May 2019 | Page 3 of 3 | A blog about homes, trends, tips & life

Trends May 10, 2019

Real Estate Trend to Keep an Eye On Before Investing

Reading Time: 4 minutes There are endless possibilities in the real estate sector for experienced and static investors who don’t like to take too many risks. The global economic decline in the last few years affected every sector, including real estate. Coupled with Bangladesh’s economic downturn, the country’s real estate market was going through a rough patch. However, both the local and international real estate market bounced back thanks to its tenacity and characteristics. Investing in the housing sector today is very safe, and the clever investors are certainly doing so. Keep in mind though, investing in a sector without properly understanding it isn’t wise. That is why before you invest in real estate, you need to first understand the real estate trends in Bangladesh. 1. Secondary, Tertiary, and Rental Market The number of rental properties has significantly increased over the last few years. All the while, people’s interest in buying property has also…

Tips May 9, 2019

Tips for Staying Healthy During Ramadan

Reading Time: 4 minutes So, the month of Ramadan has arrived. Most of us take preparations before the arrival of this month. Several big changes will show up in our daily routine during this month. However, because of this Summer time, fasting becomes more difficult since the days are longer than usual. During the no-eating period, our body uses up stored carbohydrates and fat and uses them as the primary energy source. Therefore, it is important that we follow healthy eating habits. Hence, read below some of the best tips to staying healthy in Ramadan. Healthy Sehri and Iftar We should have all kinds of food for Sehri and Iftar. That is how we can enjoy fasting in a comfortable manner. Most of the time, we tend to jump into feasting right after we break our fasts. We end up consuming various kinds of food that in turn weakens our body. During Iftar and…

Pulse May 8, 2019

Is Moving for a Shorter Commute Worth It?

Reading Time: 4 minutes Anyone who lives far from their office has days when the thought of going to work just ruins the mood. This is very much true for Dhaka, where one of the major challenges is congestion. On those days, oh how we wish our office was closer to home. The thought of moving for a shorter commute seems like the right decision in every way. But is it really worth it? What are the pros and cons of living close to work? Pros Reduced Frustration & Stress Some of the major problems of having to travel far for work is having to deal with seemingly endless traffic jams, a swarm of people, heat, and the ever-present tension of being late. All these factors create stress and frustration which takes quite a toll on your mental and physical wellbeing. However, by moving closer to your workplace, you can reduce these headaches quite…

Trends May 7, 2019

5 New Technology Solutions in Commercial Real Estate (CRE)

Reading Time: 4 minutes Technological innovation brings along with it new ways to deal with old problems or issues. They make things easier for all. However, the real estate industry has been more resistant to technological change than other industries. But with so much at stake—$54 trillion globally—the first firms to break through with leading-edge technology can gain a fortune. Technology solutions in commercial real estate will provide a competitive advantage include predictive analytics, smart building hardware, and the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things (IoT) No discussion about the future of real estate technology can begin without mentioning the Internet of Things or IoT. The technology works thanks to smart sensors and devices that communicate with each other through cloud computing. While smart gadgets make home life certainly easier, people have no idea how technology is changing commercial real estate. This system is going to change how we design, use, and maximize…

Tips May 6, 2019

Preparing for Ramadan: The Right Mindset

Reading Time: 4 minutes We are on the verge of the holy month of Ramadan. It is a month where one can attain unadulterated physical, psychological, and spiritual tranquillity and blessings by devoting himself/herself to the devotion of Allah. Maybe for that reason many refer this month as ‘The Month of Blessing’. This Ramadan falls at the time of the year that when the temperature is becoming unbearable. That is why we need to prepare ourselves before Ramadan begins. Our today’s article is on that topic; how to physically, psychologically, and spiritually prepare ourselves. With these following tips, your preparation for Ramadan will be complete. So let’s take a look! Psychological Preparation for Ramadan We can consider psychological preparation as the first step of Ramadan preparation since the commitment we make to fast in Ramadan is completely a psychological factor and is more or less determined by your mental fortitude. Your usual routine is…

Trends May 5, 2019

Fastest Growing Urban Centers Across the Globe

Reading Time: 2 minutes The world’s inhabitants increasingly face a choice between a quiet rural life and the faster pace of urban living. But for the vast majority, the pull of city life is likely to be strongest. The world is fast becoming more urban, with up to 70 percent of the planet predicted to be living in cities in the coming decades. What is driving this global urban swell? One answer to this question is young people. Recent census data from the United States revealed that well-educated, ambitious young adults are increasingly choosing to call urban areas home. And this trend is not limited to the developed world. These are the fastest growing cities in emerging markets that are leading the pack for urbanization, with an increasing number of young people relocating from rural areas in search of better work opportunities. Dhaka, Bangladesh Current population: About 10 million Projected population: 17 million by…

Tips May 4, 2019

Tips for Buying Furniture

Reading Time: 4 minutes Renovating your home should be fun, not daunting. Needless to say, furniture can change the look of a home and has the ability to increase or decrease the functionality of a living space. Moreover, you definitely want to own things that reflect upon your personal style. For the next time you want to go furniture-shopping, here are some useful furniture buying tips. Work within the space you have It’s important to scale up everything! This is one of our best furniture buying tips. Often times, people go for large furniture just because they have more space when in reality, it’s about mixing it up. Your house can become too cramped and awkward if you don’t have a plan for the layout. It’s more about arranging what goes where and how accessories of different sizes and shapes complement your furniture. For better accuracy, take measurements beforehand of your space and the…

Pulse May 3, 2019

Inside the Real-Life Fairy tale Castle That Inspired Disney

Reading Time: 4 minutes Haven’t we all watched Disney cartoons growing up? Aladdin, Cinderella; we have all gotten lost in those folktales. Growing up, Disney characters have always been our favorites. Even though all the Disney cartoons and movies are works of fiction, the interesting thing is that they are actually created based on real life locations. Today, we will look at some of those locations that inspired Disney movies. The following locations are both seen at Disney pictures and theme parks. These creative fragments are truly captivating. The artisans behind these pieces may not have taken the whole concept but it’s clear that they took inspiration from these places. Moreover, a few Disney movies are actually based on traditional folk tales. Hence, it’s quite normal to have similarities with these locations. Neuschwanstein Castle – Bavaria, Germany Inspiration for: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Walt Disney once traveled to Bavaria with his wife, Lilian. Upon…

My Home May 2, 2019

Student Living: Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

Reading Time: 4 minutes Every student who has to move to a new place to study faces accommodation challenges. Now we all know about the tons of problems in regards to student housing. However, one of the major problems that often gets overlooked is the size of living quarters, which are usually quite small. But instead of focusing on the negatives, we’ll look at some decorating ideas for small spaces that students can apply. These student room ideas will help them make the most out of any small spaces and make it feel more like home. Decorate with Light Colors A bed, a table, maybe two chairs; a student usually keeps only a few items in his/her room. No matter how many items there are, try to go for a light outlook when decorating. While dark or cozy colors might seem tempting, it is the light colors that you should choose. Simply put, lighter…

Trends May 1, 2019

WHY INVESTMENT IN PROPERTY MAKES SENSE

Reading Time: 2 minutes Ensuring financial freedom is a goal for most people. Investing your pension in only one highly specialized fund could be too risky. Inflation is growing steadily throughout the world’s economies, with cash investments gradually losing their value. Is there an alternative investment option? Investing in revenue streams that earn you a positive cash flow is key; learning to handle inflation and balancing your portfolio is crucial and this can be achieved by combining a diverse set of assets. Many investors over the past five years have been badly bitten, by even the most solidly performing shares; these investors are looking to income-producing real estate as an alternative. Tax-free cash flow One of the main benefits of income-producing real estate is: because of depreciation and mortgage interest deductions (if you leverage your capital), tax-free cash flows. The investor can wait for capital gains on the sale of the property in the…