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Homebuyer Incentives : ENERGY STAR What is ENERGY STAR? | Newsroom Search What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Benefits of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Financial Incentives Increased Comfort Higher Resale Environment Lower Cost Homebuyer Resources New Homes Partner Locator For Residential Building Professionals PRODUCTS HOME IMPROVEMENT NEW HOMES BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PARTNER RESOURCES -- Home > New Homes > Benefits of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes -- -- Homebuyer Incentives Because ENERGY STAR qualified new homes offer significant utility bill savings each and every month, ownership gives you access to special financing opportunities such as Energy Efficient Mortgages. These special mortgages make it easier for borrowers to qualify to purchase homes with specific energy-efficiency improvements. Contact your local ENERGY STAR lender to learn more about how buying an ENERGY STAR qualified new home can truly pay significant dividends. As a home buyer you can also reap the benefits from special utility promotions designed to encourage homeowners to reduce their energy consumption through energy efficiency. These promotions often include product rebates on home products that bear the ENERGY STAR label, reimbursement for the cost of having your home energy rated by a certified home energy rater, as well as other energy efficiency perks depending on the structure of the utility's ENERGY STAR program. The bottom line is that by installing energy efficient features in your new home such as a high SEER heating and cooling unit, low-e windows, and improved insulation, you can save money on your monthly utility bills, live in a more comfortable home, and help keep energy demand down. Our New Homes Partner Locator provides contact information for local home builders that build ENERGY STAR qualified new homes, lenders that offer energy efficient mortgages, utilities and other sponsoring programs that offer incentives for buying and building ENERGY STAR qualified new homes, and home energy raters that verify the energy efficiency of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes Resources for Homebuyers Products | Home Improvement | New Homes | Business Improvement | Partner Resources Newsroom | Privacy | Contact Us | Site Index EPA Home EPA Search DOE Home DOE Search
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Rental Property
Scotsman.com Property - News - Overseas workforce homes in on rental properties Please note: Either your browser does not comply with current Web Standards or it has been unable to load the stylesheet that accompanies this page. [ Accessibility statement ] [ Skip past navigation ] Websites Scotsman.com websites News Sport Business The Scotsman Scotland on Sunday Edinburgh Evening News Dating Jobs Motors Property Travel Business Finder Member Centre Web Feeds Media Pack Site Help Digital Archive 1817-1950 Photo Gallery Reader Holidays Scotsman Calendar Money Fantasy Golf Haggis Hunt Edinburgh Festivals Entertainment Heritage & Culture Leisure Weather Webcams Search | Site map Jobs | Property | Motors | Dating | Money Log in Register now - free! Member Centre Navigation menu Home For Sale For Rent News Advertise Help Clippings Saved Searches Property News Tue 13 Dec 2005 Printer friendly Send to friend Overseas workforce homes in on rental properties JOANNA VALLELY YOUNG professionals from abroad are fuelling a huge boom in the number of people looking for homes to rent in the Capital. Some landlords claim they expect to let out as many as 44 per cent more properties by the end of 2005 due to the growing number of Antipodean and Eastern European professionals coming to live in Edinburgh. And they say that the Capital's attractions are leading many of the newcomers to readily accept longer leases than before as they choose to stay in the city for longer periods or even permanently. Property experts claim the unexpectedly high demand for rented housing this year is due to the rising international popularity of Edinburgh as a place to live and work. Steven Currie of property management company DJ Alexander, attributed the high demand for rental flats to Edinburgh's vibrant atmosphere. He said: "I've lost count of the number of clients who say this city offers an atmosphere like no other in Britain, or indeed in Europe, and is driving their desire to live here. "While demand for accommodation from overseas clients is nothing new, I have never known it to be on the scale that it is today." Mr Currie said the firm was on target to let at least 1300 housing units in 2005, whereas the average for recent years was closer to 900. He described the typical tenant as a young professional in their 20s or 30s, drawn here by Edinburgh's international reputation. "It is the city, first and foremost, that has drawn them here - they have come to Edinburgh to live and work rather than come here to work and live," he said. Mr Currie said that while a typical tenant initially planned to live in the Capital for six months to a year, many then decided to stay on for longer, with some settling for good. "I know that from the number of people I meet in the course of the job who, having initially rented from us, go on to buy a home in Edinburgh," he added. He said that average rent on a two-bed property in the Capital had risen about £50 from last year to around £600 to £800 a month. Neil Thompson, property manager at Edinburgh Property Management, agreed rental properties were shifting very quickly. He said: "Things are going very quickly, which is surprising as historically this is a poor time of year." Mr Thompson said the firm had taken on 80 or 90 new rentals this year, compared to 50 or 60 last year. "I've noticed an increase in Eastern Europeans and particularly Polish people. People are less likely to balk at a contract of at least six months, which shows they do intend to stick around." Simon Fairclough, property expert at Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre, said rented accommodation was much sought after. "There's a healthy demand for rental properties," he said. The Scottish Executive said it had received 7240 enquiries about its Fresh Talent scheme, which aims to tackle declining population by attracting people to live and work in Scotland, since the scheme went live in October 2004. Ben Carter, VisitScotland's area director for Edinburgh, said: "Edinburgh is consistently voted one of the top European destinations. It has so many unique attractions for people visiting on a short holiday, as well as those who want to extend their stay. "Edinburgh is highlighted in many of VisitScotland's international marketing campaigns, including a new £1 million European city break campaign. We also work with the Scottish Executive on their Fresh Talent initiative through joint promotions, such as our presence at New York's Tartan Week last year." 1500 families in the Lothians are homeless NEARLY 1500 families with children in Edinburgh and the Lothians were assessed as homeless last year. New figures show that, in the Capital alone, 875 families - 1.89 per cent of all households with children in the city - were homeless, 26 more than the year before. Across Scotland, the number of homeless families rose to 9395, representing nearly 16,000 children. The figures were condemned by SNP deputy health spokesman Stewart Maxwell, who claimed the Scottish Executive was failing in its pledge to end homelessness. He said: "These figures confirm what many of us feared. Instead of seeing the decline and eradication of homelessness in Scotland, we are seeing a year-on-year rise. "The reality for many thousands of children across Scotland this year is that they will have a homeless Christmas, rather than a happy Christmas." The figures show a total of 1491 families with children assessed as homeless in Edinburgh and the Lothians, up from 1471 the previous year. In East Lothian, the number was up from 133 to 137; in Midlothian, the increase was from 137 to 173; while in West Lothian, there was a fall - from 352 to 306. The number of children affected fell slightly in Edinburgh, from 1460 to 1421. But it rose in East Lothian from 202 to 221; and in Midlothian from 223 to 283; while in West Lothian, it fell dramatically from 626 to 525. This article: http://property.scotsman.com/news.cfm?id=2399612005 Last updated: 13-Dec-05 12:05 GMT Delivery formats for "News" [more info] RSS feed Add to my email News: page 2 House prices on the rise again, for the first time in 15 months One in ten capital residents 'can't afford the home they live in' 400 homes set for former mental home site Sellers' market for Scotland's estates What will the Executive do after Edinburgh's housing No vote? Landlord fined over fire safety Prize for all the family A canal runs through it Use a little holly to get the lolly Going, going ... ... almost gone Invite all the relatives - somewhere else Norcool Cool Giant Eco-friendly guidelines to develop city green houses Overseas workforce homes in on rental properties Lanarkshire town focus of £69m double deal Alba lettings go through roof as property rents surge Page 2 of 5 ©2005 Scotsman.com | contact
home equity options line
Countrywide - Home Equity Loans home equity home owners guide home loan glossary equity credit line process home ownership tips your credit report home equity options line of credit options quick approval options rates & costs home equity calculator loan advisor apply now call us: 1-800-825-4549 1-800-825-4549 contact us | site map | log in CFC home | about us | investor relations | business partners -- Learn: How much you can borrow. The difference between a Home Equity Loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit. The benefits of applying for a Home Equity Loan. Shop: Our rates for a Countrywide Home Equity Loan. Apply: Online now Homeowner Guide Learn about the process for getting a home equity line of credit. Plus, pick up valuable home ownership tips you can use right now. Home Equity Options Get help selecting the right line of credit for you, and discover ways we can speed up the approval process. Rates & Costs Find Today's Rate for our home equity program and learn your options on closing costs. Home Equity Calculator See how large a line of credit you can afford and your home equity will support. Loan Advisor Use this simple tool to find the best home equity loan or credit line for you. See The Benefits of Applying Online See a preview of our online application process where qualified borrowers can get an UpFront approval in minutes. Apply Now Jump start the loan process by taking a few minutes to submit your application online. Easy, Really. Home Equity Line of Credit ("HELOC") or Home Equity Loan A home equity line of credit is a lot like a credit card. You can continuously use it up to your credit limit. One of the best parts of a home equity line of credit is that the interest rate is typically lower than a credit card and the interest paid can be tax deductible (consult your tax advisor about your personal situation). Most home equity loans are simply second mortgages. They have fixed rates with longer terms over a fixed period of time. These loans are amortized - your monthly payment is applied to principal and interest. You receive the amount of money you borrow in one lump sum. For this reason, home equity loans can be ideal for longer-term financial goals. back to top Benefits of Applying for a Home Equity Line of Credit or a Home Equity Loan Home equity lines of credit or home equity loans, you've probably heard about using these types of home equity financing products to meet your financial goals. You can tap into your home's equity and use the money to consolidate your debts*, finance your remodeling projects, pay your children's tuition, buy a new car or a boat, or even take your dream vacation. Tapping into the equity built in your home is a wise choice that allows you to take advantage of lower interest rates. Furthermore, some of Countrywide's line of credit options do not even require an appraisal of your house. Interest on both a home equity loan and line of credit may be deductible (consult your tax advisor about your personal situation). back to top service guarantees | why choose Countrywide? | loan status | find a branch | current customers | home loans | log in loans en espaol | Countrywide's Full Spectrum Lending Division | we house america | banking | insurance | investments your accounts | contact us | site map | careers | about us | investor relations | privacy & security | licenses & registrations Equal Housing Lender. © 2005 Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. Trade/service marks are the property of Countrywide Financial Corp., and/or its subsidiaries. *UpFront Approval is subject to satisfactory appraisal and title review and no change in financial condition. If the rate is not locked or rate protection expires, any rate increase may lower the loan amount for which the borrower has pre-qualified. Some products may not be available in all states. Refinancing or taking out a home equity loan or line of credit may increase the total number of monthly payments and the total amount paid when comparing to your current situation. State Licensing . Privacy & Security.
Florida real estate market
The Condo Company - Specializing in Condos and Real Estate from South Florida to California The Condo Company is a highly specialized real estate agency that focuses on the luxury condo market. The United States is currently experiencing unprecedented growth in condo developments; with this growth comes the need for a real estate company dedicated solely to helping customers buy, sell, or rent a condo. Select a location below to see information about condos in a specific area, or use our industry leading search tool. FLORIDA The Condo Company was started in south Florida and is continuing to expand throughout the state as condo craze continues in virtually every beachfront location in the state. Miami Miami Beach South Beach Sunny Isles Beach Aventura Surfside Bal Harbour Bay Harbor Coral Gables Key Biscayne Brickell Coconut Grove Fort Lauderdale Deerfield Beach Lauderdale By The Sea Hallandale Beach Lighthouse Point Hollywood Pompano Beach Coral Springs Wilton Manors Plantation Palm Beach West Palm Beach Delray Beach Boca Raton Jupiter Boynton Beach [more... Orlando West Orlando North Orlando Winter-Park Kissimmee Polk County East Orlando Lake County Metrowest Naples Marco Island Bonita Springs Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Cape Coral NEVADA (LAS VEGAS) The latest venture that is sweeping the Las Vegas real estate market is the condo boom. Famed developers are now focusing their efforts on the still untapped Las Vegas condo market. Henderson / Green Valley Lake Las Vegas Southern Highlands Las Vegas The Strip Summerlin Downtown Anthem The Lakes Queensridge Peccole Ranch The Condo Company Information The Condo Company was originally formed in South Florida to meet the demands of consumers looking to invest in real estate, or purchase a vacation property for themselves or to earn extra income by renting. Like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, similar booms in condo sales are being seen in other regions of Florida such as Destin, Naples, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm Beach, and many others. Outside of the state new developments are shooting up in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. Being the first company to concentrate on condos at a national and world-wide scale has given us a marked advantage over many companies trying to enter the market late. We have the largest online database of condos and an established internet presence. So for buyers we provide the largest inventory to browse; and for sellers we offer the most heavily searched condo site on the Internet. We will be expanding to the following areas soon: Sarasota Orlando Los Angeles Vail Atlanta Las Vegas Chicago Boston Real Estate & Condo News (12/21 14:41)- Appraising Las Vegas Homes: New Real Estate Value Search System (PR Web via Yahoo! News) - Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) December 21, 2005 -- A new searchable automated appraisal real estate market database has been created for consumers wishing to receive an instant market value for their Las Vegas Homes . This first of its kind system allows Las Vegas homeowners to input information about their home in to this appraisal database to retrieve their homes present fair market value in Las Vegas (12/22 14:39)- Downtown land purchase could set stage for retail, condos (Houston Chronicle) - A real estate development group has purchased three blocks of prime downtown land, a move that takes it one step closer to building a proposed retail, condominium and office complex on the site. (12/20 19:06)- Area Apartment Complexes Converting to Condos (WCJB) - Hundreds of people renting apartments in North Central Florida are facing a big decision between moving out or coughing up the money to buy the apartment. It's a big trend in real estate right now to convert apartments to condos. Call it a spin-off of Florida's red hot real estate market. (12/19 01:04)- Miami Real Estate Market (Turks.US) - The Florida real estate market is on an upward swing, and the Miami area market is certainly no exception. With strong economic growth, jobs, and schools, its a prime growing location. City life, with great beach access, make it attractive to both newcomers to the area. Rankthenet.com The Luxury Condo Culture - Defined Condo n: one of the dwelling units in a condominium Such a bland definition hardly defines the word condo as it pertains to the luxury condo culture. In this world of convenience, opulence, and at times excess, the term condo represents a lifestyle, a point of view on life that demands the best. Here is where young professionals live among their peers and mingle around crystalline infinity-edged pools. Here is where retired baby boomers who have empty nests and sizable inheritances choose to establish their primary homes and vacation retreats. And here is where the international jet-set have their third, fourth, and fifth residences. As this culture continues to grow, a greater understanding of its nuances is needed. Convenience may be the most important attribute in the luxury condo culture. For the busy and well-to-do residents, many of whom only inhabit their units for a few months out of the year, the day-to-day upkeep that a single-family home requires is impractical. Rather, they prefer to pay a monthly fee and defer maintenance decisions to their condo associations. I just love being able to fly in from my place in Aspen and have my beachfront condo waiting so I can relax and unwind, says Elianne Divo Roth, resident of the luxurious Solimar in Bal Harbour, Florida. For others, safety is the key. Gabrielle Goldstein, a Los Angeles-based advertising executive, moved from her house in the Hollywood Hills to a luxury condo in West Hollywood. Sure, convenience was a consideration, she says, but really the security I feel when I pull my car up and the valet is waiting ... thats very important. I didnt have that feeling at my house in the Hills. For Goldstein, who often travels back and forth to New York, this peace of mind encompasses her automobile. I can leave my car for long periods of time and know its secure. Of course, these pragmatic reasons for living in a luxury condo are sufficient, but they barely scratch the surface of the luxury condo culture. Modern luxury buildings are equipped with the best of everything to provide their residents with a sexy and glamorous way of life. State-of-the-art gyms, rooftop pools, and full spa and concierge services are just a few of the lush amenities. Many of the newer buildings take it a step further with Smart Technology wired throughout anything you need at the touch of a button. What makes condo living unique are the amenities, says Tom Walsh, president of JJW Construction, a 40-year-old Florida construction company. Their latest building, the Argo Tower, will rise 15 stories high on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale . Socializing, entertaining and exercising are all taking place in the convenience of the magnificently decorated party rooms, library, guest rooms, gym, pool and spa. Beyond the amenities, which virtually all new developments embrace, is the decisive factor of location. While it is obvious why one chooses a winter retreat in Park City, Utah, or a summer getaway in Europe, those buying primary residences may be forsaking the suburbs to embrace urban surroundings. Perhaps their kids are grown and their need for a single family home has run its course, or perhaps the luxury of leaving the car parked and walking to and fro is important. These people are looking for condos that have shops, restaurants and entertainment within walking distance. This school of thought is evident in rising developments like PGA Commons in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., or Skyline at Mary Brickell Village in downtown Miami. Typical Skyline at Mary Brickell Village buyers are professionals who desire to live, work and play in a vibrant urban environment, says Steven Priebe, director of marketing for Skyline Equity Realty. They enjoy the luxurious amenities of the building as well as the convenience of being in a location surrounded by wonderful restaurants, upscale boutiques and typical errand-running destinations such as a market, dry cleaners and pharmacy. Architecture is another inviting characteristic. New condominiums come in a variety of configurations, with many exteriors marked by clean lines, stylish glass facades, and abstract details that set the buildings apart. New condominium developments are attracting renowned architects like Charles Gwathmey and Richard Meier. Gwathmey, who has designed condos and homes for Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, teamed with The Related Companies to build Astor Place in New York. According to Gwathmey, this stunning building was conceived in three dimensions with multiple facades and no true front or back. This sculptural approach, when applied by masters like Gwathmey or Meier, has a trickle-down effect on condo architecture throughout the world. The impact can be seen in buildings from New York to Miami, Las Vegas to Dallas-Fort Worth, London to Dubai. Then there is the interior layout of individual condo units. Often, the architect hired to design the dwellings is different than the architect used for the exteriors. Its a collaborative effort, says Ismael Leyva, one of New Yorks biggest names in this arena. His skills are evidenced in some of Manhattans most desirable luxury condos. Notable projects include Time Warner Center and Astor Place. When I work with an architect like Charles Gwathmey, hell come with a shape and then well work together with the principal to make the original design efficient for condo living. The efficiency involves aspects such as dimensions and depth one foot here, two feet there. Its very subtle. Of course, interior architecture is complemented by interior design. The French-styled 21-story Vendome in uptown Dallas features classic European architecture by New York-based Alayo Architects PC, while inside, the plush condos inhabited by young professionals like Jimmy Kent reflect the residents personal style. Kents most recent condo in the Vendome included a 275-gallon saltwater aquarium, a feature that along with the high-rises elegant exterior and French ambiance helped Kent awe and entice the condos new owners. For Kent, architecture and interior design have worked together to deliver an uncommon lifestyle. People who live in luxury condos tend to be a bit flashier, lavish and intrigued by unique elements of design, says Kent. The aquarium was the welcome mat of my last condo, the first thing you saw as you entered the unit. It definitely had shock value, and I think that is what condo dwellers are often looking for, the flair and the flash of a luxury lifestyle. Personal style is the obvious guiding force inside the individual condo units, but the interior design for common areas like lobbies and hallways, party rooms and lounges helps to give a luxury condominium its style or theme. We get involved at a very early stage of development, says Uli Petzold, creative director of XODesignGroup, an interior design firm based in Frankfurt and Miami. Developer BCOM hired us to create the theme and design for 1800 Club, which is on the water, by [Miamis new] Performing Arts Center. It is hip, young and stylish, and on the water, so our theme had to incorporate aquatic elements. These themes are important not only for the people who will be living in the building, but for developers marketing strategies. A luxury building that wishes to attract young and single professionals will have a wholly different interior design than a condo community that appeals to retired baby boomers. Some buildings elect chic, modern interiors with abstract art, bold colors, and retro furnishings. Conversely, other buildings feature opulent lobbies with marble fountains, imported fixtures, and unrestrained accessories like crystal chandeliers, grand pianos, and fine art. Still others are inspired by Eastern philosophy that embraces the disciplines of Feng Shui. Developers spare no expense when it comes to translating themes to their demanding demographic. Public relations firms and advertising agencies throw extravagant parties and launch extensive campaigns to ensure that these themes are understood during the pre-construction phase of sales. In Cambridge, Mass., the Regatta Riverview Residences threw a bash with free wine and champagne, and a jazz band. Other condominiums in the Boston area have turned entire floors in buildings adjacent to the construction site into nightclubs with open bars and flowing hors doeuvres. The nightclub setups are decorated to translate the developments image. In Miami, budgets for pre-construction parties are unrestrained. The historic Anglers Hotel, which was recently sold for $5 million and is being converted into a boutique condo/hotel, put up a massive tent with an open bar for roughly 1,000 guests. Exotic characters in full costume and stilt performers were scattered throughout, and a Bahamian marching band marked the nights climax. The night was electric, says Ana Oz, a luxury condo owner who was there, so many beautiful people in one place celebrating this booming industry. That party was the epitome of South Beach excess and style. The objective of such elaborate affairs is to sell condos, and after the party is over, real estate agents and brokers negotiate the deals. Colorful and detailed renderings, models, and computer-generated presentations are used to sell units in buildings that have yet to break ground. The Internet is also a valuable tool. We have people coming from all over the world who are looking to invest, says Michael Ledwitz, owner of The Condo Company. He notes that 77 percent of all people looking to buy a luxury condo go to the Internet first. This statistic makes it essential that condo developments feature the very best in Web design. Without a high-tech, impressive site, a potential buyer may stray elsewhere before any of the other sales tools can be utilized. From interior design and architecture to amenities and convenience, the luxury condo culture is a fascinating world that continues to evolve. With so many aspects and subtleties that contribute to this sophisticated way of life, a specific definition is difficult to ascertain. Although, when all of the data has been analyzed, the luxury condo culture is best defined by the people who live it. SITE MENU Sellers Advantage Featured Condos Condo Search Contact Vacation Rentals Myrtle Beach Condos Myrtle Beach Condos For Sale [CLICK TO ADVERTISE] HOT CONDOS Miami Beach Area The Setai Icon South Beach Boston Area Intercontinental The Folio 360 Newbury Agent Log In