Even though it has propelled the global economy for much of the last decade, recent figures have shown China’s economy is slowing down to its lowest rate in 14 years. Official figures released today reveal that GDP growth for 2013 was 7.7 percent, down 0.01 percent on the previous year’s number. Despite this slump, growth was higher…
China has entreated member nations of the IMF to give more power to emerging markets. The request was brought about after US lawmakers blocked the IMF’s move to reorganise power structures in favour of emerging markets. The change would give countries such as China, Brazil and India more weight in relation to the emergency lender’s…
Every age group has its own housing needs. Couples in their early 30s are often looking for their starter homes, and by 40 are hoping to expand into a larger home to fit a growing family. Empty nesters in their 60s often downsize to a smaller home or add a vacation home to their real…
As an established financial advisor and CEO for investment funds at PGC, Guillaume Jalenques de Labeau understands the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory and applies these guidelines to his investment activities on behalf of clients in France, throughout Europe and from around the world. First released to the public in 1952 in the Journal of…
Are you buying or being sold to?You’ve just got off the phone and been dazzled with the latest buzzwords that are tempting you in to a purchase: Brand new LCD televisions, superfast broadband, gold plated beds and so on. The savvy amongst us are already clear that this is all gloss and has no depth….
If you are considering running your own hotel or B&B in Costa Rica, there are many reasons to consider purchasing an existing property rather than building your own from scratch. Perhaps one of the most important reasons to consider doing so is that you can purchase a property with an established name and branding. This…
In Costa Rica, it is very common to find pre-construction or pre-sale projects. Such units are sold before construction has actually begun. In most instances, developers sell units in advance of construction in order to raise the capital necessary to complete the project. Pre-sales also serve as a critical tool for demonstrating viability to lenders…
Is 2014 going to be the year you finally land your dream job? With budgets evaluated and annual goals set, many employers are ready to welcome a crop of new team members to start the year off right. If you want to get a jump on the competition and wow the hiring managers at your…
One of the most cost-effective ways of investing in the Italian real estate market is buying a fixer-upper property.When investing in a ruin, it is possible to spend $175,000 on the purchase and renovation, then flip the property for twice as much when work is completed.Apart from the impressive return on investment, the other advantages…
Rising income inequality is starting to hit home for many American households as they run short of places to reach for a few extra bucks. As the gap between the rich and poor widened over the last three decades, families at the bottom found ways to deal with the squeeze on earnings. Housewives joined the…
