suitable for their family. In addition to its environment, condominium complexes are also known for its amenities, including swimming pools, gyms, recreational parks, and playgrounds.

Disadvantages There are, however, several disadvantages of owning a condominium unit. One is its expensiveness. All types of condo in Philippines are known for its expensiveness, and that only the wealthy can afford to live in a condominium.

Another major disadvantage is its condo fees. These fees are mostly used for the maintenance of all facilities found in the condominium as well as wages for its maintenance and security personnel. According to many Filipinos, the more facilities found in a condominium, the more expensive its fees are, which is why the condo fees in most condominium complexes are higher compared to those condominiums in the city.

Pune Real Estate Market

The real estate market of Pune is going steady and smooth if compared to other cities, where both residential and commercial property graph is going downwards. While everywhere the experts are expecting a doom in realty, Pune seems to be confronting the forecast.

Perhaps, as Pune was never a mainstream real estate destination, it never saw a huge decline in realty prices. The slump was there in the city but it was only for a short period of time. There are various reasons why Pune has now emerged a preferred real estate destination.

As the IT industry drives the real estate demand in the city, first home sales constitute a major chunk of transactions happening in Pune. In this city, there is always a steady demand for property in Kalyani Nagar and Baner, which are close to two major IT hubs in the city. Besides the IT and BPO industry, the student population living outside their campuses are also responsible for fueling demand for housing in Pune.

Renowned real estate developers in Pune are of a view that the Pune property prices are on the move for a sharp drop. But real estate agents and the local industry experts in the city don’t think that there will be any recession in Pune real estate industry at least in the next 10 years. And Pune real estate developers also assert that the demand is stable and exceeding supply.
At present, Pune real estate market is one of the most active segments in Western India. Private realty players as well as local property builders and civic authorities are pouring in more investments in the city.

According to the latest realty market reports, commercial realty in Pune fetches about 20-25% returns on investment. This makes the city the most favorite and a preferred destination of investors.

The residential property segment is equally upbeat at this point of time.

The buzz has not only been created by the commercial real estate market of Pune but also by the residential realty market. In the residential front, the focus of real estate developers is on affordable housing. Major real estate developers like Kolte-Patil, Gera Properties have announced the launch of affordable housing projects in the city. These developers are planning to build one-room set and two-room set accommodation that costs between Rs 10-15 lakh.

Real estate developers in Pune are now also focusing on the bordering areas of Pune. The city centre boasts of high capital and rental values. Therefore, most of the buyers are now looking for affordable accommodation in the suburban and bordering areas. And, real estate developers are trying to cash in on this behaviour of the property seekers. Property in areas like Kothrud, Vanwadi, Oundh are high in demand. All these areas were earlier the extension of villages but are now they are the hub of property development.

Now, the residential real estate market of Pune is all set to reach newer heights. As per the industry estimates, the city needs almost 40,000 residential properties every year to match the housing demands of its citizens.

Considering that, the Maharashtra government has now given a green signal to private real estate players for setting up fully integrated townships in Pune, under the Public Private Participation (PPP) model.

To cash-in on this opportunity, Pune-based developer, City Group has come forward with its township project Amanora Park Town, the first project after the governments declaration.

Under this project, the land would be provided to the developer by the government, who would then build up all the infrastructure comprising residential units and commercial properties. The developer will also be responsible for developing the social infrastructure encompassing healthcare centres, educational institutions, and entertainment facilities within the city.

The Amanora Park Town would be developed in the area of about 400 acres at Hadapsar with all the aforementioned infrastructure and facilities.

According to the real estate agents, demand for medium budget residential properties in Pune is continuously increasing.

Some other real estaet projects coming up in Pune:

1.Greensville Sky Villas in Kharadi by Gera
2.Bloomfield in Ambegaon by Amit Enterprises
3.Regent Park in Baner by Gera
4.Emerald City in Kharadi by Gera
5.Princetown in Undri by Kumar Properties
6.Sobha Carnation in NIBM Kondwa by Sobha Developers
7.Picasso in Hadapsar by Kumar Properties

Commercial Fitness Equipment Options For A Condominium Fitness Centre

Condominium living is becoming more and more popular for urbanites. Condo dwellers expect a lot out of their building, especially if they are paying high condo fees. Many buyers are looking for buildings that include a quality fitness centre. Space will be a huge factor when designing a fitness centre in a condominium. Here are 5 essential pieces of commercial fitness equipment that will give the users the best workout in a limited space.
1. Treadmill
Treadmills may be the most important piece of commercial fitness equipment that you include in a condominium fitness centre. They are versatile and will meet the needs of many users. Most modern treadmills will offer variant speeds, inclines and programs allowing different users to get different benefits from the equipment. Treadmills are extremely popular so if space allows two or three treadmills are recommended to cut wait times for users.
2. Elliptical
Another piece of cardio equipment that should be included in a condominium fitness centre is an elliptical trainer. They offer a low impact cardiovascular workout using both the upper and lower body. Ellipticals provide a smooth fluid motion while still building strength in the muscles. Since the users feet stay in the pedals throughout the movement there is little or no impact on the joints. A good elliptical trainer will have the capacity to vary in resistance making it ideal for new users and athletes alike.
3. Upright and Recumbent Bikes
Stationary bikes and recumbent bikes are great for older users or for people who are recovering from an injury. Its also a good idea to offer different types of cardio equipment to give users a choice. Upright bikes are more similar to road bikes so are great for users who enjoy cycling but are unable to get out due to location or weather. Recumbent bikes have a different seat position so the rider is leaning back more with their legs slightly elevated. They tend to be more comfortable than the traditional upright bike for longer workouts. Again if space allows having one or more of each would be ideal.
4. Strength Machines
Space keeps coming up time and time again since its something that most condominium fitness centres are lacking. To combat this while still allowing for a good workout, multi-gym systems are perfect. This type of commercial fitness equipment offers the tools for different exercises all on one piece of equipment. Many of the systems on the market even allow several people to use the equipment at one time. Its safe to assume that the equipment will be used regularly by many users so its important to purchase a good quality system that will stand the test of time. Since most condominium fitness centres are unsupervised of safety reasons its better to have a system with pre-stacked weights as opposed to one with loose weights that need to be added on.

5. Free Weights and Benches
A selection of free weights, preferably dumbbells starting at 5lbs and working up to 50lbs, along with benches both incline and flat are also an integral part of a quality fitness centre. Free weights are a popular choice for gym users. There are hundreds of exercises that can be done using dumbbells either standing or using a bench. They take up little storage space and allow for adaptable workouts for patrons. You will want to ensure there is enough space around the benches and open area for users to hold their arms out in all directions. Along with dumbbells, kettlebells are also a good choice.
Setting up a fitness centre in a Condominium isnt that much different than setting up a Hotel gym or Community Centre gym. Think about the demographic of the user, the size of the space and of course the budget. Commercial fitness equipment is a must since it is developed to withstand multiple users per day. Quality equipment doesnt have to cost a lot since there are good dealers of used commercial fitness equipment as well.