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The TopThree Myths About Buying Properties

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Buying property is a rather big deal, and for most of us it’s an incredibly scary process that involves spending a lot more money than we are normally used to parting with in one go. For this reason then, we will usually try to collect as much information as we possibly can prior to going ahead. Knowledge is power, and the more we know about how to deal with mortgages and choose the right properties, the better chance we’ll have of making the best decision, getting a good investment and being happy in our new home.

Only some of the information out there is wrong, and there are many commonly held misconceptions when it comes to buying property. Read on to discover some of the common real estate myths so that you can avoid letting them influence you in the wrong way.

You Need at Least 20%

There’s a lot of doom and gloom being spread when it comes to the property market. Generally the economic troubles we’ve seen in the last few years have made it more difficult for many of us to get the properties we want, and some young people have pretty much written off any chance of ever getting on the property ladder as a result.

Actually though things aren’t all that bad. Governments and banks around the world recognise this difficulty and they want to do what they can to help you buy property despite the obstacles. That’s why there are so many different ‘schemes’ available to help first time buyers such as ‘rent to buy’ and ‘1% mortgages’. Don’t assume you can’t afford a property – because you probably can.

Paying Off Your Mortgage is Much Cheaper Than Renting

On the other hand though, don’t get too carried away. Many people will tell you that everyone should buy as it’s so much ‘cheaper’ than renting. In some ways that’s true, but what you have to remember is that there are many hidden costs when you buy real estate. For instance you’ll need to pay for any repairs to your home yourself, and you’ll also be shelling out for interest and for stamp duty etc on top of the mortgage repayments themselves.

It’s Best to Put Down a Massive Deposit

If you have lots of cash, then it makes sense to put down a huge deposit right? That way you can ask for a smaller loan, pay it off more quickly, and pay less interest over the years.

It sounds logical, but in fact it doesn’t always work out that way. The problem you see, is that when you put down a lot of money on your real estate, you actually cost the banks because they won’t be making as much money off of you. As a result they can end up charging you greater interest on your smaller loan in order to ensure they’re still making as much money as possible and that means the difference ends up being quite negligible. You may have been better off just keeping the money in your account to help with future cash flow!

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Today’s feature writer, Jim Carter, is a part of the team at Mark Richards Real Estate, a team of property consultants based in Toronto. He is an earnest employee and he enjoys swimming and surfing when he is not busy with work.

The 10 Most Expensive Pieces Of Jewelry Sold In The Past Decade

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The past decade has seen remarkable wealth spent on the world’s most valuable jewelry. Many of these pieces bear famous histories from historic owners, and have been sold at some of the world’s premiere auction houses.
#10: $10 Million Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring

Oct. 5, 2011
Sotheby’s Hong Kong

A rectangular fancy vivid blue diamond of 6.01 carats, embraced by twin oval pink diamonds (.46 and .44 carat) and mounted in platinum. This anonymous purchase broke the previous price-per-carat record for blue diamonds sold at auction.
#9: $10.5 Million Empress Eugenie Brooch

April 22, 2008
Christie’s New York

Bought by the Louvre, this 1885 brooch created by Parisian jeweler François Kramer was designed for the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, Napoleon III. The brooch was bought in a private sale to return it home to France.
#8: $11 Million Heart-Shaped Unmounted Diamond

May 18, 2011
Geneva at Christie’s auction house

56.15 carats and cut from the Cullinan 1 diamond that now forms part of Great Britain’s Crown Jewels, this stone was advertised as “Love at First Sight” and was released for viewing on Valentine’s day.
#7: $11.8 Million Vivid Pink and White Diamond Ring

Dec. 1, 2009
Christie’s Hong Kong

Mounted by Graff Diamonds and weighing 5.00 carats, this oval stone boasts rare pink diamonds mined in South Africa, where their color comes from heat and pressure.
#6: $12.3 Million Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Diamond-and-Emerald Tiara

May 17, 2011
Geneva at the Sotheby’s auction house

Commissioned in 1900 for his second wife by German prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, it bears eleven pear-shaped polished emeralds totaling 500 carats and was won by an anonymous bidder.
#5: 12.4 Million Panther Bracelet

Nov. 30, 2010
Sotheby’s London

It’s rumored that this onyx-and-diamond piece, once owned by American Wallis Simpson – the woman whose love made King Edward VIII abdicate his throne – is now owned by Madonna.

#4: $15.7 Million Dual-Stone Two-Tone Bulgari Diamond Ring

May 19, 2010
Christie’s New York

A pair of triangular-cut diamonds, clear (9.87 carats) and fancy vivid blue (10.95 carats), highlight this design, dating from 1972 and purchased in a heated 3-way bidding war.

#3: $23.2 Million Perfect Pink

Nov. 29, 2010
Christie’s Hong Kong

A rare 14.23-carat pink diamond is the centerpiece of this rectangular ring, purchased by an anonymous bidder no doubt for its rarity and beautiful allure.

#2: $24.3 Million Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

December 2008
Christie’s London

This historic stone, a fancy blue diamond with gray overtones, weighs in at 35.56 carats. Originating from India and thought to have once been owned by Spain’s King Philip IV, it was bought by Laurence Graff in 2008 for around $22 million and cut two years later by three separate cutters to remove its flaws.
#1: $46.2 Million Rounded-Edge Rectangular-Cut Pink Diamond

Nov. 10, 2010
Geneva at Sotheby’s

Bought by Laurence Graff, the stone weighs 24.78 carats and is mounted in platinum between a pair of diamond shoulders. It set the record for the most expensive single jewel sold at auction and was renamed “The Graff Pink” by its new owner.

It’s worth noting that the most expensive piece of jewelry on this list went for more than twice the value of the item before it. When it comes to elegance and sophistication, these pieces demonstrate it in spades.

Minnie Ward has owned and operated numerous successful jewelery stores over the past decade. She now enjoys traveling the world looking at unique pieces of jewelry from various cultures. She recommends shopping at Vertu for a wide selection of fine designer jewelry.






Matching The Perfect Jewelry To Your Little Black Dress

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There are few things in any woman’s wardrobe as versatile or iconic as the little black dress, and whether you have tens of different variations on it or just one favorite you pull out time and time again, chances are you have and love one. Of course, with something this simple, it can feel like accessorizing is a bit of a challenge – do you go for statement bags and jewelry that add character to the dress and draw away from its simplicity, or do you keep things eternally classic with minimalist yet luxurious matching black shoes and bag and simple, elegant jewelry?

Well, the answer is, whatever suits your style and the occasion! A little black dress that fits well will look just as good whether you layer on cool modern silver jewelry, bold ethnic pieces or classic diamonds! Below are some ideas for different looks.

Fun and Modern

Just because the party you are going to is likely to be full of trendy types doesn’t mean the little black dress has to give you an overdressed or ‘safe’ look. You can pair it with interesting, artistic jewelry like sculpted silver bangles, big dangly statement earrings, or bold necklaces. Silver is a great metal to wear with black, so if you are a fan of chunky silver pieces or weird shapes in metal then the LBD is a wonderful thing to try wearing them with. You can also inject some bohemian style by using a color in your jewelry. Turquoise is a very good choice, but you can also work with things like amethyst, rose quartz and tiger’s eye.

Discreet and Classic

If you want to capture some real old school chic, less is more with the jewelry yet it should still give off a sense of luxury and impeccable taste. Pearls are one of the easiest ways to do this as a simple string of pearls around the throat (not too long unless you are going for a twenties inspired look) paired with pearl studs or tear drops in the ears looks expensive, chic and classy. This is also a look that works at just about any age.

Glitzy and Glam

Nothing says glamor like diamonds, whether you can afford the real thing or simply plan to achieve that sparkling look with cheaper diamond effect glass or diamante jewelry. You can go for the full Audrey Hepburn look with ornate diamond necklaces and long earrings, or, if you want the sparkle without it distracting from your dress, try some simple diamond stud earrings and a subtle chain necklace with a diamond pendant. Another good way to add the sparkle of diamond to any outfit, including the little black dress, in a way that is unpretentious and practical, is to have a watch with some diamond embellishment. Many people forgo a watch altogether these days, or don’t wear one with evening wear because they want to wear other jewelry on their wrists, but a well chosen, dainty watch actually makes a fantastic accessory to any level of dress other than perhaps a full scale ball gown!

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The author of this post, Nolan Grey, is currently working for Diamonds on Web. He regularly volunteers at a local senior citizen home and he is very passionate about photography.

The Top 5 Material Choices For Decks

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A deck can add additional value and outdoor living space to your home, and is a great place to entertain friends or grill out with family during the spring, summer, and fall months. As a homeowner, you may be considering building an entirely new deck or upgrading an existing structure, and may have questions about the options available for decking material.

Outdoor decks are generally crafted from one of two distinct materials: manmade composite or natural hardwood, and each possesses its own strengths and disadvantages. Knowing which decking material is right for you and what to expect in terms of maintenance requirements can help ensure that your deck will remain sturdy and great looking for years to come.

1. Hardwood Decking

Hardwood material has long been a popular traditional decking material due to its natural beauty and relatively low cost as compared to synthetic decking. Hardwood decking can usually be divided into two to three categories: pressure-treated wood, cedar and redwood, and, less commonly, tropical and other hardwoods.

2. Pressure-treated Wood

One of the most popular and low cost options, pressure treated lumber such as yellow pine is also chemically treated to resist fungus growth, moisture decay, and to protect against insect damage. Although it is the most affordable option for building material and is known for its longevity, a deck built from pressure treated lumber requires more maintenance than a deck built with a higher grade hardwood, and should receive a power wash annually and a stain or sealing treatment every two to three years to prevent cracking or warping from excess moisture.

3. Cedar/Redwood

Cedar and redwood are two hardwoods that are instantly recognizable by their beautiful and vibrant red coloring and distinctive smells. Both are mid-range building materials that are popular with deck owners because of both their natural beauty and tendency to weather the elements well. Redwood and cedar decks should also be cleaned on a yearly basis and treated with a semi-transparent stain every three to four years.

4. Tropical and Other Hardwoods

Tropical hardwoods such as ipe, cumaru, and tigerwood are relatively new additions to the decking market, and are beautiful and unique higher end building materials. Tropical hardwoods are extremely dense, and are naturally resistant to wood-boring insects and moisture decay, making them an excellent choice for decks to be built in damp environments. These hardwoods require the least amount of maintenance of any natural wood decking materials, requiring only an occasional cleaning or coat of protectant, although in certain areas tropical hardwoods can be difficult to find. Mahogany is another dense, moisture resistant high end decking material that you may want to consider if tropical hardwoods aren’t available in your area.

5. Composite Decking

Composite decking similar to Trex is usually a blend of sawdust, recycled lumber, and plastic or other synthetic fibers, and is generally considered to be the most low maintenance option for decks.

While many homeowners opt for composite decking because of the low maintenance associated with it, some may not realize that the material can warp just like natural wood if not properly installed or may scratch from repeated heavy use. Costs for composite decking tend to run approximately thirty percent higher than for traditional hardwood, although there are no additional maintenance costs for staining or sealants, and there is no sanding or refinishing required on the part of the deck owner. Composite decking is a good option for homeowners who don’t want to spend a good deal of time worried about the upkeep of a deck, but may come at the aesthetic expense of the deck itself, as color and pattern options can be somewhat limited when compared to hardwood decking.

This article was written by Nicole, a blogger who has spent many years researching the home improvement industry. She recommends WA Timber Decking as a great decking company.

The Pros & Cons Of The Top 5 Exotic Wood Flooring Options

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Solid hardwood flooring is all the rage these days. Exotic hardwood in particular has become extremely popular in flooring for home and business. When you are thinking about using exotic solid hardwoods for your flooring, you should consider what your budget will allow, what colors will best suit your space, the level of durability you need, and what types of wood are best for the room. But you should also take ethics into consideration, for many exotic hardwoods are harvested in ways that decimate their forests of origin. As such, your choice should be guided by your needs as well as potential ecological consequences. Fortunately, it can be easy to satisfy both.

1. Zebrawood

Pro: Distinctive grain, consistent color
Con: Unsustainably harvested

The wood with the striped grain has an undoubtedly checkered past. As a beautiful flooring option, zebrawood has been so overharvested that existing forests are being destroyed to meet desire in the West for this precious commodity. If you must have Zebra on your floors, buy from a company that “upcycles,” meaning that they derive their wood from pieces that have already been cut and used for other purposes.

2. Brazilian Cherry/Jatoba

Pro: Similar to mahogany in presentation
Con: Color change, white spots, gapping

Brazilian Cherry (also called Jatoba) is not technically a type of the domestic Cherry. In presentation, it is much more similar to mahogany, and is equally hard and resilient. That hardness can make it difficult to install and puts pressure on fittings, which can lead to gapping between boards. And like other brightly-colored hardwoods, it is sensitive to light and therefore susceptible to color change. Additionally, Brazilian Cherry is vulnerable to buildup of calcium carbonate, which leaves white spots that are difficult to remove.

3. Rosewood

Pro: Beautiful color and scent
Con: History of unsustainable harvesting

If you are looking for an exotic hardwood that will make your house look and smell beautiful, consider Rosewood. Its name is derived not from the coloring, but from the distinguishing scent of roses that emanates from the wood. Rosewood has a gorgeous natural polish. Like zebrawood, Rosewood has a history of unsustainable harvesting, but recently producers have been growing the wood sustainably on farms.

4. Tiger Wood

Pro: One of the most durable exotic hardwoods
Con: Unsustainably harvested, color change, white spots

It seems that most of the exotic hardwoods that are best for flooring have a questionable history. Tiger wood is no exception. The wood from this African tree has, you guessed it, been unsustainably harvested. Its durability and color has made Tiger wood a very attractive option for flooring. However, like Brazilian Cherry, it is susceptible to color change and white spots over time.

5. Teak Wood

Pro: Water-resistant, long-lasting
Con: White spots, gapping, potential allergic reaction

Teak wood originates in Southeast Asia. But more recently, it is also grown sustainably in Brazil. Additionally, upcycled Teak is readily available. This wood is resistant to both water and insects, and is long-lasting, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Its density, however, can make it difficult to install and leaves Teak at risk for gapping.

Whether you choose Brazilian Cherry, Rosewood, Zebra, Tiger or Teak, your hardwood floors will be a statement of character to anyone who sees them. And with some careful choices, it will reflect your moral considerations as well.

This article was written by Nicole, a blogger who has spent many years researching the home improvement industry, including everything from DIY home improvement projects to the best options for timber flooring in Perth.

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