Today Bulgaria not only offers one of Europe's most attractive and unspoilt holiday destinations it is also host to what will be one of the most dynamic and as of yet relatively untapped property and real estate markets.]]> Bulgaria is a truly magnificent country, located in Eastern Europe with an amazing coastline that stretches over 340km along the Black Sea, with a backdrop of one of the world’s most magnificent mountain ranges and the beautiful and historic capital city of Sofia.

Today Bulgaria not only offers one of Europe’s most attractive and unspoilt holiday destinations it is also host to what will be one of the most dynamic and as of yet relatively untapped property and real estate markets.

Bulgaria has been invited into the EU and it is almost certain that full membership will start in 2007 creating yet another huge surge in the Bulgarian property market. If you’re looking for an excellent investment or a home in the sun then Bulgaria may be a perfect choice for you.

Getting to Bulgaria

If you live in the UK travel to Bulgaria over the past few years has become ever easier. Currently there are a range of direct flights from UK airports flying directly to Sofia in 2.5 hrs. The flights are run by the low cost operators and are priced extremely competitively.

Foreign Ownership of Bulgarian Property

The current property laws may at first seem a little confusing with a ban on foreign ownership of land but an OK to own buildings! Before you start to worry about needing helium filled balloons to hang you property from avoiding the need for any land, there is a solution.

The solution to current property laws in Bulgaria

It is possible to by land via Bulgarian company incorporation. Currently incorporation costs approximately 650.00 GBP. Also other points to note are as Bulgaria prepares to become a full EU member in 2007 it will begin to harmonise its property laws with the EU and also if you decide to by a new property off plan then you will not require company incorporation.

Property prices in Bulgaria

Older properties and especially those in need of restoration seem to have quite a varied pricing structure and if this is what you want then the best bet is to fly over, get your haggling skills up to scratch and you should get a bargain. New off plan costs currently start at around 20,000.00 GBP for a small studio apartment to 120,000.00 for a large luxury 3 bed apartment with best views, facilities and build standards. Chances are that prices will rise significantly between now and 2007, therefore if you’re serious about Bulgaria there’s no time to loose if you want the best from your investment.

Be quick but don’t rush

Acting quickly to get the best property investments is one thing, not taking the time to get full legal advice and understanding of every aspect of the contracts you sign is another. I would always advise you to be careful when purchasing abroad, make sure that you fully understand contract details, payment details and land ownership. If contracts are produced in a language that you don’t understand then insist on getting them translated before signing. Buying overseas can be an exciting and profitable experience by taking your time to understand the buying process you will ensure that your property purchase in Bulgaria is a happy and enjoyable experience.

Rhiannon Williamson is an experienced publisher who has produced articles for leading travel and tourism guides and financial magazines. Her specialist knowledge about both travel and finance gives her site http://www.ShelterOffshore.com the unique ability to literally cover every single aspect of moving & living abroad – including the often less discussed offshore tax advantages that can be available when leaving our homeland. Check out her website to find out how you can escape from the rat race, relocate overseas, and profit from your move!

Property in Bulgaria – Huge Investment Potential

First things first though, you have to find your ideal property of course!

But let's assume you've done that with the help of a good estate agent and you're ready to move forward with an offer.]]> If you’re a foreign national thinking about investing in the real estate market in Canada here’s a run down of the typical buying process you should expect to encounter together with a general explanation of mortgages available to assist with the purchase.

First things first though, you have to find your ideal property of course!

But let’s assume you’ve done that with the help of a good estate agent and you’re ready to move forward with an offer.

It’s important to know that from the outset the entire process surrounding the buying and selling of real estate in Canada is a regulated process. This means the process should follow the basic format as described below and that you will be protected throughout by the rules governing the process and the actions of those involved in it.

Once you find your dream home in Canada you make a financial offer to purchase to the vendor – probably via your agent – which your estate agent is legally bound to submit to the vendor whether or not it matches the asking price. Negotiations proceed until a purchase price is agreed upon between you and the vendor, at which point both parties sign the ‘Offer to Purchase’ – also known as ‘Agreement of Purchase & Sale’.

This is a preliminary contract and it is either ‘firm’ or ‘conditional’

A conditional preliminary contract usually contains terms relating to the successful securing of finance to buy, or to the satisfactory completion of building surveys etc., and it only becomes firm when all the conditions have been met.

If you are using a mortgage to purchase your home it is essential to have this noted as one of the terms, because if you fail to secure your mortgage and the contract falls through you will want your deposit back!

A firm preliminary contract is not subject to any terms or conditions, if it is broken by the purchaser they lose their deposit, if it is broken by the vendor they may be subject to a financial penalty.

Your deposit will be required when signing the Offer to Purchase, and the contract will contain your completion date.

When the completion date is reached and all conditions for the fulfilment of the contract have been met, the remainder of the purchase price together with all fees will be payable.

Monies are paid to the vendor via the solicitor or notaire handling the legalities of the sale. At this point both the purchaser and the vendor sign the ‘definitive contract’ which is called ‘Acte de Vente’ in Quebec.

If purchasing in Quebec this final part of the sale is managed by a notaire who in this case is a government official – s/he is responsible for the conveyancing and as a result s/he represents both the purchaser and the vendor…it therefore makes sense to employ your own legal representative in Canada to make sure your best interests are served and protected throughout the process.

Fees you will likely incur on top of mortgage arrangement fees, legal and survey fees include provincial fees and land transfer taxes. Provincial fees are around CAD 100 depending on the province in which you’re purchasing, and they are charged for transferring the title of the property etc. Land transfer taxes are again determined by each province and they are calculated as a set percentage of the purchase price.

If you are interested in securing a mortgage to fund your purchase it is interesting to note than depending on your country of origin and circumstances, there are a number of major financial institutions in Canada willing to lend to non-resident buyers.

The following is only meant to serve as a general guide to Canadian mortgages – it may not apply in every case.

Most Canadian mortgages are what’s known as "full status" – a full status loan is where complete checks are made on the borrower’s credit history and income.

To apply for such a mortgage you will have to have proof of income and outgoings. Such finance can be raised for the purchase of property, the renovation of real estate or for house construction purposes.

Generally a 35% deposit is required and the purchaser is also responsible for all legal fees involved in the arrangement and purchase process. 35% is just a guideline, some provinces require deposits of up to 50%, and in special circumstances a deposit lower than 35% may be acceptable.

Most mortgages are repayment over a maximum of 25 years with pay back due for completion before the purchaser’s 70th birthday. Most lenders make life cover a further lending requirement.

When it comes to eligibility for a loan and size of a loan you need to know the following: -

- Eligibility is based on the applicant’s current ability to fulfil the financial terms of the loan, it is not based on any potential rental income the applicant may generate from the property he is hoping to purchase with the mortgage.

- Taking the applicant’s gross income into account, 40% should cover all existing outgoings and commitments AND the monthly repayments for the proposed new mortgage.

- If you’re self employed then your income will be taken as the average of your last three years’ net income.

- If you have existing rental and/or investment income this may be taken into consideration as well.

- Outgoings in this context are any current mortgage or rent you pay, any personal loans or credit card payments you have and any child support payments you have to make.

If your mortgage application is successful it will of course be secured on the property you’re buying in Canada and not on any property you currently hold in which ever country you are a resident.

The mortgage company carry out a valuation of the property you’re looking to buy to make sure it’s worth the purchase price, and you’ll probably end up paying any fees they incur making this valuation. Finance arrangement fees can sometimes be charged as well, they are usually 1% of the loan amount.

The money you borrow will be paid to the vendor via the solicitor or notaire responsible for the completion of the purchase contract and process.

That’s it in a nutshell!

As stated though, the entire real estate purchase process and application for a mortgage will depend on personal circumstances.

Rhiannon Williamson is an experienced publisher who has produced articles for leading travel and tourism guides and financial magazines. Her specialist knowledge about both travel and finance gives her site http://www.ShelterOffshore.com the unique ability to literally cover every single aspect of moving & living abroad – including the often less discussed offshore tax advantages that can be available when leaving our homeland. Check out her website to find out how you can escape from the rat race, relocate overseas, and profit from your move!

Unravelling The Real Estate Buying Process in Canada

Furthermore, because property in Canada is high quality, plentiful, incredibly affordable and easy to purchase, real estate in Canada is good value across the board.]]> Real estate agents, Canadian citizens and foreign investors interested in the Canadian property market are all in agreement – as Canada becomes a more desirable place to live year on year so property investment in Canada becomes a more attractive prospect year on year.

Furthermore, because property in Canada is high quality, plentiful, incredibly affordable and easy to purchase, real estate in Canada is good value across the board.

If you need more proof, consider comparing what you can still buy for your real estate dollar in Canada to what you can currently purchase in the UK, the US, France or Spain for example.

You’ll quickly realise that the strong Canadian dollar (CAD) has not damaged the real estate market in Canada in the slightest. In fact, as the Canadian economy strengthens and more people move to the country, the demand for property will continue to rise which in turn will push up the value of any property investment.

And you simply still get more in Canada than you can elsewhere because property in Canada is less expensive overall – land is less expensive, the cost of living is lower, the standard of living is high?

This all adds up to the fact that non Canadian resident buyers are likely to be in an enviable position when it comes to investing in real estate, chances are they can afford a far higher quality purchase that they can ‘back home’ and they don’t have to become resident to buy in Canada if they don’t want to.

Add the fact that overcrowding is never going to be an issue in Canada as there are 30 million people sharing 38 million square miles of land, and the fact that Canada has a wealth of diverse property available in many stunning locations country-wide to fuel the imagination and satisfy the desires of even the hardest to please purchaser, and you’ll quickly realise why Canada remains such an attractive prospect for so many people.

And by remaining non resident you can benefit further from the property market – you don’t have to go through the rigmarole of applying for immigration acceptance, and yet you can still benefit from all Canada has to offer for up to 6 months of every year – you are even free to open a Canadian bank account, buy a car or land there for example.

Alternatively, you can join the ranks of foreigners choosing to emigrate to Canada including the 3.3 million Brits who have chosen to make Canada home permanently already. Canada is actually the third most popular place to emigrate to from the UK and more and more British citizens are being attracted to this land of opportunity, space and freedom.

This means that as Canada becomes more attractive as a destination of choice, property there will be more in demand which in turn will allow real estate prices to continue to rise making any property investment a good bet!

Whether you’re considering property in Canada from a non resident, investment stand point, with a view to letting it out before cashing in your investment in X number of years, or you’re thinking of purchasing a second home in an enviable location – or you’d like to go the whole hog and up sticks and emigrate to Canada, you will find the buying process a relatively easy and hassle free affair which can only add even more value.

Bureaucratically speaking the whole purchase process is often a lot less tricky than ‘back home’ – especially if you come from red tape rich Europe – and it takes a fraction of the time to complete the property sale process in Canada than in certain other countries where escrow periods are applied to real estate purchases.

And if you would like some cold, hard facts about past performance of the Canadian property market, an average single family home in the Vancouver area sold for CAD 13,500 in 1961, CAD 48,000 in 1974, CAD 120,000 in 1982 rising to around CAD 475,000 today.

It’s true what they say – where people want to live, property values will always continue to rise…and more and more people are choosing to live in Canada making Canadian real estate good value for property investors!

Rhiannon Williamson is an experienced publisher who has produced articles for leading travel and tourism guides and financial magazines. Her specialist knowledge about both travel and finance gives her site http://www.ShelterOffshore.com the unique ability to literally cover every single aspect of moving & living abroad – including the often less discussed offshore tax advantages that can be available when leaving our homeland. Check out her website to find out how you can escape from the rat race, relocate overseas, and profit from your move!

Why Canadian Real Estate is Such Good Value

Firstly, estate agents as we know them are non existent! Real estate brokers that do exist are likely to be unlicensed, unregulated and certainly not trained or insured.

Secondly, the majority (and I mean the majority) of property for sale is not advertised!

But with property prices remaining affordable, the quality of property available attractive, the climate beautiful, the people welcoming, the quality of life incredible and the opportunities in Belize plentiful, more and more people need to know HOW they can go about procuring themselves their dream home in Belize.]]> Shopping for property in Belize is not as simple an undertaking as you might initially expect!

Firstly, estate agents as we know them are non existent! Real estate brokers that do exist are likely to be unlicensed, unregulated and certainly not trained or insured.

Secondly, the majority (and I mean the majority) of property for sale is not advertised!

But with property prices remaining affordable, the quality of property available attractive, the climate beautiful, the people welcoming, the quality of life incredible and the opportunities in Belize plentiful, more and more people need to know HOW they can go about procuring themselves their dream home in Belize.

This article should cover the tips, tricks and important points for your consideration, and go some way to helping you locate and purchase your ideal piece of Belizean real estate!

Part One: House Hunting.

As mentioned, many properties that are for sale often go totally unadvertised.

Sure, there are the occasional adverts in the San Pedro Sun or in the Belize City newspapers and some estate agents exist who keep up to date listings – either available upon request of via their internet sites – but seriously, the majority of properties that are for sale are not advertised – and I’m talking at least three quarters.

The only way to find out what’s really available is to travel to Belize and spend time there among the local people and the expats.

You see, properties that are for sale are generally put up by their owners and they often choose to skip the middle man – the real estate broker. Therefore, with no brokers and no signs, the only way you’ll learn about what’s on the market is to get to know the local people and expats in the particular areas that you’re interested in, and via word of mouth you’ll begin to hear about what’s really available.

As soon as word gets out that you’re in the market, chances are you’ll be inundated and have more properties and deals to choose from that you can cope with! Be prepared and don’t agree to the very first opportunity presented to you!

Part Two: Real Estate Brokers.

Because anyone in Belize can be a real estate broker the quality you come across will vary immensely!

So please be careful – to become an estate agent there is no license needed, no insurance necessary, no experience or training required: therefore what you will find on the whole are expats, hoteliers, shop owners and taxi drivers as estate agents on the side.

Yes there ARE some professional agents who are honest and knowledgeable and whose agency businesses are legitimate, but there are also those out to make a quick killing selling anything and everything to unsuspecting tourists.

Listen to the experiences of others and if someone is recommended to you by a trusted adviser then all the better.

If you do purchase via an agent, commissions in Belize are typically 7% on residential property, and about 10% on land deals – chargeable to the vendor: and in some cases you as the purchaser may be charged for viewing property if it is remote and requires travel expense outlay. Make sure you’re aware of any such charges that you may be liable for from the outset.

Part Three: Property Prices.

Despite a steady 20 year appreciation in real estate prices in Belize, property remains attractively priced – especially when comparing prices for similar real estate on sale in America or Western Europe.

There are still bargains plentifully available in this beautiful Central American country. But it isn’t so much what you know as who you know when it comes to getting the best deal for your money.

There is a commonly held sentiment among the expat community in Belize – something along the lines of "the second house you buy or rent is twice as large as the first and costs half as much" – so don’t part with any money until you are totally sure you know what you’re doing!

Be prepared to spend time in Belize and be prepared to invest time in getting to know and making friends with the local people, any influential lawyers and business people and also the local expat community. It is through these people that you will find the best real estate at the best prices.

Another point worth considering is that Belize is a country where there are two prices – the local price and the foreigner price. Yes, from an expat’s point of view this is unfair. But from a local’s point of view the ‘rich’ foreigner who gets paid far more for his work in his country than a Belizean in Belize for the same work can simply afford to pay the higher price.

A way around this is to ask a Belizean friend to ask the price and do negotiating for you! Simple!

And yes, negotiation is key – property prices vary massively from region to region and city to city and vendor to vendor. There isn’t really a set valuation structure on which someone can base the price of a property or piece of land.

This means that it is hard to say exactly how much real estate is worth and how much property prices have actually risen over the last few years. It is harder still to say what a property investor in Belize could expect year on year in terms of the appreciation of any real estate asset. So much so that the saying "you almost always make your money when you buy, not when you sell" goes doubly in Belize.

As a very general guide to property prices they are highest in Belize City, on Ambergris Caye and in Placencia, and lowest in the remotest most rural areas.

House prices go from USD 15,000 for a basic traditional home in a small undeveloped village to USD 500,000 and upwards for luxury beach front villas in San Pedro say.

Any agent or vendor you speak to is likely to talk up the potential returns on an investment in property or land in Belize – this is only natural! But what you need to consider is that: -

a) the economy of this country is linked to the US economy and

b) the time it takes to sell a property in Belize can be very long and drawn out (I’m talking years not weeks or months) – which is something you must bear in mind when considering purchasing a property you may one day want/need to re-sell

This shouldn’t necessarily put you off – after all you can still buy far more for your dollar, pound or euro in Belize than you can in the US, UK, Mediterranean region or Western Europe – but it is important to have a realistic overview of the property market in any country you are considering investing in or relocating to. That way you enter with your eyes wide open…it’s always better to be a savvy buyer!

Part Four: Foreign Ownership.

The Belize authorities are open to foreign investment and actually welcome it which means they impose very few restrictions when it comes to foreign ownership of immovable property in their country.

In Belize it is even possible for non-nationals to freely purchase prime beachfront property. There used to be a license requirement for a foreigner to buy land over 10 acres or 1/2 an acre in a major town or city but this requirement has been revoked.

The only rules and restrictions are: -

Foreign purchase of any island has to have Government approval via the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In certain protected coastal and caye areas purchase of land and property by non-locals has to be approved by the local village council.

Part Five: Legal and Financial Considerations.

I always suggest people seek qualified legal advice when it comes to such a large and far reaching undertaking as purchasing real estate!

Belize is no exception!

In fact, in Belize lawyers are usually considered to be trusted, well-connected, pillars of the community with real power! And their fees are usually in the region of 2% of the purchase price…this should cover title searches and the drawing up of transfer documents.

In terms of affording your real estate dream – the onus is going to be on you! It is extremely difficult for non-residents to get mortgages from banks in Belize therefore most purchasers are in the position to pay in cash for their purchase or they have finance from a non-Belizean financial source.

However, some new developments are springing up with mortgages attached by the developer – property developers are usually the first to be aware of a potentially untapped market.

Basically terms currently are available to purchasers of such properties are: -

The developer retains the title to the property until the purchaser has paid in full for the property. The purchaser makes a 10% down payment with the remainder being paid back over 10 years at 10% simple interest per annum. Terms will of course vary from this to say 50% down up front and the remainder payable over three to five years at 12 -15% interest.

Be aware however that the best prices will be for cash deals.

You’ll need to factor in an additional 12 – 15% on top of the purchase price for fees and costs.

You have the land title transfer fee which is also known as "stamp tax." This is 5% compulsory for every purchaser regardless of nationality, with an extra 5% payable by non Belizean nationals – making 10% in total.

This is apparently being increased to 12% in the near future.

If you have become a Belizean resident via the Retired Persons Incentive Program you are exempt from the second 5% stamp tax for non-citizens.

Then you should have your lawyer’s fee which will be around 2% of the purchase price.

Finally you’ll have property taxes which actually vary from area to area based on the type of land or property purchased. Generally expect to have to pay around 1% annually of the value of the undeveloped land…but speak to your lawyer for more exact figures pertinent to the property or land you are interested in purchasing.

Rhiannon Williamson is an experienced publisher who has produced articles for leading travel and tourism guides and financial magazines. Her specialist knowledge about both travel and finance gives her site http://www.ShelterOffshore.com the unique ability to literally cover every single aspect of moving & living abroad – including the often less discussed offshore tax advantages that can be available when leaving our homeland. Check out her website to find out how you can escape from the rat race, relocate overseas, and profit from your move!

How To Find Your Dream Home In Belize

First, the Olympics didn't affect the state as much as people thought it would.]]> Looking to buy real estate in Utah? The market has changed over the past few years and is going to continue to change over the next few (drastically) and here are a few things you should consider before buying any Utah real estate.

First, the Olympics didn’t affect the state as much as people thought it would. Before the olympics, people thought the olympics would bring with it a rise in home values. It didn’t.

Second, unlike California, real estate values in Utah have not shot up in the past 10 years. Things have really kept a steady pace of increasing. One of the reasons for this is because of the availability of utah real estate. All over the Wasatch front there has always been a surplus of available land on which to build a new house.

Over the next few years, this is going to change. With new communities being built all over the place, land is becoming more scarce. This is one of the reasons California real estate has gotten so expensive, because there isn’t anywhere else to build a new house, you have to buy a house from someone who already owns one. In Utah, and especially in Salt Lake County and Utah County, land is running out so expect home prices to begin to rise more sharply over the next 10 years.

Third, are you planning on buying rental real estate? Be careful of where in Utah you are going to rent. Many markets have been saturated over the past 3-5 years with a surplus of brand new apartments for renters to choose from. Many markets in Utah real estate rentals used to have a shortage of apartments and a surplus of renters (often students) which made building apartments in those areas very luctative to investors.

Recently however, because a lot of investors saw the opportunity at the same time, there are too many apartments and landlords are having a hard time filling them. If you are looking for investment properties, you might want to look at this http://www.utahrealestatehelp.com help site. They have put together a list of resources for people looking to buy real estate in Utah.

Fourth, be careful. Utah is on a major earthquake fault line. Be sure you can get earthquake insurance in your neighborhood. Often it’s not an option because insurance companies won’t allow it in certain areas. While floods have not historically been a problem, there are many damns in Utah that are aging and are threatening the real estate and populations that lie below them. Be sure to do your own due diligence before you buy any Utah real estate.

John Jonas is an entepreneur and a family man. He has interests in Utah real estate, Utah businesses, and in internet marketing. More can be found out at his http://www.jonasfam.com website.

Utah Real Estate

Planning for your new home is a very involved process. You might want to get right down to selecting a set of house plans but don't get into a hurry.]]> Finding a lot

Planning for your new home is a very involved process. You might want to get right down to selecting a set of house plans but don’t get into a hurry. It is almost a ccertianty that the design of your new home will be somewhat determined by the lot you choose. This is why it makes sense to select the lot for your new home first, before you start the design process.

The lot you select for your new home should compliment your lifestyle or social habits. It should also reflect your financial situation.

Considering the length of commute from your new lot to your place of work. What is the maximum distance that you are willing to drive to get to work? The location of schools, shopping and emergency services may also be important in deciding where to build your new home.

Types of Building Lots

There are several different types of building lots and choosing oneis simply a matter of personal preference, finances,and your lifestyle.

Urban lots are of course those within a town, city or manicupality. An urban lot can often cost more then one in the suburbs or acreage. Here in southern British Columbia a lot can easily cost you $50000 especially in a major center.

You should be aware of services such as water, sewer, gas and hydro. Knowing where these services come into the lot is essential for determinng the cost to bring these services into your new home.

It is important for you to know if there are and building restrictions or requirements that need to be followed. It is better to know before you get into the planning and design process.

An alternative to the urban lot would be to get a lot in the suburbs. The main difference between the two would bethat a suburban lot is usually more private and larger then an urban lot.

Depending on where you live the cost will vary in comparision to an urban lot. In Kamloops BC a lot in the city is comparible in price with a suburban lot considerably larger in size.

Some lots in the suburbs are able to hook up to city sewer and water but not always. Additional cost can be added to have a well built and a septic system installed. A septic system will require that you perform perculation test on the soil to determinAe the drainage capability.

A suburban lot will almost definatley mean a long commute to work and shopping. Most people find this a worth while trade off for the added privacy a lot in the suburbs can provide.

The third alternative would be acreage. A plot of land 1 acre or larger gives you the freedom to build your home where you want plus you have room to build different outbuildings auch as a shop or storage sheds.

When building on acreage it is almost a certainty that you will have to install a septic system and a well. This added cost needs to be factored in when determining overall building costs. If you plan to build your home more than 40 or 50 meters from the hydro service then the installation of hydro poles will also need to be considered.

Depending on your needs one of these 3 types of lots will be chosen. The main factor that will determine the lot that you get is price. Obviously you can’t get a lot that is outside of your financial capabilities.

Once you have determined which lot you want to build your new house on it is simply a matter of arriving at a deal with the property owner. With the lot purchasedyour existing home can be put on the market and you can start the process of designing your new home.

About The Author

Dave Markel is the author of “The All Wood Working Journal”. He has helped hundreds of individuals improve their wood working skills. Visit his site at http://all-wood-working-plans.com” target=”_new

Choosing a Residential Lot

Climate:
Our climate for one thing is the best in the region.]]> We Sussex Countians are fortunate in many ways as we have a wonderful quality of life here.

Climate:
Our climate for one thing is the best in the region. The United States Department of Agriculture has a map that shows the temperature zones for plants (and people). This map http://www.growit.com/ZONES/ shows Delaware in the same climate band as mid-Texas, northern Georgia, and the Carolinas. Delaware is by far the northern most place for this climate. Southern Delaware, although not delineated on this map is shown as one zone more southerly in the more detailed maps you get for planting flowers and vegetables as shown in gardening texts.

Sussex County Delaware has a winter climate and temperature that equals the Carolinas, Georgia and northern Florida. It has a summer climate and temperature that is more like New York and Massachusetts. The reason for this is the tempering effects of the large bodies of water that surround Sussex County have more local effect on keeping us cool in Summer and Warm in winter than the land does. The closer you get to the water the more this is true. The Eastern Sussex area is almost identical to Boston temperatures in the summer and Tampa temperatures in the winter.

Driving and Commuting Distance:
In Sussex County we feel we are far enough from everything and close enough to all that’s important. While we enjoy and idyllic rural and resort lifestyle here, we are a couple of hours to the cities. When I lived in L.A. most of us drove two or more hours each way to work. Southern Californians spend 4 to 8 hours a day in their cars – no wonder the car culture is so strong there. In two hours we can be past Wilmington to Philadelphia and beyond; past Baltimore and into Washington D.C. and beyond and to the south we can reach Norfolk in just over two hours. The slowest part of each of these trips is the first 45 minutes which are on our picturesque Colonial roads, but then we hit the open roads and the miles click on by. We are about 90 minutes to any of four International Airports – take your pick: Dulles, Reagan, Baltimore Washington or Philadelphia. We have air commuter service 45 minutes away in Salisbury or Newcastle. Charter service is available in Georgetown right here in the middle of Sussex County.

Telecommuting and Teleworking:
Sussex County, especially just west of the beach areas is a rapidly growing area for telecommuting. The ultra-high-speed cable access to the Internet is available anywhere that Comcast Cable television service is. This cable modem service is about 10-30 times faster than dial-up service and makes all the difference if you are on line all day like Kate and I are. Although the cable modem costs about $50 a month, you can split it and without a drop in speed have two or three people in your home on the same hookup – that makes it very cost effective. I specialize in helping those who do, or want, to telecommute or as they say in Europe and the Federal Government, to telework. We have helped numerous people move in and work from home. The various government agencies are now pressing more and more people to telework at least a few days a week. If you go to the various federal web sites most if not all of them have criteria and jobs for teleworkers – check it out. And don’t forget your favorite jobs anywhere – you may be able to work here and have a job in any other place on earth or at least any other place in America.

Crime:
Our crime, what there is of it, is mostly out of state speeders on the highways. Some of our visitors are of the opinion (right or wrong) that our major source of state income in Delaware is fines from speeding tickets. That is the primary function of our police on a daily basis. We are certainly not crime free but we are safer than most places. In fact of our serious crimes, most are DUI, Driving Under the Influence and still our statistics are that of a very peaceful and laid back rural area.

Size and Density:
Sussex County is the largest county east of the Mississippi River with 938 square miles! Sussex has almost the exact same size as the other two counties of Delaware combined; yet we have only about 15% of the state population with our 120,000 people. That relates to only 128 people per square mile, compared to almost 1100 people per square mile in our northern county, New Castle.

Financial and Economic Vitality:
Southern Delaware is uniquely a haven for the self employed. The economic vitality of Sussex County, especially eastern Sussex County, is primarily that of self employment in addition to jobs in education, law enforcement, lodging, health care, Real Estate of course, Real Estate law, residential and commercial building and construction, which is related, and retail management. Part of the reason for our overall economic health is that our owner operated businesses are so diverse. There are no huge corporations employing thousands of people in high paying jobs that can crash or affect our economy in any way. We also have a growing and vibrant arts community of fine artists, writers, and musicians who live here and gain income from a wide national and international area. As the teleworking era grows here this self-employed base will grow and diversify even more.

Cultural Values:
We have so many cultural events in the so called off-season that we are developing another season which some are calling the aesthetics season to complement the beach tourism season. The arts are a measure of the richness of our lives, our community and our economy. The arts are a multi-million dollar industry here when our aesthetics season visitors rent rooms, rent homes for the several day events, eat at our restaurants, shop at our hundreds of outlet stores and otherwise spend time and money in our various establishments. We have a couple of local pre-university schools which feature art and music education which studies show enhance problem solving and abstract thinking abilities of students in whatever field they may end up in; arts or not.

Many of us are working to further enhance the emphasis on the arts here. There are many ways we can individually work to increase our cultural assets. One business could support art in public places. An individual can contribute time, money, or expertise to cultural organizations. All these efforts will help stimulate an on-going cycle of learning, investment, and growth in our region. And, of course the most important thing we can do is attend and invite friends in from out of town to attend as many of these events and functions as possible.

Tourism:
For many decades, tourism has been the backbone of our local, eastern Sussex County economy. We are well known, in Rehoboth Beach, as The Nation’s Summer Capital. Our other beaches are regionally favored above all others: Dewey Beach for the skim board surfing and parties; Bethany Beach for the bedroom community family oriented beachy place and Fenwick Island for the fine homes and fine beaches that are revered by those who relish home life without adjacent commercial activities. Of course Fenwick Island is very close to thousands of commercial enterprises in Ocean City Maryland.

Visitors bring money into our local economy, support local businesses, which provide jobs, and they pay for gas, rooms, home rentals and room sales taxes. We increasingly enjoy higher returns from our visitors thus maximizing on our investments. Bringing millions and millions of visitors to our Delaware Beach area affects not only our economy but also our transportation system, our water system and our natural environment. Studies show that different types of visitors have different impacts. For example, visitors who attend an arts event typically stay longer and spend more money.

Tourism is evolving. Our Bed and Breakfast establishments for instance are a major factor in bicycle tourism, bird watching and corporate and executive think-tank retreats. We are developing different types of visitors to our area while maintaining our lifestyle, economic vitality, and environmental quality. Emphasizing outdoor recreation, clean air, wide-open spaces and beautiful scenery, we can attract “eco-friendly” visitors. Camping, for instance, is a large and growing eco-tourism feature where thousands of our campsites host those who enjoy the area and often stay right at the camp most of the time. Canoeing and kayaking, sea kayaking, the kite festival, jet skis and other personal watercraft as well as boating, fishing, sailing and that most usual of all eco-tourism pursuits; beach walking, are all growing by several percent each year.

Historic Appreciation and Preservation:
Lewes, Milton and Georgetown all have (in that order) substantial historic preservation districts. Purchasing and restoring as well as maintaining these historic homes and shops is a major and growing contributing factor to our economy and local aesthetic beauty. There are hundreds of homes in Lewes and Milton with extensive restoration work done. Some of these are now Bed and Breakfast Inns. Many of these Historic sites are listed in the national or state register of historic places because of their importance to community, their place in state history or prehistory, or due to significance in architecture, archeology, or culture. Many of these places are not suitably listed by beautiful never the less and important to all of us. Sussex County has listed several buildings in the National/State Register in recent years. Retaining our existing stock and extending the longevity of historic resources keeps the past vivid in our daily lives. Travelers tend to plan longer trips around historic sites.

Education:
Education is a critical element in our community’s quality of life. Our vision for the future creates a world-class education system that is challenging and diverse enough to encourage the highest levels of student and faulty achievement, works in partnership with families and the community, and provides life-long learning opportunities. Sussex Technical & Community College, Wilmington College, Goldey Beacon Business Schools, University of Delaware and more are active campuses here in Salt Water Sussex County. A thriving economy is essential to the education system. Healthy families ensure that students are ready to learn. A vibrant arts community and our unique natural environment provide opportunities for hands-on learning. We have numerous work study programs particularly in education, the arts, health care, law enforcement, oceanography, environmentalism and commercial boating. Our region will continue to enhance the strength, depth and diversity of our region’s education system. Educational excellence is fundamental to our competitive economy, a healthy environment, self-sufficient families, and an outstanding community. Our elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in the Cape Henlopen School District and nearby areas are usually at or near the top of the Delaware education system success gradients.

Health Care:
Health and wellness are fundamental to community prosperity. A healthy community embraces all aspects of health. Our vision of a healthy future focuses on healthy behavior and prevention which allows people to celebrate and live life to its fullest and ensures accessible care to encourage the best health outcomes. State of the art technology will allow people with critical needs to get care in their own community. Dedicated and caring doctors, nurses and caregivers are at the heart of our health care system. A thriving economy and good jobs ensure that families have access to health care. A clean environment offering rich recreational choices supports healthy families. Affordable, accessible health care is essential to our vision of families that can support our economy and schools as well. Beebe Hospital headquartered in Lewes has developed (to a great degree under the auspices of my father, Joe Hudson) a large number of clinics and satellite health care facilities spread frequently around the area.

Healthy communities focus on wellness, prevention and access to quality medical care. When health care is hard to find or expensive, people may delay treatment, often making their health problems worse. Timely access to appropriate health care benefits everyone.

Beebe Hospital is certainly the fastest growing and largest employer in the beach resort area and growing fast to support our retirement communities as more and more people retire here at earlier and earlier ages and remain more and more active in life, business and recreation. We have a wonderful school of nursing attached to the hospital as well: The Beebe Hospital School of Nursing.

Beach and Natural Environment Areas:
And this, our beach area, is of course what we are nationally famous for. The natural environment is the very foundation of community well-being. We are in late transition from a farming community to a resort and arts community. Our best and most optimum future relies on a clean environment that attracts tourists as well as high quality residents and entrepreneurs. A world-class educational presence here supports environmental protection. Our highly educated tourists and residents are another factor ensuring our increasingly strong accent on an ever improving environment. A strong economy is essential to restoration projects. Well-planned land uses and infrastructure investments can protect and enhance the environment. Environmental vitality is essential to our vision of a sustainable economy. An unmatched environment also supports year-round recreation to attract a more diverse mix of tourists and our favorite and more diverse mix of teleworkers and retirees.

The National Parks & Recreation Association recommends 7 acres of community parks and 20 acres of regional parks per 1,000 population. We are far, far, beyond that ratio. Our beach area is one of our largest park assets and boasts a variety of recreational facilities including ball fields, golf courses, and a variety of water sports and enjoyment opportunities. Keeping up with parks maintenance is a constant area concern which we do quite well.

Parks offer a place to relax, recreate, and visit with friends. A combination of developed parks and natural areas provides a mixture of activities like playing sports and walking a quiet trail. Trees, grass and other vegetation clean our air. Relocating individuals often cite parks and schools as deciding factors for moving to our region. Trails can connect neighborhoods and contribute to healthy active lives. Trails enhance mobility and access to public lands. The hundreds of miles of trails and bike paths have increased constantly in our beach region. Funding issues make development of trails challenging.

The natural environment, our beach and wetland areas as well as our farm land, is what most people list first when talking about our region’s quality of life. This is an area that clearly shows what a positive impact people can have with relatively small individual contributions. Our region’s water quality and air quality are wonderful and have improved tremendously over the last 50 years. Regional investment in the natural environment can ensure that we continue to enjoy the natural benefits we can not easily replace: reducing pollution, processing waste, improving water and air quality, and moderating the damage of flooding. Investments in our community’s “green infrastructure” are critical to the health of our families as well as to our tourist-based economy and those investments are being made by our various governmental divisions and by our individuals. Our largest park style land owner in fact, is Delaware Wild Lands a private organization devoted to securing the quality of life for all Delawareans and doing it well.

Land Use and Zoning:
The land use choices we make are the blueprint for our community’s design. Our vision of the future provides effective infrastructure that enables us to work, raise our families, and educate our children. Our land use supports our quality of life while protecting the environment. Community infrastructures attract tourists as well as high quality visitors, retirees and entrepreneurs. Our region will foster sustainable development that meets the needs of present generations without impairing future generations’ ability to meet their own needs. A strong economy is essential to good land use planning and infrastructure provision. A respect for the environment helps maximize the use of land and infrastructure.

Involved neighborhoods are essential for a thriving community. Smart land use and high quality infrastructure are essential if we are to achieve our vision of a robust economy, world-class education, and a safe community. We are expanding rapidly as more and more people arrive here for short, medium or permanent residential and business life. As our Quality of Life is what most people come here to enjoy; part time or full time. ENJOY!

Copyright 2000-2005 by http://www.JodyHudson.com

Jody Hudson is a Realtor of 35 years professional experience and a lifetime in America and Delaware.

Source page for this article is: http://www.kate-jody.com/essays/qualityoflife.html

Quality of Life in Sussex County Delaware. Facts, Statistics, Observations and even opinions!

For first time investors with small budgets looking for a step onto the property ladder, this seems like an opportunity almost too good to be true! The result is that thousands of novice speculators and second homebuyers are flocking to Bulgaria to cash in on the investment opportunities it offers.]]> Where is it possible to buy a property on your credit card? Bulgaria, of course! With thousands of potential property buyers seduced by Bulgaria’s bargain property prices, the temptation is to think that making a solid return is a no-brainer! Searching the Internet, dozens of articles and property websites boast about the 100% capital growth that can be achieved on Bulgarian property investments in the space of 12 months.

For first time investors with small budgets looking for a step onto the property ladder, this seems like an opportunity almost too good to be true! The result is that thousands of novice speculators and second homebuyers are flocking to Bulgaria to cash in on the investment opportunities it offers. But as the saying goes, if it’s too good to be true, well then, it probably isn’t.

Property prices are rising significantly but largely in the more established and more desirable tourist hotspots. Investing along the Black Sea coastline and areas within 10km of the two major ski resorts, Barovets and Pamporovo, is likely to yield a healthy 60-80% capital growth in one year. Buying a new apartment in these areas can cost as little as ?30,000 and is likely to be solid investment, since they can be easily let to the increasing number of tourists coming to experience the delights of Bulgaria.

A quick trawl through the Bulgarian real estate portals and you’re likely to find 100’s of properties under ?15,000. With prices like this, the temptation is to rush in and buy, sometimes without even seeing the property. It is wise not to be carried away by the prospect of a property at this price doubling its value in one year. The problem with many of these properties is that they tend to be located in Bulgaria’s most isolated and rural areas. These areas are often weak on infrastructure and services and may lag behind the rest of Bulgaria for many years to come.

Investing in Bulgaria’s more established locations, such as Varna, Sofia or Barovets, may seem more expensive for the budget investor. But when you consider the headaches and additional expenses that come with renovating an old property in rural Bulgaria, as well as the language difficulties, your budget buy could prove not to have been such a bargain after all! Also, these properties could very well be difficult to rent. Although Bulgaria is growing in popularity with eco-tourists, this tourist sector has not taken off to the same extent as the more traditional ski or sun holiday destinations.

Consequently, the likelihood of property prices rising as dramatically in isolated areas is very slim. Even if property prices take a huge leap upon Bulgaria’s entry to the EU in 2007, the chances are that they will increase in rural areas by 15-30% at most.

The situation is similar in Spain and makes a good example. Though Spain saw property prices increase by over 100% on joining to the EU, it is still possible even now to find properties in the most isolated, inland areas for as little as ?35,000. These areas are only now gaining the interest of property buyers priced out of Spain’s more desirable locations.

The situation will be similar in Bulgaria. Tourists will flock to the ski resorts, the Black Sea coast and the more popular mountainous regions. Consequently, developers will continue to invest in these areas. New developments will attract more buyers and more tourists and the areas will see continued capital appreciation on investments. Isolated areas, lacking amenities and services will be overlooked and property prices in these areas will remain significantly lower than the rest of Bulgaria.

For intrepid investors willing to take a long-term view on their investment and wait 15 to 20 years to see significant returns, then cheap isolated properties may be worth considering. But the certainty of a return and the ability to approximate what that return will be is far more likely with properties in the more established Bulgarian destinations.

Tracey Meagher runs and maintains PropertyAuthors, a website offering freely downloadable property investment ebooks and articles. She also maintains the Bulgarian Property Newsdesk weblog. Visit http://propertynewsdeskbulgaria.blogspot.com for further information and advice on buying property in Bulgaria. For free articles on investing in property visit http://www.proeprtyauthors.com

Buying Property in Bulgaria : How to Avoid Making A Bad Investment