Majority of landlords and tenants confused about US rentals

Confusion is rife in the US private rented sector, according to a new survey by Zillow and Ipsus, which shows that despite high demand for rented accommodation, the majority of tenants and landlords do not understand basic rental laws.

82 per cent of renters and 76 per cent of landlords lack understanding of laws concerning security deposits, credit, and background checks, found Zillow, while 77 per cent of renters and 69 per cent of landlords lack understanding of privacy and access rights.

The survey included those who rent the home they live in (“renters”) and those who own the home they live in and own one or more additional homes, which they rent to a tenant (“landlords”).

“It’s concerning that so many renters and landlords are signing a legal contract without fully understanding their basic rights," said Carey Armstrong, Zillow director of rentals.

"In doing so, landlords and renters could be setting themselves up for future disputes and legal costs. While rental laws vary by state and local jurisdiction, there are some important rules that affect just about everybody. Every landlord and renter should take time to research and understand their rights.”
via:http://www.themovechannel.com/news/stories/majority-of-landlords-and-tenants-confused-about-us-rentals-676/

7 in 10 tourist rentals in Catalonia are illegal

7 in 10 tourist rentals in Catalonia are illegal, according to new reports, as officials begin to clamp down on landlords who are not registered.

Today’s other Property Investment news:
Majority of landlords and tenants confused about US rentals 

Photo: Delphine Gimbert

Catalonia's regional government, The Generalitat, has started legal proceedings against over one thousand rental properties that do not comply with official regulations. 

The number of tourist rentals is on the up, as holiday homes become an increasingly popular option among investors. Indeed, there were 27,000 beds registered at the start of 2013, reports Spanish Property Insight; that number has now soared to 150,000. Owners have to register with their local town hall for a tourist lettings permit and are then issued a registration number.

Despite the growth in official rental properties, though, The Generalitat estimates that private rentals in the area account for 500,000 beds, which means that 70 per cent are not registered and are therefore illegal.

Authorities are now reportedly checking websites advertising tourist rentals and require all owners to include their registration number in adverts. 75 companies are already being investigated, while The Generalitat is now turning to landlords, with legal proceedings reportedly started against the owners of 1,347  properties. Fines for illegal rents start at €3,000 and can go up to €30,000.

Majority of landlords and tenants confused about US rentals

Confusion is rife in the US private rented sector, according to a new survey by Zillow and Ipsus, which shows that despite high demand for rented accommodation, the majority of tenants and landlords do not understand basic rental laws.

82 per cent of renters and 76 per cent of landlords lack understanding of laws concerning security deposits, credit, and background checks, found Zillow, while 77 per cent of renters and 69 per cent of landlords lack understanding of privacy and access rights.

The survey included those who rent the home they live in (“renters”) and those who own the home they live in and own one or more additional homes, which they rent to a tenant (“landlords”).

“It’s concerning that so many renters and landlords are signing a legal contract without fully understanding their basic rights," said Carey Armstrong, Zillow director of rentals.

"In doing so, landlords and renters could be setting themselves up for future disputes and legal costs. While rental laws vary by state and local jurisdiction, there are some important rules that affect just about everybody. Every landlord and renter should take time to research and understand their rights.”

via:http://www.themovechannel.com/news/stories/7-in-10-tourist-rentals-in-catalonia-are-illegal-297/

Got the balls to live on Minge Lane? You could save £84k

Do you have the balls to live on Minge Lane? You could save thousands on your house price, according to a new survey, which reveals that properties on rudely-named streets are worth an average of £84,000 less than similar properties nearby.

Today’s other Weird World news:
Building or ribbon? Meet Turkey's new broadcast tower 

The survey by NeedaProperty.com asked 2,000 mature British adults to vote on the streets with the most embarrassing names, ranking Minge Lane in Worcestershire as the rudest.

60 per cent of Brits admitted they would be put off living on a street if it had an embarrassing name, but 40 per cent said they were not concerned about how others would react to hearing their address.

But before you kick Crotch Crescent or slag off Fanny Hands Lane, the research also found that those willing to live on an embarrassing street could save a significant chunk on their purchase price. 

The top 15 most embarrassing street names, according to Need a Property's survey, are:

1. Minge Lane - Worcestershire
2. Slag Lane - Lancashire
3. Fanny Hands Lane - Lincolnshire
4. Bell End - West Midlands
5. Crotch Crescent - Oxfordshire
6. The Knob - Northamptonshire
7. Turkey Cock Lane - Essex
8. Cockshoot Close - Oxfordshire
9. Cumming Street - London
10. Cock A-Dobby - Berkshire
11. Cock Lane - London
12. Clitterhouse Road - London
13. Cock and Bell lane - Suffolk
14. Beaver Close - Surrey
15. Cold Blow Lane - London

But before you rush to the estate agents, be warned: you may not be the only one with an appointment on Slag Lane this weekend.

Building or ribbon? Meet Turkey's new broadcast tower

All photos: Dezeen

Is it a building? Is it a ribbon? The new broadcast tower on its way to Turkey cannot decide. The design, by IND and Powerhouse Company, has won a competition to build a new 100-metre-high broadcast and observation structure in Çanakkale. 

The building wraps elegantly around the forest-filled hilltop outside of the city in a ring before the undulating loop stretches up into a striking red tower. 

Visitors will be able to "wander along a raised path that will loop around the site and lead to the visitor centre, which will be built above the treetops on the edge of the hill facing the city", reports Dezeen. Indeed, the aim is to reduce any impact on the forest surrounding it by raising the building off the ground.

The building will include recreational facilities as well as observation decks and exhibition spaces - and, of course, the all-important communications mast, which is located away from the visitor centre to lower the risk of potential radiation.

"The design of the new Çanakkale Antenna Tower resolves these paradoxes by uniting all the different functions and spatial requirement into one spatial gesture," the judges declared in an official statement.

via:http://www.themovechannel.com/news/stories/got-the-balls-to-live-on-minge-lane-you-could-save-84k-577/

Building or ribbon? Meet Turkey's new broadcast tower

All photos: Dezeen

Is it a building? Is it a ribbon? The new broadcast tower on its way to Turkey cannot decide. The design, by IND and Powerhouse Company, has won a competition to build a new 100-metre-high broadcast and observation structure in Çanakkale. 

The building wraps elegantly around the forest-filled hilltop outside of the city in a ring before the undulating loop stretches up into a striking red tower. 

Visitors will be able to "wander along a raised path that will loop around the site and lead to the visitor centre, which will be built above the treetops on the edge of the hill facing the city", reports Dezeen. Indeed, the aim is to reduce any impact on the forest surrounding it by raising the building off the ground.

The building will include recreational facilities as well as observation decks and exhibition spaces - and, of course, the all-important communications mast, which is located away from the visitor centre to lower the risk of potential radiation.

"The design of the new Çanakkale Antenna Tower resolves these paradoxes by uniting all the different functions and spatial requirement into one spatial gesture," the judges declared in an official statement.

via:http://www.themovechannel.com/news/stories/building-or-ribbon-meet-turkeys-new-broadcast-tower-516/

And the Oscar for Best Buyer goes to...

As the stars of Hollywood descend upon Los Angeles this weekend to be showered with Oscars, TheMoveChannel.com peruses the A-listers' homes to dish out its own awards. Who is the best house-hunter in showbiz? And, perhaps more importantly, who is the worst?

Best Buyer: Leonard DiCaprio

Photo: Curbed

When it comes to real estate, nobody does it quite like Leo. Fresh from his money-grabbing turn in The Wolf of Wall Street, the A-list star isn't afraid to splash the cash in real life, with The Desert Sun reporting that he snapped up a six-bedroom SoCal estate. The property, designed in 1963 for Dinah Shore, makes for a stunning 7,022 square-foot pad. 

The price tag, though, is the award-worthy part: if the rumours are true, Leo spent $5.23 million on the house, only a couple of months after selling his Malibu home for $17.35 million. Saving money without scrimping on style? Leo may have been nominated for Oscars four times without victory, but he's winning at real estate. In our book, that's all that matters.

Best Movie Home: The Wolf of Wall Street

Photo: Yacht Charter Fleet

Not content with winning TheMoveChannel.com's top prize, The Wolf of Wall Street continues to storm the real estate awards with not one but two as-seen-on-screen properties. The three-bedroom Midtown penthouse owned by Jordan Belfont in the movie went up for sale this year for $6.5 million, offering in exchange a breathtaking view across the city from three sides. 

The show was stolen, though, by Lady M, the yacht that DiCaprio's character flaunts in the face of the FBI. The 144.36-foot-long party boat may not be as glossy as it appears on the big screen, but it boasts five bedrooms and a jacuzzi. The price tag? $125,000 per week. 

Best Tent: Miley Cyrus



Mark Wahlberg almost scooped the Best Real Estate Accessory gong with his "traditional home" completewith its own water park. but he was pipped to the post by Miley Cyrus. The star of So Undercover, Hannah Montana: The Movie and Bolt may not be up to much at this weekend's ceremony, but makes up for it with her purchase of a $25,000 tent - the kind of extravagance that defines a world-class Hollywood diva.


Most Dramatic Couple: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

The young stars of Twilight may not be Oscar-nominated yet, but the pair have generated more column inches combined that most of this year's award contenders. The pair split last year following a fling between Kristen Stewart and Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders, giving newspapers and magazines a whole heap to gossip about, but also leaving their old love nest on the market. The stunning LA home was sold in January this year, treating its new owner to three bedrooms, three bathrooms, beautiful views over Los Feliz and one hell of a Hollywood history to share at dinner parties.


Worst Seller: Michael Jordan

Photo: WENN (via The Daily Mail)

Space Jam fans were disappointed this month when rumours of a sequel to the part-animated basketball hit were seemingly quashed by Warner Bros. Michael Jordan, though, has suffered even greater disappointments in the past 12 months, as he has repeatedly failed to slam dunk the sale of his Chicago mansion. The Chicago Bulls legend listed his property in February 2012 for $29 million but struggled to find a buyer, prompting the NBA champion to put the house under the hammer: a chance for bargain hunters to get their hands on a home with no fewer than 19 bathrooms and its own competition-ready basketball complex. The auction timed out, though, leaving Jordan with no clear shot at a sale. 

To top it off, his ex-wife Juanita is facing equal difficulty trying to sell their former petnhouse, recently chopping $300,000 off the asking price to take it to a round $4 million. On the plus side, the Space Jam website still exists.


Best Mobile Home: Will Smith


Angelina Jolie almost stole all of our hearts when she reportedly bought a romantically-shaped island for hubby Brad Pitt, producer of this year's Best Picture nominee 12 Years a Slave, but the private getaway was trumped by that of another Academy Award veteran: Will Smith.

The twice-nominated star of Men in Black 3 wowed members of the public this year when he granted us a look inside his mobile home. The two-storey trailer, which is his home from home while on set, is more of a tank than a caravan, expanding to include a custom kitchen, dining area and even a large TV.

For design and sheer ridiculousness alone, it wins all the awards.

via:http://www.themovechannel.com/news/stories/and-the-oscar-for-best-buyer-goes-to-262/

Tips for office employees during typhoons

Typhoons are part of the lives of every Filipino. Year after year, several typhoons visit the Philippines and there are many challenges that come with these. Although school is often suspended during strong typhoons, work for many people often goes on as usual. For many office employees, this means going to work regardless of whether you live in a flood-prone area or you will have to go through flooded areas. Commercial districts such as the Makati cbd and the Ortigas business district are as active as usual even during typhoons.

If you are one of those who are expected to report for work in Makati, Manila, or anywhere else even during a typhoon, it is important to make preparations and observe safety precautions. Below are some tips for office employees during typhoons.

• Do not leave unless you are in danger of losing your job. Needless to say, do not let yourself be pressured to go to work amidst strong winds and rains outside. If you are hesitant about going to work because of the weather conditions outside, then let your office know about it. If it will only count as an absence then take the leave whether it is paid or not. The stress and possible difficulties you may encounter are not worth the pay you will get.

• Be ready with your umbrella, extra clothes, and extra footwear. There are times when you might already be at the office when the rains start. This means going home while there are strong winds and rains outside. You need to be ready to face this kind of weather with an umbrella, a raincoat, extra clothes, and extra footwear. Keep a set of these rain gears among your things at the office.

• Bring a few snacks and small bottle of water with you. If there is a typhoon coming, make sure you have snack such as crackers and a small bottle of water with you wherever you go. This will prevent you from going hungry in case you are stranded somewhere for a longer period of time such as in heavy traffic or while inside the MRT.

• Keep yourself informed. Being in your workplace is no excuse to be uninformed about weather conditions. With the popularity of smartphones, getting such information is so much easier than before so take advantage and make sure you are updated on weather news.
• via:http://63realestate.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/office-employees-during-typhoons/

Condo Renting: Five (5) basic steps in finding a good Tenant

When it comes to managing properties, the importance of tenant selection should be underscored. After all, your main purpose for making the investment in the first place is to generate income. Therefore, finding a good tenant that complements your property will give you the best ROI given the right match.

How To Find A Good Tenant

Here is a quick guide to show you how.

1.       Identify your target audience. This step pertains to the type of property you own and the matching tenants suitable to inhabit it. For instance, if you have a condo for rent in Taguig, the best people to aim your rentals for will be career-oriented individuals who work in Fort Bonifacio Global City.  The idea that your condominium-for-rent is within walking distance from their workplace makes it very attractive to these type of people.

2.       Prepare your residence. Next up is to prep your condo in the best way possible. Make sure that it is clean and free from clutter. See to it that everything is fixed from leaks and faucets to lighting. Keep in mind that this is aPhilippine real estate investment. Ensuring that it is well-maintained will certainly catch the eyes of responsible tenants.

3.       Advertise. Do remember that advertisement plays a big role in finding good deals for rental condos. Know the correct avenues to approach. Start with referrals from families and friends. Try online through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Register it on reputable listing sites. Post photos and basic details such as the number of rooms, condominium features and amenities, rent amount as well as the community where it belongs to. Consider offline advertising like local newspapers and fliers.

4.       Create a comprehensive application form. Collect vital personal info about the applicant such as complete name, date of birth, city and/or provincial address, SSS number, TIN number, family members, income sources and amount, work information and character references. Make sure that they provide government—issued IDs, barangay or NBI clearance and emergency contact numbers.

5.       Perform a background check. This isn’t limited to criminal records alone. Also included here is his credit history. Does he pay bills on time? Does he have credit card debts? Where did he use to live? What was his reason for leaving? Was he evicted for non-payment of dues or did he break any community rules and regulations? Ensure that you can get in touch with his previous landlords so you will be well-aware of his rental history.

via:http://63realestate.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/condo-renting-five-5-basic-steps-in-finding-a-good-tenant/

Why Live In A Mid Rise Condominium

Condominiums have long taken the Philippines by storm and it is evident in the number of condominium buildings that can now be seen in many urban areas in the Philippines. While there are a lot of high rise condominiums, mid rise condominiums are also growing in popularity.

If you are looking for a condo in the Philippines, it might be good to try to find something that will fit your needs and preferences among the many mid rise condominiums that you can find in listings of Philippines properties for sale. To help you get a better idea of what these condos can offer, below are some of their benefits.

• More affordable. Mid rise condominiums are often more affordable than their high rise counterparts. This is often because mid rise condominiums are sometimes less luxurious than high rise condominiums. A mid rise condo also often offer less amenities and facilities. Also, high rise condominiums are often better situated since they are usually closer to more commercial areas. The usual locations of mid rise condos are often priced lower than the usual locations of high rise condos.
• Less busy environment. High rise condominiums expectedly have more residents and occupants than mid rise condominiums. This means that you can expect a generally quieter and less busy environment. Aside from these, the demographics in mid rise condominiums are usually older, which also means less noise and fewer parties.
• More accessible. Most mid rise condominiums are located in less busy streets. This means that you have better accessibility and better parking possibilities. You will also spend less time in the elevators because of fewer floors. This means you can get to your unit and to the ground floor in less time.
• Greener surroundings. Many mid rise condominiums are developed in such a way that the surrounding areas have more trees and greenery. For those who are looking for a compromise between the convenience of living in a condominium and living close to nature, mid rise condominiums offers a good mix of these.
• Less congested. For every square meter of ground or lot area, a mid rise condominium will have fewer residents than a high rise one. This only means that a mid rise condo is a less congested living space in terms of actual lot area that the structure is standing on and less congestion is almost always better than more congestion.
• via:http://63realestate.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/why-live-in-a-mid-rise-condominium/

Furnishing your condo with Mahogany furniture

Furniture is one of the most important things you will put inside your condo. With the size that your furniture will take up, it is important to choose carefully especially since most condo units have very limited space.

Whether you have a McKinley Hill condo for rent as a homebase or finally closed in on an Eastwood condominium for sale, furnishing it can be more exciting than purchasing a home unit – you will have full total control on how you want your condo to look like.

Wood is still the best and most durable type of furniture. It may be heavy and not that flexible when it comes to style but this will last you for years! Among the most popular furniture are mahogany furniture pieces. Mahogany is a very strong and durable hardwood that is often used for making fine luxury furniture and high-end furniture.

Aside from this, mahogany wood has a beautiful reddish brown color that makes it perfect for any room in your house.  Since mahogany wood is excellent for carving and finishing, you will find many mahogany furniture pieces such as dining room furniture, cabinets, and bedroom sets, among others, that have intricate designs.

To make it easy for you to buy good quality mahogany furniture, below are some tips you can use.

• Buy second hand. First of all, mahogany is not a cheap type of wood. In fact, furniture made from mahogany wood is often more expensive than other furniture pieces. If budget is an issue for you, one way you can get a more affordable price for a set of mahogany furniture is to look for used or second hand ones. Try to look for those who are moving soon, smaller furniture stores, or garage/yard sales.

• Choose a style that you want. Although a lot of mahogany furniture pieces are designed with intricate carvings, there are also some that come with very simple designs. Before shopping for your mahogany furniture, decide on the specific style that you want. Do you want clean simple lines etched on the wood? Or do you prefer curves and floral patterns? Deciding on the style that you want will help cut down the time that it takes for you to find the right mahogany furniture.

• Check the wood. Mahogany is a very strong wood for good reason – it takes a lot of time to grow them. There are a lot of issues with regard to the use of mahogany wood. You may want to ask questions about the source of the wood if you are concerned about using mahogany wood that might be illegally logged and harvested.
• via:http://63realestate.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/condo-with-mahogany-furniture/

Three (3) Most common mistakes during the house-hunting process

Hunting for a new house can be a very exciting yet stressful experience! The range of choices can be quite overwhelming especially if you’re the type who is primarily focused on finding your ultimate dream home. Chances are, you are more likely to make a bad decision without realizing it until it’s too late. It is then important to be aware of the most common pitfalls encountered by majority of first-time home buyers.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes During The House-Hunting Process

Do not let your emotions control your decisions while you’re on a hunt. Learn the top three (3) mistakes to avoid during the entire process.

1. Prioritizing appearance above all things. Suppose you’ve seen a few houses for sale in the Philippines and the third one you have visited is nearest to your concept of a dream home. The seller has done all the work – decorations, painting, carpeting. The kitchen is divinely spacious with built-in stove and updated appliances; there are extras installed in the house already – luxurious bathtub, central air conditioning and security system. It is situated a bit far from your workplace but you have a car so it is still acceptable. It’s big enough for you and your immediate family. It generally suits your taste. There are still some things that you’d like to upgrade but you are not worrying about it very much because you feel it will not cost you a lot of money to do so. This is where you’re wrong. Do remember that it’s better to opt for something that needs a major overhaul in the interiors and exteriors rather than a place where everything is already set and made up. It is much cheaper in the long run should you decide to remodel or renovate. Bottom line, you need to consider not just the aesthetics but the budget, location, layout and overall land size as well.
2. Ignoring major and minor fixes. Keep in mind that home ownership is more than just purchasing the property alone. You have to think about repairs and maintenance as well – outdated or exposed electrical wirings, leaks and plumbing issues, faulty foundations. Do not entertain the idea that you can do all the handyman stuff that needs to be done. Find an inspector who can help you make a rational assessment about the value of the whole residence.
3. Making an offer too much, too fast, too soon. Another mistake is assuming that there is no otherPhilippine real estate property that can equal to the one you’re currently viewing, you are under a deadline and you must give the best bid else hand the silver platter to a competitor buyer. Take your time to research how much it is really worth to make sure that the price you’ll offer is within a reasonable range. 

To know more about Philippines real estate, just click here.

via:http://63realestate.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/mistakes-during-the-house-hunting-process/

Five (5) Basic Reasons To Homeownership

Owning a home is one of the biggest financial decisions anyone can make. The weight of deciding whether to buy or not to buy creates a greater impact especially on first-time homebuyers.

Why Purchase A Home

While it is generally a dream-come-true to majority of the population, some consider this disadvantageous. This is especially true if you’re the type of person who travels a lot and moves often enough from one city to another in the course of your job.

 

Learn the benefits of homeownership. See if it’s a suitable option for you and your family.

1.       Basic necessity of man. You cannot survive without shelter. Everyone needs someplace to stay in somewhere, where you can rest your body everyday and be protected from the natural elements like the sun and rain and phenomenon like typhoons and earthquakes. Needless to say, it is a human need.

2.       To have a place you can call your own. Owning a property represents stability and security. This is all yours. This is where your heart is. You can do whatever you want with it without worrying about anybody’s criticism. You can have the privacy you crave so much, you can paint the room, add a furniture or fixture or install a garden at the backyard. In short, you can do whatever you please to make it personalized according to your taste.

3.       To be part of the community. This is where you can settle down, plant your roots and start a family. This is where you can get involved with the rest of the people, become a member of the society, practice your right to vote, join clubs and many more.

4.       More affordable than renting. First off, it’s getting quite easy to acquire a loan and purchase a house these days. The government has several housing programs for everybody who’s looking to build their first residence. For instance, the Pag-ibig Fund offers rich variety of solutions for Filipino migrants working overseas which make it faster for OFWs to shop for various house and lot for sale all over the Philippines. Second, the cost of rentals is forever rising. Instead of allotting your hard-earned money for rent, why not use that as a capital for a new home.

5.       Makes good investment. Acquire a property and you invest in your future. Real estate rarely depreciates. You can always sell the land and get its monetary worth should you decide to move elsewhere in the future.

via:http://justin-torres.blogspot.in/2013/12/basic-reasons-to-homeownership.html

Small ways to earn extra cash during Christmas Season

Everyone wants some spare change especially during the holidays. With all the parties to attend to; the gatherings you’ll be hosting for family, friends, office mates, and more; and the many gifts you’ll be giving away, some extra cash would certainly go a long way. The big question, however, is how do you earn these loose change?

Fortunately, here are some ways on how to make money fast this Christmas season.

Be Santa for Hire

If you don’t mind dressing up in a red costume, adding on a few pounds (in the form of a prosthetic tummy), and putting on a white wig and a full set of white facial hair, then you can be Santa for hire. You see, every year during Christmas, Santas are in demand, making appearances in parties, wishing people a Merry Christmasin the malls, and asking little kids (in special events) what they want to get for Christmas. It’s not exactly the most lucrative or the most convenient way to earn some extra cash this season, but it does get the job done.

Online gigs

If you don’t have the luxury of time and you find it too much of a bother to go somewhere else to work, then you can just earn moneyfrom home by doing some online gigs. You see, there are a lot of opportunities to earn some extra cash online – as an online researcher, virtual assistant, technical writer, blogger, or transcriber. Heck, you can even get paid by just clicking on some online advertisements, submitting articles, creating email addresses, or simply by leaving comments.

Another good thing about online gigs is that most of them are available all year round, so you can continue earning some extra cash online even after the holidays.

Sell Christmas goodies

If you are into artworks and/or you love baking, then you can use these skills to make some Christmas goodies for sale. Build some Christmas lanterns; decorate some socks, or simply make some fancy Christmas cards and sell them. You can also bake some cookies, chocolate cakes, or other pastries and put a little bit of Christmas spirit into them.

You can sell all these stuff to friends or you can choose to post them online. Whichever the case is, don’t expect a quick return though. Selling usually takes a bit of time, but when it does pickup, you’ll be getting orders and more than just loose change for Christmas. 

via:http://justin-torres.blogspot.in/2013/12/earn-extra-cash-during-christmas.html

Reasons to spend Christmas in the Philippines

The Philippines undergoes a drastic transformation during the Christmas season. Every year, during this same time, traffic goes from bad to horrible. Shopping malls fill up with people from opening to closing time, and sometimes even way after that. People will be rushing everywhere hurrying to avoid traffic jams and to get some last minute Christmas shopping done.

However, aside from this, the Philippines also magically transforms into a warm and almost magical place to spend Christmas in.

In fact, despite all the hassles that come with the Christmas season, here are some of the biggest reasons to spend Christmas in the Philippines

.

The country becomes one big colorful light show

You see, during Christmas, every house in the country never fails to get adorned with Christmas lights or colorful Christmas lanterns of different designs. So once December darkness falls, these lights dazzle the streets with twinkling and blinking displays of varying tempo.

In fact, some people do not stop with lighted windows or doors. They even adorn their trees with waterproof lighting to make the whole garden or backyard glow with majestic awesomeness – enough to light up the Christmas spirit in anyone.

The biggest catch though is that your electricity bills skyrocket during this season.

Bazaars and midnight sales fill the nights with activity

December nights are usually kept busy with plenty of bazaars and midnight mall sales, as if the whole day is not enough for shopping. In fact, even late at night, Makati, Manila, Ortigas, and practically anywhere in Metro Manila become flooded with people rushing to and fro to get from one bazaar to the next. Public transport drivers can attest to that.

In short, December basically becomes one long crazy shopping season in the country. It is exactly for this reason that a lot of tourists also flock to the Philippines to take advantage of the rock-bottom prices. Everything becomes a steal the closer Christmas comes.

Get serenaded with carols and Christmas Videoke

If you have any experience living in thePhilippines, you will know that Filipinos are a musical people. This peculiar trait becomes more evident as the season allows the nonstop singing of Christmas songs. In fact, if you don’t get enough doses of Christmas songs from carolers at night, you are certain to get your fill from the neighbors who will sing their hearts out in their own personal Videoke machines on full volume. How’s that for soothing the Christmas soul?

via:http://justin-torres.blogspot.in/2014/01/spend-christmas-in-philippines.html