PROJECT PEGASUS INTERNATIONAL Newsletter Dec / Jan 2017 Issue Relocation Service So you’ve decided to relocate due to work, family, or just a sea- “Bob and I wanted to take change……but do you really know everything you need to make the right a minute to thank you for choice? Our lifestyle and needs, are the most important considerations all the help you gave us on when looking for a new home, so finding the home that ticks all the boxes our recent condo purchase is only the start. Parks, schools, transport, gyms, shops, eating establish- in Delray Beach. We firm- ments, are all part of the equation. Buying a home is one of the largest ly believe that if it wasn't financial transactions you can make. Making the right choice is certainly for all your help we never would have been able to worth considering very carefully, as making the wrong choice can end up purchase this for costing thousands of dollars, in either unplanned renovation, or loss in the price we did. It was having to sell prematurely. Aside from sorting out your finance options, because of all your hard considering neighborhoods, demographics, sales history, taxes etc., are work that we were suc- all major concerns. Most people simply find the task of relocating a major cessful. Again, we want to upheaval if things don’t go smoothly in finding the perfect fit. So why not thank you Veronica for get expert assistance? It costs you nothing, but can save you thousands! everything you did to help A relocation expert knows the answers you need to make this most im- us." portant investment. In addition, a professional realtor works for you, to - Judy & Bob Dodd negotiate the best option available in your price range. They also have many contacts that are valuable to you, in connection with professional and trade services you will need.

First things to consider with relocating. In This Issue  Do I have a solid grasp of the areas I’m looking in?  Relocation Service  Do I know where the best deals are?  Barcelona Culinary  How do I find the answers I’m looking for? Capital

 Social Media Etiquette….should we care?

 National Association of Realtors report.

 Globalisation….what does the world think today? Relocation…..worth getting assistance for that perfect fit? 1 Social Media Etiquette….should we care?

Social media can be a great tool for business or to keep up with friend- ships. However it can also be a source for drama and contention if we don’t use it wisely. Not to mention a time stealer. Here is Forbes magazine 12 point list to consider before pressing that post button.

1. Should I target a specific audi- ence with this message? 2. Will anyone really care about this content besides me? Michelin Star Barcelona Chef Jordi Cruz 3. Will I offend anyone with this content? If so who and do I care? 4. Is this appropriate for a social portal, or would it best be commu- Barcelona Culinary Capital nicated another way? 5. How many times have I al- Barcelona is renowned as a city of great art and architecture, as well as ready posted something today? Is great food. Blessed with amazing coastline, moderate climate and moun- it excessive? tains it has everything to choose from. A bustling cruise port poised on the 6. Did I spell check? Mediterranean Sea, this amazing city - Gothic and Modernist - is world famous for it’s striking art and home to artists like Picasso, and the de- 7. Will I be okay with absolutely signer of magnificent buildings that adorn the city, the great architect An- anyone seeing this? tonio Gaudi. There are fascinating museums to be discovered in its laby- 8. Is this post too vague? Will rinth of medieval streets. It is considered Spain’s most interesting city par- everyone understand what I’m say- ticularly popular with “foodies” and aspiring gourmets. This elegant and ing? exuberant cosmopolitan city boasts an array of creative restaurants, many 9. Am I using this as an emotion- with Michelin stars, along with innovative tapas bars and stylish wine- al dumping ground? bars. The cuisine of Barcelona (and greater Catalonia, or Catalunya as it 10. Am I using too many abbrevia- is known in Catalan) is wholeheartedly Mediterranean, with an emphasis tions in this post and sounding like on fish, olive oil, wine, and fresh produce…..the Mediterranean Diet which a teenager? has long been championed as the healthiest in the world, provides the 11. Is this reactive communication basics for some of the tastiest concoctions. or is it well thought-out? For many years now Barcelona has been considered a city of creativity 12. Is this really something I want and propelled onto the world culinary scene as a serious hotspot of inno- to share, or is it just me venting? vative gastronomy. Exciting chefs, Michelin starred restaurants, creative caterers and artisan products are increasingly well-known abroad and highly respected. The art of design, that is so present in Barcelona, car- ries over into the innovative cuisine, and imaginative tapas are a work of art. With a wealth of fine restaurants where food is science and chefs like Ferran Adrià, and Jordi Cruz bring new heights to culinary artistry, it’s not hard to see why Barcelona is a foodie’s “Mecca” for those that appreciate creative cuisine. While for the more conservative, there are just as many new options to try, and also superb classic establishments serving the more traditional dishes. As if that was not enough, it is also home to one of the world's best food markets, the Boqueria, not forgetting the impres- sive Mercat de Santa Caterina. Whatever your scene you will find it in modern and vibrant Barcelona, the city has everything from pulsating trendy night clubs, to culture and histo- ry you can immerse yourself in.

2 FHA Reduction.

Lower costs are coming for homebuyers seeking a Federal Housing Admin- istration -insured mort- gage. FHA announced Jan 9, that they are cutting annu- al premiums for mortgage insurance from 0.85 per- cent to 0.60 percent, a move the National Associ- ation of Realtors® said breathes new life into the program. “FHA mortgage products exist to serve an important More Pending Home Sales Finally Cross The Finishing Line mission: providing home- ownership opportunities to creditworthy borrowers who are overlooked by National Association of Realtors conventional lenders,” said NAR President Wil- WASHINGTON (January 30, 2017) — Pending home sales picked up in De- liam E. Brown, a Realtor® cember as solid increases in the South and West offset weakening activity in from Alamo, California the Northeast and Midwest, according to the National Association of Realtors®. and founder of Investment The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract . “The high cost signings, increased 1.6 percent to 109.0 in December from 107.3 in November. of mortgage insurance With last month's uptick in activity, the index is now 0.3 percent above last De- has unfortunately put cember (108.7). those opportunities out of Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says contract activity was mixed through- reach for many young, out the country in December but ultimately ended on a high note to close out first-time- and lower- 2016. "Pending sales rebounded last month as enough buyers fended off rising income borrowers. Now, mortgage rates and alarmingly low inventory levels1 to sign a contract," he said. we have a real opportunity "The main storyline in the early months of 2017 will be if supply can meaning- to get back on track.” fully increase to keep price growth at a moderate enough level for households FHA mortgages are im- to absorb higher borrowing costs. Sales will struggle to build on last year's portant for low- and mod- strong pace if inventory conditions don't improve." erate-income buyers in According to Yun, a large portion of overall supply right now is at the upper end particular because a lower of the market. This is evident by looking at December data on the year-over- down payment is required year change in single-family sales by price range. Last month, sales were up than with many conven- around 10 percent compared to December 2015 for homes sold at or above tional mortgage options. $250,000, while homes sold between $100,000 and $250,000 only increased Buyers with lower credit 2.3 percent. Meanwhile, sales of homes under $100,000 were down 11.6 per- scores may find more fa- cent compared to a year ago. vorable treatment with an FHA loan than a conven- "The dismal number of listings in the affordable price range is squeezing pro- tional product as well. spective first-time buyers the most," said Yun. "As a result, young households “HUD and FHA leaders are missing out on the wealth gains most homeowners have accrued from the are to be commended for 41 percent cumulative rise in existing home prices since 2011."Existing-home recognizing the need we sales are forecast to be around 5.54 million this year, an increase of 1.7 per- have before us,” Brown cent from 2016, which was the best year of sales since 2006. The national me- said. “Our work continues, dian existing-home price in 2017 is expected to increase around 4 percent. In but we’re encouraged by 2016, existing sales increased 3.8 percent and prices rose 5.2 percent. Yun today’s announcement.” expects housing starts – which for another year undershot overall demand – to jump to around 1.26 million units, an increase of 7.9 percent from 2016 (1.16 million). 3 Globalisation…...what does the world think today? The term refers to the increasing integration of economies around the world, particularly through the movement of goods, services, and capital across borders. Sometimes also refers to the movement of people (labor) and knowledge (technology) across international borders. There are also broader cultural, political, and environmental dimensions of globalisation.

Globalisation has also enabled increased levels of investment. It has made it easier for countries to attract short term and long term investment. Invest- ment by multinational companies can play a big role in improving the econo- mies of developing countries. It has also increased competition by foreign firms in developed countries, but many also oppose the idea of foreigners buying indigenous companies. Some are concerned that free movement of labour can cause excess pressure on housing and social services in some countries. However, others are also quick to point out, that the resources developed out of human interchange of ideas in the labour force, has far out- weighed the social concerns. Few can argue against the benefits of in- creased and expanded technological advances made possible by globalisa- tion.

Most Asians do not see a problem. Asian attitudes towards culture and immi- gration are nuanced: the Philippines, Vietnam and India are overwhelmingly CONTACT positive about the impact of immigration on society, but are at the same time skeptical of the benefits of multiculturalism. Many respondents from these countries tend to believe that “globalisation has mostly benefited the wealthy.”

There is also concern that unchecked globalisation has contributed to the success of terrorism, largely based on its power of communication, transpor- [email protected] tation, intelligence and finance, something that social media has played a huge role in. In his 1989 essay, “The End of History?” Francis Fukuyama, a political theorist, argued that the great intellectual debate about liberalism had ended, and that all countries would gravitate towards liberal democracy. Or call us today to discuss all Although he may still one day turn out to be right, given the current world your needs and objectives. climate of unrest due to difference in ideology, he may have to wait a while We are a Full Service Global for his vision to become reality. Boutique

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ProjectPegasusInternational.com Globalisation - Much to Consider

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