Imagine complementing your holiday with the sensational experience of staying in an over-water bungalow, where you can look through the glass bottom floor to watch the colourful reef fish and sting rays playing below you. Many of the over-water bungalow resorts also offer delicious canoe breakfasts were your fresh gourmet breakfast will be delivered direct to your villa by a friendly local in a canoe.

Hawaii Tour

Here are our pick of the top five over-water bungalow destinations:

1. Tahiti

One of the most exotic and romantic parts of the dazzling South Pacific would surely have to be Tahiti. Over-water bungalows originated in Tahiti and the surrounding islands back in the 1960s so it’s no surprise that the majority of luxury Tahiti resorts have over-water bungalows available.

The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa is truly decadent, complete with a satellite and plasma TV, air-conditioning and a private security safe. Of course, it also has exquisite views! If you like to pamper yourself with champagne and bubble baths, you will love the divine bathrooms in the over-water bungalows at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa. Of course, this comes complete with glass floors and even clear coffee tables so they don’t obstruct your view.

2. Maldives

The ever-glorious Maldives are perfect at any time of the year and the best way to make the most of your luxury Maldives holiday is by staying at one of the many over-water bungalows — or water villas — on offer here. At the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort you can not only enjoy your over-water villa, you can also dine in the unique underwater restaurant, Ithaa.

Cocoa Island Resort is 30 minutes from the airport by speedboat and well worth the trip.

Owned by the COMO Hotels and Resorts group, it has the same elegance that is typical of these resorts. Nearby Kandooma Channel has been referred to as one of the Maldives’ best dive sites, with excellent snorkelling spots nearby too.

Other resorts where you can treat yourself to a stay in an over-water bungalow in the Maldives include the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa Resort, Baros Resort, and One and Only Kanuhara.

3. Mauritius

Mauritius is another tropical paradise located off the African coast, in the southwest of the Indian Ocean. This island has a more cosmopolitan atmosphere and is somewhere you can blend relaxing days on the beach with vibrant water activities, great shopping, fine dining and exciting nightlife. The only Mauritius resort offering over-water bungalows is Le Prince Maurice, where you can also enjoy glass-bottomed boat tours, water sports and use of the resorts’ two golf courses, located nearby on the mainland. Sheltered from winds, this private sanctuary provides many secluded retreats as well as a natural fish reserve.

4. Caribbean

If you want to enjoy a luxury Caribbean holiday there is only one resort that offers over-water bungalows and that is the 9 Beaches Resort at Bermuda. Choose from one of 84 stylish cabanas, all located over 18 acres of exquisite private waterfront. You can spend your days participating in all manor of water sports and activities, or simply put your feet up and sip ice-cold cocktails and daiquiris while lazing on the soft, sandy beach – or from the veranda of your private over-water cabana.

5. Vanuatu

Another piece of paradise in the South Pacific is Vanuatu, a small chain of idyllic tropical islands. Le Lagon Resort Vanuatu is nestled amongst 75 acres of tranquil gardens, alongside the stunning Erakor Lagoon. With the most amazing views all around you, this resort is only eight kilometres away from the International Airport. For shop-a-holics, Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, is the best place for shopping and is only three kilometres from Le Lagon Resort Vanuatu. This spectacular South Pacific luxury resort boasts three restaurants and bars, each serving a feast of delectable cuisine.

If you plan on treating yourself to a luxury Vanuatu holiday, make sure you visit Vanuatu’s unique underwater post office ? the only one in the world!

Top 5 Luxury Over-Water Bungalow Destinations in the World

Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au

The first of the commercials portrays the new iPhone as the next step up from the popular iPod. The iPod was all the rage up until this point, and the iPhone was supposed to be the next-generation iPod, oh, and it’s also a phone! The advertisement displays all of the enhanced features available in the iPod, and more, the point being “There’s never been an iPod that can do this.”

Mountains View

“So, say you’re watching Pirates of the Caribbean”

Finger clicks on video and displays wide screen movie.

“Mmm, did somebody say Calamari?”

Finger clicks back to menu, selects Maps application to search ‘Seafood’.

“The closest would be…”

Map displays all seafood locations and highlights location nearest to you.

“Ah!”

Finger clicks seafood location, and restaurant phone number displayed. iPhone dial’s.

The first four iPhone commercials flaunted the convenience, innovation, and usefulness of a single product with the functionality of not only a phone, or a music device, but a product that can, among other things, listen to music, watch videos, view photos, make conference calls, check e-mail, browse the web, and view maps.

Not only does Apple utilize television for their marketing strategy, but they make use of their website by posting videos, they also published a handful of press releases that could have been released in one single document. Apple often uses this tactic to build up hype and leave the consumer wanting more.

With Apple’s brief press releases, giving the audience little to go off, “Apple leveraged a law of social physics – news, like nature, abhors a vacuum. In the absence of real information, those who care about a product will grasp at any rumor that comes their way. Apple may publicly disavow the rumor Web sites that scramble for scraps about the companies plans, but secretly their marketing department must be delighted. It would cost a lot to buy that kind of Web advertising.” (Silverman, 2007)

The official iPhone website does more than just provide information about the product. The website provides top tips and tricks for the use of an iPhone, as well as a huge focus on apps. Almost the entire iPhone page displays images of apps, provides the “App of the Week,” the website also contains sections titled “Apps for Everything,” and the “Top Apps.” Apple’s website is a great marketing tool for current iPhone users and consumers that have an interest in purchasing the iPhone. The promotion of the apps will create a stronger source of revenue for Apple. As customers see top rated applications, they are more likely to download the app, rather than searching through 25,000+ apps to find one that may be of any value to the consumer.

Successful younger men were the target audience that Apple had originally focused on. Apple had hoped that with this target audience, and the fact that 48% of this audience did not already own an Apple iPod, would allow them to reach their forecast of 10 million sales by the end of 2008.

One month prior to the release of the iPhone, Solutions Research Group profiled a cross-section of those aware of the phone. The forecast of potential buyers for the day of the release ranked a majority of T-Mobile customers, AT&T’s only GSM-based product competitor, at 15%. The second largest group expected to purchase the new iPhone was AT&T’s existing customer base, at 12%. The Solutions Research Group also found that 72% of males, versus 28% of women were most likely to investigate the phone at its minimum price of 9. (Malley, 2007)

The obvious current target audiences for the Apple iPhone include young people between the ages of 20 and 35, affluent teenagers, “jet-setters”, and “mobile” employees who work outside of the office.

Apple is known for their simplistic, but catchy commercials. In recent television commercials for the Apple iPhone, “There’s an App for that” is the new catch phrase that places a strong focus on the apps available from the App Store. Apps, or applications, are in “every category, from games to business, education to entertainment, finance to health and fitness, productivity to social networking. These applications have been designed to take advantage of iPhone features such as Multi-Touch, the accelerometer, wireless, and GPS” (Apple, 2009). Apple currently claims to have 25,000+ apps available, and counting.

The focus on the variation of apps offered opens up the target audience greatly. There is essentially an app for everyone. As a few of the iPhone commercials advertise, you can find the snow conditions on the mountain, track calories in your lunch, find exactly where you parked your car. You can find a cab in a strange city, find your share of the bill for a table of 5, or learn to fix a wobbly bookshelf. You can read a restaurant review, read an MRI, or just read a regular old book. These are just a few of the features that Apple has promoted through television commercials. iPhone apps provide every functionality that one can imagine.

When the iPhone was initially released, it was priced at a hefty 9. Still, hundreds of thousands of people rushed out to get the new phone, forking over a third as much as they would have had they waited an extra 3 months. 3 months after the initial release, Apple reduced the price of the iPhone to 9. This enraged Apple’s loyal customers and consumers who purchased the new phone just months earlier. One year later, Apple again reduced the price of the iPhone to 9, 66% less than the original price.

In July, 2007, the Apple iPhone was all the hype. I believe that Apple’s decision to release the phone at 9 was slightly based on greed. However, their product was the most innovative out in the market place, giving Apple the freedom to price the iPhone at whatever they wanted. Many believed that Apple had cut the price after discovering lower than expected iPhone sales. Apple, however, states that the price cut was made “to spur holiday sales and predicted that Apple would meet its stated goal of selling its 1 millionth iPhone by the end of September.” (Dalrymple, 2007)

As with the product life cycle of any cell phone or Apple product, including Apple’s iPod, prices are often reduced drastically months after the initially release. Tech products are always competing against “the latest and greatest” while maintaining a relevant price in the market place. Had Apple not reduced the price of the iPhone, the customer base would have dwindled quickly as many consumers are unwilling to spend 9 on a cell phone, no matter how many useful features the phone may carry.

As the iPhone remains to be the number one smart phone around, the product continues to grow, increasing size capabilities, increasing the number of applications available, and providing new features that are released through new iterations of the phone, continue to provide a greater value to the iPhone while the pricing remains relevant.

At this time in the product life cycle, Apple continues to release enhanced iterations of the iPhone. With most iPhone users un-willing to purchase a newer version of the iPhone because of price, the target audience for the newer generation phones is new iPhone customers. With Apple’s installed base continuing to grow, they have found a way bring in reoccurring revenue from their existing customers through the sales of their application downloads. As more and more people purchase the iPhone, Apple’s audience for new customers continues to dwindle. Fortunately for Apple, they have built in another source for revenue that continues throughout the life of the product.

References

(2009). Apple: iPhone. Retrieved April 26, 2009, from Apple

Dalrymple, J (2007, Sep, 11). Lessons learned from the iPhone price cuts. PCWorld, Retrieved Apr 26, 2009, from http://www.pcworld.com/article/137046/lessons_learned_from_the_iphone_price_cuts.html

Silverman, D (2007, Jul, 10). Apple’s silence helped the iPhone hype. Chron.com:Computing, Retrieved Apr 26, 2009, from http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4954824.html

Malley, A (2007, Jun, 6). Apple, AT&T neophytes to define iPhone audience – report. AppleInsider, Retrieved Apr 26, 2009, from AppleInsider Website

Mukherjee, A (2007, Feb, 28). iPhone under attack. Business Today, Retrieved Apr 26, 2009, from the business today website

iPhone Marketing Strategy

Jesus has smoked most of his life. Now he writes inspiring articles for people trying to quit smoking. You can check out his recent site at http://benefitsofstoppingsmoking.net where he writes about the Benefits of Stopping Smoking.

Barcelona benefits from a climate that sees hot summers and comparatively mild winters. But although Barcelona is a good beach destination, terms like “beaches” and “sunbathing” undervalue this amazing city.

Hotels And Resorts

To see the real Barcelona you need to leave the beach resorts and the seafront areas behind and explore the city that sits beyond these sun worshiping zones.

If you do this you will not be disappointed and you will experience a city that has something to see and do twelve months of the year.

What to see and do in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Spain’s most culturally rich metropolises with masses of museums and galleries. These galleries range from the Caixa Forum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, to the Barcelona Football Club Museum.

For anyone with an interest in architecture or buildings, Barcelona will be associated with Antonio Gaudi and the modernist architectural movement that he pioneered.

Gaudi is a monumental figure in Barcelona and his breathtaking buildings can be found all over the city. These buildings stand out because of their unique designs, designs that saw Gaudi redefine structural beauty on his own terms.

Many are aware of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral, but a number of his other buildings like Casa Milla and Casa Batllo are as good, if not better.

Away from the modernist buildings, Barcelona has its fair share of narrow atmospheric streets, rustic stone houses and palatial mansions. This is a city with a bit of everything and something for everyone.

Barcelona’s catalaunian attributes continue with its parks and open spaces and these range from the city centre Plaza de Cataluna, to the city’s three main “green” parks of Guell, Montjuic and la Ciutadella.

These parks are truly outstanding in their scale and beauty and each has a different character. Parc Guell is Gaudi inspired and features many of his characteristic trademarks, whilst Ciutadella is a central city park with fountains, a lake and a zoo.

When it comes to shopping, Barcelona has chic boutiques like Zara and Mango plus many trinket and keep-sake shops to keep the tourists happy.

There is a massive Corte Ingles department store, the famous las Ramblas and the spectacular Mercat Boqueria. You will also see large shopping complexes like el Triangle and Maremagnum.

Barcelona has an active nightlife around the city centre and marina areas. Here you will find everything from bars and traditional Flamenco shows, to Jazz clubs, blues clubs and alternative music bars that cover almost every genre of music.

Eating out is always a pleasure in Barcelona and, during the evenings, the menus and atmosphere of most restaurants change from the informality of lunch time. Fish and seafood dishes tend to be the big favourites, but it is Barcelona’s tapas bars that offer the most varied dining experience of all. These tapas bars serve up a huge variety of snack sized dishes and you can eat as much, or as little, as you want.

Barcelona – A Winter Break Destination

For a final treat you can get a sky high view of Barcelona by taking a cable car ride from the sea front to the mountain peak of Montjuic.

If you want a full list of over 30 different sights and attractions in Barcelona, take a look at http://www.barcelonaweekendbreak.net/sightseeing.html Here you will find short summaries of all of Barcelona’s top sightseeing hot spots with links to full page photographic summaries of each. Barcelona really is a city worth exploring outside the main holiday period.

Situated in the heart of the world’s biggest ocean, Fiji’s 300 islands have attracted thousands of visitors each year from its sandy white beaches to volcanic black beaches. Some of the most frequently visited white sand beaches are located in the main islands. Those with the finest of white sand are often found in the more remote smaller islands surrounded by coral reefs.

Travel Guide

Yasawa Islands

The area is rich in natural attractions and is located in Fiji’s Western Division. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving and a favorite destination for backpackers. It is known for its rugged terrain as evidence of several volcanic formations remains. Famous for having one of the whitest sand in the world, the area actually consists of four regions; each has its own share of high peaks, jagged rocks, and deep blue waters.

Vatulele

It offers several diving and snorkeling opportunities in many of the diving spots in the area such as the Labyrinth, Coral Garden, and Devil’s Ledge. Other activities available that the adventurous traveler can try are sea kayaking, sail boating, and water and jet skiing, just to name a few. Tourists can also visit some of the archeological sites or go on jungle hikes with a tour guide who is familiar with the medicinal properties of some of the native plants.

Wakaya

This 2200 acre getaway has long nature trails that are ideal for hiking, walking, and jogging. But it is the snorkeling in the Koro Sea that attracts many visitors, particularly at the protected marine park Wakaya Reef. Amateur scuba divers who want to be certified are welcome to test abilities in the island. Sea kayaking is another fun workout activity in the island’s waters as well as deep-sea fishing. The island offers a more secluded, quiet experience for the guests, who will get to experience Fijian living in bures or local cottages.

Namena

The island is encircled by the Namena Barrier Reef, among the country’s untouched snorkeling and diving reef ecosystems. From afar the island is shaped like a dragon while up close it has soft, powdery white sand beaches. The Namena Barrier Reef is a world-renowned diving destination and is affirmed by several publications as one of Fiji’s top attractions. Each bure site in the island is carefully spaced to provide privacy for the holiday goers.

Fiji beaches are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or any kind of water activity may it be black, white, or golden beaches.

Fiji Travel Guide: Beaches

For more information on other travel destinations, read this article on Hong Kong travel and this article on Hong Kong travel deals.

Security today at all domestic or International airports understand that a card indicating you have had a joint replaced can be simply purchased over the internet for a small fee. Anyone can do it therefore, an individual that wanted to try and slip something through will have to produce more then just a card indicating they have a metal prosthesis in their hip or knee.

Flights Booking

The drill goes something like this, you enter the metal detectors even if you have advised them it will go off.

Once it goes off they immediately take you to the side and then have either a male or female depending on your sex check you by waving a wand over your body. You get patted down then presto you are finished.

I have yet had any great difficulty going through security with a knee replaced. You are not asked to produce the scar if you wear long pants. You get held up only for several minutes.

Therefore, you really do not need to ask your surgeon to give you an ID card. Some may still do it, some have stopped altogether. If you want to carry a card as some sort of feeling of initiation into the joint replacement fraternity you can but, you will not be asked to produce it in today’s age of technology.

Total Joint Replacement – Airline Travel Without a Joint ID Card

Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
Punta Gorda, Florida.

http://www.richardhaynes.com
http://www.rhaynes.blogspot.com

Richard Haynes is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Personal Trainer for older adults who practices in Punta Gorda, Florida. Owner of Total Joint Fitness LLC Richard instructs patients and clients on exercise and nutrition and how to live healthier and stronger lives after 50. Total Joint Fitness also specializes in educating patients that have had orthopedic surgery and need more information on the rehabilitation process or, want to increase their overall level of strength and conditioning after surgery.

The “official” Elf on the Shelf, Elf Magic Elf or a another elf, arrives at your home early in the Christmas season to spend the holidays with your family.

Travel Guide

Each night the Elf on a Shelf returns to the North Pole, while your children are sleeping, to report to Santa regarding their behavior.

While the Elf on the Shelf Elves have a more staid reputation, the Elf Magic Elves are a mischievous bunch, and have a tendency to make a mess or pull a crazy stunt while everyone is asleep. Your kids will love to wake up each morning and see what trouble the Elf got into the night before.

Here are ten ideas found around the internet and from local families to inspire your elf:

Elves Love to Do What Your Kids Love To Do

Elves adapt quickly to a household, and many mornings are found busy with the favorite activities of the kids who live there. Reading favorite books, playing games (including the Wii or Nintendo DS), having a tea party with best-loved dolls, and riding skateboards are all favorite Elf past times.

Elves Are Into Computers and Social Media

Elves in homes with teens have been known to have email, Facebook and Twitter accounts to keep an online eye on the kids and send funny emails, status updates and tweets. Many elves also seem to surf the internet late at night, finding fun new sites for the kids to enjoy.

Elves Love to be in Pictures

Apparently, Elves are very good at self portraits. Many families have found their digital cameras full of pictures of their Elves in all kinds of crazy poses.

Elves Often Have A Driver’s License

If an Elf cannot be found in the morning, the car is the first place to look. Elves are often found in the driver’s seat, sitting on a stack of pillows or books. The car may be parked backwards or in a crazy position, and in some cases even down the street or in a neighbor’s driveway. Typically, Christmas music is blaring through the speakers and the gas tank is mysteriously closer to empty than before.

Elves Write in Journals

Elves and children often learn more about each other and build bonds by writing letters back and forth. Some Elves arrive with a festively decorated journal to keep all the correspondence in one place. It has been rumored that some Elves only write backwards, so children must hold the note up to the mirror to read it. A few are conversant in Pig Latin or other codes that older kids must decipher.

Elves Tell Potty Jokes, Too

Bathroom humor spans all languages and species. Elves love to turn the toilet water green (with food coloring), decorate Christmas trees in underwear, toilet paper kids rooms or whole houses, and write on bathroom mirrors with mom’s lipstick.

Elves Spell Their Names – Everywhere!

Each Elf has a name. Some are named by the children they watch. Others arrive with a note introducing the Elf. Either way, all Elves seem to love to leave their signature as often as possible. Maybe the Elf’s name is written in Cheerios, flour, or chocolate syrup on the counter. Other times in toothpaste on the bathroom mirror. Best of all, in food coloring on freshly fallen snow.

Elves Love Things That Remind Them of Home

Cotton ball snowball fights are a favorite past time of elves. Also, Elves often make elf sized snow angels. If real snow is not available, then Insta-Snow or flour make good substitutes. A favorite game for Elves is Candy Lane. If the house does not already have a copy, Elves have been known to bring one from the North Pole as an early Christmas gift.

Elves Do Not Always Come Alone

What could be better than an Elf on the Shelf? Several Elves, of course. That means the mischief can multiply and children awake to elaborate scenes of Elf mayhem. Maybe a poker game or baseball or football match or a play with Elves in costume (borrowed from other dolls).

Elves Play With Their Neighbor Elves

So many families have their own Elf on a Shelf during the holidays that Elves join with neighbor Elves to increase the fun. Many neighbor elves have been waiting together at the bus stop for their children to arrive. Other Elves host a Christmas party for neighborhood kids.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless for your elf tradition. Happy Holidays!

The Elf on a Shelf – 10 Sets of Mischievous Ideas For Adding Magic to Your Holiday Season

Terri Chadick invites you to introduce the Elf on the Shelf holiday tradition to your family this Christmas season. Go to [http://www.lifepluskids.com/elf-on-a-shelf] to find out more.

(c) Copyright — Life+Kids, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

1. A college education secures our future. The number of employment opportunities is greater and statistics reveal that most leaders are college grads.

Florida Tour

2. If you have a college education you will make more money which in turn will enable you to have a better lifestyle. If a high school graduate earns US$ 34,303 annually, a college graduate will earn US$ 56,334, and a person with a professional qualification will net at least US$ 99,411.

3. It is not just earnings. A college education makes you a rounded person. It shapes your communication skills, expands your knowledge base, makes you methodical and organized, and exposes you to a whole new world of learning.

4. People with a college education have better value systems and are healthier. They are able to guide their family positively.

5. College can help you qualify in fields you are interested in. So if you are an innovator, inventor, or healer, or artist you can train in the specific field and qualify.

6. According to experts, college graduates are self confident, have greater knowledge of governance, are less likely to become criminals, are emotionally and financially secure, make better partners and parents, and have a deeper understanding of human nature.

7. College instills a deep sense of right and wrong and is they very essence of a democratic world.

8. Education opens the doors to many things like multiple jobs, career choices, the chance to further education at any point in life, and the option of teaching others what you have learnt. Be it a child, family member, or a poor person you meet.

9. College education is an investment in you that yields much more than Wall Street investments.

10. College educated citizens will ensure the continuing success of the “American Dream.” The ability to see the right path and work for peace and prosperity.

Students according to Jose Marti a patriot are the very ramparts of a nation and the strongest advocates of freedom. Education creates a conscience and as a result a better human being. College education eventually becomes a legacy for future generations. Most succeeding generations of college educated people go to college themselves. The value of a good education becomes ingrained in their genes. Huge stones can be moved with muscle power but it is brain power that tells you how to move it and what can be done with it.

10 Reasons to Go to College

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Onlinecolleges.com/, the premier website to find top ranking colleges online directory including topics on public colleges, private colleges, online college, college course online, information on college costs, financial aid, degrees awarded, enrollments and more. He also freelances for premier Discussion Site http://www.1888Discuss.com

Twelve facts on Pearl Harbor:

Hawaii Tour

1. Pearl Harbor is a United States naval base located west of Honolulu on the island of O’ahu, Hawaii.

2. It was the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II.

3. Due to the fact that it was a Sunday morning, many of the soldiers were sleeping and were completely unaware of the catastrophe that was soon to be upon them all.

4. The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan was supposed to be a preventive attack used to scare the United States from interfering with Japans’ plan to wage war against Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States. Although this was a very good strategic victory for the Japanese, they used huge amounts of resources for this one attack.

5. There were two waves of planes that attacked the U.S Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The first arrived at 7:55 a.m. and consisted of 183 planes. The second wave arrived almost an hour later with 167 planes. There were very few soldiers ready to fight on cue, thus the damage and devastation was quite severe.

6. In all, the Japanese sank or damaged 188 aircraft, eight U.S. Navy battleships, three destroyers, three cruisers, and one minelayer. The damage caused to the Japanese navy was very small, Only 29 aircraft out of 350 were destroyed.

7. There were 2,403 people killed, 68 of those were civilians. 1,178 were wounded.

8. There had been a declaration of war sent to the United States by the Japanese before the attack even happened, but the United States thought that it was an ending to negotiations. This mistake proved deadly.

9. The Four U.S. Navy battleships that were destroyed were the USS Arizona, the USS Nevada, the USS Oklahoma, and the USS West Virginia.

10. The Japanese thought that the battleships were the primary source of the United States strength, but they failed to realize that the aircraft carriers and submarines would be sufficient enough to stop them in the end.

11. Although the Empire of Japan caused huge amounts of damage to the United States, there were still many members in congress that did not want to go to war, and felt the need was quite small. However, this did not stop the United States from declaring war with Japan the very next day.

12. Lastly, one of the main reasons that the attack on Pearl Harbor did not succeed was because this very attack helped spur the Americans onward and proved to be a huge rallying point for the troublesome days, months, and years that lay ahead.

Facts on Pearl Harbor

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Facts on Pearl Harbor, please visit The Pearl Harbor Memorial for current articles and discussions.

There are generally three kinds of real estate investment available to foreigners. These investments include the commercial estate investment and residential property investment. Residential properties are further classified into single family properties, apartments or condominiums and recreational properties. Regardless of what kind of real estate you are interested in, there are all sorts of tax ramifications, financing options and legal requirements that you have to deal with.

Hawaii Tour

Why Should You Invest in the U.S. Real Estate Market?

You’ve probably heard of the increasing number of foreign real estate investments in the United States. This is not surprising. With the troubles that the real estate investment market is facing in the United States, greater opportunities in real estate investment were opened to foreign investors.

With the dollar’s value in its all time low, foreign investors are finding real estate bargains all over the United States. There are no shortages of deals in this market. More and more distressed properties are being sold everywhere and foreigners are pouring in millions buying these foreclosed or distressed properties. The United States real estate has become a fairly attractive long-term investment for foreign investors.

In November of 2006, the National Association of Realtors released a report entitled “Foreign Investments in U.S Real Estate: Current Trends and Historical Perspective”. The report showed that there has been a steady increase in foreign real estate investment in the United States. This is especially after the euro and the loonie became stronger in the face of the continuous devaluation of the US dollar. Prime bargains were opened to foreigners. Many foreigners have now looked into the possibility of retiring or settling in the United States.

If you’re a foreigner, you would find a lot of reasons why you should invest in the United States real estate market. Aside from the fact that the floating exchange rate has given you a lot of leverage over the bargaining table, the financial market is a pretty good reason why you should invest in the US real estate.

The financial market in the United States in relation to the real estate market is quite liberal and the restrictions against foreign investors are pretty reasonable. This is ideal for foreign companies that are seeking to invest in the real estate market in the United States in order to avoid tariff restrictions and are considering setting up an office or a company in the United States.

Furthermore, despite the devaluation of the US dollar and the wide foreclosures of a lot of property, the real estate market remains to be stable, though slightly shaky, due to foreign investors’ capital appreciation. Domestic real estate buyers may not necessarily share the same opinion, but the market has remained to be strong for foreign real estate buyers. This may be largely credited to the fact that there is minimal risk for them.

Why are Foreign Real Estate Investments Safe and Profitable?

There are a lot of investments you can make, but the safest you can make right now is investing your money in real properties. This is another good reason aside from the fact that you can make a pretty nifty profit, if you like, particularly now with the widespread property foreclosures and seemingly continuous US dollar devaluation. This is especially true if you are going to use the euro or the loonie when making your investment.

But why is US real estate investment safe for foreigners?

It is undeniable that stock investments are not a safe avenue at this point. The recession has not only affected the US economy; the same recession has greatly affected worldwide stock investments. Stocks values are dropping. It is also a fact that even without the current economic situation, stock values fluctuates.

On the other hand, real estate investments are pretty stable if you would compare it to stock investments – or even bond or mutual fund investments. With real estate investment, you’d be putting your money in an investment that would grow in value as years go by.

What are the Benefits of Foreign Real Estate Investment?

US state government supports foreign investments and along this line has formulated various tax breaks to encourage foreign investment on real estate. Many of these tax breaks are not available in many countries. In fact, most countries would frown at foreigners owning real properties within their territory.

Foreign real estate investment in the United States is open to everyone. As long as you can afford to buy the property or at least comply with the mortgage requirements and payments, you can secure for yourself a pretty good property in the United States. Again, with the current economic situation of the United States, this is the perfect chance for you to make an investment.

Another great benefit that you can take advantage of is the availability of mortgage financing. Lenders have opened their doors to foreign investors who are looking into purchasing a property. So, you don’t have to actually deplete your bank account. You can actually secure a mortgage loan and gradually pay it off.

I’m Canadian, What Are My Financing Options?

There is a steady increasing rate of Canadian real estate investors in the United States; and accordingly, the government has made certain that they have attractive financing options available to them.

If you’re Canadian – or if you’re a foreigner – you’d find a lot of reasons why you should buy a piece of real property in the United States. For Canadians, the parity of the currencies or the apparent devaluation of the US dollar is a pretty good reason itself. But how do you finance your purchase?

There are various financing options available to you depending on which state you are in. In Arizona, for instance, you’d get favorable financing terms if you are purchasing a property for recreational purposes, that is, you do not derive any income or benefit from your purchase or ownership. You will be required, however, to sign up a disclosure agreement and give a 30% down payment for your loan. To qualify though for a loan, you may be required to show availability of liquid reserves for a period of three to six months. You may also be required to present a minimum of 3-month bank statement.

If you are purchasing a property for investment, you’d probably meet stricter terms. Requirements may be more stringent. For instance, you could be required to give a down payment of more than 30% and you may be required to show one year worth of liquidity reserves.

Regardless of your reasons, if you feel like you can fulfill the requirements of a financing loan, you can then proceed to actually applying for a mortgage loan. Also, keeping yourself updated with the financing terms flux may be a wise idea.

Understanding the Tax Ramifications of Real Estate Investment

The first foreigner to have ever bought a real estate property in the United States was Peter Minuit. This opened the doors to foreign real estate investors. After a couple of centuries later, foreign real estate investment has grown into huge proportions, accounting for billion-of-dollar worth of industry.

The low risk attached to US real estate market, the availability of countless properties, and the steady market liquidity attract foreign investors in droves. The initial snag, however, is the process of understanding the legal ramifications of foreign real estate investment.

What you have to understand is that foreign investment in the United States can take a lot of forms. A foreigner has various options. He can acquire direct interest. He can acquire an interest in the real estate through a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company. The latter is the typical structure used by foreign investors.

Limited partnership or Limited Liability Company offers financial protection or indirect asset protection, especially in cases of bankruptcy, law suits and taxes. Foreign investors are generally taxed on the property as if they hold the property in direct interest.

Ideally, you should secure the services of a real estate accountant to help you out with the tax ramifications, but it would help if you, at least, know the basics before you actually talk to an accountant.

There are tax consequences that you have to deal with when you buy a real estate in the United States. You would need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number which you will use with all your tax transactions. Your investment in real estates can be treated as a portfolio investment and will be accounted for as an investment income which can either be fixed or a periodic income. This is typically taxed at 30% on gross revenues. This tax though does not apply though to all foreign investors. Tax rates would vary depending on the tax personality the foreign investor opted for. For instance, a corporation would be taxed differently.

Other things that you should take note of are availability and requirements of tax refunds and state tax laws on real estate properties as they may differ from federal laws, among other things.

By knowing all these things, you may save yourself from a lot of hassles when you finally approach a real estate accountant. You’d be in same wavelength when you finally get down to talking business. It is, however, very important that you secure the services of an accountant. You’d have an easier time dealing with the taxes ramifications. You’d also have assistance ensuring that you comply with all the accounting aspect of your investment. This is especially true if you are purchasing a real property for investment purposes.

Do You Need to Secure the Service of a Real Estate Lawyer?

If you are considering buying a property in the United States, you need to secure the services of a real estate attorney – someone who could help you with the legal issues concerning your purchase. It is tempting to forego securing the service of a lawyer to save money, but this could cost you a lot of money in the long run. Make sure that you have an experienced and trustworthy lawyer to help you out. Make sure that you have thoroughly checked out his credentials, profile, history of successful cases handled by him, and other factors that would influence your decision. You could check online and look for a lawyer working within the state where you are considering purchasing a property.

Functions of a Real Estate Lawyer

There is no actual distinctive function for a lawyer in a real estate case. However, you would really need the assistance of a lawyer for various tasks. A real estate lawyer would review the sales contract for you. He would also check on the title and other documents relating to the property. A lawyer would also review your mortgage contract and make the necessary adjustments or corrections. You could also get him to review with you the legal and tax issues concerning the purchase. A real estate attorney could also make the necessary adjustments relating to various expenses and costs involved in the purchase. He would assess your eligibility for tax refunds and draft the documents and statements relating to this.

Putting it simply, a real estate lawyer will be your watchdog. He would guide you through the whole process of purchasing a real estate in the United States in order to make sure that you will be legally protected. You will have a capable and trustworthy liaison to help you out with the contract. He will also face legal disputes if any arise.

Tips on How to Invest in Real Estate Successfully

Now, if you’ve fully bought into the idea of real estate investing in the United States, you might just want to know how to go about investing in real estate successfully. If you want to be successful in this venture, the first thing that you have to avoid is overanalyzing. Of course, it is a good idea to carefully think through your actions but it is a bad idea to overanalyze your investment to nonexistence. You might lose a great opportunity.

Before you purchase the property though, it might be wise to check the property value. If it sits well with you and you can reasonably afford the property, go ahead and make the purchase.

If you are considering the property for a quick flip, make sure that the property is in perfect condition and in good area. This is to ensure that you could double or actually triple your return of investment. If you can inspect the property yourself, do so. If not, a good and trustworthy agent can help you with this task.

Another important thing to remember when you’re buying real estate is good financing. You should take your time to carefully consider all your financing options. Foreign investors can email in their queries to various lending institutions. It is a good idea to make sure that you’ve had their terms and rates on paper because they tend to change these terms and charge you with a lot of junk. Your real estate agent can help you with reviewing the escrow charges.

The bottom line, however, is that it is very important that you do your homework before you actually buy a real property. Investing in real properties in the United States can be profitable especially during these times. In fact, it may be the wisest and most perfect investment you can make right now.

How a Foreign National Can Buy Real Estate in America

Maria Gudelis has been a real estate investor and entrepreneur for over 10 years. She has investigated or bought properties all over the world including Mexico, Ecuador, Canada and the U.S.A. Past co-founder of the Southern California ‘Forum for Women Entrepreneurs’, her passion is to help other entrepreneurs leverage technology and real estate to be successful in their businesses. Her website is at http://www.maria-gudelis.com

TIP #1

Florida Tour

o Did you use seam sealer on your tent? Remember to seal all tent seams on an annual basis. Purchase some “fresh” sealer from a sporting goods or camping store. During your first outing in the spring, re-seal all your seams with a liberal amount of sealer.

TIP #2

o Are you putting a ground sheet or cloth under your tent when you camp? It’s not just enough to put the ground sheet under the tent, you’ve got to tuck the edges under the tent so when it rains the water will not collect on the ground sheet and run under the tent.

So, if your rain fly is installed correctly, the seam sealer holding and the ground sheet properly tucked under the tent you should be go to go! – at least from moisture getting into your tent.

TIP #3

o When inside the tent during a rainstorm, make sure your gear, sleeping bags, mattress, etc. are not touching the tent walls. Why? Well, the tent walls and rain fly are designed to deflect the water droplets off the tent and onto the ground. If you upset this design by putting your pack, sleeping bag or other gear against the wall, water will pool and soak through the tent wall!

I learned this the hard way! I was in a small tent and didn’t realize that my sleeping bag was resting against the tent wall. During the night it rained and I slept through it. In the morning I had a wet spot at the foot of my sleeping bag and a puddle on the floor of my tent.

TIP #4

o When you enter the tent after being out in the rain, take off your wet clothes and put them in a corner or at the front of your tent with your wet shoes. Some tents have a small vestibule that is ideal for this. By using this tip, you will “localize” all your wet gear and keep the other gear dry.

TIP #5

o Bring rain gear or a poncho. Ya, I know that sounds pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many campers are ill prepared for rain. You can get a poncho at Target that will keep most of the rain out. I have a lightweight rain suit, top and pants that I found to be a lifesaver a number of times. In a pinch, you can take a large, green garbage bag; cut three holes in it for your head and arms and it will keep you dry too! I know, my son does it all the time. He’s so fashionable!

If you are prepared and follow these Tips you can enjoy even the most inclement of camping days. It can be fun to be inside the tent play a card game or reading a good book while you listen to the pitter, patter of the rain on your tent. Make some hot chocolate, tea or soup and enjoy!

Camping Tips – How To Stay Dry While Camping

Tim Dales, author of ?Discover the Secrets of Family Camping Without Breaking the Bank!? reveals the tips and techniques that he has learned from over 25 years of camping and hiking as a Boy Scout, camping with his own family and as a Scoutmaster, leading Scouts on campouts. This book is chock full of camping secrets that will make any campout a success. For more information go to: http://www.thecampingguy.com

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go the Boy Scouts of America to assist with their great Scouting programs around the world.