Existing home sales increased in September, 2008 both from August and from the same time in 2007 according to the National Association of Realtors. Single family, townhomes, condominiums and co-op sales, which are all grouped in the existing home category, rose 5.5 percent from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.18 million units for September. That is also a 1.4 percent increase from the 5.11...

As the economy tumbles and home foreclosures are mounting, US officials are trying to increase aid to homeowners. A senior Bush administration official was on Capitol Hill this week and told a Senate committee that they were working on a plan to help shoulder some of the losses on home loans that are modified.   The new insurance program would be run by the Treasury Department under the $700 billion...

Property in the United Arab Emirates has been one of the leading investments in the world over the past few years, with Dubai leading the way. The tiny Emirate of Ajman is looking to be the next UAE property hotspot. Ajman is not far from Dubai along the coast of the Persian Gulf and is looking to grow its property sector as well as its infrastructure in the next few years.   A new US $3.3 billion Ajman...

A new mixed use development is set for Tunis and is being jointly developed by the Tunisian government and Sama Dubai, an international real estate and development arm of Dubai Holding. Mediterranean Gate is being developed by Sama Dubai with the backing of the government and will be completed in 14 phases over the next few years.   The infrastructure work has been under way since the end of 2007 and the...

The UK Pound fell this week to its lowest value against the US Dollar in five years as news of an economic slowdown in the country fueled its drop. The British currency also fell against the euro as Prime Minister Gordon Brown predicted the UK will slip into a recession.   At the end of the day on October 22, the pound was worth just over $1.61, but it looked to pick up a little ground in overnight...

Starbucks is set to open its first Bulgarian coffee shop in the capital of Sofia in early November, 2008, the company said recently in a media release. The American based coffee chain will open its new store as a franchise through Greek firm Marinopoulos Bros. The store will be the first of many they plan to open in Bulgaria, according to the company.   The new Starbucks coffee shop will be located on the...

GoldenTree InSite Partners, a New York-based real estate investment firm, recently announced that it was planning to invest US $222 million in a joint venture in Brazilian real estate. The firm will partner with Sao Paulo, Brazil-based LDI – Inteligencia Urbana Completa, to develop residential and office property for sale.   The venture is GoldenTree InSite’s largest investment in Brazil over the last...

Phoenix Arizona will be the scene for the auction of the decade with Senator McCain’s former house going to auction on 25th October 2008. According to the Phoenix New Times the luxury house is being listed for a 12 million dollars   Owning a potential presidents former home appears to have some great advantages when it comes to selling the property. The owner of Senator John McCain’s former home is...

The easternmost of the Cape Verde Islands is Boa Vista, which is home to the Palm View Resort. This spectacular six-star residential resort is nestled amongst the date palms on the island of beaches and sand dunes. There are spacious apartments and modern villas with beachfront access and wonderful ocean views .   The residences are full of the most modern amenities and luxuries, including 42” plasma...

The fall is traditionally when travel companies, hotels and airlines look to raise prices for the coming year, but this year the opposite is happening. While there have always been good deals for those who spend the time to find them, there are more deals this year, particularly for those who want to travel in style.   Airlines are leading the way with discounts and specials. For those in the US, American...