Real Estate Articles

Approximately 18 months ago my girlfriend and I decided we’d had enough of the UK and couldn’t face growing old in a country over-run by unruly teenagers that terrorised the country; the police show no signs of sorting out the nuisance teenagers so we made the decision to build a home for ourselves and our children in Sardinia.

My girlfriend’s family originate from Alghero in Sardinia and we spend most of our holidays on the beaches in and around Alghero.

Sardinia is a beautiful country, rugged and wild in places, inhabited by hospitable people, a great education system, touched by tourism but not over run but mainly it’s a friendly place to be, where you all seem to be greeted with a warm smile and a friendly Ciao. The first decision we had to make was where to buy our land and build our dream home, in Alghero or further a field.

This proved to be easier said than done.

By chance we stumbled over an English gentleman who had lived in Alghero, Sardinia for the past 3 years and he was willing to help us get the ball rolling.

The Sardinians are wonderful people but there idea of where to live is completely opposite to that of the English, we want to live in the countryside with wide open fields and a wonderful view, the Sardinians cannot understand why anyone would want to live away from the hustle and bustle of the big city!

The building laws had recently changed in Sardinia, for the better some would say. To ensure that the building boom that is engulfing much of Europe didn’t eat in Sardinia’s beautiful countryside a law was passed that meant you could only build on land of one hectare or over, and this land had to approved to build on by May 2006. Following this, any building work had to be at least started by May 2007 or the application was null and void.

We started looking for land in August 2006 and despite many false dawns it took us until April 2006 to find the ideal plot, near a the small village of Olmedo approximately 12km from Alghero and 15km from our favourite beach.

The price was agreed and the legal paperwork was signed just in time to meet the government deadline. We were on our way.

We gathered together as many quotes for the build as we possibly could and in the end we chose a builder who wasn’t the cheapest nor most expensive but he came highly recommended.

A huge hole was dug for the foundations and the first floor. In Sardinia and Italy it’s usual to have the bedrooms in the basement as it’s the coolest part of the house.

The next thing we had to arrange was the supply of water to the house. For this we had to take a trek to the local water authority and fill in a ream of paper-work explaining exactly what we would be using the water for. Every-thing you’ve ever heard about Italian bureaucracy being a long winded nightmare is also true about Sardinia.

After 35 minutes of speaking to the Sardinian water man he said he’d think about our application but that they’d already given too much water away that year and so it would probably be next year, we’re still waiting to hear! And so to building work started without a water supply, luckily the builder had a couple more jobs to finish so the water issue wasn’t critical.

So far we’ve had an access road built and the foundations dug, not bad for 18 months work! We’re not bothered that the process is slow going; it gives us time to plan out our future properly. Don’t for one minute think this is a negative piece; on the contrary it couldn’t be more positive. It’s more about the way the Italians do things, at their pace, which is what we want to buy into. It would be totally hypocritical of us to say we want to move to Sardinia for the slower pace of life only to expect our builder to complete our house in record time.

As I write the builder is just about to start work in earnest, watch this space for more developments.

I try to pass on my musings on life and experiences in a way that people may find interesting to read.

http://www.cookery-school-italy.com

You may not always agree with my writings but I hope to inform.

Harwood E Woodpecker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harwood_E_Woodpecker

North and South Carolina have received much attention in the past few years as retirement locations. The cost of living is low, housing is affordable, schools are good, the weather is great, food and cultural options abound, and of course there is that Southern hospitality. People are moving south from the Northeast and Midwest, and even north from Florida.

The choice of where to live is huge, and many families are choosing to live in master planned communities which are popping up everywhere like flowers from the moist, spring ground. Many communities attract people because they provide an abundance of amenities. Maybe you love it for the golf course, the pool, clubhouse, health center, organized classes, or social outings. Some people choose communities with the security of a gated entrance, guard house and private patrol car.

There are many options suited for every type of person, but there are things that set one community apart from the next, and things to be aware of. I’ve highlighted 7 things you must know when choosing a planned community for your Dream Home in the Carolinas.

1. Make sure you talk to other residents when visiting a community. Many communities host special events that will give you a chance to meet other residents. You’ll hear first hand what people like and don’t like. What they feel is good and what they think could be better. I also like to talk to residents randomly on my own, as I visit a community.
2. If you’re buying a town home or a condominium with a common wall between units, check the noise ordinance of the community. What is permissible by law? You should also inquire as to the sound proofing between units.
3. Visit the community at different times of the day, and night, during the week and on weekends. Listen for excessive noise from neighbors, delivery trucks, and building equipment. Observe the activities within the community and of your soon to be neighbors.
4. Do you have the right and ability to expand you house later? What does the process involve?
5. Does the community have adequate parking for its residents and their guests?
6. Will there be any limitations (”Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions - CC&R’s”) in your deed that governs the way you are allowed to use your property? What are they? Make sure they are compatible with your lifestyle.
7. Are there added costs for trash removal, association dues, maintenance fees, boat slips, golf, tennis, pool, fitness club, and stables?

If you like what you read here, and want 21 more tips, visit PlacesofValue dot com and read about my “Communities Directory for North and South Carolina”.

This list is a great start, but it only scratches the surface. In our “Communities Directory” you’ll receive another 21 things you must know when choosing a planned community, if you want to wind up with the best new community possible. You’ll find out how sometimes developers attract buyers by filling up the community with top amenities, and then stick you with the bill! We tell you how to figure out if the community is stable, and what questions to ask so you can save a ton of money, as much as $30,000 or more! Community living can be a great thing, and we’ll help make sure you find a community you’ll be happy to call home. Let us help you make the best choice for you and yours.

Visit http://www.PlacesOfValue.com for more articles on best places in North Carolina and South Carolina, relocation made easy, top retirement communities, cost of living, and designing and building your Dream Home.

I’ve spent over 30 years finding the best real estate locations for major corporations. These companies have made hundreds of millions of dollars based on the locations I’ve selected. I’m a professional real estate site locater and location analyst. During the last 5 years, I’ve been researching the growth of towns in North and South Carolina, for the relocation of my family.I’ve studied hundreds of towns to find those areas which are still affordable, have a high quality lifestyle, and the potential for future growth.

My purpose is to share what I’ve found with you and help you find your Dream Place in the Carolinas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Bencivenga

Some of the 19th century’s most imposing, majestic homes and public buildings were built in the Second Empire style. Based on French design elements popular during the Second French Empire, this building form was popular throughout the European sphere of influence and the United States during the mid to late 19th century, and is often considered the first prominent Victorian building style. Unlike other popular 19th century architectural forms, Second Empire was largely the product of new and emerging styles, rather than classic styles like Gothic and Regency. Second Empire architecture is also closely related to the Italianate building style, which also came into prominence during the mid-19th century.

Several design elements set the Second Empire style apart from other building forms. Most notably, the style is known for its widespread use of Mansard roofing, which produced the style’s famously imposing stature. Mansard roofs are hipped and double sloped, with a nearly vertical lower slope, and a much flatter upper slope that isn’t usually visible from ground level. The four-sided, double sloped approach made these roofs extremely functional as well as attractive, and allowed for large three story floor plans.

Often a house with a small ground floor footprint could have the same volume as a tall apartment building or row house using a Mansard roof. The stylish look of these roofs was often enhanced with molded cornices aligned with windows and doors on lower floors. Many Mansard roofs also included a third slope along the bottom edge acting as an overhang, and a rounded main slope to give the roof a domed look.

Another common feature of the Second Empire architecture was a tower, or tower-like element, usually at the front and center of a building. This feature is instantly recognizable in many Second Empire city hall and parliament buildings, and often resembles a bell tower. With a large tower to offset the profile of buildings, the Second Empire style could often be employed to produce much larger structures - this meant the style was doubly useful in sizing applications, as it allowed small footprints to be used to their maximum potential, and large footprints to become more stylish and less monolithic.

Prior to the construction of the Pentagon in the 1940s some of the world’s largest roofs were built in the Second Empire style, including that of the Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, and the Ohio State Asylum for the Insane. Both of these institutions were built according to the Kirkbride Plan for mental asylums, which helped shape the Second Empire style in dozens of imposing, steep roofed health care facilities built throughout the late 19th century.

The practicality of Second Empire architecture was often overshadowed by its abundant ornamentation. Extensive custom molding on the exterior of these buildings was often matched by intricate detailing on the interior walls, often accented by high sculpted pillars and wide winding staircases. Beautiful ornamentation helped make the Second Empire style popular, but also may have helped push it into obscurity, as plainer building styles became more popular during the early 20th century.

Learn more about Chattanooga for sale by owner homes at HomesbyLender.com The website features regularly updated home for sale by owner listings in Tennessee and every other state in the nation - buyers and sellers interested in FSBO can use this site as their primary source.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Bilberry