Posts Tagged value
Five Buying Tips For Luxury Homes and Real Estate
Hawaii. Often known as the Island of Dreams, or more specifically, a place where dreams can come true. But this virtual Paradise has factors to consider before you think about picking up stakes and moving here. Hawaii Luxury Homes and real estate do not come cheap and the location itself is not for everyone. Before you decide to make your Hawaii getaway, visit for yourself and see if the lifestyle is something you could get used to. In addition to this, if looking to buy Hawaii Luxury Homes and real estate, have some buying tips on stand-by to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.
1) Know where to look. Hawaii is without a doubt one of the most beautiful locations on earth. Featuring year-round warmth, mountainous regions for hiking, and beautiful beaches for surfing and swimming, you might simply say, “Take your pick,” when it comes to locating the perfect home. However, you should research the market like you would anywhere else. What are the best areas for property value? What are the styles of homes that appeal most to you? Are the prices and fair and manageable? Will the location be conducive to your lifestyle? All these questions should be considered heavily before proceeding.
2) Don’t get in over your head. Calculate what you can afford. Take a good, hard look at your finances as well as how you intend to support yourself once you are moved in to the Islands. Hawaii can be quite expensive, so it’s important that you keep a tight watch on price and means of paying for it before moving forward.
3) Have realistic expectations. Even though Hawaii is Paradise to many, that does not mean it will be Paradise to you. That’s why visiting the Islands for 1-2 weeks is essential. You need to have realistic expectations of what the Islands can offer you, and you need to weigh that against the things you will be leaving behind.
4) Pick a home suited to your lifestyle. There is a temptation to buy the most beautiful home. A place that will make others envious at first sight. If money is no object to you, you should still proceed with caution. Don’t buy a showplace if it is not suited to your personality, expectations, and lifestyle. Choose location and home model based on how you will live in it six years down the road, not based on what you would do if given a week to party with zero obligations. Life is not one big party. Even in Hawaii!
5) Scout locations. Are you partial to city life, or would you rather be far removed from the public? Decide before you buy. Hawaii can be hard to navigate if you buy far out from civilization. Sacrifices are necessary. Are you ready to make them?
Tags: real estate, valueThe True Value of French Property
One measure of the value of a French property is its ability to stand the test of time – after all a French property is a long term investment. We have identified four aspects of evaluation and are of the opinion that quality old properties can represent better investment than new.
Value of Shelter
In what ways does the property provide physical shelter for you, your family and guests. How will you live in the house? Living rooms that you live in, bedrooms that you sleep in, bathrooms you wash in and kitchens that you cook in are all aspects that contribute to the value of the home. Warmth, light, and space are all important factors for a comfortable environment in which you live. Many choose to move to France to improve the quality of their life by improving the quality of their shelter. Outbuildings, land, space, swimming pools, jacuzzi and tennis courts are all affordable luxuries in France.
Value of Position
The value of location depends not only on its physical geographical location (great view, by the sea etc.) but also it is relative to your needs and the value you give them. Market value is proportionate to the number of other people with these same preferences. For example, do you want peace and quiet and isolation or do you want to be part of a vibrant community with bars, shops, entertainment etc. Trends of desirable position change. Before the popularisation of the motor car, it was preferable to be positioned on the side of a road for ease of access. However, a busy road can seriously depreciate the value of a property owing the vast number of vehicles on our roads today. Roads can create visual, noise and air pollution.
French Property – value as an Antique
Value is based upon rarity and desirability. It is interesting to note that while the work of French cabinate makers such as Baumhauer, Lacroix, Dubois, Saunier, Leleu et Bernard Van Risenburgh would make millions of euros at auction – if they were ever to appear – we have many 17th and 18th century French châteaux – masterpieces in their own right. Built by equally talented but unknown masons, these beautiful buildings have within them many hidden treasures: carved stone staircases, ornate iron work railings and gates, panelled doors and marquetry floors, fireplaces and garden ornaments and specimen trees hundreds of years old. That is value for money! In addition, we have just sold, for example a 400 m2, 17th century “Maison de Maitre” for 320,000 € – needing restoration but what great value.
However, at one particular time a particular type of house may be highly desirable and yet at another, quite unwanted – e.g. Art Deco building are highly sought after at present but that early medieval building are not as popular because the rooms are often dark. An example may also be taken from historic cars – as values of Rolls Royce increase and Jaguar decrease at present. However, some objects are far less subject to the whims of fashion and will always remain desirable due to their rarity and comfort – like a 17 century chartreuse will always be a great place to live and a 1950′s Ferrari convertible will always be a great car to drive
Value of Quality
A modern home can also survive in the value stakes but the finish and build must shine quality from solid internal walls to quality door furniture. A very quality bathroom will age well even when out of vogue. Older homes, generally of higher build quality, will sustain the test of time. An oak framed window will outlast fourfold a new upvc double glazed unit even though it may not be quite so good an insulator. Surely the ecological cost of manufacturing the window outweighs the gain of energy efficiency.
A good slate roof will last 150 years, terracotta slowly fired in a wood oven will last for centuries – it’s modern gas fired equivalent merely decades. Oak beams found in old buildings have often been re-employed several times making real ecological sense. It’s soft wood counter parts are treated with noxious chemicals in order to stand the test of a few decades. Plasterboard paper covered partitions are a poor comparison to limestone cut from million years old seabed. This will outlast concrete blocks. In my opinion older houses are a better investment despite higher maintenance costs.
Tags: french property, house, investment, value