text:
Marc Faber occupies a unique perch in the investment universe, as the title of his newsletter, the Gloom Boom & Doom Report, might suggest. A big-picture thinker who is also on intimate terms with individual stocks, especially in emerging markets, he tends to view the world with a skeptical eye, and never hesitates to speak his mind when things don't look quite right. In other words, he would be the first in a crowd to tell you the emperor has no clothes, and has done so early, often, and aptly in the case of numerous investment bubbles.
Marc, who was born in Switzerland, lives in Thailand, and runs his investment and advisory business out of Hong Kong, sees a bubble today in high-end assets, from stocks to art to real estate. It's all a consequence, he says, of central bankers' attempts to deluge the financial system with money to drive down interest rates and spur economic growth. The problem is, the money is flowing in dangerously lopsided fashion—into the Hamptons and Lamborghini dealerships, and other playthings of the super-duper rich. The disconnect with the "real" world won't end well, he predicts, although he espies plenty of ways to prosper as the endgame unfolds.
"There has been a huge credit bubble in China, and it isn't going to end well." -- Marc Faber Gian Marco Castelberg for Barron's
A longtime member of the Barron's Roundtable, Marc missed the festivities in January due to a competing commitment. With stocks soaring and central banks making news, it seemed like a good time to chat.
Barron's : The Dow Jones industrials are up 17% this year. The Nikkei has rallied 60%, even after its recent selloff, in response to the Bank of Japan's asset purchases aimed at weakening the yen. Remind us again why you're so negative on "money-printing." Shouldn't investors be toasting Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke right now?
Faber: I own equities, and I should thank Mr. Bernanke. The Fed has been flooding the system with money. The problem is the money doesn't flow into the system evenly. It doesn't increase economic activity and asset prices in concert. Instead, it creates dangerous excesses in countries and asset classes. Money-printing fueled the colossal stock-market bubble of 1999-2000, when the Nasdaq more than doubled, becoming disconnected from economic reality. It fueled the housing bubble, which burst in 2008, and the commodities bubble. Now money is flowing into the high-end asset market—things like stocks, bonds, art, wine, jewelry, and luxury real estate. The art-auction houses are seeing record sales. Property prices in the Hamptons rose 35% last year. Sandy Weill [the former head of Citigroup] bought a Manhattan condominium in 2007 for $43.7 million. He sold it last year for $88 million.
Money-printing boosts the economy of the people closest to the money flow. But it doesn't help the worker in Detroit, or the vast majority of the middle class. It leads to a widening wealth gap. The majority loses, and the minority wins. Although I have been a beneficiary of this policy, I can't approve as an economist and social observer.
But wouldn't everyone lose if the Fed hadn't followed this playbook after the financial crisis of 2008?
Why start with 2008? The government bailed out savings-and-loan depositors during the thrift crisis in the late 1980s. The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve bailed out Mexico in the mid-1990s. The biggest policy mistake occurred with the Fed-supervised bailout of the hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management in 1998, because it gave a green light to Wall Street to keep leveraging up.
Another policy mistake was made in 2000, right after the Nasdaq collapsed. The system probably could have handled a recession then, but instead, the Fed engineered a drop in interest rates, eventually to 1%, that encouraged a huge housing bubble. After it burst in September 2008, Bernanke slashed short-term rates to near-zero, where they are still. Meanwhile, the stock market is up 150% from its 2009 lows.
Are you suggesting stocks are a bubble?
I am suggesting that in the fourth year of an economic expansion, near-zero interest rates will lead to a further misallocation of capital. I thought the U.S. market would have a 20% correction last fall, but it didn't happen. I also said the market might explode to the upside before the correction occurred. We might be in the final acceleration phase now. The Standard & Poor's 500 is at 1650. It could rally to 1750 or even 2000 in the next month or two before collapsing. People with assets are all doomed, because prices are grossly inflated globally for stocks, bonds, and collectibles.
Why, in your view, have policy makers erred so badly?
They are applying neo-Keynesian theories that call for the government to step in after a recession to boost demand. This might be right in some instances, but I doubt Keynes [British economist John Maynard Keynes] would approve of current policies. Neither would the late economist Milton Friedman, even though Bernanke invoked him to justify his actions. The neo-Keynesians would argue that if the Fed hadn't flooded the system with money, things would have been much worse. That might be true, but they would have been worse for a shorter period of time.
Who knows, really? Let's look forward to how current excesses might be corrected.
At some point, there will be a big reset. In the democracies of the Western world, large numbers of people will vote against the well-to-do. Throughout history, minorities have been targeted. Now the rich will be targeted through some kind of wealth tax or significantly higher tax rates. Eventually there will be so much antagonism against well-to-do people that it won't be comfortable.
Also, geopolitical conditions could deteriorate badly in the Middle East and Asia. America's reset toward Asia has alarmed the Chinese, who won't tolerate U.S. interference long term in the region. Then there's the possibility of a Black Swan event. If the S&P 500 drops 20%, the Fed will print more money, so that's not a huge downside risk. But the bond market could collapse, inflation could accelerate, or the Chinese economy could implode. Or we could have a destabilizing political event, or a pandemic.
We'd forgotten how cheerful you are.
I don't know how the world will look in five years, so I have heeded Ray Dalio's advice to diversify. [Dalio heads the investment firm Bridgewater Associates.] I keep 25% of my assets in equities. I haven't shorted anything yet, although I am tempted to short the S&P or the Russell 2000. I don't own U.S. stocks, but I hold some Asian shares, including Singapore real-estate investment trusts, which I will discuss momentarily. Markets in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand have quadrupled from their postcrisis lows, and aren't attractive any more. But I still hold some shares in these markets with relatively high dividend yields.
|Company / Ticker
|Recent Price
|NTT DoCoMo / DCM
|Vietnam Dairy Products / VNM.Vietnam
|Military Commercial Bank /
|SIA Engineering / SIE.Singapore
|Kingsman Creatives / KMEN.Singapore
|China Mengniu Dairy / 2319.Hong Kong
|Novartis / NVS
|GDF Suez / GSZ.France
|Veolia Environnement / VIE.France
|Iberdrola / IBE.Spain
|Energias de Portugal / EDP.Portugal
|Newmont Mining / NEM
|Chevron / CVX
|Total / TOT
|Kazkommertsbank / KKB.UK
|Euphrates Iraq Fund
|India Capital Fund*
|Cash (in U.S. dollars)
|*Est. NAV as of 5/24.
|Sources: Bloomberg; India Capital Fund; Euphrates Iraq Fund
Three other Asian markets—Japan, Vietnam, and China—performed miserably for most of last year. I'm not keen on Chinese equities, but if conditions worsen and China prints money like crazy, the currency will weaken and stocks will rise. I own some issues in Hong Kong, but without great enthusiasm. I own Swire Pacific [ticker: 19.Hong Kong], Hang Seng Bank [11.Hong Kong], Sun Hung Kai Properties [16.Hong Kong], and Fortune REIT [778.Hong Kong], which owns shopping malls. One China play I like is China Mengniu Dairy 2319.hk 1.4586709886547813% China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd. Hong Kong HKD31.3 0.45 1.4586709886547813% /Date(1419444304000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 3180620 P/E Ratio N/A Market Cap 61298892718.3356 Dividend Yield 0.8038338658146965% Rev. per Employee 1439580 More quote details and news » [2319.Hong Kong].
What do you own with enthusiasm?
I figured the Japanese stock market would go ballistic as soon as the government weakened the yen, and that's what happened. Since the Oct. 15 low, the market is up more than 70% in yen terms and 35% in dollars—before the recent correction, that is. I bought brokers such as Nomura [NMR], which has more than doubled in price. The Japanese market is correcting now, and the yen might rebound somewhat. But whereas the U.S. is near a long-term top, Japanese stocks made a generational low in 2012 and won't go below that.
I also own some Japanese REITs, including Premier Investment 8956.to 1.2522361359570662% Premier Investment Corp. Japan: Tokyo JPY566000 7000 1.2522361359570662% /Date(1419627600000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 20m) : 432 P/E Ratio 28.390653768339973 Market Cap 123783636901.855 Dividend Yield 3.8162544169611308% Rev. per Employee N/A More quote details and news » [8956. Japan] and Activia Properties 3279.to 0.570884871550904% Activia Properties Inc. Japan: Tokyo JPY1057000 6000 0.570884871550904% /Date(1419627600000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 20m) : 628 P/E Ratio 33.32557049999914 Market Cap 290793383483.887 Dividend Yield 2.982592242194891% Rev. per Employee N/A More quote details and news » [3279.Japan]. I especially like NTT DoCoMo DCM 0.5394470667565745% NTT DoCoMo Inc. ADS U.S.: NYSE USD14.91 0.08 0.5394470667565745% /Date(1419631871900-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 160182 P/E Ratio 14.99396621078037 Market Cap 64774705278.1633 Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee 1736080 More quote details and news » [DCM], the mobile-telecom company, because the stock hasn't moved much and it pays a high dividend.
You were in Vietnam recently. What is your assessment?
There are a lot of bad loans in the banking system, and the stock market has fallen 70% from the highs. But exports are strong, and the people are hard-working. There is a 35-kilometer stretch of beach between Danang and Hoi An that will be a huge resort area in the future. It is only an hour and 10 minutes by plane from Hong Kong, and two hours from Singapore. A Park Hyatt resort in the area has been selling villas and condos, and almost all have been bought by Vietnamese. I visited during a holiday, and 90% of the people on the beach were Vietnamese. One man even brought his Lamborghini.
You can find companies in Vietnam with yields of 5% to 7%. I like Military Commercial Bank [MBB.Vietnam], and I'm overweight Vietnam Dairy Products [VNM.Vietnam]. It is a dominant force in the diary-foods industry and has been growing by about 20% a year for the past 10 years. It could keep growing by 10% to 15% per annum, and the valuation is low. Sooner or later, it will be acquired.
By the likes of Nestlé or Danone?
We have a lot of rich companies in Asia that have been buying other Asian companies. Provided there is peace in Asia, the long-term economic outlook is good. Countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar are opening up, and Vietnam is reopening. There are 500 million people in this region. Wherever you go, people are talking about Myanmar. They seem to love it as much as they loved Vietnam right near the market's peak in 2006-07.
In that case, it sounds like a dangerous place for investors.
There are opportunities, but there is high execution risk. Yoma Strategic Holdings [YOMA.Singapore] is the only direct play on Myanmar. It is run by an old friend of mine, Serge Pun, an ideal man to operate in difficult environments. I am not recommending the stock because it no longer is cheap, but this is the way to invest in Myanmar if you want to do it.
Let's discuss China. The economy appears to be weakening, and investors understandably are worried. How does the situation look to you?
There has been a huge credit bubble in China, and it isn't going to end well. Its economy officially grew 7.7% in the first quarter. In reality, it is growing 4% a year, at best. Figures on Chinese exports to Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore don't agree with the import figures of those countries. In each case, reported exports are much larger than reported imports. Singapore publishes relatively honest economic statistics. Its gross domestic product has hardly grown in the past six months. Inflation is about 4% a year. Here in Thailand, growth has slowed despite massive fiscal stimulus. Trade and current-account surpluses have been shrinking in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries.
Again, the economy of the rich is booming. There has been huge wealth accumulation in Asia in recent years. But the middle class has experienced diminishing purchasing power. Throughout history, growing wealth inequality has been corrected either peacefully, through taxation and wealth redistribution, or by revolution, as in Russia. I am not sure we will have a revolution in the Western world, but I can see European voters turning against the arrogance of the bureaucracy. There have been so many scandals involving French politicians with Swiss bank accounts, and so forth.
Does Europe interest you from an investment perspective?
I wasn't optimistic for a long time, although I bought some Swiss insurance stocks after the crisis in 2009. Then, last May, I took another look, as sentiment was so negative. The S&P had doubled from its 2009 lows, yet many markets in Europe were at or below their 2009 lows. Something was out of sync. For the first time in my life, I bought European shares, and I plan to buy more.
Barron's recently wrote positively about European telecommunications stocks ["Hold the Phone—Europe's Telecoms Are on Sale," May 20, 2013], including France Telecom [FTE], Telecom Italia TI 0.4612546125461255% Telecom Italia S.p.A. ADS U.S.: NYSE USD10.89 0.05 0.4612546125461255% /Date(1419631745255-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 29215 P/E Ratio 13.452748610253243 Market Cap 19828373563.3284 Dividend Yield 2.3854912764003675% Rev. per Employee 391233 More quote details and news » [TI], Telefonica TEF 0.337609723160027% Telefonica S.A. ADS U.S.: NYSE USD14.86 0.05 0.337609723160027% /Date(1419631720564-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 751797 AFTER HOURS USD14.8697 0.0097 0.06527590847913863% Volume (Delayed 15m) : P/E Ratio 11.663134761792637 Market Cap 69376936577.437 Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee 559904 More quote details and news » [TEF], and Deutsche Telekom DTEGY -0.1820388349514563% Deutsche Telekom AG ADS U.S.: OTC USD16.45 -0.03 -0.1820388349514563% /Date(1419636002000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 108257 P/E Ratio 24.230372661658567 Market Cap 75044641244.2779 Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee 363063 More quote details and news » [DTEGY]. I own them all, as well as Portugal Telecom [PT]. I am recommending some other European shares, including GDF Suez gsz.fr -0.9077155824508321% GDF Suez S.A. France: Paris EUR19.65 -0.18 -0.9077155824508321% /Date(1419451271000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 745008 P/E Ratio N/A Market Cap 47853349321.0125 Dividend Yield 5.089058524173028% Rev. per Employee 354115 More quote details and news » [GSZ.France], Veolia Environnement vie.fr 0.06711409395973154% Veolia Environnement S.A. France: Paris EUR14.91 0.01 0.06711409395973154% /Date(1419451200000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 425491 P/E Ratio N/A Market Cap 8383919938.57455 Dividend Yield 4.648352159159577% Rev. per Employee 110811 More quote details and news » [VIE.France], Iberdrola ibe.mc 0.14096916299559473% Iberdrola S.A. Spain: Madrid EUR5.683 0.008 0.14096916299559473% /Date(1419451380000-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 2539205 P/E Ratio 16.472463768115944 Market Cap 36305749449.513 Dividend Yield 1.0453271264131514% Rev. per Employee 1003580 More quote details and news » [IBE.Spain], and Energias de Portugal [EDP.Portugal]. I also like Novartis NVS 0.20232137152592908% Novartis AG ADS U.S.: NYSE USD94.1 0.19 0.20232137152592908% /Date(1419631322190-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 390234 P/E Ratio 21.04250989512288 Market Cap 252913947335.554 Dividend Yield 2.932825717321998% Rev. per Employee 414733 More quote details and news » [NVS].
Markets in Europe have made major lows. But investors don't fully comprehend what happened in Cyprus. In the event of future bailouts, bank depositors will lose a percentage of their money. Money in the bank isn't 100% safe anymore. That's why I own stocks, and corporate bonds, and real estate.
Don't forget those Singapore REITs.
That's right. I like stocks such as SIA Engineering [SIE.Singapore] and Kingsmen Creatives [KMEN.Singapore] in Singapore. As for REIT stocks, they rose 40% last year, and are up 10% to 15% this year. They won't keep rising that way, but yields of 5% and 5.5% compare favorably with those of U.S. REITs. Plus, if inflation picks up, the REITs can raise their rents. In a world of inflated asset prices, there is a competition to choose the least-ugly assets.
Well said. That brings us to gold.
Gold is down 30% from its 2011 peak of $1,921, but has far outperformed financial assets since 1999. A correction was overdue. I have about a 25% allocation to gold and buy some every month. I want to have some assets that aren't in the banking system. When the asset bubble bursts, financial assets will be particularly vulnerable.
Gold is easier to carry than a Lamborghini.
Most of my gold is in a safe-deposit box in Switzerland, but I am shifting it to Asia. I also like resource stocks such as Newmont Mining NEM 1.5078082929456111% Newmont Mining Corp. U.S.: NYSE USD18.85 0.28 1.5078082929456111% /Date(1419631233033-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 5429628 AFTER HOURS USD18.84 -0.01 -0.05305039787798409% Volume (Delayed 15m) : P/E Ratio N/A Market Cap 9402304601.59149 Dividend Yield 0.5305039787798409% Rev. per Employee 232103 More quote details and news » (NEM), Chevron cvx -0.19388384595047148% Chevron Corp. U.S.: NYSE USD113.25 -0.22 -0.19388384595047148% /Date(1419631209925-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 4319348 AFTER HOURS USD113.3 0.05 0.04415011037527594% Volume (Delayed 15m) : P/E Ratio 10.352487339342193 Market Cap 214506407936.309 Dividend Yield 3.7792494481236205% Rev. per Employee 3157450 More quote details and news » (CVX), and Total TOT 0.1885014137606032% Total S.A. ADS U.S.: NYSE USD53.15 0.1 0.1885014137606032% /Date(1419631322371-0600)/ Volume (Delayed 15m) : 760245 P/E Ratio 9.986096497820531 Market Cap 126246442400.8 Dividend Yield 5.727917215428034% Rev. per Employee 2268940 More quote details and news » (TOT).
I hold lots of cash, in U.S. dollars. Plus, I like some other investments such as the India Capital Fund, which is available to accredited investors. The fundamentals of Kazakhstan are strong, but the country's bonds have rallied. Thus, I prefer shares of Kazkommertsbank [KKB.U.K.], which trade for less than one times book. Finally, the Euphrates Iraq Fund is a way to play an early-stage frontier market that is starting to attract local and foreign capital.
You're intrepid, as always. Thanks, Marc.
E-mail: email@example.com


text:
New Year's Eve crash kills Norridgewock man
A 70-year-old Norridgewock man returning home from a visit with a neighbor died Tuesday after he was struck by an SUV.
Stanley Worthley was crossing Mercer Road around 5 p.m. when he was struck by a vehicle driven by William Young, 65, of Fayette, according to Chief Deputy Dale Lancaster of the Somerset County Sheriff's Department. Worthley was taken by helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where he later died, Lancaster said.
Young was not hurt, he said.
Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash, which happened near 695 Mercer Rd., Lancaster said. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, he said.
Copyright 2014 by WMTW.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
News about Data Science
InfoQ User Survey 2014 - Participate and Get a Copy of the Results; Win a QCon Early Access Pass by Nitin Bharti Posted on Sep 15, 2014
New Education Opportunities for Data Scientists by Charles Menguy Posted on Jan 14, 2014
Interviews about Data Science
Jeremy Pollack of Ancestry.com on Test-driven Development and More
Jeremy Pollack
Posted on
Feb 15, 2014
Hadoop, the distributive file system and MapReduce are just a few of the topics covered in this interview recorded live at QCon San Francisco 2013. Industry-standard Agile implementation and a lot of testing, assures the development team at Ancestry.com that they have an app that can handle the large traffic demands of the popular genealogy site.
Machine Learning Netflix Style with Xavier Amatriain
Xavier Amatriain
Posted on
Dec 09, 2013
Xavier Amatriain discusses how Netflix uses specialized roles, including that of the Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer, to deliver valuable data at the right time to Netflix' customer base through a mixture of offline, online, and nearline data processes. Xavier also discusses what it takes to become a Machine Learning Engineer and how to gain real experience in the field.


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What does URD mean in Physiology?
This page is about the meanings of the acronym/abbreviation/shorthand URD in the Medical field in general and in the Physiology terminology in particular.
Upper respiratory disease
Find a translation for URD in other languages:
Select another language:
What does URD mean?
- urd(n.)
- a plant, Vigna mungo, of the legume family, widely cultivated in tropical Asia for its edible seeds and for forage.
Discuss this URD abbreviation with the community:
Use the citation below to add this abbreviation to your bibliography:
"URD." Abbreviations.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. <http://www.abbreviations.com/term/39255>.
URD also stands for:
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text:
Piers Rent's Blurty
[Most Recent Entries]
[Calendar View]
Below are the
most recent journal entries recorded in
Piers Rent
's Blurty:
<< Previous 20
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
9:49 am
Succinct Management for Investment Owners
An investment property is a business venture and should be treated as such. Just like any other business, an investment property needs to be well managed in order for it to run at its peak. For this reason it is paramount to ensure that you enlist the services of the
best rental property management Brisbane
has to offer.
The team at
Yes Rent
offer property management services that ensure they stand apart from all other property management firms. Their years of experience and knowledge in the field of real estate and property management means every piece of advice they offer and every task they carry out is something you can count on being right and done correctly. Here are just a few benefits you will enjoy when you list your investment with Yes Rent.
Tenant Selection
Choosing to manage an investment property yourself may seem to be a good idea but when you really stop and think about all that needs to be undertaken, it really is wiser to have it handled by a professional. Tenant selection is a very important factor in a rental; without a tenant, there is no revenue.
For this reason it is important that tenants are properly screened through a strict selection process where all references are checked and screened through the TICA national database. This will show if any previous tenancy issues have occurred with the applicant. As an investment property owner, it is unlikely, unless you work in real estate, that you will have access to such thorough methods of screening.
Time management
If you own an investment property, you probably have the kind of job that keeps you busy during work hours and, then, when your weekend comes along, you might want to relax and enjoy it. There is much involved with managing a rental. Maintenance needs to be organised and inspections must to be carried out. Tenants may require a visit to assess if repairs need to be done and rent needs to be collected. It's just about a full time job in itself and that's not all that needs to be considered.
It is the role of a property manager to oversee all these matters, thus, leaving your spare time free for what you like to do best. You can expect to be kept up-to-date on all that transpires and be required to make decisions from time to time. It can be seen that the load will be lessened for you with the help of a professional.
If you want your property run by the best in property management, contact Yes Rent today or visit them online at.
Comment on this
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
12:10 pm
When to Avoid DIY and Choose Professionals
DIY is a very big industry now and there is good reason for it. Saving money is a big plus of DIY and if you are a handy and capable person, then there are certainly some fantastic things you can do around the home for yourself.
There are times, however, when it is not the best idea to carry out DIY projects in your own home and especially where rentals are concerned. If you are thinking of doing some of your own handiwork in an investment property, consider carefully before you do.
Why avoid DIY in rentals?
Even in your own home you need to take great care with particular jobs you do yourself, but with rentals, that is a whole new kettle of fish. As an investment property owner you are responsible for providing a safe and liveable home for your tenants.
This means any work to be carried out needs to be completed in a timely fashion so as not to obstruct the day to day activities of tenants. Furthermore, any work that is required, needs to be done right to ensure tenants are living in a safe environment where they can't be injured by any work carried out.
Usually, when a project is DIY it can take a little longer as you have your own day to day life to deal with as well. This might be okay in your home, but not in the home of a tenant who is paying rent. And, unless you have qualifications, there is always a chance that something you do may break or not be done correctly.
DIY No-go in Rentals
While you may have decided you are competent enough to carry out some DIY projects in your investment property, there are still some items that definitely should be carried out by a qualified professional for your own safety and the safety of your tenants.
Plumbing and electricity are facilities in the home that must be in absolutely safe working condition. Particularly with electrical wiring, if anyone who doesn't have the right qualifications tries to carry out any repairs or moderations, fatal accidents can happen. If you have the work carried out by a qualified electrician, you are assured of not causing yourself or anyone else harm.
Plumbing is essential in a home. If something goes wrong with the plumbing it can cause all sorts of havoc. For environmental and health reasons, plumbing needs to be taken care of in the correct manner. Again, seek the services of a qualified plumber and rest easy.
Always discuss repairs with your property manager first as they will be able to provide invaluable advice on repairs. If you want to enlist the services of the
best property manager Brisbane
possible, talk to the experts atYes Rent. Their extensive experience and knowledge in the real estate industry makes them leaders in their field. Get in touch with
Yes Rent
today and visit them online at website.
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Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
12:07 pm
Build Wealth through Real Estate
Real estate investments have been getting a lot of bad press lately. The recent global meltdown has seen people shying away from investing in real estate. That said, it is definitely still a buyer's market and a lot of great deals can be made.
What one always needs to remember is that people will always require a roof over their heads and so, if you choose the right location, you will always be able to rent out the property.
The global recession has actually proven to be a boom for the rental industry. People would rather rent than buy during times of economic uncertainty.
The key is to speak to the right
exclusive property management Brisbane
company. The team at
Yes Rent
is perfectly poised to make your investment property ownership experience a positive one.
They not only handle all the admin involved once a property has been rented out but will also assist you in finding and vetting potential tenants.
Why Invest in Rental Properties?
You receive better value for your money. With bond finance readily available, you can often invest only 10% of the purchase price. This leveraging of finances means that you are able to make a substantial profit should you sell, for very little outlay of your own money.
Your tenants should pay your bond – once again, you are buying a property with very little outlay of your own money. The rental should cover your bond instalment.
You get a tax break. Should you need to pay for repairs, property taxes, etc., these can all be claimed as a deduction off the rental income generated.
Your cash flow is kept going through the use of leveraging and so it should be positive. You can use the increased income to fund more properties and you can use mortgage finance to reduce your tax bill. All without negatively affecting your actual cash flow.
An Asset for Life
Of course, the major benefit in real estate investment is that it is a tangible investment that will be able to generate an income for years to come. In general, in addition to the rental income, your property will also increase in value over the years.
This gives you a solid asset that will stand you in good stead. Should you identify a property in an up and coming area, you stand to get a great return on your investment. Even if you choose an area that is already established, you are likely to see a stable return on investment.
Wealth generation through real estate investment is something that business tycoons have used as a tool for years to build their personal fortunes. If you want to make a move towards becoming a tycoon, check out Yes Rent at website.
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Wednesday, October 31st, 2012
12:43 pm
Property Management with Style
When it comes to being a property owner, you don't want to be weighed down with all the tedious tasks and responsibilities of looking after the tenant and collecting the monthly rental. You need a professional
property management Kedron
company on your side to take over all the annoying aspects of property management.
Why a Professional Property Manager?
For starters, renting out a property is not as simple as it may sound. You not only have to find the right tenants (Right in this case meaning that they will pay timeously every month and that they will properly maintain the property.) but there are also many formalities to be undergone before the tenant can move in.
A professional property management company will be up-to-date on the latest legal requirements and will be able to screen potential tenants on your behalf. They will also take care of property repairs and will be there so that you don't have to field calls from the tenant about a leaking water pipe at three in the morning.
Collection of rental is also a priority for them as they usually receive a small percentage of the rental collected. Making sure that you get your money makes good business sense to the professionals, so you can rest assured that they will choose tenants accordingly.
The Yes Rent Difference
This is where
Yes Rent
stands head and shoulders above the rest. We are on your side as the property owner and believe in quality business as opposed to huge volumes of clients. When we take on your business, we are looking to set you up with the perfect tenant.
We submit tenants to a rigorous screening process to ensure that you do not end up with a deadbeat tenant. We not only perform credit checks but also check the tenant's register. We also look at affordability in terms of the potential tenant's income. We are not going to put someone into a property that they cannot afford.
Should something go wrong, and the tenant turns out to be a bad payer, we have a zero tolerance policy that comes into play immediately to rectify the situation. You are never going to be in the situation where the tenant owes you six months' back rent when we are in your corner.
If you want your time as a property owner to go as smoothly as possible, contact us today. Visit www.yesrent.com.au/ to learn more about how we can help you.
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Thursday, October 18th, 2012
6:35 pm
Before you Look for a Tenant
When it comes to being a property owner, there are many responsibilities inherent in the job. These increase dramatically if you buy rental properties. Preparing the property for the new tenant requires a bit of effort – after all, the idea is to make your property as attractive to tenants as possible in order to maximise your investment.
Before you start Looking for a Tenant
The first step is to get the home inspected – you can either do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. (Usually, if you make use of a
rental property management Brisbane
company, they will take care of that for you.)
Items to Check
Whoever performs the inspection will need to check that all the electrical appliances and lights, etc. are working and in good order. They should also make a note of the general state of the property and any maintenance issues that may need to be addressed, such as broken windows. A well-maintained property will be more attractive to tenants and will give them a favourable impression of you as a property owner.
Home Improvements
Whilst not always essential, some home improvements are advisable. Most of the time, a fresh coat of paint is an excellent idea – it makes the place look fresher and brighter and cleaner with little effort. If you are updating any décor items such as paint colour and carpets or tiles, make sure to choose colours and designs that are fairly generic with a wide appeal.
Clean the Property
The property must be thoroughly clean before being shown to prospective tenants. If you have older carpets, it is advisable to have them professionally steam cleaned. All fixtures should look clean and fresh. Make sure to air cupboards and the home as a whole to get rid of any musty odours and paint smells.
The Garden
Should your property have a garden, it is important to be careful with landscaping. Consider that some tenants may have little interest in a garden so it is probably better just to have a well-maintained lawn. Leave it up to the tenants to put in flower beds, etc. The main thing is to ensure that tenants will maintain the property properly and you need to make it as easy as possible to do so.
Overall, there is a much involved in being a property owner and many things to consider before your property is even ready to be shown to prospective tenants. This is, in the end, why a lot of property owners turn to property management companies for assistance.
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Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
11:13 am
Well Managed Investments
If you are an investment property owner you would know full well the extra responsibilities that comes with the extra income. In some cases, if your investment is not well run then the income may not be worth the work or you may find you are running the rental at a loss. The best possible way to ensure that your investment property is working for you is to enlist the services of a
property manager Brisbane
. Now before you get in touch with any rental agency it is wise to divert your interests to an agency who concentrates solely on property management. This way you are assured that their primary focus is on effectively running your investment to it's full potential and not on trying to gain sales for someone else.
The role of property management is quite a crucial part of a rental property. Should you sign up your investment with a property manager you will soon be alleviated of many tasks and a lot of stress. From the advertising to screening tenants and then overseeing each rental period, there are many fiddly tasks in between that you need not be concerned with when you have a reliable property manager on your side.
As well as having access to all the right forms of advertising, your property manager has the capability to screen all potential tenants and then make certain that all the required paperwork is correctly submitted to the proper rental authorities. Regular inspections will be done on your behalf as will any maintenance required.
There are many property management agencies available out there to choose from however only one stands out from the crowd who boasts an extremely qualified team who are highly capable of meeting and exceeding your expectations.
Yes Rent
are dedicated to providing their clients with service they can trust and count on, everytime.
With Yes Rent, you can count on being kept up to date with all matters regarding you investment whether it is in regard to the current rental market or for any issue that may arise. They strive to make sure you can get in touch when you need to as they understand communication is of great importance for a productive business agreement to work.
If you would like to find out more about what Yes Rent can do for you and your investment portfolio, get in touch with them today and discuss your needs with one of their welcoming and competent property managers. What have you got to lose?
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Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
10:23 am
Approaching a Rental Property
You may not yet be at that point in your life where you can buy your own home so you may be looking to rent. In looking for a rental, you want a place that is going to be as comfortable as if it was your own home. There are a lot of benefits when it comes to renting – you aren't responsible for the upkeep of the place and for the myriad of tasks that comes with being an owner. It is a good idea to do a proper rental appraisal, just like the experts would, to find a place that would suit you. You could approach a rental company and ask them what they look for during their
free rental appraisals Brisbane
. Here are some other things to check.
The neighbourhood is obviously going to go a long way to determine exactly how much you enjoy your place. Check with the local police about crime in the area. Make sure to drive through the area both during the day and the evening. Check for vandalism and whether or not the houses and businesses have a lot of security. Also check how well the area is maintained.
If you have children, you may want to consider renting in a school district – even if your kids aren't old enough yet – schools are an important thing to consider. You might be signing a long-term lease and, as a result, will need to consider your child's schooling needs in a few years as well as now.
The actual property itself must be something that appeals to you. Try to visit at least twice – once during the day and once at night. It is important to check how noisy the area is, the condition of the actual home and the aesthetic aspects such as lighting, etc. If the place is near a major road, you may not notice it the first time around.
Will you be allowed to have pets? Some places allow you to keep pets, others don't. If you have a family dog or cat that everyone loves, make sure that you will be able to take them with you to the new home. You need to find out upfront about this as keeping pets "illegally" can cause serious problems with the property owner if you are caught.
These are just some of the basic things to consider when choosing a rental property – the most important is to do your due diligence so that you can find the place best suited to your needs.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
4:55 pm
Located approximately 25 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, Springfield is one of Queensland's exciting and trendy areas. Its surrounding suburbs are Camira, Greenbank, Springfield Lakes and Brookwater, amongst others.
Springfield is one of Queensland's satellite cities. It is also known as the Greater Springfield Development, which was especially planned to help lessen the populated areas between the Gold Coast and South East Queensland. This fashionable suburb was constructed in an area that was previously a eucalyptus plantation.
The Springfield area attracts many first time home buyers, young married couples and families that are searching for a quieter way of life. Nevertheless, Springfield offers an enticing variety of entertainment, both indoors and outdoors. Further information regarding property to or buy can be obtained from Property management Springfield.
Springfield markets are a great attraction. As well as food and fresh produce, families can enjoy the arts and crafts that are regularly on display. Children have a great time at Playland where there is also plenty of water that offers fun and games. Take a picnic basket or stay for a casual lunch. This outing can last all day—and there is ample parking.
As well as attracting tourists, Springfield is a magnet for professional families and retirees. The suburb is well-situated for restaurants, shops and a medical centre. With great parks nearby, it's no wonder that this is now a much sought after area.
Shopping facilities are not forgotten. The Orion Springfield, which is the largest shopping mall in Springfield, opened in 2007. Stores such as Big W and Woolworths draw in the crowds plus over a hundred speciality stores to whet a shopaholic's appetite.
However, there are plenty of eating places to rest those weary legs. Take a break at the Coffee Club and relax awhile with your friends. On the other hand, there is the Donut King, KFC, McDonalds and Nandos for a variety of meals and takeaways. The Asian gourmet provides food delights for those with a taste for eastern cuisine. All this and more under one roof!
Schools are plentiful in the area and students are spoilt for choice with ample tertiary institutions. Springfield College Drive has a Springfield College campus. Furthermore, the University of southern Queensland's campus is nearby. Springfield also has a TAFE campus.
Visitors who are staying in Brisbane long enough might prefer to hire a rental home. Information can be obtained from
property management Morningside
, Carindale, Woolloongabba, or any other suburb that is in beautiful Queensland.
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012
3:44 pm
Renting your Property
Should you have a property that you wish to manage or rent out, there are a few tips that you can follow to make sure that things run more smoothly. Getting ready to rent a property out to someone; even if you are engaging the services of a property management services company, is fairly simple. It just involves using a fair amount of common sense.
You should try to keep it simple – most people renting want a comfortable home that has the basic utilities. They are unlikely to care about crown moulding or the most fancy bathroom fixtures, etc. That is not to say that you should not too anything at all. Cutting corners can end up costing you in the long run. The property need not be fancy, but should look up to date. You should lose the psychedelic wallpaper in favour of a more neutral wall colour. A good rule of thumb is to paint anything that has not been painted in the last year or so.
You should always consider it from a potential renter's perspective and also in terms of what else is out there. Should you choose to create a very upscale home, you will have to charge a higher rental – will people be willing to pay more or can they get something, maybe a little plainer, closer to their price range? Also consider what the place looks like when you walk in. Are the rooms dingy? Do they look tired or out of date? If you are unwilling to spend the money, look at the potential lost income if the property is not rented out. You could save $100 on a paint job but lose $1000 rental if the property stands vacant for a couple of months.
You should also look at it from the maintenance point of view – a newly painted place isn't going to need paint for a few years. It is also a lot easier to paint an empty house or apartment than one with furniture in it.
Once the property is ready for someone to move into, there are a couple of other considerations:
1) You will need to decide how much rent to charge – this is extremely important when it comes to whether or not people will rent. A
property manager Brisbane
would be able to help you to set up a reasonable rental. You will, however, also be guided by the prices of similar rental properties in the area, how many properties are available to rent and what kind of demand there is for properties.
2) How will you find someone to rent the property?
3) Do you want to find long-term tenants or short-term tenants?
4) Will you make use of a property manager or not?
5) What will the terms of rental be? Will it be a month to month lease or a fixed-term lease?
These are all important considerations and should be determined before the first meaning with any potential tenants.
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Monday, August 6th, 2012
3:17 pm
Bowen Hills
Bowen Hills is a suburb of Brisbane and quite popular because of its proximity to the city centre. There is a mix of residential, commercial and some industrial properties in the area. The suburb itself has a very culturally exciting vibe to it and is especially suited to younger, single working people or to young couples. The Old Museum now provides the backdrop for the Queensland Youth Orchestras in the guise of a place to both rehearse and perform and also hosts several community arts and music groups. Another event on the cultural calendar is the Royal Queensland Show that is held annually at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds.
There are two smaller parks – the most historic being Bowen Park which is a public pleasure garden that has been in place for over one hundred years. There is also Perry Park Stadium for sporting enthusiasts but the area in general is not really geared towards parents with young kids. There are other suburbs much better suited to families with small children.
It is not just the general lack of parks but also the type of residential housing available – About 80 per cent of the residential properties are in the form of flats. The average age of residents is around 31 and there are generally about 2 people in a household. Around 60 per cent of the homes are currently being rented making this a fairly popular area for those looking into acquiring rental properties.
Median prices are slightly lower than in other areas of Brisbane making this an area where some growth is still to be had. It does, however, take a little longer to sell here so consider it a long-term investment area. Overall, it is a nice well-established suburb and has a lot to offer. It is just 2km away from the Brisbane CBD, had excellent access to public transport and a lot going for it.
The slightly lower prices and general tendency towards people renting rather than buying in this area make it attractive for those interested in property management Bowen Hills – although there is a bit of a demographic mix in the area, it is likely to be viewed as a younger and more trendy suburb in future and will, as a result, attract a younger element. There is definitely room for growth in the rental segment of the market and
property managers Brisbane
would probably also benefit by looking into the acquisition of commercial properties to rent.
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
Living in Clayfield
Clayfield is a well-established suburb of Brisbane that is mainly zoned as a residential area but that also includes a couple of commercial areas. Clayfield reaches from Schulz Canal in the north to Sandgate Road in the south and stretches from Alexandra Road in the east to Junction Road in the west. The suburb was named because of the clay deposits used in the outlying brickworks and it was settled from the 1850's onwards. Initially most of the land was set aside for agriculture. The railway and tramlines constructed in the 1880's gave the area a much needed boost and growth was steady until after the war. In the nineties the population growth pretty much stagnated and between 2001 and 2006, the population grew slightly as a result of both new dwellings and new residents.
This is a fairly large suburb and is predominantly occupied by those that are economically active. Children also feature as a fair proportion of the population and this indicates that this is a popular suburb for those with children. There are a number of schools in the area and the infrastructure is well-developed. Kalinga Park makes for a great place for family outings cementing this suburb as a great place to raise a family.
Of course, the proximity to the city centre, the number of good schools and infrastructure, coupled with the overall good quality homes on offer mean that this is not a cheap suburb to buy into. The median price for homes is almost double that of Brisbane Metro but most homes are well-maintained, large and nicely appointed. The style is predominantly old Queenslanders adding to both the appeal of the suburb and the increased median price.
In terms of property ownership, there are slightly more property owners than there are property tenants but the numbers are almost the same in each category meaning that there is some scope for property management Clayfield. According to
Property management Annerley
, in general, property growth has kept pace with that in other areas and has delivered an average return on investment of around twelve per cent – not too bad for an area that is quite well-developed and stable.
There are a number of other facilities in the area that make it ideal for those with families – health care facilities are top notch and there are a wide range of leisure activities to suit just about every need. The proximity to the Brisbane CBD and the excellent public transport mean that alternate leisure activities are literally ten to fifteen minutes away.
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Monday, July 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
Living in Ascot
Ascot is primarily a residential area with some commercial development along Racecourse Road. It reaches from Sefton Road in the north to the Racecourse Road in the South and from The Doomben Railway line in the east to Kidson Street in the west.
Quite aptly since there are two racecourses here, Ascot is named after the famous race track in England. The area has been settled from 1855 and was primarily an agricultural area. In 1863 the Eagle Racecourse was established followed by the Doomben Racecourse in 1933. The extension of the railway line fuelled growth in the 1880's and 1890's. The subdivision of land in the 1920's fuelled further growth which continued on through the Second World War and in the post-war years. New residences in the area have led to a slight population growth since the 1990's.
There is one shopping centre, one school and the Bartley's Hill Reservoir in addition to the two racecourses which count as features in the area. You can choose to travel to the Brisbane CBD by bus or train – about twenty to twenty five minutes – or by the more leisurely ferry ride – about half an hour or so.
This is a more affluent suburb with a great deal of larger homes. Median house prices are high but the homes are mostly old Queenslanders and well worth the outlay. This is not a starter home area but you can get some units that are more reasonably priced. The median house prices tend to outperform the average house prices for the region but tend to follow the same highs and lows – it moves along the same curve. Houses on the market here tend to sell more quickly than is true for other areas within this region making it very popular with property management Ascot experts.
The area itself is well developed with a great infrastructure. There are several eateries in the area and some great amenities. There is a good mix of different age demographics in the area but by and large almost half of the residents are married. A third or so have never been married at all. About half of the homes here are detached houses, flats and semi-detached housing makes up the remainder. There is a fairly even spread between those that own their own homes and those that rent their homes as is easy to see from free
rental appraisal Brisbane
This is a well-established and developed suburb with less room for growth but is a good safe investment area.
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Monday, June 25th, 2012
11:27 am
Albion for Growth
Albion is a suburb of Brisbane and is a mainly residential area. It reaches from Marne Road in the north to Breakfast Creek in the south and from Sandgate Road in the east to the Albion Overpass in the west. The suburb gets its name from one of the first hotels in the area – The Albion. Albion is derived from Alba – a Celtic word meaning Britain.
Settlers began to set up in the area from the middle of the nineteenth century. When industry was introduced to the area the area had a growth spurt towards the end of the nineteenth century and growth continued until the early part of the twentieth century fuelled by the railway line being opened. In 1930, a flour mill was erected and this stayed in operation until 2005. The war saw the area growing again. It stabilised in the last decade of the twentieth century and had another small spurt of growth between 2001 and 2006 because new residences were added to the area. Indications are that the population is set to increase because of urban renewal. Projects in the pipeline include The Mill Albion.
The population consists largely of married couples, at least half of whom own their own houses. In general, most couples here have not got children yet. About three quarters of the population live in houses as opposed to flats. In general, the median house prices have followed the same trends as the rest of the region but have tended to outperform the median prices in general. There does appear to be some room for growth in the property market according to experts in property management Albion.
A major attraction in the area is the Albion Park Paceway founded over a hundred years ago. It is currently used for greyhound racing and is very popular. As with most places in Australia, there are a few parks in Albion. Transport is easy to arrange – you can drive, catch a bus or a train and the city centre is not far away making this an ideal location for a
property management Brisbane
The big development on the cards is to convert the old mill property into a small village, complete with houses and office blocks. This is expected to bring extra people into the suburb and consequently prices will go up in general. The suburb has already got the infrastructure in place to support this development. Overall, this is one of those suburbs which look set to take off in a big way.
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Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
4:47 pm
Rollicking in Rochedale
Rochedale has been settled for over one hundred and fifty years and as such it is a well-established suburb. It really only showed a surge in popularity from the sixties onwards. Before that it was mostly agricultural land with some vineyards and orchards. It was really only in the early nineteen hundreds that it became more populous and this resulted in a number of market gardens being established. This seems to have set the tone for the suburb even to this day with the majority of land use, even now, being for nurseries, market gardens and farms. Rochedale is still largely classified as a rural area and got its name from one of the first landowners in the area – Thomas Roche.
Rochedale itself stretches from Mount Cotton Road in the North to Rochedale Road in the South. It is bounded on the East and West by Ford Road and the Pacific Motorway. According to recent statistics, the population of the area has remained relatively stable since the nineties and there has been little movement in the figures either upward or downward. With the approval of the Rochedale Urban Community Development project, this is expected to change in the next couple of decades. Several natural bush areas and farmlands have been approved for rezoning to residential properties. This bodes well for the future investment potential of Rochedale – this expansion is set to make Rochedale one of the biggest suburbs in Brisbane. Consequently there will be room for commercial expansion as well.
When looking at a demographic breakdown of the area, it is quickly seen that most houses are occupied and owned by families. Homeowners form the majority in Rochedale and renters number approximately twenty per cent of the population. The area itself is popular because of its proximity to Brisbane's city centre. The area is popular with families because there are two schools in Rochedale itself and a state high school just outside the suburb.
As far as rental properties and property management Rochedale go, there would seem to be some opportunities in the area going forward, especially as more housing estates are built. Overall, this is one area that looks set for a major boost. Prices currently are still within reasonable levels and compare favourably to the surrounding areas.
Overall, Rochedale is quite an interesting suburb to watch going forward; especially when it comes to
property management Brisbane
and it will be quite interesting to see how it develops in future.
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Monday, May 28th, 2012
10:19 am
A suburb of Brisbane's CBD has the musical name of Taringa. Apparently, it was given its name from the word 'tarau', an aboriginal term that loosely means 'a place of stones'. In the past it was called West Milton. Its neighbouring suburbs are Mount Coot-tha, St Lucia, Toowong, and Indooroopilly (isn't that an assortment of beautiful names that reflect these charming suburbs?).
Taringa is mainly a residential suburb, although there are various commercial regions in the Moggill Road vicinity. A
property management Brisbane
search can provide further information regarding investment opportunities in the region.
A substantial growth in Taranga's population has been observed due to new residences being built for purchase and rental. The neighbourhood attracts several students who attend Queensland's universities. Because the suburb is only about five kilometres from the CBD, it also appeals to the working population who have easy access to the city. When renting however, it is important for tenants and property landlords to be conversant with rules and regulations, such as breaking lease bond requirements. For this reason, many rented homes are managed by rental agents who are knowledgeable with all the legalities pertaining to rented properties.
Overseas students are conveniently housed in Taringa. The Altitude Apartments provide temporary accommodation during their study period at the Brisbane universities. Approximately 50% of Taringa's residents are paying rent, which can vary between $100 (for a single room) and $500 per week, depending on the types of properties.
However, a high percentage of the homes are either owned or are being purchased by its occupants. House prices vary in Taringa. Average prices are estimated at around $650,000, whilst units sell for prices between $350,000 and $750,000.
Taringa has pre-school facilities for working parents and Toowong and Indooroopilly provide education for primary and high school children. Toowong is also home to the Science, Mathematics & Technology Academy, which attracts professional home owners to these suburbs. Indooroopilly's Brigidine College is a private catholic school for girls. It has an outstanding record of academic achievement. The Brigidine Sisters formed this educational institution in the 1920s.
Taringa also attracts retired residents. The Aveo Live Well Home opened in Queensland many years ago and one of its retirement communities is in Moore Street.
Trips to Brisbane are a breeze. For those who don't want to drive to the city, there is ample transport available. Regular train and bus services carry passengers to Brisbane and the surrounding areas.
Several visitors to Queensland's capital city are delighted with the amazing scenery and the incredible parks, mountains and other holiday attractions. A trip to Taringa wouldn't be complete without a visit to Mt Coot-tha, which is nearby. It is the highest and most impressive peak in Queensland.
Visitors to Taringa have been known to make this suburb their home.
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Monday, May 14th, 2012
3:24 pm
Boggo Road Jail
Dutton Park is mainly a residential area, lying approximately five kilometres to the south of Brisbane. It was so named in honour of Charles B. Dutton, who was Queensland's Public Lands Minister in the 1880s. The suburb's close neighbours are South Brisbane, Woolloongabba, and Fairfield.
The fact that Dutton Park is close to Brisbane's CBD makes it an attractive proposition for visitors and prospective tenants. At the same time, its river frontage is another great attraction for families.
Property management Brisbane
can supply details in respect of rental opportunities in this popular suburb. This charming inner suburb's population is approximately 1,400, with a high percentage in the 18 to 49 age group. The resident's are predominantly young professionals who have opted for Dutton Park as their home base. A variety of house styles are available; these include delightfully renovated cottages and exclusively designed homes.
Parents with young children have the Dutton Park Preschool and Dutton Park Primary School on their doorsteps, as well as St Ita's Primary School, which is a long established catholic school that dates back to 1919. Nearby educational institutions are the John Oxley College and Brisbane Muslim School, which are both in Woolloongabba. This suburb is also home to the Narbethong State Special School, which offers education for children with vision and hearing impairments.
The South Brisbane Cemetery is a well known landmark that looks out to the Brisbane River. It is more popularly called Dutton Park Cemetery. Incidentally, it is one of the oldest cemeteries in Brisbane and it is listed as a Queensland heritage site. Yet another heritage site in Dutton Park is the infamous prison that was known as the Boggo Road Jail, although its official name was Brisbane Jail. The actor/wrestler, Nathan Jones was imprisoned there, where he also became familiar with powerlifting and soon became Australia's National Powerlifting champion.
Although there are general shopping areas in Dutton Park, additional major shopping complexes are in the nearby areas. These are in South Brisbane and Woolloongabba, whilst Fairfield Gardens and the Buranda Shopping Centre are the two main shopping attractions. Several business opportunities are available in these complexes for which information can be accessed from a property manager Brisbane. An agency that is focused on property management will provide professional advice regarding business properties and home rentals in Dutton Park and its surrounding suburbs.
Brisbane is popularly acknowledged as being one of Australia's most liveable cities. Living close by in one of its picturesque suburbs is an added advantage.
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Monday, April 30th, 2012
3:18 pm
Belmont, Queensland
South-east of Brisbane we find the suburb known as Belmont. It is approximately twelve kilometres from the city centre (depending on the route). Its close neighbours are Tingalpa, Gumdale, Mackenzie and Carindale. Belmont has grown steadily over the years. According to the 2006 census, its population was over 3,600 at that time. The average age of the residents is 35 years compared with Australia's average age of 37 years.
Being a rural/residential suburb, there is a serene ambience that attracts visitors to the area. A search for
property management Brisbane
is an excellent way to find professional companies with updated lists of homes on the market.
The residential section of Belmont can be found in the north-west of the suburb, where it conveniently connects to the main highway. Most of the houses are modern and the majority are under fifteen years old. Over 45% of Belmont's homes are rented through estate agents. It makes sense to rent through a reliable property management Belmont agency that takes care of all the paperwork and legal issues pertaining to rentals.
Visitors to Belmont will not experience the hustle and bustle of the city. However, Brisbane with all its alluring entertainment and night life is only a short journey along the highway. Nevertheless, Belmont has an adequate shopping centre and a hotel. The residents can shop for all their needs without having to travel into other suburbs. The Belmont State School is also close by in Carindale.
Belmont does, however, pride itself in The Belmont Rifle Range, which is a popular and well-known landmark. Its clay target shooting activities attracts local residents and team building groups. It is hosted by Russell and Lauryn Mark who are Olympic Gold medallists. Everything is provided for shooting enthusiasts, whilst newcomers to the sport are provided with expert instruction. Visitors can have a meal there. Everything from early breakfast, finger foods and barbecues are all available.
Those with a taste for Indian cooking can have an evening out at a restaurant in Carindale. It was opened in 1999 by a family who since then have won several awards. The restaurant has a reputation for its traditional Indian cuisine.
Mount Petrie is only three kilometres from Belmont. A climb up this small mountain lends itself to an exquisite view of Brisbane. Other famous mountains in the area are Mount Gravatt and Mount Coot-tha. Thousands of tourists enjoy these wonderful sights and some stay over in order to contact a
property manager Brisbane
Brisbane and its many suburbs offer a much sought after lifestyle for both young and old alike.
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Monday, April 16th, 2012
1:14 pm
Kangaroo Point
Only one kilometre from Brisbane is the suburb known as Kangaroo Point. It lies to the east of the Brisbane River and the Brisbane CBD. Its close neighbours are Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Woolloongabba and Brisbane City.
Kangaroo Point is built on a peninsula with mainly high rise buildings and apartments on one side and medium density houses and apartments on the other side of the peninsula. Because this area is primarily a residential suburb and being near the university, many students contact
property management Brisbane
for an update of apartments to rent.
Settlers first arrived at Kangaroo Point in the 1830s where the land was chiefly used for farming. However, the population was quite sparse until the early 1850s. Also, after World War II an immigration centre was built to provide a new home for the first group of homeless people from Europe. Since then, the population of Kangaroo has increased dramatically.
Although the suburb is only 1,3 km2, it is home to approximately 7,000 residents with over 40% being in the 18 to 34 age group. A high percentage of the citizens are originally from the UK and New Zealand.
Schools are plentiful in and around Kangaroo Point. They cater for all cultural groups and for children with special needs. Although there are no public schools, the East Brisbane State School is nearby. A popular private catholic school in Kangaroo Point is the St Joseph's Primary School, which was founded in 1870. It is one of the oldest primary schools in the district. Other well-known schools are St Laurence's College, All Hallows' School and Villanova College.
Entertainment and recreational facilities are plentiful. Being close to the city and transport being easily available, residents and tourists are spoilt for choice. A well-known landmark is the Story Bridge. Like many of Brisbane's familiar sights, it is a magnet that attracts visitors, especially first-time holiday makers. It is over 1,070 metres long and it crosses over the Brisbane River. It has the honour of being Australia's longest cantilever bridge. It is named after John Douglas Story, a notable citizen of Brisbane who became the Public Service Commissioner between 1920 and 1939. He was also a Chancellor of the University of Queensland.
Although Kangaroo Point has its own popular shopping centre, residents and tourists have a choice of several shopping complexes in the Brisbane area. Entrepreneurs can contact a
property manager Brisbane
for information relating to business opportunities connected to the retail trade.
The multitude of parks, reserves and beaches near Kangaroo Point offer visitors a plethora of holiday adventures that will make them want to return over and over again. Also, there are plenty of kangaroos—an important point!
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Monday, April 2nd, 2012
12:24 pm
Norman Park
Brisbane, as well as being one of Australia's largest cities, comprises many small suburbs that are steeped in the history and culture of this beautiful land. One of these suburbs is called Norman Park. Located about five kilometres east from the CBD, it is worth a visit for its parks and leisure spots. Some of the adjoining suburbs are Hawthorne, East Brisbane, Seven Hills and Camp Hill.
According to the 2006 census, the number of residents in the area was approximately 6,800. Almost 80% of the residents were born in Australia.
Over a third of the properties are rented to the residents. Property management Norman Park offers information regarding homes that are currently on offer for renting. Interest in its surrounding suburbs is also growing according to
property management Brisbane
More that 60% of the residents are either in professional and managerial positions or they are clerical and administrative workers. The majority of residents are between the ages of 25 and 49. Schools are plentiful in the area and the adjoining suburbs. The Norman Park Primary School is popular due to its being located in the suburb. However, schools that cater for children of all ages are conveniently situated in the nearby towns.
The University of Queensland, a renowned tertiary institution, attracts the local students as well as many applicants from overseas. The university has an international reputation for its research departments and it is rated amongst the world's top fifty universities. Transport in the area is excellent. There is a choice of ferry, bus and train services. Norman Park has its own railway station, which makes travel to and from the city hassle-free for commuters.
Residents of Norman Park are provided with several recreational facilities and parks in the suburb. The CP Bottomley Park is a well-known leisure site for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Also, one of Brisbane's heritage homes is Eulalia, in Norman Park. It was built for Mr Justice Patrick Real, in 1889. It is found on the pinnacle of a hill and surrounded with over twenty acres of land. Justice Real had a remarkable history. When he arrived in Australia in 1850 at the age of four, his father had just died on board ship. Patrick left school when he was twelve to become an apprentice carpenter. He studied law whilst working and supporting his mother; eventually, he was appointed as a judge.
Norman Park has plenty to offer both visitors and residents. A
property manager Brisbane
will advise regarding home rentals and property investments in the area.This suburb, which is next to the city of Brisbane, is in an ideal position, as well as being surrounded by spectacular landscapes that offer tourists an experience to be remembered.
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Monday, March 19th, 2012
2:55 pm
Understanding the Term Fair Wear and Tear
An issue that constantly finds its way to the various tenancy disputes tribunals throughout the country is that of what constitutes fair wear and tear in the context of a rental property. It usually comes about as a result of a dispute between the landlord and tenant over the return of the bond, when there has been some change for the worse to the condition of the property. Some landlords have very strict perceptions about fair wear and tear, and some tenants equally have very fluid perceptions about the same thing. Unless the tenancy agreement is very clear about this issue, it can become litigious.
Before signing a tenancy agreement, the
property management Brisbane
agent will arrange for an inspection of the property by the prospective tenant. During this inspection any wear or damage to the property is identified and documented on a condition report. This is important for both parties as there are conflicting definitions of fair wear and tear.
In the absence of a specific definition in legislation or a tenancy agreement, the general consensus is that fair wear and tear is something that occurs over time and with regular use. This is completely different to accidental damage, which is an event that happens suddenly and unexpectedly, such as spilling red wine on a carpet, or chipping a tiled floor by dropping a heavy object.
When a landlord hands over a property to a tenant they may occupy it for an extended period of time. Often the landlord doesn't see the property during the term of the tenancy, leaving the inspections up to the agent. If several years pass before the tenant vacates, and the carpet shows signs of tracking for example, the landlord remembers the carpet as it was and not as it is.
This is why regular inspections by the agent are so important to both parties, and that fair wear and tear is documented as it is occurring, and reported to the landlord. If the landlord knows that floor coverings are becoming worn, or paint is starting to fade and chip, there are no surprises when he finally sees the property. Fair wear and tear can then be recognised for what it is, and the property given a make-over before the next tenant moves in.
Taking photographs regularly is an excellent way of providing additional evidence of fair wear and tear and many tenants who have experienced this issue now do that as a matter of course. With a good
property manager Brisbane
in control of the day-to-day management and maintenance this should not become an issue, but a fall-back position is always prudent.
As long as fair wear and tear isn't clearly defined, there will always be people with their own ideas of what it should and shouldn't include. Clear documentation before occupancy, and regular inspections throughout the tenancy and on vacating should prevent any disputes.
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10% Fewer Americans Believe US Is Winning War on Terror
10% Fewer Americans Believe US Is Winning War on TerrorAs the turmoil in the Middle East roils and President Obama's foreign policy scheme faces severe pressure, a recent survey of likely voters finds that pessimism about our success in the War on Terror "continues to grow" with 45 percent saying they think the U.S. is winning that war, a 17-point drop from its one-time high of 62 percent in February 2009.
Rasmussen found that 45 percent think the U.S. is winning the war, 21 percent think the terrorists are winning, and 26 percent think that the neither side has an advantage.
The number of those who think the U.S. is winning has been steadily dropping since May of 2011.
Another Rasumssen poll finds that only 18 percent feel that U.S. relations with the Muslim world are better now than four years ago.
President Obama's first major foreign policy effort was to smooth relations between America and Muslims and his speech in Cairo, Egypt in 2009 was hailed in the western press as a great leap forward in American/Muslim relations. But four years later, the American public has come to feel that Obama's initiative has failed.
A full 45 percent feel that relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world are worse now than four years ago. 13 percent feel there has been no real change since 2009.
Also see...
After his 20-year old son overdosed on drugs, Mike Stollings decided to post a photo of his body at the funeral home on Facebook out of grief and guilt. The...Read More
Warner Todd Huston
Warner Todd Huston is a Chicago-based freelance writer, has been writing opinion editorials and social criticism since early 2001 and is featured on many websites such as Andrew Breitbart's BigGovernment.com, BigJournalsim.com and all Breitbart News' other sites, RightWingNews.com, CanadaFreePress.com, and many, many others. Additionally, he has been a frequent guest on talk-radio programs across the country to discuss his opinion editorials and current events as well as appearing on TV networks such as CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and various Chicago-based news programs. He has also written for several history magazines and appears in the book "Americans on Politics, Policy and Pop Culture" which can be purchased on amazon.com. He is also the owner and operator of PubliusForum.com. Feel free to contact him with any comments or questions : EMAIL Warner Todd Huston and follow him on Twitter, on Google Plus , and Facebook.
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by Zack Ford Posted on November 19, 2014
And Montana makes 34.
by Zack Ford Posted on November 10, 2014 Updated: November 10, 2014
What's the KKK look like if it doesn't discriminate? One Montana (former?) white supremacist hopes to find out.
by Kiley Kroh Posted on October 5, 2014
"It's not a hoax, but it's not proven science either," Republican nominee Ryan Zinke said in Saturday night's debate.
by Scott Keyes Posted on September 30, 2014
The Republican-held Montana state legislature is putting voter suppression up to a statewide vote. Will it work?
by Tara Culp-Ressler Posted on September 3, 2014
The case illustrates how states are blurring the lines about exactly when personhood begins in the eyes of the law.
by Josh Israel Posted on June 19, 2014 Updated: June 20, 2014
Former Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) compared Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to a prostitute and suggested that outgoing House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) seems gay.
by Scott Keyes Posted on May 15, 2014 Updated: May 15, 2014
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"I'm in shock and I'm angry. People are trying to stop me from doing something that I believe is a human right and is legal."
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Dirk Adams, a former educator, banker and current rancher, is a Democrat running for the Montana Senate seat long held by Democrat Max Baucus, but he's not looking to follow in Baucus' footsteps.


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On Tue, Jun 19, 2012 at 3:55 PM, Young, Milan <firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote: > Maybe I'm missing something here, but a short is going to give us 65k possibilities. That's the maximum size of an array in many languages. > > If a recognition engine can't put the right answer into one of those slots it has bigger problems. I think Olli's point (please correct me if I'm wrong) was that it's common to use long by default unless there is a specific reason not to. Thanks, HansReceived on Tuesday, 19 June 2012 17:37:07 GMT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0+W3C-0.50 : Tuesday, 19 June 2012 17:37:09 GMT


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Last year I blogged about how Mother's Day had changed over the years / phases of my life... as it does for all of us. Last year I was a mom with a child in a war zone.
Thank goodness the "in a war zone" bit is different this year.
Last year on Mother's Day I went for an early morning bike ride, thinking to potentially visit my own mom's gravesite. Blockage on the bike path due to construction stopped that, but I still "carried her on my shoulder" for the ride and silently talked with her.
This year, I thought last night I might show up at the gym at 6 a.m. for an early swim. This morning, had an attack of laziness, and cooked breakfast instead. Healthy, the standard steel cut oats, but I was cutting up fresh strawberries that were very affordable in a larger quantity than I generally buy at the grocery yesterday. Hopefully I will reward myself with that swim later today (my training plan calls for a swim today).
Remember the Friday I went in to work because my heating/cooling contractor couldn't do my scheduled maintenance check up that day? Weather wasn't cooperating? Guess when they rescheduled for. Yep. Mother's Day morning. During classic church hours.
So as I type this, the guy is downstairs doing his thing. Now THAT'S different for a Mother's day. I made sure he had ALSO made arrangements to acknowledge HIS mother... nag that I am.
My son has promised a visit at some point... even offered to take me with him while he looks at puppies. I wisely declined THAT part of the offer. I know myself too well to trust myself around furry cuteness of the canine variety. You see, though I have a cohabiting feline, I'm really more of a dog person.
Restless while waiting, I decided I would see if I could work my way to the surface of the dining room table. I'm amazed... piled high for the weeks and months since Christmas... with "unmade decisions" as my brother likes to call paper clutter. Expired coupons. Receipts that I do NOT need for tax purposes. Statements and reams of ads, including the political variety (we just had our general election last Tuesday). Books I hadn't put back on a shelf. And running and biking stuff, of course.
Success! Even Frosty the Cookie Jar got re-boxed and put away this weekend. I think I may have a touch of the Spring cleaning fever. But it feels good. Sunshine streaming in the window, a fresh cloth on the table, the revived laptop taking a spot for now, and the only little pile remaining are things that my son lent me, that are there because I want to send them home with him today.
Every surface clean? Heavens no... but it's a start.
To other mothers in whatever phase of life, may your day have a little of this and a little of that... but all that brightens and comforts you. I'm also sending up a special prayer for those who are hoping to become moms, and those who have recently lost their moms.
LIFE is good. Spark on!
I have started to suspect that I am discovering (in year 3 of maintenance) the "normal" cycle of a gain over the winter, loss with more active times come Spring and Summer. My "maintenance range" appears to be a little wider than Polly Perfectionist wants to see, but then I HAVE been trying to kick her to the curb, and she's still out there camped on the lawn (not so subtle reference to growing grass...) .
Anyway, I here present two Weight Commander graphs. Each shows two years of daily scale recordings, graphed. The first is from end date of May 4th, 2012.
The second is ending today, May 11, 2013.
Speaking of progress photos, theses graph pictures show the long-shot of how my weight has varied over the past three years. What is of interest to me is how the emotions and the swings of the scale interact, and how Sparkpeople interacts with the emotions... to remind me of two things: how far I've come, and that I don't want to go back to the 200+ pound range!
My friend Marsha (SLENDERELLA61) blogged a few months back about having to potentially choose between maintaining her "happy weight" and maximizing her athletic dreams, as some expert or other she read seemed to thing these were not necessarily achievable at the same time. She identified that the happy weight was more important to her, at that time.
Faced with a similar situation on my end, where I was about 10 pounds on the scale heavier for the Lincoln HM, compared to the St. Pete one last November? I ran 18 minutes faster this time. Hmmmm... given the choice? I want my body to choose what's right for it... I don't care to obsess about the number on the scale. Been there, done that, have the closet full of T-Shirts.
HOWEVER... I do use the scale and a clear and honest appraisal of my behavior to tell me when it's time to "get real" if I've been sliding. There are reasons for every tool we have in our tool box. Scale included. Graphs included. We just have to keep them in perspective, and use them appropriately. Don't take extreme action over one number. Just nudge ourselves back into the behaviors that lead to...
A HAPPY LIFE! Which is GOOD. Spark on!
First day (April 26th):
This morning (May 11):
I've watered it three times, and Mother Nature has provided a couple of rains, some overcast days and some sunny ones. The point of THIS blog is to make some comparisons between growing grass and improving lifestyles. In fact, any long term project takes time. Progress can SEEM invisible. Nothing is more frustrating than that feeling that one isn't making progress. But given a little time, it becomes visible.
So the entire "take a before picture" and "take progress pictures" is quite a valid concept. When I looked at my picture on race day? I had stopped taking those progress photos, and my concept of my body had deteriorated since last November. The scale was saying something a bit higher than I'd like... but the pictures really do say it better: I'm still the little old lady in training!
If you AREN'T taking progress photos and you're working on losing weight... start where you are. Continue your program for a month, and take another. You'll most likely surprise and please yourself!
LIFE is good... and YOU are worth it. Spark on!
This morning's pep talk is brought to you by FRIDAY... wear red today! The State Farm 10 mile t-shirt this year was red, and on casual Friday, I can wear it to work.
Speaking of work, my continued trek of survival through "the big project" goes on. Yesterday's lesson: everybody gets into conflicts, unless they are being passive-agressive or a doormat... everybody on occasion has disagreements, professional or otherwise. Thing is, when your job is to think, and to work in a group, there will be differences of opinion. You reason them through, and when a decision is made, you support it, whether it is the idea you originally had, one you thought was ridiculous, one you really truly believe is brilliant, or anywhere in between.
I was listening to a fellow professional talk about how she'd been dressed down by HER boss. Last week I'd been feeling about the same because of how I felt in response to comments from MY boss. Funny how a half marathon can adjust one's attitude... all this seems so small since Sunday!
The bottom line is that differences of opinion are NORMAL, and can be healthy. Hopefully when expressed they can be expressed with kindness, rather than judgement. I can't control how someone else expresses their opinion... I can only manage my response. I can't necessarily control my initial EMOTIONAL response, but I CAN and am responsible for my actions in response.
So, for today... the reminders:
* Be a professional, afford respect to all. If you must disagree... do so as skindly as you can.
* Eat what's in the bag, it's why you packed it!
* Drink your water.
* And no matter HOW much fun your job is today... remember to "go to recess"... i.e. take those walk breaks. You'll work better for it!
LIFE is good. Spark on my friends!
It dawns on me, as I signed up (yes, I did succumb to the temptation) for that Double Half Mary in September, that this pursuit of "shiny things" is not just a trait of my athletic side. It's a trait of my work side, too.
The "big shiny project" has brought me to more than one job. If you want me to sign on to your company, team or whatever, don't tell me about benefits or pay (although those can be roadblocks)... sell me on the work itself. Sell me on the project.
No wonder I keep going after the different and quirky events... it's a part of me, or my curious self... of my competitive "A Student" self... of the kid that read the magazine article on making your own binary card sorter with index cards, paper punch, and scissors... and went out and got a paper punch just to try it.
So, if you want to be both happy and successful... find what trips YOUR personality triggers... and USE that bit. More carrot. Less stick. Right?
LIFE is good... Spark on!


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Unemployment Rates Fall In 91 Kentucky Counties
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) â¿¿ Kentucky is reporting that jobless rates improved in 91 counties in February. But the news wasn't all good.
The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training reported Thursday that unemployment rates went unchanged in three counties and worsened in 26.
Woodford County had the lowest jobless rate at 5.9 percent. Fayette, Franklin, Madison, Oldham and Shelby counties all had jobless rates of between 6.5 and 6.9 percent.
Magoffin County had the highest jobless rate at 18.9 percent. Leslie County was at 17.3 percent. Letcher and Harlan counties reported rates of 16.9 percent and 16.3 percent respectively.Fulton County in far western Kentucky reported a 15.9 percent jobless rate. It was the only non-Appalachian county among those in the Top 10 for unemployment.
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