Seattle, Washington: Buy Another House in the Pacific Northwest

My parents, diplomats motivated by the wonderful economy of the 90s, decided to buy another house in Seattle, Washington, which we would never live in but would turn a good profit from the rent and eventual sale. So they made the buying process a family affair, and we drove three hours from my grandparents home in Portland, Oregon to take in the city I only knew through one of my mother's favorite movies, 'Sleepless in Seattle.' During our weekend I was exposed to the things the city is often stereotyped for, although I do not recall it raining once that first weekend. I have returned many times since, each occasion convincing me that my parent's decision to buy another home there had been the right one.

Seattle is the northern most major city in the continental United States, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest (as well as the fifteenth largest metropolis in the U.S.) Situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, the city is beautiful with no shortage of water views and some of the best urban architecture can offer. Famed Washington forests, the pacific, the San Juan islands, and other major cities (Portland and Vancouver, Canada among them) all provide retreats from the city, although there is enough there to keep one from ever feeling the need to leave. Seattle boasts diversity and a handful of colleges, and the U.S. census bureau repeatedly shows the city to have a higher percentage of college graduates than any other America city, among the many reasons to buy another house there.

The Seattle area has been continuously inhabited for over 4000 years, although the European settles only got there in the mid-19th century. A rich Native American history is relatively accessible, and the contemporary music scene owes a lot to Seattle. The city was famed for its jazz, and then later the creation of grunge rock, both of which can still be heard in various musical venues. While in college in Portland I saw many a show at the Showbox, a terrifically intimate venue, and have always been thankful that my parent's decision to buy another house always saved me from a three-hour drive home. That being said, I am a native of the Pacific Northwest and can attest that although it may indeed rain for ten months of the year, it is more a light drizzle than a pour, making umbrellas quite a fashion faux-paux. The gray skies always suited me, for they made the sunny days a gift, and everything always remains full of life and a lush, vibrant green.

Buy another house in Seattle to experience a culture unique and full of all things dear to my heart: food, fitness, innovation, and overall green living. The populace is full of foodies, who preach a local, seasonal mantra. The coffee is spectacular, Starbucks only being one testament to this fact. Seattle is home to outdoor enthusiasts and I.T. experts alike, making it a place for always being ahead of the curb. The city is the hotbed of 'green' technology, which is telling of this fact. Seattle is always looking forward, making the investment of purchasing another home a good one. If one needs more reasons, then look to the city's classics, for Pike's Place Market never disappoints, and the Daily Donut Dozen located within it still cranks out the most delicious little donuts around. Follow my parents', and many others' lead to buy another house in Seattle, Washington, and I assure you that the Pacific Northwest and its distinct lifestyle will not disappoint.

Do you want to purchase your first or second home in Washington? If so, don't hesitate to check out properties that you can rent before you buy. Buy a rental property and test-drive for a few nights to make sure it fits your needs and lifestyle and to make sure you're investing in the perfect property. It's currently the growing trend in the real estate industry.

Kiran is a third culture kid, whose love of maps was cultivated from a very young age. Having been raised the daughter of two diplomats, she had visited thirty-six countries by her twenty-first birthday. She has driven across the United States five times, and in light of all her travels, is adamant that America is one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

Dallas Neighborhoods - Where It's At

Downtown Dallas

This area is getting more hip by the minute and respect across the nation with it's flauncy highrise condos, new chic restaurants, upscale boutiques and fashionable clubs and bars. What could be better for the young, professional singles flocking to the area, or the retirees wanting to skip the lawn maintenance for a freer lifestyle? Downtown Dallas is Hot spots in the downtown Dallas vicinity include West Village and Mockingbird Station (closer to East Dallas). Condos at the W Hotel start in the High $1 Millions, but you can also find highrises in Dallas for $300,000 and up depending on where you look.

Deep Ellum

Deep Ellum is known as the artsy area of Dallas with an industrial atmosphere of clubs, artsy shops and unique restaurants. Nestled between Fair Park and Downtown Dallas, the area offers various types of dwellings from multi-tiered brownstones to restored warehouse lofts. The area is a central party zone to many young teens and adults. If you can live without a nearby grocery store, and don't mind a lot of traffic and assorted types of people wandering near your home, the artsy Deep Ellum neighborhood may be for you.

Highland Park i

Highland Park is the most well-known neighborhood in Dallas. This beautiful neighborhood features old historic homes placed almost on top of each other. You will be hard pressed to find anything in Highland Park under $1 Million, in good markets or bad, but you may be able to lease a home for less. The area is landlocked, so many are restoring the homes or tearing them down to build bigger, more modern homes (that still look old). Highland Park is located in the center of it all between downtown, Oak Lawn and SMU near the Tollway, Central Expressway and Mockingbird. As of 2000, the population was 8,842. Highland Park is the 41st wealthiest city in the US and the 19th wealthiest city with population over 1000. The median home value of Highland Park is $779,000.

Kessler Park

Kessler Park is another old-rich neighborhood that features extravagant homes from long ago. The homes in this beautifully situated neighborhood are perched on rolling hills with large lots, with old-growth trees. Many of the homes are grand estate homes, but the homes in the area are eclectic, a variety of sizes and architectural styles. Located just west of Dallas near I-30 and I-35, Kessler Park has gorgeous homes for sale. The residents in the area consist of a tight group of socialites, heirs, doctors--basically the elite of Dallas. Located south of near Medical City.

Lakewood

Lakewood is a charming Dallas neighborhood boasting older homes with wide streets and mature trees, located east of Dallas near Whiterock Lake. Lakewood is like a walk back in time with many Historic and Conservation Districts. within the area protecting the many old homes in the area. Architectural styles include Craftsman, Prairie-Four Squares, Tudors, Spanish and Mediterranean Eclectic and Early Ranch homes, many of native Austin stone. The homes range from two-bedroom bungalows to massive estates on acreage. There is also a fair number of duplexes, four-plexes and very small apartment complexes. Some of the older homes are being torn down so larger modern homes can be built.

Park Cities

Park Cities is not only a city in Texas, it is also a neighborhood consisting of the City of University Park and the City of Highland Park, Texas. Park Cities surrounds Southern Methodist University and is located in a tiny nook of Central Dallas North of I-75, between I-75 and the North Dallas Parkway (Tollway). Highlights of this city include rows of very well maintained homes owned by some of the wealthiest people in Dallas. The per-capita income in Park Cities is higher than any other Dallas suburb. The homes are older in this area, but the land is valuable. Many older homes are being demolished to make way for newer more modern mansion-type homes. Most new homes built in the Park Cities are constructed to with an old-world charm so not as to spoil the neighborhoods glorious historical feel. Popular destinations in and around Park Cities include SMU, North Park Mall, Mockingbird Station and Highland Park Village.

Swiss Avenue

Swiss Avenue consists of 2.5 miles of historic residential mansions and estates reminiscent of where the wealthy residents of Dallas lived many decades ago. The street oozes history and you can almost hear its story whispered in the facade of the many uniquely ornate homes on Swiss. Tucked away in a very un-wealthy part of town in East Dallas, Swiss Avenue still allures home lovers to dwell and decorate in this unique area of Dallas, Texas.

Turtle Creek

Turtle Creek Turtle Creek is located near Highland Park and the Crescent Hotel next to Downtown Dallas. In the area you will find many highrise condos situated along the scenic park, conveniently located next to the North Dallas Tollway. Turtle Creek is an upscale neighborhood situated adjacent to Oak Lawn and Cedar Springs. It is home to the nationally acclaimed singing group, the Turtle Creek Chorale, and and one of Dallas' most famous restaurants, The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Located just "seconds" from Uptown and minutes from Downtown Dallas, Turtle Creek provides residents access to all that the city has to offer. Townhomes and highrise condos are expanding in this area.

University Park

University Park is a part of the Park Cities, a sister city to Highland Park. The homes in University Park are not as pricey as those in Highland Park, but their luxurious none-the-less.

Uptown

Uptown has become the "center" of Dallas over the past few years. With the West Village stores such as Polo, the Magnolia Theater, and one-of-a-kind boutiques, Uptown is a favorite spot for avid shoppers, young professionals, SMU students, and people who want the downtown lifestyle without having to deal with the parking and congestion of downtown.

White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is an enchanting area of dallas surrounding the ever-popular white rock lake in central dallas. neighborhoods in the area consist a variety of home styles from eras gone by from cozy 1940s bungalows and 1950s ramblers to 1960s modern homes and luxurious plantation-style mansions and estates. white rock lake neighborhoods includes casa linda, casa view, chapel hill, shore acres, the cloisters, west lawther drive and lakewood. This beautiful area is rich and history and a central recreation location for all of dallas.

Willow Bend

Willow Bend is an affluent neighborhood in West Plano. You can find multi-level homes sitting on acres of property, or more traditional suburban streets with well-kept houses lining well-manicured streets. Willow Bend is home to the Shops at Willow Bend that offers shoppers high fashion without the hassle of traveling to Downtown Dallas. Willow Bend is also the number one destination for polo lovers in the city, as the Willow Bend Polo Club has been producing top polo players and entertaining spectators for decades.

Jenna Ryan serves Dallas Realtors [http://www.keithdobbs.com/] in the DFW Metroplex selling Dallas Homes [http://www.keithdobbs.com/].

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The Ancient Sri Lanka City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa stands today as one of the most important ancient cities of Sri Lanka. It served as the second capital of the country after the fall of Anuradhapura in 993. These days, tourists flock to Polonnaruwa to behold the fascinating monuments of the garden city, which was mostly created in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu I. The city, which now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also holds high historic importance because it saw the rise of many civilizations including the Sinhalese, which took over during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Polonnaruwa is considered an exceptional and unique urban creation because of its unusual layout and the relationship of its buildings to the environment. The city was also once a venerated Buddhism site because it became home to the Sacred Tooth of the Lord Buddha relic. Located in the northeastern central region of Sri Lanka, the Polonnaruwa you see today is a medium-sized city. It is also an important stop on the land transport route between Batticaloa and the capital city of Colombo.

The ruins of Polonnaruwa are conveniently located in one compact complex on the eastern shore of the artificial lake called Top Wewa Lake. This walled complex follows a rectangular shape and houses a cluster of palaces, temples dagobas, and other religious structures. There are also other interesting historical buildings situated outside the old walls, just north of the complex. It is possible to visit the major buildings within the ancient site in one day. To reach the entrance of the archaeological site from you hotel, you usually only need to take a tuktuk (three-wheeled vehicle).

One of the ancient ruins you can find tucked in the complex is the Royal Citadel also known as the Palace of King Parakramabahu. This palace originally rose to seven levels and was finely decorated. Today, only its thick walls and exquisite facade remained. Another very visible city monument just beside a scenic lakeside rest house is the rock carved statue of King Parakramabahu. There have been some debates among archeologists about the identity of this 3.5 meter-tall statue as some believed it is really a representation of a sage named Pulasti, whom the city was named after.

The Potgul Vehera is another beautiful ruin that will easily captivate you. This is actually an old Library Monastery and is situated just outside the Royal Garden of Nandana Uyana. Potgul Vehera has a unique circular designed surrounded by four dagobas. The Shiva Devale and Shiva Devale 2 are two of the prominent Hindu temples you can find at Polonnaruwa's ancient complex. Other fascinating buildings you should definitely explore include the relic houses of Vatadage and Thuparama, the Nissankalata Mandapaya pavilion, the Buddha statue of Gal Viharaya and the Sacred Tooth relic temples of Hatadage and Atadage.

Aside from being an ancient city, another reason Polonnaruwa is such a huge attraction for travellers is its close proximity to several national parks. Some of the popular natural reservoirs you may consider visiting include Kawudulla, Minneriya and the ancient Bendiwewa reservoir, which is a section of the reservoir complex called Parakrama Samudra.

Why Electronic City Is Still a Popular Real Estate Destination

Bangalore's real estate story is closely linked with its Information Technology story. The economy of the city which is also known as the "Silicon Valley" of India is primarily dependent on the IT sector. The city houses many localities which are hot beds for IT/ITeS companies. It is these areas which are primarily sought after among home buyers. The real estate values in these areas have spiralled and also plateaued depending on how the IT sector has done.

Bangalore remains one of the few markets in the country which has been mostly sheltered by the real estate drought experienced by most other markets. This is because the market here is driven by end users rather than investors so speculation is mostly negligible. And end users here mostly prefer areas which are employment generators like the ones which have IT Parks and Special Economic Zones.

One such micro market which has thrived because of the IT sector is Electronic City. It is located in the southern part of the city in the Anekal taluk of the Bangalore Urban district. It is considered to be one of the biggest IT Parks in the country as it covers an area of 332 acres. IT giants such as Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Hewlett-Packard, Infosys and Patni are just some of the names present here. There are over one lakh people who work out of Electronic City. The demand for flats in Electronic City comes mostly from those who are employed in the IT/ITeS companies.

The going rate for properties such as flats in Electronic City stands at INR 3800 per square feet on average. In the first quarter of 2010 the going rate stood at INR 2500 per square feet. From there the prices went up steadily and stood at INR 3500 per square feet in the second quarter of 2011. The prices dropped and again came back to the INR 2500 per square feet range by the last quarter of 2011. From then on the prices have been inching upwards. One of the reasons attributed for this drop in the prices is the global economic slowdown and its subsequent impact on the IT industry. Since most of the buyers here belong to that industry, they did not want to buy homes anymore. This situation lead where the supply was much more than the demand. But the industry is slowly but surely recovering and this might spell good news for the realty industry here as well. Those who are looking to purchase properties such as independent houses in Electronic City can do so now since things are looking up here.

The most preferred budget range for properties such as flats in Electronic City falls between INR 20 to 30 lakhs followed by the INR 10 to 20 lakhs range. The most preferred configuration for apartments here are 2 BHKs followed by 3 BHKs.

Properties such as independent houses in Electronic City will always be demand and can be considered as a good bet for both the end user and the investor.

Nandini Gowda is a real estate blogger and writer. He writes articles and blog content about real estate market trends. He prefers to invest in apartments in kr puram

Defining Mid-Rise Condominiums in Center City Philadelphia

Mid Rise Condominiums (MRC's) are prevalent throughout Center City Philadelphia and generally have come about in popularity in the past 15-20 years. MRCs can be defined as buildings between 5 and 10 stories tall and may or may not have services such as a doorman, porter, a pool, or on site management, but generally they do not. But they are going to have a few more amenities than the Low Rise Condos (LRC's) which have no amenities, and fewer than the high rise condominiums which have the doorman and the porter and the parking lot attendant and the swimming pool and the lifeguard, etc. Some MRC's have part time doormen, which means a lower monthly condo fees.

The condo fees will probably be higher in a HRC than in a MRC because you're paying for full services. Some buyers are very "condo fee adverse" so clearly, MRC certainly have such an advantage over some of the more full service, high rise condo buildings here in town. Advantages such as condo fees; mid-rise condos have mid-level prices. Not too high, not too low, and general acceptable to the buying public. Again, on the whole, MRC's have mid level services, which translate into mid level condo fees. Generally in an MRC, you won't be swallowed up by being one out of two hundred people in a condominium association, but then again it's not going to be like you and the neighbor upstairs and the person next door that makes up the condo association (where if you don't like somebody and they gang up, you're out of luck). So there's some protection in an MRC without the swallowed-up feeling some people get in an HRC.

The MRC is very popular because a lot of them do offer parking, and they offer some neat details to the condominiums because generally a lot of them are old warehouse buildings. So you may get some neat space in a good location, with individual detail and character, but yet still have some of the nice services that the HRCs get. So mid-rise condos are perfectly situated for a lot of buyers in between the low fee, low service, low rise and the high fee, high service, high rise, if you will.

One of the disadvantages of MRCs sometimes is owner occupancy ratios. If indeed you buy into a mid-rise building that has thirty units and twenty of those units are rented out, you don't have the kind of owner occupancy ratio that a lot of mortgage companies like to see in order to lend, lets say, zero or five percent down. Owner occupancy ratios on MRCs sometimes can be below the acceptable level. Therefore, financing on some of them, like LRCs, can be a little bit more difficult than an HRC which are typically a breeze.

Mid-rise condos, as an advantage, often share a common roof deck; very prevalent in your mid-rise buildings. It gives everyone in the building a sense of outside space and does contribute to a sense of "resaleability" and a roof deck is certainly just something that needs to be tended to only every couple of years, so not a high maintenance item, but a plus for buyers looking for a little bit of outside space for their unit.

For more information on MRCs and Philadelphia real estate, visit www.centercitycondos.com/mid_rises.htm!

Mark Wade, Owner, Center City Condos, Center City Homes

During the late 1980s, Mark fell in love with the Philadelphia real estate market. The first condo he bought for himself was in Old City. Working with bank foreclosures on multi-unit buildings, Mark began to carve his niche as a condominium specialist. Since that time, Mark has progressed into helping developers turn apartment buildings into condominium buildings. Having been inside countless condos in the Center City real estate area, Mark is intimately familiar with the available properties. Mark prides himself and impresses others of his vast knowledge of what's trendy and knows which finishes buyers look for when selecting a home.... so much so that he's been seen on HGTV's What You Get For The Money, CN-8's Money Matters and was the 2005 winner of Philadelphia Magazine's Kitchen of the Year contest.

5 Suburbs To Find House Rentals In Christchurch

It's fair to say that the city of Christchurch has suffered it's fair share of bad luck in the past few years experiencing several devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, however the city is on it's way to full recovery and the people remain resolute that they will rebuild their city to it's former glory and to this end the rebuild has in certain parts begun. However with the loss of a very large amount of homes and an influx of 'tradies' all assisting with the rebuild it has put a considerable strain on the availability of rental properties however engaging the services of a professional and experienced property management company will ensure you find a property that's just right for you and your family.

If you are seeking house rentals in Christchurch, below are some of the suburbs that may have suitable accommodation for you:

Addington

Situated 2.5 kilometres south-west of the city centre, Addington is well known, not only in Christchuch but throughout New Zealand for it's racetrack. the suburb is a mixture of residential housing and light industrial buildings. It's also near to the fabulous Christchurch resource of HagleyPark, perfect for families, dog lovers, and those who enjoy the great outdoors.

Linwood

Situated to the east, Linwood Is one of the inner city suburbs. It has two primary schools, an intermediate and a high school. Most famous as the home of the Edmonds factory which makes baking powder. Whilst the suburb did suffer damage from the quake, the rebuild has already started and the suburb a hive of activity.

Ilam

Located 5 kms west of the city centre is the lovely leafy suburb of Ilam, with many houses of historical significance. it's also home to the University of Canterbury and also boasts two primary schools and an intermediate. The suburb is also adjacent to Christchurch International Airport making it handy for travellers.

Richmond

Situated to the inner north-east of the centre of the city, this pretty suburb is bounded on the east by the Avon River. There are several early learning centres and schools in the area, and it popular for young families looking for house rentals.

City Centre

If you are looking for a central location for your house rental in Christchurch, then the city centre is as about as central as you can get. Although not always ideal for families, central city living does suit those who are seeking accommodation that is relatively easy care, a 'lock and leave' situation.

Find house rentals in Christchurch on the Quality Property Management website.

Exquisite Designed Beachside Condominiums in the Resort City of Playa Del Carmen

Are you interested in the properties located in the isolated beach fronts? Then real estates in Mayan Riviera is the perfect place for you. Away from city's hustle-bustle, this Mexican beach front is a perfect place for family getaway or ideal for real estate investment. The properties are high in demand due to its adventurous life styles such as golf, horse riding or tennis. People can also opt for other varieties of exciting sports available there like sky diving, parasailing, jungle tours, deep-sea fishing, or some other water sports. Apart from these adventurous sports events, the visitors and the home owners can also enjoy the ancient Mayan culture.

The combination of ancient Mayan world and the present indigenous people makes it unique and different in the country. This place also includes the other major Mexican cities like Puerto Adventures, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos. Wonderful apartments surrounding these adventurous activities and lush green environment make the place popular.

Mayan Riviera real estate will offer you huge golf fields, Mexican beaches, stunning views of lush green environment, restaurants, pool, golf fields, gym, spas, club house and Mexican beaches. It provides you all sorts of luxurious life styles and comforts. These constructions are based on modern architecture with stunning landscaping. The presence of surrounding lakes and garden areas provide a unique atmosphere of the houses. All the luxurious apartments in the Mayan Riviera include one bedroom apartment to three bedroom huge apartments. These apartments include their own golf courses to spas and everything. Due to high demand in tourism industry, this place is also experiencing exponential growth in its real estate sector. The innovative residential developments have also increased buyers across the globe. Huge investors are sowing their interest and investing their money in this sector for making more money. Experts believe that it is a market of 65% buyers and 35% developers or hotels. The number of buyers is increasing day by day and the sales stats of the city's real estate are mounting on a constant rate.

These luxurious houses are constructed on the beach that allows the owners of these houses to have never-ending views to the Caribbean Sea. These dwellings contain ample spaces along and are equipped with high quality modern-day amenities. Developers of Mayan Riviera real estate build these luxurious houses with access to all facilities. Each and every house of that area has all comforts, lavish life styles and necessities like 18 hole Golf Course, luxury finishes, club house with restaurant, gated community, close to International airport, snack bar, beach club, vocational programs, immediate delivery, spa, pool of 32,000 sq ft area and separate gym. Apart from the separate houses, there are also numerous projects of 123 residences available. These 1, 2 and 3 bedroom houses also offer panoramic views of golf course to the residents. So, don't miss this opportunity and either invest in real estate of this city or plan a short trip to know this tropical treasure of Mayan Riviera real estate.

Martine Leom is a freelancer who specialize in writing about Mexican Real Estate as it is mentioned about Mayan Riviera real estate in the above article.