Business : International News
Cordia Acquires Blackswan Property Ltd

Cordia Acquires Blackswan Property Ltd

Birmingham-based, PRS-specialist developer Blackswan Property Limited has been acquired by Cordia International. The European residential real estate developer, with interests across Hungary, Poland, Spain, Germany and Romania is the residential development platform of Futureal Group. With more than 500 real estate professionals and 7 million sq.ft of properties under construction

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Airolink to build largest residential project in UAE

UAE-headquartered upscale residential, hospitality and commercial property developer Seven Tides has appointed UAE-based Airolink as the main building contractor, to complete the construction of its Seven City JLT development in Jumeirah Lake Towers, in Dubai. Airolink was founded in Ireland in 2001 and expanded into the Middle East in 2008,

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WernerCo’s Director of Product Engineering takes on EMEA responsibility

WernerCo’s Director of Product Engineering, Steve Lock, has recently been promoted to take on new responsibilities for EMEA projects and aligning the European offering. With over 15 year’s experience leading multi-disciplined engineering teams to deliver product solutions for customers, including five years as Technical Director at J.P Hare Ltd, Steve

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3 Tips for Developing on Vacant Land in Northern Ontario

The sense of pride and security of owning land is quite satisfying. The financial incentive is also among the top reason people invest in land, as unlike other assets, its value doesn’t depreciate. The best part is that with the readily available vacant land for sale from reliable and reputable

Read More »

Grosvenor Europe sets on new leasing team for Liverpool One

Grosvenor Europe, which manages Liverpool One, has appointed a revised leasing team as part of its commitment to support the city’s shopping centre through what it calls a “difficult time”. The new leasing team will see CBRE acting on the retail leasing, while Savills will act on the food, beverage

Read More »

Transfer to an American university to complete your B.A. degree

Students go to university for academic interest, future careers, not to mention social life. Usually, they start their studies at a local university, which allows them to save money while trying to obtain a bachelor’s degree. At one point to another, they decide to transfer to a different school. They

Read More »

Six wildly impressive hotels for your bucket list

Which hotels around the world have you been blown away by? Las Vegas is home to so many flamboyant structural designs, including New York New York and Caesar’s Palace, that make Sin City so appealing. The architectural cleverness is something which makes hotels so highly sought after. Gather some ideas

Read More »

Characteristics of the Top San Antonio Realtors

So, what are the top characteristics of the best realtors in San Antonio? What separates the top realtors in the city from the rest? What do they offer to their clients? Detailed Local Knowledge The top realtors in San Antonio offer detailed knowledge of the real estate market. It isn’t

Read More »

Asia set for huge casino developments over the next few years

The casino industry continues to expand rapidly in Asia, with Japan set to be the next major country to enter the sector. With gambling operators enjoying huge success courtesy of lavish resorts in Singapore, Macau and elsewhere, it is no surprise to see significant further investment planned in the region

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 327 : Apr 2025

Business : International News

Cordia Acquires Blackswan Property Ltd

Cordia Acquires Blackswan Property Ltd

Birmingham-based, PRS-specialist developer Blackswan Property Limited has been acquired by Cordia International. The European residential real estate developer, with interests across Hungary, Poland, Spain, Germany and Romania is the residential development platform of Futureal Group. With more than 500 real estate professionals and 7 million sq.ft of properties under construction across 43 ongoing projects, Futureal Group is one of the leading real estate development and investment groups in Central and Eastern Europe. The Blackswan acquisition marks Cordia’s first investment in the UK market. This follows Cordia’s recent 93% acquisition of Warsaw Stock Exchange-listed, Polish residential developer Polnord S.A., and 20% stake in German residential rental and large-scale urban renewal project company Argo Properties NV, increasing Cordia’s development land bank to over 14,000 apartments. Cordia has recently issued a €135 million 7-year bond and a €105 million 10-year bond to fund its international expansion and foray into the private rental sector (PRS). UK’s Blackswan under the Cordia Blackswan brand will continue to be led by the current management team. The company will also be growing the team with a recruitment drive in the next few months to support the scale of their existing planned projects. The deal was brokered by Tony Haran, Midlands Head of Residential Investment and Build to Rent expert in CBRE’s residential team. He advised Cordia on their first UK residential acquisition, following an initial fact-finding trip to the city.  Marcus Hawley, Managing Director and Founder of Blackswan said, “Blackswan’s vision has always been to create sustainable places that enable people to live happier, richer and more fulfilling lives. Being part of Cordia will allow us to fulfil that vision by delivering a £550 million pipeline of projects across the West Midlands. We are excited to join the Cordia family as they share our vision of creating new, well-designed places where people want to live, work, play and learn.” Tibor Földi, Chairman of the Board of Cordia, said: “Our goal is to become one of the leading and most diversified residential development groups in Europe. The acquisition and recapitalization of Blackswan is not only our debut in the UK, but the latest milestone of our international expansion strategy.” Gábor Futó, founder and majority owner of Futureal Group said: “The Blackswan team shares the same values Futureal Group was built on: integrity, creativity, perseverance and team spirit. We also share a common desire to build lasting value for the communities we are working in by creating great new buildings, vibrant public spaces, respecting and building on heritage and having the imagination and commitment to pursue transformational urban renewal projects.” Tony Haran said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in Birmingham’s residential sector and could facilitate the delivery of up to 2,500 new homes in the city by an experienced and well-financed developer.  “Cordia has big ambitions for the UK and it is a testament to Birmingham’s place on the international investment stage that it has been chosen first, as the stepping stone for their plans.” Blackswan focuses on residential-led mixed-use developments in the West Midlands region. Projects currently include The Lampworks, a 124-home build-to-rent apartment scheme and The Gothic, an ambitious reanimation of listed and heritage buildings which will create a new residential and leisure destination. Both developments are located on the edge of Birmingham City Centre, in the Jewellery Quarter. Blackswan Property was founded by Marcus Hawley in 2009 in order to develop well-designed homes in places where real people want to live their lives with a sense of community. The company sale seeks to ensure that this vision can be brought to life by combining Blackswan’s local market knowledge and expertise with Cordia’s experience in the delivery of large-scale residential projects across Europe for more than 15 years.  “2020 has clearly been a challenging year for everyone, but we are very happy to bring some positive news to the region with this deal, especially in terms of the number of homes we will now be able to build and the number of jobs we will create both in our team at Blackswan, on our construction sites and eventually in our commercial spaces,” said Marcus Hawley.

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Airolink to build largest residential project in UAE

UAE-headquartered upscale residential, hospitality and commercial property developer Seven Tides has appointed UAE-based Airolink as the main building contractor, to complete the construction of its Seven City JLT development in Jumeirah Lake Towers, in Dubai. Airolink was founded in Ireland in 2001 and expanded into the Middle East in 2008, with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The company has worked on many projects over the past 12 years in the educational, commercial, retail, residential and hotel sectors. Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides, said: “Airolink is well established, has a solid reputation along with a wealth of experience across numerous sectors, which is ideal for this development. Work is well underway on site and we are already working with Airolink at our Seven Palm development on Palm Jumeirah, so this should be a smooth transition.” The project is valued at over 1 billion dirhams ($272.26 million) and due for completion in Q2 2023. Seven City JLT has a total built-up area of up to 3.5 million square feet and is situated within Cluster Z in DMCC, opposite the Montgomery and Emirates’ golf courses and the Emirates Hills community. The development is made up of 2,744 units — with its residential element consisting of 2,617 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, plus 78 hotel rooms.   The striking design sits upon a common podium, which plays host to promenade restaurants overlooking a lake. The tower also features a fully equipped gym, health club, infinity pool, children’s pool, 12 sky gardens, cafes, plus other dining options. The development also features a large retail offering with 49 retail units, covering 150,000 square feet over three floors. It will include a three-screen cinema, hypermarket, as well as 2,617 car parking spaces, with an additional 312 spaces dedicated to retail customers, including valet. At the initial launch of the project, phase 1 of the residential units was completely sold out in less than a week and the remaining units will be offered to the market in due course. “We are offering excellent value at a competitive price point. In addition, we offer a very attractive easy payment option consisting of a 5 percent deposit, followed by payments equal to 6 percent of the cost price to be paid every subsequent quarter. We estimate that studios should yield 12 percent per annum,” said bin Sulayem. Studio apartments start from 384,888 dirhams, ranging in size from 384 square feet to 416 square feet, while one-bedroom apartments start at 723,888 dirhams and range in size from a minimum of 734 square feet to a maximum of 890 square feet. Prices of two-bedroom apartments start at 1,106,888 dirhams and the size is 1,073 square feet. Finally, the entry price for three-bedroom apartments starts at 1,677,888 dirhams, covering 1,516 square feet of space.

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WernerCo’s Director of Product Engineering takes on EMEA responsibility

WernerCo’s Director of Product Engineering, Steve Lock, has recently been promoted to take on new responsibilities for EMEA projects and aligning the European offering. With over 15 year’s experience leading multi-disciplined engineering teams to deliver product solutions for customers, including five years as Technical Director at J.P Hare Ltd, Steve is now responsible for delivering EMEA projects and the European business, which aligns all major products and utilises the wider company expertise in this field. Steve now also leads product engineering and development across all UK brands as WernerCo bids farewell to Paul Bruton, who retired last month after 45 years spent in the ladder industry, following an in-depth transition period. Justin White, Managing Director at WernerCo, commented: “We are delighted to have Steve in the team, as he brings with him extensive knowledge that will be invaluable to the future development of our product ranges in the coming years. His responsibility for EMEA projects also comes at an exciting time as we look forward to a number of major new product developments later this year as we get back to business following the impact of Coronavirus. “Steve steps into the large shoes left behind by Paul Bruton, who has been an integral part of the team at WernerCo over many years.” To find out more information on the range of access solutions from WernerCo visit www.wernerco.com

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3 Tips for Developing on Vacant Land in Northern Ontario

The sense of pride and security of owning land is quite satisfying. The financial incentive is also among the top reason people invest in land, as unlike other assets, its value doesn’t depreciate. The best part is that with the readily available vacant land for sale from reliable and reputable services, you can comfortably find a parcel that matches your needs. Buying raw property isn’t the end, as that doesn’t bring any income. Developing on vacant land requires due diligence, as it can quickly drown your finances and leave you stranded. If you are considering investing in land, here are a few tips to ease your endeavours and ensure that you embark on a profitable venture. Have a solid plan Why are you buying the land? Do you intend to build a single/multifamily property or a commercial structure? As you hit the market, establishing the “why” helps you to narrow the options based on your needs, ensuring that you don’t buy the first parcel that pops on your search. This also helps in financial planning, as you can research a little more, find out how much you need, and seek financing from institutions such as banks if necessary. With a solid development plan, getting financing is easier, not to mention that chances of making an impulse purchase are lower, enhancing the productivity of your investment quests. Find the land Finding the best vacant land isn’t simply considering the location. You’ll have to research a lot more, determine the growth potential, and establish if there are signs of hazardous waste and any other issue that might affect your investment value. Price is also a significant consideration while selecting a land parcel, but going for the cheapest available piece isn’t the most favourable approach. While considering the cost, don’t forget to factor considerations such as how much it would cost to develop the land following your plans, noting that it could significantly influence your investment’s profitability. From development forecasts, building costs and utility extensions costs, among other considerations, you need to be as thorough as possible to ensure you purchase a parcel worth your hard-earned cash and with the potential to deliver desirable returns within a reasonable period. Consider the Drawbacks Every investment has its drawbacks, and as lucrative as land is, it also has a set of challenges. Ignoring such concerns could cause significant problems along the way to the extent of frustrating your endeavours. Development plans don’t always go as planned, and if you fail to factor in such concerns, the chances are that the slightest hiccup will frustrate your progress. Even with thorough research, during the development phase, you might uncover concerns such as huge boulders under the surface that derails the process, or old wells, cemeteries and septic system to mention a few issues. Accounting for such drawbacks lets you devise a strategy to cope with the situation in a calculated way to enhance the development’s success rate. Developing raw land might be a demanding process, but the results are rewarding. With a keen eye and attention to details, you can find vacant land for sale and spot the right parcel matching your needs and with great potential.

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Futureal starts construction of Corvin Innovation Campus in line with the needs of the new era

Futureal Group has launched the construction of Corvin Innovation Campus. The office complex equipped with contactless technology will offer nearly 30,000 sq m of gross leasable area (GLA) in the immediate vicinity of Corvin Promenade in Budapest. The new-generation building is being developed under Futureal’s Stay Safe initiative designed to respond to the changing market demand due to the epidemic. The first phase of the building is expected to be handed over in the autumn of 2022. Corvin Innovation Campus is located at the intersection of Szigony, Tömő, Apáthy and Balassa Street in Corvin Quarter, Central Europe’s largest urban regeneration project. The first phase of the nine-storey complex will provide 15,800 sq m of GLA, while the second has 13,800 sq m of GLA. The category ‘A’ office building with unique facades will be surrounded by renovated and green public space and widened roads as part of the development. Corvin Innovation Campus has been designed to meet the tenants’ requirements shaped by the current global health issue. It has been developed and will be operated according to BREEAM Excellent and WELL Platinum certification system to ensure it has a positive impact on the well-being and health of the people that work there. Based on WELL’s strict health standards and experience, Futureal has launched its brand new Stay Safe initiative. Under the program Futureal is introducing new internal security standards and additional technological solutions to meet the highest market demands for office environment. The building’s highly advanced mechanical system and its outstanding UV filters will provide one of the cleanest air in Budapest. As part of the Stay Safe initiative common areas at Corvin Innovation Campus will become almost completely contactless. Automatic doors and light switches with card sensors, as well as safe distance signs will be set in the building. The elevators can be controlled with a mobile application, the toilets will also be equipped with contactless rinsing, hand washing and soap dispensers. The state of the art infrastructure is also going to be available to tenants that can enable them to create their working environment as healthy as possible. Out of the Corvin Offices, Corvin Innovation Campus has got the easiest access to the two nearest metro stations. Corvin Promenade also offers plenty of services including a fitness-wellness centre, cafés, a laundry, restaurants and a beauty salon nearby the building. The office complex has been designed to meet the expectations of the digital age, while a huge emphasis will be put on creating a green environment. Its courtyard as an extension of Corvin Promenade will offer a nice recreational area. From the main lobby there is a direct access to a 3000 m2 inner garden functioning as a social space for employees. Inside Corvin Innovation Campus a multifunctional room ensures employees’ comfort and well-being. An increased number of bicycle storage spaces as well as separated showers and lockers will also be available to provide a viable alternative for public transport and car use. „Corvin Innovation Campus will open its doors to a new era of health and safety at the workplace. As one of the pioneers of the WELL certification in Hungary, we have been at the forefront of ensuring well-being and comfort of office workers. Our Stay Safe program takes our efforts and services to the next level,” said Tibor Tatár, CEO of Futureal Group. Corvin Promenade is an internationally recognized development project. It has won the European Commercial Property Award for the Best Mixed Use Development of Europe and FIABCI Hungary Real Estate Development Award. In 2014 the project received the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Global Award for Excellence, considered to be the Oscars of city and real estate development. *** About Futureal Group Futureal is one of the leading real estate developers and investors in Central and Eastern Europe and is among the top 10 largest real estate developers in Europe. Since its foundation Futureal Group’s portfolio has included more than 100 real estate projects with a total value of EUR 3 billion and an area of over 2 million square meters.

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Grosvenor Europe sets on new leasing team for Liverpool One

Grosvenor Europe, which manages Liverpool One, has appointed a revised leasing team as part of its commitment to support the city’s shopping centre through what it calls a “difficult time”. The new leasing team will see CBRE acting on the retail leasing, while Savills will act on the food, beverage and leisure leasing, with both working alongside incumbent, Metis Real Estate. Commenting on the revised team, Alison Clegg, director, asset management, Grosvenor Europe, said in a statement: “To maintain Liverpool One’s success, it is imperative we have the right team to help navigate through the significant changes the industry is facing. The experience, reach and passion demonstrated by CBRE, Savills and Metis is the perfect combination to maintain Liverpool One’s long-term success and vitality.” This news follows a number of leading UK and international brands signed for new stores at Liverpool One in the first three months of this year, including MAC Cosmetics, Penhaligon’s, Kiehl’s, Virgin Holidays for its largest store in the UK, and premium British sportswear pioneer, Castore, which will open its first store outside of London in Liverpool later this year. Mark Disney, executive director, retail, CBRE, added: “Liverpool One is one of the best-known and highly regarded mixed-use destinations in Europe. Its positive impact on the region, and UK industry as a whole, is well-documented and we are delighted to be part of the team to move it forward even further.” Steve Tregenza, co-founder of Metis, commented: “We have been involved in Liverpool One since before construction began, and retaining our brief across all aspects of the leasing is a very proud moment for the business. We will work alongside CBRE and Savills, complementing their expertise with our unique understanding of the destination, the city, and the strong regional operators for whom Liverpool One is perfect.”

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Transfer to an American university to complete your B.A. degree

Students go to university for academic interest, future careers, not to mention social life. Usually, they start their studies at a local university, which allows them to save money while trying to obtain a bachelor’s degree. At one point to another, they decide to transfer to a different school. They think about attending university abroad. The United States is renowned for higher education opportunities, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that international students apply to American universities. Do you want to study in the United States? If the answer is yes, you’re in luck. It’s not that hard. The transfer of credit from non-U.S. universities Thanks to the flexibility of the credit system, you can transfer from any university to a U.S. university without losing your valuable academic credit. You can transfer up to 75 credits from your prior studies. For a B.A., you need a minimum of 45 credits. Determine how your foreign credit is evaluated by consulting with the admissions counselor or international student advisor. The more credits you’re able to transfer, the fewer courses you have to take. And the more likely you are to earn your bachelor’s degree. Demonstrating English language proficiency International transfer students are required to take English proficiency exams to demonstrate that they have a good command of the language. Educational institutions want to ensure that students can cope with the demands of the degree-level study. Standardized testing includes TOEFL. The test focuses on how English is deployed in academic settings. If you manage to pass the TOEFL, you’ll assure the American university that your English skills are strong enough to enable you to succeed. The score you need depends largely on where you choose to study. Applying for admission The transfer application process isn’t complicated, but you could use a little bit of help. With proper assistance, you can successfully navigate the process. Work with experienced counselors that will provide useful information, strategies, and tactics to help you meet your admissions goal, all in an effort to make your transition smoother. It’s ideal for international students thinking about applying to several highly-selective schools. If the road you’ve previously taken doesn’t fulfill your academic needs anymore, seek opportunities in your field of study. Universities in the United States are becoming a popular study destination for Chinese students. If thousands of students go abroad to study, why shouldn’t you? You’ll get more than a tangible degree. The transfer timeline for international students The recommended timeline for a 美国大学转学 reflects that of prospective first-year students. To be more precise, it’s necessary to kick off the application process 12 months in advance. Students who want to begin studying in the autumn should send over the application materials in early spring. On the other hand, those applying for spring have to submit their application materials by early autumn. There is no deadline as far as some institutions are concerned. However, they do have priority dates that you must respect.

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Six wildly impressive hotels for your bucket list

Which hotels around the world have you been blown away by? Las Vegas is home to so many flamboyant structural designs, including New York New York and Caesar’s Palace, that make Sin City so appealing. The architectural cleverness is something which makes hotels so highly sought after. Gather some ideas from our guide below and start planning your next escape… The Luxor, Las Vegas, USA It’d be rude not to start with a Vegas delight and, while there are many magnificent choices that could make this list, this Egyptian design is a building which doesn’t gain as many plaudits as it perhaps should. It’s arguably one of the most unusual actual designs in the Nevada hotspot (no weather pun intended!) with 30 floors to take in in the gigantic Sphinx. With huge pharaoh statues welcoming you in the lobby, the Luxor opened for business as the first (and only) pyramid-shaped hotel in Vegas in 1993 and remains an architectural marvel gracing the famous strip. Hoshinoya Fuji, Fujikawaguchiko, Japan Let’s face it — glamping is a worldwide phenomenon these days. There are so many luxurious pods popping up across the globe that could tickle your fancy. The Hoshinoya Fuji in Japan however offers something a little bit unique. Step inside your cosy pod and you’ll be met with an air-conditioned unit with an array of comfortable furnishings and an ensuite bathroom. But what’s so special about this spot? Well, the ceiling-to-floor windows provide an exquisite view of the scenery surrounding you — the awesome beauty that is Mount Fuji. While that may sound great, it gets better! You can step outside your space and onto a private timber decking area to fully bask in the natural glory. The patio isn’t just any plain space either. Instead, it includes hammocks and fire pits to allow you to relax in style. Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya Going on a safari adventure is on many people’s bucket lists. But, instead of being in the comfort of a vehicle driving up to the animals, why don’t you let the wildlife come to you? In Kenya you can do just that thanks to Giraffe Manor. This delightful hotel is found in one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings and enables the resident giraffes to pop their heads through the dining room windows in search of a treat. You really can’t get much closer to living with wildlife! Sun Cruise Resort, Jeondongin, South Korea Have you always fancied a holiday on a cruise ship but are wary about getting your sea legs? This quirky number in South Korea gives you all the luxury of a cruise liner while still being on dry land. With a claim to fame of having the best view of the sunrise in South Korea, the Sun Cruise Resort will see you spend your quality time aboard a liner that is carefully placed upon the cliff top of Jeondongin. With over 200 rooms, guests can take advantage of more than just the views, with a revolving sky lounge, night club, karaoke and sea water pool all on offer. Lover’s Deep Submarine, St Lucia Okay, so sometimes quirkiness comes at a cost — as is evident in this submarine offering. The underwater hotel can be yours for a little over £200,000 per night. Bargain, eh? Well, although this option is head and shoulders above the others on this list in terms of cost, for those with money to burn, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is ideal. Delve beneath the deep blue sea and you’ll have the choice to moor at your own chosen location, meaning you can take in any view you like, such as St Lucia’s stunning coral reef. Not only that, but you can also choose your own décor for the duration of your stay. While this luxury bedroom will be out of reach for most of us, it definitely deserves its ‘quirky’ title. La Balade des Gnomes, Durbuy, Belgium If dogs aren’t quite your thing, this Belgian boutique offers up an array of designs, including a Trojan horse. With 10 rather unique rooms, ‘The Walk of the Gnomes’ to give it its English name is situated in an elegant 17th Century town and gives visitors the choice of rooms that each could be at home on a Tim Burton movie set. Alongside the giant wooden horse on offer, you can also choose from the likes of a Macquarie Island room in which your boat-like bed mysteriously appears to be floating on real water and you’ll also find some sandy stretches! The world of hotels is a fantastic place and each year architects are outdoing themselves and producing some out-of-this-world designs. The main question is, what will the future hold for hoteliers? Article provided by leading UK decking boards retailer: Arbordeck. Sources

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Characteristics of the Top San Antonio Realtors

So, what are the top characteristics of the best realtors in San Antonio? What separates the top realtors in the city from the rest? What do they offer to their clients? Detailed Local Knowledge The top realtors in San Antonio offer detailed knowledge of the real estate market. It isn’t enough to say that a neighborhood is affordable, desirable, or up-and-coming. They know which neighborhoods provide a fast commute to downtown or are the lowest cost homes assigned to a top school. They have detailed knowledge about specific property markets, whether you’re looking for a condo or luxury single family home. Note that this means a realtor who specializes in luxury properties may not be of much assistance when you’re looking for an affordable family home, and someone who is knowledgeable about downtown may not able to give much advice about the San Antonio suburbs. Attention to Detail The best realtors in San Antonio have an eye for detail. They find issues with the property that can be used to lower the price. For example, they may be able to bring up the HOA dues owed or upcoming neighboring development that affects the property’s value. They find overlooked properties that may be available at a bargain. They can advise clients on legal matters and their own unique situation instead of giving canned advice. Negotiating Skills Great realtors don’t just set or offer a good price for a home. They’ll negotiate the value of the home. And they’ll negotiate other aspects of the deal such as property repairs, cash toward home renovations, and associated closing costs. Note that negotiating skills are very different from listening skills, but a realtor who won’t listen to you won’t be able to adequately argue your case. Nor will they be able to find the right property for you. Speed Real estate is a classic example of Pareto’s law. The top 20 percent of realtors sell 80 percent of the homes. The best realtors are able to move real estate far faster than everyone else. They’ll sell your home in weeks, not months. They’ll home in on the perfect property for you based on your budget, desired amenities, and personal requirements. You don’t waste time touring thirty homes while debating which of the four mediocre candidates are good enough. Instead, your checklist is compared against a massive inventory, and you’re shown two to four properties that are all perfect. The realtor has a team working to maximize efficiency. This means you are shown the best homes for your situation so that you can close on it as quickly as possible. Honesty and Integrity Real estate is the largest single purchase any of us make. You can’t afford to make a mistake. Attention to detail can reduce the odds of accidents, but it won’t make up for fraud or deceptive marketing. This is why the best realtors have honesty and integrity. They’ll admit when they don’t know something before referring you to someone who can answer your questions.

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Asia set for huge casino developments over the next few years

The casino industry continues to expand rapidly in Asia, with Japan set to be the next major country to enter the sector. With gambling operators enjoying huge success courtesy of lavish resorts in Singapore, Macau and elsewhere, it is no surprise to see significant further investment planned in the region over the next few years. The rapid growth of online casinos in Japan sparked a clamour amongst consumers for brick and mortar venues to be allowed to open across the country. The Japanese government subsequently reacted to the calls by agreeing to allow new casinos to be constructed at up to three different locations. Tokyo, Hokkaido, Chiba, Yokohama and Nagoya are amongst the cities vying to host what could be the most stunning casino resorts on the continent. There have been some truly staggering venues built in Asia over the past few years and Japan can be expected to follow suit when construction begins. Read on as we look at the latest state of play regarding major casino developments across the Asian continent. Iconic Singapore venue set for huge expansion Owned by the Las Vegas Sands organisation, the Marina Bay Sands resort is undoubtedly one of the most iconic properties in Asia. The three-tower design, which was inspired by decks of cards, originally cost $5.5 billion to build but its owners are not resting on their laurels. The operator is planning to add an impressive arena, exhibition halls and a new luxury hotel tower that will take the total number of rooms to more than 3,600. Las Vegas Sands believe that the $3.3bn investment will keep the resort at the pinnacle of the gambling industry over the coming years. While the casino is a hugely important part of Marina Bay Sands, experts believe that the provision of other facilities will ensure it remains a successful venture for years to come. Operators plan massive investment in Macau Having generated Gross Gaming Revenues of nearly $38bn in 2018, Macau is firmly established as one of the most important gambling destinations in the world. Many of the main operators there are planning major new developments over the next few years, with a view to ensuring that the government issues new licenses to them when they expire in 2022. Galaxy Entertainment is leading the way with plans to expand the stunning Galaxy Macau over the next couple of years at a projected cost of HK$45bn. SJM Holdings are also planning major investment in Macau, with the Grand Lisboa Palace scheduled to open during the second half of 2020 at a cost of HK$36bn. MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts and Melco Resorts & Entertainment have also confirmed ambitious expansion plans in the region. NagaCorp ready to cash in on monopoly in Cambodia NagaCorp Ltd’s position of dominance in Cambodia is set to continue with another expansion of its superb NagaWorld casino resort in Phnom Penh. Naga 3 will feature a theme park with the latest digital rides and attractions, plus world class shopping, restaurants and much more. The venue will be the largest resort in Cambodia, further cementing NagaCorp’s status as one of the biggest casino operators in the world. The company currently has a 41-year gaming monopoly within a 200-kilometre radius of the Cambodian capital that runs through until 2035. Their gaming license runs for a further 30 years after that, and their latest multi-billion dollar investment in the area highlights their ongoing commitment to remain at the forefront of the industry in the region.

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