Jim's Articles

5 top attractions in Lagos with holiday rental choices

5 top attractions in Lagos, Nigeria with short stays offers? Thinking about taking your nightlife escapades to the next level? Then think Fela Shrine a.k.a The New Afrika Shrine. From the genre of music to the inspirational story-telling lyrics, not forgetting the sacrosanct palm-wine, get ready to get a political education, a lesson in ‘shakin-it’ and a contact high! The New Afrika Shrine is an open-air entertainment centre located in Ikeja, Lagos State. It serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival. Currently managed by Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, it is the replacement of the old Afrika Shrine created in 1970 by Fela Kuti until it was burnt down in 1977. The New Afrika Shrine showcases photo galleries of Fela and musical performances by Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti, thus making it a tourist attraction.

Whether or not you’re familiar with the music and life story of Fela Kuti, a beloved Nigerian musician and activist who pioneered the Afrobeat genre, the Kalakuta Republic Museum is worth a visit. The museum is Kuti’s family home (and final resting place), where personal artifacts and items relating to his career are on display, as is the late megastar’s bedroom, which has been left intact. The museum is run by Kuti’s children, who are often present and willing to discuss Fela’s life and legacy with visitors. The string of islands across which Lagos is built are characterized today by skyscrapers and busy highways, but you can still catch glimpses of the undeveloped lagoons and mangroves that greeted Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. A handful of parks and nature reserves present quiet spots to escape the buzz of Lagos city, as do sandy beaches besides crashing Atlantic waves. Lagos, Ikoyi and Victoria islands all have their own vibe and their own attractions to discover.

Nigeria may not be known for its surfing culture, but Tarkwa bay is starting to put it on the map, as even some of the pros are starting to flock to this hidden but increasingly popular surfing gem. As it’s located on a small artificial island, Tarkwa is only accessible by a 30 minute boat or water taxi from Victoria Island (Mekwe Jetty is one of several places to catch a lift) Didn’t pack your board? That’s cool! It’s still a fun beach (you can rent a chair) and a worthwhile place to visit in Lagos. Plus, watching the surfers at work is always a great thing to do! N200 entrance fee (additional costs for chairs, tables and tent rental). Explore a few extra details at Short stays in Lagos.

Festac town was built for participants of the festival of arts and culture in 1977. The town has a rich cultural heritage and makes for a good place to visit for people looking to explore Lagos. Having being renovated and transformed by Fela’s famous children, The New Afrika Shrine is an entertainment sanctuary, a place to catch real fun for fun seekers. You can visit the shrine on Thursday night for a free show with Femi Kuti. Similarly, on the last Saturdays of the month, Seun Kuti, the last of the Fela’s boys does his thing (Afrobeats Sessions with Seun Kuti) on stage. At each jam session, you’ll enjoy getting educated about African politics. Plus it’s a god way to dance, socialize, and listen to good music. Top places to see in Lagos plus short let apartments options?

Charlotte, NC rental houses

North Carolina buy and sell properties: After narrowing the search to 2 or 3 homes, your agent will do whatever research is necessary to aid you in making your decision. Ultimately, however, it is your decision. Some tools that can help you make that final decision include school reports (if you have or are planning on having children), statistical information from the local chamber of commerce, future zoning or road expansion from local planning offices, etc. Whatever the factors of importance are to you, have your agent help locate that information. Once you have selected a single home to focus on, your agent will conduct a comparative market analysis on that property. This involves determining “fair market value” by looking at what other buyers were willing to pay for properties similar to yours in the same neighborhood or area.

Buying real estate in a good school district makes it a lot easier when it comes time to sell your house in the future. Whether you’re looking to downgrade as an empty nester or upgrade into a larger house to support your family, a top school district is a big-time selling point in real estate. If you buy in a bad school district you run a greater risk of your home depreciating because you are appealing to a much smaller buyer pool. We recommend our buyers focus on specific neighborhoods vs. focusing on cities or larger areas. The neighborhood you live in is going to have a direct impact on you. What are you looking for in a neighborhood? Address this question early on in the home buying process because buying in the wrong neighborhood is a surefire way to be remorseful about buying a house.

The moment you hire us, we’d design a plan that would help get your property ready for sale, think of an opening price that would attract the right buyer, and suggest improvements needed to make the property more enticing. As Carolina’s number one realtors, whatever plan we develop would exceed your expectations, and make your property stand out in a pool of competition. We can also help with negotiations with potential buyers and their agents. Do not worry; we let you know about all offers, carry you along every step of the way, and act on your instructions only. We’d also help you take care of all paperwork. Find a few more details at Charlotte real estate agency.

Overlooking FHA, VA and USDA loans. First-time buyers might be cash-strapped in this environment of rising home prices. And if you have little saved for a down payment or your credit isn’t stellar, you might have a hard time qualifying for a conventional loan. How this affects you: You might assume you have no financing options and delay your home search. What to do instead: Look into one of the three government-insured loan programs backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans) and U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA loans). Here’s a brief overview of each: FHA loans require just 3.5 percent down with a minimum 580 credit score. FHA loans can fill the gap for borrowers who don’t have top-notch credit or little money saved up. The major drawback to these loans, though, is mandatory mortgage insurance, paid both annually and upfront at closing. VA loans are backed by the VA for eligible active-duty and veteran military service members and their spouses. These loans don’t require a down payment, but some borrowers may pay a funding fee. VA loans are offered through private lenders, and come with a cap on lender fees to keep borrowing costs affordable.

At Grant Street Realty, your Carolina realtors, when we start working together to sell or buy your property, we will develop a plan that will met your expectations and achieve your goals. We want to make this process as smooth and informative as possible for you. We help you with houses in Charlotte, NC for sale and houses in Charlotte, NC for rent. When we help you to find a new home, we start with a simple question, “Where do you want to wake up?” A home is about so much more than the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. This is where you will make memories, have friends and family over and live your life! Our goal is to focus in on what really matters most to you in a home. Read additional details on https://grantstreetrealty.com/.

Europe real estate market guides

Europe real estate market guides? Liveio.com is a hot real estate portal specialized at helping real estate agents and individuals to sell real estate properties in EU. We will also discuss about several real estate market tricks mixed with some analysis of 2019-2020 real estate market trends in EU.

With the growing interest of international investors in Europe, real estate professionals are now displaying more concerns about property availability and pricing. Even though almost 50% of the interviewees on PWC Report, expect the availability of assets to decrease and get worse in the next 5 years, the relationship between availability and pricing are tempered by the belief that the industry is in a good position and the financial background is generally positive. Diversify your properties: Real estate professionals have to keep an eye on new opportunities that are also arising. Some investors are now moving into alternative or niche areas, like student housing, retirement living, etc. This is a big market that is starting shy but will continue to grow. When it comes to space changes, we have to keep an eye on another trend. The “moto” work, play, is giving rise to a reinvention of lobby space and common areas. Let’s not forget about co-working spaces that are on the rise. Even though the residential sector will be in the spotlight, logistics and niche sectors such flexible offices and co-working spaces, are becoming more sexy.

The commercial market is similar: either you buy in the established office and retail markets and expect a cash return of around 4–6% with limited capital gains, or you buy in recovering markets. This might include southern and central Europe, perhaps Ireland and Central Europe, and the more regional cities in European countries; and the returns could be higher though with much higher risks. The euro is currently fairly stable, 1.12 against the pound and 0.90 against the dollar as of July 2019. Properties in many countries are still essentially cheaper for foreigners, and investors could benefit if the euro suddenly strengthens. European real estate is in extremely high demand, and it’s an interesting asset class. Still, investors should not overestimate their return expectations, they should ‘be realistic and carry on’, as I like to say. Discover more info Buy Real Estate in Europe.

Now let’s discuss about a few real estate advices for sellers: Talk to strangers! I know you were told not to do this when you were a kid, but real estate is another ballgame. You have to come out of your shell and talk to friends and neighbors of the owners, and anyone else who’ll listen. Talk to your own friends and neighbors about it, too; the more you talk about the listing, the more interest it will generate. Your mouth is your best weapon, so use it wisely. Remember to always be kind, polite and professional. Visit rival agents’ offices: Don’t think of it as fraternizing with the competition; think of it as visiting friends from another firm. Invite them for coffee and a chat. Talking business with other real estate agents can lead to referrals and sales for everyone.

Why Liveio? A complete marketplace to find and advertise property online. The idea behind Liveio was formed around a big gap in the market. We, the Swedish founders of the service, couldn’t find a smart and innovative platform around that gave the user the opportunity to browse and compare properties in different countries. There existed national alternatives, but not really a online plattform that were able to integrate real-estate markets in the whole of Europe. After a couple intense months of developing we can now proudly present the smoothest and most comprehensive way to buy, sell and rent property. Source: www.liveio.com.

A list of share houses advantages

Did you thought about co-living, especially since you have a new job in Taipei, and you are not sure where to begin? Let’s discuss about it! Or maybe you have been traveling around the world as a nomad or maybe you just began a new class in a Taipei school. Co-living is an idea that is becoming popular around the world. Here are a few benefits of co-living, and see if this is the right choice for you. Let’s take a sneak peak at a few of the benefits of co-living.

One of the ways people learn a new skill is by working alongside others who are more experienced. In co-housing communities everyone shares tasks from maintenance and upkeep in the shared areas to gardening, cooking, and so on. While working alongside one another residents are able to learn new skills from one another. In addition, opportunities to learn other skills such as child care, minor construction, and others are available in communities where there are children and workshops. These are valuable assets to each resident that will continue to pass onto new residents in the community. In co-living buildings, there’s a vast range of skills that are traded among the residents such as career advice and related knowledge, cooking in the shared kitchen, languages if there are residents of different ethnicities, and so on. There are also opportunities to get into similar hobbies such as video gaming, exploring the city, hiking, and others. These opportunities allow residents to physically engage and learn from others in lieu of learning from online sources, searching for groups to join, and/or paid classes.

The top benefit of co-living is being part of a community. Making friends, connections, seeing people. Anyone who’s has been on the road solo for as little as a couple of months will tell you how difficult it can be to make any sort of relationship. Shared housing space usually offers extra social activities, like movie nights, gaming nights and so on. These events are great for getting to know your housemates in casual settings and lay a foundation for your relationship to grow. Let’s face it, people do co-living to meet new people first and foremost. See this video for more details on how co-living can improve your social life.

Where community engagement and privacy go hand-in-hand: While co-living settings involve people living under one roof from different walks of life and offer plenty of opportunities for collaboration and community bonding, it also gives enough and much-needed quiet time and privacy. The smart use of space has made co-living a perfect combination of socialization and privacy. While designing a co-living apartment/buildings, companies and their designers are mindful of optimum utilization of space, building efficiency and convenience while ensuring guest privacy. Use of colors and unique design palettes also play a major role in brightening up the place that a collective group of people can call their home.

Are you afraid of strangers, do you consider yourself an introvert ? Co-living can still overcome your fear of living close or with strangers. Like co-working, co-living still offers you the opportunity to communicate with others on a regular basis. Co-living gives you the chance to exchange ideas with others late in the night or as soon as you wake up in the morning, and covering all day.

Cost of living … co-living is cheaper than serviced apartment or airbnb& hostel. Also, from quality if living per price ratio, co-living is on top. You save a lot of time because to co-living space provider usually takes care of utility services (not all, for Taipei we will introduce you to a co-living space providers that covers almost all), garbage disposal services and so on. So even if you’re living with someone who doesn’t clean up their messes, at least you know it will get cleaned up eventually.

If you are searching for co-living space in Taipei we recommend h-s-h-s-h.com, a top quality Share house Taipei 共居公寓 provider. You can enjoy the intimate services of shared apartments and properly planned public spaces, such as shared kitchens, shared offices, rest spaces, etc. They provide regular professional cleaning and garbage removal, maintain the environment and easily keep a high standard quality of life. You just need to take care of life, h-s-h-s-h.com take care of the rest.

Belize real estate openings in a incredible vacation location

An awesome place : Belize and the Belize real estate options. Belize is a splendid travel location but you can also become a permanent tourist if you explore the local real estate market in Belize and purchase a property here. 1st let’s talk about a few attractions in Belize and we will finish with some advices about becoming a permanent tourist by buying a property in Belize. Located in northern Belize, Lamanai was once a considerably sized Maya city. The ancient ruins are not completely uncovered yet. Archaeological work has concentrated on the investigation and restoration of the larger structures such as the High Temple, a 33 meter tall temple. Since it was still occupied by the Maya when the Spanish arrived, Lamanai, which in Maya means “submerged crocodile”, is one of the few Mayan sites to retain its traditional name.

Once a Mayan fishing village, Belize City was the country’s capital until 1970 after Hurricane Hattie wreaked havoc. Today, it’s Belize’s largest city and commercial center; a busy port, which welcomes cruise ships; and the country’s main gateway. Ramshackle Victorian buildings jostle along the narrow streets in town, but despite its gritty exterior, the city has a fascinating past featuring Mayans, colonial days, hurricanes, and fires. To learn more, visit the Museum of Belize, housed in a former prison; pop into Government House; or explore the Old Belize Cultural and Historical Centre, a museum, beach, and restaurant all rolled into one. Built in 1923, the Belize Swing Bridge connects the south and north sides of the city and is the world’s only manually operated bridge of its kind. A short drive from the city, visitors can explore the Altun Ha Archaeological Site and the excellent Belize Zoo, which emphasizes conservation and education. This is a great place to see many of the country’s native creatures in natural surroundings, most of which are rescue animals, including jaguars, tapirs, toucans, and howler monkeys. Since the city sits at the mouth of the Belize River, on the Caribbean coast, anglers will find excellent fishing opportunities a few minute’s drive from the center of town.

Belize attractions and climate makes buying a house here a sweet project. Imagine living permanently there… the joy. Belize real estate is best-kept secret for affordable beach property. Prime frontline beach property for under $300,000? Yes, it is very true and available. Belize is a small country on the Eastern coast of Central America. It is an increasingly popular tourist destination for people looking for unique experiences away from the usual crowded Caribbean destinations. Real estate insiders have long known that prime Belize real estate on the coastline such as Ambergris Caye Real Estate would be very much sought after. Other popular spots are Corozal district and Palencia. See more details on Ambergris Caye real estate.

While itineraries in Belize mainly tend to focus on the tropical beach and coastal areas, San Ignacio lies far inland, near the northeastern border with Guatemala. There are many adventure activities in the area including cave diving and cave rafting. The nearby Rainforest Medicine Trail is a very interesting look at the many medicinal properties held by local plant life in Belize. Covered with protected wildlife areas, the tropical environment in Belize means wildlife sightings are second to none. Birding is particularly popular, with upwards of 500 species to spot. Staying at a jungle eco-lodge is a highly recommended way to ensure you’ll spot many of the native bird species in Belize. These include several species of elegant herons, buzzing hummingbirds, fierce hawks, beautiful terns, and of couse colorful macaws.

Less a traditional zoo than a rescue and education center, the Belize Zoo began life in the 1980s to house animals abandoned by documentary film crews. Today, the Belize Zoo is the only handicap-accessible public facility in the country where locals and foreign visitors alike can approach more than 100 indigenous species, including jaguars, harpy eagles, tapirs, monkeys, and crocodiles. Source: https://belizesecretbeach.com/.

Money for property in Omaha

Cash for property in Omaha advices. Updating services, such as wiring and plumbing, is a disruptive job and will involve lifting floors and chasing out plaster walls, so it’s essential to complete the work before making any cosmetic improvements when looking at ways to add value to your home. Updating the electrics may be essential if the house has not been rewired for some years. You should be able to tell by looking by the meter if there is an old fuse box, you probably need to rewire the house and install a modern consumer unit with a RCD (residual circuit device) for safety.

If you do find yourself in a position where a buyer pulls out of the sale, considering a property cash buyer can be highly advantageous and will prevent delaying the process any further. If you are struggling to find a cash buyer, we can give you money for your house and complete within 7 to 28 days. Get in touch with us to find out more about what we can do for you. Buying a house outright with cash means that if you lose your job or get in some financial difficulty, you already own the property and do not need to worry about losing your home. So, regardless of how bad things may get financially, you are ensured a place to lay your head at night.

But all of these home value increasing picks cost time and money. Maybe you want to move on with your life? There are real estate firms that are specialized in buying houses as they are, at a fair value, so the former owner can move on. Where you can move? Elkhorn, Nebraska, offers upscale living within a short commute of the Omaha metropolitan area. Originally founded in 1865, Elkhorn retains its proud history as a small farming and railroad community. The downtown area features many historic buildings, and the annual Elkhorn Days Festival brings the whole community together each summer for food, fireworks and fun. Elkhorn’s small town charm and rural atmosphere provides a welcome escape for families seeking a refuge from big-city living. Elkhorn provides all the amenities of a larger community, including outstanding schools and public services, while retaining its own unique rustic sensibility.

I might point out that there are quick-sale real estate agents out there who will help with paperwork and do the brunt of their work by telephone and email to speed things up for you. They charge either a flat fee or a smaller-than-standard percentage commission. Since their job is to sell fast, however, they may suggest a listing price thousands of dollars lower than what you could get in the conventional loan market. As a group, cash buyers by definition are individuals or entities that buy your house outright and all at once, without lender financing. In general, selling your home to a cash buyer allows you to skip the home prep, showings, and staging hassles and arrange a more flexible closing timeline to coordinate with the purchase of your next residence. See extra details on Sell your home in Omaha.