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Mexico - The Ins And Outs Of Renovating A Home In Mexico ~ Headaches And Pleasures ~ by Dan Prescher & Suzan Haskins - Lane put together our promesa, a promissory agreement to buy. This reflects the price, time frame, terms, and conditions of the sale agreed to by both buyer and seller. Then we gave Lane the standard deposit of 10% of the sale price. There are several ways that responsible realtors in Mexico handle this escrow function, but the object is to demonstrate to the seller that you’re serious about the transaction without actually putting the money in their hands before closing. In our case, Lane simply showed our check to the seller and retained it for us. Aug./05 Monaco - Living In Monaco - Real Estate In Monaco - Living In Monaco - Real Estate In Monaco - To gain residency in Monaco you need to be able to commit yourself to live there for six months a year (not too difficult a task!) and as well as having a property deed to show the residency officials a bank certificate from one of Monaco’s banks showing a deposit has been made is also needed. Many of the banks ask for 400,000 Euros, but for those in the know some will accept 100,000. And the good news is that you’re free to use that money how you want once residency is granted, and can be taken out of Monaco without restriction. Montenegro -Real Estate In Montenegro - The Jewel Of The Adriatic - Real Estate In Montenegro - The Jewel Of The Adriatic - For the investor who wants to take the trouble to do the investing now, the rewards will be great in the very near future. The most important part of the equation, however, is how lovely and enjoyable the area is, and how wonderful and hospitable the people are. It is truly an enjoyable place to visit and to recreate! If you just decide to buy a condominium, it will be a place you yearn to go to all year long. I have been going there for the last ten years, and I can hardly wait for my next trip. I usually stop off in Rome or Paris, but I am really looking forward to sunbathing and enjoying one of the beautiful beaches in Crna Gora. By Suanna Gurovich
Mozambique - Opportunity in Mozambique - Opportunity in Mozambique - I stayed mostly with an Afrikaner who had staked out 20 hectares (50 acres) of beautiful beach about an hour out of town; his cost basis is basically zero. The government gave it to him because he committed to develop it for tourism; someday it's going to be worth what prime beach front just outside a city is worth anywhere else in the world. He'll fill his property with Germans and Swedes flying down to beat the European winter while taking advantage of fresh lobster and fish that cost almost nothing. And there aren't just hundreds, but thousands of miles of pristine deserted beach on this country's coast.
New Zealand - Doug Casey on China, New Zealand and the Rest of the World - Doug Casey on China, New Zealand and the Rest of the World - Thailand is actually the safest and surest way to play the boom in China, as well. As the Chinese middle class grows, they’ll travel. And they’ll pile into Thailand, as a first choice foreign destination, simply because it’s such a delightful place. The price of land is going to go much higher. As an investment, beachfront land here has been a standout, going up about ten times in the last decade alone. It’s not absolutely cheap any more; an acre of beachfront on Koh Samui will run about $200,000, minimum. Of course, that’s still cheap relative to what you pay in Hawaii, or Florida, or California. And it’s far more desirable, in my opinion. You’ll find the costs of food, construction, and servants are a tiny fraction of what they would be in the States. And although you can easily get absolutely anything you want, the lifestyle is far more laid back. By Doug Casey New Zealand - Luxury Sporting Lodge For Sale in New Zealand - A Thumb-Nail Sketch Of A Unique Property - After eleven years of successful operation as a unique, world renowned sporting lodge, and much soul searching, the owners have decided to offer this exclusive estate for sale... When Mick Mason told us about it, we decided to feature it as a sort of thumb-nail sketch in the Quarterly. New Zealand - Notes On New Zealand Real Estate - Notes On New Zealand Real Estate - I would like to mention a few things that anyone interested in looking at property in NZ should be aware of. If you buy anything in a foreign country with the idea of selling it at a profit keep in mind that you are speculating that the currency fluctuation will not be a negative. The NZ Dollar is rather strong now in comparison with historical levels. .
New Zealand - Strong U.S. dollar = good property buys in New Zealand - Right now, the New Zealand dollar is worth only about US$0.53. If you're shopping with U.S. currency, you'll find real bargains. A new three-bedroom home here sells for as little as NZ$115,000, that's about US$60,000. (IL) Nicaragua - Insider secrets to investing in real estate in Nicaragua - Insider secrets to investing in real estate in Nicaragua - The word is is out: “Nicaragua is the new Costa Rica” but with prices 35-55% lower than its southern neighbour. Nicaragua is well and truly bouncing back from its troubled and often misunderstood past and beginning to transform into a sought after investment and tourism destination. Jun/06 Nicaragua - Live in Granada - Nicaragua’s Grandest City ~ Live in Granada - Nicaragua’s Grandest City - One more thing: If the old Spanish colonial structures in Granada appeal to you as much as they appeal to me…you can buy one for $80,000 to $100,000 (it’ll need a lot of work)…or you can spend as much as $200,000. A few years ago, these places sold for $40,000 or $50,000, or less. The trouble is there aren’t many of them. The city burned in 1856 and was rebuilt according to the same plan. Most of the colonial-style houses are 150 years old. You can count on your fingers those that date back more than 400 years. From The Best of International Living - Nicaragua - Nicaragua: The Best Real Estate Potential in Central America - Nicaragua: The Best Real Estate Potential in Central America - If you fantasize about a private retreat that sits perched on a rocky cliff overlooking a roiling ocean… a place where you can stand on your deck with a cocktail in hand and watch the sun set pink and orange beyond a watery horizon… Sept./06 Nicaragua - Rancho Santana - Pacific Coast Nicaragua - Rancho Santana On The Pacific Coast Of Nicaragua - Nearly 150 people have purchased their own piece of Rancho Santana property. And a dozen of these people have already built spectacular houses as rental and vacation properties. In fact, I've built my own place at Playa Escondida. My family and I spend as much time as possible there every year. By Bill Bonner Nicargua - Talking about Nicaragua - Talking about Nicaragua - Robert Fordi talks about land and investing in Nicaragua - the prices are right and the beaches are white - Fordi knows a lot about foreign real estate and his assessment of Nicaragua is well researched and positive. ~ .
Nicaragua - Why Purchase Real Estate In Nicaragua? - Why Purchase Real Estate In Nicaragua? - Our answer, is “Why Not?” Located in the heart of Central America, Nicaragua is an exceptional country with its spectacular lakes, towering volcanoes, friendly people and legendary towns filled with cultural richness. The country beckons foreigners to come and see all it has to offer. by Christopher Howard - Norway - Ten Ways to Lose Your Property Overseas Without Really Trying - Ten Ways to Lose Your Property Overseas Without Really Trying - Anyone can tell you how to lose property overseas, and although I am not a specialist in overseas property, I have heard my share of both legal and non-legal advice on such matters, most of which began in earnest when I decided to marry a Norwegian. Making the move from the U.S. was traumatic enough without the ‘culture shock’ that snuck up as the days and months passed. Refusing to feed that monkey, I found myself progressively more established in Norway, speaking and writing Norwegian, and at least by year seven, trying to stomach some of Norway’s more challenging culinary fish delicacies. By June Edvenson Mar/06 Nova Scotia: From a Brit Perspective - Moving To Nova Scotia - Living In Nova Scotia - So where is Nova Scotia, most would ask. Well it’s a quick five hour flight from the UK, three from Iceland and a mere two and a half hour ferry trip from Maine in the States. Resembling rural England but with forests, it lies on the eastern seaboard of Canada, much like an island connected by an umbilical cord to the Motherland. The climate and seasons are much like the UK but with slightly more extreme temperatures, not at all what most imagine the Country to be. Panama - Altos del Maria - Another Look At Altos del Maria ~ by Matthew Atlee - I recently visited Altos del Maria and enjoyed seeing how the project is developing. As part of my visit I was able to meet with some of the new residents of the community. All told me they were happy to be living in Altos del Maria: clean environment, friendly neighbors and plenty to do. If you are thinking about investing in property overseas then Altos del Maria might be the place for you. Dec./03 Panama - Bocas Del Toro -A Paradise On Water ~ Talking With Expats In Bocas Del Toro ~ By Zvia Leibler-Danon - There has been a lot of talk over the past few years about Bocas del Toro, located on Panama's northeastern Caribbean coast. A number of expats are now fulfilling their dream of living in a tropical paradise by buying property in Bocas. Find out what it takes to make it in Bocas and what is daily life like for expats who have made it their home. The water, the sun and the forest are attracting people all the time. See if Bocas is a place you might want to settle down in for a couple or years or a spot where you might want to own some land. June/03 /
Panama - Casco Viejo - The Oldest Pacific Coast City in the Americas - Casco Viejo in Panama, the oldest Pacific coast city in the Americas - Buy Property ~ Run a Business ~ And Live In This Living Architectural Treasure. Photo-Essay by Roger Gallo - Escape From America Magazine Panama - Daytrips In Panama ~Looking At Real Estate And Passing Through Colon ~ By Matthew Atlee - If you drive around Panama you will see "For Sale" signs all over the place. There are some great old buildings for sale in the city and in the countryside there are lots of people selling land. Some of the land is located right on the beach and other lots are in the mountains. If you are thinking about moving to Panama, remember you have to have a little bit of the buccaneer spirit to do it. Colon is a place you might want to check out if you want to see something different; there is property in Colon City as well as Colon Province. See you there. April/03 Panama - El Alcazar ~ Living In A Panamanian Beach Resort ~ by Matthew Atlee - Alcazar is the newest project in Coronado, Panama’s best known recreational and retirement community. Alcazar will have 70 residential deluxe condominiums that will cater to the investor who wants to own property in Coronado without having to worry about the cost of keeping a large home. The condominiums will be located in a new 23-story building with state-of-the-art technology and round-the-clock-security. The condominiums will be 265 square meters (2,852 square feet). The condominiums are going to be built next to Coronado’s beautiful 18-hole golf course, so you will literally be able to walk out your front door and be on the golf course. As part of purchasing a condominium in Alcazar, the owner will receive a lifetime membership to Coronado Country Club. Mar/05 Panama - Fuerte Amador Resort & Marina ~ Your Sea Route To Vista Mar - Part of the Vista Mar project, the Fuerte Amador Resort & Marina is another of the marinas that is available to Vista Mar property owners. If you are looking for luxury properties in Panama at prices you would have paid twenty years ago in the USA and Europe, then you should take a close look at Vista Mar. April/04 Panama - Hemingway’s Hideaway - Retiring In Panama - We all hypothesize what a retirement paradise should be. Realistically of course what we fancy and what we can afford is rather discouraging. Don't feel alone. A few years ago, It all of a sudden dawned on me that I was rapidly approaching my golden year Panama - Isla Solarte - Bocas Del Toro - A Residents Story - Paradise Found On Isla Solarte - A Residents Story - Paradise Found On Isla Solarte - “Isla Solarte is a very sensuous place,” Susan says. “The air is the same temperature as your skin, the water at times is glass smooth and you can see the bottom. Your eyes are always peeled for dolphins that pop out and swim around your boat.” The climate is tropical and temperatures range from 72-86 degrees with soothing ocean breezes.“My challenge,” continues Jan, “is keeping my backyard from going to jungle. Banana and plantains are everywhere.” Young owns a lot with Sacramentans Butch and Kimberly Cox. The three are actively planning their pole home that will stand “eight feet off the ground to take advantage of the tropical breezes.” All homes in the project are constructed this way. Across the lagoon is the protected Bastimentos Island, so Jan’s long distance view will remain unspoiled. Panama - Live Tax Free and Worldwide On A Luxury Yacht - Moving Offshore and Living Tax Free Just Got Easier - Live Tax Free and Worldwide On A Luxury Yacht - Exciting Stuff! - Presented here is a whole new twist on finding absolute freedom in a semi-free world - - including living the absolute best of lifestyles in some of the world's most exotic safe-havens - - getting offshore residency - - getting a second citizenship - - and doing it all free of big brother, tax free. Revealing a proven method of exchanging your current life of endless restrictions for a life of almost unlimited freedom the author shows you how to attain the following in record time: 1) A luxury yacht at a discounted price 2) a Panamanian offshore corporation 3) Panamanian residency 4) a Panama address and phone number 5) a Panamanian private offshore bank account 6) a Panamanian drivers license 7) Panamanian registry and insurance for your yacht 6) the ability to live anywhere in the world on your yacht, tax free 8) your yacht delivered in the Caribbean or the Pacific. This is realistic stuff, it is easy to put in motion, and it solves more problems than any other method we've heard about. Jul/05 Panama - Living In Bocas - The Bocas Del Toro Archipelago - Looking At This Hemispheres Best Expat Haven - Living On Isla Solarte in the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago - A subscriber told us about an island in the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago he and his wife are moving to. We followed his lead and visited the island haven he directed us to. Bocas Del Toro is amazing! The island he mentioned has everything that any expat is searching for. Things to do, good restaurants, a diverse and interesting expat community, boating, sailing, surfing, island hopping. It's the good life in the the Caribbean at half the cost. Going to Bocas is like arriving at the Disneyland version of expat paradise. We'll tell you all about it. Panama - Living And Investing In Panama ~ What To Look Out For ~ By Matthew Atlee - If you are thinking about moving overseas then Panama might be the right place for you. Panama is a great place from which to do business with other countries in Latin America: banking, services and recreation are all things that are highly developed in Panama. You also have the dollar and a great international airport that can take you anywhere you want to go in South America or North America. You should visit Panama just to see what the country has to offer. June/03 Panama - Looking At Property On Contadora Island ~ Exploring The History And Landscape Of An Island ~ By Matthew Atlee - The Villas at Contadora is a great place to buy an affordable second home. The island is peaceful and private: no hassles here. If you want a hideway in Latin America then this is the place for you. The villas are tucked into a hillside and surrounded by palm trees, bamboo and exotic plantings. The island has nice restaurants and the beaches are clean and private. You want to unwind, then you should visit the Villas At Contadora. April/03 Panama - Panama: Investment and Real Estate Update - Panama: Investment and Real Estate Update - You’ve heard the talk. . . Panama is investor friendly. Open for business. Economically ripe and growing so quickly that it has generated tremendous interest in business, investment, and real estate opportunities. Aug./06 Panama - Vista Mar - Panama - Luxury Homes At Yesterdays Prices - Vista Mar - Panama - Luxury Homes At Yesterdays Prices - The next generation in real estate in Panama is a big step up in luxury. If you are seeking luxury - a home on an oceanfront eighteen hole par 72 golf course with every detail taken into consideration, Vista Mar is for you. Wait until you see the photos. April/04 Panama - Vista Mar Resort ~ Living On Panama's Pacific Coast ~ by Matthew Atlee - I visited Vista Mar on Panama’s Pacific Coast twice. Of all the developments that I have seen on the Pacific Coast of Panama, Vista Mar is the best. Everything is well planned and built and the views of the Pacific Ocean are great. Michelle Shahani, the Sales Manager and developer of Vista Mar showed me around the resort. Michelle told me her father bought the land where Vista Mar is being built in the early 1990s. When he bought the property, she told me, he had had a vision of building a first rate golf course and residential community. Aug./05 Philippines - Buying Property in the Philippines & Japan - The Steps To Buying Real Estate ~ By Ahmad Tijani/Asigo Chi - Buying real estate in Japan or the Philippines might be easier than you thought. And the prices of properties might also attract you to the region. The Philippines has countless islands to choose from and Japan has a secure legal system, good social welfare system and many possibilities for foreign residents to own land. Jan/03 Philippines - Escape to Paradise ~ Real Estate in the Philippines - Escape to Paradise ~ Real Estate in the Philippines ~ South of Taiwan, West of Vietnam and North of Indonesia lies over 7,000 islands covering about 110,000 sq. miles. This is the Philippines. This is an area just larger than the State of Nevada and just smaller than Denmark. With a population approaching 80 million, these islands are some of the most densely populated areas in S.E. Asia. One exception is the Island of Palawan. By Graham Webb Sept./05 Poland - Poland: A Child of Globalization, Me - Poland: A Child of Globalization, Me - It was not my first foray into Europe; I was born in the “Old World” and spent the first twelve years of my life there, so technically I am a European. I entered this world in Poland, behind what was then called the Iron Curtain, imagined by many in the West to be a pulverized industrial landscape full of smokestacks, with a statue of Lenin gracing every corner. By Bart Nabrdalik May/06 Portugal - Real Estate on The East Algarve Portugal - Real Estate on The East Algarve Portugal ~ The east Algarve is a well-kept secret by the Portuguese - this is where they go on holiday. It is still the real Algarve and you won’t find any Sky Sports bars, Karaoke bars or anywhere selling “All Day English breakfasts”. What you will find is interesting historic towns, superb beaches and wonderful restaurants. By Roger Pensom Oct./05 Rhodes - Buying A House On The Island Of Rhodes - Buying A House On The Island Of Rhodes - Buyers should expect to pay between €150,000 – € 240,000 for a small 2 – 3 bedrooms new villa in organized residence on the east coast. Stone houses in villages are priced starting at € 70,000 but renovation could reach € 30,000 – € 50,000. In the Medieval City of Rhodes and in Lindos a decent stone house to restore could start at € 100,000. Two bedroom apartments cost about €100,000 . Romania - Doug Casey Evaluates The Gypsies, Real Estate, Stock Market & Culture Of Romania - Romania, with brief intervals of respite, has been a hard luck story for most of its history. Unlike a lot of other countries of which that's true, I have a good feeling about the place. But most investors give the country a discount, mainly because they're unfamiliar with it. And, insofar as they are familiar with it, they've heard mostly dated and unfavorable things. That's fine. It's why the opportunity exists. - If anything, property is a better buy than stocks. Bucharest is very cheap by most standards; I'll guess about 25% of Western European levels for equivalent buildings. But that's not what got my attention. The fact is that the country probably has the best farmland in Europe-- flat, deep, rich topsoil in the Danube basin, combined with a fairly mild climate. This article first appeared in the Volume Two - Issue Number Nine - October 2000 issue of Escape From America Magazine.. Romania - Romania - Investing in a Land of Unexpected Opportunity - Real Estate In Romania - Investing in a Land of Unexpected Opportunity - The ability to start an inn or bed and breakfast in one of these areas is ripe. We even know of a top Bucharest hotel chef ready to pack his bags and commit his energy to starting the restaurant in one of these new destinations for a small piece of the potential profit he believes it will yield. Those who are in Romania, know the market, and have seen what has happened thus far, have little doubt what the future will yield and are ready to do almost anything to get in on the action. By Kevin Stillmock Romania - Romania On The Rise ~ Investing In Eastern Europe ~ by Kevin Stillmock - "Moscow aside, if you look at central and eastern Europe, Bucharest is probably the biggest and most interesting opportunity for property investors right now," says Edit Vesser, corporate director for CB Richard Ellis in Bucharest in an article recently published by the esteemed Irish Times. Approximately nine months ago, in February 2005, I first alerted readers of Escape Artist to the incredible potential latent in the Eastern European country of Romania. Several readers who contacted me purchased land through a realtor that I advised them of in an area outside of the city limits of Bucharest at 40 Euro per square meter. Nov./05 Romania - The Romanian Profit-Machine ~ Investing In Romania ~ by Kevin Stillmock - Sooner or later just about all of us come to the painful realization that money does not grow on trees, no matter what kind we plant or where we plant them. I’ve traveled to a lot of countries and I’ve always made a point to check out the local trees and see if any of them, by some odd twist of fate, have started to turn green with dollar bills. I’ve never completely given up hope that one might exist by some miracle, somewhere. It’s been said that “sometime the answer is right under your nose.” For those of us searching for cash-bearing trees, I have discovered that the answer is indeed right under our noses. We’ve simply been looking in the wrong direction, we have been looking up instead of down. Jul/05 Russia - Kiev - What To Expect When Buying Real Estate In Kiev ~ The City Of Kiev ~ By Jason Jones - Kiev was the original capital of Russia but after the Mongol invasions of the 13th century the power of the city declined and the city was eventually controlled by the Golden Horde in Mongolia. Today the city is the capital of Ukraine and has been restored to some of its former glory. If you are interested in buying real estate or a home there is a wide selection to chose from and the above article will give you some ideas about what you should look out for when buying property in Kiev. You should also remember that there are some beautiful towns that sit on the edge of the Black Sea in the Crimea: these are but a short trip from Kiev and might be a nice spot to buy a summer home to compliment your home in Kiev. July/03 Russia - Real Estate in Russia - Forget Moscow - Real Estate in Russia - Forget Moscow ~ Russia is warm, beautiful and inexpensive. Let me explain. The city of Stavropol is on the same latitude as Montreal, and has weather to match, heat in the low to mid-thirties Celsius in the summer, and usually no less than -10 in the winter. It has about 350,000 residents, who live in a wide variety of homes amongst trees, avenues, parks and playgrounds. Oct./05 Russia - Real Estate News From Russia - Real Estate News From Russia - Global online travel company Opodo recently placed Russia second only to Bulgaria in its industry respected report relating to predictions for the top ten emerging destinations for travellers in 2007; and Opodo’s opinion of Russia as a hot market for travel is supported by many other global brands and experts who also see the real estate and investment markets in Russia as emerging positively. Sept./06 Saint Kitts and Nevis - Federated By Ferries – Part II ~ Nevis – Head In The Clouds ~ by Deb Andrews - Nevis is more than sleepy, its moody! Perhaps its to do with the dominating mountain, the shapeshifting cloud around the peak, changeless and changing, the light never the same. Walking up the main street at 8.15 on a Wednesday, through the banking sector, past First Caribbean (Barclays Bank and CIBC), Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, and then the ferry dock, the various Ministries of Government and the Cotton Ginnery; I saw two people, and never more than one car on the road at a time. Between 8.30 and 9, things did liven up, and people started to arrive opening up offices and shops. Oct./05 Saint Kitts and Nevis - Stop Dreaming - Buy That Land in St.Kitts - Stop Dreaming - Buy That Land in St.Kitts - We fell in love with this area, buying land a few years ago for $4/sf and there are many opportunities to still get in early before full off-island developments take hold. Sept./06 Saint Martin - Spots To Consider - Sint Maarten/Saint Martin – The Friendly Island - Spots To Consider - Sint Maarten/Saint Martin – The Friendly Island - St. Maarten/St.Martin, the Friendly Island. Well connected by air from the Eastern U.S.A., Puerto Rico, Canada, Paris and Amsterdam; the home port for many of the largest luxury mega yachts in the Caribbean and a “must call” port for many cruise ships. Relaxing, interesting, entertaining, and different; most certainly a place to visit and perhaps the place to fulfill your dream of escaping to paradise. By Calum Johnston Serbian Real Estate ~ Emphasis Belgrade - Real Estate in Belgrade - Richard Forrester of invest-in-serbia.com has compiled and analyzed data from the largest real estate agency in Belgrade. Last week, the most expensive area of Belgrade was Vracar, near the Stari Grad [Old city] which could cost you as much as 1750€ per square meter. In some of the outlying suburbs, say, for example, Barajevo, Ritopeku, Bolecu, prices for residential space can go for as low as 250€/meter2. June/02 Shetland Islands - Stone Cottage Living In The Shetland Islands: The Most Northerly Part of the U.K. ~ Living In The Shetland Islands - Occasionally you can buy something for as little as GB£16,000, though it will probably need some work. UK properties are probably physically smaller that US ones I believe, but bigger ones occasionally come on the market, consisting of an old stone-built Manse or Dwelling house of some past Laird (landowner). The unusual occasionally becomes available, an island or a lighthouse property, though these are rare nowadays. by Paul Kelly This article first appeared in Volume Two - Issue Number Eight of the Escape From America Magazine. Singapore - Singapore Real Estate - Get There Before the "Gang" Arrives - Singapore Real Estate - Get There Before the "Gang" Arrives - Hot investment money is pouring into mainland China’s biggest and most well-known cities. Shanghai has been a haven for foreigners buying commercial properties. Buoyed by rising property values, they are now also purchasing luxury residential real estate, mostly for rental purposes. Jun/06 .
South Africa - Between Mountain and Sea - Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town, South Africa -Between Mountain and Sea - Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town, South Africa - Voted the best foreign city in the UK's 2004 Telegraph Travel Awards, Cape Town is an extraordinary city. Its physical beauty is unrivaled and is accurately described as a lifestyle destination. The rugged mountains present natural playgrounds resembling artist rendered backdrops that also have practical, rich soil. The mountain sides have become cultivation havens and a wine estate luncheon is never more than an hour’s drive away. In Cape Town, dilemmas often begin with choosing a beach. Which stretch of white sand, near which rocky cove or kelp forest should I admire beautiful people on today? By Nicole Crozier South Africa - Cape Properties: Exotic and a Bargain - I've come to the conclusion that property in South Africa is now among the best bargains in the world, in both absolute and relative terms. South Africa - Global sporting events impact on SA property prices -Global sporting events impact on SA property prices - Much has been said about the positive sentiment towards South African property created by winning the right to host the 2010 world cup; now an analysis of major global sporting events has put some numbers to the hype. Speaking at the launch of SOLD, a new magazine for estate agents published by MortgageSA, Managing Director Saul Geffen says, “We can get an idea of what is likely to happen to our property prices if we analyse major global sports events like previous soccer world cups and the Olympics. South Africa - South Africa ~ Prime Real Estate ~ by Daryl Ducasse - Property has long been considered the ultimate investment class, whether primary residence, income opportunity, retirement security or your very own vacation destination. Owning a ‘piece of dirt’ has always been humankind’s interpretation of self. However and wherever it is used as a source of personal security, the fundamentals of sound property investment always comprise location and value. Sept./04 Spain - An Old Olive Mill in Southern Spain …. Business AND Pleasure !! - An Old Olive Mill in Southern Spain …. Business AND Pleasure !! - Embraced by the rugged, but beautiful terrain to be found in the heart of Andalucía, Gaucín was once a sleepy, sun-bleached village. Nowadays, it is managing to balance a centuries-old way of life with a burgeoning interest from tourists seeking the authenticity of ‘real’ Spain. Here they are discovering the ideal ‘get away from it all’ holiday destination... indeed, one of the attractions of Gaucín is that it is so laid-back, even the cicadas take a siesta Sept./06 Spain - Andalucia, Spain: coastal cottages from $15,000 - Special Edition on Spain; Our longtime contributor, Steenie Harvey recently returned from the southern coast of Spain, where she found unbelievable buys ... on coastal properties. In this first of two reports, she details the real estate bargains (IL) Spain - Buying a Home in Spain - Buying a Home in Spain - Spain offers infinite variety with something for everyone, including magnificent beaches for sun worshippers and spectacular unspoiled countryside for magnificent vistas and peaceful strolling. .
Spain - Green And Virgin Spain - Nothing Like Its Packaged Sibling To The South ~ by Steenie Harvey - If you’ve wondered where discerning Spanish go in summer, I can tell you. They’re on the Bay of Biscay...vacationing in tasteful coastal towns like San Sebastian and Santander. Pounded by the Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay fronts Spain’s northern coast —and it’s practically virgin territory for foreign visitors. July/04 Spain - Hassle-free building on the Costa Brava - Hassle-free building on the Costa Brava - Last, year David Kirk and his wife realized their dream of building a retirement home in Spain. They chose to build in an existing development on the beautiful Costa Brava, and live at home in he US while their new Spanish home was being constructed.. (IL) Spain - I Want A Property In Spain -Real Estate In Spain - If you have decided to buy a property in Spain, there has never been a better time to set the wheels in motion. Interest rates are low at the moment and there is an absolutely fabulous selection of properties to choose from. Nov./04 Spain - Is Land Ownership in Spain Truly Freehold? - Is Land Ownership in Spain Truly Freehold? - Taking land without justification or at worst, adequate compensation, is an undeniable breach of human rights and perhaps of the theory of freehold land ownership but,..hey what human rights existed in Spain in 1938..or even later? By Tom Clancy Mar/06 Spain - Living The Dream - Real Estate In Costa del Sol - Real Estate In Costa del Sol - Spain is a good choice for making that new life for many reasons, but the people are in a class of their own. In our experience, they are a very honest, caring and trusting race. They look upon the Foreigner with respect and understand that without tourism their standard of living would be less than standard. By Jan Gill Spain - Real Estate in Spain - Real Estate in Spain - In light of the Valencia Land Grab Law is the Valencia Region worth investing in? ~ Many people have invested in the region in previous years and have seen terrific returns on their money. In my own example I bought a property 4 years ago and it has grown in value by some 300%.If anyone knows of a better investment vehicle then I would be pleased to know about it. However in light of the recent coverage of LRAU – Valencia’s land grab law – is Valencia still a safe place to buy property? By Vince Barnes Oct./05 Spain - Running to Spain - Running to Spain - Whatever your life stage, I am confident that you and your family will experience a new lease of life, often out of doors, and you’ll wonder for ever more why you didn’t do it ten years ago. Jun/06 Spain - Spain: An Overview - Spain: An Overview - Spain is a country with a rich, colourful and diverse history, a land of many varied regions and a people who are proud and welcoming. For many first-time visitors to Spain, the expectations are of frequently used and evocative media images of sangria, sombreros and bullfights. While all of these play a part within traditional Spanish culture, there is much more that makes modern Spain a progressive, diverse and cosmopolitan society. Oct./06 Spain - Spanish Property Prices - Spanish Property Prices - For many years now, Spain has been one of the most popular places for those wanting to start a new life in a foreign country. By far one of the most popular reasons was that huse owners could sell their existing property in their home country and purchase a property in Spain at a very good price - thus leaving a large amount of capital that could either be invested or help serve as income through the forthcoming years. Jul/06 Spain - The Kingdom of Spain - Spain - The Kingdom of Spain - Spain's unique geography yields an incredible landscape with many fascinating features. Spain is the largest sovereign state of Europe's Iberian Peninsula. Its borders consist of the Mediterranean on the east and south, and Portugal on the west. The Atlantic Ocean touches the south, west and north boundaries. France also shares the northern limits. Traveling to this coveted region of Europe is more affordable now than ever before. Spain - Three secluded Spanish beaches (rentals for less than $300 a month) - Three secluded Spanish beaches (rentals for less than $300 a month) - I spent the past 2 weeks traveling along Spain’s coast, 2,318 miles from the French town of Angeles-sur-mer, north of the Pyrenees, back down the coast to Gibraltar & then up to the westernmost town on Spain’s southern coast, Isla Christina (IL) Survival - Offshore Real Estate And The Offshore Survival Retreat - Advice Without The Sugar Coating -Roger Gallo Talks About International Real Estate As Survival Retreat - I have never been a dooms-day preacher and I don't intend to start now. With that said, it would be prudent for the reader to take a calm and objective look at some of the possible negative situations that may soon take place inside the USA and see how those events may affect you and your loved ones. I believe that you can avoid being in the pathway of those oncoming disasters by having an offshore survival retreat. An offshore survival retreat can be many things, it can be a summer home, a place where your family lives and survives a social break-down that may be happening in the USA, it can be an excellent investment, it can be an excellent place to live, it can be a way of expatriating and diversifying some of your assets offshore, it can be the beginning of a better way of life. That is what this article is about in a nutshell. It can be all of those things at the same time, or it can just be the one that is the most important to you. I call it investing in offshore real estate. By Roger Gallo Switzerland - La Suisse - The Switzerland The Tourists Haven’t Discovered…And Where Foreigners Are Allowed To Own -US$1 equals 1.37 Swiss francs ~ by Steenie Harvey - Switzerland isn’t just for the mega-rich, and not all Swiss properties cost more than $1 million. In the Villars-sur-Ollon area, bijou studio apartments sell for just over $100,000. And while you won’t see “Heidi Homes” in IL’s Pocket Money Real Estate, a three-bedroom chalet in Gryon could be yours for 360,000 Swiss francs. At current exchange rates that’s $262,350. Built way back in 1733, this postcard-pretty chalet is 1,600 square feet. Jan/04 Tasmania - Real Estate In Tasmania - The Land Under The Land Down-Under - Real Estate In Tasmania - Real estate bargains and favourable business opportunities are not the only reasons expats are flocking to the land of “no worries.” Tasmanians are the happiest Australians - and why wouldn’t they be. They enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle, four seasons of weather (some days you get all four in one), lots of space, zero “rush hours” and they are genuinely relaxed. A Tasmanian will take the time to look you in the eye and engage in conversation. It’s their friendly, welcoming way. Old fashioned, charming. When was the last time you caught up with your neighbour for a conversation in the middle of main street or in the corner grocery store? By Dee Farrell Thailand - Boom Time In Bangkok: Cheap Credit Fuels The Property Market - Real Estate In Bankok - Banks and finance houses that are lending money again for property purchases are fuelling the boom, with advertising hoardings throughout the city shouting out the latest deals available. Led by the Government Savings Bank, financial institutions are pumping billions of Baht’s worth of cheap credit into the marketplace. The bank loaned B68 billion (US$1.7 billion) in the second quarter of 2003, nearly doubling its lending of B37 billion (US$0.92 billion) in the comparable period in 2002. By Andy Guest .
Thailand - Buying Real Estate in Bangkok: Bargains in Asia - The Bangkok real-estate market has now stabilized, as has the rate of exchange. Moreover, the Thai economy, in free fall through most of 1998, has bottomed out. Thailand - Real Estate in Thailand - Real Estate in Thailand ~ Dragon-necked temples, night bazaars, misty mountains, floating markets hill-tribe villages, and hot springs - seven Thai wonderlands worth your attention. Thailand has a romantic heritage that always beguiles visitors: from the razzle-dazzle of Bangkok, to the floating markets and silk emporiums. Picture white-sand beaches, swaying coconut palms, and an evening chorus of cicadas. Rising from jade and turquoise waters are myriad islands girdled by coral gardens...bizarre limestone outcrops smothered in spinach-green vegetation. Yes, Thailand has four-million-dollar properties, but you’ll also find nice homes for well under $150,000. (And if you’re prepared to go off the beaten track, you’ll find them for below $25,000.) Even in beach resorts like Pattaya, you can buy a basic studio for under $17,000. In short, there are properties to meet most people’s pockets. By Steenie Harvey Dec./05 Thailand - Real Estate In Thailand, Condos and Contracts - Real Estate In Thailand, Condos and Contracts - Real estate transactions in the United States and the other First World nations are governed by “Marquis de Queensberry’s rules”. - Rules enforced by the TESTED legal systems of the respective countries involved... All bets are off when you are attempting to buy property in 2nd and 3rd world countries. Oct./06 Thailand - The Best Way to Buy Thailand - The Best Way to Buy Thailand - It’s easy for you to own land in Thailand. All you have to do is invest 40 million Baht (about $1 million) in a project considered “useful for Thailand” (not real estate, mind you). That minor detail out of the way, you then have to select the land you want from a list of approved areas (you didn’t think you could buy anywhere you want, did you?) Sept./06 Thailand - The Many Faces And Exotic Secrets Of Southeast Asia’s Land Of Smiles ~ Adventures In Thailand ~ by Steenie Harvey - During a February trip, I packed what seems a lifetime of experiences into 14 days. I rode an elephant. Stomped gilded temples. Went white-water rafting. Bartered for opium artifacts and jade carvings near the Golden Triangle. Feasted on spicy papaya salads and tiger prawns the size of a toddler’s fist. Sampled a traditional two-hour massage. Trawled markets where the goods on offer included live frogs and ants eggs. Marveled at a seascape of islands and jungly pillars straight from an eastern fairytale. June/04 Thailand - Two Years On In Thailand -US$1 equals 40.15 Thai baht ~ by John P. Seely - We’d been regular visitors to Thailand for years, so when we finally decided to make a permanent home here we had an idea what we were letting ourselves in for. The low cost and the high standard of living attracted us, as well as the warm welcome offered to foreigners. We decided on the mountainous northern section of the country, because it offered the best climate for us, and was unspoiled and undeveloped. At the same time, it had all the modern conveniences we needed and was easy to get to. Dec.03 Thailand - Tracing A New River - Doi Saket, Thailand ~ by Antonio Graceffo - Ask any of today's great adventure writers: Tim Cahill, Paul Theroux, or Robert Young Pelton, and they all agree on one point. "It's been done." Basically everything on this planet which can be done has been. And even more extreme is that with package tour operators making the most remote corners of the globe accessible to everyday people, even formidable obstacles, like climbing The Himalayas are options for the average tourist (more accurately, the average tourist with $60,000, the price of a guided ascent up Everest). July/04 Tunisia - In Tunisia: Dar El Bhar ~ The House of the Sea -In Tunisia ~ The House of the Sea - A luxury real estate for sale in Hammamet - Tunisia The grounds, covering almost 4,200 square meters, are a paradise for nature lovers who will discover in the gardens surprising harmonies and contrasts amongst the numerous plants growing there. The huge Bougainvillea's create blazing archways in the cool shadows of which the daturas and the emblematic jasmine perfume the air. These ethereal scents waft on past the majestic palm trees, cypresses, tamarisks and fig trees, past the pink and white laurel trees... Turkey - Finding A Villa In Turkey ~ Daylan ~ by Charles Bentley - I suppose it was the Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn manner of our boyhood that left us with a deep love for the lifestyle, values and environment long since sacrificed to secure the material riches of the modern world. Yet part of us never left the backwater village where we grew up. Part of us still yearned for the simple pleasures and delights of that time and place. June/04 Turkey - Real Estate in Altinkum - Turkey - Real Estate in Altinkum - Turkey ~ Altinkum translates as golden sand and is a holiday resort on the south west coast of Turkey attached to the town of Didim in the county of Aydin. Due to the influx of British people purchasing property over the past three years there has been an explosion of building in the resort and surrounding areas ranging from 1 bedroom apartments to multi bedroom detached villas and the prices range from £20 000 pounds sterling to upwards of £100 000 pounds sterling. By Haldun Ergun Sept./05 Turkey - Own your own Villa in Turkey - Own your own Villa in Turkey - Buying a property in Turkey is a lot easier than in many other European countries. Foreigners may purchase land and property in Turkey in their own names provided that properties are located in towns not in villages or rural areas and outside of military zones. Turgutreis is the second largest but sleepy little town at the western tip of the Bodrum peninsula. It combines a compact town centre with several long sandy beaches and fragrant mandarin groves. You can enjoy fantastic sunsets breathing in the purist air around whilst being fanned by gentle breezes. Be guided through the buying process. Jul/05 Turks and Caicos - Real Estate in the Turks and Caicos Islands - Real Estate in the Turks and Caicos Islands -Random thoughts on currency fluctuations and investment opportunities for Europeans considering the Turks & Caicos real estate market. Jun/06
Turks and Caicos - Why buy real estate in the Turks and Caicos Islands? - Why buy real estate in the Turks and Caicos Islands? - The Turks & Caicos is a tiny British Dependent Territory at the southern end of the Bahamas chain of islands, relatively unknown until recent years. With a selection of luxury beachfront resorts, great beaches and amenities the Turks and Caicos is attracting all sorts of well-known people (Bruce Willis; Donna Karan; Keith Richards; Cindy Crawford; and a host of others have visited or bought second homes in the islands). If you haven't heard of it yet keep your eyes and ears open. By Bernadette Hunt May/06 Ukraine - Land of Giant Empty Houses - Ukraine - Land of Giant Empty Houses - The Ukraine is a land frozen in time, with plenty of real estate bargains. The author has told us that he would very much would like to buy real estate in the Ukraine. He also notes, "The problem for that visiting "one in a million Westerner," is that he has choices. The logical part of his mind says buy in France; get a bargain timeshare. Why step into the shadow of the Land of Giant Houses? Why indeed, but then the human mind isn't entirely motivated by reason, is it." Unique Housing - Global Nomadic Housing For Expatriates - Living In A Shipping Container ~ Global Nomadic Housing For Expatriates - Living In A Shipping Container - Global Nomadic Housing for expats? Why not? Design your living space & workshop and take it with you... Maverick designer Colin Reedy tells us how. In this the second part of this innovative concept Colin provides drawings of what a shipping container can be turned into. The finished product is amazing! You can use this concept to turn a shipping container into a portable dwelling that you can cheaply ship anywhere in the world. It's sort of like global backpacking with your own house. Colin provides details on how to build one yourself. Unique Housing - Global Nomadic Housing For Expatriates ~ Introduction To Global Nomatic Housing - "I felt like I had enough information to start designing. I searched for examples of prior efforts to modify shipping containers for housing. The companies that sold the containers sometimes made modifications like windows or doors for the contractors to use at construction sites, but nothing interesting. I found images from Hong Kong where people were living in containers set on huge metal frames in an apartment-like arrangement. Not much had been done to the containers except stairway access. Unique Housing - Yet More Global Nomadic Housing For Expatriates ~ At The Edge - Living In A Shipping Container on the New Zealand Coast - "There are three bedrooms, two lofts, internal gardens for food growing, passion fruit and kiwi fruit vines throughout, and most importantly a flying fox and several swings inside. The kitchen looks out onto the Pacific Ocean (Moana Nui a Kiwa) a mere 30m away and the shower/washing room, which is 4.8 by 4.8 m2, has a Jasmine plant, hops and vines and a waterfall which is active when it rains." Unique Housing - Now for Something Completely Different... Freedom Ship - The World’s Biggest Ship—The World’s Newest Tax Haven? - Mark Nestmann analyzes Freedom Ship's potential as a tax haven. Freedom Ship International, Inc. (FSI ) plans to offer the opportunity for an unprecedented lifestyle by constructing a sea-based, mobile, full-spectrum residential, commercial, and resort community on a mammoth, mobile, sea platform. The community will travel the entire globe over a two-year cycle, never leaving international waters. It will spend only 30% of its time in transit and the other 70% standing offshore points of interest. A fleet of aircraft and watercraft will ferry people from ship-to-shore, around-the-clock, residents for touring and business, and as many as 30,000 onshore guests and visitors daily. What is it's potential as a tax haven? .
United Arab Emirates - Real Estate In Dubai - New Law Grants Foreign Buyers Greater Ownership Rights - Real Estate In Dubai - New Law Grants Foreign Buyers Greater Ownership Rights - The new Dubai Property Law will mean that for the first time foreigners will be allowed to register properties under own names in the Dubai Land Department. And if the latter conjures up images of Dickensian title deeds think again, this department offers the very latest in electronic land and property title registration. By Laura McMahon Mar/06 United Arab Emirates - Rising Temperatures in the Dubai Real Estate Market - How Hot Can it Get? - Rising Temperatures in the Dubai Real Estate Market - How Hot Can it Get? ~ The temperature is continuing to rise in the Dubai property market, with hot new developments selling out in hours. But as speculators buy and sell property frantically, banks and builders try to slow the market down. Just how stable is the property market in Dubai. By Tracey Meagher Dec./05 United Arab Emirates - Why is real estate such a popular investment in Dubai? - Why is real estate such a popular investment in Dubai? - Globally more people have made more money out of property than any other asset class. Even big investors also have to live somewhere. But there are reasons behind these reasons that make property so desirable to investors both in Dubai and elsewhere. Sept./06 United Kingdom - Europe - Bargain Real Estate In Europe - Bargain Real Estate In Europe - What if I told you that you could buy a two-bedroom house in a major European city for less than $50,000? And what if I told you that this property was located in the country with the fastest appreciating real estate market in Europe? Does this sound too good to be true? I thought so, until I stumbled upon this wonderful opportunity. By Arin Vahanian United Kingdom - Stone Cottage Living In The Shetland Islands: The Most Northerly Part of the U.K. ~ Living In The Shetland Islands - Occasionally you can buy something for as little as GB£16,000, though it will probably need some work. UK properties are probably physically smaller that US ones I believe, but bigger ones occasionally come on the market, consisting of an old stone-built Manse or Dwelling house of some past Laird (landowner). The unusual occasionally becomes available, an island or a lighthouse property, though these are rare nowadays. by Paul Kelly This article first appeared in Volume Two - Issue Number Eight of the Escape From America Magazine. Uruguay - Living In Uruguay ~ A Little About Life In Uruguay ~ by Peer Voss - What is it like to live in Uruguay? I would say, it’s a mix of Barcelona and North Carolina. Okay, it could be a bit difficult to imagine what such a mix could be like. But if you have an idea of what Argentina is like, then you have a near picture of Uruguay. People and culture are European Mediterranean, with a little dash of Gaucho in the countryside. Spanish is the official language. The living standard is similiar to Mexico, however, wealth is more evenly distributed amongst the population in Uruguay. Nov./04 Uruguay - Punta del Este—why this is one of South America’s fastest-moving property markets - Punta del Este—why this is one of South America’s fastest-moving property markets - Punta del Este is one of South America’s premier seaside resorts, and its beautiful beaches, dazzling casinos, world-class restaurants, and upscale shops have lured tourists for almost a century. And, perhaps best of all, it’s located in Uruguay, one of Latin America’s First World countries; a country with one of the continent’s highest standards of living, lowest levels of corruption, and best infrastructures. Sept./06 Uruguay - Real Estate In Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay - Real Estate In Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay - The good news is that there are bargains in the newer section. Two story buildings that would make excellent renovations and which have magnificent architectural integrity and classic lines. There is romance no matter where you look in Colonia del Sacramento, but in some spots the romance comes a bit cheaper. Tourists tend to congregate in the older classical section, but there is plenty in the up town section that would make an excellent buy. If you are thinking of a house, a business, or a hotel, the upper section may be the place to do the buying with prices 40%-70% cheaper than the lower section. By Roger Gallo Uruguay - Ranch Land In Uruguay - Snapshots Of A Small and Friendly Prairie Country - Buying Ranch Land In Uruguay - Snapshots Of A Small and Friendly Prairie Country - Due to its attractive natural and social characteristics, a growing number of foreigners are moving to Uruguay or buying properties. Most of them Argentineans, followed by Brazilians and Europeans. Argentineans are buying land for grain and soybean agriculture due to favorable price relations and to the convenience of proximity to major agriculture areas in Argentina such as Buenos Aires province and Rosario Ports. Whereas one hectare of land for soybean costs US$ 4,000 in Argentina, it costs US$ 1500 in Uruguay. By Daniel Conforte U.S. Virgin Islands - How I Came to Own Two Homes in St. John, US Virgin Island - How I Came to Own Two Homes in St. John, US Virgin Island - St. John, US Virgin Island. An island 9 miles by 9 miles and two thirds are owned by the National Park Service. Every person visiting dreams of what it would be like to let go of their present life. To let go of all their stress and move to this tropical oasis. Oct./06 USA - Best Second Citizenship & Residency Programs - Best Second Citizenship & Residency Programs ~ Having a second passport and dual citizenship can bring you greater travel safety, faster access to living abroad, and may even lead to potential tax free existence in another country. And it all can be done legally. If you’re in a hurry and want a second citizenship in a matter of months, there are only two nations that offer this quick service, but for a price. They call it “economic citizenship” but it’s really citizenship for sale. The two nations are the Commonwealth of Dominica and St. Christopher & Nevis, both in the Caribbean area. Several other nations, including the U.S. and Canada, offer immediate residence in return for substantial investments in a job-producing business, but not immediate citizenship. That usually requires several years of actual presence. By Robert E. Bauman, JD Dec./05 USA - Even The Rats Have Left - Even The Rats Have Left - In many of America's East Coast cities real estate prices peaked out, in real terms, early in the 20th century. Since then, almost every investment -- even at very low prices -- has been a losing one. Whichever direction you look, right or left, it is the wrong side of the track. USA - Green Building Media Fact Sheet - Past, Present & Future - Green Building Media Fact Sheet - Past, Present & Future ~ The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Denver introduced the first HBA-owned green building program in 1995. Over the years, Built Green® Colorado has become the largest green building program in the nation, with more than 100 builder members across the state. By Neda Dabestani-Ryba Dec./05 USA - Luxury Real Estate - The Truth About Penthouses - Luxury Real Estate - The Truth About Penthouses ~ Climb to the very top of the property ladder, step off that final, elevated rung and the chances are you'll find yourself walking into the ultimate symbol of wealth, power, and social sophistication: the penthouse apartment....By Michael O'Flynn Dec./05 USA - REAL ESTATE MARKETS: Bubble, Bubble Toil and Trouble - REAL ESTATE MARKETS: Bubble, Bubble Toil and Trouble ~ We have been hearing reports for some time now - that there is an inflationary bubble in the US and European real estate markets. Some people that perhaps do have an interest in seeing this continue might tell you - Keep Buying and Do Not Worry. Others, like us, know that if any commodity or investment has already run up thirty, forty, fifty percent or more in a very short period of time is probably ripe for a correction. By John Schroder Dec./05 USA - The Riskiest Real Estate Investment? - The Riskiest Real Estate Investment? ~ Want to stop the conversation dead at a cocktail party? Mention that you are buying a house in Nicaragua, Panama, or Slovenia. “Isn’t that…risky?” someone is bound to ask, with others furrowing their brows and nodding in unison. Mention that you’ve spent half a million dollars on a waterfront shack near your hometown, however, and the same people will probably pat you on the back with congratulations. But which purchase is more risky—really? By Tim Leffel Dec./05 Vanuatu - Paradise Real Estate In Vanuatu - Ultra Low Priced Real Estate In The Tropical Tax-Haven Of Vanuatu - this place is magic as there is no tax whatsoever and the entreuprenerial Vanuatu Government leave us totally alone! I cannot recall a situation in my entire life where I have felt so relaxed and at peace with things. Our second article on Vanuatu in less than a year. Is there something about the place we should know about? ..
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