World Real Estate News

Turkey real estate sales dropped by 2.35% in the  third quarter compared to the previous period, but the news wasn't all that bad. When compared with results of the same period last year, general sales have experienced a growth of 1.76%. Averaging the last four quarters, a 6.76% increase was seen in sales in general.
 
Those numbers come from the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) and were published in Today's Zaman, a daily newspaper in Istanbul.
 
According to the data, 103,543 houses were sold in the third quarter. The largest drop, 19.3%, when compared to the previous quarter,  was seen in the provinces of Zonguldak, Karabuk and Bartin.
 
These areas were followed by Istanbul with a drop of 15.7%, Adana and Mersin with a drop of 15.6%, Antalya, Isparta and Burdur with a decline of 13.2% and Izmir with an 11.35% reduction.
 
According to the Central Bank of Turkey's latest figures, housing prices increased at an annualized rate of 11.68% in July while consumer inflation averaged at 9.07% the same month over a year earlier.
 
TurkStat pointed out the third-quarter sales decline occurred even as the construction sector continued to grow. Construction has been the major driver of Turkish growth over the past decade. TurkStat also announced employment in the sector climbed 3.9% in the second quarter of 2012 over the same period in 2011.
 
U.S. economist Daron Acemoglu of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was not as positive on the Turkish real estate market.

Let the game begin--that is, the contest between Miami Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross and residents of Miami-Dade County--over whether the team's owner should get public dollars to help renovate SunLife Stadium, where the team plays. The renovations are estimated to cost $400 million, 51% of which the team owner has said he would pay for.  Much of the rest may be paid for by an additional one cent added to the Miami-Dade bed tax, although the increase would not apply in Miami Beach.

On Monday, County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and the Miami Dolphins announced that any potential deal to use taxpayer money to renovate SunLife Stadium would be subject to a binding public referendum, after Ross had resisted the idea of a referendum for two years or more. A special election would cost as much as $5 million, according to county officials. At this writing, it is not clear how the election would be paid for.  After the county referendum, the state legislature has to approve changes to state law for any deal to come to fruition, according to a statement from Gimenez. Plus, the county commission must approve the public referendum, it said.

In addition to the penny that would be added to the county tourist tax--making it 7 percent, rather than the current 6 percent--if the Dolphins owner has his way, he would also get a new, $3 million annual taxpayer subsidy from the state of Florida for the next 30 years to operate the upgraded stadium.    

The announcement of the referendum came as a surprise to Miami-Dade residents. An impromptu press conference called by the county mayor, was announced on Saturday and held at 8:15 a.m. Monday morning.

From the beginning, requests for a taxpayer subsidy for SunLife Stadium had met with resistance from many residents and politicians in Miami-Dade, because of what has generally been considered a bad deal for the county that officials signed on to in 2009 with the Miami Marlins baseball team. The Marlins contributed roughly $120 million and agreed to pay between $2.5 million and $4.9 million per year for 35 years to pay back $35 million of debt the county borrowed for the $640 million stadium, located in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood, according to the Miami Herald.

Tishman Speyer announced this week they have signed a massive office  lease agreement with the French Government that totals 575,000 square feet (53,000 square meters) at the Tour Esplanade tower in Paris.

The office lease enables French authorities to consolidate space from five locations by moving the Ministry of Housing and the Ministry of Ecology into the Tishman Speyer property.

The Ministries will fully occupy Tour Esplanade, moving in by mid-2014 after the current tenant vacates and after Tishman Speyer renovates and customizes the building.  Under the lease agreement, the government will have a purchase option as well.

Tour Esplanade is a 36-story office tower strategically located in La Defense, Europe's largest business district, between the CNIT exhibition center and the Grande Arche near the main pedestrian avenue.  The district is served by various excellent transportation routes.  The building, which was built in 1990 and subsequently refurbished, features first-class amenities and in 2011 was awarded one of France's highest HQE (green building) ratings.

"We are pleased that the French government has chosen this property to meet the office space needs of the Housing and Ecology Ministries," commented Tishman Speyer Senior Managing Director Michael P. M. Spies. "This closely follows the large lease signed with the Ministry of Interior at our Lumiere property, which, coincidently, was the largest signed in the Paris region in 2011.  Our Paris portfolio is geographically well positioned and we strive to provide superior tenant service and achieve the highest possible sustainability standards."

The transaction is the largest office lease in Paris in the past year and the largest in the La Defense district since 2008.

Of all the regions of France, Provence may be the most beautiful of all.

It has mountains and coast, lush river valleys, meadows verdant with lavender, and Mediterranean bays with steep limestone cliffs. It has ancient villages with red-tile rooftops and church steeples and cobblestoned streets, on which small boys and old ladies still carry loaves of aromatic French bread home for dinner that night. It has colorful marketplaces filled with sharp cheeses and fresh produce.

It has some of France's best wines and wineries...including some of the best roses in the world. And it has some of France's most incredible roads on which to drive to these wineries...ranging from cliff-top thrill rides to winding country lanes lined with picturesque old cottages with the occupants gathered at a table outside for lunch. 

Provence was first made famous by the Impressionist artists Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso, and, more recently, by Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence. This sun-drenched region occupies the southeastern corner of France, along the Mediterranean Sea. It stretches for 150 miles, from the Côte d'Azur along the Italian border in the east to the Rhone River valley in the west. Geographically, it encompasses the French Riviera, and the cities of Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Marseille, Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez. And, historically, it encompasses the ancients.

The Romans were here, as evidenced by the numerous aqueducts and amphitheaters you'll pass as you drive around. The Greeks were here, too, and they left something just as precious - the gift of the vine. It was the Greeks who introduced grapes, wine, and winemaking to the region. 

Today, Provence is one of Europe's leading wine regions, and a drive though the countryside will take you past scenic wineries with excellent tasting rooms. (In addition, the province is also known for its fruits, vegetables, herbs, olives, olive oil, and seafood.)

Victoria Falls, with its furious collage of sound and color and earth-shaking movement, is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

In 1855, David Livingstone, a famous Scottish explorer, first saw the falls while trying to maneuver a dugout canoe through swirling rapids. Upon seeing it, he is said to have exclaimed, "Seems so lovely, it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight." No one knows for sure, though, because, at the time, he was preoccupied with keeping his craft ;upright.

Today, though, the trip's a bit easier. Guests embark from the luxurious Tongabezi Lodge and arrive at the little island named for Livingston, on the lip of the falls, in a twin engine speedboat. And they're treated to lunch or afternoon tea amidst the thunderous roar and cascading waters and thick mists of this geologic giant.

Dr. Livingstone named the falls after Queen Victoria. To the locals on both sides of the Zambia/Zimbabwe border, through which the falls cuts, it's called Mosi-oa-Tunya - "Smoke That Thunders." It's the largest waterfall in the world based on height (360 feet) and width (more than a mile).

When Zambia gained independence in 1964, officials changed street and city names from British to African - except for the city of Livingstone and Victoria Falls. This reflected the deep respect and appreciation the people of Zambia had for the Scottish missionary.

Zimbabweans apparently felt the same. They actually established a sister city to Livingstone, calling it Victoria Falls.

Travelers can access the falls through either Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  The legendary Zambezi River, which originates in northern Zambia, serves as the fall's water source. And you'll hear the falls - from miles away - before you see it.

In addition to by boat, there are two ways to see the falls. The first is by air, in either a helicopter or microlite (a one- or two-seat fixed wing aircraft). The views are spectacular - to put it mildly - and they may well include thundering herds of elephants or other wildlife. You'll feel like you have a special seat for one of Earth's greatest spectacles.

The second viewing option is by accessing the various trails alongside the falls, which will give you a face-to-face look. As you enter the park and turn the corner, you'll be presented with a panorama you'll remember the rest of your life. And as you get closer, walking through the vapor, you'll quickly understand why it's called "Smoke That Thunders."

In late summer, there's an even bigger thrill. The water levels are low enough to jump into the Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island, at the top of the falls. Devil's Pool is an incredible natural phenomenon, a place where roaring currents flash by on either side of a natural pool at the lip of the falls. Because the currents are going around the pool, and not through it, you can swim (if you dare!) to the very edge without being swept over.  From there, you have a bird's-eye view of the largest curtain of falling water in the world. In fact, during this time of year, water levels are so low that some intrepid souls actually walk across the falls. And some simply relax at the water's edge - literally - only a foot or two from the edge of a 360-foot drop!

The concession for Livingstone Island is managed by Tongabezi Lodge, which also happens to be a wonderful base for your explorations. This is a luxurious - and authentic - African lodge, offering 'houses' with one side completely open to the river, and tours to Livingstone Island and the Devil's Pool.

Later on, when you're back home in the real world, you'll be able to close your eyes...and hear that roar, and see that water, and actually feel that mist on your face.

You have to be willing to give your full attention and put your brain to work in order to make affiliate marketing happen. This article will give you some ideas on how to reach people once you've joined an affiliate program. Invest time in learning the different ways to use affiliate marketing to serve the interests of your business.

A good email marketing plan is essential to promoting your products online. Have your customers leave their email address during the order process, and then send them an email thanking them for their purchase. You can also ask them if they would like to write a review of the item. Next, send them information on other products that you have to offer. Make the advertisement for something that is related to the products they have already purchased. You should also make sure your customers know that if they have any type of question or other comment about their purchases, they should not be afraid to email you. Another choice is developing a mass distribution email list for newsletters. It will allow you to email many customers, instead of just one at a time.  An interesting newsletter should be sent out on a regular basis containing information about your products or industry. Write about things your audience cares about. By including special offers and covering issues that are helpful to your audience, they will look forward to receiving your newsletters. You'll then be able to build a stronger relationship with your target market.

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If you are going to make money through affiliate marketing, it is important that you listen to your readers and customers. Being a great listener is important if you want to be able to develop innovative ways to attract new clients. It will also help you identify the proper outlets to market in. Use the ideas in this article, and then develop your own!

If you are ready to put in the work, you can be successful with affiliate marketing. You should begin to think about the following ideas as you read them and consider which ones will work for you. You can then begin to build your customer base from what you have learned. This guide will give you advice on how to go about affiliate marketing and how you can connect with your clients on a more personal level.

Marketing to your clients through email is essential, nowadays. Customers will expect to be able to sign up for email newsletters or informational mailings to keep them informed about your business. This can be accomplished by offering your customers the chance to subscribe when they make a purchase or use the services you offer. Make sure, however, to give them the opportunity to unsubscribe at any time. Emails to customers need to include relevant information. Do not send them random viral videos, links or articles that waste their time. Instead, include coupon codes from time to time to help generate return traffic to your website. With a good email list, your customers will practically do the advertising for you!

Try to learn what your target audience needs, and use that information to market to them more efficiently. For example, some people, particularly younger ones, may prefer using social networks for their interactions with you, while others may like using email. Don't be afraid to have a peek at what your competitors are doing as far as marketing. One interesting idea is to masquerade as a customer in multiple demographic groups and note the difference in treatment. Give surveys to your customers to find out what they would like to see. Another option is to try several different approaches and see which ones generate the most favorable responses from your customers. Certain strategies might not be appropriate, depending on the types of products you sell.  As an example, if your business sells products that are considered very personal or private in nature, your customers may not want to be seen interacting or associating with you on a public social network. Using common sense with a dash of trial and error will guide you to the best marketing strategies for your business and customers.

Customer feedback and a willingness to keep introducing new strategies are the keys to affiliate marketing success. Keeping in touch with customers and coming up with new ideas will help your business grow. Use these tips to develop a set of strategies that are unique to your niche.