Hard Money Loans

In 2003, Leif Thomsen earned more than $10 million as his company originated more than $3 billion. This year his firm closed more than $5 billion. But with two young children and lots of travel, Thomsen has stepped back from the business.

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Tel Aviv, Israel (AHN) – One day after an explosion in the pipeline at a gas terminal in the country’s northern Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian authorities have temporarily suspended gas supplies to Israel and Jordan – a move that prompts Israel to consider accelerating development of its own natural gas fields.

Israel is dependent on Egypt for 40 percent of its natural gas supply, the majority of which is used by country’s power stations.

The current gas deal is the foundation of the 32-year-old peace treaty, which is now at stake following the ongoing anti-government protests and civil unrest in Egypt.

If a government hostile to Israel comes to power, Israel fears renewed hostilities and a severing of business and diplomatic relations between the neighboring nations..

Speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the need to find alternative energy sources in the wake of scenarios that jolt the region.

Netanyahu also lauded Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau’s efforts in seeking loans from government and tax breaks to accelerate the development of a natural gas field, which was found off Israel’s Mediterranean coast recently.

Cabinet minister Landau said that Israel must become energy independent.

“We always hope for the good, in terms of the peace agreement that we have and with the gas commercial contract that we have, but we always have to prepare ourselves for the bad case,” Landau added during the meeting.

Landau further explained his government’s plans to construct a floating platform off the Mediterranean coast to obtain LNG, which could be transported to shore.

“We must build this platform off Hadera in the next two years because there is an emergency that we need to take into account,” Landau told Israel Radio.

He added that it would easily to stockpile LNG for emergency situations compared to other forms of natural gas.

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Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada (AHN) – The federal government of Canada has tentatively reached an agreement with the Northwest Territories to devolve province-like powers to the region. The powers include the northern resources and royalties it generates.

Although the deal is still a draft agreement in principle, Ottawa and the NWT governments agreed to work for a final devolution agreement, said the spokesman of the Indian and Northern Affairs. The tentative agreement was reached last month after at least 20 years of talks between the two sides.

Ottawa and NWT officials will review the tentative agreement in the next few weeks and reconvene on Oct. 30 to discuss their next move. Indian Affairs said it expects the transfer of power would be gradual.

NWT Premier Floyd Roland last week shared the development with members of the Legislative Assembly in his sessional statement. Roland said he hoped the 16th Assembly would be able to secure the powers and resources from Ottawa to give the NWT government a greater say in shaping the territories’ future.

Roland said, “We all know that this work of creating a strong foundation for the future is not easy. But we have all worked to put in place the resources, tools, and processes that will allow us to realize the unprecedented opportunities that are still before us.”

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Women are working more, earning more and buying more than they ever did. Consequently, they have a significant influence on the American economy in general, and the real estate industry in particular.

The collective buying power of US women accounts for about 85 % of all consumer purchases. When it comes to purchasing patterns, women are estimated to make 94 % of home furnishings decisions, 91 % of new homes purchase decisions, and 89 % of travel decisions.

Women’s earnings have accelerated over the last few years and they have emerged as the Chief Purchasing Officers in their households. According to IRS data, women constitute 39 % of the top wealth holders in the country. This means about 2.5 million women possess a wealth of $4.2 trillion put together. Notably, the IRS estimates that by 2050, 42 % of these women will be single or widowed. The IRS further estimates that more wealth is bound to be accumulated among women.

Another growing trend that emerged in a December 2006 study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was that about 22 % of homes purchased between July 2005 and June 2006 were by single women who were in the 25 to 34 age range. Women accounted for a record number of 1.76 million home purchases (1 in every 5 homes), a significant increase from 14 % a decade ago. Women’s growing success in their careers, higher education, financial independence and a desire to build an early nest on their own, are some of the reasons that have spearheaded this home buying trend.

Among the vast demographic spectrum in the real estate industry, women have become a force to reckon with. Real estate agents are increasingly taking note of their female clients and the power they wield in home buying decisions. By the influence that they bring into play in home buying decisions, women form a significant and growing market that simply cannot be ignored.

If you are considering buying a home, condo, or any other real estate, be sure to seek out the services of a local real estate agent to guide you through this complex process.