Houston Apartment Portfolio

My own interest in cheap housing ideas started because I never liked having a job, or working too many hours per week. I worked full time for perhaps just nine months in my life (I’m 43), so it was necessary at times to keep my expenses low. My first house was a mobile home on a small lot in a Northern Michigan town. The $257 payments were easy enough for a while, but I paid off the mortgage early during an unusual period of 30-hour work weeks (almost full time for me).

However, I wasn’t just a buyer of cheap housing – I was also a supplier. I rented the other rooms in the mobile home. In this way I lived for free and even had a little extra income after paying the household bills. I also built a shed for $250, carpeted it and put in a light, and then rented it out at times for $50 per week – now that’s a good ROI (return on investment).

In Mexico, when I was 17 years old, a group of factory workers gave me a ride and let me spend the night in their extra bunk (I was hitchhiking). They had a futuristic plastic apartment, big enough for four bunk beds and not much more. In the bathroom, the floor, toilet and bath tub were all made out of one continuous piece of molded plastic. Outside, the grounds had tennis courts, as well as cement paths with benches, that wound through flower beds.

An efficiently designed 300-square-foot apartment works for single young people. If such construction was allowed in some parts of the United States (there was only one door and other code issues) these kinds of apartments could probably really solve some problems. With twenty of them on a small property, an investor could make money renting them out for $240 per month, utilities included. Split between four single young men or women, this would be just $60 each, or $15 per week. That’s really cheap housing.

Other Cheap Housing Ideas

In those places where there is no big snow-load to worry about, tent-style housing, like that used on the Mongolian plains might be okay. Normal walls and roofs cost a lot, but insulated fabric would be a fraction of the cost. Even if it needed to be replaced every 12 years it might cost a lot less than using traditional walls and roofs.

There was an indoor ice rink in our local park for years before I noticed that its roof was held up by air pressure alone. It worked well enough, which makes me wonder if this kind of construction might be used for houses too. Think inflatable houses…

How about 10-by-12-foot cube-rooms that fit together easily in many different ways? A buyer starts with a bathroom cube, a kitchen cube and a bedroom cube, and then add more as he can afford to. Having them pre-made with a uniform design would keep the costs low. The electrical would be built-in and ready to plug into the next cube-room.

My friend was thrown out of the home he built on his own land, because it wasn’t large enough to meet the county building code. We discovered however, that it would have been legal for him to camp on his property in an Recreational Vehicle, even if it was smaller than his shack. This makes me wonder if an entrepreneur could buy 40 used RVs for $4,000 each, put them on a piece of land, and then rent them to low income tenants. Just call it “camping,” and this cheap housing idea might be okay with authorities.

Are you planning a trip to Paris? Are you debating whether to stay in a Paris apartment or a hotel? I have put together a quick guide that will help you decide on what is best for you.

There are quite a few advantages of renting a Paris apartment over the typical Paris hotel room and most people have commented on how they enjoy the comforts of an apartment in Paris as it is more homely. When you stay in an apartment in any city not jus Paris you will at first notice the amount of room you have. Paris hotels are often cramped and an apartment becomes very appealing – especially for people who enjoy a bit of space. You will also enjoy the whole Paris experience better. By that I mean you will live like a true Parisian in this wonderful and romantic city. Staying in an apartment in Paris allows you the freedom to immerse yourself in Parisian culture. There are no distractions, and best of all, lots of privacy.

When you rent your apartment in Paris you can relax as the risks are non existent. All the hard work has been done before hand letting you enjoy your stay. Whether you are coming to Paris for a romantic weekend break, a short stay with the family or a boys or girls week long trip, Paris the City of Light has something for you.

If you are an art lover then a day trip to the famous Louvre is a must. With over 300,000 works of art on display including the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci there is definitely no time to get bored! If you are with your children and you’ve seen enough art to last a lifetime you can also try Disneyland Paris which is not too far away from the city and offers an unforgettable experience for both children and adults alike!

How about a romantic trip down the Seine for two and then up to the Eiffel Tower to take in the breathtaking sights of Paris? On a clear day one can see for about 30 miles. All these things I can personally assure you will be enjoyed a whole lot more when you stay in an apartment in Paris rather than a hotel.

So, what’s holding you back from visiting this exquisite and delightful city? Of course there are obvious things to think over when considering an apartment or a hotel, but in the end a true Paris apartment with all mod cons is by far the best way to enjoy this wonderful and romantic city.

You and your family are relocating to Bangkok, Thailand and have finally found a place to rent. What do you do next and how can you secure that property before someone else does?

The first thing you should know is that properties change hands fast in Bangkok. I believe the same applies for all major cities where there is a considerable expat population. So, when you have finally found that one property you like, try to stop yourself from wanting to see more “just in case there is something else out there” because from my experience, people always come back to the first one they like. Those who are decisive move in weeks after, excited while those who hesitate too long end up settling for second best and sometimes, may even cost them more in rent.

Call your agent immediately and tell them about your decision. You then need to decide what extras you need in the property and the price you are happy to pay. Then the agent can go off and negotiate on your behalf. Once the rental price and extra items are settled, you need to arrange for an initial deposit, or what we call a “booking fee” to secure the property. Putting down a booking fee guarantees you the property, so you can go off and start organising the move. Without it, there is always that chance that someone else might come along and take it from you. Basically, whoever puts down the money first, gets the property! To prevent that from happening, the initial deposit required here is usually equivalent to one month’s rent with the remaining to be paid at the signing of the contract. This can be done once the contract is approved on both ends.

If you are renting an apartment, which is owned by a single entity or business, chances are the contracts are not going to vary very much since these are very standard, thus you can quite confidently put down the deposit and then have the contract sent to you later. Most apartments are flexible on simple clause changes (within reason) but if you require a diplomatic clause included, it’s best you settle that before you put down the booking fee.

The standard security deposit in Thailand is two months rent, plus a month’s rent in advance. Therefore, you pay three months upfront when you move into a new premise. You are entitled to have that security deposit returned to you at the end of your lease term, provided the property is handed back to the owner in good condition, taking into account normal wear and tear. Should you break lease before the end term of your contract, the landlord can rightfully forfeit your despoit unless a diplomatic clause is applicable. However, a diplomatic clause is only applicable in cases of overseas job transfer, termination of work or political crisis, and requires company supported documents as proof. It does not cover situations when you’ve suddenly decided you need a bigger place and wish to move.

When you are doing an Atlanta apartments in GA search, you need to be aware of the fact that property management companies usually manage and maintain a great deal of apartment buildings. If you have never rented an apartment before and are looking for Riverdale apartments, GA or Atlanta apartments, GA, there are some things that you need to know before you decide to sign a lease.

One of the most important things to know when you are deciding on signing on for Atlanta apartments, GA is to get to know the management company.  They will be the ones fixing any problems that you may have as well as taking care of the grounds and buildings. You want to rent Riverdale apartments in GA that are preferably owned and managed by reputable management companies so that you can be assured that everything will be in good repair. There is nothing more frustrating than renting an apartment and finding that no one will come around quickly when you have something go wrong. 

Another aspect that you need to consider when you are renting Riverdale apartments, GA is what type of rent you will be paying. Rent is a huge deciding factor when it comes to looking for Atlanta apartments, GA.  While rent should not be the only deciding factor when you are apartment hunting, it certainly deserves a great deal of consideration. You will want to be sure that the apartment you choose is affordable to you. 

Comfort is another key factor when it comes to renting Atlanta apartments, GA. Your apartment is your home – you want it to be some place where you will be proud to live. Look for Riverdale apartments, GA that are cozy and where you feel you will be at home. You want to be sure that your apartment offers you enough space so that you do not feel hemmed in but, at the same time, you do not want to pay for space that you do not need. 

There are many things to consider when you are apartment hunting.  You can get a good idea of what is out there when it comes to the size of the apartments, features as well as rent amount when you go online. Searching for apartments online makes good sense because you can save yourself a lot of legwork. You do not need to go from place to place looking for apartments when you can literally have them come to you, just by logging onto your computer and performing a search through the management company’s website. 

Go with a bigger management company that has been around for a while and is well known in the area if you can. It is best to live in an owner managed apartment community if possible. You do not want to be stuck with a landlord who will not fix anything and is not interested in the premises- only in collecting your rent. When you are looking for Atlanta apartments, GA or Riverdale apartments, GA, you need to be sure of who you are renting from, make sure they are trustworthy and that you are happy with the apartment that you will now call your home.

Dubai is a unique blend of contemporary city with timeless deserts and golden beaches. This cosmopolitan city with a population over 1 million, offers a amazing taste of Arabia flawlessly combining some of the world’s most stimulating tourists destinations which draw million of visitors from all over the world every year.

Strategically situated at the centre of the world, Dubai has become a foremost business and tour hub, with more than 90 airlines providing direct flights worldwide to the city thus forming it into one of the premier tourist destinations in the world.

A traveler can spend a vacation that amalgamates sand dunes and Middle East culture with spectacular top end hotels overlooking immaculate beaches and the warm turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf. Dubai is also a shopper’s paradise. During its Shopping Festival more than two million guests turn up appreciating discounts on clothing, electronics, gold and Persian carpets at the emirates which is their duty free zone.

The lodging available in Dubai ranges from hotels, hotel apartments and private villas or apartments for more exclusive retreats. If one intends staying in Dubai for longer or with a large group or simply desire privacy, apartment might be a better option then staying in a hotel. The luxury apartments are high quality, fully-furnished holiday rentals for the executive traveler, honeymooners and family vacation.

Apartments in Dubai are fully furnished; include some of the best sea views, equipped with all amenities and are primarily situated next to the business hubs of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City. The Self Catering beach apartments & villas have offers the luxury of top hotel in Dubai; with state of the art conveniences like free high speed Internet, Cable TV, DVD/CD player, 24/7 surveillance, , gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna, covered car park etc.

Renting an apartment in Dubai is ideal for travelers who rather spend their budget on shopping and dining and is much cheaper option, more affordable, comfortable whether visiting friends and families, or traveling on business. An apartment creates an awe-inspiring experience that delights residents with its cosmopolitan, free-spirited atmosphere and unique, stimulating lifestyle generally located within easy reach of the main shopping, cultural, historical and business districts.

Renowned apartment rentals aims to offer clients modern stylish and affordable apartments for both short and long term stays, with great emphasis high levels of quality service thus promises total control levels of service over pricing, and accuracy of content. This way, Dubai Apartments provide a very affordable option to hotels to stay in Dubai during one’s journey.