Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses real estate investing. The writer looks at ways to invest and save money in real estate. The writer examines the appeal of real estate investment for individual homeowners. In this paper, the writer also discusses real estate investing as a financial investment on a larger scale.

From the Paper
"Investing in real estate has long held a strong allure for many individuals-their homes may be the only real estate investment they own, but with options such as reverse mortgages and home equity loans many individuals consider a single residence investment sufficient. Other investors are drawn to real estate because there is a tangible asset-land or buildings-that does not exist with many other types of investments. Still, other investors think of themselves as real estate moguls in the mold of Donald Trump who ..."

Tags:real, estate, investing

Abstract
This paper analyzes the franchising strategy as an opportunity of successful overseas expansion for international real estate companies. The paper explores the history as well as the general concept of franchising as an expansion strategy from both the franchisor's and the franchisee's perspective. The paper specifically focuses on the franchising strategies of Engel & Voelkers in the flourishing real estate market in the Middle East. The paper contains an appendix, as well as graphs and tables.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary Introduction
Literature review
Terms of Reference
Introduction
Franchising - a Method of International Expansion
The Need for Franchising
Advantages of Franchising
Disadvantages of Franchising
Benefits for the Franchisee
Financial Benefits
Becoming a Franchiser
Careful Screening and Selection of the Franchisees
Developing the Franchise Package and the Operational Manual
Marketing the Franchise Package
The Basic Business Concept and Pilot Operations
Developing the Franchisor's Organization
Legal Aspects of Franchising
Franchising in Real Estate
Conclusion
Methodology
Introduction
The Research Process
Research Philosophy
Research Approach
Research Strategy
Time Horizon
Summary
Primary Research
The Interview Questions
Secondary Research
Main Advantages and Disadvantages of Primary and Secondary Research
Research Credibility
Limitations of the Research Methodology
Findings
Introduction
Company Overview
Engel & Voelkers - Franchising
Internal Analysis: Strength and Weaknesses
Engel & Voelkers in the United Arab Emirates - a Big Opportunity
The Real Estate Boom in United Arab Emirates
The "Freehold Zone" Regulations in United Arab Emirates - a Threat
The Impact of the Economic Crisis
The Economy in the Middle East Today
External Analysis: Opportunities and Threats
Conclusion
Recommendations for Engel & Voelkers
Recommendations for Engel & Voelkers Middle East
Appendix

From the Paper
"Along with this diversified layout of the company, the specialization in the high end real estate market allowed Engel & Voelkers to earn substantial profits. This in turn places the company in a position to take on the risk of global expansion. The impressive company profile, the successful history and the company's ability to detect opportunities in the worldwide real estate markets attracted the interest of franchisees. Engel & Voelkers' expertise gets successfully transferred to franchisees by professional training which gives an overview of the standardized franchising model used in 32 countries. Furthermore, the constant monitoring of the franchisees' actions by the company's advanced IT system successfully controls risk. In addition to a common IT system, the shared marketing materials for more than 200 shops reduce the company's expenses in comparison to their competitors. The strategy against shop closures and retraction throughout the economic crisis reduced the losses to a minimum and left the company in an even more dominant position for the expected upturn in many markets, especially in the United Arab Emirates. However, the company has some weaknesses and faces several threats in the Middle East. The author briefly lists recommendations that should enable the company to avoid future difficulties and to continue its road of success."

Tags:real estate, expansion market SWOT

Abstract
This paper is the literature review of a paper on real estate risks in the Middle East and more specifically in Kuwait, identifying the many factors that pose risks and focusing on the real estate bubble and what has promoted its development.

From the Paper
"Among the risks currently prevalent in the Middle East, this paper focuses primarily upon real estate risks. In this chapter, the state of Middle Eastern real estate and Middle Eastern real estate risks will be detailed and the real estate bubble will be examined in detail. The chapter will discuss the factors that precipitate and constitute a bubble, what economic indicators signal the development of and measure a bubble, what makes a bubble volatile and why it..."

Tags:asset bubble, real estate bubble, housing bubble, Middle East, Kuwait, risk, property costs, economy, recovery, literature review

Abstract
The paper examines a single industry competitor, First Choice Realty, which is a franchise of Century 21 Real Estate, in the context of the environmental difficulties which the industry is currently facing. The agency's competitive environment is examined as its market and a series of alternatives are offered that are considered to be potentially effective at allowing the agency to remain viable and relevant in the tightening real estate market. The alternative that is finally settled upon is to update its onsite signage to a customizable electronic sign which can be regularly updated with a new message to better reflect the industry's trends and movements such as interest rates and sales figures or similar. The project concludes with a strategic action plan meant to illustrate how First Choice might move forward with this strategy.

From the Paper
"This document outlines an industry and company analysis centred on the real estate industry. A single industry competitor, First Choice Realty which is a franchise of Century 21 Real Estate, is examined in the context of the environmental difficulties which the industry is currently facing. The agency's competitive environment is examined as its market and a series of alternatives are offered that are considered to be potentially effective at allowing the agency to remain viable and relevant in the tightening real estate market. The alternative that is finally settled upon is to update its onsite signage to a customizable electronic sign..."

Tags:real, estate, signage

Abstract
This essay contains two case briefs, one for a real property case and one for an intellectual property case. Furthermore it answers six questions which the customer wanted included. The questions deal with real and intellectual property law.

From the Paper
"Facts: The city of New London, Connecticut was in need of economic revitalization so when the Pfizer corporation began to construct a new facility on the outskirts of a residential neighborhood, the city reactivated "the New London Development Corporation, a private entity under the control of the city government, to consider plans to redevelop the Fort Trumbull neighborhood and encourage new economic activities that might be brought by the Pfizer plant" (Kelo, 2006, p. 3). The corporation came up with a development plan which the city approved. The corporation offered to purchase the lots of Fort Trumbull which it would need, however some owners of the properties did not wish to sell."

Tags:real, intellectual, property

Abstract
This paper analyzes customer satisfaction in the Chinese real estate industry. This research focuses on two studies measuring customer satisfaction in the real estate industry, discuses the implications of the data results, and offers recommendations toward much-warranted improvements in this area, if China is continue at its current intense growth pace.

Contents:
Abstract
Executive Summary
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Literature Review
Background and Methodology of Proposed Research Design
Proposed Data Collection
Research Findings
Future Research
Conclusion

From the Paper
"A survey by Guizhou Property Exchange Center indicates that many consumers are very disappointed by the poor services they had received from real estate agents in Guiyang City, the capital of Guizhou province, with a population of 1.36 million (Shibao, 2000). Prospective home shoppers and renters have indicated their reluctance to use the agents' services as a result of the bad experiences (Shibao, 2000). A research report by Shanghai Real Estate Economic Association for the preparation of WTO entry cited that, in comparison with companies in developed countries, China's local real estate companies have the following weaknesses: 1) lack of experience attributable to their short existence, 2) limited competing capability due to smaller sizes, 3) insufficient capital and backward marketing means, 4) lower management skills; and 5) the overall lack of customer service capabilities (Shibao, 2000).
According to a survey reported in the China Construction magazine, about 59 percent of the urban residents in China now own their own homes. The average living space for most of these urban residents that own their homes is 50-80 square meters; the majority of households surveyed have 2 to 4 people (Shibao, 2000). About 19.7 percent of such respondents live in rented dwellings and 11.5 percent receive rental subsidies from their employers or work units (Shibao, 2000). It was also reported that 21.9 percent of the residents surveyed indicated they would like to purchase new houses with a size of 70-150 square meters within 5 years (Shibao, 2000). Thus, the realty business is highly developed in many cities of China and has become an index of local economic status. However, due to some misunderstanding of realty business and improper orientation of market research in this industry, the existence of overpriced realty has become a commonality. This kind of violation of the relative relationship between demand and supply itself is a problem valuable to research. "

Tags:global, economy, Real, Estates, Association, Property, Exchange

Abstract
This paper describes the downfalls of MTV's "reality" series, "The Real World" and why it is not a picture of reality for "twenty-somethings" in America. The paper discusses the idea behind reality shows and examines the unrealistic aspects of "The Real World."

Tags:MTV, Real World, reality, TV

Abstract
The 1900 to 1930 period was one of economic boom in Canada. This period, therefore, marks the era of modern real estate. This brief paper looks at the development of property and real estate during this 30 year period. In doing so, a very brief historical sketch of urban development is given, along with the factors that led to extensive urbanization and property development.

Tags:canada, real, estate

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the issue of real estate in the Middle East and looks at related risks and factors.

From the Paper
"This paper was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration MBA At Maastricht School of Management.
"The real estate risks currently prevalent in the Middle East include those related to geopolitical events, the global economic strain and the region's real estate bubble characterized by ..."

Tags:Middle East, Kuwait, risks, real estate, bubble, asset, property, Japan

Abstract
This is an addition to an existing paper on real estate risks in the Middle East that adds a model and further information, as well as a number of charts and figures.

From the Paper
"This paper was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Maastricht School of Management (MSM), the Netherlands.
"The Middle East has enjoyed booming property markets in recent years, so much so that the number of foreign players has grown dramatically and the Gulf Cooperation Council nations have amassed substantial surpluses that they are..."

Tags:Kuwati, Middle East, bubble, real estate, risks, rational model, near-rational model, fundamental model