It’s not uncommon to be on the fence about investing in a specific piece of land or real estate in the UK. With the ever fluctuating real estate market, you never know if you’re going to make a return on your investment or not. What you might not realize is that we are in an unusually bad time for sellers and a fantastic time for buyers. If you’re thinking about buying a home, office building, or some land, here are a few good reasons why you should invest in UK property.

The Market Can’t Get Much Worse

The housing market is at an all time low. When economies hurt, all investments of any kind tend to suffer. What we’ve noticed is that while the economy has begun to recover and flourish a little bit, the housing market has flat-lined after bottoming out. This usually indicates that an upward trend in property prices is coming, and if you don’t invest now, you could end up spending more than you’d like. Especially if you’re planning on maximizing the return on your investment, you always want to buy property at the lowest price possible, and we’re in that position this very moment. As mentioned before, it is a buyer’s market, and there’s lots of room for you to negotiate prices even lower.

Properties and Real Estate Are Like Stocks

People spend so much time investing in the stock market, because over a long period of time, it’s expected that the value of any stock will go up. This may not be the case on an individual company level, but the value of the stock market in general is always climbing. You can expect the same thing when you spend your money in UK property investment. The value of your property is bound to fluctuate over time, but over the length of a 20-year mortgage, you can expect to make more than 50% of what you actually paid for it.

People Are Willing to Pay Good Money To Let An Apartment or Piece of Land

Nothing says that you need to live in the property that you invest in. In fact, if you’re really looking to make a bit of money off of your investment in the UK, you need to consider the opportunity to let your piece of land or building out to others. By letting your investment, you not only make a return when it comes time to sell, but you pay the mortgage with the letter’s money, and pocket any additional fees that you charge on top. Essentially, your property would always be making money.

Remember that just like in any other housing market condition, you maximize the return on your UK property investment by negotiating your selling price, maintaining and improving the land and buildings that you own, and holding onto the property for a longer period of time. Investment values are guaranteed to fluctuate from one year to the next, so don’t be too quick to give up your UK property
investment.

Many financial analysts now consider that the key to successful struggle with monetary worries is though acquiring financial competence that reduces excessive dependency on financial advisors, accountant managers and so on. This is what will help you keep your personal finances under control. A good thing to start with would be to learn the five major financial needs that guide the way people live, as it is mentioned in the traditional financial planning.

The classic financial planning defines 5 financial needs an average person has in the course of life, and sometimes at rather predictable time periods.

I think it is a very useful tip to make a list of these five monetary needs and then try to figure out what you can do in order to address each of them in a proper way:

1. Personal savings are the financial need to make a lump sum from earned revenue in order to achieve some financial goal or put something aside for a rainy day. A good example of this could be you saving money for a down-payment to purchase a home at a certain stage in the future. One more saving example is creating something like an emergency reserve, like setting your living expenses aside for 6 month. You can also save money for a longer-term goal, such as a rainy day fund or retirement reserve.

2. Investments. This monetary need implies investing an amount of money that you will not need for a certain period of time, which is expected to bring you more extra profit if compared with the standard saving schemes. A typical example of this is investing your money into stocks, aimed at generating a medium or high return in future. Another example of such investment would be a lump sum retirement bonus delivered to recently retired individuals, who may therefore invest this money in a proper way. It is natural that you will want to invest this sum in the most beneficial way that keeps with your age, fiscal goals or risk profile, so that you could increase your capital return and generate more passive income. 

3. Personal short-term loans, otherwise called online cash advance loans, represent a financial need to quickly borrow small amounts of cash for a short period of time in order to manage urgent expenses, like medical bills, car repair or college fees. This type of borrowings has become rather popular for the last time due to the recent economical crisis and instability in the labor market.

4. Insurance. This is a financial need to protect yourself from unforeseen events in your life that may exhaust your current income. For example, when a person applies for a mortgage, he or she is usually required to take a life-assurance policy, otherwise called mortgage protection insurance. This helps to ensure the mortgage will be paid back in full amount in case the person dies before the mortgage agreement expires. What is more, in addition to just acquiring life policies, you can also get insured through creating sources of passive or portfolio revenue.

5. Home loans or mortgages, are another financial need to borrow money in order to make the property-related purchase, be it a house, an apartment or a mansion.

6. Retirement management, i.e. the monetary need to make extra funds through passive and portfolio income for retirement, as the person is no longer working and thus doesn’t have a stable source of income.

Basically, the process of financial planning is something you can either do yourself, or entrust your financial advisor with. The main purpose of personal financial planning is to achieve your goals by managing your financial resources in the most efficient way. The overwhelming majority of people still find themselves unable to do financial planning themselves, so they often rely on financial advisors and institutions providing these services. However, there are not so many companies that will truly serve your financial interests. The only advises that are worth following are paid-for advises made in a written form. By paying for the service, there is at least some guarantee the financial consultant is doing his job in return for the payment, rather than applying for free consultations that are often abstract and may not be suitable for your specific situation.

Taking into consideration the recent economic crisis that has made the world’s financial system rather instable, it becomes more and more important to be an expert in your personal finances. One should be fully aware of his financial requirements, as well as the strategies, schemes and tools to meet them. As Napoleon Hill taught us, becoming your own financial consultant is a true way to reach financial success.

As the summer months are fast approaching, the opportunity to spend more money will quickly arise as parents enjoy a couple of weeks off work with the summer holiday, either at home or abroad, requires that little be of extra cash for activities you wouldn’t normally partake in. With this in mind, it is vitally important that you take care of your financial situation during this time, particularly in the unsteady economic climate at present.

Here are two top tips to help make sure you only spend what you can afford to, yet still enjoy the summer whoever you are with and whatever you are doing;

Budget

Whilst this is something you should be doing all year round, it really comes to fruition during the summer when the warmer weather generally leads you to neglect your financial concerns and spend that little bit more than you would normally to ensure a good time.

Although the summer should certainly be enjoyed to the maximum, without budgeting in certain areas, you can quickly find yourself in difficulty as the year progresses and could well be in a very depressing situation as the nights draw in and winter takes hold.

During your holiday for instance, set yourself an amount that you can spend each day in order to ensure you can still enjoy certain activities without finding yourself short of cash at the end of your two week break. By doing this, you could also have a little bit left over at the end of your holiday that you can use to treat yourself to a nice meal or takeaway to avoid having to cook on your first night home!

Stay-cation

Whereas in previous years you may have enjoyed a summer getaway to a Spanish villa or a romantic break on a beautiful Greek island, as purse strings are tightened, the phrase ‘stay-cation’ has been used much more often.

A term to describe a holiday at home, an increasing number of Brits are staying at home rather than travelling abroad and enjoying a summer holiday at the array of picturesque locations Britain has to offer or simply benefitting from a shorter getaway on the coast.

This is a great cost-saving idea yet still ensures you enjoy a break away from the routine with your partner or family. Whilst good weather can’t always be guaranteed, there are plenty of places to visit and activities to participate in up and down the country that are sure to be great fun no matter what the weather.

Taking these two tips into consideration, you can make sure that you enjoy summer 2012 without ever having to worry how much it costs or the implications of your activities on your bank account in the months that follow!

Governments of every political hue have become increasingly focussed on the pension problem over the last thirty years.  The current UK government, building on its predecessors plans to enrol as many people as possible in a pension scheme has been making moves towards compulsory entry into a private pension scheme for the majority of workers.  The scheme has been designed to make opting out the standard, as opposed to the current situation where employees have to opt in to a pension scheme.  The government, has however, apparently taken its own lead and has opted out of fully implementing the scheme until 2018.  Previous dates have included 2015, 16 and 17. 

Why the Delay?

The recession, now its double dip phase, has been cited as the reason for the delay in full implementation of the scheme.  Auto-enrolment is designed to apply to workers between the age of 22 and the state pension age earning more than £8,105 per annum, and not already a member of a recognised pension scheme.  Employers are required to make contributions to the pension and this seems to be the sticking point for the government.  To be fair, this is a bit of rock and hard place situation for both government and employers.  While it is in everybody’s interest to close the pensions gap that we are all hurtling towards – as both individuals and a society – the government has been regularly targeted for not promoting the interests of small businesses.  By delaying the implementation of auto-enrolment they are attempting to take the burden off small and medium employers and encourage them to create opportunities.

Balancing the priority of pension provision and creating opportunities for employment and economic growth is a tough one at any time and currently for the government and businesses it makes sense to delay the implementation.  The Department for Work and Pensions, have stated that 2018 is now the last possible date (honest, guv) and that they will stick to this timetable. 

The New Timeline

The first stage of the auto-enrolment scheme comes into force from October this year.  Between that date and October 2017 companies with smaller numbers of staff will be required to join the scheme with those employing fewer than 50 employees being the last to join.  The level of contributions will, by October 2018, be a minimum of eight per cent, three per cent of which must come in the form of employer contributions.  As with the gradual implementation of dates, this figure is staggered with key dates being the minimum three per cent from October this year (two per cent employee/one per cent employer), which rises to a minimum of five per cent in October 2017 and finally the full eight per cent in October 2018. 

Forward Planning

While the delay and gradual implementation of both the minimum rates and the requirement for businesses to start auto-enrolment may take some pressure off small businesses it’s absolutely crucial that those businesses begin to consider the implications now.  Even if you are not required to enrol employees at this stage, it’s worth considering the impact this will have on your balance sheet as soon as possible.  This is particularly true for anybody looking to increase and grow their business over the next few years.  The key point to consider is how staff expansion may affect the requirement to join the scheme, earlier than you required to do. 

Ultimately the benefits to employers and employees of the new rules on pension provision will be beneficial.  The delay in implementing the scheme in full should give most businesses time to plan ahead and to manage their businesses effectively through the transition period. For small businesses beginning to plan now for the changes will be the best way to minimise the impact when they finally come into force.

Small firms may well benefit the most from the delayed implementation of new pension regulations.  A pension calculator may help individuals to understand their pension provision, but for businesses making some calculations of their own now, may help to ease the transition.

Be very careful about handing out spare keys to your home. It could affect any insurance claim you might make in the future.

Many people hand out spare keys to friends, neighbours or family members. This can be very useful should you ever lose your keys, and it means that your house could be accessed easily in an emergency, but many insurers are very unhappy about the practice and it could even invalidate your home insurance policy. 

In particular, if your house is ever burgled and there are no signs of break in, then you will be asked about your spare keys. Even if your house is entered by keys that you have lost, then your claim could still be invalid. 46% of people lose a set of house keys. If you do, then you should change your locks rather than just have another set of keys cut.

Should you change the locks when you buy a new home? Ideally you should as you really do not know the previous history of the keys. Even if the person from whom you bought the home is entirely trustworthy, they may have previously lost a set ort given a set to somebody else. Certainly you should ask your home insurer for advice.

This also applies to brand new homes. Builders and estate agents will have had access to your house and will not doubt have handed to locks to a number of people and workmen completing your home. Changing locks can be expensive, but it is much better than risking being burgled by somebody who just happens to have a key to your home.

What is worse than not changing locks is not buying home insurance. Around 17% of all home owners have neither buildings nor contents cover. That is just asking for trouble.

It is unfortunate when any accident occurs, but it is important to understand who is at fault before any legal actions can take place. We are going to discuss certain instances where the commercial vehicle is at fault rather than the passenger vehicle. This will hopefully help inform victims before they search for a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney.

It is obvious that large commercial vehicles create certain dangers on the road due to their size and weight. So it ought to be mentioned that while driving next to any large vehicle, you should be particularly careful. With that said, let’s discuss some areas where the driver of the commercial vehicle has made a mistake and is at fault.

Driver fatigue is one such area where an accident may have been avoidable had the driver been properly rested. There are federal regulations which state both how many hours a commercial driver can be on the road, as well as how many hours of sleep must be had the night before. Any driver who has made a long trip and noticed the drowsiness setting in understands the risks of driver fatigue. The danger of this to other motorists is increased when you add a 60-80 ton vehicle to the equation.

A commercial vehicle, which is not maintained properly, causes certain risks to both the driver as well as other motorists. Certain mechanical failures can arise which can create these great risks, such as brake failure. All equipment on a commercial vehicle should be properly maintained and checked regularly. The truck drivers themselves are expected to perform a complete pre-trip inspection of their vehicle prior to departure.

Many commercial vehicles carry exposed loads, which are supposed to be properly secured. If these loads are improperly secured, the shifting and movement during transit may result in them falling off. Certain vehicles carrying loose material such as gravel, trees, and dirt are supposed to cover the material with a tarp to avoid the wind from blowing it onto nearby vehicles. There are also weight limits to what certain trucks can carry, if this weight limit is exceeded, it can cause the truck to not respond as it normally would.

Truckers are often on a very tight schedule, and there is often also incentive to get to where they are going faster. If you have ever seen the show Ice Road Truckers, you will quickly notice that the more trips and loads delivered, the more money that can be made by the drivers. This excessive speed can quickly result in an accident. As these large trucks are not formula-1 performance vehicles, they should always abide by the speed limits posted.
 

Simply put, unsafe driving on behalf of the truck driver can cause Commercial Truck Accidents. There are certain rules and regulations, which they must often follow less they break these specific laws. There are often designated truck lanes, which are provided to truckers on certain stretches of road. These are provided for a reason, and the failure to use them can result in an accident. 

Weather is another common cause of accidents. Though, truck drivers have certain procedures for certain conditions. Such as snow chains, which if left off leave the driver with little control.

If a trucker was unable to follow behind other motorists with a safe following distance, an accident can occur. Remember, these vehicles weigh a significant amount, and it takes time for a truck to slow down or stop. Truck drivers are also expected to yield to the right-of-way; failure to do this is another common cause of accidents.

Other reasons are aggressive driving, and obviously driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are numerous laws and regulations that truckers must follow and for good reason. They are in command of what can otherwise be a very dangerous machine.  Failure to follow such rules often results in accidents, and sadly these accidents can result in the loss of a life.

The Cape Verde Islands are located about 400 miles off the west coast of Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean, and are composed of two groups – the northern group, Barlavento, contains six islands, and the southern group, Sotavento, has four. Until recently, very few people had heard of these islands, but in the last couple of decades they have become increasingly popular as a tourist destination. For this reason, the investment potential of Cape Verde property is becoming more and more apparent to both developers and investors.

Overseas Property

Overseas property has always been seen as an attractive investment, but in recent decades the most popular markets have appeared increasingly saturated, and some have even collapsed. Cape Verde property, being in the early stages of development, is looking like the ideal alternative. Currently, properties here can be obtained at prices that could only be dreamed of in other popular locations.

 Up till about 20 years ago, the Cape Verde islands were very much off the tourist trail, with only a few discerning travelers making the roundabout journey via Lisbon, Portugal. Now, however, with airports being built in three of the islands, more and more people are becoming aware of the area’s stunning natural beauty, paradise beaches, and perfect year-round climate, making it the ideal unspoilt holiday destination. As this awareness grows, property developers are already beginning to see the potential, as demand for holiday accommodation already exceeds supply. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for investors in Cape Verde property to get in on the ground floor, with prices set to increase substantially as demand grows.

Types Of Cape Verde Property

The main types of Cape Verde property which are currently being developed are rental accommodation, holiday homes, and retirement real estate. Investors on both sides of the Atlantic are showing interest, as the islands are just 5.5 hours’ flying time from both the UK and the eastern seaboard of the USA. Because of the rapidly rising prices, a popular investment strategy is short-term investment, or flipping. This is a tax-efficient way of investing, as purchase tax is not payable until completion of the sale, so it can be paid out of the profits. However, as mortgages are not generally available in Cape Verde, short-term investors need to have finance in place before proceeding. In fact, potential returns are even more attractive nowadays for mid and long term investors. As the infrastructure improves and the tourist industry becomes more developed, the properties are likely to appreciate in price, and the appreciation seems likely to accelerate.

Although properties are being developed both on the coast and inland, most investment advisers suggest beachfront property is the better investment. The most popular locations for Cape Verde property are on the northern island of Sal, around the resort of Santa Maria, and also Boa Vista and Sao Vicente in the north, and Maio in the south. The main island of Santiago is the one that is being most rapidly developed. The majority of properties are available to buy off plan, which is the cheapest way to buy and has the highest return on investment, but also carries the highest risk.

Currently, Cape Verde property offers a unique investment opportunity of a kind that is available nowhere else in the world. Of course, every investor must be aware of the risks, and needs to research the competitive possibilities of any site, to assess the profit potential. However, all the market predictions are that prices generally are set to increase, and that this will be a continuing trend for the foreseeable future.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have done their sums and personal injury claims are now costing UK insurance customers £2.4,000,000 every day in legal fees. That’s the fees that go to the solicitors and lawyers who fight the cases, not the compensation that is actually paid out to the injured party, that’s often considerably less than the lawyers receive in compensation for their time and expertise. One example that the ABI point out that legal costs, in 2010, were 142% of what was awarded to claimants in damages and compensation. In a recently reported case somebody who won their case for a work related injury was awarded £12,750 in compensation while their legal team walked away with seventy four thousand pounds.

The ABI further point out that the NHS’ legal costs have risen five percent in the five years up to 2011 whereas the increase in claimant costs has gone up by as much as one hundred and thirty percent and in the financial year ending in 2011 the NHS paid £257m in fees to lawyers following claims from patients.

James Dalton, speaking as head of motor and liability insurance at the ABI claimed that: “"Since being introduced in 2010 the fast-track process for settling low-value personal injury cases has led to quicker compensation awards,” although he still fees that the fixed costs that go with the system are too high.

He goes on to say that: "The United Kingdon's compensation process is riddled with disproportionate and excessive legal costs” which leads to higher insurance costs and increases the financial burden on local authorities and the NHS.

There are plans to reform the compensation system along with a proposed ban on selling the details of people who have been involved in crashes by insurance and breakdown recovery companies. Bringing down the high fees that are charged by lawyers will mean that the savings are passed on to the taxpayer and insured drivers alike.

It may seem puzzling that the legal advice is worth more than the amount of compensation the claimant receives, this is because the costs are awarded extra to the compensation claim. That is to say someone who tripped and fell thanks to the negligence of another may be awarded £5,000 for example. However, the judge would also award the losing party to pay costs meaning that they have to pay for both legal teams’ time and expertise. If the legal team was expensive or there was some question over the circumstances of the accident and the case lasts more than a few days then the costs can grow out of any proportion to the amount that was awarded as compensation. And of course the losing party won’t pay their fees themselves, they will have taken out insurance against losing the case.

So, while having the right to claim if you’re the victim of an accident is a good thing forcing down the amount that is awarded in costs will also benefit us all in the long term.