₦airaland Forum

Third on my list is the Republic of China. China: 57m


The country incites a culture shock in many a European or American traveller, but a few simple rules will greatly simplify the trip. Food should never be eaten with the wrong end of a pair of chopsticks, as these are only used to serve. Alcohol shouldn’t be drunk without a toast, and every bill must be fought over, to the extent that it is considered good manners to pull a restaurant bill out of another’s hand.
For the most intrepid travellers, it is possible to cross the length of China and Russia with a trip on the trans-siberian express train. This can take as little as a week, but it can take as long as you want because, unlike a transcontinental flight, it’s possible to get off at several points along the way.

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Next on the list is US: 67m


As early as the 1850s tourism was an established industry for America, and although it receives a markedly lower number of tourists than our number 1 spot, the amount of revenue per visitor is the highest in the world. For many of America’s states tourism is the largest industry, which meant that the fallout from the tragedy of 9/11 was enormous. The range of available attractions is vast, with over 100,000 different ‘Things to Do’ on Tripadvisor.

Everyone is familiar with the Empire State, the Grand Canyon, and the White House, but delving a little deeper into America’s sights turns up a whole range of oddities like Texas’ 60 tonne Cathedral of Junk, a Voodoo-Enhanced cemetery in New Orleans, and Iowa’s Albert, the world’s largest bull, who stands 30 feet tall and weighs in at 45 tons.

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The world is getting smaller. It took Columbus 2 months and 9 days to get to the Bahamas and never made it all the way. Now we can go around the world in mere hours. If you had the opportunity to choose any country of your choice for a quick visit, I recommend you choose from the list below.

Lets start from the first;

France: 83m Europe


Paris Syndrome is a medical condition which mainly affects Japanese women in their thirties, it strikes down an average of 12 people per year, and has forced the Japanese embassy to open a 24-hour hotline. Many of the million Japanese tourists who visit Paris every year arrive with a highly romanticized idea of the French capital, and the realities of the city can come as a surprise to some.

In 2006 alone, the Japanese embassy was forced to provide a flight, and accompanying medical team for four people for whom the culture shock was too much. Although the difference between Japanese and French cultures is huge, the fact that this is a recognised condition speaks volumes.

Literature, cinema, and TV have all built up an idealised version of the city of lights since before world wars, and as a result France remains by far the most visited country in the world. In 2012 alone the industry accounted for €77.7bn, most of which is spent in Paris and the French Riviera.
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In real estate property management, the property manager is the owner’s partner in maximizing the return on investment of the property through efficient performance of these four functional areas of responsibility. The property management company acts in the best interests of the owner to maintain the property, keep it occupied with tenants, collect rents, budget improvements and maintain records.

Many real estate professionals have looked at property management and changed their minds when the scope of the management tasks and record-keeping are fully understood. It’s definitely a niche for the more detailed and responsive in the profession.

A property manager has four major areas of responsibility:

 Marketing and Financial

 Tenant and Occupancy

 Facility

 Administration & Risk Management



Marketing and Financial

Real estate property management involves understanding of operating expenses and budgeting. From this information, appropriate rental rates are set, balanced by the current market and what it will support in the way of rents. A firm knowledge of the area and competitive rental properties is required. The property manager may recommend marketing programs, special promotions and other advertising strategies to the owner in order to maximize occupancy and rental rates. Regular financial reporting to the owners is required. Understanding financial statements, profit and loss, income taxes and budgeting are all very important for the property manager.



Tenant and Occupancy

Understanding the needs of the tenants is important for this function. Getting them to move in is only the beginning. The property manager must then respond to their requests, monitor their activities as regards the lease requirements, collect rent in a timely manner, and continually assess the tenants’ satisfaction as regards the property’s amenities versus those of competing rental properties in the area. The unwelcome task of eviction for violations or non-payment is part of this function also.



Facility Management

Property management is also physical management of the structures and outdoor areas. Landscaping, electrical, plumbing, roof, walls, appliances, and much more are all part of the physical property. The property manager must maintain relationships with contractors and repair companies, budget capital expenditures, and monitor the quality of all repairs and maintenance. This function ties in with the financial piece, as some improvements will require significant capital expenditures and budgeting for them. It ties in with tenant and occupancy management because it is important to tenant retention to have well-maintained properties.



Administration & Risk Management

This is the files and records part of the property management function. Federal, state and local governments all have some jurisdiction over real estate property management activities. Certain reporting requirements must be met for all of them. Meticulous records for accounting and taxes are a must. For reasons of liability, all activities and tenant interaction must be recorded and maintained for specified periods. Though also related to financial functions, there are very rigid requirements in most states for the handling of funds paid by renters for disbursement to owners.

Those considering specialization in real estate property management need to understand the requirements, and have a good feeling about being able to accomplish them all with efficiency and enjoyment. It’s not as easy as selling real estate.

Read more articles at www.lamudi.com.ng/journal and find your dream property on www.lamudi.com.ng

One key to drawing investment into the property sector is the development of a vibrant mortgage market. However, there are not many people queuing to take up mortgages.

“The mortgage market is at best ineffective and the loans being given can’t really be described as mortgage finance because of various factors,” says Rotimi Akinlose, Director of Nigeria-based real estate research firm, Residential Auctions Company. He says the factors limiting mortgage uptake include high interest rates of between 17% – 20% p.a (depending on the bank), high management charges, low amortization period of 5 -10 years and other stringent conditions for applicants seeking a mortgage.

“We conducted a survey recently targeted at business professionals residing in Lagos, which shows less than 20% of the respondents took a mortgage to acquire their homes. This illustrates just how weak the mortgage market is, and the negative perception by its potential customers. In a nutshell, an average middle income salary earner cannot afford to take on a mortgage due to the high interest rates,” says Rotimi.

According to industry experts, mortgage lending is weak because of the lack of clear property rights, high costs of property transactions and inefficient land management systems.

“The size of the mortgage industry is very small. This sector has a lot of potential, yet we seem to have lopsided policies,” says the Abimbola Olayinka, the president of the Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN). “Mortgage banks in Nigeria should be heavyweights – in the US and Europe they are the biggest banks,” he says.

To fill the gap, private retail mortgage firms have set up operations to capture the market share. The largest outfits include First Bank of Nigeria Mortgages, Union homes, Aso Savings and Loans, Stanbic IBTC and GT Homes Ltd.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the draft framework for operating a mortgage refinance company, which will establish the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) to address liquidity problem in the industry.

The NMRC will be a public private partnership arrangement including the federal government, local banks, primary mortgage institutions and savings and loans institutions, and multilateral financiers like the World Bank, which has provided $300million to establish the company.

“The NMRC is a step in the right direction. It would be able to access capital markets to raise long-term funds via bond issues. This will provide more liquidity to the housing and construction sectors, and hopefully lead to reduced mortgage and construction finance interest rates,” says Abimbola.

As Nigeria’s economy continues to grow and diversify, lucrative investment opportunities for property investors will arise, whether in the luxury segment, mass housing or elsewhere. The sector is faced with many challenges from unclear land policies and legal framework to high cost of construction and lack of project finance. Nevertheless, as long as developers have the indicative data right and government facilitates an attractive environment, there is money to be made.

Structuring is the cornerstone of any transaction. Whether it’s structured investment with capital protection at maturity or partial capital protection at maturity, the importance of a robust and well thought through structure cannot be over emphasized. Structuring in investment is one of the key determinants to a successful transaction regardless of the sector or location; and at any point within a business cycle.

Africa as a continent has recently experienced an influx of capital – debt and equity – deployed across various sectors including real estate and infrastructure, oil and gas, healthcare, financial services and manufacturing.

According to the reports, Sub Sahara Africa Foreign Direct Investment projects in the real estate, hospitality and construction sector increased by 63 percent, making the sector the fifth most attractive in terms of investment and returns to investors going up three positions from 2012. In the same year, FDI into Nigeria was $7.3 billion and projected to increase to $9.6 billion by 2015. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission estimates that Nigeria needs investment of $100 billion over the next 6 years for projects such as roads, electricity, oil and gas, railways and housing.

As these funds flow into Nigeria especially into infrastructure transactions focus on the real estate sector must be primed and ready to take advantage of the flow of funds. With the eventual inflow of investments which can be channelled into infrastructural development, what sort of structuring should be put in place especially for a rapidly developing and growing market like that of the real estate and investments in Nigeria?

It is paramount to understand the transaction structuring aids while keeping in view the needs and risk profiles of both local and international investors. This understanding enables one to ask and answer a key question – ‘what does investor capital require?’ The answer includes understanding the following: tenor of investment as well as the required return on investment and level of investor risk aversion, required local investment or co-investment, sector bias such as affordable or luxury housing, retail, office, industrial, and hospitality.

In addition to understanding capital requirements, practical matters such as robustness and adequacy of the security package; cash flow modelling including detailed sensitivity analyses; financial structure; and of course the exit strategy should also be considered.

Answering the question about the various transaction-specific risks, we need to pay attention to the market and country risk, which in Nigeria includes lack of legislative clarity on property and land rights; high cost of construction; and financing.

With the right local legal team, issues around property and land rights could be mitigated; with a robust transaction structure financing risk could be mitigated; and with a good project manager and local knowledge, construction risk could be mitigated.

Read more at www.lamudi.com.ng/journal

Color is emotional and conveys different moods, this being said the color of a room determines the type of atmosphere. Choosing the color of a room can be both nerve racking and intimidating. So many colors, tones and hues oh my! Well I have a few tips to make it easy you see. So grab a pen and follow these:

1. Determine the function of the room.
Deep colors should be used in rooms primarily used at night, the dining room, TV room or bedroom.
Light colors go great in rooms with a large amount of natural light. Subtle, pale colors in bathrooms or dressing rooms.

2. Test the colors effectively.
Hang large paper color swatches next to smaller trim colors and view the shades together.
View the color combination together at different times of the day to see how the color appears in different lighting.

3. Prepare to be surprised.
Testing a color won’t completely prepare you for a big change. Some color will appear brighter or bolder in a large amount. If your feeling apprehensive about using a color, try using it in small amounts through out a room. Decorative throw pillows or throw blankets in a living room or bedroom, table clothes, plates and napkins in the eat in kitchen or dining room in the prospective room color can help you slowly adapt to using the color in a great amount.

Find more interior designs at www.lamudi.com.ng/journal/interior-design/ and over 30,000 property listings at www.lamudi.com.ng

Can’t decide on wall colours? Try removable wall transfers. Removable wall transfers are becoming increasingly affordable and there are tons of patterns and styles to choose from. They work a little bit like tattoos and you can get your kids involved in adding them to their wall. And, the plus side is you don’t have to fix it later! An alternative to wall transfers could be to add colourful bunting around large pieces of furniture. It’s a brilliant way of decorating any child’s room and you can coordinate the colours with the area that you’re decorating.

Safety is paramount. Safety should definitely be your main concern when decorating your child’s room, especially a toddler’s room. Concentrate on making every area of the room clean and safe. For example, don’t expose any electrical outlets, cover sockets with socket protectors, don’t place heavy or breakable items in easy to reach places, and secure furniture to the wall. These are just a few suggestions, but common sense and parental instinct will help you ensure your child’s room is safe.

Storage. Finding attractive storage is key to any room, especially to a smaller than average bedroom. You can get creative with the tons of storage items available these days and they keep the bedroom tidy and in order. Or, if you’re short on money, create a storage space with what you have at home. Allocate different areas for toys, clothes and books and train your kids to return things when they’re finished with them. Learning how to stay organised early on will set them up for their work and personal life. A tidy room is a tidy mind!

Can’t decide on wall colours? Try removable wall transfers. Removable wall transfers are becoming increasingly affordable and there are tons of patterns and styles to choose from. They work a little bit like tattoos and you can get your kids involved in adding them to their wall. And, the plus side is you don’t have to fix it later! An alternative to wall transfers could be to add colourful bunting around large pieces of furniture. It’s a brilliant way of decorating any child’s room and you can coordinate the colours with the area that you’re decorating.

What is the focal point? A good room should have at least one focal point and this tends to be the bed. Whether your child has a bright red bed, or a bare wooden single bed, dressing the bedding will change the dynamics of the bedroom. Ideally, you’d want to dress the bed according to the theme of the room, but if you haven’t gone with a running theme, plain colours, like white, cream or beige tends to work with any wall colour or ornament.

It’s time to do something for the kids. Most people think that decorating a child’s bedroom is all about picking the furniture and toys, but its more than that. Your child’s bedroom is their palace. They will sleep, play and work in that room, so giving them a great bedroom will not only offer them security, but a sanctuary to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
When decorating their room, the amount of space that you have available should be taken into consideration. It is also important to have a theme in mind. You also need to answer questions like What colour do you want to paint the walls? Which items do you want to display? Which necessary pieces of furniture should stay and, sometimes, more importantly, which should be thrown out! At the end of the day, safety should be the most important thing about your child’s bedroom.
What does your child like? Consider your child and what they would like. What are their interests? If your child loves reading, you can add an easy to reach bookcase and a nice beanbag for them to sit down on and read. If you don’t have access to a beanbag, you can create a soft corner using pillows. If your child loves sport, maintain a minimalist approach, so that they can run around and play. Perhaps hang up a small basketball hoop if they have the space and open up some floor to allow them to take a running start. You can decorate the opened up space on the floor with a unique rug.

Prospective homebuyers sometimes find themselves in the position of being emotionally ready to buy their first home but not quite financially prepared. This lack of finance affects individual’s decision on when to own a home especially in Nigeria when the lending rate is 16.57-24.70%. This values are high compared to the GDP of over $500 billion.
Most times workers have to save more money before they can buy a home. In such a case, a rent-to-own or lease-to-own arrangement can sometimes be a solution.
Rent-to-own agreements vary in their exact terms, but generally the property owners and renters sign a contract in which the renter agrees to rent the property for a specified time, typically one to three years. During that time, the renters usually pay an above-market rent, with the excess rent credited toward a down payment when the contract ends. The contract typically sets a price for the home at the end of the lease.
Benefits for Both Sides
A rent-to-own deal offers prospective buyers an opportunity to settle into a home they want to purchase while they continue to save for a part payment for the house.
Most individuals who own such properties prefer to rent to sell flats in a house instead of the whole house. This guarantees that the home sells faster and at the end they make more money because its more affordable than renting to sell the whole house..
Rent-to-Own Contracts
Both sides of the agreement must have the contract reviewed by a lawyer, because multiple issues must be addressed. Any lease agreement should include:
 Length of the lease period.
 Rent amount.
 Amount for down payment and how it will be held until the time of purchase. Both sides need to agree in writing what will happen to the credit if the renters opt out of buying at the end of the contract.
 Who will pay property taxes, insurance and homeowner fees during the lease period.
 Who will pay for utilities, maintenance and repairs during the lease period.

To reduce the Risks of Rent-to-Own
Make sure you understand when the title is transferred to you and who’s responsible if anything happens to the property while you live in it. It’s a good idea to have a home inspection before you buy the property – even if you’ve been living there for a few years – so that you’re certain of its condition.
Consult a professional to discuss the details of any rent-to-own arrangement. If you’re concerned about home prices rising and want to lock in a home at today’s prices, a rent-to-own arrangement can work well, but make sure the contract specifies what happens if home values rise or fall between the time the agreement is signed and you go to settlement. This is one time when the assistance of an attorney who represents your interests should be mandatory.

Find properties for rent-to-own at www.lamudi.com.ng

This is another important statutory law governing and guiding land and landed property transactions in Nigeria in the form of either home ownership or development by anybody who aspires to own a dwelling house of their own.

Section 1 of the National Housing Fund act states that-

(1) There is hereby established a fund to be known as the National Housing Fund (in this Act referred to as “the Fund”).

(2) All contributions and other monies required or prescribed by this Act shall be paid into the Fund

Section 2 explained the aims and objectives of the Fund shall be to-

(a) facilitate the mobilization of the Fund for the provision of houses for Nigerians at affordable prices;

(b) ensure the constant supply of loans to Nigerians for the purpose of building, purchasing and improvement of residential houses;

(c) provide incentives for the capital market to invest in property development;

(d) encourage the development of specific programmes that would ensure effective financing of housing development, in particular low cost housing for low income workers;

(e) provide proper policy control over the allocation of resources and funds between the housing sector and other sectors of the Nigerian economy; and

(j) provide long-term loans to mortgage institutions for on-lending to contributions to the Fund.

To qualify for this fund, any aspiring home owner must have been a contributor to the National Housing Fund Scheme from his/her paid employment. Such contribution must have been for a period not less than 6 months with satisfactory evidence of steady flow of income from their employment in order to guarantee loan repayment.

The National Housing Fund Act also stipulate the conditions for contributing into the fund by Nigerian workers as well as the interest rate payable on such contribution made

Section 4 states that-

(1) A Nigerian worker earning an income of N3,OOO and above per annum in both the public and the private sectors of the economy shall contribute 2.5 per cent of his basic monthly salary to the Fund.

(2) An interest rate of 4 per cent shall be payable on contributions made under subsection (1) of this section.

The act also refers to a contributor to be a worker from whose basic salary or income deductions are made and paid into the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Act. While a “worker” means an employee to whom salaries are paid and include a self-employed person who derives income from his/her employment.

A contributor to the National Housing Fund scheme is entitled to a maximum loan advancement of fifteen million naira (N15,000,000) or as may be determined by the primary mortgage institution in the country. An individual borrower can not be granted loan advancement in excess of 90% of the total cost or value of the property to be mortgaged.

The interest rate for each loan advancement as stipulated in the Act is not more than 6% per annum with a repayment period of not more than 25-30 years.



Relevant sections in the act governing land and property transaction/ownership in Nigeria are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22

All these fifteen (15) statutory laws that I have written about are very important to be taken cognizance of by all those aspiring to embark on any form of land and/or landed property transactions either in the form of mortgage, lease, assignment/conveyance, alienation, transfer and ownership as they will help guide through a smooth completion of any of those land and property transactions.

Get more real estate info at http://www.lamudi.com.ng/journal/

Next, please consider what lighting will be installed indoors and outdoors. It is not necessarily dramatic, but make sure it confirms the theme of your home. Of so many options, you can choose Moroccan lamps. These lamps not only glow in the dark, but they also add depth to the surrounding area.

You need to choose materials that have a natural feel, like wood and rattan. Avoid modern materials, like aluminum and other metals. This way, you can still maintain the true essence of Africa.

Furniture is another important element in this typical theme. There is no specific standard as to how you pick furniture, what materials to use. However, we still think that you need to go with a natural route since it represents Africa the best.

No matter how many different elements you will include, make sure you use this one. There are so many choices to pick, but you should pick daring things. Make your home as natural as possible, feeling like you live in the jungle, because Africa is all about wildlife. If you do not like that, then we suggest you stick with natural colors.

One of the most special things is the carvings. Many cultures around the world also use carvings as cultural heritage. However, African carvings are really different in the way they are shaped and colored. The material is actually quite common, which is wood. Carvings are often used during special events and dancing ceremonies. Here are more ideas that you can apply in your home. First, try palette.

African Home Décor to Represent Wildlife

Africa is very famous for its wildlife. Decorating your home with this theme is a great decision, especially if you like the distinctive culture of the continent. There are several important elements that need to be included just like other home decor themes. Decorating with an African theme is not so difficult. It does not require some brainstorming ideas. All you have to do is see how the people on the continent build their homes. You can also watch documentary movies that show African people’s lives more closely.

Global property portal makes mobile app available for Apple users

JULY 24, 2014: Leading property portal Lamudi today launched its iOS app in Nigeria as the company seeks to capture the growing smartphone market in the country.

The launch of Lamudi’s iOS app follows the successful roll out of the company’s Android app in Nigeria last month. The app, Lamudi: Real Estate for Sale and Rent, is now available on iOS devices in 16 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Lamudi, a division of African Internet Holding, has so far made the iOS app available in nine countries in Africa.

Allie Morse, CEO Lamudi West and Central Africa said "Lamudi is very excited about the launch of our IOS app, enabling property searchers to browse 1000's of top properties on Lamudi from their mobile devices."

Managing Director, Lamudi Nigeria, Obi Ejimofo during the official launch of the Lamudi iOS App commented on the giant leaps Lamudi Nigeria has taken since its official launch last year. He said ‘Lamudi is all about constant evolution. We launched the android app and You tube channel some months back and today we are launching the iOS app ensuring we get Lamudi Nigeria into the hands of over 30 million estimated smart phone users in Nigeria’.

Sacha Poignonnec, co-CEO of Africa Internet Holding, said: “The launch of Lamudi’s Android app last month was a great success. We saw huge demand from our customers in Nigeria and beyond, so we decided to keep the momentum going by moving on to iOS straight away.

The new iOS app puts thousands of global property listings from 16 countries in your pocket. In total, listings from nine African countries are now available on iOS. This means your dream home is now just a tap away.”

The Lamudi app provides the perfect platform for house-hunters to rent, buy or sell property on the go. The iOS and Android apps are designed to meet the growing demand for mobile internet services in emerging markets. Smartphone use in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to rise by 40% each year until 2017, according to a recent report from research firm Frost & Sullivan.

A key feature of the app is its customised search function, which allows users to easily filter results by country. The app also provides match alerts, with users receiving a notification as soon as a property that suits their needs hits the market. House-hunters can also bookmark their favourite properties to access at any time and on any device.

All listings on the app feature high-quality photo galleries, detailed property information, maps, and multiple contact details for property owners or agents. Users can also share their favourite properties with family and friends via Facebook, Twitter or email.

The Lamudi iOS app is now available in Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru, Mexico and Colombia.


Download the Lamudi iOS app in the App Store today!



ABOUT LAMUDI

Launched in 2013, Lamudi is a global property portal focusing exclusively on emerging markets. The fast-growing platform is currently available in 28 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with more than 500,000 real estate listings across its global network. The leading real estate marketplace offers sellers, buyers, landlords and renters a secure and easy-to-use platform to find or list properties online.

ABOUT AFRICA INTERNET HOLDING (AIH)
Africa Internet Holding introduces and accelerates the online shift in Africa – for its people and its culture. It is committed to running successful and vibrant internet companies which boost the evolution of African online culture. AIH is the parent group of nine successful and fast-growing companies in more than 15 African countries, accounting for over 2000 staff. AIH cares about entrepreneurship and brings together all the key elements required to build great companies: team, concept, technology and capital. Its network of companies includes JUMIA, Kaymu, Hellofood, Lamudi, Carmudi, Zando, Jovago, Lendico and Easy Taxi.

More.

Going green

The green revolution has inspired so many aspects of interior and product design over the years. Recycling, re-purposing, efficient use of energy… this time we are taking things even more literally with vertical gardens and green interior walls. I number of international hotel brands and commercial spaces have incorporated green walls into their aesthetic design.

YELLOW IS THE NEW PINK AND FLORAL IS THE NEW STRIPE

According to the Creative Director of Blue Mahogany interior design Omon Anenih-Mordi, pinks and oranges made a big appearance in 2012. For the brave hearted, neon colours and bold graphic wallpaper were a huge hit. Sectional sofas came back with a laid back vengeance and soft velvets graced many a home. All these lovely designs gave way to the 2013 design trend which we will be taking a look at.

Colours

While bold, bright colours have been popular for the last few years, partly influenced by our attempts to keep our sunny side up in the midst of a weak economy, bright colours were predicted to make an even stronger impression back in 2013. Even though the new brights will not quite reach the neon level, they will be seen in more ways than ever before. Sickens paints (an Azkonobel brand)predicated that the colour of the year 2013 will be indigo; a striking yet sophisticated statement colour associated with wisdom and honesty. Indigo as a colour used in interior spaces can be very tranquil and soothing, acting as a visual salve to our hectic lives. It pairs very well with brights of a similar saturation level, or warmer neutrals, as well as other blues, purples, greens and citrus colours. Speaking of citrus, the other trendy colour for 2013 was yellow which dominated with vibrancy making for lively and stimulating colour palettes, fabrics and statement pieces.

Patterns

Colour blocking? So last season! Another trending element of design in 2013 was also predicted to be patterns. Lots and lots of pattern on pattern. Florals, geometrics, ethnic motifs, you name it. Going a step further with this trend would be to combine various patterns and stripes to create a bold, exciting statement that stimulates the senses. For a ‘designer’ look, pull this all together against a crisp white or pale grey background.

More interior designs by Lamudi Nigeria

YELLOW IS THE NEW PINK AND FLORAL IS THE NEW STRIPE

International real estate may be the best possible way for investors to amass a fortune over the coming decade. In times of great change and flux, the returns can be stratospheric. Supply, you see, can’t be turned on like a tap. It’s finite in the case of land.

With real estate, you can invest a relatively small amount of money to control a large asset. In parts of north-east Brazil for example, studies show the value of some condos increase by 60% in two years. Better still, it is possible for one to control this condo over the two year period with an investment of just 20% of the purchase price.

Real estate is also a great way to protect hard-won capital. Your asset is real, productive and has a use. You certainly can’t print any more of it. Historically, land has been one of the best hedges against inflation and turmoil. People will always need somewhere to live. Price bubbles may come and go… and come again. Meantime, your real estate always retains an intrinsic value.

Buying international real estate has five major advantages right now:

You retain control. You can buy, sell, rent, or develop, according to your schedule and your requirements.
You can generate a cash flow in another currency. This is a great way to diversify your portfolio towards appreciating currencies such as the Brazilian real.
It’s a great inflation hedge. Real estate is better than just cash flow in another paper currency. It’s a hard asset. That means it retains a value independent of any paper currency’s nominal value.
Real estate has multiple uses. Land you buy can be used for agriculture or forestry while you wait for the people, the tourists or industry to come. The new middle classes in China, Brazil and India are eating more meat (which means more land is needed to grow feed such as corn). They also need wood for construction and furniture in their new homes.

Hi, Thanks for reaching out. Lamudi Nigeria is an online real estate market place. We also have a journal called the Lamudi Journal www.lamudi.com.ng/journal where we talk about everything real estate. We don't advertise on our page. What i can do for you is post your interior design articles and link them back to your website or social media page. Its free. On a whole this article posted here has been read by over 1000 people (you can check the journal). Please not that your articles must be creative with great pictures and we can decide whether to post it or not. We post the design articles once a week. You can send me a mail vivian.chidinma@vamido.com.ng.

For more lovely designs visit[url] http://www.lamudi.com.ng/journal/home-decoration-tips/[/url].

THE DINNING AND KITCHEN.

This modern design incorporates both the dining room and the kitchen, allowing them to blend smoothly. The refined chairs add elegance to the room, while the flower vases perfectly match the drawing on the kitchen wall.

THE BATHROOM

This exquisite bathroom interior design with Asian accents creates a lovely ambiance and the flowers in the vase give you a sense of freshness. The two elegant glass sinks match perfectly with the large mirrors on the marble wall.

A great combination of colors makes this interior design a warm and pleasant space. The alcove over the bathtub gives this bathroom a sense of refinement and the elegant marble sinks ad a final tone to the entire space

THE BEDROOM

The beige tone of the bedspread makes a great match with the curtains, creating a cozy ambiance. The two bedside tables along with the lamps give the room a sense of symmetry and the yellow flowers bring more light into the room.

The large beds and the headboard in between along with the two pieces of modern art make the perfect ambiance for a guest room. The light comes in through a large window that is discretely covered by a thin hanging curtain.

Another lovely deco

Lamudi.com.ng, Nigeria's online real estate market place is glad to present some of its interior designs featured in the Lamudi Nigeria Journal.

Every week, we will be taking a look at various designs and decoration technique with lovely pictures. We will start off with random house designs. You can also get more information on http://www.lamudi.com.ng/journal/

The beauty of these designs is that they are homely at the same time sophisticated. The items used can easily be purchased but the placement of the pieces is what give the space a wonderful effect.

This living room has a modern tone, combining the lively colored pillows with the carpet and the painting on the wall. The beautiful ornaments on the glass table make it an even more elegant space.