Hard Money Loans

Long Beach, CA, United States (AHN) – An engine room fire on the Carnival cruise ship Splendor has left the vessel drifting powerless 150 miles south of San Diego, Calif.

Tugboats are on their way to take the vessel to Ensenada, Mexico “in an effort to get the guests home as quickly as possible,” according to a Carnival statement.

The fire, which was first detected at 6 a.m. Pacific time on Monday, is out and there are no reports of any injuries, but the ship is without air conditioning, hot food services, flushing toilets and telephones.

The Splendor was on the first leg of a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise that left Long Beach, Calif. on Nov. 7. The normal itinerary includes stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. The ship carries 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crewmembers.

Along with the tugboats, the U.S. Coast Guard has sent aircraft and cutters to the ship’s location, according to Carnival.

The ship’s crew is providing passengers with bottled water and cold food. Passengers were initially asked to leave their cabins and gather on the open upper decks of the ship, but Carnival says passengers now have access to their rooms and can move about the ship.

Carnival will give guests a full refund and reimbursement for transportation costs. The cruise line is also offering guests of the adrift ship a complimentary future cruise.

View full post on Economy, Business And Finance Stories

New Orleans, LA, United States (AHN) – Oil company Chevron announced plans to drill new oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, which was only a few days after the government lifted the ban on drilling it imposed in the wake of the disastrous BP Deepwater Horizon oil well leak.

The BP oil leak began in April and continued gushing oil into the Gulf for 6 months as BP was unable to stop the leak, which raised safety concerns about oil rigs in deepwater areas.

Chevron plans to explore the Jack and St Malo fields, located some 280 miles south of New Orleans, in water depths of 1.3 miles. Chevron estimates the fields contain about 500 million barrels of oil.

First production of the wells is expected in 2014, with production of 170,000 barrels of oil and 42.5 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The U.S. consumes about 21 million barrels of oil daily. Therefore, the fields Chevron is exploring contain enough oil to last U.S. consumers for about 23 days at current consumption.

View full post on Economy, Business And Finance Stories

On August 15, 2006, the US Census Bureau released its annual statistics for various communities. The data for San Diego County revealed some significant shifts from 2000 to 2005 in terms of the total population in San Diego, the percentage of males to females, percentage of people at various ages, and the racial composition of the County.

POPULATION SHIFTS

Total Population = 2,813,833 (CY 2000) vs. 2,824,259 (CY 2005) = 0.4% increase

Of the total population, there were shifts in the percentage of males to females.

Males = 1,415,097 (CY 2000) vs. 1,400,199 (CY 2005) = 1.1% decline.

Females = 1,398,736 (CY 2000) vs. 1,424,060 (CY 2005) = 1.8% increase.

AGE CHANGES

The percentage of people at various age also changed during this time period.

Median Age = 33.2 years (CY 2000) vs. 34.4 years (CY 2005) = 3.6% increase.

Population Under 5 Years of Age = 198,621 (CY 2000) vs. 221,575 (CY 2005) = 11.6% increase.

Population Under 18 Years of Age = 2,090,172 (CY 2000) vs. 2,067,282 (CY 2005) = 1.1% decline.

Population 65 or Older = 313,750 (CY 2000) vs. 310,836 (CY 2005) = 0.9% decline.

RACIAL COMPOSITION

Of individuals who defined themselves as belonging to one-race, the following statistics were provided:

Total Number of “One-Race” Individuals = 2,681,866 (CY 2000) vs. 2,730,721 (CY 2005) = 1.8% increase.

Individuals who defined themselves as belonging to one-race, were further categorized as follows:

White = 1,871,839 (CY 2000) vs. 1,927,166 (CY 2005) = 3% increase.

Black or African American = 161,480 (CY 2000) vs. 140,181 (CY 2005) = 13.2% decrease.

American Indian and Alaska Native = 24,337 (CY 2000) vs. 19,902 (CY 2005) = 18.2% decrease

Asian = 249,802 (CY 2000) vs. 295,926 (CY 2005) = 18.5% increase

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander = 13,561 (CY 2000) vs. 12,704 (CY 2005) = 6.3% decline.

Other Race = 360,847 (CY 2000) vs. 334,842 (CY 2005) = 7.2% decline.

Of those individuals who defined themselves as belonging to “two-races”, the following statistics were provided:

Total, Two -Race Individuals = 131,967 (CY 2000) vs. 93,538 (CY 2005) = 29.1% decline.

Hispanic or Latino (of any race) = 750,965 (CY 2000) vs. 843,901 (CY 2005) = 12.4% increase.

SHIFTS IN HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

Total Household Population = 2,716,820 (CY 2000) vs. 2,824,259 (CY 2005) = 4% increase.

Average Household Size = 2.73 (CY 2000) vs. 2.71 (CY 2005) = 0.7% decrease.

Average family size = 3.29 (CY 2000) vs. 3.33 (CY 2005) = 1.2% increase.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE

If you are interested in buying San Diego real estate, homes, condos or townhouses for sale, then the above information may be useful to you. The information above can help you understand demographic and population shifts that impact supply, demand, and price of real estate and homes for sale in San Diego.

San Diego is one of the most popular areas in the Country because of its moderate climate. In fact, the year-around average weather in San Diego is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

San Diego real estate is also popular because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, mountains and the US-Mexico border. Bordered by Orange County and Riverside County to the north, and the Mexico to the south, San Diego real estate has hundreds of beachfront properties for sale.

San Diego is the sixth most populated County in the Nation. With this many people, buying real estate in San Diego can be a competitive process depending on the supply and demand of real estate and homes for sale at a particular time.

While interest rates are still relatively low and supply relatively high, buyers at this time may find San Diego real estate a good value.

Those who purchase San Diego real estate enjoy year-around perfect weather, easy access to the Mexico border, a thriving job market, and the pleasures of living close to an ocean.

Whether you are interested in boating, fishing, golfing, tennis or other hobbies, residents and visitors who own San Diego real estate have access to all these activities and more.

Please visit the Census Bureau’s web site for detailed demographic information about San Diego County. The Census Bureau provides key statistics for various communities in its annual American Community Survey (ACS) report.

If you are thinking about Retiring in Mexico, or just looking for the ideal place to retire anywhere, Lake Chapala Real Estate is one of the best choices available.  Besides easy access back home, a near-perfect climate, lots of activities for all tastes and a large North American community, Lake Chapala Real Estate prices are very low, not only compared to American and Canadian prices, but also compared to other favorite Mexico retirement destinations.

If you choose Lake Chapala as your retirement destination, you will find getting here and back is quite convenient, for you or for friends and family who want to visit.  The main towns on Lake Chapala, Ajijic and Chapala, are about 50 minutes away from Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city.  The international airport is on Lake Chapala’s side of the city, so it’s only 45 minutes away.  This airport offers direct flight to most major cities in the United States and Canada.  Toronto or New York are about a 5 hour flight away, and many American destinations are even shorter.  If you friends or relatives who love road trips, Lake Chapala is only 600 miles from Texas.

While Chapala and Ajijic offer most services you’ll need on a daily basis, anything not availabe here can easily be found in Guadalajara, a major metropolitan city.  Top notch medical service with modern, state of the art equipment is readily available for very reasonable prices, compared to back home, with excellent speed as well.

Climate

When it comes to climate, Lake Chapala is perfect for retirement, offering a warm climate, that also never gets uncomfortably hot.  At 5200 feet sea level, the average temperature for the year is 74º F.  During the hot season – April and May – temperatures can reach up to 90º, but the evenings are still quite refreshing, often going down to about 60.  The “rainy season,” lasting from June to October, is the favorite time for most retirees, either visiting or living here, because of the overall moderate temperature, balanced with sunny mornings and rainy afternoons to cool things down.  During this season the trees are greener, the flowers are in bloom, watered by the rain, with their colors brought to life by the sun, and the air has a fresh feeling to it.  Since it is not by the coast, there is no problem with hurricanes or tropical storms.  It is not surprising that National Geographic has named Lake Chapala the second best climate in the world.  What better weather could you as for for your retirement?

Activities

Lake Chapala also offers a large variety of things to do, fun for everyone, and especially suitable for a retirement lifestyle.  If you enjoy sports, there are golf courses in the area; tennis, volleyball and softball are popular as well.  The climate and picturesque roads winding through provincial villages, the lush, green hills of the countryside, or mountain trails are perfect for jogging, walking, cycling or even horseback riding.  The lake offers more than just a beautiful view; you can enjoy boating and fishing very close to home.  Other kinds of activities are common, such as playing cards, craft clubs and shows, garden and plant shows or just having a barbeque in your back yard.  Lake Chapala offers something for whatever kind of retirement lifestyle you prefer, unless, of course, you like stress; here, there’s only relaxation!

Foreign community

Lake Chapala is one of the favorite retirement destinations for Americans and Canadians.  In Ajijic and Chapala and the surrounding villages, there are about 6,000 Americans and Canadians, not to mention a European community.  Many of these are retirees, but there are a large number of younger families as well.  You may find that most of your neighbors are from Ontario, New York or Texas.

Real Estate

one of the most important steps in getting ready for retiring in Lake Chapala is finding the right property to do so.  In Ajijic and Chapala there are properties available in a variety of styles.  There are colonial style Mexican homes to match the cobblestone roads, or modern recently built condos, and many choices between.  Real Estate prices in Lake Chapala are considerably lower than similar properties in the U.S. or Canada, and even lower than other destinations for retiring in Mexico.  A small, but well designed and built condo can be found for less than $100,000 US.  Larger, luxury condos and beautiful single houses can go up to around $300,000 US – which is more like the starting price for something very simple and small in many destinations near the ocean!

Since, finding the right house or condo for retiring in Lake Chapala is one of the most important decisions you will make, it is equally important to find a real estate agent who will provide you with all the information you need and make sure that the paper work and transactions are carried out correctly; this way all you have do is choose the place that’s best, and get ready to enjoy retirement!  Contact TOPMexicoRealEstate.com, “Your Expert Property-Finders,” to get start your property search on the right foot!

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

Mexico Real Estate NETWORK; “Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!” Region: Jaime Niembro has served on the Lake Chapala Real Estate board as vice president and treasurer. He also is an active member of the AMPI association having served as president including the Chamber of Commerce. Jaime is the owner broker of Ajijic Real Estate. For more information (512)-879-6546

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/lake-chapala-real-estate-ideal-for-retiring-in-mexico-1448249.html

Real estate in Baja can be proved as the best deal due to the demand of properties at the place. Baja California is the place known as the party place and many people prefer trip to the place to enjoy the vacations. Real estate in Baja is in demand due to the location of place. Baja is a state in Mexico surrounded by seas from two sides, these makes the place rich in natural sceneries. The beaches of the place are beautiful in their own. The place possesses mix climate and varied wildlife. The place attracts many visitors who wish to spend memorable vacations, individuals ranging from students, couples, families to elderly people like the place and enjoy their vacations.

Real estate in Baja can turn profitable due to the increasing popularity of the place and interest of many individuals in investing in property at the place. Many people wish to purchase the property at the place to spend their weekends, vacations at a place of their own. Some individuals like to spend their life at the place after retirement so they are interested in Real estate in Baja. People now look forward for investment in the property to assure lesser risks. For the purpose of purchase at any place number of real estate agent are present and it is advisable to hire them to avoid any kind of wrong deal that may cause loss to the purchaser. Best deal can be assured through these agents in the real estate in Baja.

Local people of Baja too have interest in such kinds of sale to invest in the properties here and sale it on getting its peak price. Real estate in Baja is highly demanded by the people all over the world due to the peace people like at the place and the future prospects of the property at the place. Many times homes in the real estate sale are fully furnished and available at a price that is appropriate as per the size and locations of the homes at any place. Before making any decision a visit to the selected options can be helpful to get an appropriate idea about the place and choosing the best one. The elderly people, writers, peace lovers etc. are the ones who demands homes at places which provides them inner happiness and peace and they can live their life without any stress. Real estate in Baja provides with the wide range of properties from smaller place to bigger ones.

Real estate in Baja consists of small homes, bigger ones, furnished, non- furnished apartments to the interested individuals. Many organizations and bigger companies go for land property to invest and turning it into a resort, hotel or clubs. These hotels, resorts can turn into a huge profit at a place like Baja. These places can bring cheer to anyone’s life and the person demand for nothing else, a good home at such places, a happy family, bread and butter of two times and more and more of nature’s beauty. People like spending time at such places.

“Pankaj Modi Says:” Real estate in Baja can be proved as the best deal because This is a once in a generation opportunity to own water front and beach property on the Bay of La Paz.
For more information please visit: http://www.riviera-lapaz.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/real-estate-in-baja-a-profitable-investment-due-to-the-demand-of-place-1354830.html